4th week of December

🇰🇷 Koreans Will Go Here For 2025’s First Sunrise 🌅

Newsletter By Kpopmap

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Welcome to your one-stop destination for all K-Trends, Weekly Trends Newsletter by Kpopmap🌟

Dyllan 🐼In the blink of an eye, Christmas has come and gone in an instant. The holiday was filled with rest, slices of Christmas cake, and much-needed quality time. Now, what lies ahead are the final days of 2024, and preparations for 2025. On top of the usual New Year’s Eve parties, people have also started to make plans to see the first sunrise of the new year.

With Christmas shopping out of the way, many individuals are creating lists of resolutions to attempt in 2025. They are finding inspiration from social media influencers, friends, and even the latest trends. Just like how this year flew right by, so do the trends in Korea. We’ve gathered some of the final trends of 2024, so you can end the year feeling up to date with the hottest happenings in Korea.

This newsletter marks the last of the year. We hope 2024 was eventful and bright for you all, and we can’t wait to see what 2025 brings. So from all of us here at Kpopmap, Happy New Years. The newsletter will be back on January 13th, so until then, take care and see you then.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Picture by Kpopmap at Antique Cafe in Seoul

📍 Kpopmap Newsletter brings you the news worth paying attention to in the whole K-World selected by Kpopmap’s editors. Get to know all the trends from last week that you don’t want to miss directly from Korea (Seoul, Jeju, and everywhere we travel to).

🎉 New Year’s Wishes from Kpopmap Team 🎉

Dear Readers, thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm for our weekly newsletters. We worked hard to bring you the best and are happy to have so many of you reading and keeping up with the latest trends in Korea throughout the year.

As we step into 2025, our goal is to bring you even more exciting entertainment and insightful information to enjoy. Please look forward to Kpopmap in 2025! From all of us at Kpopmap, we wish you a very Happy New Year!

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K-Pop

🎤 Past Vs. Present K-Pop: Yoon SooIl’s ‘Apartment’ Meets BLACKPINK Rosé’s ‘APT.’ On Stage

Kay 🥑With BLACKPINK Rosé’s ‘APT.’ having gone viral, it was no surprise that at least one year-end stage took advantage of the trending song. The 2024 KBS Gayo Daechukje invited legendary artist Yoon SooIl to perform his 40 year old hit song ‘Apartment’ with other K-Pop idols as backup, adding in their rendition of ‘APT.’. This was a beautiful display of past and present Korean music mixed with Korean game culture.

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🤘 DAY6 Reach New Heights Being The First Rock Band To Play Sold Out Shows At Gocheok Dome

Dyllan 🐼This year, K-Bands have seen a rise in prominence, reclaiming their place in the spotlight, with the iconic DAY6 leading the charge. They’ve continued their hot streak throughout the year, culminating in two back to back sold out shows at Gocheok Dome, making them the first rock band to do so at the venue. DAY6 have always been a trending force in the music industry, and they’ve proven it once again at the Gocheok Dome.

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K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety

❤️‍🔥 “Single's Inferno” Is Back For Season 4 And Another Fiery Viewing Experience

Kay 🥑It’s that time of the year again where some of Korea’s hottest influencers gather on a deserted island in hopes of finding love. The heated and globally popular show “Single’s Inferno” is back with its 4th season that will be airing on January 14th and fans are already speculating who will be on the show.

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👟 “Lovely Runner” Named As Top K-Drama Of 2024 By TIME Magazine

Dyllan 🐼There’s been a lot of debate on what was the best K-Drama of the year, but it seems TIME Magazine has casted their vote. The world renowned publication has named “Lovely Runner” as top K-Drama of the year. Many netizens have agreed with the magazine’s decision, considering the drama’s immense lasting popularity and the impact it still has on audiences to this day.

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Picture by Kpopmap at Ahyeon

K-Beauty

🤩 After Color Analysis, Here Is A New Trends!

Laure 🌼Personal Body Analysis! This is the latest trend for achieving a personal glow in Korea. Color analysis has been popular for months, and now this new personal beauty analysis is taking the spotlight. Experts will guide you on what to wear based on your body type and how to style it. From clothing to accessories, these consultants provide comprehensive advice to enhance your look.

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Picture by Kpopmap at Daehakro

K-Fashion

👗 You Can't Beat The Classic Beauty Of A Hanbok When It Comes To K-Fashion

Kay 🥑Actress Kim TaeRi has been making headlines for her ethereal beauty in a recent hanbok (Korean traditional attire) pictorial. The photoshoot showcases the intricate stitching and design work that goes into creating Hanbok in an attempt to highlight the Hanbok Wave and appeal its beauty. Many celebrities have been rocking gorgeously designed Hanbok garments more frequently in recent years including the likes of NewJeans and BLACKPINK.

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🧣 It’s Giving Winter - Casual And Classic Are The Style Keywords This Season

Dyllan 🐼The year might be ending, but winter is still here for several more weeks. So how do you dress for the season? Trends say your outfit should embody casual yet timeless. Due to higher costs of living, people have cut back on spending, leading them to pass by puffers and high-end coats and instead turn towards more affordable options. This includes pieces like knit sweaters, jeans, wool coats - basically anything that’s easy to layer and style.

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K-Travel

🔔 This Is The Place To Be In Seoul For The New Year Eve Bell

YuJun 🍎Every year, the New Year’s Eve bell is rung at Bosingak during the Tolling Ceremony, and this year is no exception. Among the 33 representatives, 11 civic representatives will be honored, including a rice-sharing volunteer of 39 years, a heroic firefighter, a blood donor who has donated 700 times over 45 years, a visually impaired YouTuber, and many more. It looks like this year’s ceremony will feature individuals from a wide range of fields.

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🏔️ Deogyusan Mountain: A Winter Wonderland Of Snow And Serenity

J 🍿Discover the enchanting beauty of Deogyusan Mountain, where glistening snowflakes and ice transform the landscape into a winter paradise. Ride the Seolcheonbong Peak gondola for breathtaking panoramic views, or enjoy a tranquil winter hike among snow-blanketed trees. Located in Muju, Jeonbuk-do, this serene destination is perfect for those seeking the magic and stillness of midwinter. Don’t miss the unforgettable charm of Deogyusan this winter!

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🌅 Koreans Will Go Here For 2025’s First Sunrise

Laure 🌼In Korea, it's a tradition to watch the first sunrise of the year. As January 1st approaches, let's explore some stunning spots to witness this special moment. Popular locations include mountain peaks and coastal areas, such as Baegundae Peak on Bukhansan Mountain, Haeundae Beach, Hallasan Mountain, and more. Rise early to catch the sunrise at around 7:30 AM, braving subzero temperatures for an unforgettable start to 2025.

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🎨 Caricature Shops Trend Highly On Everyone’s Itinerary

Dyllan 🐼One thing that’s been gaining recent traction among both locals and tourists are caricature shops. While many have popped up around the capital of Seoul, the trend has expanded nationwide to cities like Gyeongju, Jeonju, and Busan. Due to the abundance of photo booths and instant photos, caricatures became a welcomed alternative. Netizens have commented that caricatures felt “fresh and fun”, a sentiment that has spread across all age groups. And with the option to have the caricatures printed on items such as mugs and tumblers, it continues to grow in popularity heading into 2025.

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Picture by Kpopmap at Novotel Dongdaemun

K-Society

🛂 2025 & A New Number: 130,000 Foreign Workers

YuJun 🍎 In Korea, E-9 visa holders are eligible to work in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and other industries facing labor shortages. On Friday, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that the cap for foreign workers under the Employment Permit System will be reduced to 130,000 next year, down from 165,000 this year.

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🗳️ Kindness Meets Influence: Yoo JaeSuk And IU Voted As Ideal Leaders By Korean Gen Z

Kay 🥑When asked to pick two people of each gender that would be the most ideal leaders, Korean Gen Z selected Korean songstress IU and TV personality extraordinaire Yoo JaeSuk as their top picks. Yoo JaeSuk received 23% of the support with male runner-ups including Dex, known for being loved by all age groups and genders thanks to his considerate nature. IU secured 21% and was closely followed by famous dancer Gabee, known for her outspokenness, with 19% of the vote.

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🌀 ShamAIn: The AI Shaman's Guide To Fortune And Comfort

Joseph 🐶The 'ShamAIn' (AI 신당) developed by the KAIST, is a project that combines traditional Korean shamanism with AI. Inspired by Korea's traditional shamanistic beliefs, it offers an interactive experience. Users can engage with an AI shaman to receive personalized predictions and advice based on their fortune (Saju). This project suggests that AI could provide psychological support and comfort to users, listening to their concerns and offering guidance.

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Q&A Corner

❔ Question: What’s the latest fan trend for idol holiday content, like Christmas vlogs or themed photoshoots?

💬Besides sending out the typical Christmas messages and doing themed content on YouTube, it seems like a lot of idols are doing dance challenges to Christmas music or covering Christmas songs. For example, the boy group LUN8 did a cover of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! and KATSEYE did a dance cover of the famous ‘Jingle Bell Rock’ choreography from “Mean Girls”.

❔ Question: Whose dramas seem to have similar vibes to “Lovely Runner” you can look forward to in early 2025?

💬It seems like one of them would be “My Dearest Nemesis” (tvN) with Moon KaYoung and Choi HyunWook. It is the best drama to look forward to if you are looking for a funny and cute rom-com and office romance. They also have a past as first loves in their teens. Additionally, the female lead is a refreshing character who says everything she needs to. For now, it is scheduled to start on February 17th.

❔ Question: Why is seeing the first sunrise of the year a tradition in Korea?

💬Many believe that by seeing the first sunrise of the year, it will bring good luck and blessings for the year ahead. It is also a chance for families and loved ones to get together, welcome the new year, and be in community with one another, feeling a deeper sense of unity. This feeling of togetherness and the hope of great things to come make the start of the year an unforgettable moment that will help push people past any hardships and difficulties.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗

Which Male K-Pop Idol Will Be The First Person You See On New Year’s Day?

Find out which idol you meet on January 1st.

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