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  • Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury

    Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury

    As of September 12, 2026, this year's Chuseok (Korea's fall harvest holiday) gift market is splitting sharply between no-frills, budget-friendly sets and eye-popping luxury items. Convenience store chains are stocking walking robots priced around $23,000 (₩31 million) and wine sets nearing $7,000 (₩9.5 million), while food companies expand both value packs and premium lineups to reach an increasingly divided customer base.

    About $23,000 (₩31 million)Top price for a convenience store bipedal-robot gift set
    About $7,000 (₩9.5 million)Top price for a convenience store premium wine set
    260 varietiesNumber of Chuseok gift set types CJ CheilJedang offers this year
    30%Increase in Emart24's fresh food gift lineup versus last year

    Key points

    • Rising prices and interest rates are driving a split between budget-friendly and ultra-premium Chuseok gifts.
    • CJ CheilJedang rolled out its largest-ever lineup of gift sets this year, expanding its seafood offerings including tuna.
    • Convenience store chains are pitching humanoid and emotion-sensing social robots, plus pricey wine and whisky, as novelty gifts.
    • Some convenience chains sharply expanded fresh food like hanwoo (Korean beef) and gulbi (dried corvina), plus single- and two-person portions.

    With Chuseok, Korea's fall harvest holiday, approaching, gift-set lineups across the food and retail industries are splitting into two camps. Amid ongoing pressure from high prices and interest rates, budget-conscious, practical sets are multiplying right alongside limited-edition items priced sky-high.

    CJ CheilJedang expanded this year's holiday gift lineup to its largest-ever number of items, building a new premium line around one of its tuna brands and outlining plans to grow its seafood offerings further. Daesang's Chungjungwon brand likewise paired everyday staples — seasonings, cooking oil — with a high-end line of olive oil sets sorted by varietal. Dongwon F&B put together more than 100 sets, with a noticeably bigger share going to high-protein tuna products.

    Convenience store chains are leaning hardest into novelty. Humanoid walking robots and emotion-sensing social robots showed up on shelves with price tags in the tens of thousands of dollars and the thousands of dollars, respectively, alongside cheaper options like a Go-playing robot or a robot-shaped keyring that can hold conversations. In the liquor aisle, a wine set built around a specific vintage came in just under $7,000, next to bottles of long-aged whisky.

    Character IP merchandise and desserts built on hotel bakery recipes are aimed squarely at younger shoppers. Others went the opposite direction, leaning into fresh food: hanwoo (Korean beef) and gulbi (dried, salted corvina) — Chuseok staples — made it onto convenience store shelves, including smaller hanwoo portions sized for shoppers spending the holiday alone.

    Department stores, meanwhile, widened pre-order volumes and discounts. Some sharply increased their hanwoo-focused meat set inventory, while others expanded pre-order categories to include liquor, desserts and health foods — with some pre-order discounts reaching as much as half off.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, shoppers are drawn to how far Chuseok gifts have stretched beyond food — into robots, gold and silver, and other novelty items. At the same time, the split is drawing comment: some are hunting for practical, no-frills sets given how high prices remain, while others say they're willing to splurge once on a premium gift this particular year.

    FAQ

    Why are there robots in this year's Chuseok gift sets?

    Convenience store chains added them to stand out and offer novelty beyond the usual food-focused lineups.

    Do the ultra-expensive gift sets actually sell?

    The priciest items are made in limited quantities; retailers say the goal is buzz and a premium image as much as volume sales.

    Are budget-friendly gifts still popular?

    Yes — practical, lower-cost sets like assorted jeon (savory pancakes), mandu (dumplings) and kimchi remain a broad part of every retailer's lineup.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    노컷뉴스 기사 이미지Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury노컷뉴스 · Sep 12, 2026900만원대 편의점 와인도 '완판'…추석 선물 대전Read the full story & photos at the source →
    파이낸셜뉴스 기사 이미지Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury파이낸셜뉴스 · Sep 09, 2026실속형부터 수 천만원 선물도 등장.. 식품·유통업계 추석 선물 대전Read the full story & photos at the source →
    Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury포쓰저널 · Aug 17, 2026편의점 추석선물도 취향따라…로봇·호텔 디저트·한우까지Read the full story & photos at the source →
    인사이트 기사 이미지Chuseok Gifts Split Between Bargain and Ultra-Luxury인사이트 · Aug 17, 2026“캐릭터 굿즈부터 한우 와인까지” 편의점 4사, 추석 선물 판매 개시Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple Crown

    ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple Crown

    As of September 12, 2026, ENHYPEN has swept seven trophies across South Korea's music shows with its latest single, including a first-ever triple crown after topping one program on all three appearances. The six-member group's eighth mini album is holding steady near the top of the Billboard 200, becoming ENHYPEN's fifth double million-seller in the process.

    7 winsCumulative music show trophies from this promotional run
    3-for-3Consecutive wins on one program, earning the triple crown
    5thDouble million-seller album in ENHYPEN's catalog
    2 weeksTime the album has held a top spot on the Billboard 200

    Key points

    • ENHYPEN has won seven trophies on South Korea's major music shows with its new single.
    • On one program, the group topped the chart in all three of its appearances, earning its first-ever triple crown.
    • The simultaneously released eighth mini album debuted atop the Billboard 200 and has held a top spot since.
    • The title track also cracked a secondary Billboard singles chart for the first time in the group's career.

    ENHYPEN, the six-member group, rode its latest single to a string of trophies across South Korea's terrestrial and cable music shows. What stood out was the consistency — different shows have different formats and judging criteria, yet the group topped them all. On one show in particular, ENHYPEN won every single time it performed, completing what's known as a "triple crown" after its third appearance — a first in the group's career.

    The song itself is a dance track built on a Brazilian funk beat, contrasting an outwardly desperate energy with a cooler undercurrent, per the group's label. The eighth mini album released alongside it tells a love story built around the idea that having someone stick by your side through a crisis is itself a blessing. Separate from its domestic run, the album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 — the US's flagship albums chart — and held onto a top spot even after a second week.

    The reception abroad extended further. The title track cracked a Billboard secondary singles chart for the first time since its release, and ENHYPEN also set new personal bests on Billboard's global charts — both the worldwide chart that includes non-English-language music and the version that excludes the US. Streaming numbers have stayed strong even after the group wrapped its official promotional run.

    On the sales side, the album became ENHYPEN's fifth "double million-seller" — Korean industry shorthand for an album that clears twice a major benchmark in first-week sales. The group, which debuted in 2020, has now racked up outsized sales with essentially every release. Between the sweep of domestic broadcast wins and the parallel strength abroad, this era stands out as one of the group's most decorated yet.

    In Korea right nowFans have zeroed in on the fact that ENHYPEN won every time it appeared on one particular show — three-for-three — as the headline story. Add in wins across shows run by different broadcasters plus simultaneous chart gains overseas, and the moment is being framed as a case where domestic and international success landed at the same time. Some longtime fans are also pointing to the group's steadily climbing sales since debut, calling this era one of ENHYPEN's defining turning points.

    FAQ

    What does 'triple crown' mean here?

    It means ENHYPEN topped one South Korean music show three times in a row across three appearances — confirmed as the group's first time achieving that.

    What's Billboard's secondary singles chart?

    It's a chart that tracks rising songs that haven't yet cracked the main singles chart — and this single made its first appearance there.

    What's a 'double million-seller'?

    It's industry shorthand in Korea for an album whose first-week ('early bird') sales clear twice a major sales benchmark — and this is the fifth time ENHYPEN has hit that mark.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    조선일보 기사 이미지ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple Crown조선일보 · Sep 11, 2026“커리어 최고 자부”…엔하이픈, ‘빌보드 200’ 1위·7관왕 찍고 ‘THE SIN’ 화려한 마침표Read the full story & photos at the source →
    MHN / 엠에이치앤 기사 이미지ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple CrownMHN / 엠에이치앤 · Sep 11, 2026엔하이픈, 음악방송 7관왕→3주 연속 '정상'…다섯 번째 '더블 밀리언셀러' 등극Read the full story & photos at the source →
    헤럴드뮤즈 (Herald Muse) 기사 이미지ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple Crown헤럴드뮤즈 (Herald Muse) · Sep 11, 2026엔하이픈 ‘Bloody Paradise’ 음악방송 7관왕 질주..트리플 크라운 달성Read the full story & photos at the source →
    CBC뉴스 | CBCNEWS 기사 이미지ENHYPEN Nabs 7 Music Show Wins, First-Ever Triple CrownCBC뉴스 | CBCNEWS · Sep 11, 2026ENHYPEN ‘Bloody Paradise’, 엠카 3주 연속 1위…트리플 크라운 달성Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • Hwasa First K-pop Female Soloist on Rock in Rio Stage

    Hwasa First K-pop Female Soloist on Rock in Rio Stage

    As of September 11, 2026, singer Hwasa becomes the first K-pop female soloist to headline Rock in Rio's main stage. On the 11th, local time, she takes the Palco Mundo ("World Stage") at Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Park alongside Elton John, Maroon 5, and Stray Kids.

    750 sweepsPerfect All-Kill wins racked up by Hwasa's latest single on Korea's combined music charts

    Key points

    • Hwasa will perform hits like 'Maria' and 'Twit,' plus a solo track she released last year.
    • Rock in Rio launched in Brazil in 1985 and has since expanded to Lisbon, Madrid, and Las Vegas.
    • Past Palco Mundo headliners include Queen, Guns N' Roses, and Beyoncé.
    • Hwasa debuted in 2014 as a member of the group Mamamoo and has built a solo career alongside it.

    Singer Hwasa is the first K-pop female soloist to headline the main stage of Brazil's biggest music festival. On the 11th, local time, she takes Palco Mundo — Rock in Rio's flagship stage — at Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro.

    Rock in Rio started in Brazil in 1985 and has since grown into a global franchise with editions in Lisbon, Madrid, and Las Vegas. Legends like Beyoncé, Queen, Guns N' Roses, and Bon Jovi have all played this stage.

    This year's Palco Mundo lineup includes Elton John, Maroon 5, and Stray Kids, with Hwasa joining the bill. Her set will feature hits like 'Twit' and 'Maria,' plus the single she dropped last October — a track that racked up 750 Perfect All-Kills on Korea's combined music charts, the best showing of any Korean artist's song.

    Born in 1995, Hwasa debuted in 2014 as a member of Mamamoo and has built a solo career alongside her group work ever since. This appearance looks set to expand her footprint as a solo artist well beyond Korea.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, the reaction centers on how significant it is for a soloist who came up through a girl group to headline the main stage of a festival rooted in rock tradition. K-pop groups have played overseas festivals before, but a female soloist landing a main stage of this scale is rare, and the moment is drawing attention across the industry.

    FAQ

    What is Palco Mundo?

    It's Rock in Rio's main stage, reserved for the festival's headline acts.

    Why is Hwasa's appearance a big deal?

    She's the first K-pop female soloist to headline this main stage.

    What songs will she perform?

    Expect hits like 'Maria' and 'Twit,' plus the single she released last year that became a massive hit on Korean charts.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    SBS NEWS 기사 이미지Hwasa First K-pop Female Soloist on Rock in Rio StageSBS NEWS · Sep 11, 2026화사, K팝 여성 솔로 최초 '록 인 리오' 메인 스테이지 선다Read the full story & photos at the source →
    아시아경제 기사 이미지Hwasa First K-pop Female Soloist on Rock in Rio Stage아시아경제 · Sep 11, 2026화사, K팝 여성 솔로 첫 브라질 '록 인 리오' 메인 무대Read the full story & photos at the source →
    MHN / 엠에이치앤 기사 이미지Hwasa First K-pop Female Soloist on Rock in Rio StageMHN / 엠에이치앤 · Sep 11, 2026화사, K팝 여성 솔로 최초 기록 쓴다…'록 인 리오' 메인 스테이지 출격Read the full story & photos at the source →
    전북제일신문 기사 이미지전북제일신문 · Sep 11, 2026화사 K팝 여성 솔로 아티스트 최초 브라질 ‘록 인 리오’ 출격, ‘K팝 대표 디바’ 증명 - 전북제일신문Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • NCsoft, Samsung Team Up for Tokyo Game Show Demo

    NCsoft, Samsung Team Up for Tokyo Game Show Demo

    As of September 11, 2026, Korean game maker NCsoft announced it's teaming up with Samsung Electronics for a joint demo booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026, opening on the 17th. Visitors will get hands-on time with NCsoft's new role-playing game on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, alongside a glasses-free 3D display exhibit.

    85 inchesSize of the 3D display at the booth entrance
    32 inchesSize of the additional 3D display along the walkway
    5 daysLength of the Tokyo Game Show 2026 event

    Key points

    • NCsoft will give the first public look at 'Astra: Oratio,' an RPG in development at studio Dynamis One.
    • Demos will run on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.
    • An 85-inch screen at the booth entrance will recreate an elevator from the game's world in 3D.
    • A 32-inch 3D display will also be placed along the exhibit walkway.

    NCsoft announced on the 11th that it's teaming up with Samsung Electronics on a joint booth at Japan's biggest gaming expo, which opens next week. Tokyo Game Show 2026 runs September 17 to 21.

    Visitors will get their first hands-on look at 'Astra: Oratio,' an RPG being developed by studio Dynamis One. The demo runs on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra, whose newly redesigned vapor chamber keeps performance steady even when high-end graphics are pushed for long stretches.

    The booth also features Samsung's own 3D display tech, called 'Spatial Signage,' which uses a 3D-plate technique to create glasses-free depth — the image looks like it's popping out of the screen. An 85-inch display at the entrance recreates the elevator inside the game's central 'special district office' building, with doors opening to reveal a life-size character stepping out.

    A second, 32-inch Spatial Signage unit sits along the walkway to keep the immersive effect going throughout the booth. Pairing game content with smartphone hardware in a single booth is being read as a way to generate buzz for the new title and showcase device performance at the same time.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, there's real interest in seeing a domestic game studio and an electronics giant share a booth at a major overseas expo. It's rare to see game content and smartphone hardware promoted together like this, and industry watchers see it as a new playbook for marketing content and devices as a package.

    FAQ

    What kind of game is Astra: Oratio?

    It's an RPG in development at studio Dynamis One, and this expo marks its first public hands-on demo.

    Can visitors actually play the game there?

    Yes — anyone who stops by NCsoft's booth can play it on the spot using a Galaxy S26 Ultra.

    What does Spatial Signage show?

    It's Samsung's glasses-free 3D display technology, used here to make in-game characters look like they're stepping out of the screen.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    연합뉴스 · Sep 11, 2026엔씨·삼성, 도쿄게임쇼서 손잡는다…게임·3D 전시 협업 | 연합뉴스Read the full story & photos at the source →
    매일경제 기사 이미지NCsoft, Samsung Team Up for Tokyo Game Show Demo매일경제 · Sep 11, 2026엔씨·삼성전자, ‘도쿄게임쇼 2026’서 게임 시연 및 전시 협업 나선다 - 매일경제Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • BTS’ South America Shows Head to Theater Screens

    BTS’ South America Shows Head to Theater Screens

    As of September 11, 2026, BTS has decided to screen two shows from its October South America tour on movie theater screens around the world. The concerts are in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil, and in Korea they'll be shown at CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox.

    80+ countriesCountries and regions holding simultaneous live-viewing screenings
    3,800+ theatersScreens worldwide participating in the broadcast
    14 showsTotal concerts on the October South America tour

    Key points

    • BTS will perform 14 shows total across Chile, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil throughout October.
    • The third Buenos Aires show (October 24) and the second São Paulo show (October 30) were picked for theatrical screening.
    • Korean ticket sales open at 10 a.m. on September 17, with international sales following at 10 p.m. the same day.
    • In regions with a big time difference from South America — like Korea, the rest of Asia, and Australia — the screenings air a day or two after the actual show.

    The news first surfaced three days ago, on September 10, when BTS's agency posted a notice on its fan community channel. The announcement named the screening program and specified exactly which shows would make it to theaters.

    Two shows made the cut: Buenos Aires's third concert and São Paulo's second. How they're screened depends on where you are — regions with a smaller time gap get the broadcast in real time, matched to local schedules, while places with a bigger time difference, like Korea and the rest of Asia and Australia, will see it days later.

    In Korea, you can catch it at CGV, Lotte Cinema, or Megabox. Tickets go on sale in stages starting September 17 — domestic sales open that morning, with international sales following at 10 p.m. the same day.

    These two screenings are just a slice of a much bigger run: BTS is spending all of October on the road across South America, with stops in Santiago, Lima, and Bogotá before wrapping up in Argentina and Brazil. Buenos Aires gets shows on October 21, 23, and 24; São Paulo follows with October 28, 30, and 31.

    The South America leg is part of BTS's 'Arirang' world tour — their first tour as a full seven-member group in roughly four years, since 2022. The tour kicked off in April at Goyang Stadium and has already swept through Japan, North America, and Europe.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, fans are busy trading theater booking timelines now that the tour has reached South America. Interest is spiking on two fronts: it's the first full-group tour in four years, and fans get to watch a concert happening on the other side of the planet from a local theater seat. For fans in far-flung time zones who can't catch it live, this screening is shaping up to be the next best thing.

    FAQ

    Can fans in Korea watch BTS's South America shows?

    Yes. One show each from Buenos Aires and São Paulo will screen at CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox, arriving on-screen a day or two after the actual concert.

    Is it a live broadcast?

    It depends on the region. Places with a small time difference get it live, matched to local time, while Korea and the rest of Asia and Australia get a delayed screening.

    What kind of tour is this?

    It's BTS's 'Arirang' world tour, their first as a full group in about four years. It started in Korea this past April and has moved through Japan, North America, and Europe on its way to South America in October.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    한국경제 기사 이미지BTS’ South America Shows Head to Theater Screens한국경제 · Sep 11, 2026韓에서 BTS 남미 공연 본다…방탄소년단 월드투어 극장 중계Read the full story & photos at the source →
    동아일보 기사 이미지BTS’ South America Shows Head to Theater Screens동아일보 · Sep 11, 2026BTS, 남미 공연 극장 생중계한다…80개국 3800개 관 진행Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock

    SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock

    As of September 10, 2026, SK hynix's management and labor union have reached a revised tentative bonus agreement that splits payouts evenly between cash and company stock. The new deal follows the rejection of an earlier agreement in a member vote, and the union plans to hold a ratification vote over two days, September 15 and 16.

    50% cash / 50% stockBase bonus payout split under the revised agreement
    Up to 100%Maximum stock share if employees opt in
    Sept. 15–16Scheduled dates for the union's ratification vote

    Key points

    • The revised deal lowers the stock share of bonus payouts from 60% to an even 50-50 split between cash and company shares.
    • Employees who prefer more stock can opt to raise the equity portion in 10-percentage-point increments, up to 100%.
    • Deferred bonus payments tied to last year's earnings, originally set to be paid out over the next two years, will now be paid earlier.
    • Eligibility for extra home-loan support now extends beyond married households to include single-parent families.

    SK hynix's management and union hammered out a new tentative agreement on September 9, then held an emergency delegates' meeting the same day before setting a two-day ratification vote for September 15 and 16. The move comes after an earlier agreement, reached last month, failed to pass the union's full membership vote, sending both sides back to the negotiating table.

    The core change in the revised deal is how bonuses get paid out. The stock portion of bonus compensation has been roughly cut in half, with cash making up the difference — though employees can flip that and choose to receive more stock, up to the full amount, if they prefer. The company said the change gives employees more flexibility to choose what fits their own circumstances.

    The earlier agreement collapsed over pushback against paying out a large share of bonuses in stock. It was voted down by a narrow margin last month, and with AI-driven chip demand pushing company profits sharply higher, how to split the bigger payout between cash and stock became the central sticking point in the renewed talks.

    The revised deal also adjusts payment timing and expands benefits. Deferred bonus payments based on last year's results — originally set to be spread out over the following two years — will now be paid sooner, and eligibility for extra home-loan assistance has been broadened to include single-parent households in addition to married couples.

    SK hynix's labor and management had previously agreed to pay bonuses based on a set share of last year's operating profit with no upper cap. With this year's profit climbing on the back of the semiconductor upswing, the fight over how to divide a bigger bonus pool between cash and stock became the sharpest point of disagreement between the two sides.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, this renewed agreement is being watched as a bellwether for wage and benefits negotiations across the chip industry. With earnings continuing to climb on surging AI demand, the debate over splitting bonuses between cash and company stock is seen as a reference point that other major corporate labor negotiations may draw on.

    FAQ

    How does this revised agreement differ from the earlier one?

    It lowers the stock portion of bonuses from 60% to 50% while raising the cash share, though employees can still opt back up to 100% stock if they choose.

    When is the union vote?

    Union members are set to vote on ratification over two days, September 15 and 16.

    Why did the earlier agreement fail?

    Many union members opposed paying out a large share of bonuses in company stock, and the deal was voted down by a narrow margin.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    매일경제 기사 이미지SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock매일경제 · Sep 10, 2026SK하이닉스 성과급 ‘현금 50% 주식50%’...노사 재합의 - 매일경제Read the full story & photos at the source →
    한국경제 기사 이미지SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock한국경제 · Sep 10, 2026"성과급 현금 50%·주식 50%"…SK하이닉스 노사 재투표 간다Read the full story & photos at the source →
    한겨레 기사 이미지SK Hynix Revises Bonus Deal: 50% Cash, 50% Stock한겨레 · Sep 10, 2026하이닉스 노사, 성과급 잠정합의안…현금 50%·자사주 50%Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career

    Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career

    As of September 10, 2026, Kim Garam, formerly of the girl group LE SSERAFIM, has pivoted to acting and unveiled a new set of profile photos. Her new agency, Management GU, says she's currently reviewing potential projects. It marks her first official comeback signal roughly four years after leaving the group.

    Key points

    • New agency Management GU released fresh profile photos marking her shift to acting.
    • She left the girl group years ago following allegations of school violence during her adolescence.
    • She has been studying acting at Konkuk University and sharing practice clips on YouTube.
    • She's now weighing her next project while also training in foreign languages and physical conditioning, according to her agency.

    Kim Garam's new profile shoot, marking her acting debut, leans into restrained expressions and a range of moods. Management GU, which produced the shoot, said it wanted to showcase her versatility and growth potential, adding that it plans to back her upcoming acting work.

    Her time in the public eye traces back to her girl-group debut. Not long after the group made its name, allegations of violence from her middle school years surfaced, and her activities were suspended before her contract with her original agency was terminated shortly after. Accounts from the alleged parties and from Kim Garam's side diverged at the time; she later posted a statement acknowledging her own immaturity in handling the situation.

    Even during her time away from the spotlight, she didn't abandon a path back. She began studying on-camera acting at university starting in 2024, and this past March started posting practice videos on her own YouTube channel, reconnecting with the public on her own terms. That visibility reportedly caught her new agency's attention, leading to a formal contract signed this past June.

    The agency cited her consistency and drive to grow as the reasons behind the signing, noting that alongside acting training, she has also been studying English and Japanese and working on physical conditioning. No specific project has been finalized yet, with her team saying she's currently weighing options for her next move.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, this is being discussed as a case study in a public figure once at the center of controversy attempting a pivot into a new field. As word spreads that she kept studying and building her own content even after leaving the group, online reaction is split between optimism about her acting potential and lingering concern over the earlier controversy — a reminder that public opinion on entertainment-industry comebacks remains divided.

    FAQ

    What group was Kim Garam part of?

    She was an original member of the girl group LE SSERAFIM, which debuted in 2022, before leaving the team.

    Why did she leave the group?

    Allegations of violence from her school years surfaced around her debut, and her contract with her original agency was terminated as a result.

    What is she doing now?

    She signed with a new agency in June 2026, pivoted to acting, and is currently reviewing her next project.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    조선일보 기사 이미지Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career조선일보 · Sep 10, 2026'학폭 논란→르세라핌 탈퇴' 김가람, 배우 활동 시동Read the full story & photos at the source →
    동아일보 기사 이미지Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career동아일보 · Sep 10, 2026‘학폭 논란→르세라핌 탈퇴’ 김가람, 배우 활동 시동Read the full story & photos at the source →
    동아일보 기사 이미지Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career동아일보 · Sep 10, 2026‘르세라핌 전 멤버’ 김가람, 배우 전향 ‘청초한’ 새 프로필 공개Read the full story & photos at the source →
    Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career세계일보 · Sep 10, 2026그룹 르세라핌 출신 김가람, 배우 활동 시동Read the full story & photos at the source →
    이투데이 기사 이미지Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career이투데이 · Sep 10, 2026'이제는 배우' 김가람, 새 프로필 공개Read the full story & photos at the source →
    Kim Garam, Ex-LE SSERAFIM, Pivots to Acting Career여성신문 · Sep 10, 2026르세라핌 출신 김가람, 배우 활동 시동 “차기작 검토 중”Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart

    BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart

    As of September 10, 2026, BTS's "Swim" landed at No. 2 on Billboard's Global Excl. U.S. year-end Song of the Summer recap and No. 6 on the combined Global 200 version. The tally combines streaming and sales data gathered from more than 200 markets over nearly four months of summer.

    No. 6Billboard Global 200 summer year-end ranking
    No. 2Billboard Global Excl. U.S. summer year-end ranking
    No. 29"Arirang" position on the latest Billboard 200
    8 timesNumber of Global Excl. U.S. chart-topping weeks for "Swim"

    Key points

    • "Swim," off BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang," topped the Global Excl. U.S. chart eight separate weeks and stayed in the top five for 23 weeks.
    • On the combined Global 200 chart, it hit No. 1 four times and held a top-10 spot for 19 weeks.
    • "Arirang" climbed two spots to No. 29 on the latest Billboard 200, still charting nearly six months after release.
    • The "Swim" music video won Best Group Video at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan on September 8.

    Billboard puts out its "Global Song of the Summer" recap every year, tallying up the season's music consumption — and this year's edition is built on streaming and sales data gathered by Luminate from more than 200 markets worldwide. BTS's "Swim" landed at No. 2 on the version that excludes the U.S. and No. 6 on the chart that folds America back in.

    That result comes down to staying power. "Swim" held onto the upper reaches of the chart all summer long, topping the Global Excl. U.S. ranking eight separate times and hitting No. 1 on the combined Global 200 on four occasions. Rather than a brief spike, the song logged nearly four straight months near the top.

    The album that carries "Swim," BTS's fifth studio record "Arirang," is still going strong too. When it dropped in March, it became the first BTS album since 2020's "BE" to debut atop both the Billboard 200 and the flagship singles chart in the same week. It then held the No. 1 album spot for three straight weeks, and nearly six months later it's still charting — up two spots to No. 29 on the latest list.

    Billboard pointed to a major summer stage moment as part of the story. In mid-July, BTS headlined the halftime show at the FIFA World Cup final at a stadium in New Jersey alongside Shakira, Justin Bieber and Madonna — the first time a World Cup final has ever featured a halftime show at all.

    The same recap also spotlighted BLACKPINK's Jennie, whose collaboration with Tame Impala cracked the upper rankings. Back in 2023, BTS's Jungkook became the first K-pop act to top this year-end list with his track alongside rapper Latto, and this year's showing suggests K-pop's summer dominance on the chart has become a multi-year pattern.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, the news is spreading fast through fandom circles and entertainment outlets. What's drawing particular attention is that BTS — now back to full-group activity — is still holding strong on major overseas charts with an album released six months ago, and the renewed spotlight on the World Cup connection. Coverage of K-pop groups' overseas chart performance continues to be a fixture of domestic entertainment news.

    FAQ

    What album is "Swim" from?

    It's the title track off BTS's fifth studio album, "Arirang."

    What is Billboard's Global Song of the Summer?

    It's Billboard's annual ranking of the world's most popular songs, based on streaming and sales data collected throughout the summer.

    What does this achievement mean for BTS?

    It shows the song and album still ranking near the top worldwide six months after release — a sign of real staying power rather than a short-lived hit.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    조선일보 기사 이미지BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart조선일보 · Sep 10, 2026방탄소년단 'SWIM', 美 빌보드 '글로벌 송 오브 더 서머' 선정Read the full story & photos at the source →
    동아일보 기사 이미지BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart동아일보 · Sep 10, 2026BTS ‘스윔’, 美 빌보드 올해의 글로벌 여름 노래 6위 등극Read the full story & photos at the source →
    텐아시아 기사 이미지BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart텐아시아 · Sep 10, 2026방탄소년단 'SWIM', 올여름 전 세계 휩쓸었다…빌보드 글로벌 2위 | 텐아시아Read the full story & photos at the source →
    이투데이 기사 이미지BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart이투데이 · Sep 10, 2026방탄소년단, 빌보드 ‘2026 글로벌 송 오브 더 서머’ 진입⋯‘스윔’ 꾸준한 인기Read the full story & photos at the source →
    헤럴드경제 기사 이미지BTS’s ‘Swim’ Rides High on Billboard’s Summer Chart헤럴드경제 · Sep 10, 2026BTS·제니, 美 빌보드 ‘2026 서머송’ 최상위권…K-팝 첫 1위는?Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI

    Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI

    As of September 9, 2026, Samsung Electronics has formed a strategic partnership with French AI company Mistral AI to jointly build a proprietary AI model tailored to semiconductor design and manufacturing. Samsung also joined as a major investor, leading a large new funding round for Mistral AI.

    ≈4.7 trillion won (~$3.4B)Size of the Samsung-led investment round in Mistral AI
    30+ trillion won (~$22B)Mistral AI's valuation following the round

    Key points

    • The two companies sealed the partnership around the time of the Korea-France summit in Paris.
    • The plan combines manufacturing data from Samsung's Device Solutions (chip) division with Mistral AI's language-model technology to build a dedicated AI system.
    • The AI will run only on Samsung's internal infrastructure to prevent sensitive data from leaving the company.
    • Samsung led a new investment round in Mistral AI alongside this partnership.

    At the core of the deal is a plan to merge Samsung's vast trove of chip design and manufacturing data with Mistral AI's large language model technology to create an AI built specifically for semiconductor work. The resulting system will be rolled out gradually to catch defects early and optimize production processes, with the goal of shortening product development timelines and boosting manufacturing quality.

    Notably, the AI model will run entirely on Samsung's own servers rather than in the cloud. Since chip-related information is classified as core national technology in Korea, the setup is designed to let Samsung tap into cutting-edge AI without sending sensitive data outside the company. Samsung says it plans to extend the system across its memory and foundry businesses, and eventually build out an AI ecosystem that includes partners and customers.

    Mistral AI, Samsung's new partner, is a French startup founded in 2023 by researchers who previously worked at Google DeepMind and Meta. The company has built a track record of deploying customized, self-hosted AI for security-sensitive industries like finance, manufacturing, and energy, and is frequently cited as Europe's answer to an AI market otherwise dominated by the US and China.

    Separate from the technology partnership, Samsung also took the lead in raising new capital for Mistral AI, teaming up with a European private equity firm on the round. Existing major shareholders — global chipmakers and software companies — also chipped in additional funding. The round pushed Mistral AI's valuation sharply higher just three years after its founding.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, the tie-up is widely read as a bold move by Samsung to stay ahead in the chip race, where design and process complexity keep climbing. Partnering with an overseas AI firm to speed up development is seen as a strategic bet, and it's expected to intensify the broader push toward AI adoption across Korea's semiconductor industry.

    FAQ

    What kind of company is Mistral AI?

    It's a French AI startup founded in 2023 that has built customized AI systems for security-sensitive industries, and is seen as one of Europe's leading AI companies.

    What does Samsung get out of this partnership?

    A dedicated AI model that can securely use its chip design and manufacturing data to speed up defect detection and process optimization.

    Did Samsung also invest in Mistral AI?

    Yes — alongside the technology partnership, Samsung led a new funding round for Mistral AI and became one of its key investors.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    경향신문 기사 이미지Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI경향신문 · Sep 09, 2026삼성전자, 프랑스 미스트랄AI와 ‘반도체 특화 AI’ 만든다Read the full story & photos at the source →
    파이낸셜뉴스 기사 이미지Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI파이낸셜뉴스 · Sep 09, 2026삼성전자, 미스트랄 AI와 전략적 파트너십..반도체 특화 AI 구축Read the full story & photos at the source →
    헤럴드경제 기사 이미지Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI헤럴드경제 · Sep 09, 2026삼성전자, 유럽 최고 AI 기업 미스트랄 AI와 ‘반도체 특화 AI 모델’ 개발한다Read the full story & photos at the source →
    이데일리 기사 이미지Samsung Teams Up With Mistral AI on Chip-Focused AI이데일리 · Sep 09, 2026삼성, '佛AI 기업' 미스트랄 4.7조 투자 주도…반도체 특화 AI 개발(종합)Read the full story & photos at the source →

  • Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart

    Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart

    As of September 9, 2026, Netflix's mystery thriller 'Deuljwi,' starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu, has climbed to No. 1 on the platform's global non-English TV chart just two weeks after its release. Inspired by Korean folklore, the series has landed in the top 10 in 45 countries and counting.

    4.4 million viewsGlobal non-English viewership in week two
    45 countriesCountries where it hit the global top 10 simultaneously

    Key points

    • 'Deuljwi' premiered globally on Netflix on August 28.
    • It debuted at No. 5 on the non-English TV chart before jumping to No. 1 in its second week.
    • The story follows a novelist stripped of his name and face by a mysterious entity, a debt collector chasing his money, and a detective digging into the case.
    • Ryu Jun-yeol takes on dual roles for the first time in his career.

    'Deuljwi' — adapted from the webtoon of the same name — draws on an old Korean folktale about a rat that eats a person's fingernail clippings and transforms into that person. Building on creator Ludovico's original story, the series follows a reclusive novelist whose entire identity has been stolen by an unidentified being, a loan shark desperate to recover his lost money, and a detective chasing leads — three people with different agendas whose paths collide.

    The series is directed by a filmmaker known for genre work, and marks the first time Ryu Jun-yeol has played two characters in the same project across his entire filmography. Sul Kyung-gu and Lee Kyu-hyung round out the cast as characters with their own hidden pasts, and critics say their performances help ratchet up the tension.

    The show opened at No. 5, but word of mouth pushed it to the top spot within just a week. By Netflix's viewership-hours metric, it posted the highest numbers of any non-English title on the platform, and it simultaneously broke into the top 10 in multiple regions, including Korea — a sign the story is resonating well beyond its home market.

    International outlets have also taken note of how the show handles its unusual premise, with reviews across several countries praising its deliberately tense cinematography and pacing. Viewers have responded to the way each episode reveals a new piece of the puzzle, along with the show's distinctive score.

    In Korea right nowIn Korea, the win is being celebrated as part of a bigger trend — webtoon adaptations keep landing near the top of Netflix's charts. With other Korean-led series also cracking the global top 10 around the same time, many see 'Deuljwi's' success less as a one-off hit and more proof of Korean dramas' staying power worldwide.

    FAQ

    Where can I watch 'Deuljwi'?

    It's streaming worldwide on Netflix.

    Is it based on a webtoon?

    Yes, it's adapted from the webtoon of the same name by creator Ludovico.

    What's the story about?

    It's a mystery thriller centered on a man who loses his identity to an unknown entity, following a novelist, a loan shark, and a detective as they each chase the truth for their own reasons.

    📎 원문 보기 · Sources

    매일경제 기사 이미지Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart매일경제 · Sep 09, 2026류준열 1인 2역…공개 2주만에 1위, 전세계 난리난 한국 드라마 - 매일경제Read the full story & photos at the source →
    이데일리 기사 이미지Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart이데일리 · Sep 09, 2026류준열·설경구 '들쥐', 넷플릭스 글로벌 비영어 쇼 1위Read the full story & photos at the source →
    TV리포트 기사 이미지Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix ChartTV리포트 · Sep 09, 2026류준열·설경구, 글로벌 차트 평정…'들쥐', 넷플릭스 글로벌 1위 등극Read the full story & photos at the source →
    아주경제 기사 이미지Ryu Jun-yeol Thriller ‘Deuljwi’ Tops Netflix Chart아주경제 · Sep 09, 2026류준열·설경구 통했다…'들쥐', 글로벌 비영어 쇼 1위 등극…45개국 톱10 | 아주경제Read the full story & photos at the source →