🇰🇷 K-Tattoos Are The New Stars Riding The Hallyu Wave 🌊

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K-Pop

🌞 ZEROBASEONE’s New Album “Cinema Paradise” Delivers Energy & Message Of Hope

YuJun 🍎ZEROBASEONE is back with their fourth EP, “Cinema Paradise”, featuring seven songs, including the title track ‘GOOD SO BAD.’ With this album, the group delivers a bright, upbeat energy and a message of hope for those dreaming of a better future and facing adversity. Did you feel that energy while listening?

⭐ A New Star Starts To Shine - Look Out For KATSEYE

Dyllan 🐼This summer has seen amazing releases from top names in the K-Pop industry, but recently, all eyes have been focused on global girl group, KATSEYE. The girl group recently dropped their debut mini-album “SIS (Soft Is Strong)”. Additionally, a Netflix documentary was also released, “Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE”. Google Trends shows that the trend level for KATSEYE has surpassed the likes of top K-Pop girl groups like NewJeans, IVE, aespa, and LE SSERAFIM. With a growing social media following and increase in music video views, KATSEYE has effectively taken the world by storm and seems to be on track to become a top tier girl group.

👸 NMIXX's HaeWon Shines As The MZ Meme Queen Taking Over The Korean Entertainment Industry

YuJun 🍎Being a variety-dol (예능돌 in Korean) is no easy feat but NMIXX’s HaeWon makes it look effortless! Known for being the meme queen for not only being hilarious herself but also knowing every meme to have ever hit the internet, HaeWon’s popularity has spiked thanks to her charming personality. Many industry seniors have expressed their awe at her duality as both an idol and a variety-dol, which explains why she is so booked and busy these days.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🐸 Hopping To Success - “The Frog” Becomes Another Netflix Hit

Dyllan 🐼It seems Netflix has done it again and produced another hit series. But this time around, it presents a spine-tingling psychological thriller that gets under your skin and keeps you seated for hours. Even after its premiere weekend, it continued to maintain the no. 1 spot on Netflix Korea’s Top 10 TV Shows. It also managed to take the no. 4 spot on Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV Shows (Non-English), showcasing its mass international appeal. The cast of Kim YoonSeok, Yoon KyeSang, Go MinSi, Lee JungEun, and more have been receiving incredible praise for the portrayal of their characters, keeping audiences completely immersed until the thrilling end.

🎬 The Heartwarming Story Of Fu Bao The Panda Is Coming To Theaters Soon

YuJun 🍎 Earlier this year Fu Bao left Korea to make a new home in China. Although it has been several months since, many citizens continue to miss Fu Bao’s presence. But soon, the upcoming documentary film “My Dearest Fu Bao”, set for a Sept. 4 release, will look to remedy her absence. The documentary will show the last three months of Fu Bao’s time in Korea, exploring the deep bond between the panda and her zookeepers. If you plan on watching “My Dearest Fu Bao”, be prepared to bring a pack of tissues and get ready for a heartfelt experience.

🎭 Young Female Comedians Are The New ‘It’ Actresses

Kay 🥑There’s one common denominator amongst some of the ‘it’ actresses stealing the spotlight these days - they are all famous rising comedians. Whilst some international fans may be unfamiliar with their comedic works, which are otherwise extremely popular in Korea, actresses such as Joo HyunYoung (best known for her role in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo”), Kim AhYoung (gaining attention for her recent role in “Miss Night and Day”), and Yoon GaYi (who shone in “Nothing Uncovered”), have been raising eyebrows with their exceptional acting skills. With roots doing comedic skits and even comedy programs such as “Saturday Night Live Korea”, many are enjoying their fresh personas.

K-Beauty

💄'K-Beauty Trend Summit 2024' To Be Held In October In Seoul

Laure 🌼The new rendezvous for K-Beauty experts is set! The AI-based health and beauty trend analysis platform Trendier and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, will host the "K-Beauty Trend Summit 2024" in October. This online seminar will promote K-Beauty and showcase new trends, with experts, developers, and more invited to participate. Each of the three weeks will cover different topics for buyers from over 100 countries. It seems like this will be another step forward in exporting K-Beauty products.

K-Fashion

👟 G-Dragon Revolutionizes Nike Air Force Sneakers Again Through New PEACEMINUSONE Release

Kay 🥑Whilst G-Dragon’s brand PEACEMINUSONE has always been known for being the trendsetter when it comes to sneaker designs, he seems to have outdone himself this time. On September 6th, the Nike Air Force 1 Para-Noise 3.0 PEACEMINUSONE sneakers will be released. With four different Swoosh colors, these sneakers also have a black top layer that reveals G-Dragon’s unique art over time through wear and tear, making them a revolutionary design.

K-Travel

⛰️ What About A Little Hike During Your Seoul Trip? Urban Hiking Is Trending

Laure 🌼There is growing interest in hiking the mountains of Seoul among foreign tourists. The two Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers, located at Mount Bukhan and Mount Bugak, have been promoting hiking tourism in the city, and this year, just under half of their visitors were foreign tourists. The Bugak center is more popular because it is a 10-minute walk from the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential residence) and near the Bukchon area, both of which are popular tourist spots.

You can visit these centers during your next trip—they provide information, equipment (raincoats, arm sleeves, trekking poles, picnic sets, sunscreen, etc.), and hiking programs as well. Are you excited for K-climbing?

🌴 Gangwon Province Is The New Jeju Island According To Recent Summer Travel Trends

Kay 🥑Whereas Jeju Island was once the local travel destination of choice for most Koreans, this trend seems to have changed as most Koreans are opting to visit the Gangwon province instead. Gangwon province boasts gorgeous natural landscapes and healing vacation experiences, similar to the offers of Jeju Island. However, the former’s popularity has increased tenfold, making it the new tourist hotspot.

K-Food

🍰 What Are the New Fruits Topping The Cake Of The Trendy Sungsimdang Bakery?

Laure 🌼If you've been reading our newsletters or following social media trends, you probably know about the Sungsimdang bakery. Based in the city of Daejeon, it’s popular throughout the country, with people traveling long distances just to try their delicacies. They’re a trendy store and often change their cakes based on the season. Do you know what their new whipped cream cake is made with? Figs!

🥐 Show Up In Style With Your Pajama Fit For A Delicious Breakfast

Dyllan 🐼 Have you heard the news? Something special is happening at IKEA Korea! Show up in your pajama fit during breakfast hours from 9AM-11AM and you’ll get to enjoy a free breakfast. The menu includes a delicious spread of croissant with strawberry jam, plant balls, omelette, and a side of peas. If any of this sounds appetizing to you, then make sure to mark your calendars for September 7th and 14th for an amazing pajama breakfast!

👑 Eat Like Royalty With Korea House’s Fall Menu

Dyllan 🐼 Korea House is a world-renowned cultural complex, operated by Korea Heritage Agency. It has become a popular attraction due to its ties to BTS and being a popular filming location for numerous K-Dramas. It is gearing up to transition to its fall menu which will be available from September 3rd to December 1st. KHA elaborates that the ingredients used for the menu were food items presented to kings during the Joseon era. With one bite, you can imagine that you’re royalty of your very own historical K-Drama.

K-Society

💰 No More Cash! Only Cards Accepted

Laure 🌼If you’ve recently come to Korea, you may have noticed that cash is accepted less and less. In Korea now, most payments are made by card, QR codes, or other new technologies. For example, some buses and stores like Olive Young no longer accept cash. Even small fruit shops that used to require cash now accept bank transfers. These days, only 20% of transactions in Korea are made in cash.

🌊 K-Tattoos Are The New Stars Riding The Hallyu Wave

Kay 🥑Tattooing is still considered to be illegal in South Korea. However, that hasn’t stopped young people from enjoying the art form and getting tattoos in intricate designs. Talented Korean tattooists have been seeing a rise in international customers who want Korean designs to symbolize their love for the culture. Many have grown fond of tattoo designs that replicate traditional Korean folklore art such as minhwa - often incorporating tigers, dragons, serpents, and much more, as one example.

Intern Diaries From SK

Bethany 🌌I finally got my color analysis done and it turns out I’m ‘cool winter’ which I believe is the same as aespa’s Karina and BLACKPINK’s JiSoo! I went to a place located in Gangnam and as well as your personal color they tell you your best hair color, glasses shape and even recommend makeup products and perfume scents! Although it is a little pricey, I think it would be a waste for anyone to leave Korea without having gotten their personal color tested! I also visited a board game cafe in Sinchon! They had so many games to choose from although they were all in Korean so I only played the ones I already knew the rules for, but I still really enjoyed the drinks and the atmosphere of the cafe!

Readers' Questions Corner

Ayden 🧋 I want to try Bingsu can the team recommend a flavor to me?

Dyllan 🐼I’m a sucker for anything matcha, so I’d definitely recommend green tea bingsu. You can have a heaping of matcha in one bowl or if you’re feeling adventurous, there are options like matcha strawberry or green tea & chocolate.

Kay 🥑I think the mango bingsu here is delicious. If you go at the right time, the mangos are super sweet and they go really well with the condensed milk inside the bingsu. Highly recommend!

Laure 🌼There are many tasty options, but how about trying some Korean flavors? I think you’d enjoy Injeolmi bingsu (with or without red bean). The rice cake and almond toppings are delicious in any season.

YuJun 🍎 Do you like strawberries? I’d recommend trying the classic strawberry bingsu with whipped cream—but only when the strawberries are fresh. Frozen ones just don’t compare.

Do you want to ask us questions? DM or email us!