S. Korean web comics app thrives in Japan, reaching $665 mln in annual transactions

SEOUL -- South Korean web comics app service Kakao Piccoma, a Japanese webtoon subsidiary of web service giant Kakao, achieved the top spot as Japan's highest-earning smartphone app service operator in 2023. This success stands out, considering Japan's strong association with "manga," iconic Japanese-style comic books like "Dragon Ball Z," "Naruto," and "One Piece." Webtoons, formerly known as web comics, are digital comic books opti

February 22, 2024

'Stun Gun' Kim Dong-hyun participates in second series of Netflix survival show 'Physical: 100'

SEOUL -- Kim Dong-hyun, a South Korean UFC fighter better known by his ring name "Stun Gun," will appear in the second series of Physical: 100, a Netflix reality show featuring physically fit contestants engaging in games and competitions. The first season, released in January 2023, has topped Netflix's weekly non-English TV show chart and made it into the top 10 lists in 82 countries. Stun Gun is a legendary mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter with the highest number o

February 22, 2024

Crime thriller 'A Killer Paradox' tops Netflix's weekly non-English series chart

SEOUL -- South Korean crime thriller series "A Killer Paradox," directed by Lee Chang-hee, has topped Netflix's weekly TV series chart for non-English content. The thriller series depicts the story of a killer who accidentally murders without leaving any evidence, and a detective investigating the case. The over-the-top (OTT) media service said that A Killer Paradox garnered some 5.5 million hours of viewing between February 12 and February 18. The South Korean conte

February 21, 2024

S. Korean aircraft maker to showcase homemade light-armed helicopter in Singapore

SEOUL -- At a global air show in Singapore, South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will present its light-armed helicopter, designed to replace an aging fleet of light helicopters such as MD500s and AH-1S Cobra. At the biennial event, some 1,000 companies from over 50 countries will showcase technologies in aviation and military capabilities. The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled its plan in November 2022 to mass-produce LAHs with an injection of 5.75

February 21, 2024

Coca-Cola releases K-pop version of zero-sugar Coke targeting global fans

SEOUL -- The Coca-Cola Company has released the K-pop version of Coca-Cola targeting the global market. The new zero-sugar Coke, inspired by the worldwide impact of K-pop and its dedicated fanbase, features the "Coca-Cola" logo written in Korean on the front. The beverage maker has collaborated with Park Jin-young, the head of South Korea's major entertainment agency JYP, who played a crucial role in expanding K-pop into the overseas market. Starting in March 2024, t

February 21, 2024

Number of S. Korean men choosing childcare over careers increases 37 percent on-year: data

SEOUL -- Recent data from the national statistical information service revealed a significant uptick in South Korean men prioritizing childcare over their careers. This trend marks a notable shift in a traditionally conservative society, where societal biases often discourage men from assuming primary childcare responsibilities. In South Korea, deeply influenced by Confucian values, men traditionally bear responsibility for matters outside the home, such as providing for the famil

February 21, 2024

S. Korean care robot company Hyodol nominated for innovative connected health tech award at MWC

SEOUL -- Hyodol, a South Korean care robot company, has received a prestigious nomination for the "Best Mobile Innovation for Connected Health and Wellbeing" award at this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Hyodol specializes in creating doll-shaped robots equipped with advanced features, including a mobile communication module, processor, various sensors, and speakers. The Hyodol robot, powered by large language model-based artificial intelligence, can

February 20, 2024

S. Korean government's decision to increase medical school admissions sparks mass resignation of doctors

SEOUL -- To oppose the South Korean government's decision to increase the admission capacity of medical school students to around five thousand, from the current three thousand, residents at major hospitals are joining a mass resignation movement. The resident doctors' mass rally will cause chaotic situations at major hospitals, resulting in delayed or postponed surgeries and treatments. A similar chaotic situation occurred in early 2020 when former President Moon Jae-in p

February 20, 2024

'MWC' to become showcase venue for 165 S. Korean tech companies

SEOUL -- A total of 165 companies from South Korea will participate in the Mobile World Congress, an annual mobile device exhibition held in Barcelona from February 26 to February 29. Alongside conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, KT, and SK Telecom, small and medium-sized enterprises and startups will showcase high-tech solutions at the annual event. According to the Korea Information and Communication Technology Industry Association (KICTA), 165 South Korean companies will

February 19, 2024

S. Korean aircraft maker partners with German arms maker targeting European market

SEOUL -- South Korea's aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will work with Diehl Defence, a weapon manufacturer in Germany, targeting the European defense market. "IRIS-T," an air-to-air missile made by the German arms maker, is set to be integrated with South Korea's homemade fighter jet FA-50. Diehl Defence led the IRIS-T development project which involves members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This advanced missile boasts a maximum spee

February 19, 2024