Industry

Olive Young to expand outside Seoul, spending 123.8 billion won on store overhaul

CJ Olive Young will increase investment outside the Seoul metropolitan area this year, spending 123.8 billion won on new openings, renovations and logistics upgrades, industry sources said. The company is focusing less on adding locations and more on boosting competitiveness and operating efficiency at existing stores, citing rising needs for in-store infrastructure upgrades such as electronic labels. It plans to place more than half of its large stores outside the capital region.

Games & Commerce

Naver, Kakao shares lag despite solid earnings as AI monetisation delays cut valuation expectations

Brokerages forecast record first-quarter results for Naver and Kakao, but their shares keep falling this year. Analysts say weaker visibility on monetising artificial intelligence is lowering valuation expectations. Securities firms have cut target prices for both companies. For Naver, rising infrastructure and promotion costs and delays to a blockchain-related merger are weighing on sentiment. For Kakao, investors are watching the super-app push and proof of AI agent utility.