Latest news with #Yes24
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Yes24 CEOs apologize, offer compensation after 5-day ransomware shutdown
Yes24, Korea's largest online bookstore and a major player in the ticketing industry, has issued a formal apology from its CEOs and announced the first round of compensation measures following a crippling ransomware attack that shut down its entire system for five days. Co-CEOs Kim Seok-hwan and Choi Se-ra expressed deep regret on Monday over the disruption that began in the early hours of June 9, paralyzing all of Yes24's services, including its website, mobile app, book sales and event ticketing. 'We sincerely apologize to all our customers and partners affected by this unprecedented service outage,' the CEOs said. 'Yes24 has grown on a foundation of customer trust, and we take seriously the fact that this trust has been shaken. We are mobilizing all available resources to restore services and rebuild that trust.' As part of its initial compensation plan, Yes24 announced the following measures. Customers who were unable to attend performances due to failed ticket reservations will receive a refund equivalent to 120 percent of the ticket price, issued as store credit by June 20. Customers who experienced delays in book shipments will receive 2,000 reward points, usable like cash on the platform. Expired gift certificates and discount coupons affected by the service outage will be extended. The company added that additional compensation plans would be announced via its official website. Yes24 also pledged to strengthen its cybersecurity framework. The joint CEOs stated that the company would 'review the entire security infrastructure from the ground up,' establish an external advisory group for security oversight, and expand its cybersecurity budget to enhance resilience and operational reliability. In its handling of the crisis, Yes24 has faced criticism for sluggish and inconsistent communication. Although the outage began early Monday, the company did not confirm it was a ransomware attack until Tuesday, initially attributing the issue to 'system maintenance.' In addition, while Yes24 claimed to be working closely with the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), the agency later stated that no formal request for technical support had been made and that only verbal briefings were provided during site visits. Yes24 later said there had been "internal miscommunication," explaining that while KISA had visited its headquarters twice, on June 10 and 11, the company was focusing on restoring services as a top priority, and formal collaboration was only discussed after those visits. The company added that it officially requested technical support from KISA on Thursday, after which a KISA investigation team visited and launched a joint probe. As of Tuesday morning, major services have been restored, though the English and Chinese-language stores and user reviews on My Page remain unavailable.
Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Yes24 down for third day, as ransomware attack disrupts major ticketing, book retail platform
Yes24, the country's largest online book retailer and a major ticketing platform, remained inaccessible for a third consecutive day Wednesday, following what the company confirmed was a ransomware attack. The outage, which began in the early hours of Monday, brought down all of Yes24's services, including book searches and orders, e-book access, digital library functions, community forums, and concert and performance ticketing. The homepage displayed an apology: 'We sincerely apologize to all users for the inconvenience caused by service access errors.' A Yes24 official told The Korea Herald on Wednesday there were 'no further updates yet" and that they are "working to restore the site as soon as possible, within this week." In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Yes24 said its system became inaccessible around 4 a.m. Monday due to a ransomware attack. 'Immediately following the incident, we implemented enhanced security measures and reported the matter to the relevant authorities, including the Korea Internet & Security Agency,' the statement read. 'We are currently working to determine the exact cause of the disruption and the extent of the damage.' The company added that internal investigations confirmed there was no breach or loss of customer personal data or order information. Concerts, fan events and musicals caught in limbo The outage triggered widespread disruption across the country's entertainment industry. With the platform down, both fans and entertainment companies were left scrambling. The music festival "Beautiful Mint Life," scheduled to take place Friday through Sunday at Olympic Park in Seoul, announced via social media that due to current access issues, ticket holders unable to cancel their reservations will be allowed to do so without any cancellation fees. Blacklabel, the agency representing actor Park Bo-gum, announced that presale tickets for his 2025 'Be With You' fan meeting in Seoul would be postponed. Belift Lab, which manages the boy band Enhypen, said it canceled its offline fan signing event for the group's new album 'Desire: Unleash' due to the system crash. KQ Entertainment also delayed ticket sales for Ateez's upcoming concerts in Incheon, scheduled for July 5-6. Meanwhile, the agency for rapper B.I postponed fan club presales for his 'Last Paradise Tour,' originally set to begin Monday. The disruptions extended to musical theater as well. Shownote, the production company behind the musical 'The Bridges of Madison County,' announced via social media that ticket holders who purchased tickets through Yes24 could still receive tickets if they presented proof of reservation, including seat details. The Korean production company behind 'Aladdin' issued a similar notice, asking audience members to bring either a printed or emailed copy of their reservation showing their seat details. Without seating information, audience members may not be allowed to enter the venue. Several people were reportedly turned away from performances Tuesday when they were unable to provide verifiable ticket information from the Yes24 system. As of press time Wednesday, further disruptions were expected for upcoming performances.
Korea Herald
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korea Herald organizes golf tournament in support of Hangeul promotion
The Korea Herald, South Korea's leading English-language daily, hosted a charity golf tournament Wednesday to celebrate its 72nd year and reaffirm its dedication to promoting Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Held at Serenity Country Club in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, the event drew approximately 300 participants, including Sejong City Mayor Choi Min-ho, prominent business leaders, artists and professional golfers. Corporate sponsors included Yes24 and some 20 additional firms. The tournament, organized in a shotgun format, featured 60 teams. Kim Jong-cheon, the head of Mariee de el Wedding Convention, won first place, while Kim Chang-ryong, former Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency, placed second. The golf tournament was followed by a banquet. At the dinner event, tenor Yang Seung-ho and soprano Kim Jung-ah performed, as well as musical actor Lim Tae-kyung. Various prizes and raffle events were also offered to the golf tournament participants. Following the dinner, a charity auction showcased donated works by contemporary sculptors Kwon Chi-gyu, Kim Kyung-min, Lee Wal-chong, 5311 and MeME. A portion of event proceeds, including the auction, will go to support the expansion and enrichment of Sup Sogui Hosu, the world's first Korean language village, located within the Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1999, the village offers immersive, 24-hour Korean language education. The event also included the announcement of the 2025 Hangeul Run, scheduled for Hangeul Day on Oct. 9. Co-hosted by Herald Media Group and Sejong City, the marathon is expected to draw 10,000 participants. Courses will span symbolic distances of 10.9 kilometers — representing Hangeul Day — and 5.15 kilometers, in honor of King Sejong's birthday on May 15. 'We will create conditions for future generations around the world to communicate and form strong bonds through Hangeul,' said Herald Corp. Chairman Jung Won-ju during the event, adding, 'I hope today's event goes beyond being just a sports competition and becomes a gathering where we unite in pursuit of a greater goal.' 'Hangeul is not just a simple writing system, but a 'language of hope' that connects people and communities,' said Choi Jin-young, CEO and publisher of Herald Media Group. 'We will do our part as a seed in opening the future of a great Korea,' said Choi.
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ransomware attack disrupts major ticketing, publishing platform
Yes24 down for third day, triggering ripple effects across entertainment industry Yes24, the country's largest online book retailer and a major ticketing platform, remained inaccessible for a third consecutive day Wednesday, following what the company confirmed was a ransomware attack. The outage, which began in the early hours of Monday, brought all of Yes24's services down, including book searches and orders, e-book access, digital library functions, community forums, and concert and performance ticketing. The homepage displayed an apology: 'We sincerely apologize to all users for the inconvenience caused by service access errors.' In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Yes24 said its system became unavailable around 4 a.m. Monday due to a ransomware attack. 'Immediately following the incident, we implemented enhanced security measures and reported the matter to relevant authorities, including the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA),' the statement read. 'We are currently working to determine the exact cause of the disruption and the extent of the damage.' The company added that internal investigations confirmed there was no breach or loss of customer personal data or order information. A Yes24 official told The Korea Herald there were 'no further updates' as of Wednesday morning. Concerts, fan events and musicals caught in limbo The outage triggered widespread disruption across the country's entertainment industry. With the platform down, both fans and entertainment companies were left scrambling. Blacklabel, the agency representing actor Park Bo-gum, announced that presale tickets for his 2025 'Be With You' fan meeting in Seoul would be postponed. Belift Lab, which manages the boy band Enhypen, said it canceled its offline fan signing event for the group's new album 'Desire: Unleash' due to the system crash. KQ Entertainment also delayed ticket sales for Ateez's upcoming concerts in Incheon, scheduled for July 5-6. Meanwhile, the agency for rapper B.I postponed fan club presales for his 2025 'Last Paradise Tour,' originally set to begin Monday. The disruptions extended to musical theater as well. Shownote, the production company behind the musical 'The Bridges of Madison County,' announced via social media that ticket holders who purchased through Yes24 could still receive tickets if they presented proof of reservation, including seat details. The Korean production company behind 'Aladdin' issued a similar notice, asking audience members to bring either a printed or emailed copy of their reservation showing their seat details. Without seating information, entry could be restricted at the venue. Indeed, several audience members were reportedly turned away from performances Tuesday after failing to provide verifiable ticket information from the Yes24 system. As of press time Wednesday, further disruptions were expected for upcoming performances. Yes24 said in its notice that refund policies and additional compensation would be announced separately as soon as possible.
The Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Han Kang Nobel prize lecture book sells 10,000 copies in first day online in South Korea
A book featuring Han Kang's Nobel prize lecture sold 10,000 copies in its first day on sale online. Light and Thread, which takes its title from Han's December lecture, is her first book to be published in South Korea since she was announced as the winner of the Nobel prize in literature last October. Booksellers and publishing sources told Korea JoongAng Daily that approximately 10,000 copies of the book were sold in 24 hours via the retailers Kyobo Book Centre, Yes24 and Aladin, which together make up nearly 90% of the Korean online book market. Light and Thread was available to order online from Wednesday, and went on sale in bookshops on Thursday. The 172-page book comprises 12 pieces, beginning with the Nobel lecture, in which the author of novels including The Vegetarian and Human Acts discussed her writing process and the questions that drive her work. 'Each time I work on a novel, I endure the questions, I live inside them,' she said, according to an English translation of the talk by e yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. 'When I reach the end of these questions – which is not the same as when I find answers to them – is when I reach the end of the writing process.' Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion The book also contains Han's banquet speech and a message accompanying a teacup that she donated to the Nobel museum, according to the Korea Herald. She had drunk from the teacup while writing We Do Not Part, her most recent novel, which was published in an English translation by yaewon and Morris in the UK earlier this year. Along with the Nobel materials, Light and Thread also features five poems, which originally appeared between 2013 and 2014 in the Korean literary magazines Littor and Literature and Society – the latter of which was home to a series of poems marking Han's literary debut in 1993. The book also features unpublished essays. One, titled North-Facing Garden, is about Han's experience tending to a garden that did not receive direct sunlight, and using a mirror to reflect light into the space. Some 73.3% of those who bought Han's latest book were women, according to the online bookstore Yes24, while for Aladin 47.1% of buyers were women in their 30s and 40s, reported Korea JoongAng Daily. After Han was announced as the Nobel winner last year, customers queued outside bookshops to get their hands on copies of her works, and online stores crashed. A version of Light and Thread will be published in English. A publication date and its exact content are yet to be announced.
