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Author: 남연재

  • ONEW Expands Solo World Tour to the Americas, Starting in January 2026

    SHINee’s ONEW continues the excitement of his first solo world tour by bringing it to the Americas.

    On October 22, ONEW announced the dates for “2025-26 ONEW WORLD TOUR ＜ONEW THE LIVE : PERCENT (%)＞ IN USA” via official social media, hinting at a new chapter in his journey.

    According to the released schedule, ONEW will kick off the U.S. leg of the tour on January 9, 2026, in San Jose, with additional performances in ▲Los Angeles on the 11th, ▲Chicago on the 14th, ▲New York on the 16th, and ▲Atlanta on the 18th. This will be his first U.S. tour since the completion of the “ONEW THE LIVE : CONNECTION” tour in May, creating even greater anticipation among global fans.

    “ONEW THE LIVE” is a concert series focused on ONEW’s delicate emotional expression and exceptional live performance abilities. The tour started in Seoul, visiting Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, and Kaohsiung, before moving on to South America and Europe, with stops in São Paulo, Santiago, Mexico City, Paris, London, Madrid, and Berlin. It will continue through 21 cities worldwide.

    In each city, ONEW has been delivering different setlists and stage presentations while deeply connecting with fans. With his signature warm voice and steady live performances, he has proven himself as a “trustworthy vocalist.” On October 30, he will continue his tour in São Paulo, Brazil, and maintain his close connection with fans worldwide.

  • HydrogenZen Revolutionizes Skincare with ‘The First Essence’ for Antioxidant Protection

    Cosmetics company LOEWE announced the launch of a new antioxidant skincare brand, HydrogenZen, with its first product, HydrogenZen The First Essence, released on the 22nd.

    HydrogenZen The First Essence is a hydrogen-based essence that has scientifically proven its ability to stabilize hydrogen and enhance the skin’s antioxidant mechanisms through extensive testing.

    This product contains 2 billion hydrogen nanobubble capsules that help eliminate free radicals, penetrate deeply into the skin layers, and provide powerful antioxidant effects, resulting in a healthier, more vibrant skin transformation.

    Additionally, the essence maximizes hydrogen stability through a patented nanobubble generation device and encapsulation process. It also contains three key antioxidant ingredients—epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, and rutin—to provide skin hydration, elasticity, and antioxidant improvement.

    A representative from HydrogenZen stated, “We developed this hydrogen essence to strengthen the antioxidant defense of skin, which is often irritated due to frequent environmental changes, and to help maintain healthier skin.” They also added, “By excluding parabens, fragrances, artificial dyes, oils, and purified water, we aim to restore the skin’s balance and vitality with HydrogenZen The First Essence for healthier skin.”

  • Takaichi Aims to Strengthen Japan-Korea Ties: A Global Diplomatic Approach”

    Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae announced in her inaugural press conference that she aims to develop Japan’s relationship with South Korea in a forward-looking manner.

    According to NHK, Prime Minister Takaichi said during the press conference on the 21st, shortly after being elected, “South Korea is an important neighboring country for Japan and a necessary partner in responding to various global challenges.”

    She further emphasized, “I want to develop Japan-South Korea relations in a stable and future-oriented way, based on the relationship that has been built between previous administrations.”

    Additionally, she commented, “Although there are some concerns, I really like Korean seaweed, use Korean cosmetics, and watch Korean dramas.”

    Prime Minister Takaichi also discussed Japan’s foreign policy.

    She stressed the relationship between Japan and the United States, saying, “Japan is an important partner for the U.S. in both the China strategy and the Indo-Pacific strategy.”

    Further, she highlighted her goals for Japan’s role in global diplomacy, saying, “We will work on building trust with the leaders of each country and actively propose to ensure Japan plays a prominent role on the world stage.”

  • Rowoon to Enlist on October 27 — Promises to Continue Acting After Service

    Actor Rowoon shared his thoughts on the conclusion of the Disney+ drama series Tackryu (Turbid Stream) ahead of his upcoming military enlistment.

    Through his agency FNC Entertainment, Rowoon said on the 20th, “It was an honor to take part in Tackryu before my enlistment. This project gave me great courage and confidence in my acting career. I was truly happy to create such a wonderful piece with amazing colleagues.”

    He continued, “I sincerely thank all the viewers who have watched Tackryu. I hope you’ll remember this drama for a long time. Even after I return from the military, I plan to continue acting without rest, so please keep supporting me.”

    In Tackryu, Rowoon played the lead role of Jang Si-yul, marking his most intense transformation since debut. He portrayed the emotional journey of a man who rises from a humble worker to a powerful figure with extraordinary depth, displaying his impressive acting range. Performing most of his action scenes himself, Rowoon once

    again proved his limitless potential as an actor.

    Rowoon is set to begin his mandatory military service on October 27.

  • From Bags to Brands: The Rise of Keyring Culture in Korea

    From backpack zippers to car keychains, keyrings are everywhere in Korea these days.

    What used to be a simple decoration has evolved into a symbol of identity — and a rising consumer trend among the younger generation.

    At a Daiso store in Suwon, a 22-year-old university student said, “I used to keep my bag plain, but now I collect limited-edition keyrings or win them from claw machines. When I’m stressed, I hang a squishy one; during exams, I use a four-leaf clover or lucky bear charm.”

    This growing collectible culture has caught the attention of major retailers.

    Kakao Friends recently released Squid Game-themed dolls, while youth fashion brand Love is True launches new concept-based keyrings every month to boost collectibility.

    Even non-fashion brands like Starbucks, Hyundai Card, and convenience store chains are embracing keyrings as part of merchandising campaigns, pairing them with brand characters or seasonal promotions.

    Experts point to social media as the source of the trend, where young consumers use keyrings to express their personality. On Instagram, posts tagged with #키링 exceed 1.58 million, while #keyring surpasses 1.51 million.

    A consumer science professor at Inha University explained, “Decorating keyrings has become a form of self-expression. As single-person households increase, people view their keyring as an extension of themselves — something that accompanies their daily life.”

  • World Webtoon Festival Opens to Massive Crowds in Seoul

    The 2025 World Webtoon Festival kicked off on October 19 at Lotte Town in Jamsil, Seoul, attracting an impressive 42,000 visitors on its opening day.

    According to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), over 200,000 people are expected to attend during the four-day event, marking a 2.5-fold increase from last year.

    The festival aims to bring mobile webtoon content into physical spaces, showcasing the global competitiveness of the K-webtoon industry. Exhibits span over a century of Korean comic and webtoon history — from political cartoons of the 1910s to digital webtoons of the 2000s — allowing visitors to experience the evolution of the medium through live drawing shows and hands-on workshops.

    Pop-up stores for hit titles such as Lookism, What It Means to Be You, The Remarried Empress, and Maru is a Puppy were fully booked in advance, demonstrating the massive popularity of K-webtoons. These collaborations with fashion, fragrance, and F&B brands also highlight the growing potential for webtoon IP commercialization.

    Industry experts view the event as a major step toward creating a global festival that embodies K-webtoon identity.

    Veteran webtoon artist Lee Jong Beom remarked, “If the festival establishes its own brand identity like New York Comic Con, it could become the representative global event for K-webtoons.”

  • From Office to Street: Why Brown Is the Most Versatile Color This Season

    Samsung C&T’s fashion division has named brown as the defining color of this fall and winter season.

    With global color authority Pantone selecting “Mocha Mousse” — a warm, refined brown — as one of the colors of the year, the shade aligns perfectly with the ongoing “Quiet Luxury” trend, where understated elegance takes center stage.

    Brown has emerged as a versatile tone suitable for everything from office wear to casual looks. It pairs beautifully with materials like wool, cashmere, leather, suede, and corduroy. Once limited to sweaters and knitwear, brown is now expanding into skirts, trousers, and outerwear as a key color for full looks. Combining brown with beige, gray, greige, or even blue and red creates a sophisticated contrast that elevates any outfit.

    Women’s brand KUHO increased its brown-toned lineup by over 30% this season, offering brown set-up suits, tonal layering styles, and luxurious cashmere coats. Likewise, Beanpole Ladies boosted its brown selections by over 20%, matching suede jumpers and corduroy jackets with blue or red sweaters for a classic yet lively aesthetic.

    The Samsung Fashion Research Institute noted, “Brown’s timeless appeal will continue into next year,” adding that tonal brown styling and brown accented with bold color highlights will define this season’s trend direction.

  • Swedish Royals Visit SM Entertainment — A Cultural Bridge Between Korea and Sweden

    Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden visited SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, to experience the heart of K-pop creativity firsthand.

    The visit was part of the Swedish royal family’s official itinerary to Korea, focusing on cultural and creative industry exchange. Touring SM’s studios and recording rooms, the royals observed the K-pop production process up close. They expressed particular interest in the collaboration between Swedish songwriters and SM Entertainment, praising how K-pop continues to generate cultural synergy in the global music market.

    Their schedule also included a meeting with rookie girl group HARTS TO HARTS, where they discussed music training and daily practice routines. The members gifted the royals autographed CDs and official merchandise, to which the Crown Princess replied that it was “an unforgettable present.”

    During a discussion with SM executives, the main topics included K-pop’s global influence and the sustainability of its creative ecosystem. Both sides agreed that combining Sweden’s musical creativity and technology with K-pop’s cultural power could yield even greater synergy.

    Crown Princess Victoria concluded by saying, “We are delighted that Sweden can contribute to the growth of K-pop,” and expressed gratitude for SM’s warm hospitality. The visit has been hailed as a symbolic moment of cultural cooperation and artistic exchange between the two nations.

  • Xiumin of EXO Unveils Concept Photos for New Digital Single ‘Overdrop’

    Xiumin, a member of EXO, is set to make his long-awaited comeback with a new digital single titled “Overdrop.”

    His agency, INB100, unveiled the concept photos on October 13 through official channels, showcasing Xiumin’s mature charisma and refined appeal. In the photos, Xiumin leans against a car, dressed in a black see-through shirt and leather gloves, exuding understated sensuality. His nonchalant expression and intense gaze add a layer of tension, sparking curiosity about his upcoming musical direction.

    “Overdrop” marks Xiumin’s first release in about seven months since his second mini album, “Interview X,” which dropped in March. The new single encapsulates Xiumin’s sophisticated sensibility and energetic performance style, highlighting his deeper musical identity and reaffirming his presence as a solo artist.

    Xiumin’s digital single “Overdrop” will be released worldwide on October 20 at 6 PM (KST) through all major online music platforms.

  • LG H&H Uses Vision AI to Decode Facial Aging and Key Genetic Markers

    LG Household & Health Care has successfully identified six key indicators and genetic factors linked to facial aging using advanced Vision AI technology. This large-scale analysis, based on high-resolution facial images of over 16,000 Korean participants, marks the country’s most comprehensive study on facial aging — revealing for the first time that aging progresses at different rates across facial areas such as the eyes, lips, and contours.

    The findings were published in the prestigious dermatology journal Journal of Investigative Dermatology, gaining recognition from the academic community. Using AI-based facial landmark extraction technology, researchers analyzed 68 points on each face, quantifying subtle changes invisible to the naked eye. They found that eye sagging accelerates before age 50, lip elasticity declines significantly after 50, and facial contours gradually shift across all age groups.

    Based on this data, LG H&H proposed a personalized skincare roadmap: focusing on eye wrinkles in the 30s–40s and enhancing lip elasticity after the 50s. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the team also identified ten major gene regions — including FOXL2 and FGF10 — that play crucial roles in facial aging, paving the way for precision skincare tailored to each individual’s genetic profile.

    LG H&H CTO Kang Nae-gyu stated, “This research is not merely about delaying aging, but about achieving ‘Skin Longevity’ across one’s lifetime,” adding, “By combining AI with genetics, we aim to deliver precision beauty care solutions that reflect each person’s unique aging pattern.”