'Our full effort': How the MASGA hat was designed by AI, stitched in Seoul and flown across the Pacific

This article is by Kim Yeon-joo and read by an artificial voice. The government's recent tax reform - tougher taxes on the stock market - is sparking strong backlash from retail investors. Retail investors argue that the plan to lower the threshold for being classified as a major shareholder from 5 billion won ($3.61 million) to 1 billion won is neither fair nor effective. A petition titled "Oppose Lowering the Major Shareholder Capital Gains Tax Threshold" in Korean posted on the National Assembly's public petition board had garnered over 125,000 signatures by 3 p.m. on Monday. Because the petition surpassed 50,000 signatures, it will be referred to a relevant committee within the National Assembly. Although the reform package includes other controversial measures - such as an increase in the transaction tax from 0.15 percent to 0.2 percent and a reduction in benefits for separate taxation of dividend income - it is the proposed revision to the major shareholder rule that has sparked the most public outcry. Retail investors say the 1 billion won threshold for stock holdings is unfair compared to standards for property taxation. "In the past, owning 1 billion won worth of stocks was considered a large amount, but now many ordinary investors who have steadily invested in blue-chip or dividend-paying stocks over the years hold more than that," an official from the retail division of a local brokerage said. "In real estate, long-term holding deductions mean people can earn tens of billions of won in profit without significant tax burdens," the official added. "But in the stock market, the major shareholder rule is applied too stringently, which creates a sense of reverse discrimination." Rep. Lee So-young of the Democratic Party echoed this sentiment, questioning whether someone holding 1 billion won in stocks should be considered a major shareholder when the average apartment price in Seoul has reached 1.4 billion won. Critics also argue that the reform would do little to raise tax revenue and could instead heighten market volatility. "Major shareholders already use strategies like selling off stocks before year-end and using CFDs [contracts for difference] to avoid higher taxes on dividends and capital gains," the Korean Corporate Governance Forum said in a statement. The group claimed that lowering the threshold to 1 billion won would not meaningfully increase tax collection. While the principle of taxing capital gains is sound, critics say that the government's policy direction is inconsistent with its own goals, such as reaching "Kospi 5000" and encouraging the shift of funds from real estate into the stock market. Kim Bong-soo, a KAIST professor and well-known retail investor, wrote on social media that the reform effectively "penalizes" individuals who invest more than 1 billion won in a single stock, likening it to a "multi-homeowner penalty" - but for stockholders. "The government should stop pushing policies that depress stock prices while touting slogans like 'Kospi 5000,'" he wrote. However, some complaints have been based on misconceptions - for instance, the idea that foreign investors are subject to looser tax rules. Critics claim that foreigners are not taxed on capital gains if they own less than 25 percent of a company. "Foreigners could own over 100 trillion won in Samsung Electronics and still not be subject to capital gains tax in Korea," said Jung Eui-jung, head of the Korea Stockholders Alliance, a claim that was subsequently countered by a government official as misleading. "Just as Korean investors pay capital gains tax on overseas stocks, foreign investors are taxed in their home countries - that's the global standard," the official said. "If their stake exceeds 25 percent, they must also pay additional tax in Korea, so it's not accurate to say they're treated more favorably than locals." As retail investors' resistance grows, politicians are also beginning to retreat from the proposal. On Monday, R...

This article is by Yim Seung-hye and read by an artificial voice. Olive Young is eyeing the opening of its inaugural U.S. store in Los Angeles by the end of 2026's first half, having already set up a subsidiary there in February in preparation for the overseas expansion. The announcement was made in a press release about its title sponsorship for the KCON LA 2025 music event that ran from Aug. 1 to 3. "This activation marks a major milestone in the brand's journey to bring its trusted K-beauty experience to North America, with its first U.S. store set to open in Los Angeles in late H1 2026," the statement read. CJ Olive Young established CJ Olive Young USA in Los Angeles to expand its presence in the world's biggest beauty products market. At KCON LA, Olive Young showcased 164 products from 64 brands, including three of its award-winning private labels - Bioheal Boh, Bringgreen and Colorgram. In total, the company highlighted 66 brands across interactive zones designed to spotlight skincare, color cosmetics and wellness. One standout feature was the "Beauty Box" pop-up, a curated starter kit with products from six brands currently available in the United States, including Biodance, Dr.Althea, numbuzin and Round Lab. Visitors could explore the kit on-site and continue their experience online via the Olive Young Global app, where a limited-time offer tied to the event is live. A separate area showed off the company's core skincare lineup. The showcase focused on four categories - essence and serum, sun care, sheet masks and pads, as well as creams - offering a glimpse at products expected to hit shelves when the Los Angeles store opens next year. Olive Young also created branded experience zones for its three house labels. Bioheal Boh Lab offered demonstrations of anti-aging and lifting treatments, while Bringgreen Nurse's Office allowed guests to receive personalized skincare diagnoses. Colorgram Art Room invited attendees to test out its signature high-pigment color cosmetics. "We're excited to bring our 'All Live Young' philosophy to life at KCON LA 2025," said Jin Se-hoon, executive vice president of Olive Young's Global Platform Business. "This is a meaningful step in bringing Olive Young's trusted and inclusive K-beauty experience to the U.S. market." Founded in 1999, Olive Young operates over 1,370 stores and is part of the CJ Group. It remains the leading K-beauty and wellness retailer in Korea.

This article is by Chon Kwon-pil and read by an artificial voice. Korea is trapped in a punishing cycle of extreme heat and torrential rain. As soon as a weeklong bout of record-breaking heat had ended, powerful downpours began sweeping across the country on Sunday, raising concerns that such extreme summer weather is becoming the "new normal." According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), a dense band of rain clouds moved in from the Yellow Sea on Sunday afternoon, replacing heat wave alerts with heavy rain warnings across the country instead. The southwest region, where rain clouds stalled overnight, saw record levels of rainfall. At Muan International Airport in South Jeolla, an automatic weather station recorded 142.1 millimeters (5.6 inches) of rain in a single hour - equivalent to 11 percent of the region's average annual rainfall - through the night. This level almost reached the country's highest known hourly rainfall of 146 millimeters, recorded in July 2023 on Eocheong Island, North Jeolla. The weather agency classifies rainfall exceeding 72 millimeters per hour as "extreme rainfall." Evacuation orders were issued for low-lying areas in Muan and Hampyeong. In Muan, a man in his 60s was swept away by fast-moving water and later found dead. In Sancheong County, South Gyeongsang - which was heavily impacted by flooding last month - landslide alerts and evacuation orders were reissued Sunday night. With many areas already waterlogged, the southern region could see more than 120 millimeters of additional rain through the early hours of Tuesday. Typhoon moisture and hot seas The sudden arrival of heavy rain nationwide after the heat wave is linked to tropical moisture left behind by Typhoon Co-May, the eighth typhoon of the season. As the moisture was carried northward by southerly winds, it passed over the Yellow Sea - where sea surface temperatures had been pushed close to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) by the recent heat - causing rapid and explosive development of rain clouds. Meteorologists say the extreme heat likely intensified the rainfall. Another narrow but intense band of rain clouds is expected to move in from the north between Wednesday and Thursday, bringing another bout of concentrated downpours. "If the push of cold, dry air moving south strengthens further, it could cause rain clouds to develop even more intensely between Aug. 6 and 7," said Lee Chang-jae, a forecaster at the KMA. Heat and rain both historic Such extremes - without moderation - have become a defining feature of this summer. After early-season heat waves, July brought a prolonged dry spell followed by sudden bursts of extreme rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters per hour in some areas. The intensity of both heat and rainfall broke records. According to the JoongAng Ilbo's analysis of the weather agency's July data, 16 out of 97 weather stations nationwide - or 16.5 percent - recorded new all-time daily temperature highs. Daily rainfall records were broken at 13 stations, or 13.4 percent. The dual threat of extreme heat and rain has resulted in larger-than-usual disaster impacts. As of Sunday, the number of heat-related illness cases reached 3,127, including 19 fatalities - more than double the 1,324 cases reported during the same period last year. The number of livestock deaths has surpassed 1.45 million. Rain-related casualties have also been severe, with 27 people killed nationwide - 14 in South Gyeongsang - and two reported missing as of Saturday. One-two punch of heat and rain likely to continue Meteorologists attribute the intensifying one-two punch of heat and rain to climate change. "Heavy rainfall requires both abundant moisture in the atmosphere and strong upward air movement and heat waves amplify both conditions," said Ha Kyung-ja, a professor of atmospheric environmental science at Pusan National University. "Because Korea is surrounded by seas, heated waters naturally release more vapor into the a...

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice. [NEWS ANALYSIS] A Russian airline last week flew the first direct commercial flights between Moscow and Pyongyang in decades, signaling a new phase in Russia-North Korea relations. Nordwind Airlines, a privately owned Russian carrier once associated with ferrying Russian tourists to Mediterranean beach towns, operated the inaugural flight between the two capitals on July 27, with the return trip occurring two days later. The first flight - NWS6107 - landed at Pyongyang International Airport on Monday after more than eight hours in the air, having departed Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport at around 7:30 p.m. the previous day. The opening of the direct route came as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is pushing to reduce inter-Korean tensions and resume exchanges with the North, to little avail. Though state airlines and limited services have previously connected the two capitals, this new regular route by Nordwind represents a symbolic normalization of bilateral mobility at a time when both Russia and North Korea face continuing efforts from the West to isolate them economically and diplomatically. A carefully timed announcement The decision to reopen direct flights comes against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and Pyongyang's increasing willingness to re-engage with select foreign partners after years of pandemic-induced isolation. Although Russian state media reported that the Boeing 777 that departed Moscow on July 27 was mostly filled with North Koreans returning home, Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov was among a number of Russian citizens aboard. He held talks upon arrival the following day with Yun Jong-ho, the North's external economic relations minister, further highlighting the dual purpose of the route as both a commercial experiment and a diplomatic gesture. In media reports, Russian officials emphasized the significance of the route's opening in the context of the "strategic partnership" between Pyongyang and Moscow - though not without exaggeration. "For the first time in more than 70 years of diplomatic relations, we are launching direct flights between the capitals of our countries," said Vladimir Poteshkin, Russia's deputy transport minister, on Telegram. However, earlier reports indicate that carriers, such as Russia's Aeroflot and North Korea's Air Koryo, maintained service between Moscow and Pyongyang into the early 2000s, making the Nordwind flights a resumption rather than a true first. Direct flights between Pyongyang and the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok have also been in operation since 2023. Still, the opening of the air route between Pyongyang and Moscow marks a drastic improvement in transit time over the two cities' rail connection, by which one-way journeys take approximately a week. Questions abound Although a Nordwind staff member, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, touted his company's flights to Pyongyang as "a historic event that strengthens the ties between our nations," the flights' commercial viability and actual popularity remain uncertain. Tickets for the first flight were reportedly priced at 45,000 rubles (approximately $570) - a steep fare by Russian domestic standards. The ministry also claimed seats on the flight were sold out, though AFP reported that at least nine seats were available on Nordwind's website on the morning the flight departed from Moscow for Pyongyang. However, Pyongyang is no longer listed as a destination on the website, suggesting that tickets to the North Korean capital are no longer publicly available for individual purchase. While Russia's civil aviation authority has granted Nordwind permission to operate flights between the two capital cities twice a week, the Russian Ministry of Transportation said that flights would initially operate only once a month in order to "help build stable demand." The same Boeing 777 that arrived in Pyongyang ...

This article is by Shim Seo-hyun and read by an artificial voice. Will Tesla's $16.5 billion deal be the golden goose for Samsung Electronics' foundry? Tesla CEO Elon Musk's public disclosure of a foundry deal with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong has sent shock waves through the semiconductor industry. Known for obsessively internalizing all production of parts for his SpaceX spacecrafts and Tesla electric vehicles, Musk revealed the deal on his X account on July 28, declaring, "I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress," noting that "the fab is conveniently located not far from my house." He added that Samsung had "agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency." The disclosure has raised both expectations for a turnaround for Samsung Foundry and concerns about early termination or technology leaks. The mutual leap of faith On Sunday, sources from the semiconductor industry revealed that Samsung Foundry's $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to manufacture AI chips for autonomous driving reflected "a decision only the top leaders of both companies could make," underscoring that it was a bold move for both sides. Over the past few years, most advanced AI-related foundry orders were dominated by the Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC. U.S. Big Tech companies later approached Samsung in an attempt to reduce their dependence on TSMC, but no contracts were finalized. "At a time when trust in the yield rate [ratio of usable chips] of Samsung Foundry's advanced processes is low, the most important factor is reference cases, and there were no clients willing to be the test subject," a source in the foundry industry said. Even in this case, there was reportedly a tug-of-war until the last minute over the possibility of going with TSMC. The final decision was made by Musk and Lee. During a video call between the two, they exchanged strong commitments regarding technology and yield rates, and also agreed on conditions such as Tesla's assistance in "maximizing manufacturing efficiency," and Musk's presence on the factory floor. Musk, the best or worst client Kim Sarah Eun-kyung, professor of semiconductor engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, said that the details disclosed by Musk are "not typical foundry contract terms." For example, clients such as Apple and Nvidia may look into the equipment and process technologies used by TSMC, but issues like manufacturing efficiency or yield are generally within the foundry's purview. This connects to Tesla's unique nature as a "manufacturing Big Tech" company, which is rare in the United States. Nvidia and Apple outsource semiconductor and smartphone manufacturing to TSMC and Foxconn, respectively, whereas Tesla builds its own manufacturing plants, called Gigafactories, in the United States to produce vehicles. Musk once declared, "At this point, I think I know more about manufacturing than anyone currently alive on Earth," during a 2022 TED talk. He is known for overseeing the manufacturing process firsthand while sleeping on a makeshift bed on the factory floor, otherwise, "it's like being a cavalry captain who can't ride a horse!" "It's a good opportunity for Samsung to learn from Tesla's know-how in U.S.-based manufacturing operations," Prof. Kim said. "But since Tesla may be shown information that other clients don't get access to, there is a possibility of semiconductor technology being exposed." Although Tesla does not manufacture semiconductors itself, it possesses extensive knowledge about chips for automobiles and robots, which could be a double-edged sword for Samsung Electronics. At a staff event last March, Musk welcomed those interested in developing advanced chips to come to Tesla, insisting that the company would continue to improve AI inference computing. Samsung Foundry must change its DNA Samsung's semiconductor business requires a structural overhaul, according to industry...

This article is by Shin Hye-yeon and read by an artificial voice. When Korean officials flew to Washington this summer for high-stakes trade negotiations, they packed more than briefing books and investment pledges. They brought a red baseball cap. Emblazoned with "Make America Shipbuilding Great Again" in white thread, the cap, stitched in Seoul and carried across the Pacific, was more than a play on a familiar slogan. It was a calculated symbol, designed to charm, provoke and persuade. The hat was created to promote the MASGA - short for "Make American Shipbuilding Great Again" - initiative, a Korean government proposal with the stated aim of "revitalizing U.S. shipbuilding" through strategic investment and cooperation between Korea and the United States. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan brought the custom hat and a large presentation board to a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to pitch the MASGA package, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. "Great idea," Lutnick reportedly said during the presentation, expressing strong support for the proposal. The ministry disclosed Sunday that the idea for the slogan had come from employees of its shipbuilding and offshore plant division. Faced with the challenge of imprinting the MASGA slogan effectively, the team decided a hat would best carry the message. After reviewing three to four design drafts, they finalized one featuring the Korean and U.S. flags on a red cap embroidered with white thread. Work began in early June, and the team used ChatGPT to refine the design. The hat's red color and overall look were modeled after U.S. President Donald Trump's well-known preference for red golf hats. Ministry staff didn't stop at the drawing board. To bring their concept to life, they personally canvassed eastern Seoul's Dongdaemun district - a bustling hub of fast-turnaround fashion manufacturing - in search of a manufacturer willing to produce the hat on short notice. Their efforts paid off just in time. As the pace of negotiations accelerated, a last-minute request came in from Washington: the U.S. delegation urgently needed MASGA hats on-site. The ministry scrambled to coordinate an emergency shipment. According to officials, the team worked with Korean Air to load a sealed box containing 10 MASGA hats onto a flight bound for Washington within 24 hours of the request. Staff raced to Incheon International Airport to ensure the package made it on board. Thanks to their efforts, the hats reached the Korean negotiating team the very next day. On Sunday, Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy, showcased the MASGA hat during an interview on KBS's "Sunday Diagnosis" (2019-). "We designed it and took 10 of them to the United States," Kim said. "We put our full effort into creating such symbols." Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice. Disbandment often looms over project groups formed through audition programs, and EVNNE, a seven-member boy band consisting of contestants from Mnet's "Boys Planet" (2023), is no exception. As the group approaches its second debut anniversary, fans are left wondering how much longer the tight-knit boy band will stay together, as the official duration of its group activities has yet to be announced. However, "it's still not too late to be a fan of EVNNE," confidently declared member Yoo Seung-eon, during a group interview on Thursday in southern Seoul, ahead of the release of EVNNE's fifth EP, "Love Anecdote(s)," set for Monday. While the official duration of the members' contracts has yet to be confirmed, the members are "currently in discussions with agencies," Yoo shared. "Our goal is to make a decision, with our fans as the utmost priority," he added. "And we are also doing our best to remain strong as one team." The members are signed with their respective agencies, but their activities as EVNNE are currently being managed by Jellyfish Entertainment. EVNNE, pronounced "even," stands for "EVENing's Newest Etoiles," meaning that each member represents a bright new star in the night sky. The septet debuted in September 2023 with its first EP, "Target: Me," and consists of Yoo, Mun Jung-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Park Han-bin, Lee Jeong-hyeon, Ji Yun-seo and Keita. The members did not make it to the final lineup of the winners of "Boys Planet," but gained global popularity through the show and subsequently formed EVNNE. The band's fifth EP, "Love Anecdote(s)," features six songs, including the lead track "How Can I Do," and B-sides "dirtybop," "Mako," "love chat," "Put It On Me" and "Newest." The lead track, "How Can I Do," is a hip-hop track with jazzy elements, showcasing the more mature sides of EVNNE - contrasting previous concepts that leaned toward cheeky, sporty vibes. Flirtation is at the heart of the song's concept, with the members exuding confidence and smooth charm. "We actually recorded the track initially around the time we released our first EP," said Ji. "But at that time, I don't think we were able to fully make it our own." With the youngest member, Park Ji-hoo, officially turning 19 this year, EVNNE is finally ready to truly do the song justice, according to the members. "Now that we're nearing our second debut anniversary - and with all the experiences we've gained so far - I believe we can confidently say that we're ready to perform the song in own our style," Ji said. EVNNE has had a busy two years. After its first fan concert tour titled "Squad:R" spanning seven cities in Asia, including Seoul, Bangkok and Osaka earlier last year, the group completed its first U.S. tour, "Ride With EVNNE." It recently finished the Asian leg of its "Set N Go" tour, and is set to begin shows in the United States and Europe October. While the group has grown and evolved over the past two years, the members still have more to show, says member Keita. And this became an inspiration for his self-produced song, "Newest," one of the B-sides on the new album. "What we've always said to each other after meeting with fans is that we want to keep revealing new sides of ourselves," said Keita. "That became the central idea for the song." That's why the song's title became "Newest," a nod to the meaning behind the group's name. During the interview, the members appeared visibly relaxed and genuinely close, exchanging playful banter and laughing at each other's jokes - a camaraderie they hold close to their hearts. "Being a K-pop idol was my dream and my life, and that dream became a reality thanks to my bandmates who have been by my side on this journey," said Mun. "We're so close that I sometimes wonder if this kind of friendship is common among other groups as well," he continued. "I hope we can continue to be people who help one another achieve their dreams." The members...

This article is by Shin Ha-nee and read by an artificial voice. Disbandment often looms over project groups formed through audition programs, and EVNNE, a seven-member boy band consisting of contestants from Mnet's "Boys Planet" (2023), is no exception. As the group approaches its second debut anniversary, fans are left wondering how much longer the tight-knit boy band will stay together, as the official duration of its group activities has yet to be announced. However, "it's still not too late to be a fan of EVNNE," confidently declared member Yoo Seung-eon, during a group interview on Thursday in southern Seoul, ahead of the release of EVNNE's fifth EP, "Love Anecdote(s)," set for Monday. While the official duration of the members' contracts has yet to be confirmed, the members are "currently in discussions with agencies," Yoo shared. "Our goal is to make a decision, with our fans as the utmost priority," he added. "And we are also doing our best to remain strong as one team." The members are signed with their respective agencies, but their activities as EVNNE are currently being managed by Jellyfish Entertainment. EVNNE, pronounced "even," stands for "EVENing's Newest Etoiles," meaning that each member represents a bright new star in the night sky. The septet debuted in September 2023 with its first EP, "Target: Me," and consists of Yoo, Mun Jung-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Park Han-bin, Lee Jeong-hyeon, Ji Yun-seo and Keita. The members did not make it to the final lineup of the winners of "Boys Planet," but gained global popularity through the show and subsequently formed EVNNE. The band's fifth EP, "Love Anecdote(s)," features six songs, including the lead track "How Can I Do," and B-sides "dirtybop," "Mako," "love chat," "Put It On Me" and "Newest." The lead track, "How Can I Do," is a hip-hop track with jazzy elements, showcasing the more mature sides of EVNNE - contrasting previous concepts that leaned toward cheeky, sporty vibes. Flirtation is at the heart of the song's concept, with the members exuding confidence and smooth charm. "We actually recorded the track initially around the time we released our first EP," said Ji. "But at that time, I don't think we were able to fully make it our own." With the youngest member, Park Ji-hoo, officially turning 19 this year, EVNNE is finally ready to truly do the song justice, according to the members. "Now that we're nearing our second debut anniversary - and with all the experiences we've gained so far - I believe we can confidently say that we're ready to perform the song in own our style," Ji said. EVNNE has had a busy two years. After its first fan concert tour titled "Squad:R" spanning seven cities in Asia, including Seoul, Bangkok and Osaka earlier last year, the group completed its first U.S. tour, "Ride With EVNNE." It recently finished the Asian leg of its "Set N Go" tour, and is set to begin shows in the United States and Europe October. While the group has grown and evolved over the past two years, the members still have more to show, says member Keita. And this became an inspiration for his self-produced song, "Newest," one of the B-sides on the new album. "What we've always said to each other after meeting with fans is that we want to keep revealing new sides of ourselves," said Keita. "That became the central idea for the song." That's why the song's title became "Newest," a nod to the meaning behind the group's name. During the interview, the members appeared visibly relaxed and genuinely close, exchanging playful banter and laughing at each other's jokes - a camaraderie they hold close to their hearts. "Being a K-pop idol was my dream and my life, and that dream became a reality thanks to my bandmates who have been by my side on this journey," said Mun. "We're so close that I sometimes wonder if this kind of friendship is common among other groups as well," he continued. "I hope we can continue to be people who help one another achieve their dreams." The members...

This article is by Ha Nam-hyun and read by an artificial voice. A reimagined "Shimcheong" strips away the traditional image of a dutiful daughter and recasts the character as a symbol of resistance and voice for the marginalized in modern Korean society. The National Changgeuk Company of Korea announced July 30 it will premiere its new changgeuk (traditional Korean opera), "Pansori Theater Shim Cheong," at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul from Sept. 3 to 6. The new production is a reinterpretation of the 19th-century pansori work "Shimcheong-ga," which focuses on filial piety. In contrast, this version presents Shimcheong as a socially oppressed figure pushing back against the expectations and constraints placed upon her. During a rehearsal open to the press on July 30afternoon, actors performed a scene inspired by the blind men's banquet - a key episode of the original work in which Shimcheong seeks to reunite with her blind father, Shim Bong-sa. Yu Eun-sun, artistic director of the National Changgeuk Company, called the production "unprecedented," adding: "It's a radical reinterpretation of a classic. We took traditional music and infused it with new meaning." A large-scale production with a cast of 157, the changgeuk was written and directed by Yona Kim, a Korean German director working in Europe. Kim was named Director of the Year by German opera magazine Opernwelt in 2017 and was a finalist for Germany's prestigious Faust Prize in 2020. This is Kim's first time directing a work based on pansori, a Korean musical genre performed by a drummer and singer. "I wanted to explore the depth and breadth of the Shimcheong narrative," said Kim. "I aimed to create a character that transcends time and space - one that can be understood intuitively, even across language barriers." She noted that hanbok, traditional Korean dress, will appear in only one scene. Kim Yul-hee, a newcomer selected through an open audition in April, and Kim Woo-jung, who has played major roles in previous changgeuk such as "Chunhyang" and "Byeon Gang-soe," will alternate in the role of Shimcheong. "In the traditional Shimcheong-ga, Shimcheong is a flat character who accepts everything and sacrifices herself for her father," said Kim Yul-hee. "This version gave me space to express the discomfort and questions I had while learning the original, such as, 'Why must she go this far?'" The role of Shim Bong-sa, Shimcheong's father, will be played by Kim Jun-su - often dubbed an "idol of gugak," or traditional music - and Yu Taepyungyang, both leading members of the company. Their portrayal diverges significantly from the original. "Everyone in the story carries karmic burdens, including Shim Bong-sa," Kim Jun-su said. "He regains his sight, but what truly changes is the way he sees the world." "In the original, Shim Bong-sa is a naive character focused only on his daughter," said Yu. "In this version, he is a powerless father who fails to care for her." Actor Lee So-yeon plays Baengdeok Eomeom, a character traditionally portrayed as antagonistic to Shimcheong. In this version, she has a more prominent role, designed to show different dimensions of Shimcheong through other versions of the character, such as "Young Shimcheong" and "Old Woman Shimcheong." The production's ending has not yet been finalized, but the creators have made clear it will differ from the original. "The original ending felt like a fantasy that masked the guilt over sacrificing a young girl," said Yona Kim. "There's no fairy tale resolution here - no underwater palace romance." Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice. [NEWS ANALYSIS] Following BYD's bold entry into the Korean market, a cadre of Chinese EV brands like Zeekr, Changan and even Xpeng are now eyeing Korea as their next destination - even if it means absorbing losses to gain a foothold. While their go-to-market strategy seems to rely heavily on "low price," here's the paradox: Korea represents only a tiny fraction of the global EV market, with just 120,000 EVs sold annually in the country, making it roughly one-hundredth the size of China's own, or far smaller than one-tenth of the United States'. Experts observe that it is closely intertwined with China's broader bid for global legitimacy, driven by a mounting pushback from the United States and Europe, which have imposed tariffs up to 100 percent on China-made EVs. Liu Xueliang, general manager of the automaker's Asia-Pacific auto sales division, said, "We don't have a specific sales target for the Korean market, but we simply hope consumers will take the time to experience BYD and assess its value for themselves," during the launch of the Atto 3 EV in Korea in January. In fact, BYD set the sticker price of the Atto 3 in Korea at 31.5 million won ($22,800), which drops to around 29.9 million won after government subsidies. That same model sells for 38,000 euros ($44,000) in Europe, 4.5 million yen ($30,400) in Japan, and 899,900 baht ($27,800) in Thailand. The sticker price of Seal, which was introduced in July, has been set at 46.9 million won, around 8 million won cheaper than Australia's price of 61,990 Australian dollars ($40,400) and some 10 million won cheaper than Japan's 6.05 million yen. Blocked by the West, Korea emerges as a detour With China's once-booming domestic market showing clear signs of saturation, the country now finds itself in a position where exports are no longer optional, but imperative for sustaining growth and industrial momentum. But hemmed in by tariff wars with the United States and Europe, China is targeting the Asia-Pacific region - and Korea, in this strategic maneuver, could be a fitting and effective gateway. Sales of Chinese cars reached 31.43 million units last year, a 4.5 percent increase from the previous year. But of that growth, domestic sales only inched up by 1.6 percent, while exports jumped by 19.3 percent - indicating that Chinese automobile brands are increasingly relying on exports as a primary engine of growth - a shift that appears not only strategic, but inevitable. But China remains shut out of the U.S. market, the world's second-largest auto market with annual sales of 16 million units, due to strict export restrictions. U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese EVs from 25 percent to 100 percent, while the European Union also upped the tariffs from 10 percent to 45.3 percent starting in October last year. "Chinese EV exports to Korea are up significantly in 2025, and this is partially a story of trade diversion, as their exports to the EU have fallen significantly since the latter's introduction of tariffs in late October," Joe Webster, senior fellow at the Global Energy Center of the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank focused on promoting trans-Atlantic cooperation and international security, told the Korea JoongAng Daily. "But there may be more than one element at play. Chinese EV manufacturers and battery original equipment manufacturers have an interest in crushing foreign competitors and establishing a global monopoly, by price-undercutting Korean EV manufacturers and battery players - perhaps China's most capable rivals." Chinese EV exports to Korea hit an all-time high of 29,295 units in the first half of the year, or $808.8 million, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China. In terms of units, that's around a 31 percent jump from the first half of 2024. Korea: A shortcut to global cred? Korea has a mature yet trend-consc...