OPINION: British boyband hopefuls face K-pop's brutal training regime in new BBC reality show

SEOUL, August 21 (AJU PRESS) - Five aspiring boy-band members from the U.K., a house in Seoul's popular Itaewon district, and training at one of Korea's leading K-pop talent agencies – this is the recipe offered up by Made in Korea: The K-pop experience, a new BBC reality show. The show charts the journey of a group of young men aged between 19 and 23 through a strict, 100-day training process, leading to their debut as a band called Dear Alice. Made in Korea taps i

August 21, 2024

Safety warning issued for vacationers seeking Instagram-worthy photos in Jeju

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - The pursuit of Instagrammable photos is leading vacationers into perilous situations on Korea's southern resort island, the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province warned Tuesday. Jeju, known for its volcanic landscapes and picturesque scenery, draws a large number of vacationers and tourists. Many are attracted to the island's numerous photo-worthy spots, often unaware of the hidden dangers lurking beneath the water's surface -- sharp rocks a

August 20, 2024

Korea's Olympic shooting star signs with talent agency

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Shooter Kim Ye-ji, who earned global fame during the Summer Olympics in Paris early this month, has signed a contract with a talent agency. Plfil, which specializes mainly in managing actors and actresses, said on Monday it will support the Olympic star to ensure that she "will shine brightly on various stages." Kim is reportedly considering several endorsement deals including one with the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The 31-year

August 20, 2024

PHOTOS: Changsin-dong: Central Seoul's highest enclave

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Changsin-dong, nestled in Seoul's Jongno district, stands as the area's highest neighborhood. This historic enclave blends traditional and modern Korea, offering a unique urban experience. Perched atop Jongno, Changsin-dong boasts panoramic city views. Once a thriving hub of sewing factories near Dongdaemun, it played a crucial role in Korea's garment industry. Known for its diverse migrant p

August 20, 2024

PHOTOS: Valorant Champions Seoul pop-up held at COEX

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - A pop-up event celebrating the 2024 Valorant Champions Seoul was held from Aug. 14 to 20 at COEX Millennium Plaza and G20 Plaza in Seoul. The event featured a sculpture of Valorant character Jett, displays of various in-game element, and photo zones showcasing the Valorant title, logo and characters. The Valorant Champions Seoul tournament runs from Aug. 1 to 25. Last year's event took place in Los Angeles. A total of 16 teams are participating, with the

August 20, 2024

Typhoon Jongdari to hit southern Korea

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Korea is expected to come under the full influence of Typhoon Jongdari as it is moving towards the southern resort island of Jeju, bringing heavy rains, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Tuesday. Formed southwest of Okinawa, Japan, this year's ninth typhoon is expected to pass through Jeju and reach Mokpo before dissipating in the southern coastal region on Wednesday, according to the KMA. It will be the first typhoon to direc

August 20, 2024

Researchers develop portable water harvester from air moisture

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Korean researchers have developed a portable system that produces drinking water by collecting moisture from the air, potentially addressing global water scarcity issues. The device, created by a team at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM), utilizes a proprietary moisture collection system that operates through a cycle of adsorption, desorption, condensation and sterilization, the institute said Tuesday. It is twice as energy ef

August 20, 2024

Korean companies make record showing at this year's gamescom

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Korean video game developers are set to make their largest-ever presence at gamescom 2024, Europe's premier gaming exhibition, which opens on Wednesday in Cologne, Germany. Major companies including Nexon, Krafton, Pearl Abyss and Hybe IM will showcase new titles to both consumers and industry professionals, marking a significant increase in Korean participation compared to last year, when Hybe IM was the only major Korean company with a standalone

August 20, 2024

South Korea, Malaysia resume FTA negotiations after five-year hiatus

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - South Korea and Malaysia resumed free trade negotiations in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday after a five-year pause, Seoul officials said. The fourth round of talks will continue until Friday, with an expanded agenda that includes investment and service sectors, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy. The last round of talks was held in September 2019. Malaysia is Korea’s third-largest trading partner and fourth-largest investmen

August 20, 2024

U.S. greenlights sale of Apache attack helicopters to Korea

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - Korea is expected to procure attack helicopters and relevant equipment from the United States. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Monday that the U.S. State Department has approved the sale of up to three dozen AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and other weapons to Korea. The procurement, estimated to cost approximately $3.5 billion (4.7 trillion Korean won), is being made under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is p

August 20, 2024