Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

The author is a music critic and director of the classical music brand Poongwoldang. The story of Orpheus, who loses his wife Eurydice, has long been one of the most frequently revisited subjects in the early history of opera. From Claudio Monteverdi's "Orfeo" (1607), often described as the genre's point of origin, to countless later works, composers have repeatedly returned to the same myth. Even in the film "Farinelli" (1994), which depicts the life of the legendary castrato Carlo Broschi, the opera his brother Riccardo is shown composing is none other than "Orfeo." Why did Orpheus exert such a hold on early opera? The answer lies in the way his story captures the essence of the art form. Orpheus was the son of Calliope, the muse of epic poetry. From her, he learned verse and song. From Apollo, god of music, healing and the sun, he learned to play the lyre. He became a master musician, capable of calming wild beasts, fierce dragons and even the raging sea. These images symbolically express the lyrical power of art to tame what is violent and chaotic. Tragedy, however, defines Orpheus's legend. One day, his wife Eurydice wandered into the forest and was bitten by a venomous snake, dying suddenly. Overcome with grief, Orpheus sang. His song was not one of accusation or protest. It carried instead the sorrow of loss, love that remained intact and an intense, complete immersion in feeling. It was the honest and unadorned expression of a human heart laid bare. According to the myth, Orpheus's song moved not only animals and people in the forest but also the twelve Olympian gods and even Hades, ruler of the underworld, who wept upon hearing it. The episode suggests that genuine human emotion holds extraordinary power. Orpheus's song thus became a symbol of all music grounded in sincerity rather than display. At its core, music is not about technique or ornamentation. It begins with truth drawn from close to the heart. The lyre Orpheus held near his chest gave rise, linguistically and conceptually, to lyric poetry and to the German art song, or Lied. Perhaps this year calls for reading more poetry and singing more songs, even if only to oneself. After all, the reason we return to poetry and music may be a shared desire to recover emotions that are honest and pure. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

Th e author is an editorial writer at the JoongAng Ilbo. "The Moon Jae-in administration sought a major energy transition but ended up spending five years mired in debates over nuclear power. That was deeply regrettable." Those words, delivered at a policy forum titled "Carbon Neutrality and a Desirable Energy Mix" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on Dec. 30 last year, stood out in the opening remarks by Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan. What made them striking was the minister's frank acknowledgment of what he described as the Moon government's failure. On the same day, the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission approved the operation of Saeul Unit 3, a nuclear reactor whose construction had been suspended during the Moon administration. With electricity demand set to surge amid the rapid expansion of AI, the decision felt like a rare moment of relief. The Moon government's nuclear phaseout policy has formally been replaced under the Lee Jae Myung administration with the language of an "energy mix." Yet it remains unclear whether the shadow of the previous approach has truly lifted. The most contentious issue is new nuclear power plants. The Climate Ministry has effectively sent two reactors included in the 11th Basic Plan for Long-term Electricity Supply and Demand back to square one for reconsideration. The policy forum itself marked the beginning of what officials call "public deliberation" on the issue. While such processes are often framed as tools for managing social conflict, they have also served as a way to postpone difficult decisions. That pattern was common under the Moon administration, and similar doubts surfaced at the forum. One business executive appealed to policymakers, saying that while energy mix debates matter, they should also consider how to secure competitive energy when core industries such as steel are faltering and, ultimately, how the country will make a living. From the outset, the current administration has been acutely conscious of its predecessor and eager to draw distinctions. Shortly after the presidential election, a senior economic official said bluntly, "We are different from the Moon government. There is no place here for amateurs or half-baked theorists." Within the administration, there was a shared assessment that the Moon government had failed, particularly on the economy. That failure, especially in addressing bread-and-butter issues, was seen as a decisive factor in losing power after a single term. Officials often traced the root cause to amateur governance trapped in ideological dogma. This helps explain why the current government stresses pragmatism and competence. President Lee has summed it up by saying that solving people's livelihoods should be the only ideology. Six months into the new administration, the question is whether that promised differentiation is taking hold. The makeup of key economic posts suggests both continuity and change. As before, figures with Keynesian leanings who emphasize an active role for government and fiscal policy are prominent. But unlike the past, there has been no return to theories such as "income-led growth," concepts with little grounding that once dominated policy discourse. Several Cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology Bae Kyung-hoon and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, bring experience from the corporate sector. Still, as the nuclear debate shows, it is hard to say the government has fully embraced pragmatism. At crucial moments, it often hesitates. Business leaders who have attended meetings with the president say Lee understands corporate realities in greater detail than expected and approaches problems in a practical way. At the same time, they note the existence of clear red lines. Chief among them are the interests of labor unions, a core support base. As a result, despite pleas from the semiconductor industry facing intense global competition, e...

With five months to go before the June 3 local elections, a New Year opinion poll suggests the People Power Party (PPP) is losing momentum in key battleground races. In a simulated matchup survey commissioned by JoongAng Ilbo and conducted by CaseStat Research, Oh Se-hoon, Seoul mayor and PPP member, was locked in a tight race within the margin of error against Jung Won-oh, a first-term figure from the Democratic Party (DP). In hypothetical races for Gyeonggi governor and Busan mayor, DP candidates Kim Dong-yeon and Chun Jae-soo led PPP contenders by margins exceeding the error range. Analysts largely attribute the party's weakness to its failure, more than a year after the imposition of martial law, to clearly distance itself from former president Yoon Suk Yeol, while continuing to cater to its hard-line base. That reading helps explain why Oh warned on Wednesday that the party was "standing at the edge of a cliff," urging its leadership to apologize and reflect. The warning suggests the party's own leaders sense that public sentiment is moving in an unfavorable direction. The results are especially damaging for the PPP because Chun topped the Busan matchup despite being under investigation for allegedly receiving illicit funds from the Unification Church. For the main opposition party, this underscores a failure to demonstrate relevance to voters. Among centrist voters, Oh trailed Jung 32 percent to 38 percent, while Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon lagged far behind Chun at 24 percent to 49 percent. The numbers point to a party struggling to broaden its appeal beyond its core supporters. PPP leadership should take seriously a survey that shows a complete failure to expand its base. Much of the responsibility falls on party chairman Jang Dong-hyeok, who has spoken of change but failed to break with the party's old patterns. Even so, Jang has projected confidence, saying that electoral victory would naturally follow if the party sincerely focused on people's livelihoods. That optimism rings hollow given that the poll already reflected major setbacks for the ruling party, including controversies involving DP floor leader Kim Byung-kee and allegations tied to lawmaker Kang Sun-woo. Despite favorable conditions, the opposition failed to gain ground. Instead, internal discord deepened as the party became mired in disputes over its online message board, fueling factional conflict. By refusing to fully acknowledge Yoon's missteps and continuing to look only to hard-line supporters, the leadership alienated centrist voters. That frustration was evident in remarks from sitting mayors. Oh said he hoped there would be no more statements defending martial law, while Park warned that elections cannot be won by relying solely on a hard core base. One silver lining for the PPP is that nearly 30 percent of respondents chose "no candidate," "don't know" or declined to answer. The sizable bloc of undecided voters suggests widespread disappointment with both camps. If the main opposition can present constructive alternatives and serve as a meaningful counterweight to the ruling party, it may yet recover relevance and create an opening for a turnaround. That is why Jang's pledge, in the Year of the Horse, to move forward with "bone-crushing resolve" will be closely watched. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won urged the group to ride the powerful "winds of AI-driven transformation" as it navigates the turbulent waves of the global market in his New Year's address for 2026. "As the global industrial landscape and business structures are being reshaped around AI, we are living through a period of profound transformation and AI has already become deeply embedded in our daily lives," Chey said in an email sent to all SK Group employees on Thursday. "From memory and ICT to energy solutions, batteries and the services that connect them, the path SK has steadily pursued over decades has ultimately been a journey of preparing for today's AI era," he said. "The AI era is only just beginning, and the market ahead will be far larger than anything we see today, with limitless opportunities. With pride and confidence in our capabilities, let us move forward onto an even greater global stage." Mentioning "seungpungparang," a classical Chinese four-character idiom that literally means riding the wind and breaking the waves - boldly advancing with strong momentum and courage in the face of challenges and adversity, Chey emphasized how SK's capabilities position the company to ride the AI boom and achieve global growth. Chairman Chey pointed to an "integrated AI solution" driven by the collective capabilities of SK's member companies as a key growth engine. Emphasizing that the massive innovation brought about by AI is not a challenge limited to semiconductors alone, he said, "The business capabilities that SK's member companies have built over many years across energy, telecommunications, construction and biotechnology will serve as a strong foundation underpinning the AI era." "I will work to ensure that all members are supported so they can creatively challenge themselves and grow on the basis of AI, and that the achievements made along the way lead to each individual's happiness," Chey said in a closing comment. "Let us work together to make 2026 a year in which our challenges bear fruit and translate into even greater pride for all our members."

This article is by Kim Su-min and read by an artificial voice. As Korean companies have steadily reduced their business footprint in China, attention is turning to whether President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming state visit to Beijing - accompanied by the heads of Korea's four largest conglomerates and other top business leaders - could help revive bilateral economic cooperation. According to an analysis commissioned by the JoongAng Ilbo to corporate data firm Korea CXO Institute, the number of Chinese subsidiaries operated by Korea's top 10 conglomerates fell by 127, or 17 percent, from 435 in 2021 to 308 in 2025. Across all large business groups, the figure declined from 874 to 808 over the same period. By contrast, the number of U.S. subsidiaries held by the large Korean companies nearly doubled, rising from 885 to 1,673, highlighting a clear shift in global resource allocation away from China and toward the United States. "China is no longer a market where companies can grow simply by entering it," said Oh Il-seon, head of the Korea CXO Institute. Hyundai Motor and Kia illustrate the trend. The two automakers sold more than 1.14 million vehicles in China in 2016, but sales fell sharply to 204,573 units last year following the dispute over the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad, system, which triggered unofficial Chinese restrictions on Korean businesses and intensified price competition from local automakers. As demand weakened, Hyundai Motor shut down two of its five Chinese plants - its first Beijing factory in 2021 and its Chongqing facility in 2024 - and is in the process of selling its Changzhou plant in Jiangsu Province, which began operations in 2016. Geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China has further complicated corporate decision-making. While companies still need China as a production base, rising political and strategic risks have left Korean firms walking a tightrope. Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting last March with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung reflected the same tensions. Semiconductors are a particularly sensitive area. Under U.S. export controls, the shipment of U.S.-made equipment to Chinese semiconductor plants requires annual approval. Samsung produces NAND flash memory at its Xi'an facility, while SK hynix manufactures DRAM at its Wuxi plant, operating in a way designed to absorb supply-chain risks. At the same time, Chinese investment in Korea has been rising, driven in part by Korea's growing strategic importance amid intensifying U.S.-China technological competition. According to the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, China's reported investment in Korea surged 147.4 percent year on year in 2024 to a record $6.79 billion. Xiamen Tungsten, a Chinese battery materials company, added $15 million to its existing $13 million investment in its Saemangeum plant in North Jeolla in 2024, while China's Ningbo Shanshan acquired LG Chem's liquid crystal display polarizer business for $1.1 billion in 2020 - one of China's largest investments in Korea in recent years. Against this backdrop, more than 200 business leaders - including Samsung's Lee, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo - are set to accompany President Lee on his visit to China from Sunday to Jan. 7. Business circles say the trip could help reopen stalled channels of economic cooperation. It will be the first large-scale Korean economic delegation to visit China since the 2019 Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit. "China remains one of the world's most important manufacturing bases and markets," said one business executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But political uncertainty has grown so much that it's difficult to make bold decisions the way companies once did." Jee Man-soo, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute of Finance, warned in a recent report ...

This article is by Eo Hwan-hee and read by an artificial voice. With just one month left before the first comprehensive AI law takes effect in Korea, confusion continues to mount across the country's tech industry. Set to take effect on Jan. 22, the Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of Foundation for Trustworthiness - commonly referred to as the AI Basic Act - is facing sharp criticism from industry insiders who say the law remains vague and will be difficult to implement in practice. The Ministry of Science and ICT completed a 40-day legislative notice period for the law's enforcement decree on Nov. 12. Lawmakers hailed the legislation as the first-ever nationwide framework law governing AI, but companies fret over the limited timeframe they will have to prepare for an unclear set of guidelines. "It's like being asked to build a skyscraper without a blueprint," an official at a Korean internet company said. 'High-impact AI' and industry risks Industry concerns center on provisions governing "high-impact AI," defined as systems that could pose significant risks to life, safety or fundamental rights, and on a requirement to disclose when content has been generated using AI. Under Article 33 of the law, providers of AI products and services must assess in advance whether their technology falls into the high-impact category. Companies say the criteria remain broadly defined. Under the AI Basic Act, "high-impact AI" refers to artificial intelligence systems used in areas that may significantly affect or pose risks to human life, physical safety or fundamental rights. The law defines the scope to include energy supply; drinking water production, healthcare and medical devices; nuclear facility management; biometric data used in criminal investigations; decisions affecting individual rights or obligations such as hiring and lending; transportation systems; public service decision-making and other areas affecting human life or physical safety. Falling into any of these categories and being labeled high-impact AI is a risk for companies, as it would immediately entail a plethora of heavier obligations such as mandatory risk management measures. Startups could be particularly vulnerable, according to Jung Ju-yeon, a senior policy analyst at Startup Alliance, a network of entrepreneurs and startup stakeholders. "The level of obligations required of high-impact AI is far higher than for general AI. Many of the sectors where startups are active, such as health care and education, could easily fall into that category," she said. "Once the law takes effect, companies are likely to avoid areas with potential legal risks from the planning stage onward." Who makes the call? A recent Startup Alliance survey of 101 domestic AI startups found that only 2 percent said that they were preparing concrete response plans. Nearly 98 percent said they either were unaware of the law's details or had not yet developed specific compliance strategies. Companies have also questioned a provision allowing businesses to request confirmation from the government on whether their AI systems qualify as high-impact. "It's not even clear how many AI experts there are in Korea, and there's little trust in what standards or methods that small pool of experts would use," the head of a domestic AI startup said. "AI services are not fixed products but are constantly updated. If we have to go through administrative procedures every time, it becomes an unbearable burden for startups." Possible toll on domestic development Larger firms say they face similar challenges. An executive at a global platform operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the law would force companies to build Korea-specific compliance frameworks and could delay the launch of new services in the country. "In the end, we have to build legal mechanisms that apply only in Korea," the executive said. "The AI ecosystem involves complex relationships a...

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. As a wave of Chinese EV brands prepares to enter the Korean market this year, the Korean government is expanding subsidies in an all-out effort to bolster sales of domestically produced EVs. The move is an unusual one for Seoul, which has gradually trimmed EV incentives in recent years as local automakers and battery makers such as Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution have been hit hard by weakening global demand. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Thursday that it has finalized its 2026 EV subsidy plan and raised the maximum incentive to 6.8 million won ($4,710) from 5.8 million won. Under the revised plan, buyers who switch from an internal combustion engine vehicle to a new EV will receive an additional 1 million won. The benefit will neither apply to transfers or sales between immediate family members nor to used vehicles. The price cap for vehicles qualifying for full subsidy support will remain at 53 million won. Beginning in 2027, the threshold will be lowered to 50 million won. The government will also extend subsidies to commercial EVs that previously received no support, including small electric vans and midsized to large electric trucks. The move is seen as part of the subsidy framework for Kia's PV5 model. Subsidy caps are set at 15 million won for small electric vans, 40 million won for midsize electric trucks and 60 million won for large electric trucks. "Because subsidies have been gradually declining, a quantum leap is needed to accelerate EV adoption," said Seo Young-tae, the director general of the Green Transition Policy Bureau under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. "The expansion also aims to meet the government's target of 40 percent of new vehicles being electric by 2030 amid slower-than-expected adoption and safety concerns, including EV fires." Additionally, charging range and energy density requirements have been tightened, giving domestic models an advantage over imports. While Chinese EVs such as BYD generally use lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries, which are more affordable but have shorter ranges, Korean brands employ nickel manganese cobalt, or NCM, batteries, which are pricier but offer longer driving distances. Chinese models, however, are already making inroads. The Tesla Model Y ranked as the best-selling EV this year in Korea, and BYD secured a stable foothold, selling 4,955 units through November 2025, making it the third best-selling imported EV brand. Xpeng, Li Auto and Zeekr are expected to enter the Korean market in 2026. A new EV-specific insurance plan has also been introduced. The policy clarifies where responsibilities lie and compensation for cases in which the cause of an EV fire is uncertain or reignition occurs. The government aims to reach a cumulative 4.2 million EVs by 2030, but progress has been slow. As of September 2025, only 851,119 EVs had been registered. A total of 1.4 million new EVs were registered from January through the end of October 2025, but EVs only accounted for just 13.6 percent of total sales, according to data from market tracker Car Is You.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. As a wave of Chinese EV brands prepares to enter the Korean market this year, the Korean government is expanding subsidies in an all-out effort to bolster sales of domestically produced EVs. The move is an unusual one for Seoul, which has gradually trimmed EV incentives in recent years as local automakers and battery makers such as Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution have been hit hard by weakening global demand. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said on Thursday that it has finalized its 2026 EV subsidy plan and raised the maximum incentive to 6.8 million won ($4,710) from 5.8 million won. Under the revised plan, buyers who switch from an internal combustion engine vehicle to a new EV will receive an additional 1 million won. The benefit will neither apply to transfers or sales between immediate family members nor to used vehicles. The price cap for vehicles qualifying for full subsidy support will remain at 53 million won. Beginning in 2027, the threshold will be lowered to 50 million won. The government will also extend subsidies to commercial EVs that previously received no support, including small electric vans and midsized to large electric trucks. The move is seen as part of the subsidy framework for Kia's PV5 model. Subsidy caps are set at 15 million won for small electric vans, 40 million won for midsize electric trucks and 60 million won for large electric trucks. "Because subsidies have been gradually declining, a quantum leap is needed to accelerate EV adoption," said Seo Young-tae, the director general of the Green Transition Policy Bureau under the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. "The expansion also aims to meet the government's target of 40 percent of new vehicles being electric by 2030 amid slower-than-expected adoption and safety concerns, including EV fires." Additionally, charging range and energy density requirements have been tightened, giving domestic models an advantage over imports. While Chinese EVs such as BYD generally use lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries, which are more affordable but have shorter ranges, Korean brands employ nickel manganese cobalt, or NCM, batteries, which are pricier but offer longer driving distances. Chinese models, however, are already making inroads. The Tesla Model Y ranked as the best-selling EV this year in Korea, and BYD secured a stable foothold, selling 4,955 units through November 2025, making it the third best-selling imported EV brand. Xpeng, Li Auto and Zeekr are expected to enter the Korean market in 2026. A new EV-specific insurance plan has also been introduced. The policy clarifies where responsibilities lie and compensation for cases in which the cause of an EV fire is uncertain or reignition occurs. The government aims to reach a cumulative 4.2 million EVs by 2030, but progress has been slow. As of September 2025, only 851,119 EVs had been registered. A total of 1.4 million new EVs were registered from January through the end of October 2025, but EVs only accounted for just 13.6 percent of total sales, according to data from market tracker Car Is You.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. From Apple's first foldable phone to Korea's first domestically developed fighter jet, 2026 is poised to usher in a wave of groundbreaking products and services with far-reaching implications for both consumers and the industry. To mark the new year, the Korea JoongAng Daily has compiled a list of landmark launches in the tech, automobile and defense sectors. - ED The EV market may be losing some of its early momentum - but if Hyundai's Ioniq 3 arrives as planned in 2026, it could change the conversation in a big way. Positioned to eventually square off against anticipated entries like Tesla's much-discussed Model 2, the Volkswagen ID.2, and BYD's Dolphin, the Ioniq 3 will be a strategic offering, designed to meet the growing demand for smaller EVs and built around a compelling blend of competitive pricing and everyday practicality. Particularly as demand for EVs remains subdued, this compact EV is expected to play a crucial role in boosting Hyundai's sales in Europe, a market the automaker must increasingly prioritize as the 15 percent auto tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration is expected to squeeze margins in the United States. The model was unveiled last September at IAA Mobility in Munich under the name Concept THREE. It sports a five-door, coupe-like silhouette and a unified pixel-style LED tail lamp that stretches across the back, paired with a split glass hatch reminiscent of the Toyota Prius. Inside, the Ioniq 3 marks a clear departure from Hyundai's typical design, introducing an interior layout that seems deliberately rethought rather than merely refined. The digital instrument cluster is separated from a wide infotainment display, while a Tesla-like, tablet-style central screen is a visual highlight. Still, Hyundai sticks with physical controls for the climate system, its conscious deviation from the industry's accelerating shift toward all-touch interfaces. While powertrain specifications and detailed performance figures have yet to be disclosed, the Ioniq 3 is expected to utilize a downsized version of Hyundai's E-GMP platform. Rather than adopting the 800-volt electrical architecture used in the Ioniq 5 and 6, the company has opted for a 400-volt system, prioritizing cost efficiency and accessibility over outright charging speed. The Ioniq 3 is expected to be offered with two battery options: a 58.3 kilowatt-hour pack and a larger 81.4 kilowatt-hour unit. Under the Europe WLTP cycle, these are projected to deliver ranges of roughly 260 miles to 365 miles. A global launch is expected in the second quarter of 2026, with Europe likely being the main target. Speculation is also growing that the model will not be for sale in the U.S. market. Prices are expected to start in the high 30 million won ($20,800) range, extending into the low 40 million won bracket.

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice. The album marks the septet's first release in three years and nine months since "Proof" in June 2022. The comeback date had already been hinted at in handwritten letters sent to fans' homes, which expressed gratitude for their continued support. The letters were stamped with the date "2026.03.20." "Details about the new album and the concerts will be announced through official channels at a later date." All seven members completed their mandatory military service in 2025, with Suga being the last to be discharged in June.

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice. The album marks the septet's first release in three years and nine months since "Proof" in June 2022. The comeback date had already been hinted at in handwritten letters sent to fans' homes, which expressed gratitude for their continued support. The letters were stamped with the date "2026.03.20." "Details about the new album and the concerts will be announced through official channels at a later date." All seven members completed their mandatory military service in 2025, with Suga being the last to be discharged in June.

This article is by Lee Jian and read by an artificial voice. With international art fair Frieze returning to Seoul for the fifth year, from Sept. 2 to 5, 2026 - again running alongside the local Kiaf fair - the city is gearing up for another packed art calendar. From time-honored Korean traditions to the sharpest edges of contemporary aesthetics, major institutions are rolling out exhibitions that span centuries in style and sensibility. Here are shows to look out for at seven galleries and museums in Korea. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) One of the most awaited shows of the year, the MMCA's Seoul branch in Jongno District is set to open a major retrospective of English artist Damien Hirst in March. It is the first large-scale survey of his work in Asia, centered on Hirst's key themes, including death and immortality and the human desire tied to science and medicine. In August, MMCA Seoul will launch a major solo exhibition of Suh Do-ho, one of Korea's leading installation artists. Spanning his work from early pieces to the present, the show explores foundational themes such as migration and dwelling, and the relationship between the individual and the community. At MMCA Cheongju in North Chungcheong, a retrospective of Bang Hye-ja (1937-2022) will open in April to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. Moving between Korea and France, Bang built a distinctive artistic world of her own. The exhibition looks back on her life and worldview, as well as her experiments and insights in painting, grounded in "light" as a lifelong source of inspiration. Specific dates for the exhibitions have yet to be announced. Leeum Museum of Art Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan District, central Seoul, is set to open Korea's largest retrospective on mixed media artist Koo Jeong-a, to date, from Sept. 5 to Dec. 27. Koo, 58, was the artist for the Korean Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale. The show at Leeum will highlight "her distinctive universe, which explores invisible flows of energy through elements such as scent and magnetism," according to the museum. From May 5 to Nov. 29, the museum will also mount a group exhibition bringing together the trailblazing works of first-generation women installation artists from around the world, aiming to bring back into view practices that have often been left out of art-historical and critical narratives. The project began at Munich's Haus der Kunst before traveling to Rome and Hong Kong, where it was reconfigured and expanded. For its Seoul edition, the Leeum Museum of Art will add works by Alexandra Kasuba, Judy Chicago, Marta Minujín, Lygia Clark and Yamazaki Tsuruko, among others, per the museum. Hoam Museum of Art The first major retrospective of Kim Yun-shin, a leading figure of Korea's first generation of women sculptors, is set to run from March 17 to June 28 at the Hoam Museum of Art in Yongin, Gyeonggi, surveying some 70 years of her artistic career. Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, the exhibition traces her journey across Korea, France and Argentina to present a comprehensive look at her practice. Amorepacific Museum of Art Another much-anticipated program, the Amorepacific Museum of Art in Yongsan District, central Seoul, is set to open its special collection exhibition "APMA, Chapter Five - From the APMA Collection" in April, surveying a broad spectrum of international contemporary art while also tracing major currents and turning points in Korean contemporary art. It brings together around 50 works across painting, photography, sculpture and installation by some 40 artists, including David Hockney, Rose Wylie, Kiki Smith, Gala Porras-Kim, Nam June Paik, Lee Bul, Lee Ufan and Koo Bohn-chang. In September, the museum is set to present the first Asia-focused curated exhibition of Los Angeles-based artist Jonas Wood. Known for vivid colors, patterns and a flattened perspective that turns everyday interiors and surroun...

This article is by Lee Jian and read by an artificial voice. From January openings to year-end runs, Seoul already has a dense schedule on the books for 2026. The Korea JoongAng Daily compiled a chronological list of its recommended productions - including anticipated musicals, plays, contemporary dance performances and classical concerts - slated for Seoul stages in the new year. First half of 2026 "Musical Arang" - Jan. 27-Feb. 22, National Theater of Korea One of the most anticipated titles of the season, "Arang" is based on an ancient Korean legend, about a king who falls in love from a woman in his dream, and tries to search for her and make her his in reality. The story spirals into one of desire, violence, love and loss. This rendition infuses changgeuk ( traditional Korean opera) genre with contemporary sounds, and uses pansor (traditional Korean music) performers and a stage design inspired by ink wash. Musical "Spirited Away" - Jan. 7-March 22, Seoul Arts Center The original touring production of the stage musical - directed by John Caird and based on Hayao Miyazaki's animated classic - features mesmerizing puppetry and Joe Hisaishi's renowned music. Classical Dresden Staatskapelle with Chung Myung-whun & Lim Yun-chan - Feb. 1, Seoul Arts Center Conductor Chung Myung-whun and pianist Lim Yunchan join one of the world's oldest orchestras for a concert at the Seoul Arts Center. Chagguek "Boheoja: The One Who Paces the Void" - March 19-29, Daloreum Theater (National Theater of Korea) This changgeuk, or a Korean opera, is set 27 years after the Gyeyujeongnan purge, a political coup during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). "Boheoja" reframes the royal tragedy through the eyes of those left in history's shadows. Poetic storytelling and a score that blends tradition and modernity highlight the grief surrounding a lost dream of utopia. Musical "Lempicka" - March 21-June 21, NOL Theater Coex The Broadway musical is inspired by the life of Tamara de Lempicka, an Art Deco painter who reinvented herself in 1920s Paris after she and her husband Tadeusz flee the upheaval of the Russian Revolution. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, known for the Tony-winning productions "Hadestown" and "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812," "Lempicka" quickly earned recognition for its artistic ambition and received three nominations at the 77th Tony Awards in 2024. Play "Sammaekyung" - March 30-April 5, Myeongdong Theater "Sammaekyung" is a drama that incorporates Ham Se-deok's 1939 play "Dongsung," which translates to "Little Monk," and tells a story about a dying actor who wakes up 34 years in the past in a rehearsal room. He becomes determined to redo a performance that was critically acclaimed but refuses to stop haunting him. Shifting between the past and present, the play explores remorse and the very human obsession with "getting it finally right." Play "Big Mother" - March 30-April 26, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts The critically acclaimed 2023 French play is about mass manipulation in the age of big data. Opera "Nabucco" - April 9-12, Sejong Center (Seoul Metropolitan Opera) Back on a major stage for the first time in 40 years since its 1986 Korean premiere, the opera depicts a sweeping power struggle and stars renowned Korean vocalists Yang Joon-mo, Seo Sun-young and Jeon Seung-hyun. "Speed" - May 1-3, Sejong M Theater Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre's hit, which has been praised for its compelling interplay of tension and release, returns on a larger scale. Dance show "In the Bamboo Forest" - May 15-17, Sejong M Theater The new show by the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet fuses contemporary ballet with Korean sounds. Play "Granny Poetry Club" - May 15-June 28, Haneul Round Theater Based on a true story of grandmothers who learned hangul and began writing poetry after they were 80 years old, this heartwarming musical has been nominated for eight categories at the Korea Musical Awards. Play "Banya Ajae" (Korean "Uncle Vanya") - May...

This article is by Lee Jian and read by an artificial voice. With international art fair Frieze returning to Seoul for the fifth year, from Sept. 2 to 5, 2026 - again running alongside the local Kiaf fair - the city is gearing up for another packed art calendar. From time-honored Korean traditions to the sharpest edges of contemporary aesthetics, major institutions are rolling out exhibitions that span centuries in style and sensibility. Here are shows to look out for at seven galleries and museums in Korea. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) One of the most awaited shows of the year, the MMCA's Seoul branch in Jongno District is set to open a major retrospective of English artist Damien Hirst in March. It is the first large-scale survey of his work in Asia, centered on Hirst's key themes, including death and immortality and the human desire tied to science and medicine. In August, MMCA Seoul will launch a major solo exhibition of Suh Do-ho, one of Korea's leading installation artists. Spanning his work from early pieces to the present, the show explores foundational themes such as migration and dwelling, and the relationship between the individual and the community. At MMCA Cheongju in North Chungcheong, a retrospective of Bang Hye-ja (1937-2022) will open in April to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. Moving between Korea and France, Bang built a distinctive artistic world of her own. The exhibition looks back on her life and worldview, as well as her experiments and insights in painting, grounded in "light" as a lifelong source of inspiration. Specific dates for the exhibitions have yet to be announced. Leeum Museum of Art Leeum Museum of Art in Yongsan District, central Seoul, is set to open Korea's largest retrospective on mixed media artist Koo Jeong-a, to date, from Sept. 5 to Dec. 27. Koo, 58, was the artist for the Korean Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale. The show at Leeum will highlight "her distinctive universe, which explores invisible flows of energy through elements such as scent and magnetism," according to the museum. From May 5 to Nov. 29, the museum will also mount a group exhibition bringing together the trailblazing works of first-generation women installation artists from around the world, aiming to bring back into view practices that have often been left out of art-historical and critical narratives. The project began at Munich's Haus der Kunst before traveling to Rome and Hong Kong, where it was reconfigured and expanded. For its Seoul edition, the Leeum Museum of Art will add works by Alexandra Kasuba, Judy Chicago, Marta Minujín, Lygia Clark and Yamazaki Tsuruko, among others, per the museum. Hoam Museum of Art The first major retrospective of Kim Yun-shin, a leading figure of Korea's first generation of women sculptors, is set to run from March 17 to June 28 at the Hoam Museum of Art in Yongin, Gyeonggi, surveying some 70 years of her artistic career. Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, the exhibition traces her journey across Korea, France and Argentina to present a comprehensive look at her practice. Amorepacific Museum of Art Another much-anticipated program, the Amorepacific Museum of Art in Yongsan District, central Seoul, is set to open its special collection exhibition "APMA, Chapter Five - From the APMA Collection" in April, surveying a broad spectrum of international contemporary art while also tracing major currents and turning points in Korean contemporary art. It brings together around 50 works across painting, photography, sculpture and installation by some 40 artists, including David Hockney, Rose Wylie, Kiki Smith, Gala Porras-Kim, Nam June Paik, Lee Bul, Lee Ufan and Koo Bohn-chang. In September, the museum is set to present the first Asia-focused curated exhibition of Los Angeles-based artist Jonas Wood. Known for vivid colors, patterns and a flattened perspective that turns everyday interiors and surroun...

This article is by Lee Jae-lim and read by an artificial voice. [NEWS ANALYSIS] Samsung Electronics' soon-to-open factory in Taylor, Texas, is likely to come under intense scrutiny from Elon Musk following the Korean chipmaker's landmark $16.5 billion deal with Tesla. The deal has since acted as a catalyst, prompting other U.S. Big Tech firms to approach Samsung about contract chip manufacturing - a sharp contrast from the past, when its foundry business struggled to attract major clients. The momentum is partly attributed to a policy of TSMC, the undisputed market leader in the foundry business, that limits the production of its most advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing process to Taiwan. The rule, dubbed N-2, has compelled potential clients including Google and AMD reconsider Samsung as a strategic alternative for advanced chip manufacturing. A key point to watch is whether the series of potential contracts can lift Samsung out of the chronic losses plaguing its foundry business and how Musk will leverage the chip partnership to advance his stated ambition of building Tesla's own semiconductor plant. "Musk would want to see the process firsthand and takes a deep interest in the technologies behind the AI chips that power autonomous driving," said Lee Jong-hwan, a professor of system semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University. "That insight could help him develop more in-house capabilities. In the U.S. foundry landscape, there are effectively only two companies he can learn from: TSMC and Samsung." Musk requested a personal office at the Taylor facility to directly oversee chip production, according to JoongAng Ilbo, which reportedly preceded an X post stating that he would personally oversee that the fab reaches "maximum efficiency" to support the production of Tesla's AI5 and AI6 chips. Such a request, if true, would be highly unusual, as foundry clients rarely - if ever - maintain dedicated executive space inside fabrication plants. Samsung denied the report, calling it "groundless." Amid a mix of confirmed developments and persistent rumors, the Korea JoongAng Daily breaks down verified and unverified product lines expected to be produced at Samsung's Taylor facility, set to commence operations by the end of 2026. Verified contracts Musk made a surprise announcement during Tesla's October earnings call, revealing that the company would dual-source its AI5 chips from both TSMC and Samsung. Musk added that the Korean company's Taylor fab would be equipped with "slightly more advanced equipment" than TSMC's Arizona facility. The AI5 chips, along with AI6, which would be fully allocated to Samsung for initial production, are expected to power Tesla's Full Self-Driving hardware, Optimus humanoid robots and its AI data center infrastructure. Analysts predict that external clients like Tesla could help Samsung's foundry business turn profitable in 2026. "While it secured an order from in-house client [Samsung Electronics] for the Exynos 2026 processor, the pickup in external orders, led by North American clients, is adding momentum, which raises expectations for a return to quarterly profit by 2026," said Ryu Hyung-keun, an analyst at Daishin Securities. How much of Samsung's initial production capacity will be allocated to Tesla's AI5 and AI6 chips remains unclear, particularly as AI5 fabrication was previously expected to go to TSMC, but Samsung reportedly increased wafer outputs. Samsung's wafer output targets for the Taylor fab are reportedly being revised upward - from an initial 20,000 wafers per month to 50,000 - before reaching a planned capacity of 100,000 wafers per month by 2027 to meet anticipated demand, according to domestic outlets including the Munhwa Ilbo. Samsung declined to confirm. Prior to the Tesla deal, the Taylor facility faced prolonged construction delays, largely due to the absence of major technology companies as anchor customers. While Samsung Foundry had secured several confirmed clients,...

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. At the end of every year, there are awards for the music that echoed across streets, the films that lingered and the dramas that kept people waiting week after week. But one thing that arguably fills the year with just as much excitement - and just as much joy, yet rarely receives formal recognition - is food. Despite its massive role in giving people something to crave and savor, it is often left out of the conversation. In 2025, a handful of food items sparked long lines, sold out within hours and sent people repeatedly refreshing delivery apps. They turned into daily conversation starters and, at times, a competitive sport for those looking to secure them. Here is a look at the foods of the year - five dishes and products that truly shined in 2025. Chewy Dubai cookie Anyone who has spent some time in Korea will remember the buzz around Dubai chocolate when it went viral worldwide. Almost every store selling a house-made version saw long queues and rapid sales, inspiring a wave of spinoffs, including Dubai-style chapssaltteok (rice cake) and Dubai cakes. None, however, match the frenzy surrounding the Dubai jjonddeuk (chewy) cookie today. Don't be fooled by the name; this is not so much a cookie as it is a dense, chewy sphere, wrapping pistachio kataifi in melted chocolate marshmallow. At a bakery in Bangi-dong, Songpa District, southern Seoul, known for its Dubai jjonddeuk cookie, all 400 cookies were gone by 10:30 a.m., even before its opening at 11 a.m. "We opened earlier because the weather is so cold today, and there were already a lot of people waiting outside," said Yoo Seong-eun, the owner who has been selling the cookie since October. "Some even line up as early as 8 a.m.," she added. In just a minute, more than 10 people - from students to even those much older - had gathered outside the storefront. When the owner told them that they were already all sold out, some even expressed frustration. "You should have posted a notice in advance," shouted one visibly angry woman. "I rode the bus for 30 minutes from Gwangjin District just for this," said a 24-year-old Lee Yoon-jeong, who had come on a recommendation from a friend. "This was supposed to be my first Dubai jjonddeuk cookie." Office worker Jo Yeon-woo, who was also turned away, said this would have been her fourth time buying the cookie. "Dubai cookies are crunchy inside and soft outside," said Jo, who was wrapped in black padded jacket. "But this place has more pistachio spread, which makes it much more gooey." At around 10:50 a.m., a taxi pulled up in front of the store, and a middle-aged man rushed out, only to learn that the cookies were already all gone. He showed visible disbelief. More people continued to arrive even after 11 a.m., despite the store having already put up a sold-out sign. The Dubai jjonddeuk cookie is believed to have been first developed by Mond Cookie. Smaller than the versions that are more widely sold today, news of the original gradually spread by word-of-mouth starting in August last year. By mid-November, more bakeries and cafes introduced increasingly elaborate ones, with a thinner wrapping of marshmallow and more pistachio. Towel cake Flavor alone is no longer enough to capture the attention of young consumers. It is the unusual, visually striking appearance that sparks curiosity before the first bite. And once mukbang creators and influencers began showcasing and enjoying this dessert, it did not take long for the soogun cake - also known as the towel cake - to become a viral hit. Originating in China under the name maojin juan, the cake is a thin crepe filled with cream and folded to resemble a neatly rolled towel. Since going viral online, Korean convenience stores rushed to release their own versions, with CU and GS25 selling out immediately during its prerelease. The most popular varieties were the chocolate versions, made with chocolate crepes and chocolate...

This article is by Woo Ji-won and read by an artificial voice. At the end of every year, there are awards for the music that echoed across streets, the films that lingered and the dramas that kept people waiting week after week. But one thing that arguably fills the year with just as much excitement - and just as much joy, yet rarely receives formal recognition - is food. Despite its massive role in giving people something to crave and savor, it is often left out of the conversation. In 2025, a handful of food items sparked long lines, sold out within hours and sent people repeatedly refreshing delivery apps. They turned into daily conversation starters and, at times, a competitive sport for those looking to secure them. Here is a look at the foods of the year - five dishes and products that truly shined in 2025. Chewy Dubai cookie Anyone who has spent some time in Korea will remember the buzz around Dubai chocolate when it went viral worldwide. Almost every store selling a house-made version saw long queues and rapid sales, inspiring a wave of spinoffs, including Dubai-style chapssaltteok (rice cake) and Dubai cakes. None, however, match the frenzy surrounding the Dubai jjonddeuk (chewy) cookie today. Don't be fooled by the name; this is not so much a cookie as it is a dense, chewy sphere, wrapping pistachio kataifi in melted chocolate marshmallow. At a bakery in Bangi-dong, Songpa District, southern Seoul, known for its Dubai jjonddeuk cookie, all 400 cookies were gone by 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, even before its opening at 11 a.m. "We opened earlier because the weather is so cold today, and there were already a lot of people waiting outside," said Yoo Seong-eun, the owner who has been selling the cookie since October. "Some even line up as early as 8 a.m.," she added. In just a minute, more than 10 people - from students to even those much older - had gathered outside the storefront. When the owner told them that they were already all sold out, some even expressed frustration. "You should have posted a notice in advance," shouted one visibly angry woman. "I rode the bus for 30 minutes from Gwangjin District just for this," said a 24-year-old Lee Yoon-jeong, who had come on a recommendation from a friend. "This was supposed to be my first Dubai jjonddeuk cookie." Office worker Jo Yeon-woo, who was also turned away, said this would have been her fourth time buying the cookie. "Dubai cookies are crunchy inside and soft outside," said Jo, who was wrapped in a black padded jacket. "But this place has more pistachio spread, which makes it much more gooey." At around 10:50 a.m., a taxi pulled up in front of the store, and a middle-aged man rushed out, only to learn that the cookies were already all gone. He showed visible disbelief. More people continued to arrive even after 11 a.m., despite the store having already put up a sold-out sign. The Dubai jjonddeuk cookie is believed to have been first developed by Mond Cookie. Smaller than the versions that are more widely sold today, news of the original gradually spread by word-of-mouth starting in August last year. By mid-November, more bakeries and cafes introduced increasingly elaborate ones, with a thinner wrapping of marshmallow and more pistachio. Towel cake Flavor alone is no longer enough to capture the attention of young consumers. It is the unusual, visually striking appearance that sparks curiosity before the first bite. And once mukbang creators and influencers began showcasing and enjoying this dessert, it did not take long for the soogun cake - also known as the towel cake - to become a viral hit. Originating in China under the name maojin juan, the cake is a thin crepe filled with cream and folded to resemble a neatly rolled towel. Since going viral online, Korean convenience stores rushed to release their own versions, with CU and GS25 selling out immediately during prerelease. The most popular varieties were the chocolate versions, made with chocolate crepes an...

This article is by Nam Soo-hyoun and read by an artificial voice. Consumer prices rose 2.1 percent in 2025, close to the government's target of 2 percent. While overall inflation was subdued, prices for food and dining - categories with a high impact on everyday life - saw significant increases. In December alone, prices rose 2.3 percent, driven by the weakening won and higher petroleum prices. The annual increase of 2.1 percent marks the lowest inflation rate in five years, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Wednesday. Annual consumer price inflation rose from 0.5 percent in 2020 to 2.5 percent in 2021; peaked at 5.1 percent in 2022; and fell to 3.6 percent in 2023 and to 2.3 percent in 2024. "In 2022 and 2023, prices for petroleum products, processed foods and public services such as electricity and gas rose sharply due to global commodity price hikes," said Lee Du-won, the director of economic statistics at the Data Ministry. "But this year, falling international oil prices reduced the pressure on petroleum and utility costs." By category, food and nonalcoholic beverages rose by 3.2 percent, and dining and accommodation rose by 3.1 percent. Other goods and services, including insurance fees and apartment maintenance costs, jumped by 4.5 percent. By item, the rise in prices of agricultural, livestock and fisheries products slowed to 2.4 percent, down from 5.9 percent last year. However, agricultural prices showed less change due to the base effect of poor harvests last year, when they rose 10.4 percent. Livestock prices rose by 4.8 percent, and fisheries by 5.9 percent. Key staples saw notable increases: Pork rose by 6.3 percent, rice by 7.7 percent, mackerel by 10.3 percent and imported beef by 4.7 percent. Factory product prices - which include processed foods and petroleum - rose by 1.9 percent, compared to 1.5 percent the previous year. Within this category, coffee prices surged by 11.4 percent, and bread by 5.8 percent. After falling by 11.1 percent in 2023 and 1.1 percent in 2024, petroleum prices rose again for the first time in three years, following a 22.2 percent spike in 2022. "Although international oil prices declined, a weaker won and reduced fuel tax discounts likely pushed up gasoline and diesel prices," Lee explained. Consumer prices in December rose 2.3 percent on year, the fourth consecutive month with an inflation rate in the 2 percent range. The high exchange rate is believed to have driven up prices for petroleum and imported agricultural, livestock and fisheries products. Petroleum prices rose 6.1 percent, the highest since February, when they rose 6.3 percent. Agricultural, livestock and fisheries products rose by 4.1 percent overall, lifting headline inflation. Compared to the same month last year, the price of rice jumped by 18.2 percent, apples by 19.6 percent and imported beef by 8 percent. "When the won weakens, it first affects raw material prices, which then feed into import and producer prices and eventually consumer prices," said Lee. "Recent currency depreciation contributed to the rise in prices for petroleum and some meat and seafood items this month." If the won continues to weaken excessively, inflationary pressure is expected to persist into 2026. "We expect the consumer price index to gradually fall to around 2 percent due to stable core inflation and weak international oil prices," said Kim Woong, the deputy governor of the Bank of Korea, during a briefing on Wednesday. "Given that everyday prices remain in the upper 2 percent range, we will continue monitoring inflation closely, especially the impact of exchange rates." This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. [NEWS ANALYSIS] Hyundai Motor and Kia stand to benefit handsomely in Europe, thanks to their core competency in hybrid powertrains, as the European Union (EU) rolls back its 2035 plan to end combustion-engine cars, with hybrids retaining enduring favor. With a 15 percent tariff imposed by the Donald Trump administration likely to squeeze margins in the United States, the automaker is doubling down on Europe, a market it sees as critical. The European Commission unveiled a proposal on Dec. 17 to soften its carbon-reduction targets for new vehicles, lowering the required cut from 100 percent to 90 percent by 2035. The revision reflects a growing recognition that phasing out internal-combustion vehicles - which still account for roughly 40 percent of new car sales in Europe - within a decade is unrealistic. Where Hyundai held its ground: Hybrids For Hyundai Motor, which has long pursued a dual-track strategy spanning both electric and hybrid vehicles, the easing of regulatory pressure in Europe could hardly be more welcome. Hyundai's sales in Europe underscore the point, as hybrids are consistently outperforming pure EVs. In October, Hyundai sold 6,535 units of the Tucson in Europe, of which 4,699 were hybrids and 1,836 were plug-in hybrids. The Kona showed a similar pattern, with hybrid sales reaching 2,794 units, surpassing the 2,481 EV versions. Of the 3,635 Kia Niro vehicles sold in the same period, 3,430 were hybrids, dwarfing just 205 EVs. Hyundai had already been facing pressure due to a wave of low-cost Chinese cars flooding the region. This year, a total of 11.02 million passenger cars were sold in Europe through October - of these, Hyundai and Kia sold roughly 880,000 vehicles, securing only 8 percent market share. The sales were down 2.8 percent from last year's sales, with the market share slipping 0.4 percentage points, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. "Recent renewed demand for hybrid vehicles reflects, in part, the decision by Europe and the United States to ease environmental regulations from their original trajectory," said Kim Kyoung-you, a senior research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET). "Unlike Japan, which is closely associated with hybrids, or China, which has come to symbolize electric vehicles, Korea lacks a singular automotive identity," Kim added. "But in today's more fragmented and fluid market environment, that very absence may prove to be an advantage - allowing Korean automakers to compete on flexibility and balance." Hyundai said it plans to more than double its hybrid lineup, expanding from eight models today to at least 18 by 2030. Second chance for Genesis Hyundai may also see this as a golden chance for its Genesis luxury subbrand - which has long eyed Europe but repeatedly fallen short - in the absence of sufficient electric lineups. Genesis recently announced that it will enter France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands early next year, anchored by its first high-performance production model under the "Magma" banner. Until now, the brand has been sold only in Germany, Britain and Switzerland. Despite being the historical heartland of premium automobiles, Genesis has been struggling to raise its presence. Genesis sold a cumulative 9,444 vehicles in Europe over the four years from 2021 to 2024, which means its sales totaled just 2,300 or so vehicles per year, or roughly 220 units per month. Against Genesis's global sales total of 229,532 units in 2024, Europe accounted for a mere 1.2 percent. "Genesis is committed to establishing a strong regional center in Europe based out of Germany," said Peter Kronschnabl, managing director of Genesis Motor Europe, during an interview with the Korean press when asked about the premium brand's strategies for the European market. "As previously announced, by 2027 we will introduce hybrid powertrains to our lineup - giving cust...

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice. A curious feature of the modern Korean calendar is that it includes two New Year holidays: Jan. 1 and a later three-day break to mark the Lunar New Year. Today, both are statutory holidays in Korea. But for decades, successive governments insisted that only one New Year truly counted - and it was not the one Koreans had celebrated for centuries. While Jan. 1, officially known as Sinjeong in Korean, was elevated as the legitimate beginning of the year, the Lunar New Year - known as Seollal or Gujeong, meaning "old New Year" - was denied official holiday status until 40 years ago. Although authoritarian governments from the 1960s through the 1980s did not ban Seollal outright, they actively discouraged its observance through official messaging. This was a deliberate choice, rooted in the political, economic and ideological priorities of leaders determined to remake the country - and its people - at speed. It also shaped the distinct ways Koreans celebrate the two New Year holidays. Two New Years, different traditions Celebrations of Jan. 1 are a relatively recent development in Korea, which traditionally relied on lunisolar calendars derived from Chinese models. As a result, how Koreans mark the beginning of a year depends largely on individual taste and is often modern in tone. In Seoul, some people stay up to watch the ringing of the bell at the Bosingak Pavilion at midnight on Jan. 1, while others in mountainous or coastal areas wake early to view the year's first sunrise from a clear vantage point. Seollal, by contrast, is a holiday whose rituals date back more than a millennium. People travel long distances to gather with extended family, perform ceremonial bows to elders and honor ancestors with charye, lavish platters of food that they later share with relatives. Because Koreans traditionally believed a person aged on this day, they also eat symbolic foods such as rice cake soup to mark the passage of time. The contrast between the two holidays did not emerge by accident. Restarting the calendar The distinction between the two New Year holidays dates to 1896, when King Gojong, the penultimate ruler of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), proclaimed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar and Jan. 1 as the official start of the year in a royal edict. The decree, intended to align the country with Western practices, was widely resisted. Many Koreans continued to regard the first day of the lunisolar calendar - central to the timing of Seollal and other traditional holidays, such as the autumn festival of Chuseok - as the authentic start of the year. That resistance hardened after Japan colonized Korea in 1910. Japan had adopted the Gregorian calendar during the Meiji Restoration in 1873, and New Year traditions there simply shifted to Jan. 1. But while Japan's reform was driven by a desire to modernize and emulate Western powers, its promotion of Jan. 1 in occupied Korea was part of a broader effort to erase Korean culture. Beginning in the 1930s, colonial authorities not only banned ancestral rites during Seollal, but also prohibited the making of rice cakes and the brewing of alcohol around the holiday. Even after liberation in 1945, official promotion of Jan. 1 as New Year's Day over Seollal continued. Successive governments dismantled vestiges of Japanese rule but still "systematically supported" the Gregorian start of the year, casting Seollal as "backward," according to the National Folk Museum of Korea. An ideological choice The government's preference for Jan. 1 reflected the worldview of Korea's early leaders, who sought to shape the newly independent state according to their own beliefs. The country's first president, Syngman Rhee - a devout Protestant and fervent advocate of Western-style modernization - viewed the Lunar New Year with disdain rivaling that of the colonial authorities. As a result, a list of public holidays promulgated by presidentia...