🇰🇷 Put The Soju Down - Drink Sogokju Instead! 🥃

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K-Pop

🎤 Is The World Ready For KISS OF LIFE’s International Debut?!

Bethany 🌌You may know them from their hit summer track “Sticky”, K-Pop girl group KISS OF LIFE have begun their first ever world tour, “KISS ROAD”! Starting off in Seoul, they showcased their skills in vocals, rap and dance to excited fans who were left impressed by the group’s musical versatility. With a discography that’s genre ranges from hip-hop to R&B to emotional love songs, the group once again proved themself to hold an invaluable and well-deserved place within the K-Pop industry and they will continue to show off their talents as they take their concert over to the US!

📈 Billboard Chart Regulars SEVENTEEN Continue To Make Waves And Break Records

Dyllan 🐼It hasn’t been too long since SEVENTEEN dropped their newest album release, “Spill the Feels”, and with it, they continue their streak on the Billboard Charts. This album marks their sixth consecutive album to reach the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. Additionally, “Spill the Feels” is the only K-Pop album released in 2024 to surpass 3 million copies during its first-week sales. Although they’ve become a leading force in K-Pop, these milestones are still hard to come by, showing their strength as a world-renowned idol group.

🎶 TWICE: Set To Make History On Amazon Music Live

Joseph 🐶The globally loved K-Pop girl group TWICE is set to perform on Amazon Music Live on November 21 at 9 p.m. (local time), making history as the first K-Pop act to headline this popular streaming concert series. Following NFL Thursday Night Football, the event will be broadcast worldwide on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch. Recently, TWICE completed their “Ready to Be” world tour, which included 51 performances across 27 cities worldwide, solidifying their status as a global group. Their 13th mini-album, “With YOU-th”, released in February, reached a career-high by topping the Billboard 200 chart. They are set to release their next mini-album, “STRATEGY”, on December 6, featuring a collaboration with renowned American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🎭 Kim TaeRi And Shin YeEun’s Pansori In “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” Has Global K-Drama Fans Saying “Olsu”!

Kay 🥑“Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” has captivated the hearts of Korean and global K-Drama fans alike. The drama is catching up to tvN’s top drama “Queen of Tears” (which peaked at 13% by episode 4) just halfway through its broadcasting period at episode 5 with a viewership rating of 12.7%. This popularity is credited to the stellar acting from the cast along with the captivating pansori performances throughout the narrative. Many are anticipating whether it will become the new top tvN drama.

🎬 Song KangHo’s New Role Reminds Audiences To Celebrate The Little Things In Life!

Bethany 🌌 Star actor, Song KangHo, most famous for his roles in Oscar-winning film “Parasite” as well as “The Host” and “Taxi Driver”, is said to be taking on a new role of a volleyball coach in the upcoming film “One Win”. Challenged with the impossible task of coaching a team of players that aren’t exactly the best in their field as well as carrying the pain of not knowing what it's like to win a game himself, this film explores the hopeful and simple concept of looking for small wins in one's life. Song discusses how he was charmed by the idea of communicating a message about small wins still being wins and using these to regain one’s self-confidence and hopes that audiences will feel optimistic and refreshed after watching the film. Tune in to “One Win” to see Song KangHo’s performance in December of this year!

💰 Turn K-Drama Binge-Watching Into A Viable Career

Dyllan 🐼You’ve read that right - it seems there’s no such thing as watching too many K-Dramas. Fans are now able to utilize social media platforms to create a viable career out of their interests in K-Dramas. These “professional fans” can now upload videos of their passion on YouTube through simple reaction videos. There’s many more positives aside from making a profit, too. These growing video content creators can also connect with fellow fans who share similar interests. Would you consider heading down this career path?

K-Beauty

👃 Nose Glam Is Where It’s At: Nose Gems Are The New Blush

Kay 🥑Whilst K-Beauty trends are generally centered around enhancing a part of your face such as the eyes, your cheekbones, or your lips… Another facial feature has come to the forefront (pun intended) to be decorated and elevate your visuals. Many K-Pop idols such as IVE’s An YuJin, TWICE’s Sana, NewJeans’ Hanni, and aespa’s Karina have been rocking decorations on their nose including glitter and gems and piercing-like accents with a combination of blush. Try this style out with your next face-beat to be on trend!

K-Travel

🍂 Have You Ever Experienced Autumn In Korea?

Max 🪐It’s the perfect season for camping. Given that 70% of Korea is mountainous, these mountains transform into vibrant colors in autumn, making the scenery incredibly beautiful. There are plenty of places to enjoy camping in the mountains. One such place is in Pocheon, a city just an hour away from Seoul. You won’t need to bring anything with you; just relax and savor Korea’s autumn in a charming vintage caravan.

🍷 Autumn In Seoul: Perfect Wine Bars To Savor The Season

J 🍿 Imagine a crisp autumn evening in Seoul, where golden leaves and cool breezes beckon for a cozy glass of wine. Here are five charming wine bars you need to check, from serene hideaways nestled in nature to a 300-year-old hanok that blends tradition with taste. Each spot offers a unique ambiance to relish the changing season, whether you’re exploring with loved ones or enjoying a quiet moment on your own. Discover these gems for an unforgettable fall experience in Seoul!

🗺️ Cowboy-Core Trips, Underappreciated Cities, And Short Distances - How Koreans Will Travel In 2025

Kay 🥑According to Skycanner’s tourism data, Korean traveler trends have changed from long-distance trips to popular tourist destinations to short-distance trips to less popular destinations. Koreans are swapping out trips to Taiwan’s capital city Taipei for trips to Taiwan’s Tainan for a less common experience. Not to mention that they are taking an interest in niche travel such as cowboy-core trips as seen on “Adventure by Accident”.

⛔ Is Bukchon Hanok Village On Your Travel Itinerary? Prepare For Plan B

Dyllan 🐼Bukchon Hanok Village has become a prime tourist destination where you can enjoy walking through traditional Korean architecture and even dress up in hanbok, traditional Korean clothing. However, its popularity has also led to a state of overtourism. To combat this, the village will now restrict tourist visits starting from November. Access to the more popular and densely populated areas of the village will become red zones that limit tourist access from 5 PM to 10 AM.

K-Food

👨‍🍳 ‘Black And White Chef’ Cast Restaurant List Contestant Store Information Summary (96 Locations)

A$AP15 💸Have a look at a compiled list of all the restaurants by the famous star chefs from Netflix's globally acclaimed ‘Black and White Chef’. If you're planning to visit Korea, don’t miss the chance to dine at these iconic spots run by some of Korea's most renowned culinary stars! Taste the best of Korea's cuisine and be sure to share your experience on social media! Your post is sure to gain the most popularity.

🎀 There Are Only 6 Of Them That Received 3 Ribbons In Seoul, The Best Of The Best

Laure 🌼Are you familiar with Michelin and its stars? Well, now it’s time to get to know about the Blue Ribbons! Restaurants can receive between one and three ribbons. The new list for 2025 is out, and only six restaurants in Seoul received the prestigious three Blue Ribbons: Korea House, Byeokje Galbi Cheongdam, KANG MINCHUL Restaurant, Myongwolgwan, Solbam, and Mitou! If you’re a foodie, make sure to add these to your list for your next trip.

🍫 Dubai Chocolate Is So Popular That It Even Made It Here

Laure 🌼If you’ve been reading our newsletter, you know that Dubai chocolate is popular in Korea. You’ll see it here and there—it’s now available in convenience stores and often appears in bakeries too. One of the latest creations for Dubai chocolate lovers is bagels! Each store has its own recipe, making them more or less chocolatey.

🥃 Put The Soju Down - Drink Sogokju Instead!

Dyllan 🐼Autumn - the season for chestnuts, acorn jelly, and sogokju! A traditional autumn drink, sogokju is rich in history with an amazing taste. Dating back over 1,500 years, it was popular among the Baekje Dynasty’s royal family. It’s described as a light brown, silky textured, rice-based beverage that boasts a sweet aroma. It is dubbed as a “sit-down drink”, due to its delicious nature and high alcohol content. Produced by more than 70 breweries across Hansan, you’ll have multiple options to choose from!

K-Society

🧙‍♀️ One In 160 People Is A Shaman? More Than Police Officers Or Elementary School Teachers?

Laure 🌼They’re everywhere and nowhere! Shaman shops in Korea are visible on streets, and their rituals appear on TV. Estimates suggest there are around 300,000 practitioners—about 1 in every 160 people in Korea—outnumbering police officers (about 130,000) and elementary school teachers (around 190,000). However, there’s no official count, as many shamans lack business registration, and the Korean government has no formal system for them, leaving them virtually invisible.

👩‍⚖️ Sentiment Or Nuisance? The Jury Is Out On K-Pop Fans Using Funeral Wreaths As A Form Of Protest

Kay 🥑Are K-Pop fans’ funeral wreath protests a representation of public sentiment or a public nuisance? Many fans are on either side of this public debate as a new trend has risen among K-Pop fans of using funeral wreaths to protest their concerns. Whilst many believe this is an effective form of protest, many of these wreaths bear harsh words targeted at members that fans are not happy with. This in turn also affects the residents who live in these neighborhoods as the wreaths obstruct footpaths and disturb their peace. What’s your take on the matter?

🌏 More & More Non-Koreans Staying In Korea

Laure 🌼Long-term foreign residents in Korea are on the rise! Defined as those staying over three months, their numbers reached nearly 2.5 million last year, driven by a 16.6% increase in migrant workers and an 8.9% rise in international students. Foreign residents now make up 4.8% of the population, with almost 58% concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Intern Diaries From SK

Eleni 💌 Hello, Kpopmap community!

I’m thrilled to introduce myself as one of the new interns at Kpopmap. As a K-Drama, K-Pop, and K-Travel enthusiast, I’m excited to dive into the latest trends, insights, and all things Korean with you. I look forward to bringing fresh perspectives and a foreigner's insight into life in Seoul. I’ll be sharing weekly updates on different local experiences and events I’ve tried that you might enjoy, along with useful tips to help you get the most out of each experience. For more information about me, subscribe to Kpopmap and head over to my profile. My current K-Drama binge-watches are “Gyeongseong Creature” Season 2 and “Twenty Five Twenty One”. (I know “Twenty Five Twenty One” is older—no spoilers, please! I’m also aware it will probably make me cry, but I’ve accepted this for the sake of watching Nam JooHyuk on screen!).

Readers' Questions Corner

Christine 😊What Korean dessert do you recommend for the fall season?

Laure 🌼I’m not sure if it’s considered a fall dessert since it’s sold year-round, but I really enjoy yakgwa (sweet rice honey cookies). I eat them with hot milk on cold mornings. The color is also as lovely as the season.

Kay 🥑I’d recommend bungeo ppang (fish-shaped pastry with red bean or custard filling) to eat in the fall. It’s a Korean dessert usually served in the colder months and the stands have started popping up all over the city as the weather has gotten cooler again.

Max 🪐There are many desserts themed around chestnuts in the fall. Some use whole chestnuts directly in bread, while others feature cakes with chestnut cream. There’s a wide variety of chestnut-inspired treats!

A$AP15 💸For a perfect fall treat, I recommend gotgam (‘곶감’ dried persimmon). With its natural sweetness and chewy texture, it's a classic Korean dessert that pairs wonderfully with tea and truly captures the flavors of autumn.

Dyllan 🐼Hotteok! You can get it at any time of the year, but I especially love it during the fall. With the cooling weather, it helps to stay warm and tastes really good. You can easily find a street vendor selling some from morning to night.

J 🍿I recommend **pumpkin porridge (hobakjuk)** as a perfect Korean dessert for fall. Its warm, sweet flavor matches well with the cooling weather and complements the colors of the season, like the reds and yellows of autumn leaves and ginkgo trees. It creates just the right cozy atmosphere for autumn!

Joseph 🐶For the fall season, I recommend yanggaeng (양갱), a traditional Korean dessert made from sweet red bean paste. In addition to the classic red bean, you can also find variations made with chestnuts and sweet potatoes, which add a rich flavor and texture perfect for autumn. It pairs well with a warm cup of tea.

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