Author: Seoul Reporter

South Korean curlers Kim Seon-young of Gangneung City Hall and Jeong Yeong-seok of Gangwon Provincial Office captured the mixed doubles quota for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. The duo triumphed at the qualification tournament in Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium, Italy, on December 9 (Korean time), defeating Norway’s Kristin Skaslien and Magnus Nedregotten 8-5 in the final.Path to VictoryEntering the decisive match with four prior wins that already confirmed semifinal progression, the Korean pair delivered a commanding performance. This victory etched a new chapter in Korean curling history, securing the nation’s first Olympic berth in mixed doubles.The team advanced as the…

Kim Sook, the 51-year-old entertainer, shared exciting insights from a coffee fortune reading during a luxurious trip to Turkey, hinting at potential marriage prospects. Trip Highlights with Fellow Celebrities In a recent YouTube video on her channel ‘KimSookTV’ titled ‘Lamiran x Jang Hye-jin x Kim Sook: 75-Line Cappadocia Adventure!’, Kim Sook joined actresses Lamiran and Jang Hye-jin for an upscale getaway. The trio stayed at a high-end hotel and indulged in traditional Turkish coffee fortune telling, known as tasseography. After sipping strong coffee post-dinner, Kim Sook examined the grounds and noted their thick texture reminiscent of rice wine. The fortune…

In a gripping V-League match on February 9 at Suwon Gymnasium, Hyundai Construction clashed with Heungkuk Life Insurance in a high-stakes showdown.Coach Yoshihara’s Intense FocusHeungkuk Life Insurance head coach Tomoko Yoshihara appeared deeply immersed in contemplation throughout the contest, strategizing her team’s next moves amid the tension.The atmosphere at the venue pulsed with anticipation as both squads battled fiercely on the court.

Table tennis sensation Shin Yu-bin, known as the ‘Donation Angel,’ presented a 50 million won donation to the national top player training program during her award acceptance at the 2025 KTTA year-end ceremony. The event took place on December 9 at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Seoul Square in Seoul. Third Major Donation from Rising Star This marks Shin Yu-bin’s third significant contribution to nurturing young talent. Following her victories, she donated 20 million won after the 2022 Doha World Cup and 100 million won post-Paris Olympics in 2024. Each gesture supports junior players, reflecting her commitment to the sport’s future.…

BTS touched down at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of February 9 after wrapping up overseas schedules. Members emerged from the arrival hall to roaring cheers from fans, waving and showing appreciation for the warm welcome.Comeback Album and Live Performance SlatedThe group prepares to launch its fifth studio album, Arirang, on March 20. The following day, March 21, BTS will headline a special comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.Anticipation builds among fans for these milestones, marking a significant return for the global sensation.

John Bolton, former White House National Security Advisor, analyzed the North Korea-U.S. summit during a recent interview on Arirang TV. He asserted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un lacks the intent to undermine talks with former U.S. President Trump for ties with another country. Hanoi Summit Reflections Bolton, who played a key role in the 2019 Hanoi summit, recalled how North Korea endured economic pressures while pursuing non-nuclearization promises as a later bargaining tactic. Kim Jong-un approached the meeting with overconfidence, believing he could outmaneuver the U.S., but emerged surprised without the anticipated agreement. Future Summit Prospects Addressing potential future…

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has candidly acknowledged that his administration’s real estate policies marked a major failure.Revelation During YouTube InterviewMoon made the admission during a recent discussion on the YouTube channel Pyeongsanchaebang TV. Responding to Tak Jun, a former presidential secretary, Moon addressed criticisms of the policy directly.Tak Jun questioned, “Didn’t the regime commit even one central mistake?” Moon replied, “I’m still pursuing it.”When Tak observed that numerous errors occurred, Moon concurred, stating, “Even so (there were many mistakes).”Deepest Regret HighlightedTak Jun described real estate as “my deepest regret.” Moon affirmed this view, emphasizing, “That’s correct. We genuinely…

Krafton set a new annual sales record in 2025, reaching 3.3326 trillion South Korean won, while operating prof declined 10% to 1.0544 trillion won. The PUBG franchise dominated, wh s two flagship tles claiming the top two spots in sales rankings.Financial BreakdownSales surged 22.8% from the previous year, though operating prof fell 10.8%. Fourth-quarter sales h 919.7 billion won. Non-recurring expenses, including a one-time hiring surge of 81 billion won for experienced staff wh over four years of service, offset gains and pushed costs higher by 24 billion won.Platform-Specific ResultsSales varied across platforms:PC: 1.1846 trillion wonMobile: 1.7407 trillion wonConsole: 42.8…

Kim Kyung-wook, former president of Incheon International Airport Corporation, received a 5 million won fine in the first trial for violating the Political Funds Act by accepting bribes disguised as victim compensation.Court Details the CaseThe Cheongju District Court, Chungju Branch, Criminal Division 2, under Judge Cho Jeong-ik, handed down the sentence on the 9th. Prosecutors charged that ahead of the 21st general election, two company executives wired 10 million won under the pretext of victim compensation. Kim accepted 5 million won as a bribe from this amount and designated the full 10 million won as compensation.Prior IncidentIn a related earlier…

Alpha Drive One (ALD1), the rising global K-pop sensation featuring members Leo, Junseo, Arno, Geonwoo, Sangwon, Shinryong, Anshin, and Sanghyeon, launches its debut mini-album EUPHORIA with title track FREAK ALARM. Released on January 12, the album surges across music platforms, music shows, and charts, securing first places and positioning the group as a top rookie contender for 2026. Debut Album Breaks Records The group dominates four major music shows with hits like FORMULA, FREAK ALARM, and Cinnamon Shake, appearing on platforms such as MBC M, MBC every1’s Show! Champion, Mnet’s M Countdown, KBS2’s Music Bank, MBC’s Show! Music Core, and…