Next K-wave in Asia: Convenience stores
When South Korean major convenience store chain CU opened its first branch in Malaysia on April 1, there was a queue of more than 100 meters to get ...
Police fund to appoint equities specialist as CIO
South Korea's Police Mutual Aid Association (PMAA) has picked Han Jong-seok, a former chief investment officer of Meritz Asset Management Co. and eq...
K-pop fan engagement platform DearU begins process for Nov IPO
How much will you pay to chat with your favorite K-pop groups such as TWICE every day? A South Korean startup generated 20 billion won ($16.9 millio...
Time to invest in luxury hotels in Korea: JLL executive
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly hard on the hotel industry, exposing it as one of the most vulnerable to the crisis amid the global lock...
Processed rice goods emerge as dark horse in agri-food exports
Despite the global pandemic, exports of processed rice goods hit an all-time high at $137.6 million in 2020, up by 26.9% compared to the previous ...
Real Packing envisions borderless e-commerce ecosystem via videos
South Korea-based startup Real Packing is on a mission to build a trust-based society via its fact-checking video system.Launched in 2016, Real Pack...
Blackstone, Hahn & Co. to reap $800 mn from two Korean IPOs
South Korea's largest used car seller K Car Co., wholly owned by Hahn & Co., will go public on the country's main stock exchange in October, whi...
K Bank valued at $6.9 billion, needs to expand loans: Morgan Stanley
K Bank, the digital banking unit of South Korea’s telecom giant KT Corp., is valued at 8 trillion won ($6.9 billion) and could further raise i...
SM to absorb music production unit before founder's stake sale
SM Entertainment Co., a South Korean music powerhouse, will absorb a music production company wholly owned by its founder and chief producer Lee Soo...
OTT startup Watcha expands into music distribution service
South Korea-based over-the-top (OTT) startup Watcha Inc. is ramping up efforts to transform into a comprehensive content data company as it expands ...
Baby Shark creator eyes 2022 listing, begins due diligence
South Korea-based edtech startup SmartStudy, the creator of YouTube's current most-viewed video, Pinkfong Baby Shark Dance, has begun preparations f...
S.Korean telcos accelerate diversification amid strong Q2
South Korea’s two largest telecom companies, SK Telecom Co. and KT Corp., have both delivered strong second-quarter results driven by rapid gr...
K-pop evolves far beyond Korean nationality and language
South Korean music, entertainment and content firms are undergoing a major transformation in their business model. No longer is their discovery of n...
Seoul to create K-beauty road as part of interactive tourism
South Korea’s capital city Seoul will set up a walking route full of beauty products, services and interactive programs for visiting tourists....
Lessons learned from Blackpink label's M&A flops
South Korea-based YG Entertainment Inc., the label behind popular K-pop girl group Blackpink, is pushing to sell off its profitable golf business in...
4by4's AI solution for high-def video content lures metaverse players
Displays are everywhere – refrigerators, automobiles, and even robots. And this display boom has sparked a fresh opportunity for 4by4 Inc., a ...
Samsung Galaxy boosts YouTube Music’s market share in Korea
YouTube is quickly growing in South Korea’s music market, the world’s sixth-largest. The number of YouTube Music’s monthly active ...
No.1 K-pop goods maker Copan Global eyes digital expansion
The world of K-pop is globally known for offering a truly wide selection of merchandise items for fans. While balloons were the only goods used by t...
Paint makers lure MZers with YouTube stars, fashion brand
A car pulls in front of an old warehouse. In funky and vivid outfits and holding various tools in their hands, five boys and girls from the Ambiguou...
HYBE CEO steps down to focus on music production
BTS agency HYBE’s founder Bang Si-hyuk will resign from his position as CEO to focus on music production. HYBE said that Bang will remain as c...
Atlas Labs makes it easy to transcribe phone calls via AI technology
South Korean startup Atlas Labs is making it easier for people to keep track of their phone conversations via Switch, an app that uses artificial in...
BTS performs epic dance-off with Boston Dynamics robots
The global sensation BTS, topping the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for the fifth week with its latest hit Butter, has stepped outside the human realm in ...
Malaysia becomes preferred destination for Korea’s convenience chains
South Korea’s major convenience store chains are rushing to enter the Malaysian market. E-Mart 24, the convenience chain operated by Shinsegae...
Tencent-backed Krafton's mega IPO seen as overvalued
South Korea-based game publisher Krafton Inc.'s highly-anticipated initial public offering is raising concerns that it may be overvalued. The compan...
DearU strives to catch up with leading K-pop fan platform Weverse
Imagine getting this text from your favorite K-pop group member: “Hey, what did you eat for lunch? Can’t wait to see you at the concert ...
K-pop fan engagement platform DearU eyes H2 listing
South Korea-based fan platform DearU Co. has filed a preliminary application to the Korea Exchange with plans for a trading debut on the country&rsq...
Toss Bank to compete with K Bank, Kakao Bank from September
Toss Bank in September will enter the race of internet-only banks in South Korea as the third player, competing against K Bank and Kakao Bank. Toss ...
Chips, autos set S.Korea’s May export growth at fastest pace in 32 years
South Korea’s exports surged to the highest level in over 32 years in May on the back of strong demand for semiconductors and automobiles, rei...
K-pop content platforms team up to take lead in community market
Platform operators targeting global K-pop fans are mired in fierce competition as companies team up to vie for the lead in the fan community platfor...
Kakao joins OTT race with INISOFT acquisition
Kakao Corp. is entering the over-the-top (OTT) streaming market. According to investment banking sources on May 27, Kakao’s entertainment and ...
