Author: Seoul Reporter

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…

New York stock markets opened lower on February 17, local time, with the three major indices posting sharp declines amid concerns over an AI boom slowdown and escalating tensions in the Iran Strait.Key Index DeclinesAt 10:29 a.m. on the New York Stock Exchange, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 259.63 points, or 0.52%, to 49,241.30. The S&P 500 index fell 48.79 points, or 0.71%, to 6,787.38, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 237.69 points, or 1.05%, to 22,308.98.AI Sector Weighs on SentimentInvestors remain cautious following last week’s worries about artificial intelligence’s diminishing impact on business models. Alibaba recently unveiled Qwen 3.5,…

Kiwoom Heroes veteran catcher Park Se-Hyuk delivers standout performances during spring training in Okinawa, reigniting his career alongside teammate Kang Min-ho.Tough Season Behind HimPark appeared in 48 games for the NC Dinos last season, posting a .163 batting average, two home runs, and 10 RBIs. He struck out in 19 plate appearances while serving as the primary catcher.In early January, Park dedicated about three weeks to intensive personal hitting drills, prioritizing swing mechanics above all else.Japanese Teammate’s Impactful AdvicePark attributes his sharp turnaround to guidance from Kiwoom backup catcher Hikaru Gusakabe, a 30-year-old Japanese import with an amateur background and…

In a heartfelt episode of SBS’s DongSangImong 2 – You Are My Destiny, Tommie Lee, popularly known as French Papa from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 2, shared a destined meeting with Jeong Eun-hye and Jo Young-nam’s family. Motivation Behind Culinary Class Wars Appearance Tommie Lee revealed that his participation in the intense cooking competition stemmed from his eldest son, who lives with a developmental disability. He aimed to demonstrate that even a self-described ‘clueless chef’ can passionately embrace cooking. ‘My son watched the episodes and exclaimed, “That's the one!” He adores the look, bald head and all—it’s thrilling to…

In an intense clash at Mokdong Citizens Stadium on Monday afternoon, FC Seoul battled Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a thrilling 2-2 draw during the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) league stage. The Group 8 rivals delivered a high-stakes encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.Match HighlightsFC Seoul surged ahead with a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half. However, Sanfrecce Hiroshima mounted a fierce comeback after the break, netting two goals to level the score at 2-2 and salvage a point.Coach’s ReactionFC Seoul head coach Kim Ki-dong, overcome with emotion, made his way to the locker room…

Actress Nam Bora shared exciting news about her mother-in-law’s thriving side dish business, which has seen massive success just before her upcoming childbirth.Business Takes Off with Sold-Out DemandNam Bora highlighted the venture’s popularity during Lunar New Year celebrations. “Did everyone enjoy yesterday’s Lunar New Year festivities? My entire family is now taking a well-deserved rest after selling out side dishes at the store throughout the holidays,” she noted. She explained that her mother-in-law recently set up a side dish corner there.The actress enthusiastically promoted the offerings: “These fresh side dishes, crafted to perfection by hands that raised 13 siblings, are…

Luis Enrique, head coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), delivered a stern rebuke to Ousmane Dembélé following a surprising 1-3 defeat to Rennes in Ligue 1 on January 14. The loss saw PSG concede two goals, prompting sharp post-match exchanges.Dembélé’s Public FrustrationDembélé voiced his concerns openly after the match, stating, “Personally, if I play full games, there’s no path to victory. Last season, players viewed PSG as superior to themselves. We must recapture that mindset.”Enrique dismissed the remarks as lacking substance. He emphasized team unity, declaring, “Players’ post-game comments carry little weight—even more so than a coach’s. I place no individual…

South Korean snowboarder Yoo Seung-eun’s (18) women’s slopestyle final at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has been rescheduled to February 19 due to severe weather conditions.Postponement DetailsOrganizers confirmed the women’s snowboard slopestyle final, originally set for the afternoon of February 17, will now take place two days later. Heavy snowfall in Livigno, Italy—the current Olympic venue—has disrupted bus and car operations while severely limiting visibility, prompting the delay.Athlete’s Strong StartThe high school standout secured bronze in the women’s big air event earlier in the competition. She advanced through slopestyle qualifications in third place overall with a score of 76.8…

At Jamsil Indoor Baseball Stadium on February 17, Seoul SK clashed with Seoul Samsung in an intense practice game.Tolentino’s Impressive Bat ActionSK’s Tolentino showcased his strength, delivering a forceful swing during the session. His dynamic form highlights the team’s preparation for the upcoming season.Key Practice Match DetailsThe matchup unfolded under controlled indoor conditions, allowing both teams to refine their skills ahead of official play. Tolentino’s powerful stroke stood out as a highlight of the day.