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Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
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Quick Read In series
Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
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Samyang’s fiery comeback explained in 2 minutes
TSamyang Foods, South Korea’s pioneer in instant ramyeon, found itself tasting defeat in the 1980s, when Nongshim stirred up the market and expanded into the nation’s dominant noodle maker. Yet, with o
Hyundai’s big bet beyond cars: Physical AI in 2 minutes
Hyundai Motor Group wants to move beyond car manufacturing and become a physical artificial intelligence company spanning autonomous vehicles, robots, intelligent factories and urban infrastructure. The world’s third-largest automaker by volume believes its manufacturing scale, global factory network, technology talent, big tech partnerships and ownership of Boston Dynamics could give it an edge in bringing AI into the physical world. • Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun unveiled t
Aug. 2, 2026 - 19:33:11
Canada's submarine decision: Beyond Hanwha's loss in 2 minutes
After a highly publicized 10-month battle, South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has lost its bid to supply Canada with multibillion-dollar submarines to Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Canada selected TKMS as the preferred supplier for its Canadian Patrol Submarine Project on Monday, dealing a setback to Hanwha Ocean and its consortium partner HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. But the result also showed how far South Korea’s submarine industry has advanced, as Hanwha Ocean competed head-to-he
July 7, 2026 - 18:13:19
Starbucks Korea’s ‘Tank Day’ fiasco explained in 2 minutes
Starbucks Korea is facing one of the biggest crises in its history after a marketing campaign triggered accusations that it mocked South Korea’s historic democratization movements and victims of state violence. The controversy has sparked nationwide backlash, executive dismissals, police complaints and renewed scrutiny over the ownership structure between Emart, a core retail unit of Shinsegae Group, and Starbucks’ US headquarters.
May 27, 2026 - 17:42:14
Coupang data breach in 2 minutes
The fallout continues after a data breach at South Korea’s leading e-commerce platform Coupang exposed the personal information of nearly three-quarters of the Korean population. Two months after the breach was made public in November, the government and the company are at odds over how to untangle the aftermath. Despite the air of uncertainty, the issue makes one thing clear: Coupang is deeply enmeshed in the nation’s everyday commerce and way of life.
Jan. 25, 2026 - 17:20:59
Why Hyundai's GBC took a decade, explained in 2 minutes
After more than a decade of delays, redesigns and conflicts, Hyundai Motor Group has finally secured the green light to move forward with its long-stalled headquarters project in southern Seoul. The Seoul city government said last week that negotiations over Hyundai’s Global Business Complex in Samseong-dong had been completed. Under the new plan, the automaker will build three 49-story towers, scaling back from an initial plan for a 105-story supertower, with completion by 2031. Military object
Jan. 12, 2026 - 16:48:21
Ascent of new K-beauty big 3 in 2 minutes
The long reign of K-beauty’s old guard — Amorepacific, LG Household & Health Care and Aekyung Industrial — no longer holds in today’s context. In their place, a new trio has emerged: APR, d’Alba Global and Goodai Global. All are steered by male CEOs born in the 1980s, each pursuing distinct strategies but all pushing toward the same global spotlight.
Sept. 4, 2025 - 13:55:58
Korea’s sizzling burger market in 2 minutes
Korea’s appetite for burgers — which in local parlance is not limited just to beef — as a staple meal has never been stronger, with the market’s value climbing from 2.1 trillion won ($1.51 billion) in 2014 to a projected 5 trillion won this year, according to market research firm Euromonitor. While both international and domestic chains race to capture a bigger share of the market, a clear pattern is taking shape: international brands localize, while domestic players go global.
Aug. 25, 2025 - 10:50:58
Probe into ‘Hitman’ Bang Si-hyuk, explained in 2 minutes
Though Bang Si-hyuk, the K-pop mogul behind BTS, has enjoyed enormous success with Hybe’s global rise and a personal fortune nearing 3.5 trillion won ($2.5 billion), his career now faces one of its toughest tests. Korea’s regulators have launched a rare multiagency probe into alleged stock manipulation tied to the 2019 initial public offering of Hybe (then Big Hit Entertainment). The legal storm threatens both his reputation and the company’s credibility.
Aug. 18, 2025 - 15:50:17
Hyundai's US tariff headache, explained in 2 minutes
The new 15 percent tariff deal between South Korea and the US is forcing Hyundai Motor Group to fundamentally rethink its strategy in its second-largest market. With the loss of its zero-tariff edge under the South Korea-US free trade agreement, the Korean auto giant is now grappling with tough choices — from adjusting vehicle prices to relocating production of key models from Korea to the US.
Aug. 6, 2025 - 16:03:33
Korea’s anti-obesity drug race in 2 minutes
A lot of people are trying to lose weight for a healthier life, a better appearance or self-satisfaction — but losing weight is not all that easy. For those struggling to cut fat, anti-obesity medications are practically magical. With the global weight-loss drug market expected to reach $150 billion in 2035, Korean pharmaceutical companies are rushing to come up with their own anti-obesity medications. Here’s how far they have come so far.
Aug. 4, 2025 - 14:54:05
More than seaweed: Unwrapping gim in 2 minutes
Once a savory companion to rice on Korean tables, Korean dried seaweed, or gim, has risen to global fame. Yet do you really know about it -- and if so, how much? Discover more below: The expanding role of gim in Korea’s economy, and, in parallel, the nation’s growing role in harnessing it for a more sustainable food future and climate action. Companies leading innovation in land-based farming: Companies leading innovation in land-based farming:
July 23, 2025 - 17:06:11
Stimulus coupons: An FAQ in 2 minutes
1st round: 2nd round: Korean nationals: Foreign nationals: Small retailers with annual sales under 3 billion won are eligible. These include: Not eligible: Large retailers, online malls, corporate-operated franchise stores, luxury goods shops, duty-free shops, and non-purchase expenses such as taxes and utilities 1st round of applications: July 21 to Sept. 12 2nd round of applications: Sept. 22 to Oct. 31
July 14, 2025 - 10:52:58
Where did Korea’s city cars go? Find out in 2 minutes
Once a major force in Korea’s auto market, city cars — with engines under 1,000 cubic centimeters and priced around 10 million won ($7,330) — are rapidly disappearing from Korean roads. The segment, which saw annual sales of over 200,000 units and left iconic models like the Tico and Matiz, has continued to decline, dropping another 32 percent to just 36,989 units in the first half of 2025. City cars remain popular in Korea’s used car market, especially among novice drivers for their ease of dri
July 8, 2025 - 10:53:53
K-defense surge: 5 stocks to know in 2 minutes
Korean defense companies have enjoyed a surge over the past year, scoring a series of mega-deals with foreign countries to export their defense systems. Below, we've covered the basics of the five major players — Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, LIG Nex1, Korea Aerospace Industries and Poongsan — by order of market capitalization as of June 20, 2025.
June 20, 2025 - 16:37:25
K-beauty’s US crown under tariff strain in 2 minutes
Korean beauty, born from local culture, is now soaring on a global scale. Its triumph is most vividly illustrated in the US, where it became the top cosmetics exporter in 2024, surpassing former leader France for the first time. Despite this meteoric rise, however, a question remains: How far can K-beauty go at this pivotal juncture, now clouded by looming tariffs? • Global K-content wave meets lab-developed innovation, popularized through e-commerce • Localized, high-quality products with clean
June 9, 2025 - 08:22:37
