Kemi Ikuseedun, better known as "Kemz Mama," is a Nigerian actor, comedian and content creator who turned her love for Korean drama into a groundbreaking project. Her debut film, "My Sunshine," is a high school-based romance that blends the emotional charm of a classic K-drama with the vibrant culture of Nigeria. Released on YouTube in October, the movie has racked up over 1 million views so far, gaining attention from both Korean and Nigerian audiences. Although "My S

Hashtag Korea Dec. 16, 2024

South Koreans displayed a remarkable sense of civic responsibility and political conviction over 10 days of protests leading up to Saturday's successful motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The rallies, sparked by the president’s declaration of martial law, were marked by acts of generosity, orderliness and community-driven efforts that left an impression beyond the political sphere. One of the defining characteristics of the protests was how participants took it upon themselv

Social Affairs Dec. 15, 2024

South Korea is in the midst of a political firestorm, but you might not know it from the colorful, absurd and downright hilarious flags waving in the streets. On Saturday, the National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, following 12 days of mounting outrage over his shocking Dec. 3 declaration of martial law. The move -- intended only for dire emergencies like war or rebellion -- was widely condemned as authoritarian, sparking mass protests across the country. But these protests

Hashtag Korea Dec. 15, 2024

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has stepped into the role of acting president following the National Assembly’s impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Han now carries not only the powers of the presidency, but also its full security measures and ceremonial protocols. Under South Korean law, acting presidents are granted the same protections and privileges as elected presidents. As a result, Han will now be accompanied by a full security detail managed by the Presidential Security Service. A s

Politics Dec. 14, 2024

As South Korea’s National Assembly prepared to hold a decisive vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment at 4 p.m. today, thousands of citizens gathered across the country to make their voices heard in both support and opposition to the embattled leader. In Seoul, protesters demanding Yoon’s resignation assembled near the National Assembly in Yeouido, organized by the Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment Promotion Group, a coalition of 1,500 civic, labor and social organizations. Part

Social Affairs Dec. 14, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol, facing an imminent second impeachment vote and prosecution on charges of insurrection, defended his controversial Dec. 3 martial law declaration in a nationally televised speech Thursday. Yoon said the declaration was intended to fail, portraying it as a symbolic move to expose what he called a “state of governmental paralysis” caused by the opposition. The president's justification appears to be part of an effort to counter impeachment proceedings and d

Social Affairs Dec. 12, 2024

How the political uncertainty caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the opposition party’s push to remove him from power is resolved may change the course of the country’s economy. The market is keeping a close eye on Yoon’s political future as the main opposition Democratic Party will put to a vote a second motion to impeach him on Saturday. Yoon’s immediate removal and earlier election Market experts believe an early presidenti

Economy Dec. 11, 2024

“We were taught in school to stand against military dictatorships and defend democracy, but what’s the point of learning it if we don’t practice it? We refuse to stay silent anymore.” These words, spoken by Kim Dong-hee, a young activist from the Youth Human Rights Movement Coalition “Jieum,” captured the spirit of a historic youth-led protest in South Korea. On Tuesday, students and young activists gathered at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to demand the resigna

Social Affairs Dec. 10, 2024

South Korea’s tourism industry is scrambling to reassure visitors after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s sudden declaration of martial law last week caused confusion and travel cancellations. Though the emergency decree was lifted quickly, concerns about safety have prompted some foreign travelers to rethink their plans, raising fears of setbacks for an industry still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Hotels, travel agencies and tour operators report a spike in inquiries from internati

Social Affairs Dec. 9, 2024

Thomas Kretschmann, the German actor best known in South Korea for his role in the hit 2017 film “A Taxi Driver,” has expressed concern over recent political turmoil in the country. On Sunday, Kretschmann posted on Instagram a still from “A Taxi Driver” showing tanks blocking the roads to Gwangju, captioned, “These are set photos from "Taeksi Woonjunsa (A Taxi Driver)," a film about South Korea’s past, ... at least, that’s what I thought.&rdquo

Social Affairs Dec. 9, 2024

South Korea’s political crisis, triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration, is casting doubt on several of his administration's cornerstone industrial projects and the country’s ability to navigate trade challenges. The initiatives facing increased uncertainty include a multibillion-dollar nuclear power deal in the Czech Republic and the Donghae deepwater gas field development. The instability comes at a critical moment for South Korea, as sh

Industry Dec. 8, 2024

Genesis is entering the high-performance electric vehicle market with the GV60 Magma, the first model in its newly announced “Magma” lineup. Set to launch in the Middle East next year, this version of the GV60 promises top-tier performance, pushing the boundaries of what the luxury automaker’s electric vehicles can deliver. Based on the all-electric GV60, the Magma variant has been developed as the flagship performance model for Genesis’ growing lineup. Speaking at a foll

Mobility Dec. 6, 2024

LG Energy Solution and General Motors celebrated a major milestone on Friday as their joint venture, Ultium Cells, produced its 100 millionth electric vehicle battery cell at Plant 1 in Warren, Ohio. The milestone also coincided with the fifth anniversary of Ultium Cells, which was launched on Dec. 5, 2019. To mark the occasion, a ceremony was held at the facility. “This achievement shows our commitment to advancing clean energy across industries like electric vehicles and energy storage s

Mobility Dec. 6, 2024

South Korea’s stock markets dropped sharply Friday as political tensions intensified over calls to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, adding pressure to an already fragile investment landscape. As of 11:05 a.m., the Kospi, South Korea’s main stock index, fell 31.56 points, or 1.29 percent to 2,410.49. Although the market opened slightly higher due to bargain-hunting after recent declines, those early gains quickly reversed. Investor sentiment appeared mixed. Retail and foreign investor

Market Dec. 6, 2024

Posco Future M has locked in a deal to source lithium hydroxide from within its corporate structure, in a move that avoids problems stemming from US Foreign Entity of Concern restrictions. The company said Friday it had signed an agreement to purchase 20,000 tons of lithium hydroxide from Posco Pilbara Lithium Solution, its affiliate, enough to produce cathode materials for around 460,000 electric vehicles. Cathode materials are a key component in lithium-ion batteries, which power most EVs. Thi

Mobility Dec. 6, 2024