Tag: South Korea

  • Hyundai Pakistan launches another variant of obsolete Elantra

    Hyundai Pakistan launches another variant of obsolete Elantra

    Hyundai-Nishat has introduced the long-awaited Elantra GL 1.6, with a hefty price tag of Rs4.3 million for the ‘base trim’.

    This model was predicted to compete with the Altis X 1.6, but Rs4.3 million for a base model does not seem to attract much for a car that already existed.

    The ‘latest sedan’ is now available for bookings at Hyundai dealerships for Rs1.2 million. In terms of appearance, the new Elantra GL is identical to the GLS model. The majority of the changes have occurred on the inside.

    GL’s naturally aspirated 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 127 horsepower (hp) and 155 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque in the new model. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

    The Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6L, which is priced between Rs3.92 million and Rs4.3 million, will be the Hyundai Elantra GL’s main rival which comes with a 4-year or 100,00 km warranty. Hyundai, as a newcomer to Pakistan’s automarket, appears to be up against a formidable opponent: Toyota Indus, which has been selling automobiles for decades and is known for its sturdiness.

    Read more: Toyota to launch its first electric car with 559 km range next month

    It is too early to comment on its performance at the moment, as its fate will be revealed in the near future when Pakistan Automotive Manufacturer’s Association releases the monthly sales data.

  • BTS’s Jin and HYBE shed light on ‘plan’ for mandatory military service

    Korean pop group, BTS has recently performed their concert, Permission To Dance in Las Vegas, The United States (US). The group had attended a press conference at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

    While responding to a question during the press conference, BTS member Jin said: “I talked a lot with the company and entrusted all military service-related tasks with the company.”

    Their agency HYBE CCO, Lee Jin Hyung also addressed the concerns related to BTS mandatory military service, “The BTS members have currently left the matter of their military service in the hands of the company. BTS has already conveyed the message multiple times that they will accept the call of duty whenever the nation calls them, and they have not changed this opinion. However, the policy on military service has changed a little, and as the members are experiencing changes to the Military Service Act that they did not expect, they are currently monitoring the situation while discussing the matter with the company.”

    It is to be noted that South Korea has set the threshold of maximum age limit for a man to get enrolled for mandatory service at 28 years. However, according to a new amendment to a law that was passed in December 2020 was dubbed as “BTS military service amendment”. This law allows artists who receive recognition from the government could delay their military enlistment till they are 30 years old. The changes were done because of the group’s contribution to the economy during the pandemic.

    Jin will turn 30 years this year in December so he has to enlist before the end of the year 2022. However, some members proposed a bill in the Korean National Assembly to exempt BTS from mandatory military enlistment on the account of their contribution to the South Korean economy. Currently, this bill is under debate in the National Assembly and has not reached a final agreement on the bill.

    CCO further added, “To put it precisely, the policy on military service is changing, and it’s true that the BTS members are having a hard time because it’s difficult for them to predict the timing [of their military service]. Since it’s difficult for them to make plans, both the BTS members and the company are currently keeping a close eye on the proposed amendment.”

    In South Korea, every mature man between 18 and 28 age is required to fulfill their military enlistment for about 2 years. Those people who cannot enlist in mandatory military service on the basis of health issues, personal, and religious beliefs can enroll in alternatives such as public service workers.

  • BTS plays Holi with water balloons in filmy style, enjoy together like BFFs

    BTS has become the most-followed boy band not just in their home country South Korea but also all around the globe. The septet has kept their fanbase, popularly known as ARMY, vividly entertained through their fun online game sessions and hit songs that maintain a top spot on the chart for weeks straight. In a recently edited video doing the rounds on social media, a part of the group can be seen playing Holi on an open field with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’s song playing in the background.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CUhUMWJYvI

    For the unversed, the Bangtan Boys have lately been in the news for their recent three-day concert which kicked off on March 10 and ended on the 13th. The show was a massive hit even though there were strict guidelines issued by the government in the wake of COVID 19. In the most recent turn of events, their managing company, Big Hit recently announced a fresh live show schedule which is expected to happen in Los Angeles right after their Grammys performance.

    In a recent short clip doing the rounds on Instagram, BTS’ J-Hope and V can be seen playing Holi on a green field. The original clip was taken from an episode of Bon Voyage where the two members randomly started playing with water guns and balloons while the rest of the group was chilling indoors.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezWUYbcz-mE

    In this Holi clip of BTS, an Indian ARMY has added the popular song Balam Pichkari from the Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. In the first frame, Taehyung aka V can be seen running around behind J Hope to get him drenched in water. Hobi’s revenge is also clearly sweet as he smashes the opponent with a bunch of water balloons.

  • ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    ‘Jungkook cried a lot’: BTS member Jimin opens up on dramatic fight with Jungkook

    South Korean band BTS has garnered a huge fan following across the world in the last eight years and their every new release sets a new record in the global music market. Apart from their hit songs, the band members also indulge in fun activities, clips of which can be found on several video streaming platforms.

    During a recent interview, member Jimin and Jungkook had opened up about getting into a fight, years back, only to reconcile within the next few hours in the most dramatic way possible.

    When BTS’ Jimin Revealed How He Had A Dramatic Fight With Jungkook

    A few weeks back, their managing company announced that the band will be performing at the capital of their home country, South Korea. Most reports also suggest that they are currently working on their next album which will most probably drop before the end of 2022.

    During an interaction on BTS Festa, BTS members Jimin and Jungkook had revealed how they got into a fight in one of the studios. “We had a fight in the practice studio on a rainy day. After the fight, I got so angry. I told him, ‘do whatever you want’ and left the room. I walked to our house; it was a 20-minute walk from the studio. Then I got a call from Jungkook saying, ‘Jimin, I am so sorry,’ to which I stated, ‘I said don’t call me!’”

    BTS: When Jimin-Jungkook had a nasty fight and patched things up in K-drama style in the rain!

    Explaining how the dramatic reunion happened, Jimin further said, “I asked, ‘where are you?’ Then, he said, ‘I don’t know.’ So, I said, ‘Tell me where you are and I’ll come get you.’” Jungkook explained how he decided to take a taxi home that day and almost got jumped on by Jimin making him cry inconsolably.

    “Yes. So, I was waiting for him in the rain. When Jungkook arrived. I hugged him tightly like in Slam Dunk calling, ‘Jungkook!’ Jungkook cried a lot that day.”, Jimin added.

  • BTS set to perform in South Korea after a hiatus

    BTS set to perform in South Korea after a hiatus

    A popular Korean pop group, BTS will be going to perform in their home country, South Korea for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic started.

    The tour, “Permission to Dance on Stage” which was previously postponed is now being kicked off by next month, March. The management company, BigHit announced the concert dates on their Twitter.

    The group will perform at Olympic Stadium in Seoul on March 3,12, and 13, and fans will be able to watch live concerts online as well.

    The company wrote on an online fan platform, Weverse, “We would like to thank all ARMY for patiently waiting for an in-person concert to be held in Korea.”

    The management also released the teaser of the tour on their official channel. ARMY fandom is showing their love and support for their upcoming performances on the tour under the comment section of the video.

    ARMY is an acronym of ‘Adorable Representative MC for Youth’.

    BTS Group has achieved international fame by winning all three awards in which they were nominated in the American Music Awards 2021. The awards included are Favorite Pop Duo or Group, Favorite Pop Song for “Butter,” and Artist of the Year.

    The group competed with Ariana Grande, Drake, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and The Weeknd in the category, Artist of the Year.

    Recently, BTS member, V tested positive for covid and is currently undergoing treatment at home.

    Other members RM, Jin, and Suga already recovered from covid in January.

  • Twitter receives record number of govt requests to remove content, including India’s

    Twitter receives record number of govt requests to remove content, including India’s

    Twitter has revealed that a record number of requests have been made from several governments around the world to remove content from the social media platform between January and June 2021.

    According to the platform, 95 per cent of the demands came from five countries which include Japan, Russia, Turkey, India and South Korea.

    The company said that in July 2021, it had seen a surge in government demands to take down content posted by journalists and news outlets.

    In a report, they said that 43,387 legal demands for the removal of content from 196,878 accounts were made in the six months. It is the largest number of such requests in a reporting period since Twitter started releasing its transparency reports in 2012.

    Sinead McSweeney, Twitter’s vice president of global public policy and philanthropy, said, “We’re facing unprecedented challenges as governments around the world increasingly attempt to intervene and remove content. This threat to privacy and freedom of expression is a deeply worrying trend that requires our full attention.”

    Previously, Twitter faced high-profile tussles with governments from India to Nigeria over content moderation and regulation.

  • Netflix reveals primary characters and first teaser of Money Heist’s Korean version

    Netflix reveals primary characters and first teaser of Money Heist’s Korean version

    Netflix has released the first teaser with characters of the Korean remake of Money Heist, a famous Netflix Spanish web series that was ended with Season 5 in the last year.

    In the teaser, the original character of Professor is being played by the Korean actor Yoo Ji-Tae who seems to be planning the first robbery. The Korean version is named Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area.

    According to the Netflix website, the story illustrates the genius strategist who is staging the exceptional heist in the Korean Peninsula with his talented crew.

    The story would captivate the audience with unexpected twists and turns as the crew stage a hostage while facing inexplicable challenges.

    All eyes are focused on the background and definition behind the title Joint Economic Area.  

    The first season of the upcoming Korean adaptation will consist of 12 episodes.

    Here is the look of all characters playing in the Korean adaptation.

    Korean digital content has been enjoying global popularity since the release of Squid Game which was the top trending web series worldwide on Netflix.

    Netflix, while talking about the adaption in a statement said: “The international popularity of the La casa de Papel is proof that significant works based in different cultures and languages can be widely distributed by Netflix and loved by audiences worldwide.”

    Netflix has produced more than 200 original titles, including over 70 Korean live-action and anime titles. The company has also invested more than $700 million in financing partnerships and co-productions in South Korea since 2015 and the country has 3.3 million paid subscribers as of September 30.

  • Can only travel visa free to 31 countries, Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst in 2022

    Can only travel visa free to 31 countries, Pakistani passport ranks 4th worst in 2022

    The Pakistani passport has been placed at 4th position in the category of the world’s worst passport for international travel in a list released by the Henley Passport Index 2022.

    Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria ranked the top 3 worst passports in the world respectively.

    Overall, the Pakistani passport ranks at 108th position in the world for the third consecutive year with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 31 destinations around the world.

    India climbed up seven positions and ranked at 83rd on the list this year. India had previously ranked at 90th place after slipping from 85 in the year 2021.

    East Asian and European countries as usual dominated on the passport global ranking this year as well.

    Japan and Singapore have been placed at the top of the list of powerful passports in the global ranking which allows travel visa-free to 192 destinations.

    South Korea and Germany are placed in second place with total of 190 points whereas Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain gained 189 scores which made them into third place.

    France, Netherlands, and Sweden moved up at one spot and joined Austria and Denmark in fourth place with a score of 188.

    Ireland and Portugal received total scores of 187 and placed them in fifth place, and the United States and the United Kingdom rank in at number 6.

    Since 2006, the international firm, Henley & Partners has been regularly monitoring the world’s most travel-friendly passports under the “Henley Passport Index”.

  • BTS leader RM and member Jin get Covid-19 after fellow member Suga

    A K-pop group, BTS leader RM and member Jin who is famous for his visuals also diagnosed with Coronavirus. Their fellow member Suga also tested positive for covid on Friday.

    The group took off from their activities and were spending the vacation in the United States (US). RM returned back home, South Korea on December 17 and initially got negative result before entering self-quarantine as per the official procedure. However, at the time of release from quarantine, the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result came out as positive. Currently, he is not having any symptoms.

    On the other side, Jin returned back on December 6 and tested negative both times but he has shown some symptoms of flu and took PCR which turned to be a positive this time. He has mild symptoms and currently taking treatment at home.

    The management of BTS, BigHit released an official statement regarding their health.

    “BTS members RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Saturday, December 25.“

    “After returning on Friday the 17th from the United States following his personal schedule as part of his official vacation period, RM immediately underwent PCR testing, was found negative and entered into self-quarantine in his home as mandated by COVID-19 control procedures. However, he underwent PCR testing today before his scheduled release from quarantine and was found to be positive for COVID-19; he is currently exhibiting no particular symptoms.“

    “Jin returned to Korea on Monday, December 6 and underwent PCR testing immediately after his return and again before his release from self-quarantine, and was found negative on both occasions. However, feeling flu-like symptoms this afternoon he underwent PCR testing and was found positive for COVID-19 late this evening. He is exhibiting mild symptoms including light fever, and is undergoing self-treatment at home.“

    “Our company will continue to provide support for the rapid recovery of RM and Jin, placing our highest priority on the health and safety of our artists. We will continue to cooperate fully with the requests and guidelines of healthcare authorities.

    Thank you.“

  • ’Squid Game Smuggler’ sentenced to death in North Korea

    ’Squid Game Smuggler’ sentenced to death in North Korea

    North Korea announced a death sentence to a man who smuggled and sold copies of the popular South Korean Netflix web series, ‘Squid Game’ which is banned in North Korea.

    The authorities caught seven high school students watching the worldwide hit Korean show, reports the RFA.

    A copy of Squid Game was smuggled from China into North Korea and was sold through the USB flash drives containing the Korean show.

    One of the students who bought the banned show was sentenced to life imprisonment whereas other students, who watched the pirated show received five years of hard labour.

    In schools, administration including teachers were also fired and exiled to isolate parts of the country to work in mines.

    According to analysts, there is a hard censorship policy in North Korea under the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un to ‘prevent the influence of capitalist countries.’

    A new law which is officially named “Law on the Elimination of Reactionary Thought and Culture,” was passed in North Korea last year to curb the impact of the outer world. It carries a maximum penalty of death for viewing, possessing, or delivering ‘capitalist content’, especially from South Korea and the United States of America (USA).