🇰🇷 New Stats Are Out On How Much Cash You Should Gift Your Korean Friend At Their Wedding 👰

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K-Pop

🎙️ Survival Program Meets TikTok: A New Competition Show Has Arrived

Dyllan 🐼 If you’re a K-Pop fan, you’ll be familiar with the concept of idol competition programs and what they entail. By the end of the final episode, we’ll have a brand new idol group that aims to take over the music industry by storm. And it seems one of K-Pop’s newest survival shows will be aired live via TikTok, called “Time Turner”. The specific number of the final debut lineup has yet to be revealed, but netizens are excited to watch the show’s 18 contestants reach for their dreams and have an active hand in helping them do so.

🏆 Stray Kids Continue To Leave An Impact As Leaders Of K-Pop

Dyllan 🐼Stray Kids have built up an impressive career, able to sell out sold out shows and appearing at music festivals across the globe. Now, it looks like they’ve accomplished yet another feat with their album sales surpassing one million copies this year. This is impressive as they’re the first K-Pop artist to reach the milestone in 2024. With the mass success of their many colleagues, being the first is a huge win for the group as they continue gathering accolades left and right.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🎭 Another Acting-dol Is Born, TWICE’s DaHyun Set To Make Her K-Drama Debut

Kay 🥑TWICE’s DaHyun is the latest K-Pop idol who has been announced to be making her K-Drama debut soon! After her roles in the films “You Are the Apple of My Eye” and “Sprint” this year, she will be acting in the K-Drama “Love Me” alongside top Korean actors such as Seo HyunJin, Yoo JaeMyung, and Yoon SeAh. She will portray the leader of a popular dance crew named Yun Sol.

🌎 Global Romance: What Comes After Love Captivates Viewers Worldwide

J 🍿South Korean actress Lee SeYoung and Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi star in “What Comes After Love”, a cross-cultural romance that has captivated viewers in over 100 countries. This unique Korea-Japan collaboration tells the story of two former lovers reuniting, weaving authentic cultural elements that resonate deeply with a global audience. With top ratings on IMDb and Google Reviews, the show exemplifies the success of international partnerships, leaving fans eager for more captivating projects that blend the best of both cultures.

K-Beauty

💅🏻 Diversity In K-Beauty: Still An Unreachable Dream?

Laure 🌼It wasn’t long ago that my friends and I were complaining about the lack of diversity in Korean beauty products. The shades were often too light, among other common issues. But times are changing! Perspectives are shifting, with brands now offering more options in their product lines. The popularity of TIRTIR has marked a turning point, as some brands recognize that inclusivity and diversity are crucial for the global market. Yet, not all brands see this as a necessary step. In this article, beauty experts share their opinions on why diversity matters and what brands stand to gain by embracing inclusivity.

K-Fashion

🪖 Camouflage Trend Takes Over: K-Pop Idols Embrace It On Stage And Off

Sara 🌊Did you know that camouflage patterns are currently taking over the K-Pop scene among female idols? From aespa's bold combat-inspired looks to ITZY's charismatic stage outfits, this trend is gaining major traction. But it’s not just for performances—stars like IVE’s GaEul and (G)I-DLE’s Shuhua are embracing the style in their everyday fashion, making camouflage a key element of their casual yet bold looks!

K-Travel

🎄 If You're Planning To Visit Seoul For Christmas, You'd Better Book Here Now!

Max 🪐The hippest spot in Seoul to feel the Christmas spirit is still The Hyundai Department Store in Yeouido! This year's Christmas decorations went up on November 1st, and people are already flocking in. The Hyundai is packed with trendy fashion, accessories, and dining spots aimed at a young, 20s crowd, so there’s always a lively vibe. If you’re visiting Seoul for Christmas, make sure to drop by!

🌳 Majestic Autumn Tree Out Of Fairytales: The Ginkgo Tree Of Bangye-ri

Laure 🌼This will be the last foliage update of the year, as most of the leaves are now falling, and the foliage season is coming to an end in Korea. In Wonju, there is a majestic tree that turns a vibrant yellow every autumn—the famous ginkgo tree of Bangye-ri village. According to legend, if its leaves change color all at once, it predicts a good harvest. This ancient tree is estimated to be between 800 and 1,000 years old and stands at 33 meters tall.

🌃 A Romantic Autumn Night With Your Lover!

A$AP15 💸 There are various driving courses with mountains, seas, lakes, and cityscapes in the vicinity of Seoul, so you can plan a date according to your taste. How about getting away from the busy city and enjoying a romantic moment with your loved one in a place with a wide open view and beautiful lights?

🥬 Vegan Travel Woes Solved - Visit Korea's First-Ever Vegan Village

Kay 🥑Many vegan travelers often complain when visiting South Korea as they feel that they have limited food options. If you’re one of these travelers then we have good news for you. In Inje-gun of Gangwon Province, there is the ‘New Moon Village’ which is home to rescued cows that were previously raised for beef but luckily relocated. The relocation of these cows has resulted in the village taking on a vegan approach to life and hoping to attract young visitors who are fans of the lifestyle.

🏛️ Travel Back In Time With Changgyeong Palace’s Digital Dive

Dyllan 🐼Have you ever been interested in traveling back in time? Well you’re in luck, because you can do just that at Changgyeong Palace! Together with the Korea Heritage Service and Korea Heritage Agency, the palace will present “Digital Pungnyu”, an immersive festival that helps visitors experience the Joseon era. With the help of 3D and augmented reality tech, you’ll be able to watch the history of Korea come to life in front of your eyes. This will only be available from Nov. 7 ~ Nov. 14, so you best act fast!

K-Food

☕ Winter Menu Is Out At Paik’s Coffee, This Is What Koreans Will Drink This Winter

Laure 🌼What drinks are available during the Christmas season in your country? In Korea, while not everyone celebrates Christmas, there are Christmas-themed drinks at almost every café. Have you heard of Paik’s Coffee, owned by the famous chef Baek JongWon? (Yes, he was on "Culinary Class Wars.") It’s an affordable café, and many people enjoy taking their drinks to go (including all my colleagues). Their winter menu is out, featuring traditional Korean teas like jujube tea and ssanghwa-tang (medicinal herb tea), but they also offer Vin Chaud (mulled wine), a drink popular in Europe during the Christmas season. It is served non-alcoholic and caffeine-free at this coffee shop.

🍱 Taste of Seoul: Traditional & Modern K-Food

Joseph 🐶From November 8 to 14, Seoul will be brimming with food experiences during the annual Taste of Seoul week. The event offers visitors a chance to savor unique flavors at top restaurants selected as part of Seoul’s Top 100 Restaurants, engage in hands-on culinary activities, and dive into traditional and modern food culture across the city. Highlights include a kimchi-making class led by local chefs, a vibrant food market on Nodeul Island featuring fresh local produce, and the prestigious Seoul Food Awards, honoring chefs who’ve shaped Seoul’s food scene. A major attraction this year is the participation of trendy Millenials & Gen Z chefs from the hit show "Culinary Class Wars", who will put a creative twist on classic Seoul street foods like tteokbokki, jokbal, and bindaetteok.

🫙 Doenjang, Gochujang, Gangjang: “Jang Making” Is Likely Set To Become A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Practice

Kay 🥑The culinary practice of making ‘Jang’ which is romanization for ‘paste’ (장 in Korean) has been nominated to be included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The application to be considered for the list has been graded as a ‘recommendation for inscription’ which has Koreans excited about a potentially positive outcome. It would be Korea’s 23rd cultural asset on the list.

K-Society

👰 New Stats Are Out On How Much Cash You Should Gift Your Korean Friend At Their Wedding

Kay 🥑Whilst in other countries you might only have happy concerns about visiting your friend’s wedding, such as what to wear, etc. In Korea, another question fills the minds of wedding guests. How much money is enough to gift the newlywed couple as congratulatory money (축의금 in Korean)? It has been revealed that the average wedding gift money is now 90,000 Korean Won (KRW - about $64) which has increased from 73,000 (KRW - about $52) which was the average in 2021. Koreans place a lot of significance on the amount as it’s a signifier of your relationship with the recipients and helps them with their wedding costs.

🚫 Boy-Girl Friendships Impossible In Korea?

Laure 🌼In Korea, male-female friendships are met with skepticism, as many believe that romantic interest will develop on one side or the other. This opinion article delves into why this is the case, pointing to various factors such as Confucian influences on gender roles, media representations (including the common "friends-to-lovers" trope in dramas), and social media usage among the youth.

K-Lit

📚 A New Trend On The Rise: Ready To Be "Text Hip"?

Dyllan 🐼Thinking back on previous societal norms, reading and “cool” don’t necessarily go hand in hand. However, it seems things are changing in 2024. A new trend has taken shape in Korea called “text hip”. This trend puts reading at the forefront, dubbing the old pastime as something hip and trendy. With the help of celebrity recommendations and the effects of Nobel Prize winner Han Kang, reading has started to take center stage. So next time you pick up a book, make sure to upload a social media post to show just how cool you really are.

Intern Diaries From SK

Eleni 💌Seoul’s bicycle rental is elite, my first week's K-Travel tip for you! While Seoul’s public transportation network is well-connected, hopping on a bike can sometimes be a quicker and more enjoyable option, especially during rush hour. Bicycles are available all over the city to rent through various apps, with one of the most popular being “Ddareungi”. This city-wide bike rental service has been provided by the local government in an initiative to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle option to the Seoul population. Several new brands, like “Swing” and “GCOO”, have also emerged, and I personally opted for “GCOO” this past week. It features an easy-to-use app that doesn’t require a Korean phone number for registration and exclusively offers e-bikes, which are especially handy in painfully hilly Seoul. My favorite experience so far has been cycling along the Han River, passing local parks as the seasons change- a route traveled by many Seoul natives including none other than actor Lee MinHo! (Unfortunately I didn’t see him during my ride, but it was worth a shot). It’s been a highlight of my time here so far and is a must-do when visiting Seoul.

Readers' Questions Corner

Luc 🎅Are the Christmas decorations starting in Korea? Do you have a tree at home?

Laure 🌼I have noticed that all the department stores are already in the mood and all the cafes have their Christmas menu (loving the vin chaud by the way). I am planning to have some Christmas lights and candles this year at home since I don’t have much space. Let the Christmas season begin!

Kay 🥑Yes, actually! I don’t have the space for a tree at home but I’m planning to maybe go to The Hyundai Mall at Yeouido to see their Christmas Market because it’s decked out in Christmas trees, fairy lights, and all the other customary decor!

Max 🪐In Korea, many people spend the Christmas holiday relaxing at home. When resting at home, watching movies is a popular choice, and it almost feels like a tradition to watch Home Alone or Harry Potter during Christmas! Every year, Home Alone and Harry Potter are always on TV over the Christmas holidays – 100% guaranteed!

Dyllan 🐼Once November starts, the Christmas decor always seem to go up right away. The same can be said about my home, as I’ve already started to make space for a tree and other decorations. Although I haven’t listened to any of my Christmas playlists, I’m excited for the season.

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