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Korea Herald
a day ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Editorial] Improper meeting
Assembly speaker visits Cho Kuk in prison at a delicate time ahead of special pardons It was recently revealed that National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik visited the incarcerated former leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party earlier this month. Woo met Cho Kuk in the Seoul Southern Correctional Institution on July 9, according to Yonhap News Agency on Saturday. It was a special visit, known as a "visit with change of location" in Korean. Unlike regular inmate visits, which are limited to 30 minutes, there is no time limit. Special visits also take place in a more private setting furnished with sofas and chairs, compared to the standard visiting rooms with dividers, tables and chairs. Inmates are allowed to have physical contact with visitors as well. The Assembly speaker is considered South Korea's second highest-ranking government official. It is exceptional for such a high-ranking official to visit a prison personally to meet with an inmate. Woo's aides said his visit would have been inevitable in human terms. Cho had long been a political sponsor of Woo. In 2014, when former President Moon Jae-in was leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, they sat together on the party reform committee. However, it is rash and improper for Woo to meet with Cho at such a delicate time, with the Aug. 15 Liberation Day special amnesty on the horizon. The Justice Ministry has reportedly started proceedings to select inmates who will be considered for special pardons on Liberation Day. Cho was sentenced to two years in prison by the high court for forging documents that enabled his children to cheat their way into universities and graduate schools, and for prohibiting his office from looking into corruption allegations against then-Busan vice mayor Yoo Jae-soo when he was Moon's senior secretary for civil affairs. In December last year, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling. Cho demands that Lee pardon him. He is scheduled to complete his sentence in December next year, but speculations over whether he will be granted a special amnesty next month are already attracting attention from politicians and the general public. Kang Deuk-gu, a Democratic Party lawmaker, on Saturday publicly demanded the Liberation Day special amnesty for Cho. Woo's prison visit raises suspicions about whether the speaker is trying to foster an atmosphere conducive to a pardon for Cho. Cho is not serving a prison term because of his political beliefs or actions related to the pro-democracy movement. If he is pardoned, a storm of controversy will arise over whether it is right to release a person locked up for purely personal crimes, such as those related to his children's admission irregularities. Furthermore, Cho has not admitted his faults and appears to have no regrets about his wrongdoings. Woo should think carefully about the crimes Cho is being punished for. He should look back on whether his special visit to an inmate convicted of a crime that angered people across the nation matches the level of integrity required of the Assembly speaker. Kang argued that if Cho had not stepped into politics and not called for reform of the prosecution, he would not be serving a jail term. The Democratic Party lawmaker also said that Cho became the target of attacks by politically motivated prosecutors, but Cho was not convicted on those charges. Fairness is another problem. It goes against public sentiment to see a prisoner pardoned after serving only about a quarter of their jail term. Pardoning a convict who has not yet served half of their prison term is rare. Earlier, Woo had aroused controversy over his dignity as the Assembly speaker by attending "The Powerful," a large-scale talk show hosted by Kim Eo-jun in Incheon last month. Kim is a media personality criticized for habitually causing conflict among the Korean people by spreading unverified news and raising conspiracy theories about many issues, including the Sewol ferry disaster, and making partisan news comments favoring the Democratic Party. Woo's show of friendship with a biased, divisive agitator causes people to raise an eyebrow. It is also doubtful that he is unaware of the many people angered by Cho's hypocrisy and crimes, now that the Democratic Party has practically dominated the legislative and executive branches. He seems to take the role of Assembly speaker too lightly.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Elavon and Woo Expand Payments Partnership to North America
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elavon, a global payments leader, and WooCommerce, the ecommerce platform powering more than four million online stores globally, are expanding their successful European payments partnership across the Atlantic to North America. Installing the free-to-download Elavon extension from the WooCommerce Marketplace gives merchants instant access to Elavon's proven payment services, helping micro, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) rapidly grow into additional markets. With a loyal base of more than two million users and a 4.3 Trustpilot customer satisfaction rating in North America, Elavon makes it simple for merchants to scale online. It will directly manage all merchants using the extension, meaning it can offer SMBs in the United States and Canada more value-added services as their businesses grow. Elavon's focus on integrating payments into software brings together a full suite of services for ecommerce platforms and independent software vendors (ISVs) to offer their clients. Elavon Payment Gateway can quickly integrate ecommerce platforms and ISVs to bring secure, fast and compliant payments wherever they are needed. For the last 12 months, Elavon and Woo have delivered secure and speedy online payments for small and medium-sized businesses in Europe. The new deal means merchants in North America join millions of Woo sellers across Europe who are able to access Elavon's reliable, flexible payment solution. Eva Paredes, Head of SMB, UK and Ireland at Elavon remarked, "Having proven the effectiveness of our payment services with WooCommerce merchants across Europe, we're excited to expand our partnership to support Woo customers throughout North America. With millions of online stores powered by Woo, this move enables us to help even more small and medium-sized businesses grow and thrive.' Pari Sawant, Chief Product Officer for Elavon, echoed this view: 'This agreement underscores the strength of our secure, reliable, and flexible payment solutions—designed to lower barriers and simplify operations. It reaffirms Elavon's position as a trusted global payments partner, committed to empowering merchants of all sizes with seamless integration and streamlined administration." 'After seeing the strong positive sentiment towards Elavon's payment processing in Europe, we're excited to extend this partnership and powerful solution to Woo customers across North America,' offered Web Griebel, Global Head of Payments at Woo. 'This expansion reflects our continued commitment to collaborating with trusted partners like Elavon to deliver seamless, high-performing payment solutions for merchants.' Elavon can be downloaded from the WooCommerce Marketplace at: About Elavon Elavon is owned by U.S. Bank (NYSE: USB), the fifth-largest bank in the United States. It provides end-to-end payment processing solutions and services to more than 1.3 million customers in the United States, Europe, and Canada. As the leading provider for airlines and a top five provider in hospitality, healthcare, retail, and public sector/education, Elavon's innovative payment solutions are designed to solve pain points for businesses from small to the largest global enterprises. About Woo Woo is the company behind WooCommerce, the open-source ecommerce platform powering more than 4.5 million online stores. Built on WordPress, WooCommerce offers unlimited extensibility and flexibility for store owners and builders. Woo is a fully distributed company with employees all over the world, dedicated to empowering success for merchants, developers, and anyone else making a living through ecommerce.
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Party time in Penang as 988 FM's fest kicks off in style
All smiles: (From right) Woo, Wong, Chan, Yeoh, Wang and Loh standing on stage at the opening ceremony of the After Work Fest by 988FM at the Esplanade, Penang. — KT GOH/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Drawing a vibrant mix of tourists and locals, 988 FM's After Work Fest kicked off with a pulsating celebration of music, food and fun. On its first day yesterday, the event drew a massive crowd who revelled in a high-energy concert and a bustling bazaar, turning the festival into a memorable weekend experience. There was something for everyone, from lively musical performances and engaging stage activities to more than 50 creative and artisanal booths at the Esplanade, Penang. Yesterday's celebration featured performances by Abin Fang, Uriah See, Diorlying Tan, Trevor Kuo, Ryota Katayama and Z-Chen Zhang. The popular 'Infinite Good Finds Market' offered arts and crafts workshops, along with booths selling handmade ornaments, accessories, trinkets, snacks and culinary delights. A crowd favourite was the charity hair donation campaign, where participants received free haircuts for donating their hair. Those opting for regular cuts paid a fee, with proceeds channelled towards charitable causes. The two-day fest is organised by popular Chinese-language radio station 988 FM in conjunction with its 29th anniversary. It embodies the spirit of 'Play with Passion, Play with Purpose,' in line with the station's annual theme 'Infinite Play', to help participants de-stress joyfully and unlock creativity and energy. As for today, one of the main highlights will be a performance by legendary Taiwanese rock duo Power Station. The group, which made waves when it debuted in 1997, is set to perform some of its biggest hits and bring a sense of nostalgia to the crowd. Other artistes include Bestards, Anson Poon, Chronicles Ong Fu Ying and JUD Chen. Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the event augured well for the state's tourism industry. 'We must support it as it will bring excitement and interest to Penang. 'It is an attraction point and will encourage more people to come here and enjoy our food and other activities. 'I always believe a partnership between the private sector and the government will help to boost our tourism sector,' he added. Star Media Group group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt said he was happy to see the crowd growing steadily throughout the evening. 'I am looking forward to the whole event on both days including the international performance,' he said. He noted that 988 FM has been around for 29 years. 'For many years, it has been positioned as the number one Chinese station in Malaysia. 'That speaks volumes and I hope with the support of our listeners, we will continue to grow and hold more events like these in the future,' he added. 988 FM senior general manager Woo Bee Ay said the turnout was better than expected, with people arriving early to beat the heat. She said she hoped to hold more events like this in the future. 'Bring in music, entertainment and crafts so younger and older people can come together and celebrate our anniversary.' Also present were Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai as well as Star Media Group board member Loh Chee Can, chief operating officer Lydia Wang and client brand marketing (bureaus) general manager Simone Liong. Entrance to the After Work Fest is free, with activities running from 3pm to 10pm today.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Roaring back: Kevin Woo finds new fame as the voice behind K-Pop Demon Hunters' Lion Boyz
Kevin Woo, a K-pop veteran from U-KISS, is experiencing a career resurgence through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' where he voices the lead singer of Lion Boyz. Their single, "Your Idol," impressively reached #14 on Billboard's Hot 100. Woo is also preparing a solo single, a U-KISS reunion, and acting roles in U.S. films, including Anderson . A Familiar Lion with a Brand-New Roar Kevin Woo 's listeners have exploded from barely ten thousand to over 2.1 crore since he lent his velvet falsetto to "Mystery," the charismatic lead singer of the animated group Lion Boyz in the upcoming film K-Pop Demon Hunters . The movie's first single, "Your Idol," even clawed its way to #14 on the Billboard Hot 100-a feat that would make many fourth-gen idols green with envy. For Woo, who debuted with U-KISS back in 2008, voice-acting an idol felt less like a detour and more like a homecoming: "I saw my old self in every frame," he quips, half-proud, half-nostalgic. Studio Sessions, Subway Sandwiches & Sleepless Nights Recording took the Korean-American singer ping-ponging between New York and L.A., powered by cold brews and way too many foot-long subs. Under the watchful ears of vocal director Lee Jae and musical overseer Ian Eisendrath, Woo experimented with everything from hushed whispers to rock-opera belts to give Mystery dimensional swagger. Unlike a concert where a wink or a dab can rescue a shaky note, studio booths demand pure vocal storytelling. "Every syllable had to hit like a killer choreo move nobody sees," he laughs-perhaps a gentle nod to every trainee currently sweating through monthly evaluations. Why Gen Z Can't Get Enough Gen Z stans aren't just streaming; they're dissecting Easter eggs. Many recognize Woo as part of K-pop's early international push-U-KISS toured Manila and Jakarta when passports were still rare flexes among Seoul idols. In 2025, however, his comeback feels fresh , not retro. The Lion Boyz concept taps into the same cinematic universe now occupied by Across the Spider-Verse and Arcane : stylized animation, hyper-catchy OSTs, and lore deep enough to spawn fan theories longer than a Tolstoy chapter. For desi fans posting stan art from Bengaluru dorm rooms, Woo's journey frames K-pop not as a monolith but as a playground where music, anime aesthetics and global identity collide. What's Next on Kevin's Playlist Woo is readying a solo digital single, plotting a U-KISS sub-unit reunion, and polishing lines for two U.S. features: K-POPS! (helmed by Anderson .Paak) and the indie horror flick Death Name . If rumors hold, a small-venue tour could follow, with ticket prices expected to hover around ₹4,500-a sweet spot for college wallets that already scrape together ₹999 for official lightsticks. Industry insiders whisper that the Lion Boyz soundtrack might spawn a deluxe EP; Woo simply drops a sly emoji when asked. About Kevin Woo Kevin Woo is a Korean-American singer born in 1991 who debuted as a member of U-KISS in 2008 and remained active for over a decade. Originally from California, his fluent English and Korean skills played a crucial role in K-pop's global expansion, and he's now expanding his career into solo music, voice acting, and film roles. He's currently experiencing a renaissance through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kevin Woo reacts to 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' success: 'I saw my old self in every frame'
Kevin Woo 's Spotify monthly listeners have exploded from barely ten thousand to over 2.1 crore since he lent his velvet falsetto to "Mystery," the charismatic lead singer of the animated group Lion Boyz in the new film ' K-Pop Demon Hunters '. For Woo, who debuted with U-KISS back in 2008, voice-acting an idol felt less like a detour and more like a homecoming. "I saw my old self in every frame," he quiped. Studio Sessions, Subway Sandwiches and Sleepless Nights Recording took the Korean-American singer ping-ponging between New York and L.A., powered by cold brews and way too many foot-long subs. Under the guidance of director Lee Jae and musical overseer Ian Eisendrath, Woo experimented with everything from hushed whispers to rock-opera belts to give Mystery dimensional swagger. "Every syllable had to hit like a killer choreo move nobody sees," he laughs-perhaps a gentle nod to every trainee currently sweating through monthly evaluations. Why Gen Z Can't Get Enough Gen Z stans aren't just streaming; they're dissecting Easter eggs. Many recognize Woo as part of K-pop's early international push-U-KISS toured Manila and Jakarta when passports were still rare flexes among Seoul idols. In 2025, however, his comeback feels fresh, not retro. The Lion Boyz concept taps into the same cinematic universe now occupied by 'Across the Spider-Verse' and 'Arcane'. What's Next on Kevin's Playlist Hot on the film's buzz, Woo is readying a solo digital single, plotting a U-KISS sub-unit reunion, and polishing lines for two U.S. features - 'K-POPS!' helmed by Anderson Paak and the indie horror flick 'Death Name'. If rumours hold, a small-venue tour could follow. Industry insiders whisper that the Lion Boyz soundtrack might spawn a deluxe EP; Woo simply drops a sly emoji when asked. About Kevin Woo Kevin Woo is a Korean-American singer born in 1991 who debuted as a member of U-KISS in 2008 and remained active for over a decade. Originally from California, his fluent English and Korean skills played a crucial role in K-pop's global expansion, and he's now expanding his career into solo music, voice acting, and film roles. He's currently experiencing a renaissance through the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters.'
