Economy
- Seoul Apartment Purchases: People in their 40s are aggressively buying apartments in Seoul, with Gangnam and Songpa districts seeing the most active purchases.
- Semiconductor Specialization Complex Strengthening: The government will invest 150 billion KRW by 2028 to establish a semiconductor materials and parts testing center in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, to enhance competitiveness.
- T’way Air Stock Surge: T’way Air’s stock surged by 21.09% as concerns over a management rights dispute surfaced, causing significant market interest.
- Korea Bond Index Inclusion: Korea has been included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI), which could lead to an inflow of up to 90 trillion KRW in foreign investments.
Finance
- Financial Incident Scale: Over the past six years, 40% of financial accidents in Korea were related to embezzlement or misuse, with most occurring in the banking sector.
- IBK Bank Promotional Event: IBK Bank has spent tens of billions of KRW on promotional events for individual customers without a central management department.
- LG Electronics Target Price Lowered: LG Electronics missed market expectations for its third-quarter results, causing a downward revision of its target stock price from 150,000 KRW to 130,000 KRW.
Fashion
- Castelbajac FW Collection: Castelbajac, a French-origin golf wear brand, unveiled its FW collection featuring model Lee Min-jung, emphasizing both warmth and practicality.
- Piretti Cashmere Knitwear: Piretti has launched its 2024 FW knit collection made from premium Scottish cashmere.
- KFC Korea 40th Anniversary: Global chicken brand KFC celebrates 40 years in Korea, highlighting its signature menu items and history.
Society
- Gangnam Illegal Banner Removal: Seocho District cleared illegal banners and tents in the Gangnam Station area, addressing public complaints.
- 100 Billion KRW in Financial Accidents: The financial sector sees 100 billion KRW worth of accidents annually, with 60% occurring in banks.
- Low Birth Rate Solutions: Seoul City and the National Assembly are discussing various measures to address the low birth rate, including legal reforms and cultural facility discounts.
Culture/Entertainment
- BLACKPINK Lisa, Victoria’s Secret Show: BLACKPINK’s Lisa will headline the final performance of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
- Song Seung-hwan’s Life Story: Director Song Seung-hwan, known for creating “Nanta” and directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, is preparing a new project centered on his life story.
Sports
- National Sports Festival Broadcast: SOOP will produce and broadcast the National Sports Festival, featuring various events such as archery, volleyball, and basketball, streaming on AfreecaTV.
- Sports Star Kim Woo-jin: Archery champion Kim Woo-jin and fencing star Oh Sang-wook, both from the Paris Olympics, will participate in the National Sports Festival.
- Hanwha Life Wins League of Legends: Hanwha Life Esports won the 2024 League of Legends Champions Korea Summer tournament.
IT/Tech
- Abbott’s Rapid Diagnostic Kit: American big pharma company Abbott showcases its rapid diagnostic kit “BinaxNOW,” earning trust for its cutting-edge biotech solutions.
- AppTech Popularity Soars: AppTech services, where users watch ads or complete tasks to earn rewards, are growing rapidly, with quiz events driving user engagement.
- Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium Pre-Registration Hits 1 Million: The tactical RPG game “Girls’ Frontline 2: Exilium” reached 1 million pre-registrations worldwide, generating high anticipation.
Environment
- Cabbage Price Surge: The price of cabbage has skyrocketed, leading to increased popularity of substitute vegetables like cabbage and lettuce, while some kimchi products face shortages.
- Carbon Neutrality Campaign: Lotte Hotels & Resorts is running a month-long “2024 Carbon Neutrality Campaign” in October, promoting eco-friendly practices.
International
- Turkish Airlines Emergency Landing: A Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle made an emergency landing at New York’s airport after the pilot’s death.
- Korea Elected to UN Human Rights Council: Korea has been elected to the UN Human Rights Council for a three-year term starting in 2024.