Author: Seoul Reporter

Hanwha Eagles infielder Oh Jae-won, 19, completed the Incheon spring camp and departed for Japan on January 23. Currently serving as the starting shortstop, he carries high expectations as the team’s top rookie prospect. Overcoming Inexperience with Strong Fundamentals The Hanwha lineup lacks seasoned central players, with foreign signings filling key roles. Oh Jae-won stepped up amid this setup, even prompting trade considerations for the center field position before settling on him. In high school, the three-year standout delivered standout performances, posting a .463 average over 30 games (105 at-bats, 46 hits) and a 1.195 OPS (on-base plus slugging). During…

In the latest episodes of the tvN drama Our Universe, Park Seo-ham delivers a compelling performance as Park Eun-seong, showcasing intricate emotional shifts amid evolving relationships. Emotional Turmoil and Hidden Affections Park Eun-seong learns from Woo Hyun-jin (No Jung-eui) about her cohabitation with Seon Tae-hyeong (Bae In-hyuk), sparking complex feelings. While masking her true emotions behind a facade of maturity and rationality, Eun-seong reveals glimpses of vulnerability tied to her youthful past. After discovering details about Woo-joo (Park Yoo-ho)’s history, Eun-seong subtly expresses care for Hyun-jin. She prepares thoughtful meals featuring fresh seafood, pasta, and custom requests at restaurants to…

North Korea opened the 9th Plenum of its Workers’ Party Central Committee on the 19th. This gathering serves as the regime’s top decision-making body, setting the political course for the coming five years.Kim Jong-un’s Key AddressKim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, drew parallels to the 8th Party Congress in August 2021. He stated, “The great external sovereignty of the state faced direct violation back then. By firmly upholding the inviolability of national sovereignty, profound shifts occurred in the global political landscape and relations impacting our nation. These changes intensified pressures on socialist construction, compelling urgent and rational responses…

Korean defender Kim Min-jae, currently with Bayern Munich, draws strong interest from Chelsea and Tottenham for a potential Premier League move, though Bayern remains firm on retaining him. Renewed Transfer Buzz Recent matches highlight Kim Min-jae’s appeal as a central defender. Analysts observe that both London clubs view him as a key target, capable of anchoring their backlines alongside emerging talents. Chelsea, fresh from bolstering its squad depth, positions Kim as a commanding presence post their recent center-back acquisitions. Tottenham similarly rates him highly in optimal scenarios, per insider assessments. Salary and Contract Challenges Kim commands a weekly salary of…

Michelle Yeoh, the trailblazing Malaysian actress and first Asian to earn an Academy Award nomination, secures her place in Hollywood history with a star on the Walk of Fame.Star Unveiling CeremonyDuring a ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, Yeoh receives the 2,836th star, recognizing her outstanding contributions to film, television, music, and live performance. This honor celebrates her as a global icon born in Malaysia.Director Jon M. Chu, known for Crazy Rich Asians, leads the event. Yeoh’s iconic roles span Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and…

South Korea’s short track speed skating team captured gold in the women’s 3000m relay at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics test event, with rising star Kim Gill-ri (Seongnam City Hall) living up to her coach’s nickname ‘Lamborghini Gillri’ through sheer speed and determination.Victory Lap in Milan ArenaOn February 19 (Korean time), at the Milan Ice Skating Arena in Italy, the Korean quartet—Choi Min-jeong and Kim Gill-ri (both Seongnam City Hall), Noh Do-hwi (Hwaseong City Hall), and Shim Seok-hwi (Seoul City Hall)—clocked 4 minutes 4.014 seconds to claim the top spot.The Netherlands held second place mid-race until their skater Michelle…

South Korea’s women’s curling team endured a heartbreaking 7-10 loss to Canada in the final round of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic qualifying event at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy on January 19 (Korean time). Despite securing four victories earlier, the team failed to overcome a four-win gap, ending their Olympic journey. Standings and Advancement The competition marked South Korea’s first podium finish in eight years since 2018. Canada advanced to the semifinals alongside Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. South Korea recorded five wins and three losses against the United States (8-4 win), Italy (2-7 loss), England (3-9…

Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison shows clear signs of a summer departure, with Flamengo in Brazil and Atletico Madrid in Spain expressing strong interest in acquiring him.Transfer Rumors Gain MomentumRecent developments suggest Tottenham prepares to offload Richarlison this summer. English media reports confirm the club eyes a sale, as both Flamengo and Atletico Madrid actively pursue his signature.Spanish outlet Pichajes indicates Richarlison currently sits outside the squad due to injury but remains on track for seasonal participation. Officials note his role provides vital fan appeal despite fitness challenges.Ongoing Injury ConcernsRicharlison struggles to rejoin full training after sustaining a hamstring injury this…

South Korean Bobsleigh Star Leads ElectionSouth Korea’s Won Yun-jong, a prominent bobsleigh athlete, secured the top position in the preliminary voting for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics executive board meeting. He received 1,176 votes out of 4,786 total votes from 2,393 candidates, ranking first in the highest vote category and second in the base score ranking.The results emerged from the election held on February 19 (Korean time) at the CDM in Milan, Italy. Won Yun-jong will receive formal confirmation as an IOC Athletes’ Commission member during the IOC General Assembly on February…

Korean bobsleigh athlete Won Yun-jong, who secured a silver medal in the four-man event at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, tops the list as the newest IOC athlete member for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games.Election Results AnnouncedThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) revealed the outcomes of its athlete representative election on February 19 (Korean time) during a session in Milan. Won Yun-jong emerged as the leading candidate, securing the highest number of votes among contenders for the 2026 Winter Olympics positions.The voting process spanned from January 30 to February 18, engaging active participants in the upcoming Games. Out of 11 candidates,…