CHA Meditech makes foray into Thailand's aesthetics market with filler brand 'HyaFilia SMV'

SEOUL -- CHA Meditech, an aesthetics wing of South Korea's biopharmaceutical company CHA Biotech, has made a foray into Thailand's filler market estimated to be worth at least 90 billion won ($67.4 million). After receiving state approval from the Thai government in October 2023, the South Korean filler producer cooperated with a local distribution company to launch the filler brand "HyaFilia SMV." According to CHA Meditech's communications manager Kim Woo-gy

January 27, 2024

Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrates 75th year of anniversary of foundation of Republic of India

SEOUL -- The Embassy of India in South Korea celebrated the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Republic of India on Sevit Islands, a set of three artificial islands in southern Seoul known as a cultural complex, on January 26. The country was founded about two and a half years after gaining independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. "It is a testament to the wisdom and foresight of our founding fathers that democracy has not only taken deep roots but flourished

January 26, 2024

Busan to host barista contest to select S. Korean representative for World Barista Championship

SEOUL -- A barista competition to pick South Korea's national barista will take place in the southern port city of Busan, well known for its fervent coffee culture. Using a coffee machine, contestants will create 12 beverages such as espresso and milk-based drinks within 15 minutes. The winner will participate in a global barista championship in May 2024. The 2024 Korea National Barista Championship (KNBC) is scheduled for four days, starting on February 1. To host the event,

January 26, 2024

S. Korea leads in number of overseas travelers during Lunar New Year holidays among Asian countries

SEOUL -- South Korea has become the country with the largest number of travelers headed to overseas countries during the Lunar New Year holidays among other Asian countries that follow the lunar calendar, according to data released by the global tourism information company Agoda. The Lunar New Year is celebrated over a three-day festive holiday known as "Seollal" in South Korea. Families typically gather at the eldest member's house to prepare food and catch up with

January 26, 2024

NewJeans selected as 'Group of the Year' at 2024 Billboard Women in Music Awards

SEOUL -- Girl band NewJeans will receive Billboard's annual award given to influential women in the music industry. Along with American singer Maren Morris and Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems, the five-member band will be honored at YouTube Theater, a live theater in Los Angeles. NewJeans, which debuted in July 2022, has gained recognition for its exceptional dance performances and singing skills across different genres, including R&B and hip hop. The sister band of BTS ha

January 26, 2024

Flying passenger vehicles to be demonstrated above S. Korea's iconic canal in 2024

SEOUL -- South Korea has selected Ara Waterway, a canal that connects the Han River that flows through Seoul with the Yellow Sea, as the first location to demonstrate flying taxis, also known as urban air mobility vehicles. Starting in August 2024, flying passenger vehicles will be tested above the canal's 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) section in the western port city of Incheon. Urban air mobility (UAM) is a future ecosystem involving flying passenger vehicles in city areas. Aerial

January 25, 2024

Pyongyang confirms test launch of new strategic cruise missiles

SEOUL -- Pyongyang has confirmed the test launch of new strategic cruise missiles called "Pulhwasal-3-31." North Korea's cruise missiles with a codename meaning "fire arrow" in Korean, were launched into the West Sea, also known as the Yellow Sea, on January 24. According to South Korea's military headquarters, North Korea fired multiple cruise missiles into the West Sea. The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang's state-operated news agency,

January 25, 2024

Singer-actress IU tops domestic song charts with new single 'Love wins all'

SEOUL -- Singer-actress Lee Ji-eun, known by her stage name IU, has topped South Korea's real-time song charts with her new single "Love wins all." The 30-year-old collaborated with BTS member V for the music video of the song. According to EDAM Entertainment, the artists' agency, the song dominated the song charts of major domestic online music services Melon, Genie, and Bugs as of 9 a.m. (1200 GMT) on January 25. Love wins all also secured the top positio

January 25, 2024

S. Korean food firms predicted to join '3 trillion-won sales club' boosted by sales at home and abroad

SEOUL --South Korean food companies, propelled by the global popularity of Korean cuisine and the influence of Hallyu, the Korean cultural wave, are achieving remarkable success. Market analyst FnGuide's data indicates that three major South Korean food companies -- Pulmuone (a food product and ingredient maker), CJ Freshway (a food solution company), and beverage maker Lotte Chilsung -- are anticipated to achieve sales exceeding three trillion won ($2.2 billion) in 2023. Pulm

January 25, 2024

LG Energy Solution invests in US battery manufacturer for lithium metal battery technology

SEOUL -- LG Energy Solution, the battery-making wing of South Korea's LG Group, has partnered with Sion Power, an Arizona-based battery manufacturer, to secure technology for lithium metal batteries. Lithium metal batteries can significantly enhance the driving distance compared to the existing lithium-ion batteries. Lithium metal batteries have been studied as they were claimed to run longer and hold more energy than lithium-ion batteries. According to LG Energy Solution (LGE

January 25, 2024