BTS to dazzle fans with series of U.S. shows next week

K-pop super band BTS will dazzle the world music scene with a series of high-profile performances in the United Sates next week ahead of its official release of a new album.

Warm waters, moving fish, typhoons: spotting climate change in Korea

Every year, Gongji stream in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, completely freezes over by early January. Except it hasn't this year. There are thin sheets of ice here and there but the stream mostly flows on, says Gangwon district weather station

Naver's global webcomic biz on growth track

Naver Corp., South Korea's top internet portal operator, is witnessing a growth in its webcomic business, which will eventually improve its earnings, industry sources said Friday.

Hormuz decision raises more questions

The government’s decision to send a naval unit to the Strait of Hormuz still remains a contentious issue in political circles as critics claim it requires fresh approval. The defense ministry announced, Tuesday, it will temporarily expand the anti-piracy Cheonghae unit’s area of operations from the Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of Korean ships there - although it will not join the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

Korea's financial hub vision becomes more 'elusive'

Korea's long-term vision of becoming a financial hub in Asia has become more and more “elusive” as China has decided to open its financial market worth $45 trillion (52.5 quadrillion won) by removing regulations on the ownership of foreign financial players operating there. Given that Korea is already struggling to attract foreign investment due to its militant unions and anti-business policies, this latest development will make it harder for Seoul to become a regional financial center.

Startups: Breaking walls, breaking limits

We operate a “one-stop interior decor platform,” where those interested in it can contact experts, make purchases such as furniture or parts, or check out related news or other content online.

X1 fans boo CJ ENM for survival audition vote fixing

Fans of now-defunct K-pop boy band X1 took to the streets Wednesday to protest against CJ ENM, operator of cable channel Mnet. The channel aired the audition program “Produce 101” last summer to launch X1 based on audience voting, but the 11-piece group broke up on January 6 following accusations the program's director and chief producer fixed the results in favor of certain contestants.

67 medical clinics open for Lunar New Year holiday

As the four-day Lunar New Year holiday starts, here are some things to keep in mind in the case of an emergency. For those who fall sick, 67 medical clinics and 1,829 pharmacies will stay open in Seoul. The list of hospitals includes the Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Red Cross Hospital and Shinchon Yonsei Hospital. For those who can speak Korean, information can also be found on www.e-gen.or.kr.

Drama 'Crash Landing on You' accused of glamorizing North Korea

Cable channel tvN's North Korea-themed drama “Crash Landing on You” has been accused of glamorizing the reclusive state, police said Wednesday. The conservative Christian Liberty Party lodged a complaint with police against tvN on Jan. 9 for allegedly violating the National Security Law.

Gov't to run Travel Week programs to boost low-season tourism

The government will run Travel Week programs in June and November this year in a bid to boost domestic travel during the off-peak season.

Air carriers offer special promotions for popular travel spots

Air carriers are offering deeply discounted fares to popular destinations for winter vacationers.

Ruling camp musters big names for support in election

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is looking to its bigwigs to run in constituencies that the party sees as strategically important to outstrip its rival parties in the April 15 general election. The ruling party has so far asked former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon to run in central Seoul’s Jongno District, and ex-South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Doo-kwan to run in Yangsan-A - a provincial constituency.

Wedding bells to ring for actor Ryu Si-won

Actor Ryu Si-won, 47, will tie the knot in mid-February, his agency R's Company said Wednesday. His bride-to-be is younger and not a celebrity.

Japanese beer imports nearly halved amid boycott

The import of Japanese beer to Korea nearly halved in 2019 in the aftermath of Koreans' boycott of Japanese goods triggered by a trade feud between the two countries, data showed Thursday. This marks the first beer import market decrease in ten years.

Pharmaceutical industry expands to cosmetics, retail with new retro trend

The pharmaceutical industry in Korea is considered relatively conservative compared to other industries, however with the “new retro” trend sweeping the nation, pharmaceutical companies are adapting classic products to provide a range of interesting new creations.

Korean Air to share profits with local tour companies

Korean Air said Thursday it will share part of the company's profits with local tour operators suffering from lower travel demand for Japan.

Hyundai Motor to speed up governance reform

All eyes are on Hyundai Motor Group's next move, after Elliott Management, a New York based hedge fund firm sold all its stakes from Korea's leading car manufacturer. Many experts predict the auto-giant to strengthen its family-run corporate governance structure under Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun.

FSS bolsters consumer protection department

The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said Thursday it will beef up its consumer protection department, doubling the number of affiliated divisions. The restructuring is seen as taking into account financial authorities' alarm over losses incurred by investors in derivative options last year and growing concerns over the option-based funds managed by Lime Asset Management.

Supreme Court sides with workers on overtime wages

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of retired Jungbu Express bus drivers regarding a wage calculation dispute, Wednesday, saying overtime pay should be calculated using actual working hours.

Shinhan DS CEO to direct group's digitization

Shinhan DS is set to become the control tower for Shinhan Financial Group's entire digital strategies, after the head of the group's IT service unit was nominated as the group's new chief digital officer (CDO), according to industry officials, Monday.

Will Woori team up with PEF for Prudential takeover?

Attention is growing over whether Woori Financial Group will join hands with a private equity firm (PEF) in the bid to take over Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea.

Insurers desperate for survival with digital drive

Major life insurers are going all-out to embrace digital transformation in 2020 as a means of survival amid an uncertain outlook for their rebound from a painful earnings shock last year. Despite their pledges, the prospect for the local insurance market remains murky in the face of a continuous economic slowdown. A prolonged low interest rate also comes as another external risk factor for their earnings this year.

Mourinho seeks striker solution as Son ensures Tottenham edge Norwich

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho claimed a lack of striking options is taking its toll on his stretched squad despite ending a four-game winless streak in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Norwich on Wednesday.Son Heung-min's header 11 minutes from time moved Spurs up to sixth and within six points of Chelsea in the battle for a top-four finish.

Dominant Korea down Australia to seal final spot and Olympic place

South Korea defeated Australia 2-0 in Thailand, Wednesday, to move into the final of the 2020 Asian U-23 championships but more importantly book a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

IZ*ONE to resume music career next month

K-pop girl band IZ*ONE will return to the music scene next month, resuming its high-profile music career that was put on hold amid a vote-rigging scandal involving the band's native audition show last year.

Allegations famous beauty YouTuber Haneul mistreats employees

Korea's famous beauty YouTuber and shopping mall owner Haneul has denied allegations she mistreats employees. Website “Job planet,” where employees can share company information, has some posts alleging that Haneul treats her employees badly, throwing pens at them.

Former AIG Korea chief appointed as AP CEO

U.S. insurance giant American International Group (AIG) appointed former AIG Korea head Steven Barnett as its Asia-Pacific CEO Thursday.

INGINE flexes muscles to expand wave-power biz in Europe, Africa

Lee Sung-won, head of INGINE's London office - registered as INGINE Wave Energy Systems Ltd - and his MASEN counterpart Mustapha Bakkoury took part in the signing ceremony on Jan. 21 at the U.K.-Morocco Business Dialogue in London.

Lee Ju-sun favored to become next NACF chairman

Lee Ju-sun, who is seeking the chairmanship of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), has pledged to make systematic adjustments to the organization to better prepare for changes in the agricultural industry.

[VIEW] What matters more than Harris' mustache

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper jointly contributed to the Wall Street Journal on January 16 under the title “South Korea is an ally, not a dependent.”

TWICE music video 'TT' hits 500 mln YouTube views

"TT," a 2016 music video by K-pop girl band TWICE, hit the milestone of 500 million YouTube views Thursday, the band's management agency said.

EXID's LE takes shot at online hate-mongering

K-pop girl group EXID's LE said she will take legal action against online hate-mongers who violate her privacy. She said through her Twitter account Tuesday that group members are experiencing a lot of malicious comments and one privacy violator had sent out a fake naked photo of her.