Exclusive dating apps cater to cream of the crop

　 Dating apps that bar people from signing up based on appearance, education and wealth are a growing phenomenon in Korea. In order to join Amanda, one of the best-known dating apps in Korea, the applicant needs to receive an average score of three or higher out of five from 20 members of the app. The name “Amanda” is wordplay for the Korean meaning of “not meeting anyone.” 　 “We understand that there can be controversy over the nature of our app. At first, the

CultureApril 4, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Safe delivery from Mayfield Hotel As more people are staying in these days, Mayfield Hotel in western Seoul is presenting food delivery service. The hotel’s bakery Cafe Delice presents a lunch box deal for four people, consisting of six Italian dishes, from pasta to salad. The deal is priced at 90,000 won. The bakery also offers one-person lunch boxes, offering a choice one pasta and a drink, at 20,000 won. Korean restaurant Bongraeheon also offers a lunch box deal, consisting of nin

FoodApril 4, 2020

Gyeonggi governor warns possible coronavirus explosion

Gyeonggi Province Gov. Lee Jae-myung warned Saturday that an explosion of novel coronavirus infections is coming in the nation despite the central government‘s all-out efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic. On his social media page, the governor stressed that it is time to prepare for the worst scenario of mass infections, as shown in Italy and other European countries. “We have been building breakwaters to prevent the waves, but now we are expecting a tsunami that cannot be

Social AffairsApril 4, 2020

Nexon wants employees to come back to office

Korean game company Nexon said Thursday it had decided to roll back its telecommuting, requiring all staff to report for duty starting next week. According to Nexon, all employees will have to come to work starting Monday, though exceptions will be made for those with special circumstances that need to be considered. “To ensure the safety of employees, Nexon will employ safety measures including placing thermal imaging cameras at the entries of its headquarters, installing cubicles a

IndustryApril 4, 2020

[Weekender] Brighten up home quarantine with home furnishings

As the COVID-19 situation draws out, many of us have been spending all day in our homes. Staying in can be boring, even stressful for some. Worse, we are not sure when this will ever come to an end. While we are at home, how about lightening up the mood by making some small changes to your home decor? Some changes can be made while staying in. And sometimes, small changes make a big difference.  Spring arrives with flowers The arrival of spring is a sure thing. The mercury is rising

CultureApril 4, 2020

Jeju reports first COVID-19 local transmission

The first case of a local transmission of the novel coronavirus has been confirmed on Jeju Island, local officials said Saturday. The local transmission involves a man in his 30s who tested positive Friday night. He is related to a woman in her 20s who was confirmed to have contracted the respiratory virus on March 29, according to Jeju officials. She had recently traveled to Korea from Latin America. Jeju had reported 12 novel coronavirus cases as of Saturday morning, with 11 infections im

Social AffairsApril 4, 2020

Seoul extends social distancing drive for 2 weeks

South Korea on Saturday decided to extend its social distancing campaign for another two weeks amid a slowing but still continuing spread of the new coronavirus. The decision came in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who insisted the country had no choice but to maintain a high-level social distancing drive "for some time." "We have no choice but to continue an intense social distancing drive for some time in the future," the prime minister said in the mee

Social AffairsApril 4, 2020

S. Korea, Germany vow cooperation in fighting coronavirus

South Korea shared its experience in fighting the coronavirus pandemic with Germany via a teleconference on Friday, Seoul's foreign ministry said. During the two-hour session, South Korean officials explained the country's anti-virus program, characterized by fast tracking, testing, quarantine and treatment, on the back of its advanced medical and communications infrastructure. The nation's containment efforts have recently gained international recognition due to a slowdown in new COVID-19

Foreign AffairsApril 3, 2020

S. Korean diplomat charged with sexual assault in New Zealand: report

A New Zealand court has issued an arrest warrant for a South Korean diplomat on charges of sexual assault, a media report said Friday. The diplomat is suspected of assaulting a staff member at the South Korean Embassy in Wellington three times in late 2017, according to the New Zealand Herald. The warrant was issued on Feb. 28. The diplomat denied any wrongdoing during the embassy's internal probe, the report said. He left the embassy in 2018 and is now working as consul general in an Asia

Foreign AffairsApril 3, 2020

Ex-public worker arrested for leaking info to digital sex crime offender

A Seoul court on Friday issued an arrest warrant for a former public service worker for allegedly making illegal inquiries into personal information of hundreds of people and leaking that information to the leader of a high-profile digital sexual exploitation ring. The Seoul Central District Court approved the prosecution's request to arrest the former public service worker identified only as 26-year-old Choi, saying there is probable cause to detain him for violating the Personal Information

Social AffairsApril 3, 2020

Walkthrough virus screening center for intl. arrivals opens at Seoul sports complex

A walkthrough virus screening center for overseas entrants opened at a major sports complex in southeastern Seoul on Friday amid a continued increase in imported cases. The screening center, which Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon claimed could test up to 1,000 people per day, was set up at Seoul Sports Complex, the site of the 1986 Asian Games and 1988 Summer Olympics. On the first day of operation, the screening venue appeared mostly quiet, with around 10 people visiting during a two-hour slot. V

Social AffairsApril 3, 2020

SUPERNOVA leader tests positive for COVID-19 as 1st infected entertainer

Jung Yun-hak, the leader of K-pop boy band SUPERNOVA, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment in Seoul, the band has said. The band broke the news on its official Japanese website Friday, saying, "Having been in a bad condition, Yun-hak got tested on Tuesday, and the test result found the next day that he had been infected with the new coronavirus." He has been admitted to a hospital in Seoul and is focusing on treatment, the website said, apologizing for "

EntertainmentApril 3, 2020

S. Korea likely to extend strict social distancing drive to stem coronavirus spread

South Korea is expected to extend its strict social distancing drive amid a steady rise in mass infections and imported cases of the novel coronavirus. The government launched the two-week campaign on March 22, urging people to keep a safe distance from each other by putting off all meetings, avoiding crowds and working from home to minimize contact. The drive is set to end on Sunday but officials have hinted at the possibility of extending the period, given the current trend of new COVID-1

Social AffairsApril 3, 2020

S. Korea, Vietnam eye ASEAN+3 video summit in early April

Vietnam said Friday that it is seeking to hold a video summit with South Korea, China, Japan and fellow Southeast Asian nations in early April to discuss the coronavirus issue. In phone talks with President Moon Jae-in, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said his country is looking forward holding the session in cooperation with South Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae. Vietnam serves as chair of this year's ASEAN meetings. Moon replied that it's "very timely" to arrange the

Social AffairsApril 3, 2020

Antitrust watchdog approves HDC-Asiana Airlines merger

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog has approved HDC Hyundai Development Company’s acquisition of shares of Asiana Airlines, officials said Friday. HDC signed a deal to acquire 61.5 percent of the airline’s shares on Dec. 27 and reported it to the Fair Trade Commission on Jan. 30. “There is no concern of restricting competition,” after reviewing the effect of the tie-up on competition in related markets, the FTC said. “(We) judged that the major sectors of

MobilityApril 3, 2020

Seoul to monitor all 8,578 audiences of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’

The Seoul City government on Friday announced that it will monitor all the 8,578 people who watched “The Phantom of the Opera” at Blue Square in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. On Tuesday, a Canadian female ballet dancer of the show was confirmed with novel coronavirus infection and another American actor in the ensemble was tested positive on Thursday. “We have the list of all the audiences and will send out text messages,” Na Baek-joo, director of Seoul City’s public healt

PerformanceApril 3, 2020

JTI’s new HNB tobacco product enters e-commerce platforms

Japan Tobacco International Korea announced Friday that it has launched its odor-reduced tobacco vapor product Ploom Tech on local e-commerce platforms. The product and accessories are currently available on two platforms -- Naver’s Smart Store and Tmon -- at discounted prices. On Naver’s Smart Store, Ploom Tech Starter Kit, which contains a battery, a USB charger, and an adaptor, which is available for 17,500 won ($14.20), at a 50 percent discount from the retail price. On Tmo

IndustryApril 3, 2020

Part-timers in Korea experience pay cuts due to COVID-19

Five out of 10 part-timers in South Korea have experienced a loss of earnings due to the nationwide COVID-19 outbreak, according to a survey released by job information platform operator Albamon on Friday. Of 1,738 part-time workers who answered the survey, 50.5 percent said their incomes had declined after the viral outbreak. The part-time workers, who answered their incomes remained the same, accounted for 48 percent. Only 1.5 percent of part-time workers said their incomes had increased

IndustryApril 3, 2020

Play ‘Art’ halts after two cast members of ‘Phantom of Opera’ infected with coronavirus

Double K Film & Theatre announced Thursday that its production of “Art” would close temporarily, after cast members of “Phantom of the Opera” tested positive for the new coronavirus. “As people of the performing art industry test positive with the coronavirus, for the safety of actors, staff and audience and to prevent further spread, we have decided to temporarily cancel ‘Art’ performances from April 4-12,” Double K Film & Theatre posted

CultureApril 3, 2020

LIG Nex1 invests in Korean drone sensor company

Aerospace and defense firm LIG Nex1 said Friday it had acquired a 20 percent stake in Microinfinity, a domestic firm that makes navigation sensor chips for unmanned aerial vehicles. According to LIG Nex1’s business report, it converted loans made to Microinfinity into 5 million shares worth 2.5 billion won ($2 million), equal to a 20 percent stake in the company, at the end of last year. This is the first case of LIG Nex1’s equity participation in a drone-related company. A nav

IndustryApril 3, 2020