🇰🇷 Koreans Wait For The Next Snow Because Of This Poop 💩

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K-Pop

🎤 It’s Sad Girl (And Boy) Season With BLACKPINK Rosé's Release Of "rosie"

Dyllan 🐼BLACKPINK’s Rosé has been hyping us up for her new album for weeks, dropping pre-release tracks ‘APT’ with Bruno Mars and ‘number one girl’. And it’s probably not a surprise, but the album is an absolute hit. All tracks remained on Mel0n’s HOT 100 for a majority of the week, with the album topping various sites like Hanteo, Apple Music, and Spotify. ‘APT’ remains as the eccentric outlier, as the rest of the album is as emotional as it gets, making it the perfect companion to have when you want a good cry.

💚 The 'Encore' We've Been Waiting For: GOT7 Is Coming Back After 3 Years

Kay 🥑History-making K-Pop boy group GOT7 is finally making a comeback in January 2025! It's a great start to the New Year as Ahgase (GOT7's fandom) have been waiting for a comeback with all of the members since 2022. During the wait, the members fulfilled their military service and worked hard on their solo promotions including music, modeling, radio, variety, and acting schedules. Fans are looking forward to being able to support the members in more than just their personal capacities but as OT7 once again.

K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

🏆 "Squid Game 2" Is Breaking Records Already, Nominated For A Golden Globe Award

Kay 🥑Whilst the hype for “Squid Game 2” is rising to an all-time high ahead of its release after Christmas this year, the show is already breaking records. The second season of “Squid Game” has been nominated for the category of Best TV Drama at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards that will take place in January 2025. Many fans are sharing their jealousy at the fact that the judges got to watch the show ahead of time to come to this decision. Are you looking forward to the show, too?

🎬 Unexpected Films Leads To A Revitalization Of Korean Theaters

Dyllan 🐼Earlier this year, numbers were generally low for Korean cinema goers. This was due to multiple reasons, from the allure and convenience of streaming services to a disinterest in the movie lineup throughout the year. However, it seems things have picked up thanks to a number of experimental films. Films such as “The Unrighteous” and “Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary” have captivated audiences and created a buzz, causing citizens to flock back to movie theaters in large numbers. On top of short-form movies, this variety of experimental films has breathed new life into what appeared to be a declining industry

🥘 Ease Your Hunger As Food-Centered Variety Programs Take Center Stage Once Again

Dyllan 🐼Entertainment trends always comes in waves. Following the widespread success of “Culinary Class Wars” just a few months prior, there is currently a new wave of interest towards culinary programs and the “chef-tainers” who stand at the forefront. There’s a lot of hype surrounding the return of “Please Take Care Of My Refrigerator”, as well as the recently premiered “Baek JongWon’s Les Misérables”. While food has always been a big part of Korean entertainment, the revival of chef-tainers serves as a good sign for cooking shows currently on air and ones that have yet to come.

K-Fashion

🔐 Because Keychains Would Be Boring If Not For This

Laure 🌼It’s probably no mystery to you that having keyrings on your bag is trendy. Plushies are especially popular, but it would be boring if you couldn’t customize them to your liking. In Korea, there are stores where you can make sure your plushie is exactly how you want it! Add clothes and accessories, and you'll have a truly unique keyring.

🟤 Mocha Mousse Models: K-Pop Idols Are Rocking The PANTONE Color Of The Year

Kay 🥑Every year PANTONE announces the “Color of the Year” and they have just revealed the color that will dominate 2025 to be ‘Mocha Mousse’ (17-1230). Naturally, as K-Pop idols need to be on trend, many of them have opted into wearing the color, either in casual outfits that they post on their Instagram feeds or in their stage outfits. Some of the stars who have rocked the color so far include aespa’s Karina and Giselle, IVE’s An YuJin, NewJeans’ Danielle, BTS’ Jin, multiple NCT members, and more.

K-Travel

💩 Koreans Wait For The Next Snow Because Of This Poop

YuJun 🍎Daiso has released its new snow makers! The duck-shaped ones were popular in previous years, but Koreans are looking for more fun and variety this year! The standout is the poop-shaped snow maker, which is sure to amuse many. There are also astronaut, Rudolph, snow globe, snowman, snail, and snowflake designs. With these new releases, Koreans are excited for the upcoming season and can't wait to see the country covered in these unique shapes. Who knows, you might even step on a snow poop during your next trip!

🟢 Some Would Think SHINee Is Taking Over Seoul

Laure 🌼“SHINee’s Back” in the air! Well, it might not be related to the group! Seoul has decided that its official color for 2025 will be Green Aurora, replacing the 2024 color Sky Coral. "Inspired by the green glow of Seoul’s street trees under streetlights during the long summer evenings of 2024, the color carries a message of reassurance and encouragement for citizens navigating the stresses of daily life." Key locations in Seoul will be lit up in this color, such as N Seoul Tower, Lotte World Tower, Seoul City Hall, Seoul Botanic Park, and World Cup Daegyo Bridge. SHINee's official color is Pearl Aqua (Pearl Aqua Green when they debuted), so K-Pop fans might see this as a sign that the group is ready to take over the city!

👗 Dress Photoshoots Like A Princess Or Bride!

Joseph 🐶Have you ever dream to be a princess or a bride for one day? Well, in Korea nothing is impossible. There is this place called 'VEILS' where you can freely browse and try on dresses without any fitting fees. You don’t have to purchase a dress to enjoy the experience, and you can take fun Life4cuts photos while trying on different styles! Most of the dresses are available for trying on without a reservation. The shop offers dresses priced between 100,000 to 200,000 KRW, with various accessories to match. This makes it a perfect spot for bridal showers, self-weddings, commemorative photoshoots, and more. No reservation needed for regular dresses, just drop by and enjoy the fun! If you're interested in the premium line, be sure to make a reservation.

⛄️ Go When It Gets Colder!! – Top 4 Beautiful Winter Travel Destinations In Korea

A$ap15 💸As winter begins, many travelers may dream of snowy white landscapes and breathtaking winter scenery. However, visiting certain destinations in Korea now might present a view different from your expectations. For those seeking the true essence of winter's beauty, it’s worth waiting a bit longer. Here, we introduce four must-visit winter destinations in Korea, perfect for when the season reaches its peak. Discover unforgettable moments in these stunning locations that grow even more magical as the weather turns colder.

K-Food

🥃 Raises Your Glasses - A New Celebrity-Owned Liquor Brand Is On The Way

Dyllan 🐼A new liquor brand is on the way, set to release by the end of the month, and it is called IGIN. What makes this so exciting is the fact that it’s made as a collaborative effort between Baek JongWon and BTS’s Jin. With two superstars coming together, many are excited to try the drink in the very near future. Finding inspiration from Baek JongWon’s hometown, Yesan, they also plan to release a tonic series with a number of flavors that represent the various regions of Korea.

🦪 Here Is Why Korean Oysters Are The Best

Max 🪐Did you know that Korea is one of the world’s leading oyster producers? Oysters in Korea are often more affordable than in Europe. Koreans typically enjoy oysters during winter, with many considering them a quintessential winter delicacy. They are prepared in a variety of dishes — from hearty oyster soup served with rice to fresh oysters paired with kimchi. If you're planning a trip to Seoul, don't miss the chance to savor Korea's fresh oysters paired with wine for a truly unique culinary experience!

K-Society

📺 This Country’s Dramas Take Over 50% Of Overseas Drama Viewership On Wavve

Laure 🌼Let’s look at some numbers, and see if you can guess the country. In 2021, only 300 to 400 titles were available on each Korean platforms, but now, each platform offers over 800 titles. On Wavve, these dramas accounted for over 50% of overseas dramas watched in early 2024. Meanwhile, Tving reported a 261% increase in viewing hours for these dramas from 2021 to 2023. Still guessing? Titles like “Go Ahead”, “Love Between Fairy and Devil”, and “My Lethal Man” might give it away. Chinese dramas are becoming increasingly popular among people in their 20s in Korea!

💡 Lightsticks Not Only A Stan Symbol But A Beacon Of Hope In Impeachment Protests

Kay 🥑Korean citizens have been gaining the spotlight for their protests in favor of the South Korean president’s impeachment following his miscall on martial law. Citizens have been holding protests in front of the National Assembly, going viral for a number of reasons following their creative forms of protests. One aspect that stood out is the use of K-Pop lightsticks in place of candlelights. This creative reuse of K-Pop lightsticks has shown that they are not only a stan symbol but can be used to shine a light of hope.

🎅 House Parties Take The Spotlight For Christmas Celebrations In Korea

J 🍿With rising inflation and political challenges, house parties are becoming the preferred way for Koreans to celebrate Christmas this year. The trend has driven demand for home party supplies, with e-commerce platforms like Zigzag reporting a surge in sales for decorations and party essentials. Bakeries and retail brands are offering festive cakes, while gourmet meal kits from top hotels and catering services provide convenient dining options. For hassle-free hosting, cleaning service startups like Miso and Cleaning Lab offer preparation and post-party cleanup support, making at-home celebrations both festive and stress-free.

Intern Diaries From SK

Eleni 💌With Seoul’s temperatures dropping, winter activities are shifting indoors. From Christmas shopping to museums or even taking a class, there’s no shortage of things to do in the city, which can sometimes feel overwhelming! This week, I attended one of my favorite activities: a dance class. Two renowned studios in Seoul for hip-hop/commercial dance are Just Jerk Academy and 1MILLION Dance Studio, both of which have acclaimed choreographers who work with K-Pop groups and at major events like this week's Squid Game 2 premiere at Dongdaemun Plaza (check out @squidgamenetflix instagram for the dance opening by the @1milliondance crew). This week, I joined HyeWon’s ‘Learners’ class at 1MILLION which had an afrobeats dance vibe and was a blast. Both studios have rotating choreographers, so you can try new styles each week. They also offer pay-per-class options, perfect for visitors exploring Seoul who want to try it out as a one-off experience. Whether you’re a dance enthusiast or just curious, warm up this winter with a K-Pop-inspired dance class!

Q&A Corner

❔ Question: What are the main attractions in Korea in winter?

💬Winter in Korea is cold, with temperatures dropping below freezing and snow covering the mountains. So, how are Koreans enjoying this season? There are various festivals, such as ice fishing, snow sculptures, ice sledding, and special light displays. Koreans also enjoy skiing, luge, ice skating, and hot springs.

❔ Question: How do Koreans stay stylish in the winter? Any trendy outerwear must-haves?

💬Once it gets to the chilly winter in Korea, one of the must-have items that most Koreans rock is a padded jacket. These used to be mostly long but now it is trendier to wear a short one or even one that is cropped. Some Koreans, however, believe that whether they are cold or not, they should wear a coat that is more stylish and less bulky. They call themselves eol-juk-ko (얼죽코) which roughly means ‘wearing a coat even if I freeze to death’. Aside from these, one of the new outerwear trends these days is rocking a pretty balaclava to finish off your look, add a cute point to your outfit, and also stay toasty in the minus temperatures.

❔ Question: What food is popular to eat during the winter?

💬There are certain foods in Korea that everyone looks forward to once winter starts to roll around. Many people love eating bungeoppang, hoppang, gungoguma, and odeng. With temperatures dropping, it’s always great to have something nice and warm to combat the cold.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗

Which K-Drama Character Would You Accidentally Move In With?

Find out which K-Drama character will be your roommate!