Stories from Korea that will give Korean language learners useful insights!
A Netflix animation, 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' has topped the music charts. Its track "Golden" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is considered the most prestigious music chart in the world, just six weeks after its debut. Billboard, the U.S. music chart company, announced in a chart preview article on the 11th (local time), "Golden climbed one spot from the previous week to take the top position." The Hot 100 is a key indicator of U.S. music trends, reflecting not only streaming and download numbers but also radio airplay. "Golden" is a track from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' which was released on Netflix on June 20th, and is performed by the fictional three-member female group, Huntrix. After its entry into the Hot 100, "Golden" consistently climbed the ranks. It first entered the chart at No. 81 during the week of June 20-26, then rose to No. 23, No. 6, No. 4, and No. 2 in subsequent weeks. In the week it reached No. 1 (August 1-7), its key performance indicators all surged. U.S. streaming numbers increased by 9% from the previous week to 31.7 million, while radio audience impressions (8.4 million) and sales both jumped by 71% and 35%,...
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2025.08.13
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Police in Incheon have concluded that a 62-year-old man, Mr. A, fatally shot his son who had organized his birthday party, driven by delusions. Despite his family providing consistent financial and emotional support, Mr. A developed a delusion that they were ostracizing him, leading him to plan the crime since August of last year. On May 20th, Mr. A shot his 33-year-old son at their apartment in Incheon during his birthday celebration. Police determined he also intended to kill his daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a foreign tutor present at the scene, entering with multiple gun barrels and bullets and attempting to prevent them from reporting. Investigations also found homemade explosives with a timed ignition device at Mr. A's Seoul residence, indicating a broader violent plan. The prosecution plans to add charges related to explosive use. 생일상 차려준 아들 총기로 살해한 60대…경찰 '망상 범죄' 결론
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2025.07.29
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Foreign nationals are being repeatedly spotted collecting large quantities of cicada larvae for consumption at Samnak Eco-Park in Sasang-gu, Busan, sparking controversy. According to the Busan Ilbo on the 15th, an environmental group official and a reporter observed a man searching the bushes and catching cicada larvae at Samnak Eco-Park on the afternoon of the 9th. The man was holding a plastic bottle containing about 15 cicada larvae. When questioned by reporters, he replied, "I'm Chinese and I don't speak Korean," adding, "I'm catching cicada larvae to eat them." Cicada larvae are indeed known as edible insects in some parts of China and Southeast Asia, where they are fried in oil and eaten as snacks or with alcoholic beverages. An environmental group stated, "Recently, around 7 PM, 5 to 6 foreign individuals have been appearing at Samnak Eco-Park and collecting cicada larvae in plastic bottles or vinyl bags." They added, "Larvae emerge from the ground and climb trees in the evening, which is when large-scale collection occurs." The group criticized this behavior, saying, "Indiscriminate collection of wild creatures in urban ecological parks is an act that damages public assets." Yoo Jin-cheol, co-representative of the Busan Environmental Council, pointed out, "It's...
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2025.07.18
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Members of the Iranian national athletics team who participated in the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, Gyeongbuk Province, last May have been arrested and indicted on charges of gang-raping a Korean woman. On July 17, the Criminal Division 2 of the Daegu District Prosecutor's Office's Gimcheon Branch (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Mi-ran) announced the indictment and detention of four Iranian national athletics team members on charges of aggravated rape. According to the prosecution, the four individuals are accused of gang-raping a Korean woman in her 20s at a motel in Gumi on the morning of May 31, while they were in South Korea for the Asian Athletics Championships. The motel was reportedly being used as the Iranian national team's lodging. Initially, the police had referred three individuals (A, B, and C) to the prosecution without detention, accusing them of jointly assaulting the victim, while a fourth person (D) was charged with aiding and abetting by acting as a lookout. However, during the prosecutorial investigation, a comprehensive review of CCTV footage and re-interviews with the victim and other relevant parties revealed that the actual perpetrators were A, B, and D, leading to D's arrest and detention. A prosecution official stated, "This is...
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2025.07.17
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A recent online post showcasing a sanitation worker's pay stub has gone viral in South Korea, drawing significant attention to a profession often seen as physically demanding and hazardous. The pay stub for a sanitation worker identified as "A," with 11 years of experience, revealed a net monthly income of a staggering 5.4 million won (approximately $3,900 USD, as of July 12, 2025). The disclosed pay slip, dated June of this year, shows A's total gross monthly salary was 6,529,930 won. This includes a basic salary of 2,507,970 won, family allowance of 160,000 won, year-end bonus of 1,303,980 won, driving allowance of 300,000 won, and pollution allowance of 100,000 won. Crucially, additional income stemmed from extensive overtime and holiday work. A worked 2 holiday shifts, 92 hours of night work, and 19 hours of additional overtime, accumulating an extra 2,125,980 won in allowances. Upon seeing this, netizens reacted with a mix of awe and shock. While many commented that the pay seemed fair for the work, the 92 hours of night work came as a "shock" to many. Comments like "They earn what they work for," "We live comfortably thanks to people like them," and "Sanitation workers deserve even better...
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2025.07.12
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The National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced the arrest of four members of an international drug ring, including their Singaporean ringleader (Mr. A, 31), in Malaysia on June 19th. The group was attempting to smuggle large quantities of 'Etomidate,' a new drug mixed with cocaine and disguised as e-cigarette liquid, into South Korea. They planned to import 20,000 units monthly and were caught trying to establish a distribution network targeting Korean students via Telegram, promoting the drug as undetectable by authorities. The NIS and Malaysian police seized 4,958 cartridges, worth 2.3 billion won (approximately $1.67 million USD), enough for 500,000 doses. Etomidate, a powerful anesthetic not yet classified as a narcotic in Korea (exploiting a legal loophole), was combined with cocaine to maximize its effects. Mr. A posed as a businessman through a headhunting firm in Gangnam to recruit students. The NIS hails this as the first instance of preemptively neutralizing an international drug cartel smuggling novel drugs operating in a legal blind spot from overseas. 전자담배형 신종 마약 밀반입 시도…국제조직 총책 검거
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2025.07.09
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2025.07.08
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2025.07.07
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Son Heung-min Eyeing MLS Move Amid Tottenham Exit Speculation Recent reports indicate that Son Heung-min is likely to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, with both the club and player open to the transfer. Media outlets like The Telegraph and TBR Football suggest his departure, and manager Thomas Frank reportedly won't oppose the move. Notably, Son has expressed interest in joining Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, as revealed by Football.London's Alasdair Gold, a reliable source for Tottenham news. This potential move draws parallels to Harry Kane's past transfer, with Son's current contract situation mirroring Kane's before his Bayern Munich move. Despite lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahçe, Son's preference appears to be the U.S., especially after achieving his dream of lifting a trophy with Tottenham. The club is expected to allow him to decide his future, honoring his decade of service. An MLS transfer could set up a direct rivalry with Lionel Messi, aligning conveniently with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. While he performed well in the 2024-25 Premier League season, indicating his skills haven't declined, it's uncertain if MLS can match the financial incentives of Saudi Arabia or the competitive edge...
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2025.07.01
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2025.07.01
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