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Love, legacy and the price of a chaebol divorce SEOUL, July 26 (AJP) -There is no shortage of Korean dramas built around chaebol heirs falling in love against the odds. Real life has produced stories just as compelling — except that the endings are often written not by scriptwriters but by judges. Record 944 billion won ($680 million) divorce award involving SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won and former wife Roh Soh-yeong last Friday has added another chapter to the small club of Korea's most consequential corporate breakups, where failed marriages have altered family fortunes, tested succession plans and redefined the legal treatment of billionaire wealth. Unlike television dramas, where romance typically triumphs over wealth and family opposition, Korea's real-life chaebol love stories have often unfolded under relentless public scrutiny, ending in courtroom battles over corporate empires worth trillions of won. The SK saga: A marriage that united business and politics Few unions carried greater symbolic weight than the marriage of Chey Tae-won and Roh Soh-yeong. When they married in 1988, Chey was the son of SK founder Chey Jong-hyun while Roh was the daughter of then-President Roh Tae-woo, creating one of Korea's most influential power couples. Over nearly three decades, Roh stood beside Chey as SK evolved from a domestic energy company into one of the world's most valuable AI memory chipmakers. Their marriage unraveled publicly after Chey disclosed that he had fathered a child outside the marriage and sought divorce in 2017. After years of legal battles culminating in Thursday's remand ruling, the Seoul High Court ordered Chey to pay Roh 944 billion won in cash while recognizing her 33.3 percent contribution to the couple's jointly accumulated wealth over almost 30 years of marriage. The finalized award is the largest publicly disclosed property settlement involving a Korean business family. It follows an earlier appellate ruling in 2024 ordering Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court after it found errors in the lower court's reasoning regarding former President Roh's alleged political slush funds. Samsung's Cinderella romance Long before the SK divorce dominated headlines, another corporate romance had captured the country's imagination. Hotel Shilla President Lee Boo-jin, the eldest daughter of late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, fell in love with Lim Woo-jae, then a Samsung security employee. Their 1999 marriage was widely portrayed as a rare Cinderella story inside Korea's most powerful conglomerate. The fairy tale ended in 2014 when Lee filed for divorce. During the proceedings, Lim reportedly argued that Lee's personal fortune exceeded 2.5 trillion won and sought more than 1.2 trillion won in property division—the largest publicly known claim in a Korean divorce at the time. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld a property settlement of roughly 14.1 billion won in 2020, a tiny fraction of the amount sought. Legal observers widely interpreted the outcome as reflecting the court's view that Lee's Samsung shareholdings were not subject to division. Lee Jae-yong and Lim Se-ryung: A quiet ending Not every chaebol romance ended in years of courtroom drama. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Daesang Vice Chairwoman Lim Se-ryung divorced in 2009 after 11 years of marriage. The case was settled through mediation within days after proceedings began, and financial terms were never disclosed. Both went on to become prominent business leaders in their own right, with Lee leading Samsung Electronics and Lim emerging as one of Korea's most influential female executives. A retail heir and a television star One of Korea's most talked-about celebrity-business marriages brought together Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin and actress Ko Hyun-jung. The marriage, which attracted enormous public attention, ended in 2003 through mediation only hours after divorce proceedings began. Reports at the time said Chung agreed to pay 1.5 billion won in alimony while retaining custody of the couple's children. The details of any property division, however, were never made public. The gaming founder who paid in shares One of the few founders to divide company ownership rather than cash was NCSoft founder Kim Taek-jin. When his marriage ended in 2004, Kim transferred a 1.76 percent stake in the online game developer to his former spouse. The shares were valued at roughly 30 billion won at the time, making it one of Korea's earliest high-profile examples of equity-based divorce settlements involving a technology entrepreneur. The next blockbuster case Legal and business circles are already watching what could become Korea's next landmark corporate divorce. Smilegate Chief Visionary Officer Kwon Hyuk-bin, whose fortune is estimated at around 8 trillion won, is scheduled to receive a first-instance ruling on Sept. 9 in a divorce case filed in 2022. Local media have reported that his wife is seeking roughly half of his Smilegate shareholding. Following the precedent set in the Chey-Roh litigation, the case is expected to test whether Korean courts are increasingly willing to treat founder-controlled equity in privately held technology companies as marital property. What links these stories is not simply celebrity or wealth. Each has raised difficult questions about how courts value contributions made outside the boardroom, whether family-controlled shareholdings should be divided after decades of marriage, and how personal relationships can reshape the ownership of some of Korea's largest corporations. For a country where chaebol families have long inspired television romances, reality has proved every bit as dramatic—only the scripts are written in court judgments, measured in billions of won, and capable of altering the future of corporate empires. July 26, 2026 14:24 -
Go Woo-seok Ejected from Minor League Game for Alleged Foreign Substance Use Go Woo-seok was ejected from a Minor League Baseball game in the United States for allegedly violating foreign substance usage regulations.According to Yonhap News on July 25, Go, a right-handed relief pitcher for the Triple-A St. Paul Saints, part of the Minnesota Twins organization, took the mound as the third pitcher for his team during the seventh inning of a home game against the Columbus Clippers (affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians) at CHS Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his team trailing 2-3.However, as Go approached the mound, umpires inspected his hands and glove, claiming they found a foreign substance inside the glove. They called over additional umpires for confirmation.After a lengthy examination of the glove, the umpires ordered Gos ejection and confiscated the glove.In response to ongoing controversies regarding the use of foreign substances by pitchers, Major League Baseball implemented a system in 2021 that allows umpires to inspect pitchers hands and gloves during games.Using sticky substances like tar or resin can enhance a pitchers grip, increasing spin rate and movement on the ball.If a foreign substance is discovered during an inspection, the pitcher is immediately ejected and typically faces a 10-game suspension after a disciplinary process.The broadcast team remarked, This is the first time weve seen something like this, noting that it appeared the umpires found something inside the glove.They added, We cannot know exactly what the issue is, but if a foreign substance regulation was violated, a suspension will follow.As of now, the Minor League office has not officially announced any disciplinary action against Go.Meanwhile, Go struggled in his previous outing against Cleveland on July 21, allowing three runs in one inning before being sent back down to the minors.* This article has been translated by AI. July 25, 2026 20:36 -
Lee Kang-in Returns to La Liga After Three Years, Joins Atletico Madrid Lee Kang-in has returned to Spains La Liga after three years, joining the prestigious Atletico Madrid.Atletico Madrid announced on July 25 via social media that they have signed Lee to a five-year contract. The club stated, We have reached an agreement with PSG regarding Lee Kang-ins transfer, adding that he will play for Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2031.Lee made his La Liga debut in 2019 with Valencia before moving to Mallorca and then transferring to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2023. During his five seasons with Valencia and Mallorca, he played 135 official matches and scored 10 goals. At PSG, he netted 16 goals in 124 official matches over three seasons.According to local Spanish media, the transfer fee Atletico Madrid will pay PSG is expected to reach €40 million (approximately $44 million), including an additional €5 million in options. Lees reported annual salary is around $6.5 million (approximately $10 million).Atletico Madrid described Lee as a left-footed midfielder capable of playing both as an attacking midfielder and on the wings, highlighting his excellent game vision, refined ball control, and precise passing and shooting abilities.Atletico Madrid is historically one of the strongest teams in La Liga, having won the championship 11 times, making them the third most successful club in the leagues history, following Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. July 25, 2026 19:24
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Department Stores Evolve into Cultural Spaces with Art Exhibitions Department stores are increasingly resembling art galleries. Spaces once dominated by cosmetics and luxury goods are now showcasing paintings and crafts, while rooftop gardens and store corridors have transformed into exhibition areas. Customers can spend time in department stores without making a purchase, enjoying art, scents, and photo opportunities. As online shopping becomes the norm, physical stores are competing not just on what they sell, but on what experiences they offer. According to industry sources, Lotte Department Store has enhanced its art offerings with sensory experiences. The Urban Symphony exhibition at the Avenue L Jamsil location, running until August 2, features media and painting works centered on the emotions of modern urban life. Artists Koo Gi-jung and Koo Ji-yoon present media installations and abstract paintings, respectively. The exhibition space is not limited to artworks. Lotte has collaborated with the niche fragrance brand Liberty Beauty to infuse the entire area with scents reminiscent of summer, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of the exhibition through fragrance. At the main Avenue L location, the Mindscape Gardener exhibition, featuring Eastern painter Jeong Yu-mi and Western painter Jeong In-hye, runs until August 24. Instead of confining artworks to a separate gallery, pieces are strategically placed throughout the store, allowing customers to encounter art naturally as they shop. At the Gangnam location, the premium concept store The Conran Shop is hosting its first exhibition-style pop-up for the Italian tableware brand Ginori 1735. This approach showcases the brands history and craftsmanship in a manner akin to an exhibition, moving beyond mere product displays. Lotte Department Store emphasizes creating a sensory experience by combining art, fragrance, interior design, and merchandise. Shinsegae Department Store is integrating galleries, architectural spaces, and traditional Korean culture. The Gangnam location recently opened its first standalone gallery on the 1M floor, featuring a solo exhibition titled Plane Conditions by first-generation Korean Dansaekhwa artist Choi Myung-young. The exhibition includes 18 paintings and drawings, as well as archival materials from the 1960s and 1970s. Plane Conditions will run until September 9. Historically, the Gangnam location has built its competitiveness around luxury goods and gourmet offerings. By adding a formal gallery, it has created a structure where shopping, dining, and art appreciation can all occur in one space. The 11th-floor S Garden features a Garden of Light that reflects sunlight through prisms, providing a picturesque spot for families and couples to take photos. The Heritage at the Seoul flagship store utilizes the entire building as an exhibition space. A solo exhibition titled The Origin of Space by artist Park Seon-ki is on display in the 4th-floor museum and 5th-floor central garden until September 13. The centerpiece is a large installation that shapes the framework of a traditional Korean house using charred charcoal. Visitors can walk among the charcoal structures, experiencing the formation and dispersal of shapes up close. In the same space, the exhibition Scenery of White by artist Kim Ik-young, who has led the popularization of modern Korean white porcelain, is also ongoing. Visitors can view around 70 to 80 representative sculptural works and everyday ceramics for free. Shinsegae aims to establish The Heritage as a cultural hub in Myeongdong by diversifying genres, including photography, media art, traditional crafts, and ceramics. Hyundai Department Store operates specialized exhibition spaces, childrens art museums, and craft pop-ups. The cultural space Alt1 on the 6th floor of The Hyundai Seoul is hosting a special exhibition titled Banksy, Still Here featuring over 110 prints and objects until November 3. At the Pangyo location, the Hyundai Childrens Book Art Museum is running a photography exhibition titled World of Photography until November 1. This exhibition introduces photography as a medium for storytelling through works and art prints from 14 domestic and international artists. There are also interactive programs for children to connect photography with writing or to create their own backgrounds and props for shooting. At the Sinchon location, a pop-up called Soyeonhoe showcases and sells works from five domestic craft artists. From Yoon Sang-yos Go game cups to Joo Jin-hyungs sculptures, a variety of craft items at different price points are available in one place, allowing customers to view and purchase artists works without needing to visit a separate gallery. Three Department Stores, Different Approaches to Art The three department stores have slightly different directions. Lotte focuses on sensory exhibitions that combine fragrance, media, and interior design. Hyundai segments content for different customer demographics through specialized exhibition spaces, childrens art museums, and craft sales. Shinsegae emphasizes formal galleries and Korean cultural content, including architecture and crafts. What they share is the recognition that relying solely on product sales is insufficient to retain customers. Online shopping allows for quick price comparisons and purchases. Department stores must create reasons for customers to visit and stay. Exhibitions can generate new motivations for visits and broaden the pathways to dining, shopping, and purchasing goods. Of course, art exhibitions do not immediately translate into sales. Many customers leave after viewing free exhibitions. However, for department stores, creating memorable images can help them stand out. The reasons for return visits may hinge more on the artworks seen and the spaces where photos were taken than on what was purchased. An industry insider noted, “Whereas past department store cultural centers served as supplementary facilities to shopping, today’s galleries and exhibitions have become content that draws customers to the stores. Customers who come to see exhibitions may extend their visits to include dining and shopping, which can enhance both store image and sales.”* This article has been translated by AI. July 25, 2026 10:04
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Jogbo.com Launches Summer Event Targeting Academic Preparation As summer vacation approaches, the education sector is rolling out promotions aimed at preparing students for the second semester. This period serves as a time to reinforce learning from the previous semester and prepare for the upcoming one, leading to a surge in events that combine educational content with various benefits.Jogbo.com, a platform specializing in academic support under Education Zone Co., has announced its summer promotion event titled Full Course Shot. The event is centered around the concept of full course for both study and benefits. All customers who purchase a 12-month Z-PASS will receive 30,000 won in Naver Pay points. This ensures that every buyer receives the same benefit, alleviating the burden of summer study.Additionally, a lottery-based experiential event is planned. Winners will receive tickets to attend LCK matches, along with pre-game meals and signed uniforms from BNK players. This event is designed to offer a complete experience that combines e-sports viewing, dining, and merchandise.The 12-month Z-PASS is a premium product that provides access to various academic preparation content aligned with the annual academic calendar, including midterm and final exams. Exclusive event participation benefits for paid members are also included.In the education sector, there is a growing trend of combining content with cultural experiences to enhance student motivation. Jogbo.com has explained that it aims to increase the competitiveness of its summer promotion by incorporating experiential benefits that reflect students interests alongside academic support.A representative from Jogbo.com stated, We prepared this event so that students can maintain their motivation for learning while also enjoying their vacation. We hope that the practical benefits provided to all purchasers will encourage more students to start preparing for the second semester without stress.* This article has been translated by AI. July 24, 2026 14:48
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Asia's Gen Z do not wait for permission anymore SEOUL, July 24 (AJP) - A canceled exam in New Delhi. A social media ban in Kathmandu. A housing allowance in Jakarta. A job quota in Dhaka. None of these, on its own, reads like the beginning of a national crisis. Yet each one sent hundreds of thousands of young people into the streets, and in two of those countries the government did not survive. Something has shifted in how Asia's youngest adults deal with power. The region's leaders are finding out the hard way. The latest lesson is unfolding in India. For more than three weeks, students have held a protest site near Parliament in New Delhi, and smaller demonstrations have spread to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and dozens of other cities. The spark was the leak of a national medical school entrance exam in May, which forced millions of students to retake their tests. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now in his 13th year in office, waited until this week to respond, posting on social media that nothing matters more than the welfare of the youth and promising fast-track tribunals for the leakers. Protesters called it late and lame. Their demands widened the next day. Why does an exam leak shake a government? Look underneath it. India's economy is growing at a healthy pace on paper. Still, nearly 40 percent of young degree holders are unemployed, according to the State of Working India 2026 report from Azim Premji University. Families pour savings and debt into an education system that routinely fails to prepare graduates for work. Then the one gateway that promised fairness, the entrance exam, turns out to be crooked too. The same sequence has been playing out across the region for four years. In Bangladesh in June, 2024, students protested a quota system that reserved a large share of government jobs for descendants of independence war veterans. In a country where a stable public sector job is one of the few reliable paths to a middle-class life, the quota felt like a rigged game. Then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dismissed the protesters with a slur, her security forces opened fire, and the movement stopped being about quotas at all. More than 1,000 people died, according to the interim government's health ministry. In August, Hasina fled to India by helicopter, ending 15 years in power. Nepal came next, in September 2025. The government of K.P. Sharma Oli banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and X, citing registration rules. Young Nepalis read it as censorship, and the tinder was already dry. Videos contrasting the luxury vacations of politicians' children with the grinding poverty of ordinary families had gone viral under hashtags mocking the "nepo kids" of the elite. Within days, parliament was burning and at least 19 protesters were dead. Oli resigned. The ban itself was lifted almost immediately, and it changed nothing. The ban was never the story either. In Indonesia, the fuse was a report in August 2025 that all 580 members of parliament were collecting a monthly housing allowance of about $3,000, roughly 10 times the minimum wage in Jakarta. Protests turned into riots after a police armored vehicle ran over and killed Affan Kurniawan, a 21-year-old motorcycle delivery driver who was not even demonstrating. He was trying to complete a food order. In a country where the gig economy has become the holding pen for millions of young people the formal economy cannot absorb, his death needed no explanation. President Prabowo Subianto revoked the perks within days. At least eight people had died by then. Sri Lanka started it all in 2022, when an economic collapse sent young protesters into the presidential palace, some swimming in its pool, and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. What makes this wave remarkable is where it is happening. These are societies where age confers authority, where enduring hardship quietly is treated as a virtue, where the young have long been told their turn would come if they studied and waited. Protest itself is nothing new in Asia. Students drove South Korea's democratization in 1987 and filled Indian streets long before independence. But even those movements had structure the state could recognize. Umbrella coalitions, dissident elders, opposition politicians ready to carry street demands to the negotiating table. The new thing is a generation that skips all of it, organizing itself, naming its own enemies, and bringing down governments run by men twice and three times its age. The waiting is over. Governments keep misreading these movements, and the errors follow a pattern of their own. Leaders respond to the trigger. They cancel the ban, revoke the allowance, promise tribunals for the exam leakers. Each time the concession lands as an insult, because the protesters were never asking for the small thing. They were asking why an entire generation did what it was told, studied harder than any cohort before it, and arrived at adulthood to find the jobs missing, the exams rigged, and the officials' children shopping in Paris. No tribunal answers that. The next instinct is to look for someone to arrest, buy off, or sit across a table from. There is no one. India's protests are fronted by the Cockroach Janta Party, which is not a party at all but a satirical movement named after an insult delivered by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Nepal's protesters organized on Discord, a gaming chat app. Indonesian demonstrators flew a pirate flag from a Japanese comic. To men who came up through party machines, this all looks unserious, and that is exactly the miscalculation. A movement with no head cannot be decapitated. The old strongman playbook was written against opposition parties and union bosses. It has no page for a hashtag. What remains is force, and force is the fastest way to lose. Hasina's men fired on students, and she lost the country. Nepal's crackdown killed 19, and the government fell within five days. In India, the batons and tear gas deployed on Monday turned a protest about exam accountability into something much larger. Watching from Seoul, it is tempting to treat all this as someone else's weather. South Korea's young people do not burn parliaments. But the underlying inventory should sound familiar. Brutal exam competition. Credential inflation. Youth unemployment concentrated among the educated. Housing priced out of reach. A raw, almost forensic sensitivity to fairness. The fury that followed South Korea's own hiring scandals struck the same nerve. Korean youth have so far channeled that anger through ballots and online mobilization rather than street occupations, and they have swung elections doing it. The difference between Seoul and Dhaka is not the grievance. It is whether institutions still offer a believable way out. That is the real warning in this wave. The Gen Z across Asia are not more radical than the generations before them. It is less patient with theater, and it no longer accepts a system's promises as payment. These young people watched their parents defer, and they watched deference go unrewarded. July 24, 2026 14:02 -
Com2us to Showcase 'Zeus: God of Wrath' on August 7, Revealing Release Date Com2us will hold an online showcase for its new MMORPG, Zeus: God of Wrath, next month, where it will announce the official release date.On July 24, Com2us announced that the showcase for Zeus: God of Wrath, developed by Everton and published by Com2us, will take place on August 7 at 2:30 PM on its official YouTube channel.Attendees will include Com2us CEO Nam Jae-kwan, Game Business Division Head Kim Jeong-hoon, Everton CEO Kim Dae-hwan, and General Director Jeong Seong-hoon. They will discuss the development process, key content, current release preparations, and future service plans, along with revealing the official release date.Major domestic media outlets will also be present to hear explanations about the development vision and content.Zeus: God of Wrath is set in a world where the supreme god Zeuss absolute power has fractured. The MMORPG features graphics based on Unreal Engine 5, content for cooperation and conflict between factions, various growth systems, and user-friendly features.Pre-registration is currently underway, and Com2us aims for a domestic release in the third quarter of this year.* This article has been translated by AI. July 24, 2026 10:24
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Kang Hyun-sook, Former KBL Referee Chair, Passes Away at 71 Kang Hyun-sook, the former chair of the Korean Basketball League (KBL) referees, passed away on July 22 due to illness. She was 71 years old.A graduate of Muhak High School, Kang joined the Woori Bank team in 1973 and played for the national team until her retirement in 1980. Standing at 172 cm, she was recognized for her skills as a point guard, excelling in both game management and scoring.From 1978, she served as the captain of the national team, leading them to a gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games that year. In 1979, she contributed to Koreas runner-up finish at the World Womens Basketball Championship and was named to the tournaments All-Star Five.She concluded her national team career with a victory, as Korea defeated China 101-68 in the finals of the 1980 Hong Kong Asian Womens Basketball Championship. Following this tournament, she retired from the court.After retirement, Kang held various positions, including game supervisor and financial chair for the Womens Korean Basketball League (WKBL), as well as technical director for the Korean Basketball Association. She also served as the team leader for the womens national team at the 2010 World Championship and the 2011 Asian Championship.In September 2011, she was appointed as the KBL referee chair, becoming the first woman to hold this position in mens professional basketball. At the time, KBL President Han Sun-kyo noted that Kang was selected for her reputation as a upright and principled person amid challenges in appointing referees due to club interests.She is survived by her husband, Kim Jong-wan, and daughters Kim Ui-jeong, Kim Ui-jin, and Kim Ui-min. Her funeral is being held at Seoul St. Marys Hospital, with the burial scheduled for 5 a.m. on July 24.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 16:04
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K-Content Captivates the World: A Need for Better Sales Strategies Netflixs performance in the first half of this year has reaffirmed the status of K-content. Korean productions such as Education Through Love, Mr. Kim, and The Wonderful World have led global viewing rankings, contributing to an increase in Netflixs viewing hours and improved performance.According to Netflixs recently released 2026 First Half Viewing Report, global viewing hours reached 97 billion. Non-English content accounted for more than one-third of total viewing, with Korean content representing the largest share.Education Through Love climbed to sixth place in the global rankings within a month of its release, while Mr. Kim maintained the number one spot in the non-English TV category for three consecutive weeks, demonstrating the potential for simultaneous success between domestic broadcasters and global OTT platforms.K-content is now establishing itself as a key asset that influences the success of global platforms, moving beyond merely being popular overseas.Interestingly, Netflixs success formula is changing. In the past, follow-up seasons of proven series like Squid Game and Stranger Things drove platform growth, but in the first half of this year, new releases have taken the lead.New works such as Education Through Love and Can This Love Be Translated? are attracting global audiences, highlighting the creativity and planning capabilities of K-content once again.However, there is a growing call for further advancement. With K-contents competitiveness now proven, the future will depend not only on creating good content but also on how long and in how many ways that content can be monetized.In this context, the ownership structure of content is noteworthy. Most of the viewing of Korean content in the first half of the year came from licensed works owned by domestic broadcasters and production companies, rather than Netflix Originals.This indicates that a new ecosystem is forming where Korean production companies retain IP while distributing to the global market, rather than global OTTs absorbing Korean content.In fact, the economic impact of the content industry is also growing. According to the Korea Creative Content Agency, $1 million in content exports generates $5.7 million in domestic production and creates over 3,300 jobs.Content exports have now grown to become one of South Koreas top 12 export items, alongside secondary batteries and home appliances. The export of the broadcasting and video industry has nearly tripled over the past eight years, supporting the industrial status of K-content.Now, the challenge for the Korean content industry is clear. Rather than competing to increase the number of productions, it is becoming increasingly important to connect a single piece of content to various revenue streams. Strategies for IP expansion that lead to global OTT supply, seasonal production, spin-offs, overseas remakes, format sales, and secondary works such as webtoons and games are becoming essential.CJ ENM is securing overseas production capabilities through its global studio Fifth Season, and the number of Korean creators participating in international projects is on the rise, reflecting this trend.In a context of declining advertising markets and a shrinking broadcasting industry, global OTTs are no longer competitors to the domestic broadcasting industry. Instead, they are becoming the most realistic distribution networks for domestic producers to enter the global market and generate additional revenue.With the influence of K-content growing, what is needed now is not just to create more hit works but to establish a sustainable industrial structure that connects production, distribution, and secondary businesses around IP. Moving beyond well-made dramas to create long-lasting profitable content is expected to be a new growth avenue for the Korean broadcasting industry in the K-content era.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 15:04
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NHN Launches AI Go Training Era with 'Handol', Supporting Korea-China Exchange NHN is ushering in an era of AI-based Go training with its self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) program, Handol. The company is leveraging the extensive game data accumulated from its Go services to enhance player development and expand its applications in sports education.On July 21, NHN provided the Handol AI Go program during a joint training session for the Go event at the 19th Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange held in Iksan, South Korea.The Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange is an international initiative aimed at fostering friendship between middle school students from Korea and China through sports. This year, Go was added as a new event as part of the Future Generation Exchange Activation agreed upon during the Korea-China summit in January.During the training, participating students engaged in matches against the AI using the Handol Challenge and Handol Level Test. The Handol Challenge allows users to compete against AI at a professional level, while the Handol Level Test enables players to select a difficulty level that matches their skill among nine tiers.By utilizing AI, participants can repeatedly play against opponents suited to their skill level and analyze their weaknesses.Handol is an AI Go program developed by NHN based on the vast user game data accumulated from HanGame Go, which has been operational since 1999. In 2019, it demonstrated its capabilities by achieving two wins out of three matches against Go master Lee Sedol. Since then, it has continuously improved its performance through enhanced reading algorithms and ongoing learning.NHN explained that its support for the Korea-China Youth Sports Exchange showcases how AI technology can extend beyond gaming into education and sports training.Seo Hyung-seok, Deputy Director of the Korea Sports Councils Youth Sports Department, stated, Go has a more static nature compared to other sports, which posed challenges in developing training programs. The AI-based training program has come as a refreshing approach. I hope to see similar AI training programs introduced in other sports in the future.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 11:08
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Court Rejects Webzen's Injunction Against Hound13, Steam Release of 'Dragon Sword' Proceeding as Planned A South Korean court has dismissed Webzens request for an injunction to prevent Hound13 from publishing Dragon Sword. Hound13 plans to release the Steam version, Dragon Sword: Awakening, as scheduled.According to industry sources on the 23rd, the Seoul Central District Courts Civil Division 60 rejected Webzens injunction request against Hound13 on the 22nd.Dragon Sword, developed by Hound13 and published by Webzen, was released on January 21. However, it failed to meet initial expectations, leading to conflicts between Webzen and Hound13 over the games poor performance.Hound13 announced the termination of its publishing contract with Webzen, claiming that Webzen failed to pay 60% of the advance sales settlement due after the games release and demanded a lower corporate valuation for its subsidiary. Hound13 believes the publishing contract with Webzen has ended and has been developing Dragon Sword: Awakening as a separate package game.In contrast, Webzen contended that Hound13 unilaterally disclosed the termination of the contract without following proper procedures. Following this, Webzen paid the remaining balance to Hound13 and continued the existing Dragon Sword service.In a statement, Hound13 asserted, The publishing contract with Webzen was lawfully terminated on February 13, and the preparations for the Steam service were conducted under our rightful authority as the copyright holder.With the courts dismissal of Webzens injunction, Hound13 is set to launch Dragon Sword: Awakening on Steam for the global market on the same day. Hound13 claims that it has secured independent service rights as the developer and copyright holder, disputing Webzens assertion that it is proceeding without publishing rights.However, the release of Dragon Sword: Awakening, originally scheduled for 7 a.m. in South Korea, has been delayed due to incomplete Steam approval.Webzen plans to appeal the courts decision. A Webzen representative stated, We intend to appeal to seek a reevaluation of the courts judgment on various facts and issues.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 10:44
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Jensen Huang Refutes U.S. Concerns Over Chinese AI Competition Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, has expressed opposition to U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese open-source artificial intelligence (AI) models.In an interview on July 21 in Fort Worth, Texas, Huang described Chinese AI models as very impressive and stated that high-performing open-source models should be utilized. When asked whether U.S. companies should be allowed to use Chinese AI models, he replied, Of course, they should be allowed. This stance contrasts with concerns from the U.S. government and major AI firms about the technological competition posed by Chinese companies. OpenAI and Anthropic, both NVIDIA clients, have warned that the spread of Chinese open-source AI could threaten U.S. technological superiority.Huang emphasized that low-cost open-source models could expand the market by increasing the number of AI users, asserting, There is zero possibility that China will push U.S. companies out of the market.His comments come amid heightened scrutiny in the U.S. regarding the recently unveiled Kimi K3 by Chinese company Moonshot AI. The K3 boasts performance close to cutting-edge models at a lower price, with publicly available weights for developers to download and modify.Following the K3s release, concerns emerged that affordable and efficient AI models could reduce the need for large infrastructure investments, leading to sell-offs in semiconductor stocks, including NVIDIA. Huang remarked, The market initially misunderstood the impact of DeepSeek, and now Wall Street is misjudging Kimis influence. Free AI is beneficial for hardware, semiconductors, and data centers.He dismissed fears that downloading Chinese AI models could create a backdoor for the Chinese government as a misunderstanding, adding that companies can modify models to fit their environments and operate them in a secure space known as a sandbox to control access.Huang also highlighted that open-source models allow external researchers to identify vulnerabilities and develop defenses, enhancing security. He stated, If everything relies on a single model, the points of attack and failure also converge, making the world much more vulnerable.Regarding Anthropics restricted cybersecurity AI model, Claude Mythos, he noted, Even without providing Mythos, other open-source models are already available. Anthropic should be allowed to compete freely; restricting their activities does not benefit U.S. interests.Huang drew a line against viewing the AI competition as a zero-sum game between the U.S. and China, stating, The AI race is not a competition with a finish line. Both the U.S. and China will exist for a long time, and we will continue to use AI in the future.Huangs interview was released just hours after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vessen announced an investigation into potential intellectual property theft by Chinese AI models. In an interview with Fox Business, Vessen stated, If it is confirmed that foreign models have stolen technology from U.S. companies, we can impose sanctions, mentioning that a watermark from U.S. AI models was found in Chinese models.Huang acknowledged the importance of learning through distillation and AI from other knowledge sources but asserted that companies violating privacy regulations or contracts should be held accountable.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 10:08
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Hyo-Joo Kim Aims for 10th LPGA Win at Scottish Open Hyo-Joo Kim, experiencing a resurgence in her career, is set to challenge for her 10th LPGA Tour victory at the ISPS Handa Womens Scottish Open in Scotland.Starting on July 23, Kim will compete over four days at Dundonald Links in North Ayrshire, Scotland, where the total prize purse is $2 million.This tournament, co-hosted by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the LPGA Tour, serves as a precursor to the AIG Womens Open, the final major of the season, which begins on July 30.Kim is a player to watch. She has been on a strong run this year, winning back-to-back titles at the LPGA Tour Founders Cup and the Ford Championship in March. Her success continued in Korea, where she claimed victories at the KLPGA Tour NH Investment & Securities Ladies Championship and the Lotte Open, which concluded on July 5. In total, she has secured four wins this year across both the U.S. and Korean tours.However, her recent performances in major tournaments have been disappointing. Aside from a sixth-place finish at the Chevron Championship in April, she has failed to break into the top 10 in other majors, missing the cut at the U.S. Womens Open and finishing tied for 42nd at the KPMG Womens PGA Championship and tied for 26th at the Amundi Evian Championship.For Kim, this tournament presents an opportunity to finalize her preparations ahead of the AIG Womens Open. With both events taking place in the UK just a week apart, it allows her to acclimate to the unique conditions of links courses, including strong winds.Kim has shown a strong performance at Dundonald Links in the past, finishing tied for third in 2022 and placing second in both 2023 and last year. This will be her sixth appearance at this course, where she will play the first two rounds alongside Aki Iwai from Japan and Cassandra Alexander from South Africa.The tournament features a strong field, with seven of the top 10 players in the world rankings and 19 major champions participating.Notably, world No. 1 Nelly Korda, who missed the cut at the Evian Championship, is looking to restore her pride. In a press conference, Korda expressed her excitement about returning to Europe for the ISPS Handa Womens Scottish Open and the AIG Womens Open, stating, At this golf course, you definitely have to bring a bit more artistry to your game. Playing in this weather and on this type of course brings me back to the roots of golf.Defending champion Lottie Wood from England aims for a second consecutive title and will play alongside Korda and Charlie Hull. Wood remarked, It’s nice to come back to where it all started. At that time, it was my first tournament, so I didn’t fully grasp the victory. But now, playing every week and seeing how talented everyone is makes that win feel even more special.South Korean players are also a point of interest, with 2017 champion Mi-Hyang Lee, along with Kim Sei-young, Yoon Ina, Choi Hye-jin, and Hwang Yu-min, set to compete.In contrast, Hae-Ran Yu, who has recently won consecutive major tournaments, will take a break this week to focus on preparing for the AIG Womens Open.* This article has been translated by AI. July 23, 2026 07:40
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Le Sserafim member to throw first pitch for Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan next month SEOUL, July 22 (AJP) - Hong Eunchae, the youngest member of K-pop girl group Le Sserafim, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a home game for Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines early next month, her management agency Source Music said on Wednesday. An avid baseball fan, Hong will take the mound for the ceremonial first pitch before the Marines' game against the Saitama Seibu Lions on Aug. 5 at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba. She will also meet fans at events held as part of the team's annual summer festival. Expressing her excitement, Hong said, "I hope to share positive energy with everyone who comes to the ballpark despite the hot weather and help make it a fun day." Her upcoming outing reflects Le Sserafim's growing presence in Japan since the quintet's Japanese debut with their single "FEARLESS" in 2023. Meanwhile, Le Sserafim held concerts in Incheon earlier this month before heading to Osaka this weekend for the Japanese leg of their world tour. July 22, 2026 15:42 -
Vietnam's National Football Team Aims for Back-to-Back Titles at ASEAN Cup The Southeast Asian Football Championship, known as the ASEAN Modern Cup, will kick off on July 24, with the Vietnam national football team aiming for its first back-to-back titles. Under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam is riding a wave of momentum following its 2024 championship win and is eager to defend its title.According to the Vietnam Football Federation and local media on July 22, Kim emphasized the need for high concentration during the first official meeting in preparation for the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Vietnam has been placed in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, with its opening match against Timor-Leste on July 24.Kim conveyed to the players that they should not underestimate their opponents, even if some teams have not registered their strongest lineups. He stressed that every team will be looking to defeat the defending champions, and the national team must maximize its capabilities.The significance of this tournament goes beyond merely defending the title. The 2026 ASEAN Cup serves as a preparatory stage for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 21 to October 6, and is also a stepping stone toward the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.Coach Kim Sang-sik Faces Heightened ExpectationsKim Sang-sik approaches this tournament from a different position than two years ago. Facing pressure to win or risk being dismissed before the 2024 ASEAN Cup, he successfully led Vietnam to victory through tactical changes and effective game management. Vietnam secured the 2024 ASEAN Cup title with seven wins out of eight matches. Since then, the national team has also qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup with six consecutive wins in the qualifiers.The upward trend has continued, with Vietnam adding three friendly wins to achieve a remarkable record of 16 wins and 2 losses over nearly two years. The team has climbed to 99th in the world rankings and enters the 2026 ASEAN Cup as the defending champion. The squad has also deepened, increasing the number of naturalized players from one to three, with Suan Son, Tai Lok, and Hoang Hen contributing to a recent 4-0 victory over Myanmar.Notably, Suan Son is recovering his scoring prowess after returning from injury, while Hoang Hen is recognized for his creative passing in the V-League, and Tai Lok has added Brazilian flair and finesse to the team. The growth of younger players like Nat Min and Dinh Park from the U23 team, who have won a bronze medal at the 2026 U23 Asian Cup, the SEA Games 33, and the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship, has also enhanced the national teams competitiveness.Vietnam has prepared alternative resources to address gaps in the starting lineup. Lejang Patrick is mentioned as a potential replacement for Nguyen Philip, while Ban Hau can step in for Ban Bi, and Suan Main is considered a substitute for Jui Main. However, the weight of being champions has become a burden for Vietnam. Fans are demanding not just victories but also more dominant attacking play and stable game control, while opposing teams are analyzing Vietnam more closely.Indonesia Emerges as a Major Challenge to Back-to-Back TitlesTran Quoc Tuan, president of the Vietnam Football Federation, views this tournament as part of a long-term plan. He stated, The ASEAN Cup is not just a tournament but part of a long journey, with each event serving as a stepping stone and preparation for the next. He emphasized that the 2026 ASEAN Cup is a precursor to the FIFA ASEAN Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup, requiring continuity, systematic planning, and stability in team composition and gameplay.The most challenging variable mentioned is Indonesia. Indonesia has bolstered its squad by naturalizing several players from Europe, including Olatmanun, Haye, Raben, Struijk, Jener, Reinders, and Walsh, and has advanced to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.In this process, Indonesia has defeated Saudi Arabia, China, and Bahrain, and even drew with Australia. Two years ago, Vietnam struggled against Indonesias second-string squad, making Kims tactical acumen and game-reading skills even more crucial in this tournament. Additionally, Singapore and Thailand are also considered unpredictable opponents. Vietnams group stage matches include an away game against Timor-Leste on July 24, a home game against Singapore on July 31, an away match against Indonesia on August 3, and a home game against Cambodia on August 7.Moreover, a historical challenge remains. Vietnam has never achieved back-to-back titles in the ASEAN Cups predecessor, the AFF Cup. In 2010 and 2021, they entered as defending champions but were eliminated in the semifinals.Meanwhile, the ASEAN Cup has been renamed the ASEAN Hyundai Cup since last year, following Hyundais involvement as the title partner, replacing the previous name, the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The ASEAN Cup will continue under the name ASEAN Hyundai Cup until the 2028 tournament.* This article has been translated by AI. July 22, 2026 15:16