The Korea Times

Coupang calls itself US company, but little known to Americans

SEATTLE — Coupang is headquartered in Seattle, listed on the New York Stock Exchange and incorporated in Delaware. By its own definition, it is an American company. But on a recent afternoon in South Lake Union, just blocks from Amazon’s sprawling campus, the name drew blank stares from passersby and office workers alike. “I’ve lived here for 10 years and never heard of it,” said Jason Miller, a software engineer working nearby. “If it’s a Seattle company, it’s not one people here interact with.” At a nearby coffee shop, marketing consultant Emily Chen said the label feels off. “When you say ‘American company,’ I think of something that operates here, hires here, has customers here,” she said. “This doesn’t sound like that.” The disconnect underscores a growing tension as Coupang finds itself at the center of a geopolitical dispute between Washington and Seoul, drawing attention well beyond its core market. U.S. Republican lawmakers have recently stepped in to defend the company, accusing Korea of discriminating against American firms, with Coupang cited al

Apr 24, 2026By Jane Han

Coupang calls itself US company, but little known to Americans

Foreign Affairs

Viral summit photo spotlights ‘selfie diplomacy’

Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong posed for a widely shared selfie in New Delhi on Monday, drawing attention to the optics of “selfie diplomacy” at a Korea-India summit. The photo was taken during a state luncheon using Samsung’s latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Flip7. The image quickly went viral online on social media and was picked up by multiple media outlets. The moment comes months after Lee drew notice at home for using a Chinese smartphone during a high-profile diplomatic event. In January, Lee took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping using a Xiaomi phone he had received as a gift. He later shared the image publicly, describing it as a memorable moment. The episode prompted mixed reactions, with some commentary focused on symbolism, while others described the approach as reflecting Lee’s flexible style of diplomacy. “President Lee Jae Myung has had a complicated relationship with smartphones in public optics. Not long ago, he drew heat back at home after using a Xiaomi phone, r

Apr 21, 2026By Jane Han

Viral summit photo spotlights ‘selfie diplomacy’

World

US reaction backs S. Korea jail term for American streamer

SEATTLE — Online reaction in the U.S. has largely backed a South Korean court’s decision to jail controversial streamer Johnny Somali, with many saying the six-month sentence was justified or even too lenient. The American content creator, whose legal name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, 25, was sentenced Wednesday by a Seoul court to six months in prison on charges including obstruction of business and other offenses tied to disruptive public behavior. He was taken into custody immediately following the ruling. The case has drawn significant international attention, with major U.S. and global news outlets quickly reporting on the sentence as it spread across online platforms. The streamer was earlier embroiled in widespread controversy in Korea after he filmed himself engaging in provocative acts in public spaces, including at sites of historical sensitivity and confronting locals for online content. Across platforms such as Reddit, X, Instagram, Threads and YouTube, many in the U.S. said the punishment was warranted, arguing that behavior often dismissed as online “trolling” crossed i

Apr 16, 2026By Jane Han

US reaction backs S. Korea jail term for American streamer

K-pop

BTS tackles spicy wings on 'Hot Ones' in record-setting episode

Global K-pop group BTS traded polished interviews for fiery chaos as they appeared on YouTube talk show “Hot Ones” Thursday, taking on progressively spicier chicken wings while fielding questions from host Sean Evans. The seven members started off composed, answering questions about their music and global success with the ease of seasoned performers. That didn’t last long. As the sauces got hotter, their reactions became harder to hide, with coughing, occasional shouting and calls for milk. “I can feel the spice coming,” Suga said, as the group passed level seven and reacted by rolling their tongues and shouting. J-Hope and Jin stood up and began “walking off” and “dancing out” the heat after taking a bite of level eight. Evans continued the interview with questions such as, “Who in the group is the best chef?” “Most likely to miss the tour bus because they’re still getting ready?” and “Least likely to make it to the final wing on ‘Hot Ones?’” The members took an ice cream break before moving on to the final two levels. “This should be prohibited by l

Apr 10, 2026By Jane Han

BTS tackles spicy wings on 'Hot Ones' in record-setting episode

World

BTS comeback concert fuels FOMO as fans tune in worldwide

SEATTLE — As BTS prepares to take the stage in Seoul, excitement is building worldwide, and at the same time FOMO — the fear of missing out — is setting in for fans unable to attend. The free concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday is expected to draw a massive crowd, with hundreds of thousands gathering in and around the venue. The event will also be livestreamed globally, allowing fans across time zones to watch in real time and follow along through social media. For many overseas fans, attending in person is not a realistic option. The cost of international flights and accommodation, combined with work and school schedules, has put the trip out of reach, even for those who have followed the group for years. Online forums have become a space where fans are openly weighing those limitations. On Reddit, one user summed up the situation succinctly: “Netflix at home?” reflecting a choice many international fans face. Others expressed a mix of excitement and frustration at watching from afar. “I wish I could be there,” one user wrote. Another added, “I’ll be watching liv

Mar 21, 2026By Jane Han

World

Driverless taxis routine in Los Angeles as Korea tests robotaxis

LOS ANGELES — The steering wheel began to turn on its own. Sitting in the back seat of a white Jaguar I-PACE operated by Waymo, there was no one in the driver’s seat as the car eased away from the curb and merged into traffic. For a first-time rider, the moment can feel unusual. Within minutes, however, the experience began to feel routine. In parts of Los Angeles, driverless taxis have already blended into everyday traffic. Waymo opened its autonomous ride-hailing service to the public in Los Angeles in November 2024, making the city one of a handful of U.S. cities where passengers can ride in fully driverless taxis. South Korea is also preparing to expand autonomous vehicle services, with Seoul planning to introduce Level-4 robotaxis later this year as part of a broader push to develop artificial intelligence-based transportation. Leading up to that moment, however, can prompt many questions. Without a driver, how exactly does the pickup work? Would the car stop in the right place? And how would it know which passenger to pick up? In a typical ride-hailing pickup, there is usually a

Mar 18, 2026By Jane Han

Driverless taxis routine in Los Angeles as Korea tests robotaxis

World

Gas tops $8 at some Los Angeles stations, nearly double Seoul prices

LOS ANGELES — At a gas station near downtown Los Angeles, the price of regular gasoline this week climbed past $8 per gallon, prompting some drivers to do a double take at the pump. Photos and short videos of the price board quickly began circulating on social media, showing the unusually high figure. The images have become a widely shared sign of the latest surge in U.S. fuel costs. The spike comes as oil prices jump past $100 per barrel amid the war involving Iran, raising concerns about disruptions to global crude supplies. Across Los Angeles, gas station signs now show unusually high prices. The average gasoline price in California remains a little above $5 per gallon, according to fuel price trackers. That is roughly similar to gasoline prices in Seoul, where fuel recently averaged about 1,900 won per liter — around $5 per gallon. What has drawn the most attention are the outliers. At a handful of stations in Los Angeles, prices have climbed past $8 per gallon, far above the city’s average. Those stations have appeared repeatedly in social media posts and news reports highlighti

Mar 14, 2026By Jane Han

Gas tops $8 at some Los Angeles stations, nearly double Seoul prices

Arts & Theater

Haegue Yang, LA Phil bring Yun Isang's 'Double Concerto' to life in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — The lights dimmed inside Walt Disney Concert Hall as the sound of wind drifted through the darkness Tuesday evening. Two narrow beams swept across the audience, racing from the back of the hall toward the stage before swinging back again like a pendulum. As the lights moved, the soundscape thickened, wind giving way to rain before swelling into the suggestion of a gathering storm. This five-minute “light prelude,” designed by internationally acclaimed artist Haegue Yang, served as a quiet overture before the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil) performed composer Yun Isang’s 1977 composition, “Double Concerto.” The LA Phil New Music Group navigated the work’s restless currents under the baton of Korean Canadian conductor Earl Lee. Instead of a traditional melody, the oboe and harp move through shifting textures and sustained tones, circling one another in gestures that build tension rather than resolve it. Without a clear melodic anchor, the piece draws listeners into a landscape defined by texture and movement. When the final sound faded, the sold-out hall rose

Mar 13, 2026By Jane Han

Haegue Yang, LA Phil bring Yun Isang's 'Double Concerto' to life in Los Angeles

Economy

Korean won drops below 1,500 per dollar for first time since 2009 financial crisis

The Korean won fell past the 1,500 mark against the U.S. dollar early Wednesday for the first time since March 2009 during the global financial crisis, as escalating military clashes involving the U.S., Israel and Iran sent investors rushing to the dollar. According to Reuters and other foreign media reports, the won-dollar exchange rate briefly broke above 1,500 won at around 12:20 a.m. on Wednesday. The rate extended gains to as high as 1,506 won before retreating below the 1,500 won level. The move reflected a sharp surge in the dollar amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty. The breach marked the first time in 17 years that the won-dollar rate had crossed the 1,500 threshold, a level widely viewed as a psychological support line in local currency markets and last seen during the global financial crisis.

Mar 4, 2026By Jane Han

Korean won drops below 1,500 per dollar for first time since 2009 financial crisis

Companies

Olive Young’s US debut draws buzz as shoppers question formulas

SEATTLE — When CJ Olive Young said it would open its first U.S. stores in California, the reaction was swift. On social media, K-beauty fans celebrated the idea of finally walking into a brick-and-mortar version of the Seoul retailer they have been ordering from for years. For many shoppers here in the U.S., Olive Young is more than a chain. It represents what’s trending in Korea right now. The sheet masks stacked by the register. The sunscreen that sells out in Seoul before it appears on Instagram. The perception that you are getting the same products sold in Korea, not a separate export version. That is why the excitement has come with a pointed question: will the products on U.S. shelves be exactly the same? Since news of Olive Young’s U.S. expansion first surfaced, online forums have buzzed with questions about whether the products would remain unchanged. “Most of the brands that sell a lot to the U.S. changed to a separate U.S. formula (aka worse) so I expect those will be the imports unless the FDA gets cool with a lot of technologies really quickly,” one Reddit user wrot

Feb 28, 2026By Jane Han

Jane Han

Read more

Coupang calls itself US company, but little known to Americans

Viral summit photo spotlights ‘selfie diplomacy’

US reaction backs S. Korea jail term for American streamer

BTS tackles spicy wings on 'Hot Ones' in record-setting episode

BTS comeback concert fuels FOMO as fans tune in worldwide

Driverless taxis routine in Los Angeles as Korea tests robotaxis

Gas tops $8 at some Los Angeles stations, nearly double Seoul prices

Haegue Yang, LA Phil bring Yun Isang's 'Double Concerto' to life in Los Angeles

Korean won drops below 1,500 per dollar for first time since 2009 financial crisis

Olive Young’s US debut draws buzz as shoppers question formulas

Top 5 stories