Good Morning: Happy Sunday | It's a chilly day today, so be sure to bundle up in some heavy, cozy clothes!

Markets

Market: Foreign investors went all-in on SK Hynix in Q1, snapping up a cool 1.88 trillion won ($1.28B) of the chipmaker’s shares, making it the belle of the ball on the Korea Exchange. The buzz? A juicy turnaround in the semiconductor scene. Defense champ Hanwha Aerospace and web star Naver trailed with 733 billion won and 434 billion won, respectively. But it wasn’t all buy-buy-buy—shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean got dumped to the tune of 1.18 trillion won, while Hyundai Motor (790 billion won) and KB Financial (548 billion won) also took hits. Chips are in, ships are out—welcome to 2025’s investment remix. [link]

National

South Korea’s Wildfire Nightmare Hits Record-Breaking Heights

South Korea’s southeastern North Gyeongsang province is ablaze, and it’s officially the country’s worst wildfire disaster ever. Since last Friday, flames have doubled in size in a single day, torching over 36,000 hectares (that’s 89,000 acres of crispy forest) and claiming at least 27 lives—including a helicopter pilot and four firefighters trapped by the inferno. More than 300 buildings are toast, and 37,000 people have been displaced, with the elderly hit hardest. Acting President Han Duck-soo called it a “national crisis,” and he’s not wrong—gusty winds and bone-dry conditions (thanks to half the usual rainfall) are fanning the flames faster than firefighters can keep up.

The disaster chief, Lee Han-kyung, isn’t mincing words: this is climate change slapping us in the face. Last year was South Korea’s hottest on record, and with temperatures soaring 2°C above the 30-year average, the land’s a tinderbox. Experts say human slip-ups—like tomb-clearing fires and welding sparks—lit the match, but global warming’s pouring the gasoline. Over 9,000 responders and 120 choppers are battling the blaze, racing to save UNESCO gems like Hahoe Village. Rain’s in the forecast, but don’t get your hopes up—less than 5mm won’t douse this beast. Buckle up, because this could be the new normal.

Business

Samsung’s Big Cheese Meets Xi as China Beckons.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong rubbed elbows with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, joining a star-studded lineup of global execs from Qualcomm, BMW, and more. Fresh off the China Development Forum, the meet-up’s got tongues wagging about Samsung doubling down in the Middle Kingdom—especially as Xi pushes to keep foreign cash flowing amid Trump’s tariff tantrums. Xi’s pitch? Keep those global supply chains humming, no matter what Washington throws.

Lee’s been busy all week, popping into Xiaomi’s EV plant in Beijing on March 23 and BYD’s HQ in Shenzhen on March 24. Word on the street: he’s eyeing deals in auto chips, panels, and more—Samsung’s next big thing. With China’s EV giants like BYD (world’s top dog) and Xiaomi in his sights, Lee’s betting on car components to juice Samsung’s future. Exports to China hit 65 trillion won ($44.3B) in 2024, edging out the U.S., even as Chinese brands dominate Samsung’s phone and appliance turf. Chips, though? That’s where the real action is—Samsung’s Xi’an plant pumps out 40% of its NAND memory.

No big chip plant upgrades yet (thanks, U.S. CHIPS Act), but a tweak here and there? Could happen. For now, Lee’s moves scream one thing: China’s still Samsung’s VIP.

Travel Guide Korea

Would like to know about the Hyundai Department Store (Trade Center Branch)

Nestled in a prime spot beside COEX Mall and Samseong Station, this department store is a must-visit gem for fashion aficionados, food lovers, and travelers alike. It offers a curated selection of premium brands, gourmet dining experiences, and a sophisticated shopping ambiance that elevates every visit. [link]

K-pop Fashion - Outlook of April

Helen Kaminski Pop-up at Pangyo Hyundai Department Store! Review of the New Raffia Hat & Bag.

Location: 헬렌카민스키 현대백화점 판교점

Helen Kaminski 25SS Pop-up Store at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo!

The Helen Kaminski 25SS pop-up store is underway at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo!

• Founded in 1983 with handmade raffia hats, Helen Kaminski has grown into a globally recognized brand.

• The 25SS collection showcases sophisticated raffia crochet and braid techniques, capturing the refreshing essence of the sea.

• Various raffia hats, bags, sandals, and clothing are available.

• Perfect for a chic resort look, these stylish pieces are great for photos!

• Some of my favorite picks: are Aquarius Hobo, Pip, Tama, Erin, Everdeen, and Kendra.

• Exciting events like stamp missions and giveaways will happen at the pop-up store.

• The exclusive Helen Kaminski X Gapuwiak collaboration collection is also on display, featuring limited-edition pieces.

Check the price on Amazon

Don’t miss out on this special pop-up event! 🌿✨

Job Post

PART-TIME: Biz English Teaching in Seongnam

Working conditions:  
Contract worker

Work area: Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do

Salary: Hourly wage of 60,000 won

Apply: [Here]

Adult Biz English Teaching [Full-Time]

Working conditions: Contract worker

Work area: Giheung-gu , Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

Salary: Decision after discussion

Apply: [Here]