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Markets

Market: Under the South Korean government’s push to boost corporate value, listed companies bought back shares worth 18.8 trillion won ($12.9 billion) last year, marking an over 10 trillion won on-year surge, according to the country’s bourse operator, Korea Exchange, Thursday.

National

Korea plans to promote domestic tourism ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

The South Korean government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have announced measures to boost domestic tourism and stabilize food prices during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday (Jan. 27–31), amid efforts to counteract a sluggish economy and weak consumer sentiment.

Key Measures:

1. Travel Discounts and Tourism Boosts:

• KTX and SRT fare discounts:

  • Passengers traveling from provinces to the Seoul Metropolitan area will receive up to 40% off on high-speed rail fares.

• Domestic travel subsidies:

  • 150,000 workers at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will receive 400,000 won ($274) in travel subsidies.

• Tourism incentives:

  • Free access to historical sites such as palaces and tombs.

  • Local governments and public institutions will offer free parking and organize cultural events.

2. Price Stabilization for Holiday Essentials:

• Increased supply of foodstuffs:

  • 1.5 times the usual amount of holiday-related food items like vegetables, fruits, and eggs will be made available to address rising demand.

  • Radish prices (+84%), cabbages (+64%), and pears (+25%) have seen significant year-on-year increases, prompting these measures.

• Agricultural product discounts:

  • The government will provide the largest-ever discounts on agricultural products to alleviate consumer burdens.

• Marine product supply:

  • Expanded distribution of stored seafood and price support for marine products.

3. Support for SMEs and Traditional Markets:

• Onnuri gift certificates:

  • 5.5 trillion won worth of gift certificates will be issued to encourage spending in traditional markets.

• Policy loans for small businesses:

  • 26.5 trillion won in policy loans will be supplied this year, including 1.7 trillion won during the Lunar New Year period.

Industry Reactions:

Tourism industry insiders expressed cautious optimism, welcoming the price-stabilizing policies but questioning their effectiveness in revitalizing domestic tourism without addressing broader political and economic uncertainties.

Broader Economic Context:

The measures reflect the government’s efforts to:

• Combat the impact of rising geopolitical risks and weakened consumer confidence.

• Support struggling small businesses and stabilize people’s livelihoods during the holiday season.

These initiatives aim to enhance convenience for holiday travelers and stimulate domestic consumption and local economies during one of Korea’s most significant cultural celebrations.

Business

Hyundai Motor Group announces a $16 billion investment in Korea's next-generation mobility sector.

LHyundai Motor Group has announced an ambitious 24.3 trillion won ($16.67 billion) investment plan for 2025, marking a 19% increase from the previous year and the largest annual investment in its history. The initiative is a proactive step toward securing leadership in cutting-edge mobility solutions, with a focus on electrification, software-defined vehicles (SDVs), and hydrogen energy.

Key Highlights of the Investment Plan:

1. Electrification:

   • Hyundai will introduce a full lineup of 21 electric vehicle (EV) models by 2030.

   • Kia plans to expand its EV portfolio to 15 models by 2027.

   • The investment includes capital for constructing Kia’s EV Plant in Hwaseong, set to open in late 2025, focusing on Platform Beyond Vehicles (PBVs) — modular cars with customizable upper bodies.

2. Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs):

   • Increased R&D efforts will target the development of in-vehicle software systems to support the transition to SDVs.

3. Hydrogen Energy:

   • Expanded development of hydrogen-powered buses and trucks.

   • Continued construction of hydrogen fueling stations.

   • Strengthening the hydrogen energy value chain, from production to transportation, as part of the group’s carbon neutrality goals.

4. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Auto Parts:

   • Investments in sustainable components for EVs and hybrid vehicles, aligning with the group’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

5. Autonomous Driving and AI:

   • 800 billion won will be allocated to advancing autonomous driving technologies and AI systems, reinforcing these areas as critical growth engines.

6. R&D Commitment:

   • 11.5 trillion won of the total budget is earmarked for research and development in the aforementioned key growth areas.

Strategic Goals:

Hyundai Motor Group aims to address market uncertainties, enhance communication with stakeholders, and solidify its position as a leader in next-generation mobility. Executive Chair Chung Euisun highlighted the importance of innovation in navigating geopolitical risks and challenging macroeconomic conditions.

The group’s bold investment signals a long-term commitment to sustainability, technological innovation, and global competitiveness in the evolving automotive landscape.

Travel Guide Korea

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K-pop

Can BTS and BLACKPINK revive declining K-pop album sales this year?

The K-pop industry is gearing up for a significant rebound in 2025, with the anticipated comebacks of BTS and BLACKPINK poised to drive album sales back above the 100 million mark, a milestone that the industry last achieved in 2023.

Key Points from the 2024 Decline:

• Album Sales:

  • Total sales of the top 400 albums dropped to 92.7 million, a 19.5% decrease from 115.2 million in 2023.

  • Contributing factors:

    • Reduced activity from top-tier stars like BTS (due to military service).

    • Market contraction following the martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol in December.

    • Decreased bulk album purchases for fan events.

• Major Groups' Sales:

  • SEVENTEEN: Sales dropped from 16 million (2023) to 8.96 million (2024).

  • Stray Kids: Sales fell from 10.87 million to 5.88 million.

• Export Decline:

  • K-pop exports dropped by 7%, from $292 million (2023) to $271 million (2024), per Korea Customs Service data.

This marked the first decline in K-pop album sales after nine years of continuous growth.

Optimism for 2025:

• BTS Comeback:

  • With all members completing their military service by June, BTS is set to resume group activities.

  • A new album and potential world tour are expected in the latter half of the year.

• BLACKPINK Reunification:

  • After focusing on solo projects, BLACKPINK is anticipated to release a new album and embark on a world tour.

• SEVENTEEN's Subunit BSS:

  • Released a new EP early this year, signaling increased group activity.

• New Debuts:

  • Fresh acts from JYP Entertainment and SM Entertainment are slated to debut, potentially energizing the market.

Shift in Fan Spending:

• Fans are redirecting spending toward concerts and merchandise post-pandemic:

  • SEVENTEEN doubled their overseas concerts from 18 to 32.

  • Live performances are increasingly driving revenue for groups like Stray Kids, whose overseas stadium tour is expected to attract large audiences.

Stock Market Growth:

• The stock prices of the "Big Four" entertainment companies (HYBE, SM, JYP, and YG) have surged by 30–50% since fall 2024, reflecting renewed investor confidence in the K-pop market.

Industry Expert Insights:

• Kim Jin-woo (Circle Chart): The 2024 decline was a market adjustment following pandemic-driven hype. The upcoming comebacks of BTS and BLACKPINK are likely to rejuvenate album sales.

• Kim Hyun-yong (Hyundai Motor Securities): The global K-pop market is entering a new growth cycle, especially in U.S. and European concert markets.

With BTS and BLACKPINK at the forefront, alongside expanding activities from other top-tier and rookie groups, the K-pop industry is positioned for another record-breaking year in 2025.

Job Post

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