DOCSLIB.ORG

Korea's Online

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

People & Culture FEBRUARY 2011 KOREA‘S ONLINE GAME THRILLS WITH MULTIPLAYERS KOREA WORKS OUT KOREANS DASH TOWarD BETTer HeaLTH UPO WETLAND A FOUNTAIN of LIfe www.korea.net ISSN: 2005-2162 Contentsfebruary 2011 VOL.7 NO.02 02 COVER STORY As one of the world’s most wired nations, Korea’s vibrant gaming industry is booming. This is the story to look forward to in 2011. 14 PEN & BRUSH Bae Su-ah’s delicate and sensitive prose reflects a novelist of extraordinary versatility. 18 PEOPLE Carpenter Lee Jeong-seob is fond of tradition, but certainly isn’t afraid of modernity. 22 GREAT KOREAN Joseon-era artist Shin Saimdang left behind a legacy for women that has endured the ages. 24 02 MY KOREA February’s Lunar New Year holiday, or seollal, is a meaningful time for Koreans as they gather with family to welcome a new year. 28 PUBLISHER Seo Kang-soo, SEOUL Korean Culture and Information Service Seoul’s long history as a city embraces majestic architecture that includes many royal palaces. EDITING HEM KOREA Co., Ltd 30 E-MAIL [email protected] TRAVEL PRINTING Samsung Moonhwa Printing Co. Upo Wetland is Korea’s largest inland swamp and a well-known ecological reserve. All right reserved. No part of this 18 publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from 36 KOREA and the Korean Culture and NOW IN KOREA Information Service. Koreans are now turning en masse toward a healthier lifestyle – and it’s about far more The articles published in KOREA do not necessarily represent the views of than just a slim figure. the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions. 40 SUMMIT DIPLOMACY If you want to receive a free copy of KOREA or wish to cancel a subscription, The European Union, the US, Peru-Korea has please e-mail us. A downloadable PDF a string of FTAs coming into force this year. file of KOREA and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing 44 in our text are available by clicking on the GLOBAL KOREA thumbnail of KOREA on the homepage of www.korea.net. Taekwondo, Korea’s national martial art, is 30 enjoyed all around the world. 발간등록번호 11-1110073-000016-06 cover story Since the late 1990s, Korea’s online gaming industry has grown as quickly as access to high-speed Internet. Today, gaming is a central part of Korean life. And in a country that has long had to rely on science and technology over natural resources, the gaming industry seems set to become even more relevant in Korea. by Baek Bong-sam KOREA’S (background) Photo Topic © GOT GAME 02 | korea | february 2011 www.korea.net | 03 and European affiliates.Dungeon plans to focus more on promotion, while by restricting access to its gaming Fighter, Nexon’s other signature title, also easing certain regulations. market. In response, Korean companies once had 2.2 million players connected A major reason that Korean online began forming partnerships with local simultaneously in China and was picked games have thrived away from home publishers like Shanda and Tencent. Still, as one of the most popular games at the is their success in adapting to local the rapid growth of China’s indigenous WebMoney Award 2010 in Japan. needs and tastes. Just as high-speed gaming industry has seen Korea’s Cross Fire, a first-person shooting Internet connections became more market share drop from 80% to 25%. (FPS) game, is also in the elite club widely available around the globe, Some gamers in North America and of games to have registered 2 million Korea marched into Japan, China and Europe continue to find Asian games a simultaneous connections in China. Taiwan, as well as the US, Europe and little exotic for their tastes, and not all Though it only enjoyed marginal success Russia. By setting up overseas affiliates, countries enjoy the fastest of Internet in Korea, players in China, Taiwan and Korean companies hired local talent to connections. Vietnam made the game a huge hit help infuse local culture into games and But the increasing presence of online overseas. Along with The Legend of Mir create marketing strategies that would games in the global gaming market is 2 and Dungeon Fighter, it is one of the appeal to local players. enormously encouraging for Korean three biggest Korean games in China. It hasn’t all been plain sailing, however. Since the late 2000s, China THE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCEss As has looked to protect its own developers ever more Korean online games find fans overseas, gaming has established itself both as an industry and as a cultural phenomenon in Korea. Suitably for Korea, games don’t require much Korean online games have gone beyond Screenshot from games overseas. in the way of natural resources, instead the online game their home turf and are now reaching Aion, which is Guild Wars first took off in North relying on a highly skilled and inventive one of the most out to the US, Europe, China and Japan. popular games America and Europe markets where workforce. As such, gaming is one of the No matter where you live, you can not only in console video games have highest value-added industries in the Korea but all play Korean games and strike up cyber over the traditionally been dominant. country. world (above). friendships with fellow gamers around Muguk, one of Developed by ArenaNet, According to the “2010 Korea Games the world. At big gaming tradeshows the striker the North American affiliate of White Paper,” published by the Ministry Aion’s characters are seen on its screenshot characters of (above). Attendees for G-star 2010, an annual overseas, such as Gamescom and the Dungeon the leading MMORPG (Massively of Culture and Korea Creative Content game trade show held in Busan, Korea, Tokyo Game Show, Korean online Fighter (right). multiplayer online role-playing game) Agency, the local game market recorded experience online games on the iPad (right). A Main poster of screenshot from Metro Conflict (below). games are some of the most hotly the game maker NCsoft,Guild Wars sold about 6.6 trillion won in annual sales in 2009. Dungeon Fighter anticipated, wowing seasoned gamers (below). 6.3 million copies outside Korea, raising In the same year, Korea accounted for with their dynamism and creativity. huge expectations for a sequel. 3.1% (US$3.58 billion) of the overall Korean game developers have also When it arrived, Guild Wars 2 international market (US$117.3 billion), been quick to adapt to the latest trends, didn’t disappoint, winning NCsoft’s and exports increased 13.6% year-on- building a host of hot new social games, “best online game” award at the year to US$1.24 billion. functional games that are educational 2010 Gamescom, a German gaming In 2010, exports of Korean games as well as fun, and open platform games exhibition. It was the second year were estimated to have grown by a that are staking claim in the booming in a row that NCsoft took the prize, further 29% to surpass US$1.6 billion, realm of smart devices. following Aion’s victory in 2009. with many predicting that figure could Maple Story is also available in top US$2 billion in 2011. Korea has set ROCKING ALL OVER THE WORLD Guild about 70 countries across Asia, North out to become one of the world’s top Wars by NCsoft,Maple Story by Nexon, America and Europe, with Nexon three game makers, alongside the US and Cross Fire by Neowiz Games are offering officially serviced versions of and Japan, by 2012. To help the industry among the most popular Korean online the game through its North American bottom) (left, Corporation NEXON (top); Corporation NCsoft © left) above from (clockwise NHN Co.,Ltd.; Entertainment WeMade Corporation; NCsoft © develop even further, the government 04 | korea | february 2011 www.korea.net | 05 companies. According to market (28.3%) selected playing games as their researcher DFC Intelligence, the world favorite pastime than watching TV online games market in 2011 is expected (22.1%) and going to the movies (19.7%). to grow by 17.2% to surpass US$18 In Korea, gaming is a part of the cultural billion. Korea, long on experience and furniture. technology in online games, is poised to G-Star, an annual game trade show, become more competitive overseas. served as further proof of this. Held over four days in the BEXCO center A PERFECT PasTIME An online teaching in Busan, Korea, G-Star 2010 attracted site recently showed that Korean middle around 283,000 visitors from Korea and school students spend 57% of their free overseas. Some 316 companies from time surfing the Internet and 10% of the 22 countries conducted 3,550 rounds time playing online games. The 2010 of export consultations, with 166 deals, white paper on games said more people worth around US$20 million, being inked in total. One of the opening shots of Every year, the crowds at BEXCO The Legend of Mir 2 (above). Some of have been growing, with the geeks NCsoft‘s games being joined by growing numbers of were featured at Gamescom families and couples. This in itself marks 2010, held in Germany last a major shift, as games in Korea have year (far left). traditionally been seen as a baleful Ferres, a new character in influence that keeps youngsters away Arche Age, from their studies and shuttered up in showed up at G-Star 2010 for smoky PC rooms. Some games have the first time drawn controversy for their racy or for different age groups before they hit Attendees of G-Star 2010 enjoy online games Com2uS and Gamevil are two of ever (left).
Recommended publications
  • Kwan's Name: “Bluewaves” Meaning a Youngster's Spirit and Vitality

    Kwan's Name: “Bluewaves” Meaning a Youngster's Spirit and Vitality

    The Development of the “Kwan’s” Kwan: in Korean literally means building or hall, but when used in martial arts it can also refer to a school or clan of martial artists who follow the same style and/or leader. At the time, there were 9 major Kwans throughout Korea and once someone joined a particular Kwan, it was very difficult to transfer to another Kwan. When someone wanted to transfer to another Kwan, his original Kwan Jang had to authorize and approve the transfer, but in reality, the Kwan Jang usually threatened the member using authoritative means in an effort to persuade the potential transferee to not leave. This was a critical issue in those days. Chung Do Kwan Established by Won Kuk Lee, seated in the middle and next led by Duk Sung Son, the back row, second from the right. After the independence of Korea, the Chung Do Kwan, one of the five key Dojangs, was founded first. It symbolized Chung Do Kwan's name: “Bluewaves” meaning a youngster's spirit and vitality. Chung Do Kwan's founder, LEE Won Kuk, moved to Japan when he was 19 years old in 1926. While in Japan, he first attended middle and high school, and then entered the Law School of Chuo University. Then he entered Japan's Karate headquarters, the Song Do Kwan (Shotokan). He received Karate instruction from Karate's father, Gichin Funakoshi. There, he learned Karate with Song Moo Kwan's founder, RO Byung Jick. Later, he moved back to Korea and taught Tang Soo Do in the Yong Shin school hall in Suh Dae Moon Gu's Ochun Dong, Seoul because he had a good relationship with Japan's Cho-sun Governor General Abe in 1944.
  • April 19Th, 1938 - November 28, 1985

    April 19Th, 1938 - November 28, 1985

    (April 19th, 1938 - November 28, 1985) Master Britt By Jesse Elliott: 3rd Dan I enjoyed going through the resources Sabom Medeiros passed on to us for Grandmaster Lee’s 80th birthday. It’s amazing to me that Grandmaster Lee could still be alive today -- 80 years isn’t really that old. But it seems like another age looking back at his life. There are so many stories about him and his training. It seems difficult to imagine training under him and yet, because of all the stories, I can almost picture it myself. The stories about Master Britt have always fascinated me. Master Britt was Grandmaster Lee’s youngest student, he was 12 years old when he started training. I was 10 years old when I started my martial arts training. I have many vivid memories from those early years, but I certainly wasn’t training under Grandmaster Lee. Master Britt was incredibly dedicated and very close to Grandmaster Lee. He was even with Grandmaster Lee in his dying days and was one of the last people to speak with him. On his deathbed, the day before he died, Grandmaster Lee promoted Master Britt to 5th degree, the highest rank Grandmaster Lee had ever awarded. It is inspiring to think of the dedication Master Britt had to the art and to his Master. When I read further about how Master Britt fell on hard times and was unable to teach or train for almost 8 years I was shocked. I had no idea he had been away from Martial Arts at all.
  • History of American Karate No Individual Can Truly Claim to Be the Founder of "American Karate" Because It Is an Eclectic Mix of Systems and Styles

    History of American Karate No Individual Can Truly Claim to Be the Founder of "American Karate" Because It Is an Eclectic Mix of Systems and Styles

    History of American Karate No individual can truly claim to be the founder of "American Karate" because it is an eclectic mix of systems and styles. Many instructors have taken what they considered to be the best of different systems to devise a curriculum that worked for them and their students. Some individuals who have claimed to be founders of their own systems of "American Karate" are listed here, some of whom have claimed 10th degree or higher black belt ranks for themselves. In the Asian culture, most 10th degree black belts (typically represented by a Red Belt) were awarded only upon the death of the Grandmaster to his successor. Jhoon Goo Rhee (January 7, 1932 – April 30, 2018), commonly known as Jhoon Rhee, was a South Korean master of taekwondo who was widely recognized as the 'Father of American Taekwondo' for introducing this martial art to the United States of America since arriving in the 1950s. He was ranked 10th dan. Allen R. Steen is a 10th-degree black belt who earned his 1st degree black belt in 1961 in Tae Kwon Do from Jhoon Rhee. Steen opened the first karate school in Texas in 1962 and became known as the "Father of Texas Blood and Guts Karate." He also gained fame for defeating Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis in a single evening to win Ed Parker's Long Beach International Karate Championships in 1966. Joe Lewis was often called the "Muhammad Ali" of American sport karate. He amassed many firsts including the first World Professional Karate Champion and the first U.S.
  • Ncsoft (036570 KS) Power of Role-Playing Games

    Ncsoft (036570 KS) Power of Role-Playing Games

    Company Report Feb 12, 2016 NCsoft (036570 KS) Power of role-playing games 4Q15 review SW/SI Sales came to W237.0bn (+1% YoY), operating profit W74.9bn (-14% YoY), and net profit BUY (M) W42.2bn (-32% YoY). By game, sales of “Lineage” came to W83.2bn (-14% YoY), “Lineage 2” TP: W280,000 (U) W220.0bn (+3% YoY), “Aion” W18.6bn (-11% YoY), “Blade & Soul” W32.4bn (+32% YoY), and “Guild Wars 2” W37.3bn (+94% YoY), with overseas royalty income of W29.2bn (-10% YoY). Sales of Lineage, Lineage 2, Aion, and Blade & Soul were strong thanks to updates and new Share price (won, Feb 11) 240,000 item launches. It is particularly encouraging that sales of old games Lineage 2 and Blade & Paid-in capital (Wbn) 11 Soul have grown for the past three years and that Lineage’s sales broke records. This is Market cap (Wbn) 5,263 thanks to the nature of role-playing games, in which the company excels. Guild Wars 2’s sales BPS (won) 80,707 increased thanks to a feature pack launch, but missed expectations. In terms of expenses, Net debt to equity (%) -54.0 Shares outstanding 21,929,022 marketing and baseball club expenses rose, but earnings of existing games climbed, and thus, total earnings were in line with market estimates. In non-operating terms, the company Avg daily T/O (2M, Wbn) 31 Avg daily vol (2M, shrs) 138,946 booked W18.4bn in impairment of Ntreev Soft goodwill. 52-week high (won) 244,000 52-week low (won) 169,000 1Q16 forecast Foreign ownership (%) 32.6 Earnings are likely to fall given the disappearing effects of game updates and events seen in Major shareholders (%) 4Q15, but the decline is unlikely to be huge, given solid earnings growth of old games.
  • A Broken Family?

    A Broken Family?

    © ITFNZ Inc 2016 TAEKWON-DO: A BROKEN FAMILY? Author: David Lo, 3rd Dan Edited by: Chris Morton, 1st Dan Prepared for: 4th Dan Grading Requirements Date: 18 October 2011 The materials in this thesis are summarised from published and publicly available sources as referenced. Some of the stories and references cannot be verified personally and Disclaimer may be subjective opinions as opposed to being factual. The interpretations of the story lines are of the personal opinion of the author. Page 1 of 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 3 2 GENERAL CHOI’S FAMILY ............................................................................... 4 3 HOW BROKEN WAS THE ORIGINAL TAEKWON-DO IN EARLY YEARS? ............. 7 4 DIFFERENT FAMILIES OF TAEKWON-DO ......................................................... 9 5 GENERAL CHOI’S IDEAS OF BUILDING A FAMILY AGAIN .............................. 11 6 PROPOSED STRATEGIES FOR A TAEKWON-DO FAMILY ................................. 13 7 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 16 Page 2 of 16 1 INTRODUCTION Taekwon-Do (TKD) is an art of self-defence which was founded by General Choi Hong-Hi that has been through a series of bizarre and wondrous events. The exact date of the inception of TKD is unknown, but it was in development and the name itself was first mentioned in 1955. Taekwon-Do is not only an art of killing, but also an art of empowerment which includes many responsibilities. Taekwon-Do can empower more than just the body - some practitioners can control their mental states through this martial art. TKD can erode or raise a practitioner’s emotional state, can erode or empower families and countries. Practitioners can create or destroy reputations, careers or even friends.
  • Korean Martial Arts

    Korean Martial Arts

    ANCIENT MILITARY MANUALS AND THEIR RELATION TO MODERN KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS MANUEL E. ADROGUÉ, LL.M.1 LML INTRODUCTION2 In the 1960s and early 1970s, when Korean martial arts first started having an impact in the Western hemisphere, many martial art students turned to books in order to obtain additional information to that provided by their teachers. Today, many of these books are considered classics. Such books were mainly “manuals,” most of them available in English, as those written by Choi Hong Hi, Son Duk Song, Sihak Henry Cho, Rhin Moon Richard Chun, and Hwang Kee. Spanish speaking readers will also probably remember Lee Won II’s book. Students in those days could also refer to specialized publi- cations dealing with Korean-style forms (among the first, Jhoon Rhee’s “Chon Ji” series, and Kim Pyung Soo’s “Pal Gwe” series). Most of the classic manuals, as well as the majority of those written since that time, echoed and helped to foster among martial artists an acceptance of a number of historical affirma- tions as facts, despite their being devoid of any verifiable connection with the Korean history as described by other sources. Among the clichés used as evidence for the pretended antiquity of today’s Korean martial arts were the following: 1) The combat fierceness and dexterity of Hwarang and Sonbae warriors. 2) The promotion in rank that the king gave to military men taking into consideration their fighting performance in championships and festivals. 3) The archeological remains illustrating guardians or “strongmen” * EDITOR’S NOTE: (k., ryuk sa; ch.
  • Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine, Flicks Through It and Feels Email: Editor@Totallytkd.Com Tel: +44 (0)7759 438779 That There Isn't Enough WTF Related Articles

    Totally Tae Kwon Do Magazine, Flicks Through It and Feels Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7759 438779 That There Isn't Enough WTF Related Articles

    Upubmmz!! Ubf!Lxpo!Ep! Issue 5 www.totallytkd.com July 2009 The Free Global Tae Kwon Do Magazine G ran ndm Lee as Yo ter In o S ter un vie w BuildingBuilding ConfidentConfident KidsKids Plus Master Yoon Byung-in’s Legacy The Sawston Superhero Is Your Technique On the Level Light Continuous Sparring - A Lost Sport! Martial Arts Are About Survival A History Of TaeKwon-Do Demo’s Plus loads more great articles inside Upubmmz!! Ubf!Lxpo!Ep! EditorialEditorial The Free Global Tae Kwon Do Magazine Issue 5 - July 2009 Produced and Published by: Welcome to issue 5 of Totally Tae Harrow Martial Arts in association with Kwon Do. Quick story for you: Man Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy downloads Totally Tae Kwon Do magazine, flicks through it and feels Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7759 438779 that there isn't enough WTF related articles. So what does he do? This PDF may be distributed by all provided such distribution is not done commercially. Charging a fee for this PDF (in whole or in part) is strictly prohibited. This A. He writes and submits some includes distribution by any body, group or individual where a membership, subscription fee or any other charge articles himself, as the magazine is is required to access or view this PDF and / or its contents. open TO ALL Tae Kwon Do and it Such distribution by commercial entities is prohibited. Commercial entities may distribute this PDF so long as would even up his perceived imbalance! access is open to all and no charge (direct or indirect) is B.
  • Plenty of Positive Momentum Remains

    Plenty of Positive Momentum Remains

    NCSOFT (036570.KS) Plenty of positive momentum remains Company Note │Jul 6, 2020 Despite the recent sharp rise in NCSOFT’s share price, we believe that plenty ※ Refer to page 2 for of additional upward momentum remains in play, considering expectations ESG index/event tables for new games, global growth, and platform expansion. Buy (maintain) TP W1,270,000 (raise) Several attractive points on offer CP (’20/07/03) W944,000 Sector Game Adhering to a Buy rating on NCSOFT, our sector top pick, we raise our TP from Kospi/Kosdaq 2,152.41 / 752.18 W1,000,000 to W1,270,000. Given expectations for new title releases, including Market cap (common) US$17,270.50mn Blade & Soul 2 (2H20), Lineage 2M (2H20, Japan & Taiwan), Aion 2 (2021), Outstanding shares (common) 22.0mn and Project TL (2021, PC/console/mobile), the company’s new game 52W high (’20/07/02) W964,000 low (’19/07/03) W468,500 momentum looks to be entering full swing. Believing that it still boasts Average trading value (60D) US$75.08mn significant drivers of positive momentum, including: 1) the entering of a high Dividend yield (2020E) 0.64% OP growth cycle, with OP rising from W479bn in 2019 to W998.1bn (+108.4% Foreign ownership 52.0% y-y) in 2020E and W1.51tn (+51.2% y-y) in 2021F; 2) PC/mobile/console Major shareholders platform expansion; and 3) Korea/global business growth, we expect NCSOFT’s TJ Kim & 9 others 12.0% share price to continue climbing despite its recent sharp increase.
  • Black Belt Club and Kneehigh Ninja Program

    Black Belt Club and Kneehigh Ninja Program

    Student Manual Black Belt Club and Kneehigh Ninja Program ™ 1136 West Broad St. Falls Church, VA Tel: 703-237-7433 Fax: 703-237-0847 email: [email protected] website: JhoonRheeTKD.com KNOWLEDGE IN THE MIND HONESTY IN THE HEART STRENGTH IN THE BODY WELCOME! Dear New Student, Welcome to the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do, one of the most prestigious martial arts institutions in the world. The Institute was founded by 10th degree Black Belt Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, on June 28, 1962. Some of Grand Master Rhee famous students include Muhammad Ali, George Allen, Jack Anderson, Bruce Lee and over 100 U.S. Congress- men and Senators. Over 80,000 Washingtonians have benefited from our program since its opening. Grand Master Rhee's honors include a 1975 Professional Karate Magazine Hall of Fame Award, a 1976 Martial Arts Man of the Century Award at the American Bicentennial Sports Awards Banquet, and a 1983 Black Belt Magazine Man of the Year Award. Grand Master Rhee is also the author of five Tae Kwon Do books, and has starred in two movies; “When Tae Kwon Do Strikes” and “The Silent Master”. He is also the only Asian American who served as the national chairman for the American Independence Day Festival in 1983. Most recently, Grand Master Rhee was selected as one of the top 200 most famous immigrants to the United States by the National Immigration Forum, in conjunction with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Master Rhee was the sole Korean-American to receive the honor. I am confident that your child will benefit from our philosophical and physical training program.
  • KNOWLEDGE in the MIND HONESTY in the HEART STRENGTH in the BODY WELCOME! Dear New Student

    KNOWLEDGE in the MIND HONESTY in the HEART STRENGTH in the BODY WELCOME! Dear New Student

    Master's Club Student Manual ™ 1136 West Broad St. Falls Church, VA Tel: 703-237-7433 Fax: 703-237-0847 email: [email protected] website: JhoonRheeTKD.com KNOWLEDGE IN THE MIND HONESTY IN THE HEART STRENGTH IN THE BODY WELCOME! Dear New Student, Welcome to the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Tae Kwon Do, one of the most prestigious martial arts institutions in the world. The Institute was founded by 10th degree Black Belt Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, on June 28, 1962. Some of Grand Master Rhee famous students include Muhammad Ali, George Allen, Jack Anderson, Bruce Lee and over 100 U.S. Congressmen and Senators. Over 80,000 Washingtonians have benefited from our program since its opening. Grand Master Rhee's honors include a 1975 Professional Karate Magazine Hall of Fame Award, a 1976 Martial Arts Man of the Century Award at the American Bicentennial Sports Awards Banquet, and a 1983 Black Belt Magazine Man of the Year Award. Grand Master Rhee is also the author of five Tae Kwon Do books, and has starred in two movies; “When Tae Kwon Do Strikes” and “The Silent Master”. He is also the only Asian American who served as the national chairman for the American Independence Day Festival in 1983. Most recently, Grand Master Rhee was selected as one of the top 200 most famous immigrants to the United States by the National Immigration Forum, in conjunction with the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. Master Rhee was the sole Korean-American to receive the honor. I am confident that your child will benefit from our philosophical and physical training program.
  • NCSOFT (036570 KS) Blade & Soul Gaining Renewed Momentum

    NCSOFT (036570 KS) Blade & Soul Gaining Renewed Momentum

    NCSOFT (036570 KS) Blade & Soul gaining renewed momentum Game 4Q15 review: In-line results NCSOFT reported 4Q15 revenue and operating profit that were broadly in line with our Results Comment expectations. Revenue expanded 21% QoQ to W236.9bn, with balanced growth across February 12, 2016 existing titles, while operating profit increased 48% QoQ to W74.9bn, backed by strong top-line growth. Existing titles, including Lineage I, Lineage II , Aion, and Blade & Soul, recorded strong (Maintain) Buy revenue growth QoQ. In particular, revenue from Blade & Soul jumped 30% QoQ to W32.4bn thanks to rollouts of new classes and items, which were positively received. Target Price (12M, W) 400,000 4Q15 net profit, however, fell below our estimate to W42.2bn, hurt by a goodwill impairment charge (W18.4bn) related to Ntreev Soft Share Price (2/11/16, W) 240,000 1Q16 catalysts: Blade & Soul US revenue recognition and China mobile launch Expected Return 67% Blade & Soul US , the company’s first new release in 2016, is doing much better than th initially expected. Launched on January 19 , the title has attracted more than 2mn players and currently has a total of 34 servers, after originally starting with 22. We are OP (15P, Wbn) 237 conservatively modeling quarterly revenue of W10bn for Blade & Soul US (beginning Consensus OP (15F, Wbn) 238 1Q16). Since the title is free to play, user metrics are critical in predicting revenue . With EPS Growth (15P, %) -26.9 the title still in its very early stages, we could see changes in user metric trends, which Market EPS Growth (15F, %) 19.9 would prompt revisions to our estimates.
  • Black Belt Program Guide

    Black Belt Program Guide

    Black Belt Program Guide TKD Life Skills, Inc. 2449 North Harrison Street • Suites 2 & 3 (Lower Level) • Arlington, Virginia 22207 703.532.RHEE (7433) • [email protected] • www.arlingtonkicks.com Black Belt Program Guide • 1 Welcome to Black Belt! Dear Black Belt: the tenets of Tae Kwon Do—Strength in the Body, Honesty in the Heart, and Knowledge in the Congratulations on attaining your Black Mind—will start to guide you through all aspects Belt. Please remember that your journey here was of your life. a result of years of hard work and training. The Jhoon Rhee Institute (JRI) of Tae Kwon Do is Now that your foundation has been set in Jhoon one of the most prestigious Martial Arts Institu- Rhee Tae Kwon Do, we will now able to explore tions in the world. Your name is now amongst the roots of Tae Kwon Do as well as other aspects some of the most well known Black Belts in the of martial arts as a whole that help make the world, such as Muhammad Ali, George Allen, Jhoon Rhee system an eclectic martial art. Jack Anderson, Tony Robbins, and more than 100 U.S. Congressmen and Senators. Undeniably, The most important part of your advanced training the Jhoon Rhee Institute has produced more will be honing your skills as a leader. This will not champions than any other school in the world only help you in the martial arts, but in all areas in competition leagues such as the Professional of your life. Karate League (PKL), North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA), and National Black Again, congratulations on your accomplishment Belt League (NBL).