Author: Seoul Reporter

Qu Chunyu, China’s prominent short track speed skater and former “Penalty Queen,” delivered an emotional retirement announcement, shedding tears during the declaration.Farewell at 2026 Winter OlympicsOfficials confirm Qu Chunyu plans a final competitive appearance at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics as her farewell event. This follows her strong performance matching key benchmarks in the recent mixed team relay competition.Qu Chunyu explained that overwhelming emotions, mixed with anxiety and gratitude, led to the tearful moment. She highlighted her transition from dominating short track to embracing new challenges.Storied Career HighlightsIn 2016, Qu Chunyu swept gold medals in the women’s 500m, 1000m, and…

South Korea’s national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, reflects on a historic 2-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire 16 years ago while preparing for upcoming challenges in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Shift in Qualifier Format Boosts Ambitions The team advanced from a 16-team group in the first round of the 2010 South Africa World Cup qualifiers, securing top spot and direct progression. For the 2026 tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico with 48 participating nations, the structure expands significantly. The top two teams from each of the first two groups (A through L, totaling 24…

GS Caltex delivered a stunning straight-sets victory over Pepper Savings Bank, winning 3-0 at Jangchung Gymnasium in the 2025-2026 V-League Round 5 on February 11. The match highlighted GS Caltex’s dominance on serve, racking up nine service aces—including five targeted at Pepper’s main attackers—while Pepper’s receive efficiency dropped sharply to just 2.86%. Key Match Moments GS Caltex exploited Pepper’s vulnerabilities ruthlessly. The team zeroed in on weaker receivers Park Eun-seo and Park Jung-ah with precise serves, while positioning strong diggers in receive roles. Yoo Seo-yeon notched consecutive service aces twice, first sealing the opening set 23-21 and then turning the…

South Korea’s short track speed skating team failed to advance to the medal round in the men’s 500m semifinals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on February 10 (Korean time) at the Milan Ice Skate Arena. Semifinal Setback The team, defending champions from the Beijing Olympics four years ago, entered the semifinals with high expectations. In Heat 2, South Korea took an early lead but faltered after Kim Gilli received a penalty for obstruction, finishing third with a time of 2:46.57 and missing the A final. Prior rounds saw the Koreans overpower Canada, Belgium, and the United States, showcasing dominant…

Chinese authorities have removed three high-ranking officials at the ministerial level within the past two weeks as part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts.85105 Yi Lianhong Faces Investigation State media announced on February 10 that Yi Lianhong, who previously served as party secretary to a vice premier and currently holds the position of vice chairman of the National People’s Congress Financial and Economic Committee, is under investigation for suspected serious violations of discipline and law. He assumed the NPC role following a November 2024 appointment tied to preparations for the national legislative session.9597100 Central inspection teams are examining Yi and his associates,…

Ulsan HD clashed with Melbourne City in a thrilling 7th-round league stage match of the 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) at Munsu Football Stadium on February 11. Intense On-Field Action Kang Sang-woo of Ulsan HD engaged in a fierce body contact battle with Melbourne City’s Atkinson, resulting in the Ulsan player tumbling to the ground during the heated encounter. Coach Kim Hyun-seok’s Homecoming Debut Newly appointed Ulsan HD head coach Kim Hyun-seok made his debut leading his former club, watching the action unfold closely alongside passionate fans from the sidelines.

On February 11, Seoul’s Jangchung Gymnasium buzzed with excitement during a women’s match in the 2025-2026 Jin Air Pro Volleyball V-League between GS Caltex and Pepper Savings Bank.Current StandingsHome team GS Caltex ranks fifth with 14 wins, 13 losses, and 41 points. Visiting Pepper Savings Bank holds sixth place at 11 wins, 16 losses, and 33 points.First Set HighlightGS Caltex’s Silva delivered a thrilling back attack in the opening set, celebrating her successful spike with visible joy as the crowd erupted.

Filmmaker Sean Baker, fresh off a Palme d’Or win at Cannes and an Academy Award nomination, presents his latest project at the Berlinale. The self-directed film Sandiwara earns a spot in the festival’s lineup, showcasing Baker’s signature intensity.Film OverviewSandiwara, titled after the Malay word for ‘drama’ that evokes pretense and performance, delves deeply into political tensions, cultural identities, music, and societal elements. Baker captures these themes with raw emotion, drawing from real-world observations.Malaysian actress Yang Ja-kyung stars as a resilient woman from Penang. Her character navigates extreme poverty before achieving a dramatic reversal of fortune. From a slim waitress to…

The high school drama series Absolute Champion of Romance premieres this April on Coupang Play, spotlighting talented young actors in a vibrant school-life narrative centered on romance and aspiration. Series Overview Directed by Lee Tae-gon, known for hits like Age of Youth and Bora! Deobora, the series features a compelling story of ordinary students navigating daily life while pursuing passions like web novel writing. Veteran performers support the cast, but the child actors deliver the core energy of this high-teen production. Kim Hyang-gi’s Standout Role Kim Hyang-gi embodies the female lead, a typical student by day who transforms into a…

Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon warns that postponing the Yellow Envelope Law—amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act—could trigger even greater turmoil in the job market.Remarks at National Assembly MeetingDuring an afternoon session with Yeouido committee members at the National Assembly, Kim stressed the top priority for the law’s rollout: building trust within the private sector. He highlighted efforts to develop a customized labor-management framework that avoids overloading businesses with unnecessary training requirements.The Yellow Envelope Law serves as a support tool for companies, tackling real-world wage discrepancies for entry-level workers at prime contractors. It also permits direct…