Literature/Culture
- Han Kang Wins Nobel Prize in Literature: Korean author Han Kang has won the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first Korean and the first Asian woman to receive the honor. Her works are known for their powerful poetic prose, highlighting the fragility of human life.
- Concerns Over Donations to Leeum Museum: There are concerns about the limitations on future donations to the Leeum Museum, raising questions about its growth potential.
- Webtoon and Web Novel Transactions Surge: In September, webtoon and web novel transactions increased by 320% compared to the launch period, showing continued growth.
Economy
- ECB Expected to Cut Interest Rates: The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to discuss low inflation at its monetary policy meeting on the 17th, with further rate cuts projected in December.
- KT’s Large-Scale Voluntary Retirement: KT is planning its first large-scale voluntary retirement program since the new CEO took office.
Real Estate
- Sudden Surge in Housing Subscription Accounts: In Q3, housing subscription accounts in the Seoul metropolitan area surged by four times compared to last year, driven by a shortage of new apartment supply and rising house prices.
- Seoul Apartment Auction Prices Decline: After four months of rising, the winning bid rate for Seoul apartments has declined, with similar trends seen in other parts of the metropolitan area like Gyeonggi and Incheon.
- Focus on Public Housing Supply: Homebuyers in the metropolitan area should pay attention to the upcoming public housing supply, as it offers an opportunity to secure housing amid a tight market.
Technology/Industry
- Tesla Unveils Fully Autonomous Taxi: Tesla has unveiled a prototype of its fully autonomous robotaxi, which operates without a steering wheel or pedals.
- NVIDIA Unveils Blackwell GPU: NVIDIA has introduced the Blackwell GPU, which can accelerate large language model (LLM) workloads by 30 times.
- Doosan Bobcat Wins Red Dot Award: Doosan Bobcat won the prestigious Red Dot Award for its energy-efficient construction equipment, recognized for its innovation in design and sustainability.
Society
- Korean Air Resumes Foreign Flight Attendant Recruitment: Korean Air has resumed hiring foreign flight attendants post-COVID-19 and is conducting cultural immersion programs to broaden their understanding of Korean traditions.
- Rapid Aging in Rural Areas: South Korea’s rural regions are aging rapidly, making it increasingly difficult for local businesses, like restaurants, to hire young employees.
International
- Huawei Overtakes Apple in China’s Smartphone Market: Huawei’s sales have surpassed Apple’s in the Chinese smartphone market for the first time in 46 months.
- Unilever to Exit Russia: British consumer goods giant Unilever has announced plans to exit the Russian market.
Health/Environment
- Squid Emergence and Arctic Ice Melting Confirmed: The Korean icebreaker Araon has confirmed the impact of global warming in the Arctic, noting the melting of sea ice and the unexpected appearance of squid.
- Disparity in Medical Fees: In South Korea, the cost of non-insured medical treatments can vary by up to 300 times depending on the hospital, revealing a significant price gap.
Sports
- KBO Playoff Progress: The 5th game of the KBO semi-playoff is scheduled for October 11, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs.
Gaming/Entertainment
- Summoners War Championship in Las Vegas: Com2uS is hosting the Summoners War World Arena Championship Americas Cup in Las Vegas.
- Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero! Receives High Praise: The new Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero! game has received positive reviews, topping the Steam sales charts.
- ArcheAge Chronicles Developer Interview: XL Games’ developers revealed insights into the development of ArcheAge Chronicles, explaining the game’s unique features and immersive world-building.
- Battle Crush Season 1.5 Update: NCSoft has released a Season 1.5 update for its new brawler game, Battle Crush, enhancing casual gameplay features and introducing new characters and modes.
- Victory Goddess: NIKKE Pop-Up Store Announcement: Victory Goddess: NIKKE is collaborating with Japanese railway stations for a pop-up store event in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro station, featuring limited edition goods and special events.