Latest news with #Seoul
GSM Arena
an hour ago
- Business
- GSM Arena
Analysts: the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 are headed for record-breaking pre-orders in Korea
Analysts are keeping a close eye on pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 in South Korea and they are forecasting record-breaking numbers. Looking back at the last couple of generations, the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 set the record with over 1 million pre-orders (1.02 million, specifically) back in 2023. The Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 from last year failed to reach that benchmark. Pre-order reservations on reached 160,000 in the 14 days since reservations opened on June 24. This was before the official reveal on July 9, but is used by analysts as a starting point to calculate record-breaking domestic demand for the new foldables. There's no mention of the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, but maybe its numbers are being rolled into Z Flip7 stats. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 It should be noted that this prediction is for the South Korean market, which is affected by factors not related to the quality and upgrades of the new Z foldables. For example, SK Telecom was recently hit by a hacking incident, which is driving subscribers away. KT and LG U+ are happy to snatch up those subscribers. SK Telecom is offering attractive deals on the Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 to try and claw back some market share. Related to that, Korea repealed the Device Distribution Improvement Act, which mandated that details of carrier subsidy deals should be made public. Prior to that, carriers were offering up to KRW 500,000 in subsidies – with the most recent changes, the subsidies can go up as carriers try to attract new subscribers. Samsung is happy for the extra business, of course. Source (in Korean) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE 5G
Geek Vibes Nation
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Squid Game' Season 3 Review: A Short, Bitter Farewell To A Pop Culture Giant
When Squid Game first premiered in 2021, it took over the internet. While the idea of the show wasn't anything unique – movies like Battle Royale and the Hunger Games franchise have similar concepts – it succeeded in its delivery in a way other stories hadn't. You couldn't go to a single convention or Halloween party that year without seeing green tracksuits and masked guards. Even Mr. Beast got on the trend! Squid Game' Season 3 is a brief, emotional finale that closes the chapter on one of the biggest pop culture sensations of the decade. At just six episodes, Season 3 is noticeably shorter than its predecessors—Season 1 ran nine episodes, and Season 2 spanned seven. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk previously stated that these episodes were supposed to be one season, but were split into a 2nd and 3rd season due to the episode count (source). This is why season 3 really doesn't feel like season 3 – it takes place literally right after season 2. And because there's only 6 episodes, it feels like there was a lot that wasn't fleshed out, or moments that weren't given room to breathe. Despite its narrative shortcomings, the cast once again delivers outstanding work. Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun, bringing a raw, haunted intensity that makes his tragic arc land even when the writing stumbles. Newer players like Park Sung-hoon and Jo Yu-ri shine in morally gray roles, illustrating how quickly compassion erodes in the face of survival. Well, you should have ended it at season 1. Just like Netflix's Queen's Gambit, season one of Squid Game was perfect and could have lived as a singular season. It told the story it needed to and it ended wonderfully – adding Gi-hun at the airport at the end was certainly not necessary, but even if that scene remained, you could have left the rest to the viewer's imagination. Season one forced viewers to reconsider the cost of economic disparity and the twisted games the system plays on ordinary people. Season 3 simply felt like the very greed and capitalism that season 1 criticized. It shouldn't be understand how season three does dilute this brilliant masterpiece. Granted, season 2 was enjoyable and at that point, you needed more to really tie things up. In my season two review, I praised the second season for complimenting the intensity of season 1. It's something I stand by today. However, after looking at season 3 and how it ends, especially with what it promises; I'm left wishing it ended with season 1. Gi-hun's arc concludes in a moment of grim self-sacrifice, destroying the game from within rather than surviving it one more time. It's a harrowing end that speaks to the show's inherent cynicism—a worldview that insists some systems are too corrupt to fix from the inside. But Netflix is not quite done. As mentioned earlier, it looks like the show is going for the MCU effect in building up their world – something that it feels like their show is criticizing. It's been teased in the past that we're getting an American version, but I also didn't believe it until Cate Blanchett showed up. Do we really need this? Oh, Hollywood, how you never fail to absolutely squeeze every last drop you can out of a previously perfectly devised story. This review has felt more negative than originally intended. In the end, Squid Game is a great show. Personally, I love this show, and we cannot deny the cultural significance that season one had. Gi-hun is the standout in season three and it should be applauded that the show really leans into darker themes this season, and in the end, is bold in where they took Gi-hun's story. And while we don't know if the American version will hit the same way as the South Korean version (guarantee it won't), we'll still look upon the work the writers and actors did in bringing us Squid Game, and I don't think anyone will look at any of these beloved childhood games the same way again.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Nurilounge Is Helping K-Beauty Brands Scale Through Content Creators
K-Beauty Boost, Seoul 2024 The global K-beauty market is experiencing extraordinary growth, valued at $10.5 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $21.8 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%, according to Grand View Research. In the United States alone, K-beauty has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. This surge is driven by Gen Z and Millennial consumers, who are discovering Korean skincare and cosmetics through platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and media has become a major driving force for brand visibility and conversion rates. TikTok and similar platforms now serve as both discovery hubs and direct purchasing channels, shifting consumer behavior and purchasing patterns. At the center of this evolution is Gen Z, a generation that doesn't just follow trends—they set them. Business Insider reports that 64% of Gen Z say social media has increased their spending on beauty digital-native behavior is precisely what Aram Baek, founder of Nurilounge, is betting on. After co-founding Wishcompany, home to the cult-favorite brand Dear Klairs and the content platform Wishtrend, Baek is now building Nurilounge. Aram Baek, Founder & CEO Nurilounge is a creator community that supports K-beauty brands by helping them expand their reach, connect through engaging storytelling, and thrive in the social age. The platform empowers brands to share their unique narratives, driving sales and fostering lasting community relationships."We don't see creators as marketing assets," Baek says. "We see them as collaborators—and the future customers every brand needs to learn from."With innovation, quality, and global cultural relevance driving the K-beauty wave, fueled in part by the influence of K-pop acts like BLACKPINK and K-dramas like Squid Game, the opportunity is enormous. But rapid growth leads to saturation. That's where a new generation of creators is reshaping the rules. Before influencer marketing became a business model, Baek was already there. At Wishcompany, he helped bring K-beauty into over 70 countries and built a YouTube presence with more than 1.8 million subscribers. But for his second act, Baek isn't launching another brand. He's building Nurilounge, the platform that supports them York City Launch Event And the numbers speak volumes. Since launching just over a year ago, Nurilounge has attracted over 100,000 creators, with 80,000 in North America alone, and continues to add 700 new users per day. Baek believes the future of K-beauty—and commerce more broadly—won't be shaped by ads or product launches but by trust, authenticity, and people."They're not just tools for growth," he says. "They're people—who want to be seen, supported, and given a chance to grow." Before launching the platform, Baek traveled the world, meeting more than 700 creators to understand their pain points. He discovered that many felt isolated, under-supported, and undervalued—especially in the early stages of their growth. That human insight now drives Nurilounge's mission. New York City Launch Event More than just an influencer marketplace, Nurilounge is a digital community engine, a place where creators access paid campaigns, product seeding opportunities, and a gamified rewards system called Jelly. Functioning like airline miles, Jelly can be redeemed for perks such as discounted services, early access to campaigns, and, soon, even complimentary cocktails in New York. As K-beauty brands increasingly turn to micro and nano influencers for higher ROI and deeper trust, Nurilounge offers the infrastructure to scale those partnerships seamlessly. With a vetted creator network, campaign performance data, and built-in tools, the platform has facilitated 2,000+ brand campaigns and generated nearly 100,000 pieces of original content in just one year. "When hundreds of creators post about a product, the ripple effect isn't just digital," Baek notes. "Brands start getting B2B inquiries, wholesale orders, even shelf space." It's a new model for cultural commerce. With the upcoming launch of Nuriglow, a social-first e-commerce layer where product pages are powered by creator generated content, Nurilounge is turning user content into a new kind of product storytelling. And while its roots are in Seoul and New York, the vision is global. Expansion plans are already underway in Singapore, London, and beyond. Baek's ambition? To become the "Shopify meets Discord" for the creator economy, equal parts commerce engine and community incubator. "In the future," Baek says, "every consumer will be a creator, and every creator will influence what the world buys next."
Forbes
4 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Samsung Is Running Seven Serious Deals For The Galaxy Z Fold 7
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 smartphone is displayed at a Samsung store in Seoul on July 10, 2025. ... More Samsung unveiled on July 9, the new generation of its foldable smartphone, the Z Fold7, dramatically slimmed down in an attempt to jumpstart this still-niche market. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images) Samsung really wants you to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It started with repeated teasers, that virtually gave everything away, and ended with a spate of pre-order discounts, including a 24-hour flash giveaway. As it stands, the Korean company is running seven (get it?) different promotions for its Galaxy Z Fold 7, alongside a new double trade-in deal I haven't seen before (more on that below). Here's what is on offer. Most of these offers expire on July 24th, except the long-running "APP5" code, and the free pair of Galaxy Buds voucher, which ends today (July 15th) at midnight. Considering Samsung continued to offer freebies and discounts weeks after the Galaxy S25 Edge released, I wouldn't be surprised if more were on the way for the Fold 7. These promotions and freebies, before a trade-in is included, total £718.95 ($963.08). A solid deal that almost makes buying the phone in the pre-order period worth it. Especially the double trade-in deal, which is one of the more eye-catching offers. In essence, Samsung will pay £200 for 'any tablet in any condition' on top of your used-smartphone trade-in. The Korean company previously told me that it will honor that promise of accepting any device, and the small print doesn't have any glaring caveats to it. The 100 day try before you buy period, too, is very enticing. Samsung Has More Galaxy Z Fold 7 Discounts Up Its Sleeve But, as you will know if you read my deals stories (don't miss any by hitting the follow button below), this is the worst time to buy a smartphone. Like cars, smartphones depreciate rapidly and the pre-order period is when the device is at its most expensive. Samsung will almost certainly discount the Galaxy Z Fold 7 again. A good cue is the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was bundled with the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus a month after the phone launched. Also, a Galaxy Z Fold 6 deal in May knocked a straight $350 off the device, which, to me, is the gold standard in deals because the actual price of the handset is lower. Freebies and incentives are great, but minimising the dent in your wallet is far more important. Trade-in prices, too, were better a month ago. In June Samsung valued the Galaxy S23 Plus at £333 ($446.08), but now it's only worth £257 ($344.27). The Galaxy S23 Ultra was priced at £449 ($601.47), now it's valued at £386 ($517.07). It's not all bad news, last month Samsung paid £230 ($308.10) for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, that valuation has now shot up to £345 ($462.15). If you're not in a hurry to buy the Galaxy Z Fold 7, I'd say it's worth waiting to see what discounts Samsung has up its sleeve for next month.
Bloomberg
4 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Air India to Restore Schedule in August After Reducing Flights Over Crash
By Siddharth Philip and Save Air India will begin restoring its schedule starting next month after the airline reduced flights following the deadly crash of a Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner in June. The carrier will increase its services to London Heathrow, Tokyo and Zurich from Delhi, and add more flights to Seoul from September, it said in a statement on Tuesday. The airline aims to have its full timetable in place by October 1 after the June 12 crash prompted it to reduce flights as part of a 'safety pause,' it said.
