Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

Even if destiny dictates us to become star-crossed lovers, I'd rather crush the stars than surrender to the fate — that's the idea behind boy band TWS's fifth EP, "No Tragedy."

Released Monday, the six-member group's latest album marks a step forward from its well-established image of youthful, boy-next-door pop, leaning more into a bolder, mature imagery as "young Romeos."

"The youthful energy our fans and the public have shown us love for remains the same in this album," said member Jihoon during a press showcase for its fifth EP, "No Tragedy," at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul, Monday.

Managed by Pledis Entertainment, a HYBE label, TWS debuted in January 2024 as a sextet, consisting of Shinyu, Dohoon, Youngjae, Hanjin, Jihoon and Kyungmin.

Throughout its discography, TWS has built its musical identity around what it describes as "boyhood pop" — with its hits "Overdrive" (2025) and "If I'm S Can You Be My N?" (2024) that emphasized a youthful theme with energetic melody, cutesy lyrics and school-uniform-like costumes.

This time, the boys took a dramatic turn, describing the central theme of their latest album as "young Romes," making bold moves for love, rather than nervously fretting over a first crush.

"No Tragedy," which comes about six months after its previous EP, "play hard," features six songs: the lead track, "You, You," along with B-sides "All the Possibilities," "Why You So Bad?," "Get It Now," "Fire Escape" and "Back To Strangers." The album's sound spans various genres, from the synth-heavy pop of "Why You So Heavy" to the boom-bap hip-hop of "Get It Now."

The song takes "star-crossed lovers" from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" to "star-crushing lovers," Pledis Entertainment said, with the members kicking and smashing stars in its music video.

The shift in theme also reflects the growth the TWS members themselves have gone through, the members said.

"We have always centered our music on our message, gradually expanding the spectrum of our own genre, 'boyhood pop,'" Jihoon said.

"Each time, we think carefully about our music so that our own growth can naturally become part of the songs."

Keeping up the momentum from last year's hit, "Overdrive," the group has already garnered 1.16 million preorders with "No Tragedy."

"We were so surprised and delighted when we heard that preorders surpassed the 1 million mark," shared Kyungmin. "We never see it as a mere number or take it for granted — we will continue to give our all, taking it as encouragement from our fans to keep moving forward."

A model poses with six new ube-based products unveiled by convenience store chain CU on April 27, featuring the purple yam popular in Filipino cuisine.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

SEJONG — While Samsung Electronics employees threaten to strike over bonuses, Korea's industry minister urged prudent judgment, noting that the company's gains cannot be credited to its work force alone and warning of looming capital demands.

"Samsung has more than four million retail investors, and its current success reflects not only its employees but also an extensive industrial ecosystem and partner firms," said Kim Jung-kwan, minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, in a press briefing at the Sejong government complex on Monday, adding that it is "fair to question whether profits can simply be divided among workers."

Kim pinpointed that Samsung must sustain massive investment to preserve its edge in semiconductors, a factor he said should weigh heavily in bonus decisions.

"The semiconductor industry is, by nature, a capital-intensive race requiring continuous investment," he said. "Striking the right balance between profit distribution and reinvestment is critical."

"Semiconductors are effectively Korea's last bastion of global competitiveness," Kim added. "Once that edge erodes, recovery is unlikely."

Kim's remarks come as the union at Samsung Electronics has threatened an 18-day strike from May 21 to June 7, demanding that 15 percent of the company's operating profit be set aside for bonuses. That may cost Samsung an estimated 45 trillion won ($31 billion) in payouts this year alone.

Should the strike materialize, the industry predicts that losses could reach as much as 1 trillion won a day while also triggering knock-on effects across Samsung's 1,754 suppliers spanning materials, parts and equipment.

Kim also took aim at the fuel price cap, calling it "an unwelcome policy" and vowing to end it as swiftly as conditions allow.

"Government intervention to control market prices is not desirable," said Kim, while noting that the impact of the Iran war invariably required a response. "But this is a 'wartime emergency.' Once the conflict subsides, the Strait of Hormuz reopens and oil prices stabilize, we will lift the cap without delay."

"While prices in the United States rose 30 to 40 percent, ours increased by around 10 percent, maintaining a reasonable balance," Kim said.

The government introduced the measure after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz linked to Iran choked crude supply and threatened a sharp price spike, capping refiners' sale price to gas stations with biweekly reviews. Now in its fourth round, the level remained frozen again, as it was with the third round, as global crude prices eased.

The minister also pledged to expand trade with India and Vietnam following President Lee Jae Myung's recent trip.

"About 600 Korean companies operate in India, and we have established an industrial cooperation body for the first time," Kim said. "With Vietnam, where bilateral trade stands at $90 billion, we agreed to expand it to $150 billion."

"In trade, we should seek to create a new framework with India and Vietnam — one that delivers mutual gains — rather than operate within structures set by others," he added.

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

Amid April's flood of new K-pop releases, boy band NEXZ is hoping to cut through the noise with a bang — or perhaps an "Mmchk."

"'Mmchk' represents the sound we make as we move," said member Hyui, referring to the title of its latest single, during a press showcase held at Blue Square Woori WON Banking Hall in Yongsan District, central Seoul, on Monday.

"And the dance moves for the song are intended to grab people's attention," he added, describing the choreography for the song.

"This word is like a sign of our presence, like saying, 'Please look at us,'" member So Geon said. "So when we keep chanting 'Mmchk, mmchk,' it's our way of asking people to notice our charms and energy."

NEXZ, short for "Next Zeneration," debuted in May 2024 as JYP Entertainment's first boy band in six years since Stray Kids, with seven members: Tomoya, So Geon, Yu, Seita, Hyui, Haru and Yuki.

The group's latest single, which comes six months after its third EP, "Beat-Boxer" (2025), features three songs including the title track, "Mmchk," an English version of the song and a B-side, "Hypeman."

The title track, "Mmchk," is a fast-paced electronic dance pop aiming to "draw in listeners into NEXZ's own world, where they become their own role models," JYP said.

The song is designed to accentuate the group's greatest forte: a perfectly synchronized, powerful performance.

As NEXZ has built its reputation for the members' performance prowess, the group performed both "Hypeman" and "Mmchk," back-to-back on Monday. It is a rare occurrence for a K-pop showcase where acts usually opt to perform one song, or split two songs into separate segments, to catch their breath.

Even though many K-pop acts are making their comebacks amid the warming weather, NEXZ is confident it has its own distinct weapon to stand out.

"Personally, I did feel some pressure to join so many great artists as part of the April comeback lineup, but we've been preparing to show what we have honed so far," said So Geon. "So in that process, anticipation has come to outpace concerns."

As NEXZ was formed through JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Japan's joint audition program "Nizi Project Season 2" (2023), the seven-member group is almost entirely made up of Japanese members except for So Geon, a Korean national born and raised in Japan.

However, the members actively took part in writing lyrics, with members Yuki, Hyui and Tomoya credited for lyrics of "Mmchk," and Yuki and Tomoya for "Hypeman."

"There are some difficulties, to be honest, writing lyrics in Korean when most of us are Japanese," admitted Hyui. "But we want to put our own message, our own stories in our songs. That's why we worked hard on the projects, looking at dictionaries together."

NEXZ, now nearing its second debut anniversary, was named the best rookies in various awards shows including the Golden Disc Awards in 2025. The group is set to launch its first arena tour in Japan in May, followed by its first Asian tour this year.

"Though I thought to myself, 'Do we really deserve this?' every time, winning rookie awards really motivated us to move forward," said Hyui. "Since our debut two years ago, I can feel us growing more confident and relaxed on stage."

"I can't believe we are already nearing our second anniversary," said Yu, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday. "We've grown a lot since the debut — and I wish we would be able to reach more audiences starting with 'Mmchk.'"

This article is by Kim Yeon-joo and read by an artificial voice.

As Korea's minimum wage moves through the 10,000 won ($6.70) range, the focus of debate is shifting from raising the wage to expanding its coverage.

This year, whether delivery riders, courier drivers and other contract-based workers should be covered is expected to become an official agenda item for the first time in the history of the Minimum Wage Commission.

Labor groups are arguing that these workers should either earn a higher minimum wage than ordinary employees receive or have a separate minimum pay system. The discussion is shaping up to be one of the year's biggest labor disputes.

A report released by the Public Transport Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on Sunday laid out two approaches to a minimum wage for contract-based workers.

The first would keep the current hourly framework but calculate working hours by factoring in waiting time, as is done in New York City, and then set the minimum wage at a rate higher than that of regular employees. The idea is to reflect the heavier burden these workers bear for social insurance, including industrial accident insurance and health insurance, as well as the fact that they often pay job-related costs out of pocket.

The other option is to set a minimum price for each task. Drawing on Britain's system of fair contract rates, the report proposes calculating a minimum amount per job based on average hourly output and pay.

"Ministry of Employment and Labor research first examined the scale and conditions of workers who may need to be newly covered, and labor and management would still have to agree on whether to even put that on the table," a representative at the Minimum Wage Commission said. "There will likely be many issues to examine, starting with who these workers are and how many there are, and extending to whether the minimum should be set as an hourly wage or as a per-task minimum payment."

That means the issues pile up one after another, from deciding who should be covered to figuring out how the system should work and how the amount should be calculated.

Other countries have taken very different approaches to applying minimum wage protections to delivery workers and similar workers.

Australia last year became the first country in the world to confirm the introduction of a guaranteed minimum wage system for delivery workers, and plans to put it into effect in July this year.

Under the deal, platform companies must guarantee 31.30 Australian dollars ($22) an hour for so-called engaged time, or the time from the moment an order is accepted until delivery is completed, beginning July 1. That is equal to Australia's national minimum wage of 24.95 Australian dollars plus a 25 percent casual loading, extra payment to compensate for missing benefits, including paid time off and personal leave.

In the United States, New York City has enforced a minimum wage system for delivery riders since December 2023. It uses one of two methods: paying a per-minute rate for all time spent logged into an app, which translates to an hourly wage of $21 based on 2026 figures, or counting only the time from order acceptance to delivery completion while applying a higher per-minute rate.

Spain put its so-called Rider Law into effect in August 2021, becoming the first country in the world to presume platform delivery workers are employees in principle. The approach is similar to the worker-presumption system being discussed in Korea and effectively recognizes delivery workers as employees, giving them access to protections under labor law, including the minimum wage.

"A minimum price system and similar measures could be considered as alternatives for a contract-based minimum wage," said Kwon Hyuk, a professor at Korea University's Graduate School of Labor Studies.

"But price and compensation levels vary by industry, making it difficult for the state to impose a uniform standard. A process that derives standar...

This article is by Kim Su-min and read by an artificial voice.

A wine refrigerator opens with a gentle touch and automatically sets the optimal temperature for red and white wines. A refrigerator suggests recipes based on the ingredients inside by using an internal camera. A dishwasher uses "Biovitae" technology to eliminate "99.99 percent of bacteria."

These are some of the products from China's Haier Group.

The rapid rise of Chinese appliance makers was on full display at Milan Design Week 2026, which opened on April 20. At the Fuorisalone exhibitions, industry giants such as Haier Group and Hisense Group set up large booths and displayed products that shed their image as budget brands.

These and other Chinese companies, powered by AI and sensor technologies, are pushing aggressively into the premium appliances market, with many of their lineups being seen as competitive with global standards.

Haier Group, in particular, presented an ecosystem-based strategy linking appliances to mobility and energy. For example, it partnered with the Chinese EV giant BYD to demonstrate how to power a wine cellar using electricity from an EV.

On Tuesday, Li Huagang, the senior vice president of Haier, visited his company's booth in person to inspect the exhibition and signal the company's commitment to expanding in the European market.

"Beyond simply launching products, the key is to become a brand that delivers customized experiences valued by [...] consumers," Massimiliano Castellana, the digital media public relations manager at Haier's European division, said.

Localization through mergers and acquisitions is also accelerating. At EuroCucina, a major kitchen appliance exhibition, the New Zealand appliance company Fisher & Paykel Appliances, acquired by Haier in 2012, drew attention with built-in appliances designed to resemble trees. Haier has also acquired GE Appliances in the United States and the Italian appliance manufacturer Candy, strengthening its foothold in overseas markets.

However, despite Haier's advances, the built-in appliance market in Europe remains a formidable barrier.

Built-in appliances are embedded into housing infrastructure, meaning that any issues, such as fires or water leaks, can directly affect builders and property owners. As a result, European builders prioritize long-established brand trust and comprehensive repair service networks over functionality.

Moreover, energy efficiency — a key requirement in the European market — remains an area in which Korean companies maintain an edge. Samsung Electronics' "Bespoke AI Washer" consumes 65 percent less energy than the European Union's top A rating. LG Electronics also highlighted its competitiveness with a dishwasher that is 30 percent more efficient and a refrigerator that is 10 percent more efficient than the EU's A rating.

"Chinese companies are achieving meaningful results in general retail channels by leveraging price competitiveness," Baek Seung-tae, the head of the Home Appliance Solution division at LG Electronics, said after visiting Chinese booths. "But entering the market based solely on price is the most rookie approach."

"Energy efficiency and durability, which European consumers value most, are already well-established strengths in the global market," Baek added. "The trust built through years of competing with local European brands is not something that can be easily overtaken in a short period of time."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

[INTERVIEW]

BEIJING — CATL will power not only Hyundai Motor's EVs but also its upcoming plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) models for China, the Chinese supplier's president said, as the Korean automaker deepens the partnership in a bid to regain traction in the market.

The new models will also be rolled out globally, with sales expected to extend to Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

"We are already in deep discussions regarding the EREV and PHEV, and in the future, you will definitely see our cooperation continually expanding into more new vehicle models and broader regions," said Akin Li, executive president of the overseas E-Car Business Division at CATL, during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily on Saturday in Beijing during Auto China 2026. "Hyundai Motor is a very important global partner for us."

Hyundai has already said it will fit CATL batteries in the Ioniq V, its first China-dedicated Ioniq EV unveiled at the exhibition. The official launch is slated for the second half of the year.

The Korean automaker announced that it will introduce 20 new models in China over the next five years, including the Ioniq E, a PHEV and an EREV, with a target of reaching annual sales of 500,000 by 2030. If achieved, China will make up 9 percent of Hyundai's target global sales by 2030.

CATL's deepening alignment with Hyundai is considered a strategic pivot aimed at diversifying beyond China, while U.S. President Donald Trump continues to keep China in check and restrict Chinese industrial expansion to global markets.

In fact, CATL Chairman Robin Zeng visited Hyundai's unveiling event at the exhibition on Friday, where he reiterated to Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon the need to advance global cooperation. Zeng had also previously met with Euisun Chung, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, in January in China to discuss broader collaboration.

In a similar approach, CATL has signed a technology licensing agreement with Ford, allowing batteries to be indirectly incorporated into American-made vehicles. Under the arrangement, Ford will retain full ownership of the plant while paying intellectual property royalties to CATL.

Ford withdrew its previously planned joint battery investment with SK On in Kentucky last year and is expected to replace it with production based on CATL technology.

"The licensing deal with Ford is a highly creative and innovative cooperation example for us," Li said. "U.S. consumers also absolutely need EVs and batteries, and we will continuously strive to find ways to help them within the framework of laws and legality."

CATL has also stepped up outreach to Korean shipbuilders, pitching its batteries for electric vessels. The Chinese battery maker officially established a local subsidiary in Korea in the second quarter of last year.

"If there is demand for electrification from Korean shipbuilding clients or the market, we are highly willing to gladly participate and cooperate closely at any time," Li said.

"We already have a dedicated subsidiary that exclusively handles ship electrification business, and we have successfully completed the electrification of hundreds of vessels in China."

CATL displayed its latest Shenxing lithium iron phosphate battery at this year's Auto China, capable of charging from 10 percent to full in just 6 minutes and 27 seconds and operating even at minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit), surpassing BYD's previous nine-minute record.

While last year's slump in EV demand dealt a sharp blow to Korea's major battery makers, CATL defied the downturn by posting a record 72.2 billion yuan ($10.6 billion) in net profit in 2025, a 42 percent increase on year.

Li attributed CATL's remarkable growth in the global market to its sustained investment in research and development (R&D) coupled with a deep bench of engineering talent.

"We have invested over...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

한국의 대표 영어신문, 코리아중앙데일리가 특종과 단독 인터뷰, 주요 기사를 한글로 요약해 드립니다. 독자들의 많은 성원 바랍니다.

베이징 — 현대자동차가 중국 시장을 겨냥한 전기차는 물론, 플러그인 하이브리드(PHEV)와 주행거리 연장형 전기차(EREV)에도 중국의 1위 배터리 기업 CATL의 배터리를 탑재할 전망이다. 두 기업의 협력은 현대차가 지난 10년간 부진했던 중국 내 반등을 노린다는 측면뿐 아니라 해당 차들을 중국 외 글로벌 시장에도 수출해 세계 시장 점유율을 높이기 위한 전략이다. 두 회사의 '상부상조'인 셈이다.

CATL 해외 전기차 사업부문 총괄 아킨 리 부사장은 지난 25일 중국 베이징 오토차이나 2026 (베이징 모터쇼) 행사장에서 진행된 코리아중앙데일리와의 인터뷰에서 현대차는 "매우 중요한 글로벌 파트너"이라며 "EREV와 PHEV와 관련해 이미 현대차와 심도 있는 논의를 진행 중이며, 앞으로 더 많은 신차 모델과 지역으로 협력을 확대할 것"이라고 말했다.

해당 모델들은 현대차가 중국 소비자용으로 개발하지만, 앞으로 호주·동남아·라틴아메리카·중동 등 글로벌 시장에서도 확대 판매할 예정이다.

현대차는 이미 이번 전시회에서 공개한 중국 특화 '아이오닉 V'에 CATL 배터리를 탑재한다고 밝힌 바 있다. 아이오닉 V는 현대차의 전기차 브랜드 아이오닉의 최초 중국 전용 전기차이며 올해 말 정식 출시를 앞두고 있다.

아이오닉 V를 시작으로 현대차는 앞으로 5년간 중국 시장에서 20종의 신차를 출시하고, 2030년까지 연간 50만 대를 판매한다는 목표를 세웠다. 이는 2030년 현대차 글로벌 판매 목표의 약 9%를 중국에서 달성하겠다는 구상이다.

CATL의 현대차와의 협력 확대는 도널드 트럼프 대통령의 대중 견제 속에서 미국 시장의 진출이 어려워지자 완성차 업체와의 협력을 통해 글로벌 시장에 진출하는 전략의 일환이다. 실제로 CATL 창업자 겸 회장 쩡위친은 24일 아이오닉 V 공개 행사장을 찾아 장재훈 부회장에게 글로벌 공동 사업 추진을 강조했다. 앞서 그는 1월 중국에서 정의선 현대차그룹 회장과 만나 협력 확대 방안을 논의한 바 있다.

CATL은 앞서 미국 완성차 업체 포드와 기술 라이선스 계약을 체결했다. 미국 내 차량 생산에도 CATL 배터리 기술이 간접적으로 적용되는 것이다. 해당 라이선스 계약에선 포드가 공장을 100% 소유하되 CATL에 기술 사용료(로열티)를 지급한다. 포드는 켄터키주에서 SK온과 합작 배터리 공장을 추진했지만 지난해 이를 철회하고, 대신 CATL 기술 기반 배터리 생산으로 대체할 것으로 알려졌다.

아킨 리 부사장은 "포드와의 라이선스 계약은 우리에게도 매우 창의적이고 혁신적인 협력 사례"라며 "미국 소비자들도 어차피 전기차와 배터리가 필요하며, 우리는 법과 규제의 틀 안에서 고객이 필요로 하는 가능한 방안을 지속적으로 모색할 것"이라고 말했다.

아킨 리 부사장은 한국 조선업계와의 협력도 제안했다. 아킨 리 부사장은 "한국 조선업 고객이나 시장에서 전동화 수요가 있다면 언제든 적극적으로 응할 준비가 돼 있다"면서 "전기 선박 전담 자회사를 이미 보유하고 있으며, 중국에서 수백 척의 선박 전동화를 완료했다"고 덧붙였다. CATL은 지난해 2분기에 한국에 법인을 설립했다.

CATL은 이번 오토 차이나에서 신형 션싱(Shenxing) LFP 배터리를 공개했다. 해당 배터리의 충전은 10%에서 98%까지 6분 27초가 소요되며, 영하 30도에서도 충전이 가능하다. 이는 기존 BYD의 9분 기록을 뛰어넘는 수준이다.

침체된 전기차 수요에도 불구하고 CATL은 지난해 전년 대비 42% 상승한 722억 위안(약 106억 달러)의 순이익을 내며 어닝 서프라이즈를 달성했다. 국내 배터리 3사의 이익이 크게 타격을 입으며 4분기 적자 전환한 것과는 다른 행보다.

아킨 리 부사장은 이런 성과의 배경으로 연구•개발(R&D) 투자와 인재 경쟁력을 꼽았다. 그는 "현재까지 100억 달러 이상을 R&D에 투자했으며, 2만2000여명의 엔지니어와 1000여명의 박사급 핵심 인력을 보유하고 있다"고 말했다. 이어 "2000년대에 태어난 젊고 역동적인 인재들이 회사 성장의 핵심 동력"이라고 덧붙였다.

영어 원문

BEIJING — CATL will power not only Hyundai Motor's EVs but also its upcoming plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) models for China, the Chinese supplier's president said, as the Korean automaker deepens the partnership in a bid to regain traction in the market.

The new models will also be rolled out globally, with sales expected to extend to Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

"We are already in deep discussions regarding the EREV and PHEV, and in the future, you will definitely see our cooperation continually expanding into more new vehicle models and broader regions," said Akin Li, executive president of the overseas E-Car Business Division at CATL, during an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily on Saturday in Beijing during Auto China 2026. "Hyundai Motor is a very important global partner for us."

Hyundai has already said it will fit CATL batteries in the Ioniq V, its first China-dedicated Ioniq EV unveiled at the exhibition. The official launch is slated for the second half of the year.

The Korean automaker announced that it will introduce 20 new models in China over the next five years, including the Ioniq E, a PHEV and an EREV, with a target of reaching annual sales of 500,000 by 2030. If achieved, China will make up 9 percent of Hyundai's target global sales by 2030.

CATL's deepening alignment with Hyundai is considered a strategic pivot aimed at diversifying beyond China, while U.S. President Donald Trump continues to keep China in check and restrict Chinese industrial expansion to global markets.

In fact, CATL Chairman Robin Zeng visited Hyundai's unveiling event at the exhibition on Friday, where he reiterated to Vice Chairman Chang Jae-hoon the need to advance global cooperation. Zeng had also previously met with Euisun Chung, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, in Ja...

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice.

When Santos Bravos appeared on Mnet's weekly music show "M Countdown" (2004-) on Thursday, the scene looked familiar to anyone who follows K-pop: Flashy yet precise camera works, cute finger hearts and the close-up pose known as the "ending fairy" — except that the Latin American quintet was singing in Brazilian Portuguese.

The Mexico City-based boy band, launched by K-pop powerhouse HYBE, is among the latest foreign acts to find its way into Seoul's media machinery.

Milli, a Thai rapper, recently became one of the finalists on Mnet's rapper competition show, "Show Me The Money" (2012-), before finishing the race in fourth place. Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway made a visit to Seoul on April 8 as "Devil Wears Prada 2" is set to premiere for the first time in the world in Korea on Wednesday, ahead of its U.S. premiere on Friday. Japanese girl group Cute Street drew more than 10 million views for its "M Countdown" appearance a month ago in its first Korean appearance.

The flow, it appears, suggests a reversal for an industry that has long been defined by how aggressively it sent its own artists abroad in search of bigger returns outside its small domestic red ocean — in dollars, yen or yuan.

But for the latest visitors, the won may be beside the point, experts say.

Dropping K through K

For Santos Bravos, coming to Korea was only natural, said Gabi, the Puerto Rican member of the group.

"We're trying for this group to be not only be known in Latin America but all over the world," he said during an April 11 news conference held at HYBE's headquarters in central Seoul for the group's first visit to the capital city.

But the visit was not merely ceremonial, or a tribute to the company's roots — it's a strategic one.

"If you want to appeal to existing K-pop fans around the world, there is honestly nothing better than Korean music shows, Korean programs and Korean content," said a source at a major K-pop agency, who requested anonymity.

"Foreign fans usually absorb K-pop by watching translated Korean content. But no matter how hard Santos promotes on Latin American programs, that content is not necessarily going to travel to Southeast Asia or other regions in the same way."

This means that for foreign acts making promotional stops in Seoul, the target is often not Korea alone, but the audiences watching Korea from elsewhere.

The logic behind it is different from the way Korean idol groups have long debuted in Japan, where Japan-specific releases are used to tap into the neighboring country's massive domestic music market, the second largest in the world after the United States.

Katseye, the multinational girl group created by HYBE and Geffen Records, has also promoted repeatedly in Korea through multiple music show appearances, despite being billed as an international pop act.

The driving idea behind the strategy is that for K-pop to become truly global, it cannot remain confined by the prefix "K" in its name. HYBE founder Bang Si-hyuk has repeatedly argued since 2023 that K-pop has to "drop the K" to become "just pop" if it wants to become the true mainstream genre of the world.

Yet in trying to move beyond the "K," HYBE's global groups are also leaning on Korea's domestic promotional infrastructure.

"It seems there is still a bit of distance when trying to appeal to Korean fans or Southeast Asian fans only through activities in the United States," the industry source suggested.

From Bangkok to Seoul to Bangkok

That strategy often centers on one of K-pop's most avid consumer bases: Southeast Asia.

According to the 2026 Overseas Hallyu Survey, published on March 30 by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the Philippines ranked first among 30 surveyed regions in the share of respondents who said Korean content was popular in their own country, followed by India, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.

The Philippines also had the highes...

The author is a lawyer and the head of the political news department at the JoongAng Ilbo.

Calls are growing within the legal and accounting professions to reduce the number of new entrants passing qualification exams. The argument is not new, but its urgency has changed. Just two or three years ago, it was a question of how large a share of the market each professional could secure. Now, it is about whether such a share will exist at all.

Major law firms and accounting firms are sharply cutting recruitment of entry-level lawyers and accountants. The reason is straightforward: AI is rapidly replacing many of the functions these professionals once performed. Jobs long regarded as relatively secure, insulated from economic cycles and corporate restructuring, are among the first to be disrupted. A senior partner at a large law firm recently said that even if people capable of strategic decision-making and managing networks will still be needed in 10 to 15 years, there is now uncertainty over how such talent can be cultivated if entry-level hiring continues to shrink. Firms recognize the need for a pipeline of future leaders, yet appear unwilling to preserve jobs for that purpose.

The media industry is undergoing a similar transformation. AI systems have already begun to replace specialized roles such as copyediting, graphics and layout. When reporters input their material into AI tools, the systems can generate articles or columns that replicate the tone and style of both the publication and the individual journalist at a competent, if not exceptional, level. The belief that human thought must be expressed by human hands is holding on, but only barely, like a sandbag against a rising tide.

These rapid changes inevitably raise questions about the future. For some, the concern is personal. What kind of work will the next generation be able to do? What should they study, and what values should guide them? If parents are already grappling with such uncertainty, it is difficult to imagine the weight of these questions for the young people who must answer them. Despite their significance, these concerns have yet to be translated into concrete political or policy agendas.

Instead, political leaders have largely focused on competition. Candidates for regional office are promising to build data centers, produce semiconductors that power AI and expand robotics industries, while pledging to supply the necessary electricity, water and labor. The central government appears similarly preoccupied with how to compete in the global race for AI dominance. Yet these discussions remain dominated by a single assumption: that victory in competition is the overriding goal. There has been little debate over whether it is appropriate to devote so much of society's capital and natural resources to this effort, or how to protect people's livelihoods in the radically transformed society that may follow.

Younger generations are already aware that they are largely excluded from decisions about how resources are allocated. Many participated actively in recent political events, contributing to high voter turnout and political change. Yet they are increasingly distancing themselves from the two major parties. According to a March survey by Gallup Korea, the proportion of independents among people in their 20s stands at 45 percent for men and 46 percent for women, more than double the levels seen among those in their 40s and 50s.

At the same time, their thinking is deeply political. In interviews conducted in early April with people in their 20s, many expressed concerns about shrinking job opportunities regardless of economic growth, delays in pension reform and the burden of rising national debt being passed on to future generations. What they lack is not awareness, but confidence that existing political parties have either the ability or the will to address these issues.

The question, then, is why a generation that has experienced intense political events...