🇰🇷 A New Festival Trend Is In Town: All About Korea's Overflowing Beer Festivals 🍻

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K-Pop

🏆 And The Grammy Goes To… But Wait, Who Are The Real Winners Of These Music Award Shows?

Kay 🥑As the stakes in K-Pop have grown higher with groups competing for the top spots on the charts and to achieve new milestones, the number of music awards shows where these achievements can stand in the spotlight have increased as well. There are currently over 20 music award shows, with about 4 set to debut this year, as well. However, many are wondering who benefits from these. Naturally, it’s an honor for artists to win these awards but the amount of time and effort invested into preparing performances for, practicing for, and attending these events has become colossal, especially when it needs to be done 20 times over. Are the idols really the winner in this situation?

🎶 aespa Gives Fans A Long-Awaited Gift

Bethany 🌌Just recently, aespa successfully completed the first leg of their “SYNK: Parallel Line” world tour. As part of the setlist, each of the members performed an original solo song that immediately caught the attention of fans across the globe, quickly sparking the creation of multiple dance challenges on social media. Even after the first performance, a lot of fans were left begging SM to release the catchy tracks officially, but finally on October 9th, the aespa members’ solo songs have been officially released ahead of the group’s upcoming mini album "Whiplash".

🎸 Welcome To The DAY6 Show As They Are Transforming The K-Band Scene

Kay 🥑Whilst DAY6 has always been popular, they have seen an undeniable popularity spike in 2024. As such, many are taking note of the way they are shaping the K-Band culture as they have taken the lead as one of the top Korean bands at the moment. Not only does their music appeal to a lot of people, but their approach to engaging with fans through their music is quite refreshing as well. For instance, they have prioritized performing live at festivals over performing on broadcasts, which not only shows off their talent but adds more engagement and rapport with fans.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🎬 Netflix Reveals Lineup Of Curated Upcoming Film Releases

Bethany 🌌 In a time where audiences are gaining more and more control over what they watch and when they want to stop watching, Korean filmmakers have been putting their heads together to figure out how to produce high-quality films that are engaging to audiences of all kinds. Netflix has announced they will be releasing seven carefully selected Korean films of a variety of genres to release on their platform within the following year. These films are made by renowned Korean directors such as Yeon SangHo ("Train to Busan") and Kim ByungWoo ("The Terror Live"), as well as lessor known filmmakers such as Han JiWon, Kim TaeJoon, Byun SungHyun, Namkoong Sun and Lee TaeSung. These films will be released with the hopes of completing the hard task of balancing keeping up with a society that is becoming increasingly impatient and demanding with the desire to keep their filmmaking spark alive and make films that are of high quality and meaning.

😍 Byeon WooSeok Making Olive Young His Kingdom

Laure 🌼When you walk the streets of Seoul these days, it's Byeon WooSeok here and there. On one side of the road, he is on Baskin-Robbins; on the other, he is on NH Bank; a few steps later, on a photobooth. With his recently gained huge popularity, he has been in a few commercials, something like 10 brands or more.

Most recently, he has been taking over Olive Young, a famous store for beauty products. You can see him on the dental care, skin care, and hair care shelves, with his deals with Clinique, Physiogel, Euthymol, and Dashu displayed in stores all over the country. Slowly, he is gaining more space in the store. Olive Young is promoting Clinique’s blushers with Byeon WooSeok and his picks at the moment.

K-Beauty

💄 Ever Thought To Accessorize Using Your Lipgloss?

Bethany 🌌If you haven’t noticed already, Korean makeup brands seem to be the best at finding new ways to decorate the packaging of their products. After going viral for their super cute Pudding Pot keychains, popular Korean makeup brand fwee have announced that they have made a second set of keychains to go along with their new product - the Jelly Pot! This adorable heart-shaped keyring comes in 7 different colors and the Korean public (who are currently obsessed with over-accessorising their bags) are loving it! Do you also fancy wearing your current lip combo as an accessory? If you happen to be in either Busan or Seongsu, Seoul, you can get one of these Jelly Pot keychains for free along with any in-store purchase.

K-Travel

🌙 Become King and Queens Under The Dazzling Moon & Stars

Laure 🌼Have you ever thought about wearing a hanbok- and more particularly the one of Queens and King- to visit the palaces of Seoul? But have you ever considered visiting them at night? In Korea, there are only a few months when it’s possible to admire the palaces under special lighting of the moon and spots. Until October 27, you can visit Gyeongbokgung Palace between 7 PM and 9:30 PM. Unlike daytime visits, you need to make a reservation. And since this is a special occasion, booking might be as challenging as getting tickets to your favorite artist's concert!

🍻 A New Festival Trend Is In Town: All About Korea's Overflowing Beer Festivals

Kay 🥑There’s a new festival trend in town and it’s all about beer! Whilst there have always been beer festivals in Korea, famous examples including the Namhae German Village Oktoberfest or the Daegu Chimaek (chicken and beer) Festival, these days more and more festivals are popping up all over the country. There are even several beer festivals taking place in the same city. In 2024 alone, over half of Seoul’s 25 districts will have held beer festivals. If you’re of age, this is definitely an activity to add to your Korea itinerary.

K-Food

🌰 Chestnut Season Is Back

Laure 🌼Fall is here in Korea. Seasonal menus are out, and one of the foods Koreans enjoy during this season is chestnuts! Coffee shops in Korea offer various items featuring this ingredient, such as Creamy Chestnut Einspanner, Chestnut Mochi Frappe, Brownie Cookie Muffin, and more!

K-Society

🎤 Noraebang Woes As Karaoke Takes A Dive in Popularity

Kay 🥑What once was a staple activity for many Koreans has seen a decline in popularity. Noraebang (or karaoke) businesses have been shutting down all over Korea due to a shift in culture. Part of the decline in interest started around the pandemic because these businesses were forced to restrict their operations. However, thereafter, due to a spike in honbap (eating alone) and honsul (drinking alone) culture, many younger generations don’t find themselves in situations where they will end up going to karaoke anymore. This also speaks to the fading company dinner culture taking over the nation.

❤️ Use it Or Not? That Is The Question

Laure 🌼Are you an office worker? Have you ever wondered if you can send an emoji in a chat? In Korea, over 60% of workers use emojis at work, with 90% using them among their peers, but only 30.6% use them with managers, and just 24% use them with CEOs. Is it considered “too casual,” or does it help with communication and avoid misunderstandings? It seems that opinions are still very divided on the topic, according to new studies.

Intern Diaries From SK

Bethany 🌌Personally, I like to have a mix of city and countryside in my life and I’ve found it quite hard to find somewhere in Seoul that isn’t surrounded by skyscrapers or noisy traffic. Although I have not found a secluded place as of yet, I did visit the Cheonggyecheon Stream. It is a very long stream of water surrounded by trees and some wildlife but towards the Gwanghwamun end, there are a lot of chairs sat by the stream filled with people enjoying the (slightly) quieter environment and maybe a snack or two. I would definitely recommend taking a stroll here if you need a break from wandering through the crowded streets to catch your breath or just to touch grass again!

Readers' Questions Corner

Suzy 🌷Who is your favourite actor?

Laure 🌼Thank you for your question. That is a tough question as my list is getting longer every day. My top includes Yoo SeungHo, RoWoon, Lee JongSuk, Kim SooHyun, Lee JaeWook, Kim JaeYoung, and Byun WooSeok. One tear from Yoo SeungHo and you can find me tearing on my sofa. I hope you can watch dramas with them and understand each of their charms.

Kay 🥑 I think there are too many talented actors to choose from but I’m a fan of actors like Gong Yoo, Yoo Teo, and Lee DongWook. If we’re talking the new generation of actors then I’m really enjoying watching Lee JaeWook at the moment. I like the actors who can make you feel something through their roles.

Bethany 🌌My favorites are Lee JiEun (IU) and Song KangHo as I love the passion and depth they bring to each of the characters they play! You can watch them on screen together in the film “Broker” directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.

YuJun 🍎 I love Ji ChangWook and Lee SooHyuk. They both have unforgettable on-screen charisma.

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