Egrets and herons rest on concrete surfaces in Paju, Gyeonggi, on July 14.YONHAP
Good evening on this warm Tuesday here in Seoul. Here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, the United States is pressing Korea on the implementation of its promised $350 billion investment at a time when Korea-U.S. ties are experiencing friction over the handling of Coupang's data breach.
In other stories, we look at how Ateez's "Bad" dance has gone viral on the internet, and we find out why it's so hard to book a hotel in Seoul these days.
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Today's top story
KOREA
U.S. presses Korea over slow progress on $350 billion investment pledge
The United States reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over Korea’s slow implementation of its promised $350 billion investment, raising concerns that the delay could become an additional source of friction between the countries.
“The main point of the U.S. side’s recent and repeated complaints to us is clear,” a senior ruling party official told the JoongAng Ilbo on Monday. “Essentially, they’re asking why there hasn’t been at least some progress on U.S.-bound investment, following many pending issues between Korea and the United States.”
One move was enough: Ateez's San has the algorithm in a chokehold
A split-second dance move in Ateez’s “Bad” spread far beyond the fandom, drawing millions of views and boosting the group’s profile in Korea.
San's athletic physique, precise movements and confident stage presence certainly attracted attention. Yet, what appears to have made the clip stand out was its ability to reach viewers well beyond Ateez's established fan base
Robot monks to Gen-Z merch: Korean Buddhism reinvents itself to survive
Facing a steep decline in new monks and nuns, Korea’s largest Buddhist order is using pop culture, merchandise and technology to draw younger and nonreligious audiences.
