News

Spending and exports drive real GDP up 0.6%: BOK

2025/07/24 21:35

The South Korean economy expanded at point-6 percent in the April to June period from the previous quarter, rebounding from the point-2 percent contraction in the first quarter. Our Kim Do-yeon has more. South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, grew by 0-point-6 percent on-quarter in the second quarter of the year. That's according to the Bank of Korea's preliminary data on Thursday. This is a bounce back as in the first quarter, the nation's real GDP contracted by 0-point-2 percent on-quarter with the previous two quarters also showing stagnant growth. On top of this, the quarter two number exceeded market expectations of a 0-point-5 percent gain. "This second quarter GDP can be summed up as strong growth driven largely by the private sector — particularly exports and consumption." Specifically, private consumption rose 0-point-5 percent, while government spending increased 1-point-2 percent. And, although still on a downward trend, the rate of decline for construction and facility investment both stood at negative 1-point-5 percent. The BOK zoomed in on the increased spending and that it has been gradually getting better, especially with more spending on entertainment. "We're seeing a gradual improvement. Conditions in May were better than in April, and June was even better than May. In terms of services, ticket sales for performances, for example, saw a significant jump. Restaurant demand and spending, which had been sluggish, also showed signs of recovery." Meanwhile, both exports and imports saw gains. In the second quarter, exports rose 4.2 percent from the previous quarter, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors and petrochemical products. Imports were also up by 3.8 percent. The Bank of Korea noted that improved petrochemical exports were partly due to reduced refining capacity in the U.S. and Europe, which increased demand for Korean petroleum products. Pharmaceutical and cosmetics exports remained strong as well, aided by expanded U.S. and EU import approvals and continued global interest in K-beauty. Officials say some of the recent surge came from pre-tariff demand ahead of looming trade measures, though the actual impact of tariffs has yet to fully materialize. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump puts pressure on countries to open their markets amid tariff negotiations

2025/07/24 21:34

As countries scramble to strike trade deals with the Trump administration before the August 1st deadline, the U.S. leader raised pressure on trading partners, saying that the tariffs will be lowered only when a country opens its market. Lee Seung-jae reports. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday pressed trading partners to open their markets, in order to avoid "much higher tariffs" from the U.S. The U.S. leader made the remarks in a social media post, stressing that Washington will "only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market," adding that those that fail to do so will be met with "much higher tariffs." Trump also said through such agreements, U.S. businesses "will boom." The latest remarks put pressure on South Korea and other countries to find ways to open their markets in exchange for the reduced tariff Trump unveiled in April. Seoul has been pushing to avoid the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles that would be a major blow to its export-reliant economy. Meanwhile, in touting the recent trade deal made with Japan, which lowers its tariff rate to 15 percent, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the 500 billion U.S. dollar investment from Japan in exchange for the lowered rate will give the U.S. the ability to choose where it will be invested. In an example, Lutnick says if Trump decides to create more antibiotics in the U.S., Japan will fund the project, and give it to a U.S. business that will operate the project,.. while 90 percent of the profits will go to the American taxpayer, and 10 percent to Japan. The White House said Wednesday that the money could be used to invest in key industries. "And these funds will be spent at President Trump's discretion and direction into key industries such as energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding." The spokesperson said there are still many more countries that need to strike a deal with the U.S., adding that Washington has sent "25 letters to countries around the world." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

S. Korea holds "last ditch" tariff talks with U.S. as deadline approaches

2025/07/24 19:47

High-level trade talks between officials here and their American counterparts under the TWO-PLUS-TWO framework scheduled for this Friday in the U.S. have been cancelled. Park Kun-woo has the latest. Just about an hour before departing for the U.S. on Thursday, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol was notified that the 2+2 high-level meeting had been canceled. The meeting, originally scheduled for Friday, was to have been between Minister Koo and chief free trade negotiator Yeo Han-koo, and their U.S. counterparts -Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. According to the finance ministry, the cancellation was due to Bessent's urgent schedule, though no specific details from the U.S. were disclosed. The ministry also said the U.S. proposed rescheduling the meeting for the near future, and both sides will now work to set a new date as soon as possible. Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan's two days of meetings with Trump administration figures, including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, are set to proceed as scheduled from today. That comes following the U.S. reaching a deal with Japan to lower tariff rates from 25 percent to 15 percent. On questions about the deal between the U.S. and Japan, Minister Kim said it was too early to make any judgments. "We're carefully examining the U.S.-Japan deal to determine how we should respond. Some elements we can refer to, while others need more of a comparison." Speaking on Trump's latest remarks, warning that countries unwilling to open their markets won't see any tariff relief, Kim said this has been Trump's consistent stance, and the government has been closely monitoring the situation. He said his visit can be described as a "full court press," aiming not only for tariff cuts but also to bolster cooperation in key strategic sectors, such as manufacturing and energy. With Trump's deadline for "reciprocal" tariffs approaching, South Korea is entering the final stages of negotiations with Washington to possibly achieve a breakthrough. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.

[Weather] The weather is getting hotter and hotter with heat wave warnings

2025/07/24 19:45

Heat wave warnings have been further strengthened across the country. Heat wave warnings have been in effect in most parts today, with the top temperature in most regions rising to around 35 degrees Celsius. The heat wave will get worse and worse. The daytime temperature will soar to 37 degrees in Seoul tomorrow and 38 degrees on Saturday, which will be the hottest this year, and the heat at night will get worse. You need to be extra careful not to get a heat-related illness under such hot conditions. Tomorrow, Seoul will start warm at 27 degrees, Busan and Jeju 26 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 35 degrees in Chuncheon and Daegu, Gyeongju 34 degrees. For the time being, the whole country will be mostly clear, but there is rain forecast for Jeju Island only this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Russia, Ukraine agree to exchange 1,200 POWs each in Istanbul talks

2025/07/24 19:45

This is the World Now, bringing you the latest stories from around the globe. The third round of ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul ended swiftly on Wednesday, with no ceasefire reached, but progress was made on additional prisoner exchanges. The two delegations met for approximately 40 minutes at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace and discussed further prisoner swaps, but remained far apart on the terms of a ceasefire and a possible meeting of their leaders. Both sides agreed to advance a prisoner-of-war exchange, committing to release at least 1,200 more POWs each, including severely wounded soldiers and civilians. Russia's chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, said the bodies of 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers will also be returned. Discussions reportedly included cases of abducted children. Ukraine's delegation, led by Rustem Umerov, proposed a direct summit between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin by the end of August; however, Russia suggested forming online working groups on military, political, and humanitarian issues instead. The UN's top legal body, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that countries that fail to meet their climate commitments may be violating international law and could face paying reparations to countries suffering the consequences. In a unanimous advisory opinion delivered on Wednesday, the ICJ declared that wealthy and high-emitting nations are legally obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb fossil fuel production and subsidies, and establish ambitious climate plans linked to the Paris Agreement. Judge Yuji Iwasawa emphasized that a "clean, healthy, and sustainable environment" is a recognized human right and that failure to take adequate climate action may amount to internationally wrongful conduct, leading to reparations for states harmed by climate impacts. The advisory is non-binding, but small island nations and low-lying states, as well as environmental groups, celebrated the landmark ruling. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the decision, describing it as a "victory for our planet." The UN World Food Programme announced on Wednesday that food and nutrition supplies in north-eastern Nigeria have been completely depleted, putting 1.3 million people at risk by the end of July. The depletion is primarily due to significant funding shortfalls, largely resulting from major donor cuts, particularly from the U.S. Agency for International Development, which previously contributed approximately 45% of the region's budget. Over 150 nutrition clinics in Borno and Yobe states are also being closed, halting treatment for more than 300,000 malnourished children. The aid agency needs 131 million U.S. dollars to restart operations in the region this year. Chongqing Zoo in China's southwest celebrated the third birthday of a pair of twin giant pandas this week. The twins, named Yu Ke, the brother, and Yu Ai, the sister, were born on July 22, 2022. A special birthday party was designed to help them stay cool in the region's summer heat, with frozen fruit cake sculptures, bamboo ice treats, and chilled play areas. While Yu Ai was resting in a non-exhibition zone due to a mild eye condition, Chongqing Zoo officials stated that both pandas are thriving, healthy, and remain popular attractions. Choi Chi-hee, Arirang News.

S. Korea to show 'K-Democracy is back' with APEC 2025 in 100 days

2025/07/24 19:43

We are now counting down 99 days to the launch of the APEC leaders' meeting in the Korean city of Gyeongju this autumn. That being said, my colleague Oh Soo-young recently sat down with a senior member of the organizing committee for his thoughts on the upcoming meeting and more. Do take a listen. South Korea is marking the revival of K-Democracy and setting the tone to inspire regional cooperation to "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper" amid mounting global complexity. Under the theme of Building a Sustainable Tomorrow, South Korea will host the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum this October in the historic city of Gyeongju. Leaders from 21 member economies will tackle emerging challenges ranging from artificial intelligence and demographic shifts to sustainable and inclusive growth. "As this year's chair, the Republic of Korea has proposed cooperation on AI and addressing demographic changes as a key initiatives among many other global issues. We are working together with the member economists to adopt these initiatives as a standalone document alongside the Gyeongju Declaration at the leaders' meeting in late October." Q. South Korea is a far more prominent player than it was when it hosted APEC about 20 years ago. What's the significance of South Korea chairing this year's summit in 2025? "Over the years, Korea has filled trust and meaningful contributions in the international community. Building on that, at the APEC Economy Leaders' Meeting, which is returning to Korea after 20 years will serve as a great opportunity for us to show that we've restored our K-Democracy and that Korea is back on track after the political challenges we faced last year The emblem and the smile of Shilla not only reflect our warmth and hospitality and openness with Korea's commitment in fulfilling our role as a responsible member of the international community." Korea's chairship comes at a pivotal time, and showing the country is back on track in globl governance, after the martial law declaration last December compromised diplomacy at the highest level. Seoul is also positioning itself as a solutions partner --sharing lessons from its own policy tools and technological transformation to help address common regional concerns. "Through this opportunity, we hope to share the experience we've accumulated and offer innovative solutions to help address the challenges faced by the Asia APEC region." A key aspect of this year's approach is broader public engagement—particularly with younger generations. "APEC pursues inclusivity and sustainability, but these cannot be achieved without public participation We are also working to create platforms where young people can take the lead in discussing and sharing their visions for the Asia Pacific region. As part of this effort, MOFA recently held an open call for youth presenters for the public-private dialogue. We even welcomed 16 young people to join our property office as an intern." Last May, Korea's inclusive approach led to the launch of a Future Prosperity Fund—dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, digital skills training, and policy research. Korea committed one million U.S. dollars in seed funding. As the countdown to October 31st begins, Korea is stepping up outreach with a series of promotional initiatives—including youth-led video campaigns, exhibitions, cultural festivals, and regional media engagement. "With the active participation of the public at the K we will continue to highlight the unique charms of Korea and the host city of Gyeongju while also carrying out a variety of promotional activities that showcased APEC vision, the goals and values of the K APEC and the outcomes we hope to achieve. Through these efforts, we aim to create a more welcoming and participatory atmosphere leading up to a successful leaders' meeting." Sure, and all this buildup of anticipation is extremely important, especially in creating this kind of conducive atmosphere for cooperation. And well, we have great expectations for this K-APEC. Thank you so much for making time for us today, and see you in Gyeongju. Thank you.

Kim Jong-un calls for 'hostile perspective' in artillery drills

2025/07/24 19:41

Staying with North Korea. Kim Jong-un has doubled down on military readiness while overseeing an artillery drill this past Wednesday during which he called for a "hostile perspective" toward enemy forces. This phrase has often been used to refer to South Korea or the U.S. but on Wednesday he stopped short of naming a country. An official at the Unification Ministry here in Seoul on Thursday downplayed the statement claiming it appeared to be aimed at internal discipline rather than an external threat. Analysts here believe North Korea may be incorporating real-world combat tactics into its drills given the regime's dispatch of troops to Russia's war against Ukraine.

S. Korea pushes stablecoin legalization amid central bank concerns

2025/07/24 19:40

South Korea is seeking to reshape its regulatory landscape for digital assets while its central bank remains cautious. Our correspondent Moon Ji-young explains. As stablecoins, particularly those backed by the U.S. dollar, are set to rapidly expand globally, major nations are stepping up efforts to institutionalize and regulate these digital assets, including South Korea. To this end, ruling party lawmakers and the Korea Capital Market Institute hosted a key policy forum on Wednesday to discuss integrating stablecoins into the nation's institutional framework. "We are working on the stablecoin bill by establishing a dedicated task force. Through extensive discussions, significant progress has been made in solidifying the direction of the legislation. We anticipate that the bill will be formally introduced sometime next week." The institutionalization of stablecoins is being pursued as part of President Lee Jae Myung's broader plan to establish South Korea as a digital asset hub. The stablecoin bill is expected to advance based on an "authorization system," proposing to raise the minimum capital requirement for stablecoin issuers to at least 5 billion Korean won, or 3-point-7 million US dollars, which is higher than the previous proposal, and to enforce a perpetual 1:1 reserve requirement. Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea has raised concerns over potential side effects. "If won-pegged stablecoins are introduced, there could be an issue where their supply creates its own demand. From a broad monetary perspective, if stablecoins are issued, the central bank might not intervene when conducting monetary policy, potentially influencing inflation." While the Financial Services Commission underscored the necessity of establishing legal protection for domestic users of foreign-issued stablecoins, the Finance Ministry emphasized the critical importance of defining their legal classification, citing concerns over their potential misuse for illicit foreign exchange dealings or the embezzlement of export proceeds. "Though legislative approaches varied, all participants underscored that a robust legal framework for stablecoins must be established, taking into comprehensive consideration Korean Won sovereignty, financial innovation, and stability. Moon Ji-young, Arirang News.

S. Korean chipmaker reports best-ever quarterly performance in Q2

2025/07/24 19:39

SK hynix appears to have posted its best-ever quarterly performance in the second quarter thanks to surging demand for AI chips including high-bandwidth memory chips. According to preliminary data from the company on this Thursday its operating profit amounted to around 6-point-7 billion U.S. dollars up nearly 70 percent on year. Sales also jumped by over 35 percent. Both operating profits and sales set new all-time quarterly records breaking the previous highs seen in the last quarter of 2024.

U.S., EU closing in on 15% tariff deal

2025/07/24 19:38

The European Union is reportedly nearing a tariff deal with the Trump administration. According to the Financial Times a 15-percent tariff is likely to be levied on the bloc's imports into the American market as opposed to 30 percent. The report cites sources who also say the two sides may agree on tariff exemptions for products such as aircraft, distilled spirits and medical devices. Since April goods from the EU have faced a 10 percent tariff on top of the existing average U.S. tariff of 4-point-8 percent.

Trump puts pressure on countries to open their markets amid tariff negotiations

2025/07/24 19:38

And the U.S. president says U.S. trade partners will need to open up their markets to American imports IF they hope to see lower tariffs. Lee Seung-jae covers his remarks. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday pressed trading partners to open their markets, in order to avoid "much higher tariffs" from the U.S. The U.S. leader made the remarks in a social media post, stressing that Washington will "only lower tariffs if a country agrees to open its market," adding that those that fail to do so will be met with "much higher tariffs." Trump also said through such agreements, U.S. businesses "will boom." The latest remarks put pressure on South Korea and other countries to find ways to open their markets in exchange for the reduced tariff Trump unveiled in April. Seoul has been pushing to avoid the proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles that would be a major blow to its export-reliant economy. Meanwhile, in touting the recent trade deal made with Japan, which lowers its tariff rate to 15 percent, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the 500 billion U.S. dollar investment from Japan in exchange for the lowered rate will give the U.S. the ability to choose where it will be invested. In an example, Lutnick says if Trump decides to create more antibiotics in the U.S., Japan will fund the project, and give it to a U.S. business that will operate the project,.. while 90 percent of the profits will go to the American taxpayer, and 10 percent to Japan. The White House said Wednesday that the money could be used to invest in key industries. "And these funds will be spent at President Trump's discretion and direction into key industries such as energy, semiconductors, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding." The spokesperson said there are still many more countries that need to strike a deal with the U.S., adding that Washington has sent "25 letters to countries around the world." Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

President Lee calls for strong measures to protect migrant workers

2025/07/24 19:37

President Lee Jae Myung has called for strong measures to protect migrant workers from mistreatment. At a weekly meeting with top aides on this Thursday he made reference to an online video showing a Sri Lankan worker bound in plastic wrapping and dragged by a forklift at what appears to be a brick factory in Naju City Jeollanam-do Province. The president denounced the disturbing incident calling discrimination and related violence "a crime" and "unforgivable". Accordingly he urged relevant ministries to look into human rights violations against marginalized groups including migrants and the socially vulnerable and to frame out preventative measures.

South Korea battling high temperatures with heat wave warnings expanded

2025/07/24 19:37

Heat wave warnings have been issued in many parts of the country including here in Seoul with the mercury set to surge to 38 degrees Celsius this weekend. Byeon Ye-young covers the scorching weather. Korea is experiencing record-breaking heat, with Seoul expected to climb to 38 degrees Celsius over the weekend. On Thursday, the Korea Meteorological Administration issued heat wave warnings for Seoul and other areas of the country. Additional heat wave advisories have been issued as well. For Seoul, this marks the first heat wave warning issued in 11 days. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum daily perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days, and a heat wave advisory is issued when the perceived temperature is expected to exceed 33 degrees. A heat wave alert may also be issued when significant damage is expected due to extreme heat. Korea has recently seen an unusual pattern of heat waves and torrential rains, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses, widespread flooding, and landslides. This has been caused by a combination of factors. "The reason why this year's heatwaves in Korea have been particularly severe is due to the air masses that dominate Korea's summer, namely the North Pacific air mass and the Tibetan air mass." High sea surface temperatures near the Philippines have intensified the North Pacific high, which expanded northwestward this year due to the lack of descending Arctic air. Additionally, reduced snowfall over the Tibetan Plateau and warmer Indian Ocean waters pushed the Tibetan high further north, increasing its impact on South Korea. The heat is expected to get worse over the next few days. "In densely populated urban areas, the urban heat island effect adds to the heat, so actual temperatures in city centers where we live could approach 40 degrees Celsius." The Korea Meteorological Administration warns of potential atmospheric instability next week due to interactions between typhoons and other systems, and urges the public to stay updated and respond accordingly. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.

Seoul signals openness to Kim Jong-un at APEC Gyeongju, no talks underway

2025/07/24 19:36

South Korea appears to be leaving open the possibility of inviting North Korea's Kim Jong-un to this year's APEC meeting. While officials at the foreign as well as unification ministries here stress that no formal discussion is underway they've also been quick to point out that APEC host nations in the past have extended invitations to non-APEC member leaders. Analysts for their part say the simple act of floating such an idea itself signals an openness to cross-border engagement despite the unlikely chance of North Korea attending the multilateral meeting.

Spending and exports drive real GDP up 0.6%: BOK

2025/07/24 19:35

Korea's real gross domestic product for the second quarter rebounded gaining slightly higher than market expectations. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon covers the latest findings. South Korea's real gross domestic product, a key indicator of the economy, grew by 0-point-6 percent on-quarter in the second quarter of the year. That's according to the Bank of Korea's preliminary data on Thursday. This is a bounce back as in the first quarter, the nation's real GDP contracted by 0-point-2 percent on-quarter with the previous two quarters also showing stagnant growth. On top of this, the quarter two number exceeded market expectations of a 0-point-5 percent gain. AI "This second quarter GDP can be summed up as strong growth driven largely by the private sector — particularly exports and consumption." Specifically, private consumption rose 0-point-5 percent, while government spending increased 1-point-2 percent. And, although still on a downward trend, the rate of decline for construction and facility investment both stood at negative 1-point-5 percent. The BOK zoomed in on the increased spending and that it has been gradually getting better, especially with more spending on entertainment. AI "We're seeing a gradual improvement. Conditions in May were better than in April, and June was even better than May. In terms of services, ticket sales for performances, for example, saw a significant jump. Restaurant demand and spending, which had been sluggish, also showed signs of recovery." Meanwhile, both exports and imports saw gains. In the second quarter, exports rose 4.2 percent from the previous quarter, driven by strong global demand for semiconductors and petrochemical products. Imports were also up by 3.8 percent. The Bank of Korea noted that improved petrochemical exports were partly due to reduced refining capacity in the U.S. and Europe, which increased demand for Korean petroleum products. Pharmaceutical and cosmetics exports remained strong as well, aided by expanded U.S. and EU import approvals and continued global interest in K-beauty. Officials say some of the recent surge came from pre-tariff demand ahead of looming trade measures, though the actual impact of tariffs has yet to fully materialize. Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND AI IMAGES

2025/07/24 19:34

Hello. You're watching Press Perspective for this Thursday July 24th here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. It's time for our weekly session on various social issues related to South Korea that made international headlines as well. For this I have Ruy Valdes with Spanish news agency EFE Spain. Ruy welcome back. I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on the day's discussion. Colin it's good to have you here. Colin, South Korea celebrated Constitution Day last Thursday, that is July 17th, and the president has spoken about reinstating the day as a public holiday. First, do tell us why the day was removed from the list of public holidays back in 2008, and what does its reinstatement imply? Ruy, the importance of Constitution Day this year has also been linked to last December's short-lived martial law. What did President Lee Jae Myung say with regard to this relation? Also Ruy, while South Korea is looking to reinstate a public holiday, over in France, a proposition to abolish two public holidays has paved the path to much public outrage. Do tell us more. Colin, in other news. Tweakment tourism has reportedly been rising here in South Korea. For the sake of our viewers who may not be familiar with this term, could you explain it for us, and then, do tell us a bit about the growing interest in Korea's aesthetic treatments among those in the U.K. Ruy, consumers in the U.S. are reportedly stocking up on Korean beauty products ahead of the looming 25% tariffs. What are the prospects with of these product exports as shared by pundits? Colin, while recovery efforts continue here in the country from last week's torrential rain, another concern is the spread of disinformation about the tragedy through images generated by AI. Do tell us more. Ruy, what countermeasures have been proposed to address the presence of such false images generated by AI? Colin, finally, let's touch upon news of South Korea seeking to end the practice of outsourcing adoptions to private agencies. Do give us some context and also, your takeaway. All right.

[K-enter] "KPop Demon Hunters" makes history with a new record

2025/07/24 15:38

And what a coincidence our first story is another success story on KPop Demon Hunters. What is it? Soa, I have this song stuck in my head for weeks. "KPop Demon Hunters" is definitely going 'up, up, up' as the movie set a new record as the most watched animated film on Netflix. On Wednesday, Netflix announced on social media that "KPop Demon Hunters" became the first work in Netflix movie history to hit the highest views in the fifth week of its release. Additionally, it is currently the most-watched content across both English and non-English movies and shows, emphasizing that it has become the most watched animated film on Netflix. We also talked several times on our show about the explosive popularity of its soundtrack. Well, the songs by Huntrix and Saja Boys are still sweeping music charts both in Korea and the U.S, including on Spotify, Billboard, YouTube Music, and Melon. Can't wait to talk more about their songs in our "Kulture Issue" segment. Next up, this was a pleasant surprise. the 2025 APEC ambassador has been chosen? And it is G-Dragon! He has been appointed honorary ambassador for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, summit that will be held in Gyeongju in October. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced the news on Wednesday, describing G-Dragon as South Korea's leading artist who has continuously demonstrated creativity and innovation, including by transmitting his 음악 into space earlier this year. G-Dragon also posted a photo on social media saying that it's an honor to be involved with APEC Korea. As an APEC ambassador, he will participate in promoting key messages of the APEC summit to the world and appear in promotional videos. And we end off with another superstar of a slightly different genre. Singer Lim Young-woong will return with a full-length album after about three years. His agency, Mulgogi Music, announced the release of his second full-length album "IM HERO 2" by releasing a teaser video on his YouTube channel. The new album will feature songs from various genres, including ballad, trot, pop, hip-hop, dance, and folk, showcasing his wide musical spectrum. As his first full-length album, "IM HERO" swept the charts at the time of its release, expectations are rising for the second album as well. "IM HERO 2" will be released on various music sites on August 29th. Thank you, Bella, for today's stories. Let's now go over to our AI anchor Ari, for more on the culture front. Ari, take it away!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/24 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Amid a prolonged slump in the Korean film industry, the government will roll out 6,000-won movie ticket discounts starting Friday. A total of 4.5 million discount coupons will be provided, with each person eligible to download up to two coupons available on the websites of major multiplex chains such as CGV and Megabox. The discount applies only to online bookings and cannot be used for tickets purchased at the theater. With this year's cinema attendance expected to hit a 20-year low, excluding the pandemic period, attention is focused on whether the government's efforts will pay off. The Korea University Theater Festival, the nation's largest festival of its kind, has opened in Yongin. The final twelve teams that advanced through fierce competition will showcase original productions, including a reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "Othello." This year's preliminary round drew around 80 teams, with a competitive selection ratio of roughly 7 to 1. All performances are free and open to the public, with reservations available through the Yongin Cultural Foundation's website. A new nighttime media art exhibition is lighting up the Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul. Titled "Cheonggye Soul Ocean," the exhibition captures the charm of Seoul through wave-inspired media art. It spans three zones– a 40-meter section of the stream, a walking trail near Gwanggyo, and a gallery space– featuring immersive water-surface light projections and interactive installations. The Seoul Tourism Organization plans to continue transforming Cheonggyecheon into an urban art space, with a variety of media art displays scheduled through the end of the year. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-wave] Overwhelming global impact of 'Squid Game' leaves future of Korean content in question

2025/07/24 15:35

It's been around a month since the final season of Squid Game has been released and it has gained global popularity on par with previous seasons. In this next report we look at what significance and impact this has on Korea's content industry and what challenges lie ahead. Lee Eun-jin tells us more. After becoming a global phenomenon, the Squid Game series has come to a close with its third season released on June 27th. While opinions on Season 3 were mixed, the level of attention it received remained overwhelming. "Season 3 was amazing. I started it the first night, and I finished it all in one go. I didn't take a break. I sat there through the whole series." Squid Game marked a turning point in global perceptions of K-content. This is because global demand for Korean-language content surged dramatically. "The continued success of outstanding works, riding the Korean Wave, Hallyu, has proven to be a catalyst in expanding the presence of Korean content." Following the massive parade that marched through downtown Seoul for the release of its final season, the actual-sized Young-hee and Chul-soo structures stood in Gwanghwamun Square. Various games and gift-winning events were held at the square, where people even tried out the jump rope game as featured in Season 3. Despite the hot weather, the square was filled with both locals and tourists eager to join in. "Jumping rope, trying out the prize activities, and actually experiencing what I had only seen on TV—doing it myself makes it feel more real and fun." Squid Game also drew attention as a business model through its intellectual property. In addition to snacks and stationery developed in collaboration with the retail industry, various spin-offs like mobile games and experience zones have generated significant revenue. "We always want to first and foremost be able to provide the fan of the show with all the elements that they expect, and then surprise them." Now, the big question is whether another work can reach the heights of Squid Game. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed his desire to take on risky, even potentially disastrous projects, emphasizing the spirit of creative challenge. "It might be risky, but those anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking projects create something that's truly new." However, the reality for new creators in the content industry remains challenging. There's still lack of opportunities that allow for investment in original content that carries risks. "In film school, we were taught to make movies that reflect our unique voices. But once you enter the industry, the focus shifts away from personal style to marketability and commercial appeal " Experts say that instead of repeating Squid Game's success formula, what's needed now is policy support and a collaborative system to enable the emergence of the next wave of innovative content. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.

[Short-form] Taebaek: Korea’s Coolest City in Summer

2025/07/24 15:34

Taebaek City’s average summer temperature is just 20°C. And its attractions are even cooler.