HYBE to sell SM Entertainment shares to Tencent for $177 mn

Latest News from Korea

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  Hyundai speeds up Africa-Middle East drive with Algeria plantAugust 15, 2025
  (Courtesy of Getty Images)  Hyundai Motor Co. plans to build an auto manufacturing plant in Algeria, the South Korean auto giant’s fourth in Africa, accelerating its expansion across the continent and the Middle East. According to sources in the auto industry on Friday, Hyundai Motor is seeking to open a completely knocked down (CKD) automotive assembly plant in the African… Read more: Hyundai speeds up Africa-Middle East drive with Algeria plant
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  Korean retail investors pile into Hong Kong shares on China tech surgeAugust 15, 2025
  Hong Kong city view (Courtesy of Getty Images)  South Korean mom-and-pop investors are pouring into the Hong Kong stock market this year, chasing a rally in blue-chip Chinese tech names, with their holdings hitting $2.4 billion as of Aug. 12, the highest in four years. The market value of Hong Kong-listed stock holdings held by Korean retail investors has jumped… Read more: Korean retail investors pile into Hong Kong shares on China tech surge
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  S.Korea cracks down on Chinese color-coated steel plate tariff evasionAugust 14, 2025
  Thick steel plates produced at a Hyundai Steel mill (Courtesy of Hyundai Steel) South Korea is moving to slap anti-dumping duties on Chinese “fake” color-coated thick steel plates that have been altered after import in a bid to shield local steelmakers from circumvention dumping. Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance on Tuesday announced it has amended the enforcement decree of… Read more: S.Korea cracks down on Chinese color-coated steel plate tariff evasion
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  HMM to buy back $1.5 bn shares, paving way for KDB’s fund recoveryAugust 14, 2025
  HMM Co., South Korea’s largest shipping firm, will buy back and cancel 2.14 trillion won ($1.5 billion) worth of shares, paving the way for its two largest shareholders — Korea Development Bank (KDB) and Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) – to each recoup up to 1 trillion won in public funds. The ocean carrier approved the buyback plan at an… Read more: HMM to buy back $1.5 bn shares, paving way for KDB’s fund recovery
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  Mastern Investment puts 13 E-Mart outlets up for sale in package dealAugust 14, 2025
  E-Mart is the supermarket brand of Shinsegae Group Mastern Investment Management Co., a Seoul-based real estate investment firm, is putting 13 E-Mart Inc. outlets it acquired from the South Korean retail giant Shinsegae Inc.’s unit in 2019 – a move that is expected to be one of the country’s largest retail property transactions this year. According to people familiar with… Read more: Mastern Investment puts 13 E-Mart outlets up for sale in package deal

Latest Entertainment from Korea

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  ARTMS Announces “World Tour: Grand Club Icarus” in North America, Fans Brace for an Unforgettable ExperienceAugust 16, 2025
  Photo Credits: MODHAUS Entertainment PRESS RELEASE PROFILE: ARTMS is a South Korean girl group under MODHAUS, formed with a vision to redefine the boundaries of K-pop through conceptual artistry and bold sonic experimentation. With members who had already captivated audiences through earlier global projects, ARTMS represents both continuity and reinvention, bringing together a collective of remarkably talented vocalists, performers, and… Read more: ARTMS Announces “World Tour: Grand Club Icarus” in North America, Fans Brace for an Unforgettable Experience
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  Jinny Unveils Powerful Solo Debut Mini Album “Towards the Light” After SECRET NUMBER DepartureAugust 15, 2025
  Photo Credits: Betty Music Jinny, known for her dynamic presence as a former member of the K-pop girl group SECRET NUMBER, has embarked on an exciting new chapter with the release of her solo debut mini album titled “Towards the Light.” This fresh project marks a significant milestone in her career, showcasing her evolution as an artist and offering fans… Read more: Jinny Unveils Powerful Solo Debut Mini Album “Towards the Light” After SECRET NUMBER Departure
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  From Raw Ambition to Rising Stardom: AtHeart’s ‘Plot Twist’ Reinvents K-Pop DebutsAugust 15, 2025
  Photo Credits: TITAN CONTENT AtHeart’s much-anticipated debut is turning heads across the K-pop landscape with their first EP, “Plot Twist.” The seven-member group, guided by industry veteran Katie Kang—whose experience with legendary acts like Girls’ Generation and NCT is stamped all over AtHeart’s polished presentation—offers not just a collection of songs, but a chapter in self-discovery and emotional vulnerability, captured… Read more: From Raw Ambition to Rising Stardom: AtHeart’s ‘Plot Twist’ Reinvents K-Pop Debuts
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  KATSEYE Embarks on a New Era with Billboard Philippines August 2025 Cover and Stunning PictorialAugust 15, 2025
  Photo Credits: Billboard Philippines. HYBE. Geffen KATSEYE’s meteoric ascent in the music world finds another milestone as they grace the cover of Billboard Philippines’ August 2025 Volume XII issue, bringing an eclectic spark to the region’s pop scene. The six members—Sophia, Manon, Lara, Megan, Daniela, and Yoonchae—take center stage in a pictorial that not only celebrates their global achievements but… Read more: KATSEYE Embarks on a New Era with Billboard Philippines August 2025 Cover and Stunning Pictorial
• WIDE : Screen ScreamAugust 15, 2025
  I found WIDE when I was looking through recent Bandcamp releases. Screen Scream is tagged as “alternative, electronic music, industrial, and popindie.” I get three of the four genres, with industrial being more of an influence instead of a major element. Overall, Screen Scream is an impressive full length. “Laser” combines all these tags with […] Written by Chris P… Read more: WIDE : Screen Scream

Learn People & History of Korea

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  The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityFebruary 7, 2025
  Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
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  The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsFebruary 6, 2025
  Introduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
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  The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondFebruary 5, 2025
  Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
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  Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3January 30, 2025
  Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
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  Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingJanuary 30, 2025
  Introduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling