[THE INVESTOR] With Innotox, a liquid version of Botox, entering the third phase of clinical trials, analysts maintained “buy” ratings for the biopharmaceutical company, forecasting better performance in the second quarter. As Allergan, a global leader that created Botox announced Aug. 9 that it will proceed to the next phase of trials for the injectable version of Botolinium toxin, developed and transferred by Medytox, “it is time to reevaluate it,” said Lee Seung-ho, an analyst at NH Investmen

[THE INVESTOR] Although duty-free sales posted a record high in the first half of this year, new outlets are still struggling, according to data released Aug. 10.“Duty-free shops in Seoul recorded 9.5 billion won (US$8.65 million) operating loss in the second quarter, falling further into red from the previous quarter,” said Kim Gyu-ri, an analyst at Shinhan Investment. Hanwha Galleria Timeworld, which recently launched Galleria DFS63, posted 2.8 billion won operating loss and 6 billion won net

[DISCLOSURE] GS Engineering & Construction (006360) will guarantee a 105 billion won (US$94.87 million) debt of Woojin D&C. This amounts to 3.14 percent of its equity capital.

[DISCLOSURE] UNID (014830) acknowledged that it is considering acquisition of Tongyang Magic, in a statement released on Aug. 9 in response to Korea Exchange’s inquiry. Nothing has been confirmed, the company added.

[THE INVESTOR] Popular Korean animated comedy TV series “Larva” is being made into a Hollywood movie, TUBAn announced on Aug. 9.The toy and animation company behind the cartoon said that Hollywood producer-writer Erica Rivinoja is finalizing the script and the movie is slated for release in the first half of 2018. Rivijoja’s works include “South Park” (1997) and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2” (2013). The slapstick cartoon featuring two larvae -- Yellow and Red -- has been broadcast in ove

[THE INVESTOR] Celltrion CEO Seo Jung-jin’s private investments, especially in the entertainment business, are garnering a lot of public attention. The self-made billionaire has reaped huge profits from his investment in the latest blockbuster movie “Operation Chromite” that sold more than 5.24 million tickets as of Aug. 7. The other investors in the movie that cost 16 billion won ($14.46 million) include KBS and CJ E&M. Each invested around 3 billion won in the Korean War movie.Celltrion CEO Se

[DISCLOSURE] SKC Solmics (057500) acknowledged that it is considering selling off solar power division but said nothing specific has been decided, in a statement released on Aug. 9 in response to Korea Exchange’s inquiry regarding the issue .

[THE INVESTOR] With the manufacturing sector in South Korea slowly losing steam, it is the cultural contents industry that is grabbing the attention of investors and lenders seeking to make steady profits.Not just private investors, even the state-run policy banks are seeking to capitalize on the boom in cultural contents, ever willing to loosen their purse strings. Movie posters of "Train to Busan" (left) and "Operation Chromite."According to government estimates, the policy banks have earmarke

[THE INVESTOR] ChongKunDang’s pharmaceutical composition CKD-506 has been approved by Netherland’s Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO) for phase 1 clinical trials, it announced on Aug. 9.The preclinical candidate is for the treatment of autoimmune diseases by selectively inhibiting HDAC6 that can affect a variety of inflammatory diseases. It represses inflammation and enhances T cell function that tailors immune responses, and has been found to be effective for rheumato

[DISCLOSURE] SK Networks (001740) acknowledged on Aug. 9 that it is reviewing acquisition of Tongyang Magic but did not provide any specifics, in response to Korea Exchange’s inquiry.

[THE INVESTOR] LG Household & Health Care is pushing su:m 37 as its new main cosmetics line for China, opening shops in top department stores in Hangzhou, Shanghai, Nanxing and Beijing since April. It also launched an online flagship store at Tmall, the largest online shopping website in China, in May.Established in 2007, the brand has gained popularity with its “naturally fermented” botanical ingredients, a new concept in the South Korean beauty industry. The premium cosmetics range has been gr

[DISCLOSURE] It’s Skin (226320) announced on Aug. 9 that its second quarter operating profit decreased 2.2 percent to 14.2 billion won (US$12.83 million) from the same period last year. Its sales increased 5.5 percent to 61.9 billion won while net profit was down 7.4 percent to 10.9 billion won on-year.

[THE INVESTOR] Cosmetics original design manufacturer Cosmax has posted the strongest performance in the first half of the year, it announced on Aug. 8. Its operating profit in the first half surged 45.7 percent to 31.3 billion won (US$28.08 million) from the same period last year and sales came in at 371.2 billion won, up 40.2 percent on-year. The figures from the second quarter were 18.2 billion in operating profit and 197.7 billion won in sales, a 31.4 percent and 33.3 percent increase, respe

[THE INVESTOR] Samsung C&T’s SPA brand 8 Seconds is entering China in full force with iconic band Big Bang’s G-Dragon as its face and collaborator, it announced on Aug. 8.The South Korean fast-fashion brand will officially launch in China with the 2016 fall-winter collection and an advertising campaign featuring the fashionable singer who often graces fashion magazine covers and is a fashion show regular.He will not only lend his face but has also collaborated with the brand as a designer for th

[DISCLOSURE] Pipe manufacturer TK (023160) announced on Aug. 8 that its operating profit in the second quarter fell 34.9 percent to 4.20 billion won (US$3.77 million) from the same period last year. Its sales decreased 12 percent to 63.0 billion won and net profit dropped 47.3 percent to 3.68 billion won on-year.

[THE INVESTOR] Korean cosmetics firm TonyMoly will ride on the back of Pikachu, the popular chubby rodent Pokemon, with a collaboration for beauty products.The brand announced on Aug. 8 that it has signed a license agreement for the 20-year-old Japanese animation characters that are being enjoyed with a renewed fervor thanks to Nintendo’s mobile augmented reality game Pokemon Go that is sweeping across the world since it became available a month ago. Slated to be launched in September, the line

[THE INVESTOR] Four firms have turned in letters of intent in the preliminary bidding for apparel maker YK038 as of Aug. 7, according to industry sources. Samra Midas, a midsized group that owns more than 30 affiliates including TK Chemical and Korea Lines Corp., is the most likely to take over the company estimated to be worth 10 billion won (US$8.97 million), the sources forecast.  YK038's wear lines HUM / Naver ShoppingEstablished in 1997, the company in the past boasted over 100 billion won

[DISCLOSURE] DMT (134580) announced on Aug. 8 that it has signed a 15.03 billion won (US$13.48 million) contract with KT Skylife (053210) to supply UHD satellite receiver. This amounts to 13.94 percent of its sales last year.

[THE INVESTOR] Local strategic investors SK Networks and Unid are joining the race to take over home appliance manufacturer Tongyang Magic, heating up the preliminary bid scheduled for Aug. 11. The SK Group affiliate is seeking to expand its rental business while the chemical company is looking to venture into a new business, and has already appointed financial advisors, according to the industry and media reports on Aug. 8.  Tongyang’s Super water purifier.Tongyang Magic has been put on sale by

[THE INVESTOR] Asiana Airline’s second low-cost carrier Air Seoul launched its international services Aug. 8, starting ticket sales on the website and by phone. Beginning with the route between Incheon and Takamatsu, Japan, that will start operations on Oct. 7, the newly launched budget carrier will fly to six destinations in Japan -- Shizuoka, Toyama, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Yonago -- and three in Southeast Asia -- Siem Reap, Kota Kinabalu and Macau.Air Seoul.It will add flights to Ube, Japan, by