BTS label Big Hit gears for IPO

The South Korean music label behind K-pop sensation BTS has filed for a preliminary review for an initial public offering, according to the nation’s stock market operator Korea Exchange (KRX) on May 29. 　Founded in 2005 by music producer Bang Si-hyuk, Big Hit Entertainment houses BTS and other K-pop singers and bands, including Lee Hyun and Tomorrow X Together. 　Bang, who serves as the entertainment firm’s chairman, currently holds 45.1 percent stake, while mobile gaming firm Netma

FTC approves Hyundai Oilbank-SK Networks merger

South Korea’s antitrust watchdog has approved Hyundai Oilbank’s plan to take over SK Networks’ gas station business, officials said on May 29. 　Upon the approval, Hyundai Oilbank has become the second-largest in the industry in terms of the number of gas stations as it has acquired 306 SK Networks gas stations. SK Energy remains number one. 　The oil refining firm signed a contract with SK Networks to acquire its retail business of petroleum products on Feb. 28 and reported

Samsung SDI injects capital into JV for EV battery materials

South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI said on May 29 it has started injecting capital into EcoPro EM, a joint venture with EcoPro BM, a supplier of electric vehicle battery materials to Samsung. 　According to Samsung SDI, it will fund a total of 120 billion won ($96.9 million) with EcoPro BM into EcoPro EM. Samsung SDI and EcoPro BM will contribute 48 billion won and 72 billion won, respectively, to control 40 percent and 60 percent of the JV, respectively.  　The JV is expected to beg

SK Telecom to develop AI-based post production platform

SK Telecom on May 29 said that the company would develop an AI-based post production platform to help local firms to export cultural products abroad. 　The South Korean telecommunications firm said it recently signed a memorandum of understanding with local post production firm New ID to collaborate on the project. 　“The latest signing came to meet increased foreign demand for Korea‘s cultural productions,” the company said. “The two companies expect the new platform co

Han So-hee says ‘The World of the Married’ changed her life

Even in sensational South Korean dramas, it is not often the case that a mistress, taking the place of the wife and having the cheating husband’s baby, gets the support and love of viewers. But that is what happened with Yeo Da-kyung in JTBC’s “The World of the Married,” and rookie actress Han So-hee, who played Yeo, is also experiencing unprecedented popularity. “It’s actually astounding. My life has changed. I’m not saying I’m happy that my li

JANDI: Usurping KakaoTalk in Korea’s work communication

Toss Lab, the maker of innovative collaboration tool JANDI, has established itself at the top of South Korea’s growing work communication platform market. The fledgling company, in just six years, has managed to go head-on with not only domestic competitors such as Flow and Collabee but also global companies like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Ironically, however, these direct competitors offer far less of a challenge than that of the immensely popular messenger service KakaoTalk, in JANDI

All it takes is a page a day

Espressobook CEO says anyone can become an author with the Harubook app

Linkflow seeks to be Korea’s first hardware unicorn with 360-degree wearable cameras

They may look like Bluetooth neckband headsets, but Linkflow’s FITT360 and NEXX360 are cameras that allow users to capture 360-degree shots of their surroundings. FITT360 and NEXX360 each have four cameras which constantly take photos and instantaneously process them into 360-degree videos. This camera concept was born out of founder Kim Yong-kuk’s romantic desire to capture the beautiful scenery of his honeymoon in Hawaii in all its glory.  Kim, who had at that point had

Record traffic jams expected in 2020 summer vacation

SEJONG -- This summer, during the vacation season in particular, extraordinary traffic jams are expected on major expressways nationwide in the wake of the novel coronavirus. This is because there is a high possibility that most vacationers will give up overseas travel this year. Instead, they are likely to choose to stay at local beaches and mountains. This could bring a bounce-back in the consumption index and a surge in tax revenue – via tolls and gasoline taxes -- during the third q

Chinese solar firms suck air from Korean industry

Hanwha Q Cells continues lonely battle against cheaper Chinese solar modules

S. Korean stock market recovers faster than its global peers

In 12 weeks, Kospi surges nearly 40%, but rising Sino-US conflict is burden: analysts

International air routes relaunch, but worries linger

South Korean air carriers suffering from the impact of COVID-19 outbreak plan to gradually relaunch their international routes from next month but worries linger over prospects of a business recovery, according to industry sources Tuesday. Low-cost carrier Jin Air said Tuesday that it is resuming five international routes including Incheon-Bangkok, Incheon-Hanoi, Incheon-Taipei, Incheon-Narita and Incheon-Osaka from next month. It comes two months after it suspended the routes over the virus p