🇰🇷 Justice Tastes Spicy For Buldak Ramyeon As It Makes Its Return To Denmark 🌶️

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K-Pop

🏟️ 2NE1 Are Prepared To Show Another Day Of ‘FIRE’ Concert Performances

Dyllan 🐼 The news of 2NE1’s reunion had the entire K-Pop community jumping in joy, excited to have the YG queens back again. When tickets for their first round of concerts in Seoul opened, over 400,000 people lined up in the queue, causing both dates to be sold out in an instant. Seeing this, however, an additional show was added due to outstanding demand and tickets for this date will be open for purchase on August 21st. With another opportunity to secure a coveted seat, fans are beyond excited to try to purchase tickets once again.

🔥 KARD Shines Bright with Bold Evolution in New EP

Ishani 🎀KARD, the trailblazing mixed-gender K-Pop quartet, continues to impress with their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. Known for their unique sound, KARD took a bold step with their 7th EP, "Where To Now? (Part. 1: Yellow Light)", offering more easy-listening tracks like ‘Tell My Momma’ as opposed to their signature charismatic sonic aesthetic. The group’s decision to simplify choreography and vocal delivery shows their dedication to connecting with a broader audience while still catering to long-time fans. KARD's commitment to innovation and gratitude towards their fans shines through in every beat.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🎥 Mission Accomplished - “Mission: Cross” Tops Netflix Top 10 Films (Non-English) List

Dyllan 🐼Korean entertainment has remained a consistent force, topping Netflix’s Top 10 charts with every release. And it’s happened once again - but this time, under the movie category. Action comedy feature, “Mission: Cross”, premiered at the no. 1 spot on Netflix Top 10 Films (Non-English) list with 4.5M views. With stellar performances from Hwang JungMin and Yum JungHwa and a captivatingly comedic storyline, “Mission: Cross” ticked off all the boxes to become another Netflix hit.

👏 ASTRO’s Yoon SanHa Is A Scene Stealer In New K-Drama “Romance In The House”

Ishani 🎀 ASTRO’s Yoon SanHa is no newbie in the K-Drama world, but it seems like this one’s going to be his breakout role. Yoon SanHa plays Byeon HyunJae in “Romance In The House” - an aegyo-filled, playful little brother who draws attention every time he is on screen. We already knew that SanHa is talented, and this time, his multifaceted talent is truly shining. Little brother roles have historically launched some amazing actors, and we’re hoping that Yoon SanHa, too, will see a huge boost in popularity after this. “Romance In The House” is now streaming on Netflix.

📱 “The Influencer” On Netflix Is A Strangely Addictive Psychology Lesson

Ishani 🎀 Netflix's “The Influencer” is a sharp look at Korea's social media stars, featuring 77 top creators battling for clout and cash. The show offers a satirical take on the influencer world, where it's not about talent but who can grab the most attention. Jealousy runs high as influencers "dislike" anyone else getting the spotlight, while the three Cs—Content, Clickbait, and Connection—are the keys to success. Shame also plays a huge role, with contestants navigating judgment. “The Influencer” isn’t just entertainment; it’s a raw glimpse into the pressures of staying relevant online.

K-Travel

🌙 Are You An Owl? Don’t Forget To Explore Jeju Oldtown At Night

Laure 🌼If you're a night owl and love traveling at night, you should check out the places in Jeju that are open late. Unlike Seoul, not everything is open around the clock, but that adds to Jeju's charm. There are a few places that are especially nice to visit at night, with special lighting, such as Yongyeon Cloud Bridge and Dongmun Night Market. Be sure to check out the list curated by VisitJeju.

🇰🇷 Koreans Flock To Spend Liberation Day In The Liberation Village Haebangchon

Kay 🥑August 15th marks Liberation day in South Korea, which means a public holiday where many Koreans opt to go out and celebrate their independence and heritage. Some of the places that Koreans commonly visit include the Seodaemun Prison History Hall (a key location in the liberation movement), and this year Haebangchon (which literally means ‘Liberation Village’) is anticipated to be the hotspot for celebrations. There will be live music, a flea market, and even a Korean-language form on gentrification throughout the week.

🩷 Best Date Spots In Seoul With Your Soulmate Or… Seoulmate

Laure 🌼Paris might be known as the city of love, but Seoul is just as romantic! If you're looking for date spots in Seoul, you'll find some of the best options for romantic outings and activities. VisitSeoul has curated a list for you, including a personal perfume-making shop, Naksan Park for the best sunset views, and a jazz bar by the Han River. Even if you're single or traveling solo, these are still romantic places worth visiting.

🐑 Small Town Gochang Boasts Big Tourist Hot Spot Sangha Farm

Dyllan 🐼There’s more to Korea than the bustling city life - and Sangha Farm is here to prove it! The farm offers a variety of different activities from workshops, a farmer’s market, a restaurant, cafe, and accommodations, among other things. With the many hands-on programs and allure of cute farm animals, Sangha Farm has become a popular hot spot for families. But you can find visitors of all ages on the grounds, from older grandparents to curious elementary students learning how to make cheese for the first time. It’s an enriching experience that anyone can enjoy. Would you be interested in visiting Sangha Farms?

💃 Experience The Best Of Korea At The Affordable Price Of $FREE.99!

Ishani 🎀Get ready to tick off your travel dreams with the “Korean Bucket List” event, running from Sept. 1 to Nov. 10! Hosted by the Korea Tourism Organization and the culture ministry, this exciting initiative is your chance to dive into the best of Korea’s vibrant culture for free! Selected through a lucky draw, around 20,000 international tourists visiting Korea during the event period will get to experience K-Pop dance lessons, traditional market tours, and even temple stays free of cost. Plus, you can enjoy idol-style makeovers and stay at wellness resorts. To explore beyond Seoul, 100 lucky travelers will snag free domestic flights to hotspots like Jeju and Gyeongju. Apply now at (https://koreabucketlist.com/en) and start planning your dream Korean adventure now!

K-Food

🍨 What Korean Convenient Stores Don’t Have? Bingsu Is Also Available

Laure 🌼Having used Korean convenience stores for over 10 years, I’m still amazed by what they have to offer. Summer is the perfect season for bingsu, and of course, Korean convenience stores provide great options for this sweet and refreshing dessert to help you beat the heat. While it is not like bingsu from a specialized shop, the quality is still good, with diverse options like fruit bingsu, patbingsu, and more. They even have collaborations with big companies, featuring special flavors like Choonsik’s peach and plum bingsu, starring the Kakao Friends character. Would you be tempted to try it?

🌶️ Justice Tastes Spicy For Buldak Ramyeon As It Makes Its Return To Denmark

Kay 🥑Not too long ago Buldak Ramyeon, one of the most viral and famous ramyeon brands, experienced a recall of their products from Denmark shelves for being considered scientifically ‘too spicy’ and a danger to consumers… To which the company retaliated by proving that there are no abnormalities with their ramyeon. As such, the recall was lifted due to a lack of grounds and sales have since resumed. Buldak Ramyeon commemorated this comeback with a spicy ferry party, bringing the heat (literally) back to Denmark with a bang.

K-Society

🚇 K-Company Subway Takeover: "The Next Station Is CJ Olive Young Station, The Doors Are On Your Right”

Kay 🥑Seongsu Station is officially becoming ‘CJ Olive Young Station’ starting from October of this year, and it’s not the only subway station undergoing a change. Some of the most popular subway stations are undergoing a similar name change, thanks to Korean companies opting to buy the name and advertising opportunity. Gangnam Station and Yeouinaru Station will also gain companies under their name - helping these companies in reaching another level of recognition to the public.

🐈 Cats Save The World & You Can Take Pictures

Laure 🌼By now, you’ve probably heard of Life Four Cuts, the famous photobooth company. To celebrate International Cat Day on August 8, they’ve planned special photo cuts featuring cats for the entire month of August. But forget about cute cats and pink colors—that's not the concept at all. Instead, they’ve gone for a superhero theme, with cats that have laser eyes and are depicted as strong, powerful animals. Would you like to take a picture with them?

🏫 K-Universities Go Next-Level Global With Record Amount Of International Students

Kay 🥑A new half-year record has been reach for international students as over 200,000 have enrolled in Korean universities in the first half of 2024. This is a 50.6% increase from 2023. The majority of the students range from ages 21 to 30 and come mostly from countries like China, Vietnam, and Japan. The government is putting continuous effort into growing the number of global students, proving just how much they value diversity in their schools.

🛫 Trend Of “Reverse Migration” To Korea Is On The Rise

Dyllan 🐼 It’s not unheard of for families or even an individual to relocate to a different country to pursue more opportunities. However, in Korea there’s been a rising trend of “reverse migration” with people primarily coming from the United States, Canada, and Britain. Various factors such as cost of living, safety, infrastructure, and health care, have compelled some Koreans to return back to their homeland. There’s also the aspect of being closer to family and financial motivators that are too convincing to pass up. There’s pros and cons to living abroad and in Korea, but it seems the trend of “reverse migration” in Korea will continue to rise.

Intern Diaries From SK

Bethany 🌌This week I visited the Seoul City Wall Trail! I went later on in the day and it was amazing to see the night skyline of Seoul from so high up! I also went for a dinner with some friends at Ashley Queens, I was told that this buffet-style restaurant that I’d never heard of before is actually a popular spot to host children’s birthday parties! This upcoming week I plan to get my personal color analysis done as it seems like one of the things you must do when visiting Korea!

Readers' Questions Corner

Kairavi 🐰How do Koreans celebrate Independence Day? Are there any specific activities related to it?

Laure 🌼Hello Kairavi! Thank you for your question. You might have already found some answers to your question in this newsletter. It is a public holiday, meaning that many people are resting. Some Koreans like to visit places related to the Japanese colonial period and the independence movement on this particular day, such as the Seodaemun Prison History Hall in Seoul, or other meaningful places around the country (for example, in Cheonan, people go to The Independence Hall of Korea). Some families visit museums, explore historical sites, or go on trips. Others watch the special historical movie released for the occasion at movie theather. On this day, Koreans also raise their flags and watch various TV programs on the topic. I hope you found the answer to your question.

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