Tiny micro-fossil eggs from the Korean Cretaceous, Onggwanoolithus aphaedoensis, offer the first direct evidence of bird eggs in Korea and reveal eggshell structure that bridges reptilian and avian forms, shedding light on early reproduction and nesting among ancient birds.
South Korean researchers have identified Doolysaurus huhmini, a juvenile dinosaur fossil found on Aphae Island, offering rare skull remains and clues about Cretaceous life, including a likely omnivorous diet evidenced by gastroliths, with micro-CT imaging revealing detailed anatomy; the name honors the popular cartoon character Dooly.
In the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, Korea (runner-up in Pool C) faces a heavily favored Dominican Republic, which dominated Pool D with MLB stars; DR starts Cristopher Sanchez, while Korea relies on Jung Hoo Lee and Bo Gyeong Moon as its key contributors. The knockout stage game is Friday in Miami and is a must-win for both teams.
FT’s Unhedged argues that retail private credit is structurally illiquid: redemptions and fund liquidity constraints threaten the model even as asset quality remains unthreatened, potentially capping growth and forcing internal support in downturns. The piece also notes Korea’s volatile week driven by AI hype and high margin debt, with governance and AI as long‑run positives but continued near‑term volatility.
Asia stocks fell on Friday as tech shares retreated after Nvidia’s results, but South Korea’s KOSPI is set for a strong February with Hyundai lifting on AI‑data centre plans, while Japan’s Nikkei eased and the TOPIX rose on softer Tokyo inflation data; Australia looks for a solid February as China and Hong Kong show mixed performances.
Asian equity markets rose after Wall Street’s gains, with investors awaiting megacap tech earnings and the Fed decision, while South Korea’s KOSPI jumped over 2% as tariff jitters cooled; Japanese, Chinese, and Australian indices also advanced as investors eyed Samsung, SK Hynix, and upcoming results from Microsoft, Meta, and Apple.
A Korean best-selling memoir by Kim Hana and Hwang Sunwoo chronicles buying a shared Seoul apartment and living as platonic partners, detailing shared finances, chores, and four cats, and arguing that housing policy and social norms must adapt to rising single-person households by normalizing non-marital, non-romantic family forms—including civil unions—while presenting their partnership as a pragmatic, empowering alternative to traditional marriage.
Korea and China agreed to expand cultural cooperation, improve bilateral ties through annual summits, and address regional issues like the West Sea structure and maritime boundaries, aiming to restore and strengthen their strategic partnership.
Shares of Korean fried chicken companies surged after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was seen enjoying fried chicken and beer in Seoul with prominent Korean business leaders, highlighting how viral moments and cultural events can influence short-term stock market movements in South Korea.
South Korea has legalized tattooing by nonmedical professionals after a 33-year ban, establishing a licensing system and safety regulations, with the law taking effect in two years.
The article argues that the arrest of Mother Han in South Korea lacks legal basis and is part of a broader political and religious purge targeting religious leaders and supporters of the former president, rather than a genuine anti-corruption effort, raising concerns about religious liberty and democracy in Korea.
Kim Jong Kook is finally getting married in a private ceremony in Seoul, marking a significant milestone in his 30th anniversary year, with plans for celebrations including an album and concert.
A large Korean study found that breast cancer survivors do not have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and may even have a slightly lower risk shortly after treatment, though this protective effect diminishes over time. The findings are reassuring for survivors, indicating that breast cancer treatments do not directly increase Alzheimer's risk, but do not address genetic predispositions.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of a surfboard or frisbee-shaped object passing the Moon, sparking social media speculation. However, the object was identified as Korea Aerospace Research Institute's Danuri lunar orbiter, which has been in lunar orbit since December 2022. The images were taken with precise timing as the two spacecraft traveled at high relative velocities, resulting in smeared images. NASA's operations team reoriented and stretched the images to provide a clearer view of the Korean spacecraft.
The Los Angeles Dodgers received a rock star welcome in Korea, with fans eagerly awaiting their arrival at Incheon International Airport. The team, including new signings Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, faced a media frenzy and enthusiastic fanbase as they prepare for their season-long traveling tour. The attention and scrutiny are attributed to the Dodgers' significant winter acquisitions, with players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts acknowledging the heightened excitement. Ohtani, in particular, attracted attention for his Instagram post featuring his new wife, adding to the buzz surrounding the team. The Dodgers are gearing up for their first tour stop at the Gocheok Skydome in Seoul, with high expectations as they prepare for Ohtani's debut in the regular season game against the San Diego Padres.