Author: Seoul Reporter

KORAIL, South Korea’s national railroad operator, recorded ticket cancellation penalty revenue of 52.6 billion won last year, marking more than double the amount from four years prior.Sharp Revenue Surge for KORAILRecent transport ministry data shows KORAIL’s cancellation fees reached 52.637 billion won in 2025, a 214.3% increase from 16.75 billion won in 2021. The figures climbed steadily: 24.12 billion won in 2022, 30.976 billion won in 2023, 34.765 billion won in 2024, and 52.637 billion won in 2025.This growth reflects a strong rebound in train travel as passengers resume normal patterns post-pandemic.SRT Matches the TrendThe Suseo High-Speed Railway (SR), operator…

K-pop sensation QWER, featuring members Chodan, Majenta, Hina, and Siyeon, has revealed the poster for their upcoming encore concert in Seoul. The announcement appeared on their official SNS on January 13, spotlighting the ‘QWER 1ST WORLD TOUR ‘ROCKATION: HOMECOMING’ ENCORE IN SEOUL,’ also known simply as ‘ROCKATION: HOMECOMING.’Tour Highlights and Fan AppealThe poster captures the group’s return to Seoul after conquering the world stage, emphasizing their deep connection with fans. It showcases career milestones, fan-favorite points like ‘Carey’ and ‘Baekpaek,’ and the vibrant energy of the members, conveying a strong sense of longing for their home audience.This marks QWER’s debut…

During the Lunar New Year holiday from January 13 to 18, approximately 720,000 travelers from South Korea departed overseas through Incheon International Airport, with Japan emerging as the most popular destination.Outbound Passenger BreakdownOfficial data from Incheon Airport Corporation reveals that 718,880 passengers, including transit travelers, flew out over the six-day period starting January 14. Japan led with 185,432 departures, followed by China at 123,486. Southeast Asian countries saw 204,084 visitors, while Europe recorded 35,740 outbound trips.Daily Travel PeaksThe highest number of departures occurred on January 14, the second day of the holiday, with 130,675 passengers. In contrast, the final day,…

A 91-year-old French man has become a father for the seventh time, celebrating the arrival of a baby boy with his 39-year-old wife just six months after their wedding.Age-Defying ParenthoodPierre Sabuler, 91, and his wife Aoi Ishii, 39, welcomed their son, named Haru, who is now six months old. This marks Sabuler’s seventh child, with his eldest daughter turning 60 this year. All previous children share different mothers, highlighting Sabuler’s long history of family life.The couple, both living abroad, attribute Sabuler’s vitality to his exceptional stamina. Despite his advanced age, he maintains an active lifestyle, having completed marathons in Paris,…

South Korean skeleton athlete Jeong Seong-gi secured 10th place in his second Olympic appearance during the men’s skeleton event at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.Strong Performance at Cortina Sliding CenterOn February 14 (Korea time), Jeong competed at the Cortina Sliding Center in Italy. He posted a combined time of 3 minutes, 45.90 seconds across the first four runs, advancing to 10th place out of 24 entrants.In the initial two runs, Jeong clocked 1:53.22 (56.57 in the first, 56.65 in the second), landing in 8th position overall.Key Highlights from Later RunsJeong elevated his game in the third and fourth runs. He…

Shohei Ohtani showcased his versatility by handling every pitch type from fastballs to curves during Los Angeles Dodgers spring training in Glendale, Arizona.Impressive Batting Practice SessionOn Thursday local time, amid a San Francisco Giants game broadcast, Ohtani dove into batting practice. After catchball and long toss with coaches, he crushed 27 pitches across two bullpen rounds. Matching up against a range of deliveries—including four-seam fastballs, two-seamers, cutters, sliders, splitters, and curves—Ohtani demonstrated command over the entire arsenal.Focus on Upcoming Live BPOhtani expressed confidence in his progress. “I don’t know yet how to manage the WBC schedule, but it’s refreshing to…

Korean Basketball League officials strengthened team bus standards to improve transport for injured players, expanding dedicated spaces and eliminating sinks for enhanced safety and usability.Boosted Efficiency in Player TransportDuring a recent board meeting, authorities outlined revisions that prioritize player-centered designs. Internal bus areas now feature wider layouts, greater practicality, and removal of unnecessary equipment to address operational risks and ensure smoother operations.Major Expansion of Transport AreaThe standout change enlarges the injured player transport compartment from a prior length of 250 cm to a minimum of 290 cm. This upgrade removes thick partitions behind the driver’s seat, adding roughly 70 cm…

Actors born in 1990 under the Horse zodiac maintain packed schedules heading into 2026, the Byung-O Horse year. Stars Park Bo-young, Shin Se-kyung, and Yoona gear up with major projects to navigate the traditional Horse curse. Park Bo-young Targets Thrilling Roles Park Bo-young sustains high activity levels through Disney+ series “The Lamp Shop,” Netflix’s “Melro Movie,” and tvN’s “Miji’s Seoul.” She enters 2026 boldly with the new Disney+ series “Gold Land,” centered on intense gold hunts amid abandoned mines and dynamic chases. The project blends suspenseful tension with heartfelt camaraderie, drawing strong viewer enthusiasm. Park Bo-young shared her outlook: “Hello,…

Four Lotte Giants players find themselves under investigation after engaging in illegal gambling on their own team and seeking illicit services during spring training in Taiwan.Details of the MisconductThe players—Na Sung-yeop, Ko Sung-min, Kim Dong-hyuk, and Kim Se-min—participated in unauthorized betting during the camp. Surveillance footage from the Lotte Hotel spa captures them at the front desk, where Ko Sung-min touched a young night-shift employee’s backside, indicating intent for sexual favors.Team management identified the violations through CCTV shared online within the community. On the 13th, officials expelled the players involved in gambling and detained them for further review.Timeline of EventsThe…

A unique wildflower known as the Byeonsan wind flower has emerged later than usual this spring in South Korea’s Byeonsanbando National Park, captivating hikers and botanists alike. This rare alpine species, first documented over three decades ago, showcases vibrant yellow stamens amid white petals, signaling the arrival of the new season. Discovery in the Mountains Professor Seon Byeong-yun, a renowned 73-year-old botanist and former national distinguished professor, spotted the flower during a visit to Sabom in Byeonsan on March 9, 1993. Accompanied by Daegu university students, the group ventured into the mountains after learning the site owner’s father had been…