Kia Sportage (NQ5) - 2025 Minor Change

The fifth-generation Kia Sportage received a minor change for the 2025 model year and what an improvement this crossover has gained having been on the road for three years.

2025 Kia Sportage

Starting at 28,360,000 Korean Won plus additional costs, the facelifted Kia Sportage is packed with a bolder exterior revision and a new interior, and by surprise, the diesel variant from the pre-facelift model was removed, leaving only a choice of a 2.0L LPG, a 1.6L turbo, and a 1.6L turbo-hybrid.

2025 Kia Sportage

The 2025 Kia Sportage features an enlarged grille and an EV3-styled nose that some people think is too obvious. In addition, they also redesigned the wheels and tail lights to further enhance the vehicle's aesthetics. The pre-facelift model's high-end Gravity variant has been replaced with the first-ever X-Line variant that features a black badging, vertical slanted front grille, a slightly longer but more macho front bumper, 19-inch wheels, premium steering wheel, and suede headlining.

2025 Kia Sportage interior

The interior has given a significant revision for the recent minor change as hinted by the new Kia steering wheel design lifted from the EV3, a slightly bigger touch screen with a next-generation infotainment system, new air vent designs, and a fingerprint authentication system, among others. 

The Kia Sportage maintains its class-leading cabin room. The longer wheelbase provides more legroom, and there is enough space for plenty of luggage in the boot.

2025 Kia Sportage

As said before, the diesel variant from the pre-facelift model was removed, leaving only a choice of a 2.0L LPG, a 1.6L turbo, and a 1.6L turbo-hybrid. The LPG and the petrol variant are mated to an 8-speed AT while the hybrid is mated to a 6-speed AT. 

The 146PS 2.0L LPG variant has a fuel economy of 8.8km/L while the 180PS 1.6L turbo petrol engine has 12.3km/L of fuel economy, and the Sportage Hybrid, now with an improved 47.7kW electric motor, gets 16.3km/L.

Underneath, the Sportage still comes with front MacPherson struts, rear multilink suspension, and front ventilated disc brakes. Come front-wheel-drive, it behaves like a normal car, but with the 4WD drivetrain, it's capable of getting things dirty, almost. Thankfully, the Sportage Hybrid can be offered with the 4WD drivetrain, so it's not afraid of going under the weather. Coupled with e-handling and e-ride, the Sportage Hybrid drives slightly well.

The 2025 Kia Sportage has eight airbags, steering wheel grip detection, and a Driver Forward Attention Warning Camera. It also has Highway Driving Assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear side collision avoidance assist, rear parking collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, side parking distance warning, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Safe Exit Warning.

The Kia Sportage is a common-sense crossover for those who are wise to drive one but with the latest minor change, common sense just took a slightly bolder approach in style, comfort, capability, and technology. Need to say more?

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Heritage Blue, Wolf Grey, Gravity Grey, Vesta Blue, Fusion Black, Shadow Matte Grey, and Jungle Wood Green.

Photo: Kia Corp.

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE

Since renaming to O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP for the 2024 season, it brought some noticeable additions apart from the name change such as the Prius PHV Class, the Alpine Class, and the Korea Trofeo, among others. The top-tier Super 6000 class got a shakeup as well, yet it still showcased some intense racing action for drivers behind the wheel of the Super 6000 GR Supra racers.

With Jang Hyun-jin and Kim Jung-gun now 24 points between them, who will be crowned the 2024 champion? It's time to find out in this action-packed season finale at Yongin Everland Speedway.

The first race saw Jung Eui Chul of Seohan GP emerge the winner, beating the two One Racing drivers, Oh Han Sol and Lee Jung Woo. In the final race packed with dramatic turns, table-turning spins, and of course, the last corner drama when the #38 car got spun, One Racing driver Choi Kyung Bin is the winner but second placer Jang Hyun-Jin is coronated champion of the 2024 season. Seohan GP is officially crowned Team Champion and Nexen Tire is still the tire king of Superrace.

Screengrab from Superrace

Congratulations to Jang Hyun-jin for being the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE Champion!

And that is the end of the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP. See you next year.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: S. Korea marks 2nd anniversary of Itaewon tragedy

 

President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his condolences as South Korea on Tuesday marked the second anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush that claimed 159 lives in October 2022.

"Today marks the second anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy," Yoon said at a Cabinet meeting he presided over at his office. "I feel sorry for those who tragically lost their lives and I express my condolences for the bereaved families who live in sorrow."

Yoon said that making people feel safe in everyday life is the most earnest way of expressing condolences to people who died in the crowd crush in the back alleys of the nightlife district of Itaewon in Yongsan-gu, Seoul amid Halloween festivities.

Yoon ordered the Cabinet to monitor and complement safety measures in public places such as crowd management. The Ministry of Interior and Safety previously announced plans to dispatch public safety personnel to prevent crowd congestion and to put a medical emergency response system in place from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 in 12 locations across the country, including Seoul's Itaewon, Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Myeong-dong in Jung-gu and Seongsu-dong of Seongdong-gu.

The presidential office did not disclose either Yoon's or his aides' attendance at an event outside of his office, as of press time. Last year Yoon observed the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster during a memorial service at a church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly held a memorial service with bereaved family members on Tuesday. Some 60 lawmakers from both the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, as well as National Assembly Speaker Rep. Woo Won-shik, paid their respects while donning purple scarfs.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon noted in a Facebook post on Tuesday that he had the City Hall lit up in purple in memory of the 159 victims of the crowd crush. He also thanked the city's residents for cooperating with authorities' crowd control measures, adding that no major incident occurred despite estimates that over 100,000 people had gathered in Seoul nightlife areas in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam and Seongsu.

Source: The Korea Herald 

My GT7 Log: Beyond Competition

Japan and South Korea are known as “frenemies.” They have a checkered past since Japan split Korea into two. This past did not stop the two countries from jointly hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was a true display of frenemies. The same goes for present-day WRC when Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai N clash for dirt supremacy.

In honor of the recent Hyundai N x Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival, we celebrate the rivalry between the two Far East motoring superpowers by comparing the two Vision Gran Turismo concepts from Hyundai and Toyota.

The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo is a concept car that paved the way for Hyundai’s high-performance division. This hybrid race car has a hydrogen fuel cell system that delivers 871 horsepower through four independent motors. This fuel cell and motor combination allows the Hyundai N 2025 to have a phenomenal driving experience.

The FT-1 Vision Gran Turismo is what happens when the FT-1 Concept, which served as the blueprint for the Supra revival project, transformed into a race car. It's a futuristic version of the Toyota Supra used in the JGTC (Super GT) races in the past, but it's not a JGTC car. While it's just a concept, the FT-1 VGT proves Toyota has a lot of potential and passion for motorsports.

After a quick introduction of the cars from Toyota and Hyundai, let's pit these Far East rivals around Suzuka Circuit, which is considered the sacred ground of Japanese motorsports. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

FT-1 VGT - 2m05.872s

N 2025 VGT - 1m46.484s

It's a huge shocker of a result, judging by the fact that Hyundai's investing heavily in the world of electrification while Toyota's lagging behind and sticking to its old-school principles. Either way, while Hyundai has the upper hand against the Japanese motoring giant, the results don't really matter because this comparison is a demonstration of how capable these two Far East motoring giants are.

Hyundai and Toyota are known for shaking things up. They are both creating fun-to-drive cars as hinted by their high-performance divisions; Hyundai N and Toyota Gazoo Racing. While the N cars stick to the "never just drive" mantra, the TGR cars are all about "pushing the limits for better."

They've raced as competitors. But when they meet, a new thrill begins.

Beyond competition, united by passion.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: BTS’ J-Hope to be discharged from military; agency urges fans to stop visiting site

 

BTS’s J-Hope is set to be discharged from the military on October 17, and his group’s label. BigHit Music, urged fans to refrain from visiting the site where he will be released from service.

BigHit made the announcement in a statement on the fan community platform Weverse on Monday, October 14, saying J-Hope is “close to completing his active service” while reiterating that no special events are planned.

“We are excited to bring you the news of J-Hope’s upcoming military discharge. He is close to completing his active service in the army and will soon be discharged. Discharge day is a day shared by many service members. No special events are planned on the day of his discharge,” it said.

The agency reminded fans to send their “warm regards and encouragement” to the BTS member through different means, and not by visiting the military site.

“To prevent any issues arising from overcrowding, fans are strongly advised to refrain from visiting the site. Please convey your warm regards and encouragement in your hearts,” it said.

In its statement, BigHit also thanked fans for expressing their support toward the “Pandora’s Box” singer throughout his enlistment.

“We are always grateful for your unwavering love and support for J-Hope. Our company will continue to put our utmost effort into supporting our artists. Thank you once again for your continued love and support for BTS,” he said.

Born Jung Ho-seok, J-Hope is the second BTS member to be discharged from the military after Jin. He began his mandatory service in April 2023.

Despite his enlistment, J-Hope filmed content in advance, including his special album “Hope on the Street Vol. 1” and the dance show “Hope on the Street” in March 2024, both of which are based on the BTS member’s passion for street dance.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer 

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Jeonnam GT

The 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP continues with the penultimate event of the season known as The King of Korean Motorsports; Jeonnam GT.

Set in the backdrop of Korea International Circuit, which used to host the Korean Grand Prix of Formula 1 from 2010 until 2013, the headliner Super 6000 class race was joined by other class-specific races such as the TC1600 class, the Sports Bike 400 class, and the Sports Prototype class.

Screengrab from Superrace

Focusing on the Super 6000 class, Superrace veteran Hwang Jin-woo of Jun-Fitted Racing is unanimously this race's winner while Brand New Racing's Park Gyu-seung finished 2nd, and Seohan GP's Kim Jung-gun finished 3rd.

With Jang Hyun-jin and Kim Jung-gun now 24 points between them, who will be crowned the 2024 champion? Find out in the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP finale this November 2-3, 2024. Don't miss it!

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Inje Night Race

The Summer Racing Season trilogy of the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP concludes with the Inje Night Race. Drivers are wrapping up the summer season with intense night-racing action that fans watch all night.

Fans who visited Inje for the last night race of the season are treated to pre-race events such as the Prius PHEV Cup, the Korea Trofeo, the second round of Superrace's first Alpine Class, the mixed GT and GT4 Class race, and musical performances by Han Yohan and BBGirls. As night falls, the Super 6000 fighters came out for one last Saturday drive fever of the season.

Screengrab from Superrace

Although the last night race of the season witnessed three drivers throwing in the towel due to mechanical issues, Choi Kwang Bin of One Racing edged O-NE RACING's Kim Dong Eun and Seohan GP's Jang Hyun Jin to win the Inje Night Race.

Summer Racing Season's finished but there are three races left this season and the next one will be at Korea International Circuit this October 12-13, the Jeonnam GP.

KGM Actyon (J120)

Long before the BMW X6, there was the Actyon. Launched in the autumn of 2005, the Actyon is the world's first sports utility coupe. Hot on the heels of its 20th anniversary, the Actyon returns as the coupe version of the Torres.

2025 KGM Actyon

Starting at 33.95 Million Won plus additional costs, the Actyon is back as the coupe version of the Torres, the crossover that made Ssangyong born again as KGM.

2025 KGM Actyon

Beginning with the design, the Actyon is nearly identical to the Torres but with an illuminating front grille reminiscent of the lines from the South Korean flag, showing its nationalism on four wheels. Although the Torres-esque looks is the tip of the iceberg, the rear view can be broadly mistaken for today's Range Rover Evoque. Can't blame them.

2025 KGM Actyon interior

The all-new Actyon's interior, like the exterior itself, is also a resemblance of the Torres but the differences are the steering wheel and the center console. On the driver's side, you are greeted with a panoramic wide screen with two 12.3 inch screens with the first half as the cluster and the latter half a touchscreen with INFOCONN that takes charge of the car in terms of airconditioning, telematics, entertainment, smartphone connectivity, and so on. It can be nerve-wracking for first-timers but it takes time to get used to it.

With the rear seats folded down, the all-new Actyon has up to 1,568 liters of boot space, which is less than the Torres because of its coupe formation.

2025 KGM Actyon

The all-new Actyon is powered by the same 1.5L T-GDi engine from the Torres mated to an Aisin 6-speed AT. This engine produces 170PS of power and 28.6kg-m of torque. It even comes with an ISG system that shuts the engine off when stopped at the red light and then restarts when set off. In FF configurations, it has a combined fuel economy of 11kmpl while AWD variants get 10.1kmpl.

The all-new Actyon has front MacPherson struts and rear multilink suspension. The front brakes are ventilated discs and the rear brakes are discs.

Sturdy bodywork and eight airbags aside, the all-new Actyon features DeepControl, a suite of ADAS such as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection warning, Blind Spot Detection Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist, and Safety Exit Warning.

The all-new Actyon is no longer the one you've been familiar with since your high school days. It's now a muscular sports utility coupe that blends its Korean nationalism, the KGM way. After all, isn't what KGM's slogan is all about? Korea Great Mobility. Although not as great as the X6 and the Evoque, it's the bargain of the season.

Available Colors: Royal Copper, Royal Copper 2 Tone, Grand White, Grand White 2 Tone, Latte Greige, Latte Greige 2 Tone, Iron Metal, Iron Metal 2 Tone, Forest Green, Forest Green 2 Tone, Dandy Blue, and Space Black.

Photo: KGM

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea to open border for foreign tourists in December, tour operators say

 

North Korea will resume international tourism to its northeastern city of Samjiyon in December, and possibly the rest of the country, tour companies said on Wednesday.

The move is a sign that the reclusive country is readying to reopen borders to bigger groups of foreign tourists after years of strict COVID border controls.

"We have received confirmation from our local partner that tourism to Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will officially resume in December 2024," the Beijing-based Koryo Tours said on its website.

International flights in and out of North Korea resumed last year and a small group of Russian tourists flew to North Korea for a private tour in February. Top foreign officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, have been visiting the country.

But North Korea has not been fully open to international tourists since 2020.

"Having waited for over four years to make this announcement, Koryo Tours is very excited for the opening of North Korean tourism once again," the firm said, adding its local partner would confirm itineraries and dates in coming weeks.

North Korea has been building what it called a "socialist utopia" in Samjiyon, a city near the Chinese border, and "a model of highly-civilised mountain city" with new apartments, hotels, a ski resort and commercial, cultural and medical facilities.

Leader Kim Jong Un in July sacked or demoted some senior officials for their "irresponsible" handling of his flagship Samjiyon project.

Another travel agency, KTG Tours, also announced that tourists would be able to go to Samjiyon from this winter.

Source: Reuters

Kia K8 (2025MY Minor Change)

The Kia K8 was launched three years ago and was the first car to wear the new logo. For the 2025 model year, the K8 has undergone a "Big Minor Change" and promises to be a better-looking luxury premium sedan that can outclass the Toyota Crown by a long shot.

2025 Kia K8

2025 Kia K8

The New K8 is the cleanest-looking Korean premium saloon to ever come out of Kia's lineup. It's the result of a major redesign of Kia's flagship saloon. The controversial front view has been reskinned with the EV9-styled nose, which became the blueprint for Kia's new design language. The caltrop-styled rear taillights have been revamped, and it now dons squarish wheel designs. This new design proves that today's K8 is coming on clean.

2025 Kia K8 interior

2025 Kia K8 interior

The interior has been heavily revamped for this big minor change with the new dashboard layout, a new floating dual-widescreen driver’s instrument and infotainment display ensemble with ccNC and OTA updates, a new steering wheel design with the KIA logo aligned to the right, dual wireless charging port, Meridian Premium Sound System, Ergo Motion front seats, and Dynamic Ambient Lighting, among others. Even with numerous improvements on the inside, The New K8 is still more than enough to accommodate VIPs, bodyguards, associates, and even CEOs of a big company, not to mention a decent boot space for sensitive goods.

The New K8 comes with a "dynamic escort light" function that lights up from below to welcome and see off occupants as they enter and exit the vehicle. This adds a bit of flashiness to this facelifted model if you catch my drift. It also comes with the Kia Digital Key 2 and the utterly important built-in camera in case of incoming sweet potatoes meddling your way.

2025 Kia K8

The powertrain lineup has been carried over from the pre-facelifted model. On the ICE side, The New K8 is still powered by a choice of two petrol engines and a 3.5L LPG variant which is very cheap to fill. The 2.5L petrol engine produces 198PS of power and 25.3kgf-m of torque while the most powerful of the range, the Smartstream G 3.5 GDi engine, produces 300PS of power and 36.6kgf-m of torque. All are mated to an 8-speed AT, which is operated by a rotary knob selector.

The New K8 Hybrid features a turbocharged 180PS 1.6L petrol engine bolted to a new 47.7kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, while mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, it has a fuel economy of 17.9kmpl.

The New Kia K8 is a front-wheel-drive vehicle that offers a stable ride on the road. The predictive suspension does a good job of smoothing out rough patches as well as its Highway Body Motion Control and Active Load Noise Control for a quieter and more comfortable driving feel. The 3.5L variant has an available all-wheel drive, which gives it even more stability and a ride that's as smooth as an Audi, without the drama. 

The New K8 hybrid variant is even more noticeable than the gasoline model, thanks to the E-Ride and E-Handling systems first seen on the facelifted K5. These systems give the K8 hybrid a sportier ride and handling.

Of course, there's no shortage of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for this facelift but The New K8 comes with a capacitive sensor-based steering wheel grip detection as well as Vehicle Stability Assistant 2 which now uses a steering angle control method instead of the traditional torque control, improving overall performance. 

The New K8 starts at 37,360,000 Korean Won, which is about $33,000. That's a lot of money, but it's a lot of a car. The New K8 is a luxury car that's designed to compete with the Toyota Crown.

The Kia that started the "Movement that Inspires" movement has turned.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Ivory Silver, Moonscape Matte Grey, Sunset Beige, Interstellar Grey, and Aurora Black Pearl

Photo: KIA

Heartsping: Teenieping of Love

For four TV seasons and over a hundred Teeniepings encountered,  Romi and her Teenieping partner Heartsping have embarked on a magical journey to capture runaway Teeniepings and save the day. For the first time ever, the world of Catch! Teenieping is now on the big screen and the origin story between them has finally been uncovered.

Heartsping: Teenieping of Love

The world of Catch! Teeneiping is now on the big screen with the origin story set before the TV series. It's titled Heartsping: Teenieping of Love and this is the story of how Romi, the princess of the Emotion Kingdom, first met the Teenieping of Love named Heartsping. This origin story features new characters such as Romi's friend Mari, Prince Liam, and a shadowy Teenieping that poses the biggest threat.

Getting to know more about the whole Emotion Kingdom, Romi's humble beginnings, her first encounter with Heartsping, and the climax that made them the unbeatable duo everybody loved, the origin story really is a must-watch for fans and newcomers alike. Of course, being a Catch! Teenieping adventure that started it all, you can't hide away from the cuteness this movie delivers, especially Heartsping's humble beginnings.

This origin story of Catch! Teenieping has everything you want from a kid’s movie. It’s fun, adorable, and action-packed. Plus, if you’re an aespa fan, you’ll get a kick out of Winter performing the movie’s theme song.

Revolver (2024 film)

As one video game villain said, "Touch that wire and the C4 will blow up along with the old man!" 

Well, this movie is one of the most intense action thrillers to hit Korean cinemas during the summer season. The movie is called...REVOLVER and it's loaded with more than six bullets to kill anything that moves. Let's see why this movie is called "Revolver".

Revolver (2024 film)

Starring Ji Chang Wook, Lim Ji Yeon, Kim Jun Han, Kim Jong Soo, Jung Man Sik, and Jeon Do Yeon, among others, this intense action suspense thriller centers Do Yeon in the role of a former police officer named Ha Soo Young, who was imprisoned after taking the fall for a crime. When she was freed, she had a new purpose.

I can’t recommend this movie enough. It’s a revolving tale of betrayal and redemption. This movie, like an ocelot, never lets its prey escape and hiding won’t help you. The characters and the storytelling are so much more than a revolver's power and its so-called muzzle velocity.

It's been a long time since the celebrities featured in this suspense thriller had a good fight in their past projects and as the revolver said, "You're pretty good." They were lucky because they really did live up to their legends but they're just getting warmed up.

The twists and turns kept moviegoers on the edge of their seats. This movie definitely lives up to its title, and this is recommended to anyone looking for an exciting night at the movies.

This is exactly why this movie is titled "Revolver".

DRAW!

Kia EV3 vs Hyundai Casper Electric

The first-ever Kia EV3 all-electric crossover slots in as the most affordable model in Kia’s lineup of electric crossovers, with prices starting at 39.95 million won (around $33,000). While it is the most affordable of Kia’s electric crossovers, it’s still not cheap. After factoring in additional costs like taxes and registration, the price of an EV3 will likely be closer to $40,000. That’s still a solid value for an all-electric crossover from a reputable automaker.

2025 Kia EV3

A concept turned reality, the EV3 takes over the void left by the Soul when it was gutted off from the lineup three years ago, moments after the new Kia logo's unveiling.

2025 Kia EV3

The EV3 is a concept car turned reality. It fills the gap left by the Soul crossover, which was discontinued three years ago. The EV3 has nearly identical styling to the concept car it was inspired by, and it's sized like the defunct Soul. This compact size makes it easy to live with, though it's obviously also a "mini-me" EV9. The cubic-styled wheel designs add a nice touch and give the vehicle a distinctive and futuristic look. It looks like something straight out of Tetris.

2025 Kia EV3 interior

The Kia EV3 also features a minimalist interior. The materials used to construct the cabin are also recycled. It’s a great look that makes sense for an electric vehicle. Plus, you’ll feel good about reducing waste every time you get behind the wheel. 

While drivers are greeted by its 30-inch screen on the driver's side with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a five-inch air-conditioning touch panel, there's one annoying feature that will ruin someone from his or her sweet spot; the Kia EV-first AI assistant that works just like the Amazon Alexa nonsense.

Of course, being a five-seater crossover, the EV3's rear seats can be folded down for added space. It even comes with a rear hidden compartment to store some more. Having a compact crossover with a 25-litre frunk and a 460-litre boot really means business, especially if it's a Kia.

2025 Kia EV3

Built on the Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP, the EV3's electric powertrain runs on a 400V architecture and an 81.4-kWh NMC battery for the Long Range variant while Standard Range variants run on a 58.3-kWh NMC battery. Both variants run on a front-mounted electric motor that produces 204PS of power and 283Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 170 km/h. Fair enough.

The Long Range variant is good for up to 501km of driving range in one full charge and it will take around 30 minutes to reach from 10% to 80% while charging at a public charging station.

Being front-wheel-drive only, the EV3 features eDTVC for better traction for moderate reasons. It even comes with the new i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking with one-pedal operation just like the Nissan Leaf. As for safety, the EV3 is prepped with notable features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist, among others. 

The Kia EV3 crossover is the baby of the Kia EV lineup. There's also the recently facelifted EV6 and the king-sized EV9. The EV3 looks like the concept car it was inspired by, and it's sized like the discontinued Soul crossover. It's a compact size that's easy to handle in the city. I'm not sure how I feel about the AI assistant. It's kind of annoying and might be hard for people to fall asleep in the back seat.

However, if you find the Kia EV3 too expensive or too annoying because of the AI assistant injected inside, there is a cheaper and simpler alternative: the Hyundai Casper Electric.

2025 Hyundai Casper Electric

2025 Hyundai Casper Electric interior

Priced at 31,493,670 Korean Won plus additional costs, the simple-looking Casper Electric brings everything Koreans loved about the Casper, now with the all-electric powertrain to back it up.

Although it looks and feels just like its petrol-powered equivalent, the Casper Electric features specifically-made front lamps, tail lights, and a new interior featuring a new digital instrumental cluster and touchscreen that are longer than the one from the normal Casper. Asked about the boot space, it's good for up to 351 liters with the rear seats folded down. It's offered only in one variant with five seats.

Bolted to a front-mounted electric motor and a 49 kWh battery, the Casper Electric produces 115PS of power and 147Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of 150kph. As for driving range, it's good for up to 315km on one full charge.

The Casper Electric features a wide array of safety techs such as lane keeping assist, lane following assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist 1.5, and parking collision avoidance assist rear. It even comes with rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, safety exit warning, smart cruise control with stop-and-go, highway driving assist 1.5 (HDA 1.5), intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, high beam assist, leading vehicle departure alert, and rear occupant alert.

To sum things up, the Kia EV3 is the more expensive and feature-rich of the two, and it's also a larger car. The Hyundai Casper Electric, on the other hand, is more affordable and simpler. Both are fun to drive, but I would recommend the Casper Electric to people who are on a budget or who don't need all the bells and whistles.

The more you know...

Photo: Kia, Hyundai

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Yongin Night Race

The 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP continues with the Yongin Night Race, the second volume of this season's Summer Racing campaign. In the daytime, spectators were greeted not just by the Prius PHEV Class, the M Class, the Radical Cup Korea, and the Korea Trofeo races but this event marked the SUPERRACE debut of Korea's first Alpine Class one-make race series featuring the Alpine A110S.

There are musical performances by HyunA, Davichi, Kid Milli, and BE'O as well. As the night falls, the Super 6000 class main event honed into view, wrapping up Saturday's summer racing action in Yongin Everland Speedway.

Screengrab from SUPERRACE

Seohan GP delivered a 1-2 finish with Kim Jung Gun as the winner and Jung Eui Chul as the second placer while O-NE RACING's Oh Han Sol completed the podium with a third-place finish.

Summer Racing Season at the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP concludes with the Inje Night Race this August 24, 2024.

My FH5 Log: The Silent Movement

Kia's back in Forza! This time around, they've added the latest car to bear the new Kia logo. You know the one, the weird-looking one with the "Movement that Inspires" slogan.

What Kia is this, you may ask? Here's a hint; this is the overall prize car in the Forza Horizon 5 Modern Horizons update by hitting 80 points. It won the 2022 European COTY, 2022 Korean COTY, 2022 Red Dot Award for Best of the Best Car Design and Innovative Product, 2022 What Car? Awards Car of the Year and Electric SUV of the Year, and of course, 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.

The answer is this; The Kia EV6 GT. Before driving this award-winning EV, let's take a quick dive into the EV6 GT.

First launched in 2021, the Kia EV6 signaled the beginning of a new age for Kia. With its just-size styling and performance that defy expectations, the EV6 is the real materialization of the "Movement that Inspires" slogan. The EV6 GT is the range-topper that starts at 76,680,000 Korean Won plus additional costs when it went on sale a year after the normal EV6's launch. With the GT button pressed,  it will unleash the full capability of the EV6 GT. Apart from the adjustments to the e-LSD, electronically controlled suspension, and whatnots, it delivers an explosive performance of 585PS of power, 740Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 260kph. As for the range, it's good for a combined 312km.

Not too shabby for an EV, right? Yes and no. Although I am utterly grateful to have a spin with this high-performance all-electric crossover that upsets the world over, that's the new world order the Korean way to you, feels like it wasn't enough to take on this...

As Han from The Fast and The Furious universe said, “What you think, I’m gonna let you roll in a Hyundai?” For now, yes. There's an all-electric Hyundai crossover that is worthy of bearing the N mark and I won this car straight from the Modern Horizons Storm Season Playlist.

This is the first-ever Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. The all-electric high-performance crossover with the credentials of the N car.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is the high-performance version of the IONIQ 5 crossover and a sure sign that N is embracing electrification. It's got a sporty design, and the N Steering Wheel with N-specific functions, as well as a center console with race-specific features for your track day use.

The IONIQ 5 N is armed with an 84 kWh Li-ion battery pack and two electric motors powering the front and rear wheels. It produces a default 609 PS of power and 740 Nm of torque, more powerful than the Kia EV6 GT. With the N Grin Boost engaged for ten seconds, the power gets bumped to 650 PS, and with N Launch Control in play, it's capable of a 0-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 260 km/h. 

Although winning the 2024 World Performance Car award as well as Top Gear 2023 Car of the Year, Hyundai has really outdone itself with the IONIQ 5 N. This high-performance electric crossover not only looks the part but it's got the power and speed to back it up. The fact that it recently set a new record at Pikes Peak with a time of 9 minutes and 30.852 seconds in the Modified and Production SUV/Crossover classes is proof of that. I'm sure this car will continue to turn heads and make waves in the automotive world.

Having enjoyed driving the two award-winning Korean EVs, it's time for the long-awaited duel. The Kia EV6 GT and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N will clash to the top of the caldera with the fastest time will decide the victor. Obviously, the IONIQ 5 N has the upper hand because it's more powerful than the EV6 GT and it has one thing the EV6 GT doesn't; the N Drift Optimizer. I can enable the IONIQ 5 N's drifting capabilities at the push of the button. Long story short but you get the point.

Anyway, the grudge match between the two Korean high-performance EVs is about to begin. Roll the tape. Dojeon!

And now the results...

EV6 GT - 3m31.428s

IONIQ5 N - 3m23.687s

Hyundai wins the day! With its powerful electric drivetrain, unorthodox dynamics, and recent PPIHC experience, the IONIQ 5 N proved itself to be the victor over the Kia EV6 GT. I have to say that Hyundai really outdid itself with this high-performance electric crossover. Not only does it look the part, but it's also got the power and speed to back it up. With these recent developments, it's clear to me that Hyundai is embracing electrification, and I can't wait to see what they do next.

As Korean car manufacturers, Kia and Hyundai are in some ways part of the same family tree. But in another way, their recent models are showing the opposite to be true. The Kia EV6 GT and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N both won Car of the Year in their respective years, but when you pit these award-winning cars against each other, the Hyundai comes out on top.

The "new normal" is upon us, and it's clear that electrification is the future. But the Hyundai Motor Group knows how to make EVs fast and clever. They've made these cars not just environmentally friendly but really fun to drive as well.

The more you know.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Exploding batteries spark deadly S Korea factory fire

 

A massive factory fire that began after several lithium batteries exploded has killed at least 22 people in South Korea.

The blaze broke out on Monday morning at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, about 45km (28 miles) south of the capital Seoul.

Local television footage showed large smoke clouds and small explosions going off as firefighters sought to put out the fire. A part of the roof had collapsed.

South Korea is a leading producer of lithium batteries, which are used in many items from electric vehicles to laptops.

Fire official Kim Jin-young said 18 Chinese, one Laotian and two South Korean workers had been confirmed as among the dead. A final body had yet to be identified, and there are fears at least one more person may be missing.

"Most of the bodies are badly burned so it will take some time to identify each one," Mr Kim said, according to news agency AFP.

A further eight people were injured - two seriously - out of the 100 who had been working when the fire broke out.

The Aricell factory housed an estimated 35,000 battery cells on its second floor, where the batteries were inspected and packaged, with more stored elsewhere.

Mr Kim said the fire began when a series of battery cells exploded, though it remains unclear what triggered the initial explosions.

He explained it was difficult to enter the site initially "due to fears of additional explosions".

It is not yet clear what started the blaze. Lithium batteries are at risk of exploding if they are damaged or overheated.

Whatever the cause, once the fire took hold, it would have spread at speed - giving the workers little time to escape, according to Kim Jae-ho, fire and disaster prevention professor at Daejeon University.

"Battery materials such as nickel are easily flammable," he told Reuters news agency. "So often, there is not enough time to respond, compared to a fire caused by other materials."

As a lithium fire can react intensely with water, firefighters had to use dry sand to extinguish the blaze, which took several hours to get under control.

However, there is still a risk that after the fire is extinguished, it could reignite without warning due to the chemical reaction.

Source: BBC

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Kim backs Ukraine invasion as Putin visits North Korea

 

Kim Jong Un has said he "fully supports" Russia's invasion of Ukraine as Putin visits North Korea after 24 years.

The two leaders hailed ties between their countries after they held talks following Putin's overnight arrival

Putin received a red carpet welcome, including roses, waving crowds and ceremonial gunfire at a grand military parade.

The Russian president thanked Kim for inviting him to Pyongyang, and said he hopes the next meeting will take place in Moscow.

The two last met in Russia in September and vowed to strengthen military ties.

The US and South Korea accuse the North of supplying Russia with artillery in exchange for food and military aid.

Both countries deny this but Putin is in search of allies since the invasion of Ukraine turned him into a pariah in the West.

After North Korea, Putin will visit long-time ally Vietnam, where he is expected to discuss trade.

Source: BBC

2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP - Gangwon Motor Festa Night Race

Summer racing season at the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP has begun with the first night race of the season, the Gangwon Motor Festa Night Race. 

This race marked the 100th race start for Hwang Jin Woo and not just that, it gave fans the chance to witness the Alpine A110S, which will be used for Superrace's new Alpine Class one-make race next month. There are even special performances by BewhY and Mckdaddy as well. What a way to kick off the Superrace's summer season campaign.

Screengrab from SUPERRACE

Jang Hyun Jin of Seohan GP survived the night and won the Gangwon Motor Festa Night Race. Hwang Jin Woo of Jun-Fitted Racing, on his 100th race start, finished 2nd, and Brand New Racing's Park Seok-Chan finished 3rd.

Summer racing season at the 2024 O-NE SUPERRACE CHAMPIONSHIP continues with the Yongin Night Race this July 13th.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Jin from South Korean K-pop group BTS wraps up military service

 

Jin, a member of the K-pop group BTS has been discharged from South Korea's army. 

Hundreds of thousands of people tuned into a livestream of Jin's military discharge.

BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or "Beyond the Scene," is a Grammy-nominated South Korean pop phenomenon.

Jin, whose full name is Kim Seouk-jin, had carried out 18 months of duty and is the first member of BTS to wrap up the mandatory national service that put the group's music career on hold.

The 31-year-old is the oldest member of the K-pop group and appeared emotional as he hugged his colleagues at a military base in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province.

He was wearing his army uniform and a black beret.

"I cried during the ceremony," he later said.

"But it was so fun for the last year and six months. It's such a relief, I met so many amazing people."

According to South Korean media, several members of BTS applied for leave to celebrate the occasion, including rapper RM, who played the group's hit single Dynamite on a saxophone.

Jin was the first member of the group to enlist in the military in December 2022.

Four other members of the ensemble began their military service a year later in December 2023.

The boy band is expected to be reunited after they all complete their duty in 2025.

Jin has plans to kick off his post-army activities with an hour-long performance in Seoul.

K-pop is one of South Korea's largest cultural exports and BTS have been at the forefront of this after debuting as a group in 2013.

The country requires all able-bodied men aged 18-28 to serve in the military or social service for a minimum of 18 months.

In 2020, it changed the law to accommodate globally recognised K-pop stars, allowing them to delay signing up till the age of 30.

 Source: ABC Australia/Reuters

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: DFA condemns North Korea’s latest satellite launch

 

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) condemns the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) latest satellite launch, saying “it provokes tensions and undermines economic progress, peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region.”

In a statement, the DFA said that the Philippines is calling on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

The DFA also pushed for the commitment to constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea (ROK).

“The Philippines has consistently supported the call for a complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, South Korea denounced the failed satellite launch, calling it a “violation of UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.”

According to international reports, South Korea’s top envoy to the UN slammed the satellite launch, calling it “one of the most expensive fireworks” and that “DPRK’s scarce resources into the launch could have been better spent on feeding its people.”

Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook made the remarks during an open meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss the satellite launch, reports stated.

Earlier, Reuters reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guided a firing drill of 600mm “super-large” multiple rocket launchers, hitting the target of an island located about 365 kms (227 miles) away as leader Kim oversaw the demonstration, North Korean state-media KCNA reported.

According to the report, Kim called the launch “a possible display for would-be buyers, including Russia.”

Source: DZRH