Blackpink’s Rose to release 1st solo LP ‘Rosie’ in December

Rose, a member of the iconic K-pop girl group Blackpink, is set to release her first full-length solo album more than eight years after her debut. The Black Label, the singer's agency, announced Wednesday that Rose's first studio album “Rosie” would be released Dec. 6. The title of the album, "Rosie,” is Rose's nickname. The album is expected to reflect the singer's identity, generating expectations that she would share her personal stories and experien

K-popOct. 2, 2024

AI textbook bubble could burst, expert warns

In a move toward digital education, South Korea is set to introduce artificial intelligence-powered textbooks into its schools starting in March next year. This initiative, which will begin with third and fourth graders in elementary schools and first-year students in middle and high schools, has sparked mixed reactions. Some view it as a true "education transformation," or even a "revolution," others simply as a new tool. Neil Selwyn, a professor at Monash University in Melb

Social AffairsOct. 2, 2024

Diablo 4 sells for under 1,600 won, possibly due to error

A handful of South Korean gamers were treated to an unintended limited-time offer for the popular computer game Diablo 4 on Wednesday, when its publisher inexplicably put it on sale for 1,575 won ($1.20) for less than an hour in the wee hours of the morning. The short-term price for the standard edition of the action role-playing game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment was posted at the company's Battle.net website some time before 3 a.m. It reverted to its initial price of 6

Social AffairsOct. 2, 2024

KT&G showcases flagship tobacco brands at global duty-free expo

South Korea's leading tobacco company KT&G said on Wednesday that it is showcasing its top duty-free products at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France, to strengthen its presence in the international duty-free market. The company is displaying its premium brands such as Raison, Bohem and Esse -- the world’s bestselling ultra-slim cigarette -- while emphasizing its global business performance at its booth installed at the event from Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. M

CompaniesOct. 2, 2024

North Korean trash balloons cross border day after Seoul military parade

North Korea once again sent another wave of balloons carrying trash toward the South on Wednesday, the day after a massive military parade was held in Seoul to commemorate the Armed Forces Day. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said at around 5:19 a.m. that North Korea was flying objects believed to be trash balloons, which may move toward Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province given the wind direction. The JCS advised residents of the affected areas to be wary of falling objects an

DefenseOct. 2, 2024

Will trot bring a breath of fresh air to K-pop?

As K-pop continues its significant expansion in the global market, another genre has been surging rapidly in the domestic music industry: Trot. Following the remarkable success of some trot singers, major K-pop powerhouses are diving into the unexpected combination of trot and K-pop. Trot -- part of the Korean popular music scene since the 1930s -- is a genre characterized by lively rhythms and abundant use of vibrato, the lyrics often catering to the sentiments of the older generations, However

PerformanceOct. 2, 2024

Minho of SHINee to hold first-ever solo concert

Minho of SHINee will hold a stand-alone concert, his first in 16 years. According to SM Entertainment, Minho will host the "Mean: of my first" on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. This will be the singer's first solo concert since his debut with SHINee 16 years ago. Minho released his first solo track with the physical single "Heartbreak" in December 2021, followed by his first EP "Chase" in December 2022. I

K-popOct. 2, 2024

Hanwha Qcells sells 142 MW solar power project in Washington

Hanwha Solution’s Qcells, the solar energy division under Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group, has sold a 142 megawatt solar photovoltaics project to Washington state’s largest utility company Puget Sound Energy, Hanwha Qcells said Wednesday. Hanwha Qcells highlighted that the sale of the solar power project signifies optimizing the profit structure by selling the developmental assets and securing a turnkey contract for the services of engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC.

CompaniesOct. 2, 2024

Ministry confirms irregularities in national soccer coach hiring

The South Korean soccer association violated multiple regulations in hiring the current and former national team coaches, the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism confirmed Wednesday. The ministry, however, said that it remained unclear whether the violations would invalidate the contract of Hong Myung-bo, the current coach who replaced Juergen Klinsmann. "The Korea Football Association had said that all regulations were met in hiring the national team coach, but the probe revealed inap

SoccerOct. 2, 2024

[Photo News] Hanwha to light up Seoul skies

The 2024 Seoul Fireworks Festival, hosted by Hanwha Corporation, will light up Yeouido Hangang Park this Saturday with stunning pyrotechnics. Teams from Japan, the US and South Korea will showcase innovative fireworks displays, blending tradition with modern technology. Hanwha’s display, the largest of the night, will synchronize fireworks bursts across multiple bridges, creating a citywide spectacle. Signature effects include the breathtaking “Niagara Falls” fireworks from Won

CompaniesOct. 2, 2024

[Photo News] Back in black

Genesis, a luxury brand under Korean auto giant Hyundai Motor Group, announced the launch of the GV80 Black and GV Coupe Black on Wednesday. Marking the brand's second series of black editions following the G90 high-end sedan, the premium sport utility vehicle solely focuses on black, even in the details, for both the exterior and interior designs. The new vehicles will be on display at the Busan International Film Festival from Wednesday to Oct. 11. (Hyundai Motor Group)

MobilityOct. 2, 2024

[Hello India] India’s Sarang Festival kicks off featuring classical Hindu dance

The 10th edition of India’s Sarang Festival in Korea, an annual cultural exchange event hosted by the Indian Embassy in Korea, kicked off Tuesday, featuring an hour long dance performances. The festival's title, "sarang," means "love" in Korean and "diversity" in Hindi, reflecting cultural significance for both nations. This year's Sarang Festival began with a Kuchipudi performance by renowned artist Sreelakshmy Govardhanan, with the group set to per

Foreign AffairsOct. 2, 2024

Yoon vetoes three bills, including special probe targeting first lady

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday endorsed Cabinet motions demanding parliamentary reconsideration of three opposition-led bills, including one calling for a special counsel probe into first lady Kim Keon Hee's allegations. It marked the 11th time that Yoon has exercised his veto power since taking office in May 2022, and a total of 24 bills have been rejected amid ongoing tensions between the opposition-controlled National Assembly and Yoon. The most disputed bill calls for an independe

PoliticsOct. 2, 2024

[Gadget Review] Apple's new iPhone 16 Pro: Professional camera phone

Apple’s latest flagship smartphone series -- the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max -- debuted in Korea on Sept. 20 as the US tech giant included the country among the first regions for its newest phones’ launch. Since the first iPhone debuted here in 2009, it marks the first time that Korea has been included in the list of the first countries to have new iPhones. Despite the early release, Korean sales remain lukewarm. Coupang, a major online seller, saw

TechnologyOct. 2, 2024

[영어답게 표현하기] 유용한 비즈니스 영어 표현들

이번 회에는 저희 책 Advanced Vocab에서 소개한 중상급 영단어들을 알려드립니다. 단어의 우리말 뜻을 기억하는 데에 그치지 않고, 난이도 있는 단어를 실제로 활용하는 단계까지 나아가 보기 바랍니다. 〈단절, 고립, 정체〉 1. severance [sévərəns] 단절 separate과 어원이 같은 단어인 sever의 명사형으로, 물리적 절단이나 관계의 단절을 의미한다. 특히 ‘관계의 단절’에서 파생되어 ‘퇴직’을 뜻하기도 한다. 퇴직금은 severance pay(ment)라고 하지만, 퇴직 시에 다양한 보상을 함께 받는 경우가 많으므로 보통 severance package라고 표현한다. An official at the foreign ministry said that this is not a full severance of ties, as commercial relations will remain in

English EyeOct. 2, 2024

Seoul shares open lower amid escalating Middle East tensions

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid growing concerns over an all-out war in the Middle East after Iran attacked Israel with missiles. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.89 percent, or 23.04 points, to 2,570.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares tumbled after Iran fired missiles directly at Israel, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.41 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite plunging 1.53 perce

MarketOct. 2, 2024

Consumer inflation slows to 3 1/2-year low of 1.6 % in Sept.

South Korea's consumer prices slowed to the lowest level in 3 1/2 years in September, falling below 2 percent for the first time since early 2021, data showed Wednesday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 1.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. September's figure marked the lowest level since February 2021, when consumer prices grew 1.4 percent. The figure last came to the 1 percent ra

EconomyOct. 2, 2024

S. Korea to enhance market monitoring over Middle East crisis

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Wednesday the South Korean government will stay vigilant against heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran's massive missile attack on Israel, vowing to enhance market monitoring and devise responses. Iran fired a barrage of around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday (local time), in what Tehran said was retaliation for the recent killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas officials, according to foreign media reports. Israeli Prime Minister

PoliticsOct. 2, 2024

Korean Air wins US awards for best first, business class cabins

Korean Air announced Tuesday that it has topped the 2024 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in the business and first class category for the second year in a row. The airline also placed second for best in-flight food for the second consecutive year, while its cabin crew ranking improved from sixth to fourth place. The USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards honors top performers across a range of categories. Nominees are selected by a panel of experts, with the final winners

IndustryOct. 2, 2024

N. Korea sends more trash balloons toward S. Korea: JCS

North Korea sent what appeared to be trash-filled balloons toward South Korea on Wednesday, the South's military said, in the first such launch in 10 days. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North launched the balloons, warning they may float toward Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. Since late May, the North has launched more than 5,000 balloons carrying trash on over 22 occasions in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent to the North by North Korean defectors and activ

North KoreaOct. 2, 2024