Author: Seoul Reporter

Singer Jo Gap-Kyung charmed audiences with her affectionate and ticklish antics alongside husband Hong Seok-Hwi during a lively “Game Addiction” segment on the variety show Perfect Life. Sweet Hide-and-Seek Challenge Blindfolded and seated on a chair, Hong endured Jo’s excited fidgeting as she cleverly concealed a handphone using her toes. MC Hyun Young reacted with surprise, asking, “Are you serious?” Jo opted for an “extreme hide-and-seek” game, swiftly grabbing the device and stashing it away. She hinted, “The handphone is somewhere in this house. My whole body hurts.” Hong responded honestly, “Every time I look at your hands, they seem…

South Korea’s construction sector input reached a record high of 68.4 trillion won last year, marking the largest figure to date. This represents a sharp increase of 7.4 trillion won, or 12.1%, compared to the previous year’s 61 trillion won. Historical Surge in Construction Spending The construction input has shown steady growth over the years. It stood at 30 trillion won in 2016, climbed to 40 trillion won in 2020, hit 57.4 trillion won in 2022, and reached 59.1 trillion won in 2023. Early in 2024, it surpassed 60 trillion won, and last year it achieved another peak. Key Drivers:…

South Korea’s World Baseball Classic team suffers a major blow as key reliever Riley O’Brien of the St. Louis Cardinals deals with a calf injury, casting doubt on his participation.O’Brien Undergoes Thorough EvaluationCardinals beat reporter Jeff Jones stated that O’Brien is undergoing a comprehensive physical examination after experiencing discomfort in his right calf during a bullpen session on February 15 (Korea time). “The Cardinals are closely monitoring his condition,” Jones noted, adding that “O’Brien’s involvement in the WBC remains uncertain at this stage.”Proven Closer with Elite SinkerBorn in 1995 to a Korean-American mother, O’Brien—whose middle name is Joon-young—emerges as a…

Choi Ji-Woo captivated fans by sharing precious photos of her daughter dressed in traditional hanbok to celebrate Lunar New Year, or Seollal. The images, posted on her social media on January 17, highlight the young girl’s radiant charm and striking resemblance to her mother. Daughter’s Joyful Seollal Celebration In the snapshots, the daughter gleefully shakes a rattle with both hands, flashing a wide, infectious smile. Her bright expression and defined facial features mirror Choi Ji-Woo’s own distinctive looks, drawing immediate attention from observers. Facial analysis reveals clear genetic inheritance in her sharp contours and expressive eyes. Choi Ji-Woo accompanied the…

Seoul’s vehicles aged three years or older maintain a striking 70% usage rate within any three-day period, even as fuel prices climb sharply. City officials attribute this trend to heightened travel anxiety and have ramped up parking infrastructure through vertical towers and smart systems to ease congestion. Persistent High Usage Across Major Districts Recent data as of February 18 reveals that over the past six months, the three-day usage rate for these cars across Seoul stands at 70%. Key districts report similar figures: Gangseo at 63.1%, Nowon at 67.1%, with most major areas exceeding 60%. This metric measures the proportion…

Comedian Park Na-rae, 41, appears set to attend questioning at Seoul’s Gangnam Police Station after the Lunar New Year holiday. Officials suspect her of grabbing and threatening full-time manicurists during a confrontation.Special Summons Issued Post-HolidayGangnam Police have specially summoned Park Na-rae for interrogation on threat charges and related offenses. She missed an earlier January 12 appearance, citing sudden accommodation problems and requesting an extension. The station plans to proceed once the holiday ends on the 18th.Seven Suspects Under InvestigationInvestigators link Park Na-rae to six other individuals in the ongoing probe. The manicurists ignored their summonses and now face prosecution for…

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hails retaliatory tariffs as a resounding success, crediting them with revitalizing the domestic steel and aluminum sectors. Since taking office, Greer has pushed these measures, noting significant production gains and vowing to sustain a firm approach.Steel Production Exceeds Japan’s Amid Tariff ImpactGreer highlighted robust growth in U.S. steel output during a recent CNBC interview. Data shows 2025 shipments rose by approximately 3 million metric tons over the prior year, overtaking Japan’s levels. “New steel production lines are launching, and aluminum facility plans are emerging rapidly, confirming the policy’s correct path,” Greer stated.These developments signal real…

China’s leading short track speed skater Lin Xiaojun has emerged as the country’s top hope for a breakthrough at the ongoing Winter Olympics, where the team has secured three short track medals and two long-track medals so far without a single gold. Lin Xiaojun’s Rise and Challenges Lin Xiaojun, originally from South Korea under the name Im Hyo-jun, brings a compelling backstory to the ice. In the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he claimed gold in the men’s 1500m and silver in the 500m representing South Korea. However, a doping violation in June 2019 led to a one-year suspension following the PyeongChang…

In a standout performance at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics speed skating test event, Korean athlete Kim Gil-li claimed the gold medal in the women’s 1000m final on February 16 at the Milan Arena. Thrilling Victory Amid Dutch Dominance Kim Gil-li crossed the finish line in tears, securing the top spot in the highly competitive race. This win marks a significant achievement against the backdrop of Netherlands’ strong showing, where their skaters swept four gold medals across multiple events. Netherlands athletes dominated the women’s 500m with Sandra Belzjeburg taking gold, while Jens Boon Baert topped the men’s 1000m and 1500m races.…

South Korea’s women’s curling team suffered a narrow 5-7 defeat to world-ranked No. 1 Sweden in the seventh round-robin match of the women’s four-player event at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic qualifying tournament in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 17 local time. The loss drops their record to 4 wins and 3 losses. Prior to this matchup, South Korea had secured victories over Italy (7-2), England (9-3), Japan (7-5), and China (10-9), while falling to the United States (4-8) and Denmark (3-6). Match Overview The 10-end contest showcased intense competition, with Sweden pulling ahead in the later stages despite South Korea’s…