K-Pop |
🪢 K-Pop Award Ceremonies Held Overseas Cause Tug-Of-War Between Korean & International Fans
Kay 🥑In the past, K-Pop award shows were held almost exclusively in Korea, making them difficult for international fans to attend. However, in recent trends, many of the major award shows have been held outside of Korea and overseas in countries like Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and more, becoming more accessible to global fans. In fact, it has become rare for them to be held locally in Korea. As a result, there is a growing push and pull between Korean fans and international fans about where these awards should rightfully be hosted.
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🎤 BOYNEXTDOOR Kicks Off First Solo Tour with Epic Incheon Show!
Max 🪐 BOYNEXTDOOR launched its first solo tour, "KNOCK ON Vol. 1," with two sold-out shows in Incheon, featuring hit tracks and fan sing-alongs. The group announced a January comeback shaped by their own ideas and promised bigger shows in the future. The tour will continue in Japan, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.
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💿 2NE1 Have More Anniversary Celebrations In Store With A Limited LP
Dyllan 🐼 In honor of their debut anniversary, legendary girl group 2NE1 came back together to perform at multiple concert venues in Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and more. However, the celebrations are far from over as they have recently announced a limited LP, now open for pre-orders. It will feature iconic tracks such as their debut song ‘Fire’, ‘I Don’t Care’, ‘I Am The Best’, and much more, along with a live version of ‘Come Back Home’ that was recorded at their Seoul concert.
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🌏 izna Continue To Cement Their Status As Rising “Global Stars”
Dyllan 🐼Formed through the idol survival program, “I-LAND 2”, izna made their highly anticipated debut towards the end of November. And while they’ve only been promoting for a little under a month, their schedule is filled with multiple year-end performances at iconic musical festivals such as the “2024 SBS Gayo Daejeon” and the “2024 MBC Gayo Daejejeon WANNABE” - but the list goes on. Although they just had their official debut, they’ve made an impact with every stage, becoming a girl group everyone needs to keep their eye on, as they have the potential to become one of the top stars of their generation.
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K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety |
🤔 Is The Global Popularity Of K-Dramas And K-Films Sustainable?
Kay 🥑Whilst K-Content has found a new level of global popularity in the past few years, there are rising questions about the sustainability of it. Experts believe that K-Pop and K-Gaming have reached stable ground overseas but the jury is still out on Korean dramas and films. They argue that K-Drama popularity is limited to Southeast Asia and K-Films are still a niche interest, making the future of both unclear. What do you think the future of these two K-Content mediums is?
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Picture by Kpopmap at Gwanghwamun Square
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K-Beauty |
💇 Full Bangs Are The New Go-To Winter K-Hairstyle
Kay 🥑Koreans are always finding ways to counter the country’s notoriously cold winters, especially ways that are still fashionable and trendy. Stars have been cutting full bangs that not only add a doll-like aspect to their look, but also serve as another layer of protection against the chilly weather. Paired with long straight hair or a hime cut, this hairstyle is the new chic winter go-to look.
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📅 2 Days, Until This K-Beauty Advent Calendar Was Sold Out
Laure 🌼Olive Young is indisputably the most popular beauty store for K-Beauty. Their first-ever advent calendar was sold out in two days! Such an impressively short time of period proves that it was popular. The calendar is composed of top Korean products of the store of the year including beauty care and makeup. All the most loved products of the year are there!
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Picture by Kpopmap from Cheonggyecheon stream
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K-Travel |
🎅🏻 Myeongdong Transforms Into Lights For Christmas, Becoming Must-Go Attraction
YuJun 🍎 Myeongdong is the go-to destination in Seoul for breathtaking Christmas decorations on a grand scale. The streets come alive with rows of dazzling lights, thanks to the city's department stores. At Shinsegae Myeongdong Main Store, the building transforms into a magical place with a gigantic LED display spanning three times the size of a basketball court. This stunning façade lights up Myeongdong, spreading holiday cheer with enchanting video displays every day. The Lotte Department Store Main Branch is equally spectacular, featuring 20,000 LED lights and a Broadway-inspired design reminiscent of the 1900s. Its vibrant neon sign, "Theater Sogong," and intricately designed show windows add to the festive atmosphere. Both tourists and locals flock to Myeongdong at night to capture the beauty of these stunning illuminations, making it a must-visit spot during the holiday season.
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❄️ Hampyeong Winter Light Festival: A Magical Winter Wonderland
J 🍿 Experience the magic of winter at the Hampyeong Winter Light Festival, running through December 25 at Hampyeong Expo Park. This festive event features breathtaking light installations, a large-scale media art exhibition by Lee InNam, and interactive activities like dressing up as Santa and crafting mini Christmas trees. Don’t miss the cozy winter treats from local vendors, including roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes!
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🏮 Stingrays Swimming In Cheonggyecheon Under Magical Lights
Laure 🌼Seoul Winter Festa is here! One of its most anticipated events, the Seoul Lantern Festival, has officially launched. The small stream running through downtown Seoul is illuminated with over 200 light sculptures and mesmerizing LED projections of whales and stingrays swimming in the water. By night, the area transforms into a magical wonderland. If you love dazzling lights, this is a must-visit! The festival runs until January 12. This year’s Seoul Winter Festa tells the heartwarming story of Hechi and Seoul Friends meeting the citizens of Seoul and forming bonds of friendship, making the event even more vibrant and enchanting.
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K-Food |
🍙 Auntie Omakase's Famous Laver From “Culinary Class Wars” Now Sold At Convenience Stores
Kay 🥑You’d think that the “Culinary Class Wars” craze has died down by now, but on the contrary, it is more alive than ever. In just the past week, a special edition Edward Lee makgeolli has been announced along with news that Auntie Omakase’s famous grilled seaweed would be available as ready-to-eat laver (김) in the GS25 convenience stores. The latter had fans wondering just how tasty seaweed could possibly be after foodie influencers gave it immense praise on the show, but now you can try it too!
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🎄 Because Christmas Tree Shaped Bottles Look Prettier For A Drink
YuJun 🍎Most Koreans enjoy drinking, and the end of the year brings an array of seasonal beverages. Among them, Mosel Christmas Wines are a festive favorite in Korea. To enhance the holiday spirit, these wines are available in charming Christmas tree-shaped bottles. Here are the three varieties available this season: Mosel Christmas Riesling (White) with notes of peach and citrus mandarin, Mosel Christmas Dornfelder (Red) with flavors of cherry, blackberry, and hints of lilac, and Mosel Christmas Rosé with aromas of strawberry, peach, and plum. These wines are often exclusively sold during the holiday season, making them a must-have treat for festive celebrations!
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🍿 Ramyeon Or Popcorn? CGV Says, Why Not Both!
Dyllan 🐼Recently, we talked about the interesting combination of cheese corn Bungeoppang. If that tickled your fancy, then you’re in for another treat: ramyeon popcorn. That’s right, in collaboration with Nongshim, CGV Korea is set to introduce its very own ramyeon flavored popcorn. It specifically transforms Nongshim’s Yukgaejang Sabalmyeon into popcorn form, so if you’re a fan of the flavor, you won’t want to miss out.
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Picture by Kpopmap at Sokcho
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K-Society |
🛍️ Iconic Stores Create The “Loconomy” Phenomenon And Help Bring Up Their Neighborhoods
Dyllan 🐼Korea is filled with a variety of different shop of varying sizes. However, there are some that have become representatives of their area, bringing a boon to their neighborhood’s economy. Such examples include Musinsa in Seongsu, bakery Sungsimdang in Daejeon, and coffeehouse franchise Terarosa in Gangwon Province. Their growth and influence has created a “loconomy” phenomenon, a combination of “local” and “economy”. This portrays how key brands that thrive in local communities eventually become a representative of the area.
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🍹 South Korea's Changing Drinking Culture & Its Economic Impact
Joseph 🐶Recently, South Korea's drinking culture is changing, influenced by economic factors and the values of a health-conscious younger generation. High interest rates and inflation have led people to cut back on spending, affecting small businesses like pubs and karaoke bars. At the same time, younger people are rejecting excessive drinking in favor of health and work-life balance. Women, in particular, are moving away from traditional drinking norms, reflecting broader social changes. Alcohol consumption has decreased by 12% since 2015, signaling a preference for healthier lifestyles. While these shifts impact the alcohol and entertainment industries, they also represent a broader societal change toward personal well-being and equality. However, the economic impact remains significant, as weakened domestic consumption poses challenges for South Korea's economy.
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Intern Diaries From SK |
Eleni 💌Are you a K-Drama fan? Then you’ve likely seen Cheonggyecheon Stream featured in many dramas. This scenic stream runs through central Seoul, spanning 10 kilometers with picturesque walkways and stepping stones. Recently, I visited the Seoul Lantern Festival along the stream and admired the festive light installations. If you’ve not been to Seoul you may not know that Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace are right around the corner from the end of the stream, offering a chance to explore multiple iconic landmarks in one trip! The Gwanghwamun Christmas Market added to the festive charm, showcasing Christmas decorations, crafts, food stalls, and photo spots perfect for capturing insta-worthy moments. Despite the chilly weather, the experience is well worth it. Dress warmly, bring hand warmers, and enjoy the seasonal sights in this vibrant area of Seoul.
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Q&A Corner |
❔ Question: Any Korean film recommendations for the holidays?
💬Korea doesn’t have a super wide selection of films to watch during the holidays. However, there are a few great selections. For one, “New Year Blues” is a great film to help you bring in the New Year as it takes on the format of a lot of Hollywood films surrounding a holiday that shows the lives of a bunch of different strangers through some great ensemble storytelling. The cast is star-studded with names like Yoo InNa, Yoo YeonSeok, Girls’ Generation’s SooYoung, Super Junior’s SiWon, and more.
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❔ Question: Is Byeon WooSeok really everywhere in Korea?
💬In Seoul, he’s truly everywhere. You can’t take three steps without being greeted by his smiling face. Let us explain why. In 2024, following the massive success of the drama “Lonely Runner”, actor and model Byeon WooSeok has signed over 18 brand endorsement deals, spanning various industries and major names. Just so you have an idea, Cha EunWoo, the king of CFs, has around the same amount and Kim SooHyun also popular this year had around 11 deals in 2024.
His endorsements include outdoor brand Discovery Expedition; LG Household & Health Care with beauty line Physiogel and dental care brand Euthymol; LG Electronics' LG StanbyME; NongHyup Bank and Card; beauty brand Clinique (focusing on their color line, including blushers); men’s grooming brand DASHU; food brands like Paldo Bibim Noodles and Baskin-Robbins; fragrance label TAMBURINS; job platforms Job Korea and Albamon; furniture brand iloom; coffee chain Ediya Coffee; fried chicken franchise Kyochon Chicken; contact lens brand OLENS; fashion labels Prada and GIORDANO; and luxury jewelry and watch brand Cartier.
As you walk through Seoul, you’ll spot him on advertisements outside these stores, inside popular outlets like Olive Young, marts, or department stores. Even if you don’t go to these, his ads on public transportation—buses and subways—are a daily sight you can’t miss.
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❔ Question: How is Christmas celebrated in Korea?
💬In the West, Christmas is focused on family gatherings at home, accompanied by a table filled with foods like ham and prime rib. However, Christmas in Korea is much different in contrast. It is viewed as a mainly romantic holiday, geared towards couples. The culture of gift-giving isn’t that big in Korea either, with the main givers and recipients being between children and parents, as well as couples. That isn’t to say things aren’t festive, with Christmas decorations appearing everywhere, however, it is much more casual than the West.
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QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗 |
Which Male K-Pop Idol Will Hold Your Hand Whilst Ice-Skating?
Find out which idol you will ice-skating with!
![](https://image.kpopmap.com/2024/12/Which-Male-K-Pop-Idol-Will-Hold-Your-Hand-Whilst-Ice-Skating-kpop-quiz-2024-2-1.jpg) |
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