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 👀 Today’s Email about:

• A satirical deepfake video of Kim Yo-jong dancing has gone viral.

• Veterinarians' incomes are increasing faster than doctors' as more Koreans prefer pets over having children.

• ‘Dirty Money’ exposes corrupt cops on the wrong side of the law

NEWS 📰

A satirical deepfake video of Kim Yo-jong dancing has gone viral.

A satirical deepfake video featuring Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has gained significant attention online. In the video, she is seen dancing and singing a parody while dressed in a pink gown, poking fun at North Korea's recent provocations, including the launch of trash-filled balloons across the border into South Korea. The video was created by a YouTuber and posted on Lil Doge, which has around 258,000 subscribers.

Titled "Kim Yo-jong - I'll Give You," the video is a parody of a song by Jo Hyun-ah of the group Urban Zakapa. The lyrics are altered to mock North Korea's actions, with lines like, "I'll give, I'll give, I'll give all my waste," and "I'll give you all the filth," referencing the trash-filled balloons that have been sent into South Korea. Digitally altered North Korean soldiers also appear, dancing in the background to add to the satirical tone.

Since its release on July 31, the video has garnered over 660,000 views, with viewers praising its humor and impact. Some online comments suggested that the video was more effective than a missile in ridiculing the North. The video is one of several on the channel that parodies North Korea's leadership, with others featuring Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong in similarly humorous scenarios.

North Korea has responded to the actions of South Korean civic groups, who have been sending anti-North Korean leaflets, by launching over 5,500 waste-filled balloons southward since May, with the most recent launch occurring this past Sunday.

Veterinarians' incomes are increasing faster than doctors' as more Koreans prefer pets over having children.

Veterinarians in Korea have seen their yearly incomes increase at a faster rate compared to other highly skilled professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, according to data released by Rep. Ahn Do-geol of the Democratic Party of Korea. The data, compiled by the National Tax Service, reflects a growing trend of Koreans opting for pets over children, driving demand for veterinary care.

In 2022, the average annual income for veterinarians was 100 million won ($75,900), lower than that of doctors (400 million won), accountants (220 million won), and tax accountants (120 million won). However, veterinarians saw the highest annual income growth rate at 12.6% between 2014 and 2022, surpassing doctors, who experienced an 8.3% growth, followed by labor attorneys (8.1%) and architects (6%).

The surge in demand for pet care corresponds with the rise in pet ownership, with more than 15 million individuals, or about one in four households, owning companion animals. Korea's pet market, which was valued at 8.5 trillion won in 2022, is expected to grow to 21 trillion won by 2032. Pet insurance has also seen significant growth, expanding by nearly 52% in 2023.

In comparison, lawyers saw no growth in income during the surveyed period, and other professions such as dentists and traditional Korean medicine practitioners earned an average of 100 million won, with patent attorneys earning 90 million won, and pharmacists and customs brokers both posting 80 million won. Lawyers earned an average of 70 million won annually, showing relatively stagnant growth.

ENTERTAINMENT 🌄

The series 'Dirty Money' uncovers corrupt police officers who operate on the wrong side of the law, revealing their involvement in illegal activities and the abuse of their power for personal gain.

The upcoming crime film Dirty Money offers a unique twist on the genre by focusing on corrupt detectives who, while tasked with investigating crimes, are also involved in committing them. Director Kim Min-soo explained his intention to showcase the "ironic fun" that arises from this contradiction during a press conference in Seoul.

The film centers on two detectives, Myung-deuk (played by Jung Woo) and Dong-hyuk (played by Kim Dae-myung), who lead double lives. By day, they uphold the law, but by night, they take bribes from illegal enterprises. The plot thickens as they attempt to steal a large sum of dirty money for personal gain, only to find themselves entangled in a separate investigation. Detective Seung-chan (Park Byung-eun), Myung-deuk's former partner from the criminal investigation bureau, pursues the corrupt duo, adding tension to the storyline.

Jung Woo was drawn to the film due to its straightforward yet intense narrative, noting that while films with strong social messages are valuable, he was eager to work on a movie that audiences could simply enjoy. Meanwhile, Kim Dae-myung, who lost over 10 kilograms for the role, described his character, Dong-hyuk, as immature and prone to mishaps. The physical transformation helped Kim showcase the character's journey from boyhood to manhood.

Park Byung-Eun, who portrays the relentless detective Seung-chan, likened his character to a "mix of a Dobermann and a hyena," emphasizing his determination to track down his corrupt colleagues. Park also highlighted that, unlike many crime films featuring exaggerated characters, Dirty Money presents more realistic figures who feel like ordinary people.

Filming for Dirty Money took place from December 2018 to March 2019, but its release was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Kim expressed gratitude to his post-production team, who worked tirelessly on the film despite the prolonged delays. He continued to refine the movie until recently, a testament to his dedication.

Thanks to these efforts, Dirty Money has earned a spot in the Special Premiere section at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, and it is slated for theatrical release on October 17, 2024.

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