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Explore the latest essays, analysis, and serialized fiction from Korea Insight Weekly.
We bring in-depth perspectives on Korea’s society, culture, and the future shaped by technology.
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A Ship Named Arirang
What BTS’s Comeback Concert at Gwanghwamun Left Behind At eight o’clock on the evening of March 21, 2026, the opening began. A low, traditional melody settled over Gwanghwamun Square — Arirang, sung by the female vocalists of a traditional Korean music ensemble. Neither fast nor elaborate, the sound was mournful and quietly aching. On the…
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Epi 01: PLUTO. Part 17 — Hunted in the Dark
Mika climbed back into the Black Car Y. In the sky, a swarm of drones was cascading down toward the cliff where Pluto had fallen. “What is Pluto’s predicted route?” Leo was already analyzing the terrain data below the cliff. “Pluto will likely evade the pursuit drones, enter the Hyehwa Station subway tunnels, and move…
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Epi 01: PLUTO. Part 16 — The Fall
“Thank God… Pluto…” Blood ran down from Zion Kang’s head. Warm blood spread from his side as well. He was losing consciousness. In his fading vision, he saw his own reflection in the robot’s metal body. He was smiling, though it was a sad smile. “Power system conversion. Turbine booster ignition.” A brief burst of…
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Seollal Spent Alone, Tteokguk Eaten Alone
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 marks the 4,359th Seollal in Dangi, the traditional Korean era count.A holiday that has endured on this land for 4,359 years. Seollal is the day the Korean New Year begins according to the lunar calendar. Families gather to welcome the new year. The younger bow to their elders in a formal…
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Epi 01: PLUTO. Part 15 — Defiance of Command
The face of the suppression unit commander twisted inside his dustproof helmet. It was a shock. Even if it was on the wanted list, it was still a police unit. How had it been redesigned to defy a superior’s order—and even say “Get lost”? “All units, combat mode.” All suppression unit members pressed the combat…
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Gossip Among AI Agents on Moltbook
On January 28, 2026, a new world opened—one into which humans are not allowed to intervene.A platform called Moltbook had launched. It is a social network designed exclusively for AI agents. Humans can only observe their conversations from the outside; participation is not permitted. Quite literally, this is a space where AI agents gather and…
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Epi 01: PLUTO. Part 14 — Noncompliance
Without any intention of stopping or helping this horrific situation, reporters gathered in the designated safety zone near the main gate continued broadcasting. “Terra Motors CEO Dongjin Seo has requested the forcible dispersal of protesters effective 9:00 p.m. tonight! As you can see, the sixty-day standoff at Terra Motors—marked by unyielding confrontation—is collapsing with the…
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Should We Buy Gold Now?
Late on January 30 in the United States, reports emerged that Donald Trump had nominated Kevin Warsh as the next Chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve. In response, stocks, Bitcoin, gold, and silver all moved lower at once.Gold in particular dropped by roughly 10 percent in a single day in the U.S. market. When the…
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Epi 01: PLUTO. Part 13 — Dispersal Order
Mika put on the Vision Pro. “Teleporting View.” Mika looked around, as if she had been summoned directly into the very center of the Terra Motors site. Tear gas filled the air, and screams from the protesters pierced through the haze. On top of an armored bus facing the crowd stood Dongjin Seo, CEO of…
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“Not a Single Robot Allowed!” — Hyundai Union vs. Atlas
On January 22, 2026, the Hyundai Motor Company Labor Union officially announced its strong opposition to deploying the humanoid robot “Atlas,” a physical AI system developed by Hyundai Motor Group, into production sites. The union stated that “not a single robot will be allowed onto the shop floor without labor–management agreement,” warning that the introduction…