News

G-Dragon appointed as ambassador for Gyeongju APEC Leaders' Meeting

2025/07/23 19:33

In related news. K-pop artist G-Dragon has been appointed honorary ambassador of this year's APEC summit in the Korean city of Gyeongju. The appointment was announced by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on social media where he called G-Dragon "an artist who represents South Korea." He added the singer continues to show passion and creativity through his artistic endeavors including his recent transmission of music into space. Officials also believe his appointment will draw greater global attention to the upcoming multilateral meeting.

D-100 TO APEC 2025 IN S. KOREA

2025/07/23 18:34

Welcome to Wednesday's edition of Press Perspective. It's July 23rd here in Seoul. I'm Min Sunhee. We are counting down one hundred days to the start of this year's APEC summit here in South Korea on October 31st and already the upcoming multilateral gathering is making headlines. For more I have Thomas Maresca with American news agency UPI. Thomas welcome. I also have Professor Kim Jae-chun at Sogang University joining our session virtually. Professor Kim it's a pleasure. Thomas, let's begin with details of the exclusive coverage by the South China Morning Post about a possible summit between the leaders of the U.S. and China on the sidelines of the APEC summit here in South Korea. Professor Kim, what would be the significance of this upcoming summit between Mr. Trump and President Xi, and what might be on their agenda? Thomas, staying with possible summits, the Chinese leader's planned visit to South Korea to partake in the APEC meeting will mark his first in 11 years. During talks over the phone with China's Xi Jinping following his election victory, President Lee Jae Myung underscored the importance of cooperation on economy and security. What are the prospects of productive bilateral ties between Seoul and Beijing under the Lee and Xi administrations, and in what areas might the two sides see tangible progress? Professor Kim, also speaking of summits, officials here are actively working to arrange a one-on-one between President Lee Jae Myung and his American counterpart Donald Trump. What are your thoughts regarding these efforts to ensure a meeting in the near future? Are you concerned about a potential Oval Office ambush, if you will, by Mr. Trump against his South Korean counterpart, AND IF SO, what might be the issue of contention, and how should President Lee Jae Myung seek to navigate such a scenario? Thomas, back on the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju this autumn. Do tell us a bit about the agenda this year including of course, South Korea's intentions to address falling birthrates and aging societies, topics that are not traditionally tackled at the APEC. Professor Kim, SK Group leader Chey Tae-won will be hosting the APEC CEO Summit this year. Speaking to members of the media, he recently proposed an EU-style economic bloc including South Korea and Japan. What are your thoughts regarding such a regional bloc? Thomas, speaking as a foreign journalist based here in Seoul, are there any underreported aspects of South Korea's APEC hosting that you think deserve more international attention? Professor Kim, generally speaking, how does the hosting of APEC this year look to affect South Korea's international clout? All right.

[K-Enter] 1st-generation iconic idol group H.O.T. to reunite for full-group performance

2025/07/23 15:37

Time for our daily dose of K-enter news. And today Walter we are starting off with something H.O.T.! H.O.T., one of the most iconic first-generation K-pop groups, will be returning to the stage as a full group and is set to headline the "Hanteo Music Festival," taking place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 6 and 7. September 7, also marks the 29th anniversary of their debut. This will be the first time in six years that all five members have performed together, following their last concert in September 2019. As one of K-pop's most iconic first-generation idol groups, H.O.T. debuted in 1996 and achieved massive success with numerous hits such as "Candy," "Descent of Warriors" "Light," and "Happiness," cementing their legendary status in the Korean music industry. From one group of H.O.T. artists to another hot K-pop icon! Let's talk Jennie! BLACKPINK's Jennie has once again earned recognition for her musical artistry. On Monday, Billboard revealed its "25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks" list, naming Jennie's "Like JENNIE", the main track from her first full-length solo album "Ruby", as the No. 1 pick. Billboard praised the track as "a powerful two-minute anthem that goes beyond just charting on the "Hot 100" and "Pop Airplay", it cements Jennie's status as the next-gen 'It Girl.'" The outlet added, "Her razor-sharp rap turns negative narratives on their head and delivers what might be the most confident performance of her career." Jennie also topped Spotify's "2025 Mid-Year Global Impact List" with "Like JENNIE." In fact, nine of her tracks, including the hit single, were featured on the list underscoring her wide-reaching global influence. Congratulations to Jennie! Lastly, let's hear about another group thats smashing the charts. TOMORROW X TOGETHER (TXT) have once again proven their global impact, with their 4th studio album "The Star Chapter: TOGETHER," selling nearly 1.43 million copies on its release day, Monday, securing another million-seller milestone. According to "Hanteo Chart" on Tuesday, the album sold approximately 1 million 428 thousand copies on its first day, landing at No. 1 on the daily physical album chart. Starting with "Minisode 2: Thursday's Child" in 2022, TXT have now achieved six consecutive first-week million-sellers with their Korean releases. As of 8 a.m. the morning of the release day, the album also topped "iTunes Top Albums" charts in 19 regions, including Japan, Chile, and Hong Kong. It ranked No. 2 on both the Worldwide and European iTunes Albums Charts. The title track "Beautiful Strangers" also reached No. 1 on the iTunes Top Songs chart in nine countries. The group just keeps continuing to build a better tomorrow. Thanks for the news Walter. Now, let's go to our AI anchor Ari for more culture news. Ari!

K-wave AI News

2025/07/23 15:36

Hello and welcome to your AI guide to the latest cultural updates from Korea. Here's our top story. Director Park Chan-wook's new film "No Other Choice" has been selected to compete for the prestigious Golden Lion at this year's Venice International Film Festival. This marks the first time in 13 years that a Korean film has been invited to the festival's main competition since the late director Kim Ki-duk's "Pieta," which won the Golden Lion in 2012. Starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, "No Other Choice" follows the story of an employee who, after being suddenly laid off, struggles to find a new job to support his family. This marks Park's return to the Venice competition after 20 years. Tourist arrivals to Jeju Island from January to July this year have surpassed seven million, according to the Jeju Tourism Association. The number of foreign tourists, in particular, rose by more than 14% compared to the same period last year. With nearly 1.6 million passengers expected to pass through Jeju Airport during the peak summer vacation season, the association plans to boost efforts to further support the local tourism industry and enhance travelers' convenience. The 2025 Gwangju Design Biennale will run in the southern city from August 30 to November 2. Now in its 11th edition, this year's event is themed "You, the World: How Design Embraces Humanity," highlighting the value and significance of inclusive design. The biennale will feature works by more than 220 artists and 80 organizations from 11 countries, showcasing design as a powerful way to perceive and embrace the world around us. Alongside the exhibition, an international symposium and experimental projects exploring real-world applications of inclusive design will also be held. That's all from me. Stay tuned to the Kulture Wave.

[K-Correspondent] Discovering Korea's maritime culture in Germany

2025/07/23 15:35

Korea is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the sea has played a major part in its culture, history and economy. Korea is also home to "sea women" or female divers called "haenyeo" who were added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Korea's beautiful maritime culture can currently be experienced far away from the Korean Peninsula, in Germany, at a special exhibition titled " (bada): Unterwasserwelt" or "underwater world". We are now connected with Lee Yoonjung, Project Manager at the Korean Cultural Center Germany to dive deep into this exhibition. Hello Yoonjung /Ms. Lee! Q1. Please introduce yourself to our viewers and tell us what the "Bada: Unterwasserwelt" exhibition is about. Q2. I heard the event evolves around subthemes of "Haenyeo", or Korean female divers and "Haejoryu" or "Meeresalgen" in German, which is algae . What do these keywords signify? Q3. As the exhibition has been running since mid-May and will run until September, it is roughly half way through. How has the atmosphere and response by local visitors been so far? What's their favorite part of the exhibition? Q4. Korean seafood goods have been gaining more and more popularity abroad, especially dried seaweed "gim". Do Germans recognize these products and how much interest are they showing in K-Seafood? Q5. This exhibition is a bit of a departure from "conventional" hallyu content. These themes of nature, ecology, the sea is there a specific reason for why this kind of project is targeted at a German audience? Q6. Is there an educational or environmental message you hope to convey through this exhibition? Q7. How would you like the German audience to remember the exhibit and lastly, could you give us a peak into future projects you are working on or that are scheduled in the near future? I think it's amazing to have this variety of aspects of Korean culture being displayed overseas. Thank you Yoonjung /Ms. Lee for connecting with us. Thank you Walter, see you soon.

[Features reporter] Former Seoul Station marks centennial with poetic art exhibition

2025/07/23 15:34

Hyobeen, I heard you visited a rather unusual exhibition not in a usual museum or an art gallery, but inside a former train station? Yes, Soa. It used to be Seoul Station, from when it was opened a hundred years ago, but now it's filled with art instead of passengers. The exhibition is called "Our Enchanting Paradise", and it turns this historic space into something truly magical. Let's take a look. Once a place of departures, the station now offers a different kind of arrival. The exhibition, "Our Enchanting Paradise," brings together 50 works by 21 Korean artists, featuring sculpture, media art, virtual reality, and installations, all presented inside the century-old former Seoul Station, now reborn as Culture Station Seoul 284. "This grand hall once echoed with train whistles and footsteps. Now, a century later, it's filled with the sound of art and imagination." Curators say the idea of "paradise" wasn't drawn from distant utopias, but from the very emotions this space once held: anticipation, hope and relief. "The old Seoul Station represents both departures and arrivals. We wanted to show that paradise isn't one fixed idea. It's a journey each of us makes from our own place, in our own way." In the main hall, once the heart of the station, a large-scale digital work by Hwang Se-jin reimagines a traditional Korean landscape painting, blurring the line between memory and illusion. "I was surprised by how diverse and unexpected the artworks were. The media art in the main hall really left an impression." Roh Jin-ah's "Evolutionary Chimera" blinks and responds like a real person. Her AI-powered sculpture, with human eyes and voice, challenges the boundaries between life and machine, reminding us that in an age where nature and technology blur, we are called to rethink what paradise truly means. "We think the exhibition is nice and we like the mix of old things with new and modern things." "For me, it was the talking face downstairs with the moving eyes. It was like something new and different." In a station once filled with departures and returns, art now fills in with meaning. In its century of change, it offers not only history but also a moment of reflection through art.

[NEWs GEN] Seoul Summer Beach: Where young people are headed to this summer

2025/07/23 12:33

[NEWs GEN] Seoul Summer Beach: Where young people are headed to this summer

Trump says Japan will pay 15% tariffs to U.S.

2025/07/23 11:41

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Washington has set a 15 percent tariff on goods from Japan. As the August 1st deadline looms, the United States will continue to hold talks with trading partners, including South Korea and China. Lee Seung-jae starts us off. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Washington will impose a 15 percent tariff on goods from Japan. In a social media post, the U.S. leader touted what he called a "massive deal" that would also see Japan invest 550 billion U.S. dollars into the U.S., adding that the U.S. would "receive 90 percent of the profits." Trump also noted that Japan will open trade to cars and trucks, rice, and "certain" other agricultural products. Trump also announced on Tuesday that the U.S. will charge a 19 percent tariff on goods from the Philippines. The figure is a percentage point lower than what was announced in April. The announcement was made in a social media post, with Trump saying that Washington had reached a deal with Manila, after holding talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Junior at the White House. In exchange,.. the U.S. will see zero tariffs on goods going to the Southeast Asian nation. Meanwhile,.. the U.S. has agreed to lower the tariff imposed on Indonesia from 32 percent to 19 percent. The U.S. will see virtually no tax on all American goods shipped to Indonesia. The U.S. will also be exempt from most regulations on automobiles, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals exports to the Southeast Asian nation. According to a senior Trump administration official, Indonesia will reduce tariffs to zero percent on over 99 percent of the products from the U.S. and eliminate all non-tariff barriers. With the U.S. and China still trying to strike a trade deal,.. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Tuesday that a third round of trade talks with Beijing is scheduled for next week in Sweden. Speaking to Fox Business,.. Bessent said that he will be in Stockholm from July 28th to 29th, with his Chinese counterparts, adding that they'll be working out "what is likely an extension." With Seoul also working to strike a deal with Washington before the August 1st deadline, South Korea's Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Tuesday that he would hold so-called "2+2" high-level trade talks with the U.S. on Friday. Koo said he and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will head to Washington for the talks, involving Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Without a trade deal,.. South Korea is set to face 25 percent tariffs on all goods entering the U.S. Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.

[Weather] Sticky summer heat with scattered showers

2025/07/23 11:39

Brace for another day of sticky, summer heat! Heatwave alerts have expanded to more regions and are active for most of the country. And that means tropical nights and scorching daytime temperatures are here to stay, with a chance of showers popping up inland. With all that heat building up during the day, the atmosphere can get a bit unstable. That means we could see some sudden, unexpected showers in parts of Gangwon, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do provinces with 5 to 30 millimeters of rain. And this afternoon, Seoul gets up to 33 degrees Celsius, Gwangju and Daejeon at 35 degrees. Daegu at 36 degrees. UV rays will be very strong in most regions; have your sun protection ready. Temperatures are just going to keep climbing throughout this week. Seoul's daytime high could reach scorching 36 degrees Celsius this Friday and Saturday! Meanwhile, Jeju is forecast to see some rain this weekend. Stay cool and safe out there!

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath's frontman, dies aged 76

2025/07/23 11:39

In the United Kingdom, Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath known as the "Prince of Darkness," died on Tuesday at the age of 76. No immediate cause was given, though he had been battling Parkinson's disease since 2020. His final performance took place only recently, on July 5, at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, with the proceeds donated to organizations such as Parkinson's UK. Over his five-decade career with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, Ozzy Osbourne sold more than 100 million records and earned a revered place in rock history. Tributes poured in worldwide, with Elton John calling him "a true legend."

Coca-Cola to release new drink made with U.S. cane sugar after Trump push

2025/07/23 11:38

Following a push by U.S. President Donald Trump, Coca-Cola announced on Tuesday that it will introduce a new version of its flagship product in the U.S. this fall, sweetened with domestic sugar cane. CEO James Quincey confirmed that to align with consumer demand, Coca-Cola will launch a U.S. cane sugar variant this fall, following Trump's appeal for "REAL Cane Sugar" instead of corn syrup. The new product will complement the core recipe, rather than replacing the classic formulation. Coca-Cola also reported robust second-quarter profits, beating estimates for quarterly results. The company's comparable revenue beat estimates by increasing 2.5 percent in the 3 months up to June 27.

Türkiye says it will intervene to stop any attempt to divide Syria

2025/07/23 11:38

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that Türkiye will directly intervene to stop any attempt to fragment Syria or allow militants to gain autonomy. Fidan addressed reporters in Ankara at a joint news conference after recent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin groups in the city of Sweida. He also accused Israel of seeking to destabilize Syria and push for separatism in the south. The minister specifically warned Kurdish groups that any moves toward autonomy or independence would be seen as a "big strategic catastrophe" and a direct threat to Türkiye's national security.

U.S. to leave UN cultural agency UNESCO again

2025/07/23 11:38

Now, let's take a look at some stories from around the world with our Choi Chi Hee. Good morning, Chi Hee. Good morning, Eunji. Let's begin in the United States, which has once again decided to withdraw from UNESCO. Tell us more. Right. The U.S. has announced that it will pull out of the United Nations' cultural and educational agency, UNESCO, as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to withdraw from international institutions. A White House spokesperson announced on Tuesday, July 22, that the withdrawal will take effect in December 2026, adding that the country's continued participation in the agency is not in its "national interest." U.S. officials criticized UNESCO's agenda, highlighting its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and its 2011 acceptance of Palestine, as misaligned with U.S. values. This marks the third U.S. departure, following exits in 1984 under the Reagan administration and 2017 under Trump, with the U.S. then rejoining in 2003 and 2023, respectively. U.S. financial contributions currently represent approximately 8 percent of UNESCO's budget, down from over 20 percent previously. UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, expressed deep regret but emphasized that the agency is prepared, both financially and operationally.

[THE INTERVIEW] Meet Korean bobsleigh legend now racing for IOC seat

2025/07/23 11:37

Korea's Won Yunjong -Asia's first-ever bobsleigh Olympic medalist - is now aiming to make history once again. This time, he's running for a seat on the International Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission to represent athletes from around the world. Park Kun-woo tells us more. Legendary Korean bobsleigher Won Yunjong appeared confident and full of anticipation after being named one of the final 11 candidates for membership of the IOC Athletes' Commission last month. "Those candidates are role models in their own sports and have significant influence. So it's truly meaningful to be named among them." If elected in the athletes' vote at the 2026 Winter Games, Won would become Korea's first winter sports athlete to hold a seat on the IOC Athletes' Commission. Then he'd be able to act as a bridge between the IOC and athletes -to listen to them and make sure they're represented -throughout his 8-year term. Won says his own experience as an athlete has shaped how he hopes to serve. "If elected, I want to connect with athletes everywhere and speak with them freely. I've seen athletes struggling when transitioning after retirement. I want to support them through that phase, and help address mental health concerns, too. I also want to eradicate doping and protect clean athletes." With climate change threatening the future of winter sports, Won says environmental advocacy should also be part of the job. "Athletes have a big influence on the public. If they take the lead in environmental campaigns, it can raise awareness and help preserve both the planet and winter sports." But the road won't be easy. Won says he's ready to walk thousands of steps, literally, to meet athletes during the Olympics, with sincerity. For the legendary bobsleigh athlete, challenge is nothing new, as it's been the driving force behind every milestone in his journey. "What does challenge mean to you on a personal level, and as a person Won Yunjong, what are your personal goals?" "Challenge means growth and change to me. When I tried to become a bobsleigh athlete, it was a challenge and I made it. I tried to get the medal and it was a huge challenge for me, all my life, but yeah I did it. I think there are lots of challenges if I want to get good outcomes. So I believe that I can be a better person through challenges." 'No brake until the end.' With that mindset, Won says he'll keep racing forward -just like on the bobsleigh track -toward what could be a new milestone for Korean sports diplomacy. Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Pyeongchang.

[On-point] 100 days to APEC summit: What diplomatic outcomes lie ahead for South Korea?

2025/07/23 11:36

With just 100 days left until the APEC summit kicks off on October 31st in South Korea's historic city, Gyeongju --eyes are now on whether U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend. For more on what to expect at the summit, we're joined by Professor Andrew Millard, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Changwon National University. 1. The South Korean government has now sent invitations to all APEC member states, so there's a possibility that the leaders of the U.S., China, and Japan could all meet in Gyeongju. What are your thoughts on this potential gathering? 2. What might be some of the key issues on the agenda for discussion among APEC member state leaders? 3. This will be the first major diplomatic event hosted by South Korea since President Lee took office. How would you assess Korea's current diplomatic standing on the global stage, and what are the expectations for Korea's role as host of this year's APEC summit? 4. There's speculation that this could provide an opportunity for a meeting between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. What's your take on the possibility of inviting North Korea? How likely is it, in your opinion, that a high-profile event like this could happen on the sidelines of the APEC summit? 5. The summit will be held in Gyeongju, a city rich in history. What impact do you think hosting APEC in such a historic location will have on South Korea? Could this be an opportunity to enhance the country's soft power and promote its culture globally? Alright Professor Millard, thank you so much for your insight today. We appreciate it.

Highest drop in housing price increase expectations in 3 years due to loan regulations

2025/07/23 11:35

Following the implementation of real estate loan regulations last month by the Lee Jae Myung administration, the forecast for housing prices has significantly declined. According to data released by the Bank of Korea on Wednesday, the housing price forecast index for July stood at 109, down 11 points from June. While the figure remains higher than the long-term average of 107, it's the largest monthly decline in three years. The figure indicates a significant decrease in the proportion of consumers expecting home prices to rise over the next year. Following the announcement of new real estate policy on June 27th, all housing loans in the Greater Seoul area are capped at 600 million won, or 442-thousand U.S. dollars, regardless of income or property price.

President Lee urges no efforts be spared helping victims of flooding

2025/07/23 11:35

President Lee Jae Myung has once again urged officials to spare no effort in helping people affected by the recent downpours and designated six cities or counties as special disaster zones. Our top office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. The day after returning to his office from a flood-hit area in the south, the President began Tuesday's Cabinet meeting by noting the suffering of the people from days of heavy rains and extreme heat. "The faces of people there were void as they thought of their destroyed homes and lost family members. As the president in charge of state affairs, I will try to be more sensitive to the pain of each and every person." He once again urged his Cabinet to spare no effort in helping those affected and searching for the missing, while speeding up the designation of special disaster zones. The first to be designated for state funding were six cities or counties, including Gapyeong in Gyeonggi-do Province, Damyang in Jeollanam-do, and Sancheong in Gyeongsangnam-do. Special grants of 5-and-a-half billion won, worth nearly 4-million U.S. dollars, will be used to help several regions recover, including Gwangju and Gyeongsangnam-do Province. President Lee Jae Myung went on to urge his Cabinet to look for new approaches, which could involve leveraging technologies such as AI. "I realized this time that existing methods, facilities, equipment, and countermeasures are no longer enough. I hope you newly reorganize fundamental measures." This, as nine new Cabinet members attended the meeting, including ministers in charge of finance, labor, and safety, signaling the start of a full-fledged new government. "Our economy faces very tough conditions. In the short term, we need to revive the livelihoods of the people and respond to tariff negotiations with the U.S. In the longer term, we should build the "real" Republic of Korea, "real" growth." Another focus was on minimizing industrial accidents, for which the Cabinet approved a revised law to disclose the builders if any such accidents occur at construction sites. In clear reflection of daunting tasks ahead, the President asked his new Cabinet to be mindful of the work they do, calling them a "touchstone" for the future that greatly affects the lives of every person in the country. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

Nationwide search and rescue efforts continue after deadly torrential summer rain in S. Korea

2025/07/23 11:34

On the local front. As floodwaters recede, the true toll of last week's extreme weather is coming into focus. While recovery efforts are underway, the search continues for those still missing in the hardest-hit areas. Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details. At least 21 people have died due to the heavy rain that swept across South Korea last week, with fears mounting that the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue. As of Wednesday morning, the number of those missing stands at 7, after two bodies were found on Tuesday afternoon in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, where 12 people lost their lives. Authorities are continuing to search for two more missing people in the area, with a fire department official reporting that while search conditions are improving as water levels recede, efforts are heavily dependent on manual checks as equipment is unable to access certain areas. In Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do Province, search teams involving more than 700 personnel are continuing to look for four missing people. Among them are two members of a family who went missing after visiting a campsite, one person swept away in a vehicle, and another believed to have been caught in strong currents along a riverbank. Search and rescue efforts here are also being prolonged due to rapid water currents. Meanwhile, residents in the area are grappling with the aftermath of the torrential rains and landslides that devastated homes, businesses, and farmlands. "The cowshed was completely flooded. We got a warning from the village center telling us to evacuate, but with the cows here, we couldn't leave. It was heartbreaking." Many returned to find their properties unrecognizable — buildings reduced to rubble, interiors buried under layers of mud, and entire crops destroyed. "The damage is just overwhelming. The water's been cut off, so there's nothing we can do. There's no electricity, no running water" As the nation continues to reel from the destruction, rescue crews remain in a race against time, working around the clock to locate the missing and support recovery efforts. Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.

Crypto surges, Gold stalls, Tariffs loom: Which hedge holds in Q3?

2025/07/22 23:35

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon. Bitcoin is cooling just below 160 million won — but Ethereum is on a tear, jumping more than 25% in just a week. Behind that surge: record ETF inflows and a historic moment in Washington, as President Trump signs the “Genius Act,” giving crypto its first real regulatory framework. Meanwhile, gold — the classic safe haven — is losing steam. China’s clampdown on retail demand and shifting investor flows are holding prices back, even as global volatility picks up. And now, the countdown is on. A new round of U.S. reciprocal tariffs is set to take effect August 1st. South Korea is rushing to shield key exports like steel and autos, as markets brace for fallout across currencies, equities, and trade. To break down what all this means for investors in the second half, we’re joined by Hwagyun Kim, professor of Banking and Finance at Texas A&M Univ. Welcome. Also joining us is Lee Yoonsoo, professor of Economics at Sogang Univ. Thank you for joining us. (KIM) To begin with — Bitcoin has slipped back below 160 million KRW, while Ethereum jumped over 25% in just one week. What’s driving this divergence between Bitcoin’s sideways trend and the sharp rally in altcoins like Ethereum? (LEE) Building on that — the recent passage of the “Genius Act” and related crypto bills in the U.S. has cleared up some regulatory fog. How do you think this legislative clarity is shaping investor risk appetite heading into the second half? (KIM) Looking at institutional flows — U.S.-listed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs saw over $14 billion in net inflows just in Q2. Does this signal a lasting structural shift in digital asset demand, and how critical is ETF activity as a price driver now? (LEE) At the same time, we’re seeing traditional safe-haven assets like gold lose momentum despite strong year-to-date returns. How do you interpret gold’s relative underperformance compared to Bitcoin, especially in light of inflation expectations and shifting rate paths? (KIM) And adding to that — China’s recent clampdown on retail gold buying contrasts with long-term Bitcoin holders showing fewer signs of selling. Are we possibly witnessing a long-term rotation where Bitcoin replaces gold as the dominant hedge asset? (LEE) Shifting gears to global trade — President Trump’s new round of “reciprocal tariffs” is set to kick in August 1st. How might this renewed trade tension affect overall global market sentiment, particularly when it comes to risk-on assets like crypto? (KIM) Let’s stay on the trade front — with U.S. tariffs looming and high-stakes negotiations still underway, how are Korean financial markets, especially equities and export-reliant sectors, positioning ahead of this hard deadline? (LEE) Looking ahead — Korea is now entering last-ditch talks with the U.S. to avoid a 25%–30% tariff hike on key exports like autos and steel. If those talks break down, what kind of second-order effects could we expect on investor behavior and macro trends in Q3? (KIM) And finally, before we wrap — with the Fed entering its blackout period and markets split on whether a rate cut is imminent, in your view, which asset — gold or Bitcoin — looks better positioned if we do see liquidity expanding in the months ahead? Thank you for your time and for your insights tonight Prof Kim and Prof. Lee, we appreciate it. And that will be all from us on Within the Frame. Be sure to tune in next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter. Until then, stay informed and engaged!

STOCK&FX

2025/07/22 22:43

2025. 7. 22. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,169.94 ▼40.87 -1.27% KOSDAQ : 812.97 ▼8.72 -1.06% KOSPI200 : 428.05 ▼6.51 -1.50% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,774.92 ▼44.19 -0.11% HANG SENG : 25,130.03 ▲135.89 +0.54% SHANGHAI : 3,581.86 ▲22.07 +0.62% WALL STREET (July 21) DOW JONES : 44,323.07 ▼19.12 -0.04% NASDAQ : 20,974.18 ▲78.51 +0.38% S&P500 : 6,305.60 ▲8.81 +0.14% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,387.80 (-0.40) JPY : 938.75 (+0.81) CNY : 193.46 (+0.10) EUR : 1,621.71 (+6.40)