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%, respectively. With no major artist debuts scheduled for the next week, some in the music industry are anticipating it could hold the No. 1 spot for a second consecutive week.

"Golden" reaching No. 1 also set new records. It is the first time in 24 years, since Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious" in August 2001, that a female group of three or more members has topped the Hot 100. It is also the first time in three years that a virtual character has reached No. 1, following "We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Disney's animated film 'Encanto,' which held the top spot for five weeks in February-March 2022. For K-pop, it marks the ninth time an act has topped the Hot 100 and the first time for a female artist. BTS has had six songs reach the top, and members Jimin and Jungkook have each had one. Psy's "Gangnam Style" peaked at No. 2.

Huntrix has also topped other major music charts. On the Spotify streaming data website Kworb, "Golden" reached No. 1 globally on the 10th. "Your Idol," sung by Huntrix's fictional rivals, the Sazaboyz, was at No. 3. In the U.S., "Golden" and "Your Idol" held the top two spots, replicating their on-screen rivalry in the world's largest market. Six songs from 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' including "Soda Pop" (No. 4) and "How It's Done" (No. 5), were in the top 10. On the Apple Music Global Chart as of the 11th, "Golden" and the Sazaboyz's "Soda Pop" were competing at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

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

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 a problem to arbitrarily catch cicadas, which play a part in the ecosystem."

The Nakdong River Management Headquarters of Busan City, which received related complaints, stated, "Since cicadas are not natural monuments or legally protected species, there is no legal basis to regulate the activity." However, they added, "If there's an issue considering the purpose of creating and managing an eco-park, where the ecological environment should be naturally preserved, we can put up banners to deter them."

"튀겨 먹으려고"…'매미 유충' 잡는 중국인 논란

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 a grave crime involving members of the Iranian national athletics team, who entered Korea to participate in the Asian Athletics Championships, gang-raping a Korean woman." The official added, "The prosecution will strive to ensure that a sentence commensurate with the crime is handed down."

韓여성 집단 성폭행한 이란 국대…구미 합숙소서 무슨 일이

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 treatment" poured in.

환경미화원 월급 653만원 인증에…누리꾼 "야근 92시간, 충격"

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

Seoul recorded a scorching 37.8 degrees Celsius today, marking the highest temperature ever for early July since modern meteorological observations began in 1908. This shatters the previous record of 36.8 degrees Celsius set on July 9, 1939.

The heatwave isn't limited to Seoul. Extreme heat advisories are in effect across most regions, with several areas also reporting their highest-ever temperatures for early July. Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province hit an astounding 40.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Paju at 40.1 degrees Celsius. Incheon reached 35.6 degrees Celsius, and even Busan, typically cooler, saw 34.3 degrees Celsius.

The intense heat has led to a surge in heat-related illnesses. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 961 cases as of yesterday, more than double the number for the same period last year.

서울 37.8도‥117년 만에 가장 더운 날

Lim Young-woong's Continued Dominance and Philanthropic Fanbase

Singer Lim Young-woong has remarkably held the top spot on the Idol Chart for 223 consecutive weeks, a testament to his talent and the significant support from his fan club, "Heroic Age(영웅시대)" His recent OST release topped charts, and he's gained global recognition, even appearing on U.S. Billboard and UK Official Charts.

Lim Young-woong has also announced that his full-length album is nearly complete, with a comeback expected soon.

Beyond music, Lim Young-woong and "Heroic Age" are known for their extensive charitable activities. For his recent 34th birthday, "Heroic Age" donated over 156 million won to the needy, continuing a five-year tradition that has seen them contribute over 1.16 billion won in total. This reflects Lim Young-woong's own philosophy of encouraging donations and volunteer work over personal gifts from fans.

가수 임영웅, 223주 연속 '정상'.."'영웅시대' 팬들 덕분이죠"

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 of European football.

Nonetheless, based on credible reports from Gold, the United States currently seems to be Son Heung-min's most probable next destination.

‘韓 축구 초대박’ 손흥민과 메시 ‘빅뱅’! MLS서 ‘축신’ 경쟁 예고 “미국 진출 관심 있어”

the global group BTS is set for a full group comeback in the spring of 2026. The members shared this news during a live broadcast on Weverse, revealing plans for a new group album next spring and the start of preparations in July. Following the album release, they will embark on a large-scale world tour, their first since 2022. The live broadcast, their first group appearance since September 2022, attracted over 7.3 million real-time viewers. They also discussed individual activities like Jin's fan concert tour and J-Hope's upcoming Lollapalooza Berlin performance.

방탄소년단, 2026년 봄 완전체 컴백…신보∙월드투어 스타트

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SPEP is one of the fastest growing and promising educational institutions specializing in English speaking enhancement. SPEP is looking for professional corporate trainers in all areas who wish to expand career into business English education.

Please submit your recent resume, photo, and SPEP application form to hrteam1@spep.co.kr. (Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Thank you for your understanding.)

[Minimum Requirements for any of our teaching positions] 

• Must be native English speakers from USA, Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa to be eligible for E2 Visa
• All potential candidates must hold a minimum of a Bachelor degree from an accredited four-year university located in a country in which the native language is English (USA, Canada, Australia, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa).
• Must have Original Diploma *Notarized with an Apostille
• Must have Nationwide Criminal Background Check *with an Apostille

[Full-time Teaching Position Benefits]

• E2 Visa Sponsorship
• Health Insurance
• Korean Pension plan (dependent on nationality/visa type based on Korean law)
• Severance
• Paid annual leaves and national holidays
• SPEP’s professional teacher training
• Housing allowance support for E2 and F visa holders
• Airfare support for E2 and F visa holders

[FT] Biz English Instructor

[Job Description]

• Type of Class: Business English & Communication Skills (Speaking)
• Students: Business Professionals
• Levels: All levels
• Class size: Group class and/or 1:1
• Curriculum: Standardized Curriculum and Course Books (training provided)

[Basic Qualifications]                              

• Candidates with prior Experience in corporate field (over 1 years) or teaching business English (over 1 years) is preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Education or English is preferred

[Full-Time Locations] 

A.    [FT] Seoul & Gyeonggi (서울 & 경기)

• Schedule varies depending on the main teaching location
  • Seoul: Seocho, Gangnam, Yongsan, Yeongdeungpo, Online, etc.
  • Gyeonggi: Uiwang, Pangyo, Gwangmyeong, Yongin, Hwasung, Anyang, Online etc.
• Class Schedule: 5~8 teaching hours/day
  • Monday ~ Friday 9AM ~ 6PM or 10:30AM ~ 7:30PM
• Lunch or dinner break available
• Start Date:
  • August 25, 2025 (one week training in August)

[Salary]

• Based on 100 ~ 120 teaching hours: 2.5 ~ 2.87 million
• Extra housing stipend of 400,000KRW will be provided for E2 and F visa only
• Best Teacher Awards

The passage describes a peaceful Saturday morning on May 31st at 8:42 AM, as a Line 5 Seoul subway train traveled through an underwater tunnel. Amidst ordinary passengers, a man in a white cap in the fourth car suddenly retrieved a plastic bottle from his backpack.

On May 31st, an arsonist poured gasoline on the floor of a Seoul Subway Line 5 train's 4th car, causing panic among passengers, including a pregnant woman who slipped. Within 20 seconds, the man lit the gasoline, and the flames quickly engulfed the car. CCTV footage, released by the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on June 25th, captured these dangerous moments of the incident that narrowly averted a larger disaster.

The arsonist, Won Mo (67), was indicted and detained on charges of attempted murder, arson of an existing train causing injury, and violation of the Railroad Safety Act, with prosecutors concluding his intent to kill was clear. Given the closed structure of the subway, the fire and spread of toxic gases threatened the lives of 481 passengers on board (160 identified).

Fortunately, there were no casualties. This was attributed to the replacement of subway interior materials with flame-retardant substances after the 2003 Daegu subway disaster, which prevented the fire from spreading, and the swift evacuation of passengers.

5호선 방화 그날…휘발유에 미끄러진 임신부, 2초 뒤 '불바다'

In March, a massive wildfire in Gyeongbuk Province, South Korea, led to an Indonesian fisherman named Sugianto being hailed as a "wildfire hero." He rescued seven elderly villagers, some in their 80s and 90s, by waking them from their sleep and helping them evacuate. For his bravery, the Ministry of Justice granted him an F-2 visa, which permits long-term stay and unrestricted employment in Korea.

However, Sugianto has since returned to Indonesia to farm. This unexpected move was due to the fire destroying all his fishing equipment in Yeongdeok, making it impossible for him to continue working as a crab fisherman. He expressed sadness, noting that the Yeongdeok villagers felt like family.

The article also highlights the ongoing struggles of Yeongdeok's largely elderly population. Nearly 100 days after the fire, they have yet to replace their damaged fishing gear, as there has been no direct compensation for equipment. Current laws only allow loan support for damages exceeding 60 million won, a burden many elderly residents are unwilling or unable to take on.

Despite his current situation in Indonesia, Sugianto, aware of the villagers' plight, stated his desire to return to Korea and resume working with them.

‘할매 7명’ 산불서 구한 수기안토, 인도네시아 돌아갔다? 

A man in his 40s who disarmed a friend who had stabbed him during a drunken argument, claimed self-defense, but a court did not accept his claim.

According to legal sources on the 2nd, Judge Park Bo-mi of the Seoul Western District Court, Criminal Division 4, rejected Kim's self-defense argument in a case where he was charged with assault for injuring his friend. However, the court exempted Kim from punishment because his friend, identified as 'A,' who had threatened him with a weapon, did not wish for him to be punished.

Kim and A had a dispute while drinking at a park in Incheon last April, during which A produced a weapon and threatened Kim. Kim, who sustained a 6-week injury to his arm from being stabbed, then knocked the weapon from A's hand, pushed him to the ground, and repeatedly kicked him. A reportedly suffered injuries, including a broken rib, requiring 5 weeks of recovery.

Kim argued that his actions were self-defense, aimed at subduing A's threat after being stabbed himself. However, the court ruled that Kim's actions constituted "excessive self-defense," stating that the force used was "excessive" because he continued to kick A even after the weapon had been dropped. The court also noted that Kim had personally called 112 and testified coherently to investigators, making it difficult to argue he was acting purely out of emotional agitation.

흉기에 찔리자 맨손 제압했는데…법원 “정당방위 아냐”

This is a wonderful opportunity for an educator who thrives in a nurturing, community-based environment where every child is known, and relationships with families and staff are central to school life. Our approach is rooted in hands-on, play-based learning, with a strong emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and cultural awareness.

About the Role: As Head Teacher, you will provide both academic leadership and day-to-day support to a small team of dedicated educators. You’ll help shape a meaningful learning experience for children, working in close partnership with Korean and international staff to create an inclusive, engaging school environment.

What We’re Looking For:

A passionate teacher and leader who values connection, flexibility, and child-led learning Someone who enjoys being part of a small team and is willing to wear many hats A culturally sensitive educator who’s open to new ways of working and living A mentor and motivator who can guide teachers while contributing to the positive, family-like atmosphere of the school

Requirements:

• A recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS, B.Ed., or equivalent) – essential
• At least 5 years’ experience in early years or primary education – essential
• Experience in a leadership role – preferred
• Previous experience working in Asia or in an international context – desirable
• Strong interest in play-based, hands-on learning approaches
• Flexible, communicative, and community-minded

What We Offer:

• Starting salary from ₩5,000,000 KRW per month (approximately £2,850 GBP)
• Housing or housing allowance
• Flight reimbursement
• Paid holidays
• Relocation support
• Free school places for dependent children
• A warm, supportive team and a genuine sense of community
• Opportunities to contribute meaningfully and grow professionally

How to Apply?

Don’t let this incredible opportunity pass you by! Send your CV directly to Candidate@FlyTeachers.com, and our expert recruiters will match you with the perfect role.

Due to high demand, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Step out of your comfort zone and into the adventure of a lifetime—Apply today