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Quick Read In series
Latest business news, delivered in a 2-minute read
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Samyang’s fiery comeback explained in 2 minutes
TSamyang Foods, South Korea’s pioneer in instant ramyeon, found itself tasting defeat in the 1980s, when Nongshim stirred up the market and expanded into the nation’s dominant noodle maker. Yet, with o
Korea’s anti-obesity drug race in 2 minutes
A lot of people are trying to lose weight for a healthier life, a better appearance or self-satisfaction — but losing weight is not all that easy. For those struggling to cut fat, anti-obesity medications are practically magical. With the global weight-loss drug market expected to reach $150 billion in 2035, Korean pharmaceutical companies are rushing to come up with their own anti-obesity medications. Here’s how far they have come so far.
23 hour ago
More than seaweed: Unwrapping gim in 2 minutes
Once a savory companion to rice on Korean tables, Korean dried seaweed, or gim, has risen to global fame. Yet do you really know about it -- and if so, how much? Discover more below: The expanding role of gim in Korea’s economy, and, in parallel, the nation’s growing role in harnessing it for a more sustainable food future and climate action. Companies leading innovation in land-based farming: Companies leading innovation in land-based farming:
July 23, 2025 - 17:06:11
Stimulus coupons: An FAQ in 2 minutes
1st round: 2nd round: Korean nationals: Foreign nationals: Small retailers with annual sales under 3 billion won are eligible. These include: Not eligible: Large retailers, online malls, corporate-operated franchise stores, luxury goods shops, duty-free shops, and non-purchase expenses such as taxes and utilities 1st round of applications: July 21 to Sept. 12 2nd round of applications: Sept. 22 to Oct. 31
July 14, 2025 - 10:52:58
Where did Korea’s city cars go? Find out in 2 minutes
Once a major force in Korea’s auto market, city cars — with engines under 1,000 cubic centimeters and priced around 10 million won ($7,330) — are rapidly disappearing from Korean roads. The segment, which saw annual sales of over 200,000 units and left iconic models like the Tico and Matiz, has continued to decline, dropping another 32 percent to just 36,989 units in the first half of 2025. City cars remain popular in Korea’s used car market, especially among novice drivers for their ease of dri
July 8, 2025 - 10:53:53
K-defense surge: 5 stocks to know in 2 minutes
Korean defense companies have enjoyed a surge over the past year, scoring a series of mega-deals with foreign countries to export their defense systems. Below, we've covered the basics of the five major players — Hanwha Aerospace, Hyundai Rotem, LIG Nex1, Korea Aerospace Industries and Poongsan — by order of market capitalization as of June 20, 2025.
June 20, 2025 - 16:37:25
K-beauty’s US crown under tariff strain in 2 minutes
Korean beauty, born from local culture, is now soaring on a global scale. Its triumph is most vividly illustrated in the US, where it became the top cosmetics exporter in 2024, surpassing former leader France for the first time. Despite this meteoric rise, however, a question remains: How far can K-beauty go at this pivotal juncture, now clouded by looming tariffs? • Global K-content wave meets lab-developed innovation, popularized through e-commerce • Localized, high-quality products with clean
June 9, 2025 - 08:22:37
Fall & fight of star chef Paik Jong-won in 2 minutes
Albeit not Michelin-starred, Korean restaurateur and celebrity chef Paik Jong-won is arguably the country’s most famous culinary figure. Known for his easy-to-follow cooking, built on humor and pragmatism, he has become something of a national uncle, always ready with foolproof recipes. But this year marks a turning point in his uphill career, as he faces a string of setbacks and mounting scrutiny, gradually stepping out of the frame after more than a decade in the media spotlight.
May 19, 2025 - 11:13:40
Rise of Korea’s dollar store Daiso explained in 2 minutes
As a place where affordability meets variety, Korean dollar store chain Daiso has ridden a steep growth trajectory over its three decades of history. The store’s value proposition shines even brighter amid soaring inflation, with virtually every category in stock at affordable prices between 1,000 won ($0.70) and 5,000 won -- from everyday essentials to small luxuries that provide a sense of indulgence. Last year, Daiso’s annual revenue nearly reached 4 trillion won, coming in at 3.96 trillion w
May 4, 2025 - 10:00:00
Homeplus’ financial crunch explained in 2 minutes
The Seoul Bankruptcy Court approved South Korea's No. 2 supermarket chain Homeplus' corporate rehabilitation request just 11 hours after filing on March 4. The company called it a preemptive move to manage short-term debt after a credit downgrade. On Feb. 28, Korea Investors Service downgraded Homeplus’s credit rating from A3 to A3- due to weak profitability and high debt. After court-approved rehabilitation, it dropped to D on March 4. However, concerns over Homeplus' financial health have deep
March 14, 2025 - 14:09:18
Choco Pie’s global success explained in 2 minutes
Choco Pie, a round cake-like snack with a marshmallow filling and chocolate coating, is the brainchild of South Korean confectionery maker Orion. Branded with the Chinese character for "jeong" — a deep sense of affection and hospitality — the proiduct carries a distinct Korean essence that embodies the core value of sharing love. Now, far beyond its homeland, the treat has won over more non-Koreans, selling more overseas than in the birthplace of jeong. History of marshmallow cookie 1956: Lee Ya
March 10, 2025 - 11:09:44
A decade in limbo: Hyundai Motor's skyscraping dreams in 2 minutes
At Hyundai Motor Group, plans have been in the works for over a decade to build the Global Business Complex -- a set of skyscrapers that would serve as the global auto conglomerate’s new headquarters -- in southern Seoul’s wealthy Gangnam district. But that dream has not yet been realized as the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Hyundai Motor have been unable to reach an agreement on the GBC construction plan, repeatedly going back and forth with new proposals and demands. Here’s how the tug-of-
March 5, 2025 - 13:18:22
Samyang’s fiery comeback explained in 2 minutes
Samyang Foods, South Korea’s pioneer in instant ramyeon, found itself tasting defeat in the 1980s, when Nongshim stirred up the market and expanded into the nation’s dominant noodle maker. Yet, with overseas appetites for K-food growing, Samyang appears to be cooking up a comeback -- last year it served up twice the operating profit from only half the revenue pie of its larger rival Nongshim. Decadeslong ramyeon rivalry August 1961: Samyang Foods was founded by Jeon Jung-yoon. The company introd
Feb. 25, 2025 - 11:14:11
K-grid power players in 2 minutes: Korean firms fueling Trump's energy overhaul
While most major South Korean companies are cautiously monitoring the Trump administration’s America-first trade policies and tariff announcements, Korean firms specialized in producing high voltage cables and large transformers are primed to make the best of a golden opportunity for their businesses. Need for more electricity The Stargate Project, which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years to build new AI infrastructure in the United States such as data centers, will require
Feb. 18, 2025 - 10:30:05
Starbucks Korea's dominance explained in 2 minutes
Starbucks made history in Korea last year as the first coffee chain to surpass 3 trillion won ($2.06 billion) in annual sales. This milestone, which leaves its coffee competitors in the dust, highlights the dramatic ascent of the US coffee chain in Korea -- from its first store in 1999 to becoming the brand’s third-largest market worldwide. Management history September 1997: Starbucks Korea began as a 50-50 joint venture between E-Mart and Starbucks International. July 2021: Starbucks Internatio
Feb. 13, 2025 - 15:29:00
Samsung chief’s decadelong legal saga explained
Samsung Electronics Chair Lee Jae-yong walked free from years of legal battles on Monday, after an appellate court cleared him of stock-rigging and accounting fraud charges related to the 2015 merger of Samsung affiliates. With his legal troubles behind him, Lee is expected to focus on spearheading the tech giant through its various business challenges. Conflict origins Lee’s legal troubles trace back to the contentious merger of two Samsung affiliates: Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries. The deal
Feb. 6, 2025 - 10:40:37
