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  Amy Yang finishes runner-up at shortened LPGA season opener SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Amy Yang finished runner-up at this year's LPGA Tour season opener, which was reduced to 54 holes due to bitter cold and strong gusts in Orlando, Florida on Sunday. With the fourth and final round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions canceled due to freezing temperatures, Yang, who shot 10-under 206 through the first three rounds, finished second, three shots behind Nelly Korda of the U.S. Without having to hit a single shot on Sun February 2, 2026
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  Rising overseas demand pushes Korean seaweed prices to record levels SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - Dried seaweed prices in South Korea have climbed to a record high as rising exports tighten domestic supply and fuel broader seafood inflation. Data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. showed Monday that the average retail price of mid-grade dried seaweed reached 1,515 won per 10-sheet pack in late January, the first time the period average has exceeded 1,500 won, or more than 150 won per sheet. Prices have risen about 50 percent ov February 2, 2026
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  Joint research team develops wearable OLED hat to combat hair loss SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) - A joint team of researchers from South Korea and Hong Kong has developed a wearable light therapy platform designed like a hat to treat hair loss. By using flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), the device suppresses the aging of hair follicle cells by approximately 92 percent. The project was led by Professor Choi Kyung-cheol from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in collaboration with Professor Yun Chi from the Hon February 2, 2026
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  K-pop OST "Golden" wins Grammy, marking first victory for K-pop songwriters SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -“Golden,” an original soundtrack from Netflix’s animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters, won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammy Awards, marking the first-ever Grammy win for K-pop songwriters and producers. The award was announced during the Premiere Ceremony of the 68th Grammys held in Los Angeles. Unlike performance-based categories, Best Song Written for Visual Media is awarded to songwriters and producers, recognizing excelle February 2, 2026
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  Majority of workers use AI to enhance productivity, survey finds SEOUL, February 2 (AJP) - Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly driving workplace productivity in South Korea, with more employees using AI tools to cut repetitive tasks and devote more time to strategic and creative work, according to data released on Monday by workplace solutions company Notion. The findings are based on a survey of 480 office workers and freelancers who have used AI. Some 61.5 percent of respondents said they used AI tools for work, a rate much higher th February 2, 2026
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  K-economy analysis: hot chips, hot stocks — and a narrow growth base SEOUL, February 02 (AJP) -A booming semiconductor cycle and a frothy equity rally have lifted sentiment around the Korean economy, but the apparent strength rests on an increasingly narrow base, leaving broader growth and domestic demand lagging behind. Exports and stock prices are sending powerful bullish signals. Korea’s benchmark equity index surged to record territory in January, while outbound shipments continue with record-setting growth streak, fueling talk of February 2, 2026
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  KOSPI shatters records in historic January rally SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI delivered one of the most explosive monthly rallies in the history of the local stock market in January, with virtually every major indicator posting record or near-record figures. According to the Korea Exchange (KRX), the KOSPI closed January at 5,224.36 last Friday, up 1,010.19 points from the previous month-end. The index gained 23.97 percent over the month, marking its strongest monthly performance since October 19 February 1, 2026
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  'Bedford Park' Wins Sundance Special Jury Award for Debut Feature SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -"Bedford Park", a romance starring Korean actors Son Suk-ku and Moon Choi, won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Debut Feature at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, marking a strong showing for Korean-led storytelling at the world’s leading showcase for independent cinema. The award, which recognizes a first-time feature director, was presented during the festival’s closing ceremony in Park City, where the film had its worl February 1, 2026
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  Grammy night nears, Korean artists await the anticipated call SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -As Grammy night nears in Los Angeles, anticipation is building around high-profile Korean artists and Korean-led content that could set historic records at the world’s most prestigious music awards. The 68th Grammy Awards will be held at the Crypto.com Arena, hosted by the Recording Academy. In South Korea, the ceremony will be broadcast live and exclusively on Mnet, with streaming available via Mnet Plus. Rosé, who entered the February 1, 2026
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  Korea's Jan exports up 34% on doubled chip shipments, trade surplus streak for 1-year SEOUL, February 01 (AJP) -South Korea’s exports jumped more than 30 percent in January from a year earlier, extending their on-year growth streak to eight consecutive months, driven by steamy semiconductor shipments. Exports totaled $65.85 billion, up 33.9 percent from a year earlier, marking the highest January figure on record, according to data released Sunday by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Semiconductor exports, the country’s top export item, mor February 1, 2026