🇰🇷 Subway Surfs Up: Water Shoes Are The New Closet Essentials In Korea? 🌊

K-Pop

💿 aespa’s CD Player Album Fly Right Off The Shelves Becoming A Hit Among The K-Pop Community

Dyllan 🐼aespa are officially back with their first full-length album, “Armageddon”. Fans have been excited for their highly anticipated comeback for a while now, but there’s one thing about aespa’s return that’s exciting for individuals even outside the fandom. It was previously announced that the album would be made available through a CD player version, which comes with a working CD player, wired earbuds, and the usual set of photocards. The CD player version is currently sold out across multiple retailers, as consumers purchase them for its practicality and being able to physically listen to the purchased albums in this streaming era of K-Pop. Consumers hope SM Entertainment will produce more to cater to the rising demand of interested buyers.

🎤 SECRET NUMBER Might Have A Shot At GMO SONIC 2025 Despite The 2024 Debacle

Ishani 🎀If we’re talking about the most wholesome, supportive, and wonderful K-Pop fandoms, we cannot forget about SECRET NUMBER’s LOCKEY. Previously this year, SECRET NUMBER was the most highly requested artist for one of Japan’s biggest music festivals – GMO SONIC. As a result, SECRET NUMBER was added to the lineup on demand. However, due to local management issues, the group had to drop out of the concert. Even though fans were disappointed with this outcome, SECRET NUMBER is once again one of the most highly requested artists for GMO SONIC 2025 and stands a chance to perform next year. Fans are hoping SECRET NUMBER’s agency, Vine Entertainment, will step up and make all efforts necessary to ensure SECRET NUMBER’s participation this time.

🧀 We’re Still Not Over Red Velvet Wendy’s ‘Wish You Hell’ And Neither Is EXO’s SuHo It Seems

Kay 🥑EXO’s SuHo recently took to Instagram with Red Velvet’s Wendy, bopping to their #CheeseChallenge, and captioning the photo ‘I Wish You Cheese’. Although Wendy’s ‘Wish You Hell’ is a relatively new song (that everyone is still obsessed with), the post triggered some endearing nostalgia towards the hit song, whilst the pair promoted their new duet release. Luckily, SM Entertainment seems to understand that this obsession is continuing and has been releasing new ‘Wish You Hell’ official merchandise to quench it. Make sure to get your fix at Kpopmap’s new K-Store, too!

🏬 Gear Up For Some Special Merch At The NewJeans How Sweet POP-UP

Dyllan 🐼NewJeans made their highly anticipated comeback just last week and although their new music has been great, the good news just keeps on coming. The girl group is set to have their very own pop-up at the Line Friends Square Sinsa. The special pop-up will run from June 5th until June 17th KST. Depending on how much you purchase, you will be able buy additional items at a discounted price or even for free! However, you might want to plan ahead and be the first in line, as the event will end when stocks run out.

📸 OG K-Pop Fans Are Having A Field Day With K.Will’s Comeback Featuring Seo InGuk & Ahn JaeHyun

Ishani 🎀If you read this headline and immediately knew what we were talking about, it’s time to start retinol. Just kidding! But it has been quite a while, longer than we’d like, since K.Will made a comeback. To top it off, Seo InGuk and Ahn JaeHyun, who starred in the iconic music video for K.Will’s “Please Don’t…”, will be reuniting with the singer for this comeback, raising expectations for what they have in store for us. If you haven’t watched this music video, we will not spoil it for you, but let’s just say you’re in for a wild ride.

🏟️ Lim YoungWoong Makes History As The 3rd Solo Artist To Headline The Seoul World Cup Stadium

Dyllan 🐼After his meteoric rise in popularity after his appearance “Mr. Trot”, Lim YoungWoong hasn’t stopped climbing up the charts and amassing a larger than life fanbase. Through their help, he was able to make history as the 3rd solo artist to headline the Seoul World Cup Stadium, a feat previously achieved by Psy and BIGBANG’s G-Dragon. Over the course of his two-day concert, Lim YoungWoong was able to gather a crowd of 100,000 concertgoers that ranged from the elderly to the younger generation. There were various uploads onto social media that praised the singer and staff for going above and beyond to accommodate attendees. Many can agree that Lim YoungWoong sets the bar high, providing multiple reasons to fall in love with the artist.

K-Drama & K-Movie

🏃‍♀️ Missing “Lovely Runner” Hours Are Now Officially Open!

Ishani 🎀“Lovely Runner” ended recently with the most wholesome, warm, heart-fluttering final episode, achieving the highest rating of its entire run. SolJae got their happy ending, and we got an hour full of butterflies in our stomachs, followed by major withdrawal symptoms. Dreamy Mondays are going back to being dreadful as fans cope with school, work, and so on. However, we’ll look forward to the future works of the cast of “Lovely Runner” with eager hearts, ready to support them in all their endeavors.

📈 Can “The Player 2: Master of Swindlers” Keep tvN’s Winning K-Drama Streak Going?

Kay 🥑tvN is experiencing its very own K-Drama heyday as they’ve released hit-after-hit K-Dramas with the consecutive star releases of “Marry My Husband”, “Queen of Tears”, and “Lovely Runner”.

Next in their much-anticipated lineup is the sequel drama “The Player 2: Master of Swindlers” starring Song SeungHeon, Lee SiEon, and Tae WonSeok, which is set to come back bigger and better. Interestingly, the first season of the drama “Player” released in 2018 by OCN recorded a highest national rating of 5.8% by its final episode. Whilst they say comparison is the thief of joy, up against “Queen of Tears” and its 24.9% rating or even “Marry My Husband” and its high rating of 12%, it makes you wonder how the odds will turn out.

🚓 “Crash” Doubled Its Ratings & Enters ENA Best-Ever Ratings

Laure 🌼Since its premiere on May 13th, the ENA drama “Crash” has steadily risen in ratings with each episode. It jumped from 2.2% for the first episode to 5.0% for the sixth episode, already reaching the channel’s fifth-highest rating ever. Starring Lee MinKi, Kwak SunYoung, and Heo SungTae, the drama follows the cases of the Traffic Crime Investigation team, which include murders disguised as car accidents or deliberate incidents. Are you watching?

🎭 Chun WooHee vs. Chun WooHee – The Actress Competes Against Herself In Trending K-Dramas “The Atypical Family” And “The 8 Show”

Dyllan 🐼It’s not a common occurrence for an actor to appear in two K-Dramas at the same time. This is due to schedule restraints and conflicts, however, it becomes a possibility when one project is shot in advance. Chun WooHee makes an appearance in two recently released series – “The Atypical Family” and “The 8 Show”, portraying two characters from opposite sides of the spectrum. These shows have climbed to the top of Netflix’s Korean drama ratings occupying both the no. 1 and no. 2 spot, creating a special moment for Chun WooHee to compete against herself. Through these two trending K-Dramas, the actress is currently under the spotlight, receiving high praise for her acting prowess.

🇰🇷 Does The Joseon Style Seongsan Village Of “Dare To Love Me” Actually Exist?

Ishani 🎀A recent K-Drama that is stealing the hearts of viewers all over the world is the Kim MyungSoo (INFINITE’s L) and Lee YouYoung starrer rom-com “Dare To Love Me”. Presenting a conflict between the Confucian values of Shin YoonBok, a modern-day seonbi (scholar), and Kim HongDo, the confident and charming designer who changed his life, “Dare To Love Me” offers a refreshing romance with the perfect dose of comedy to brighten up your day. However, many fans may be wondering, is there really a place in Korea where the Joseon way of life is preserved? Short answer? No, Seongsan Village, as it is shown in the drama, doesn’t exist. However, the setting is not entirely fictional because there are indeed many regions in Korea where people still retain the values of Joseon, such as in folk villages. Will you get your own Shin YoonBok if you visit? Well, that’s for you to find out!

K-Fashion

🌊 Subway Surfs Up: Ride The Wave Of Water Shoes As Your New Everyday Closet Essentials

Kay 🥑You might think that water shoes are exclusively worn at the beach, at waterparks, or during other water sports activities like kayaking, etc. But what if we told you that the MZ generation in Korea is rocking water shoes as the new essential ‘it’ item on the day-to-day? You can spot these shoes on the subway and in other everyday settings as the latest K-Fashion trend. Huge credit for this new summer fashion trend can be given to the summer queen herself, Kwon EunBi, who recently did a photoshoot rocking the shoes in contrasting ballet core. Who knew ribbons, frills, and water shoes could co-exist in the same outfit?!

👜 Accessories For Your Accessories: Why The MZ Gen Has So Many Keyrings Dangling From Their Handbags

Kay 🥑Whilst it’s not uncommon to latch a keyring onto your bag, it has now become a fashion staple. The MZ generation in Korea has taken decorating their bags to a new level by taking this simple action and making it a fashion statement. The more keyrings the better. The quirkier the keyring the better. You want to have a mini Barbie doll or a teddy bear hanging from your bag? So hip! Want to go for strings of beads and ribbons? So chic! Korean actors and K-Pop idols alike are rocking this new trend and it’s giving a pop of character to their look.

K-Beauty

🌇 How To Look K-Pretty This Summer? Use The Sunset Blush

Laure 🌼Are you looking for an item to look pretty this summer (if it is summer for you)? The sunset blush is one of the makeup trends you’ll see in Korea. IVE’s WonYoung and aespa’s Karina have already been spotted wearing it, so if IT girls and trendsetters are using it, it will soon be everywhere. The sunset blush is more intense than common blushes and is applied from the cheeks to the bridge of the nose. Using a highlighter with a deep orange-red blush is advised to give a natural yet enhanced makeup look. Are you planning to try it out?

K-Travel

🌹 Tens Of Millions Of Roses In Full Bloom And No Less Than That

Laure 🌼The end of May coincides with the rose festivals in Korea. There are several across the country, but the most famous ones might be the Seoul Rose Festival and the Everland Rose Festival. The splendid roses and their enchanting scent are even more beautiful in rose tunnels or stunning garden arrangements. With diverse shapes and colors, it is a must-see attraction if you are in Korea. It is the perfect place for a stroll and to take pictures.

👾 HiKR Ground Becomes A Must-Visit Spot For Esports Fans

Dyllan 🐼Riot Games’ “League Of Legends” is a legendary MOBA game that has helped elevate Esports to new heights and has witnessed the birth of the iconic Faker. Due to his illustrious accomplishments to not only “League Of Legends” but Esports as a whole, HiKR Ground has decided to transform its halls to a shrine dedicated to the player from May 29th until June 16th KST. There will be special corners, activities, photographs and more spread across the five floors of HiKR Ground to celebrate Faker’s inspiring career thus far. And with free admission, Esports fans will be able to bask in all things Faker.

K-Food

🥃 Is This The End Of Bunches Of Soju Bottles On Korean Tables?

Laure 🌼Did you know that, by law, soju can only be served in bottles in restaurants and bars? Well, that is now old news. With the new law, a single glass of soju can be served. Koreans will now enjoy this change with not only soju but also makgeolli, whiskey, sake, and other liquors (excluding beer and cocktails already legal). Another piece of good news for nondrinkers is that non-alcoholic drinks might be easier to consume, as the new law makes it cheaper for owners to purchase them. Will this signal the end of green bottles piling up on tables as seen in dramas? Time will tell.

🧸 Koreans Asked For Cute Cafes… Welcome The Teddy Bears

Laure 🌼Visiting pretty (and tasty) cafes is something Koreans love to do. Among various concepts and designs, teddy bears are one of the popular trends. Cafes featuring teddy bear dolls or bear-shaped cakes are popular, but that’s not all. Some go further with bear-shaped ice cubes, biscuits, and more. It is absolutely adorable and almost too pretty to eat. Would you like to go too?

K-Society

🤫 Children Should Be Seen And Not Heard On Korean Playgrounds?

Kay 🥑Amidst the constant reminders in Korean media about the country’s concerningly low birth rate, a new contradictory trend is on the rise. There has been a spike in apartment tenants complaining about noise pollution, caused by children screaming (i.e. having fun) at the surrounding playgrounds, and asking for noise regulations to be put into place. This comes at a time when increasing dissatisfactory sentiments about cafes, restaurants, and other establishments having ‘no kids zones’ are on the rise. Does it make sense to have so many restrictions on children and their intrinsic nature at a time when Koreans who opt to have children are also being praised as patriotic? Food for thought.

K-Lit

📙 “A Magical Girl Retires” By Park SeolYeon, Translated By Anton Hur, Captivates Fans’ Hearts

Ishani 🎀Almost a month after the publication of the English translation of Park SeolYeon’s novel “A Magical Girl Retires”, the book is proven to be a certified hit! With themes of coming of age, climate change, and activism, topped off with a dreamy sapphic tone, “A Magical Girl Retires” is like a healing K-Drama. It’s a pleasant read, which makes it an absolute joy to get to know the characters. If you’ve been looking for your next Korean translated fiction read, you don’t want to miss “A Magical Girl Retires”.

K-Game

🎮 Saudi Arabia Wants To Help Korean Gaming Companies Enter The Middle Eastern Market

Ishani 🎀Saudia Arabia is looking to expand their gaming industry, and towards that end, they have eyes on collaborating with the K-Gaming world to help them tap into the Middle Eastern market, emphasizing the region’s underserved gaming community of 288 million. With significant investments from Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, including in Korean gaming giants NCSoft and Nexon, Riyadh plans to establish itself as a prominent player in the gaming industry, hosting events like the eSports World Cup to showcase its commitment to gaming and esports as integral parts of its cultural landscape.