Author: Seoul Reporter
The Seoul Reporter is an independent news platform uncovering untold stories from the heart of Korea. Our team of journalists and contributors expose corruption, highlight innovation, and bring unfiltered truth to readers worldwide from Seoul’s power corridors to its underground culture.
Eric Fedde returns to the Chicago White Sox after two years, securing a one-year free-agent contract. The move positions the 33-year-old right-hander to compete for a spot in the starting rotation during spring training.Impressive 2024 CampaignFedde solidified his role as a dependable starter in 2024. After a late-July trade from the White Sox to the St. Louis Cardinals, he delivered in 31 outings, primarily starts, across 177 1/3 innings. His stat line featured a 9-9 record, 3.30 ERA, 154 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP, and a .233 opponents’ batting average.2025 Struggles and Late ReboundThe following season tested Fedde’s resilience. An early slump…
Choi Min-jeong of Seongnam City Hall delivered a commanding performance, securing second place in heat six of the women’s 500m short track speed skating preliminary round at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.Race Breakdown at Milano Ice Skating ArenaOn February 10 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, Choi clocked an impressive 43.204 seconds to advance. She competed alongside Hanne Desmet of Belgium, Julie Rutai of the United States, and Yelizaveta Sidorko of Ukraine.Choi started conservatively before surging forward. She overtook Desmet to seize the lead, quickly dominating the pace and maintaining a steady advantage with precise positioning.Final Lap…
Park Hyun-soon, former senior vice president of the Korea Theater Association, has been elected as the 28th president. His four-year term runs until February 2030.Park’s Leadership BackgroundPark previously served as chair of the Korea Theater Association’s Daegu branch and as a board member of the Korea Federation of Arts Organizations. He also held positions including chair of the Korea-US FTA Promotion Association.Election at 65th General MeetingThe election took place during the association’s 65th regular general meeting on February 9. In the first ballot, four candidates competed: Oh Tae-gun, Park Hyun-soon, Park Jeong-ui, and Lee Hong-ki. No candidate secured a majority,…
Orthomol, the popular German multivitamin brand, rolls out an exclusive premium bojagi wrapping service at its flagship stores across major department stores to boost customer engagement and product sales.Special Packaging for Loyal BuyersCustomers purchasing a 30-day supply of Orthomol immun products at select flagship locations receive complimentary high-end bojagi gift wrapping tailored for department store shoppers. This limited-time promotion highlights the brand’s commitment to elevating the shopping experience.Nationwide Flagship Store RolloutThe service launches at five prime locations: Shinsegae Department Store Gangnam Branch, Lotte Department Store Main Store and Jamsil Branch, Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch, and Shinsegae Department Store Centum…
GS25, the popular convenience store chain from GS Retail, has rolled out the exclusive ‘Mini Dojonku 4-Pack’ through a collaboration with K-pop group IVE’s member Rei and digital fashion innovator Roromelog.Capturing MZ Snacking TrendsThe launch taps into MZ generation preferences for moderate snacking habits, including ‘snack wisely’ and ‘indulge moderately.’ GS25 highlighted this product as a fresh take on these trends during its announcement.Product Features and AppealThe ‘Mini Dojonku 4-Pack’ stands out with its user-friendly design, low-calorie profile, reduced sugar content, and stable gel texture. Manufacturers apply a post-production fluidity technique that preserves crispiness and flavor even after time passes,…
Michelle Yeoh achieves a major milestone by adding her name to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining the ranks of legendary figures in the entertainment industry. Trailblazing Career in Hollywood Michelle Yeoh stands as one of the most influential Asian actresses in contemporary Hollywood. She rose to prominence in the 1980s, leading the golden era of Hong Kong action cinema. In 1997, she made her Hollywood debut as a Bond girl, establishing a strong presence on the global stage. Despite tackling numerous supporting roles over the years, she persisted with unwavering determination. Oscar Victory and Film Legacy Yeoh redefined cinematic…
The Korea National Sports Promotion Corporation, led by Chairman Ha Hyeon-joo, launches recruitment for key recipients of the 2026 National Team Athlete Return Support Fund. This initiative targets current and former national team athletes transitioning to civilian life through business startups. Eligibility and Selection Process Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs qualify for the program. Officials expect to select approximately 31 participants from current national team members. Selected recipients receive 5 million won monthly for 10 months, from March to December, totaling 50 million won per person. The support facilitates startups via small business economic centers. Aspiring entrepreneurs and startups…
(G)I-DLE members Soyeon and Yuqi left Incheon International Airport on February 10 to attend New York Fashion Week.Stunning Airport AppearanceYuqi turned heads with her doll-like beauty as she greeted fans while heading to the departure gate. The duo showcased effortless style amid heightened excitement from supporters.Recent Achievements and Tour KickoffFollowing their triple crown wins on music shows, the group wrapped up promotions for ‘Mono (Feat. skaiwater)’ on a high note. They now prepare to launch their world tour with back-to-back shows titled ‘2026 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [Syncopation] IN SEOUL’ at KSPO DOME in Seoul’s Songpa-gu on February 21 and 22.These…
A 32-year-old office worker, the youngest applicant in four years, is intensifying preparations for the labor attorney exam amid rising AI-driven job threats and an impending labor law overhaul. With collaborations from major unions spanning two years, the Yellow Envelope Law—set to reshape worker dispute resolutions—looms large, potentially amplifying demand for labor consultants exponentially.The office worker stated, “AI advancements mean departments will shrink, but labor consultant needs will grow even more.” He added, “I’m seizing this opportunity to pivot careers.”Record Surge in Exam ParticipantsLabor attorney exam registrations hit an all-time high as the Yellow Envelope Law approaches implementation on March…
Franjo von Allmen, the 24-year-old Swiss alpine skier who captured the first gold medal of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, delivered another triumph by winning gold in the men’s team event. This victory marks him as the first athlete to secure two golds at the Games.01 Downhill Gold Kicks Off Olympic Success Von Allmen stormed to victory in the men’s downhill on January 7 at Italy’s Stelvio Ski Center in Bormio. He clocked 1 minute, 51.61 seconds to claim the honor of the Games’ inaugural champion.35 Dominant Performance in Team Event On January 9, von Allmen paired with teammate…