Laure 🌼Happy 2025! Happy Year of the Blue Snake!
This year symbolizes wisdom and insight, change and innovation, as well as patience and resilience. While the Year of the Blue Snake officially begins with the lunar new year in early February, here in Korea, we’re already celebrating it!
As we step into the new year, you might be curious about the current trends. Beyond political discussions and tragic news dominating the headlines, the sudden temperature drop has gathered a lot of attention. After an unusually warm December, a cold wave has swept through, with wind chills making it feel like -20°C in the capital city and over 40 cm of snow blanketing the West Coast.
In Korea, trends shift faster than the plunging temperatures, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This newsletter will ensure you stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends from Korea. Read on to discover everything you shouldn’t miss! |
K-Pop |
🛹 Get Ready For KickFlip To Enter The K-Pop Scene
Dyllan 🐼After nearly seven years, JYP Entertainment is gearing up to debut a brand new boy group: KickFlip. Through official social media accounts, the company has unveiled profile images of the seven members, accompanied by a promotion schedule. They are gearing up to make their big debut on January 20th and are prepared to make a splash. JYP’s track record of producing world-renowned groups makes the hype for KickFlip even higher as netizens are excited to see how they are able to fill the big shoes of their company seniors.
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🏟️ Mark Your Calendars - 2NE1 Set To Hold An Encore Concert In Seoul
Dyllan 🐼2024 was an amazing year to be an older K-Pop fan, as we saw the comeback of many iconic groups, including legends, 2NE1. To celebrate their debut anniversary, the girl group held multiple sold out shows starting from Seoul then making their way across Asia from Hong Kong, Manila, and Singapore, among many others. And it seems they are not done yet, as they have announced an encore concert in Seoul! This is a great treat for those that weren’t able to attend the first time around as tickets sold out within minutes. Now, fans will have an opportunity to purchase tickets and see one of K-Pop’s most legendary girl groups, 2NE1, once again.
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👁️ (G)I-DLE’s Minnie Surprises Everyone With Pre-Release Track ‘Blind Eyes Red’
YuJun 🍎 In the K-Pop world, it has become the norm to drop a promotion schedule to get fans ready for what’s to come. But in what seemed like a blink of an eye, (G)I-DLE Minnie’s first set of teasers was quickly followed up by a MV, all in the span of a few hours. She surprised everyone with ‘Blind Eyes Red’, showcasing a more darker artistic color than what many are used to. This was all done to set the stage for her first mini-album as a soloist. If Minnie wanted to go for the surprise factor, she certainly accomplished it and now the entire K-Pop community is watching in heightened anticipation to hear the remaining tracks.
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K-Drama & K-Movie & K-Variety |
🦑 “Squid Game” Snacks You’ll Want To Play For!
YuJun 🍎The “Squid Game” craze wouldn’t be complete without merch and collaborations, and special snacks took over convenience stores. Many of these products come with their own promotional events. For example, GS25 offers a variety of “Squid Game”-themed snacks—fittingly flavored with squid, of course! These include seaweed chips with buttered squid flavor, squid-flavored chips, dalgona snacks, and even 3D jellies shaped like the iconic characters from “Squid Game.”
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🍿 The Verdict Is Out: Korean Films Dominate The Box Office
Dyllan 🐼Some might think this is all but guaranteed for a Korean movie to succeed in Korean box offices. However, that wasn’t the case in 2023, when foreign animated films like “Elemental” and “Suzume” took the top spots. But the verdict is now in, and it seems Korean movies have been on the rise and look to continue this trend into 2025. From “Exuhma” to “The Roundup: No Way Out”, Korean films have triumphed over their foreign counterparts, coming in a variety of different genres that everyone can enjoy.
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🎥 “Harbin” Set To Go Global And Could Appear In A Theater Near You
YuJun 🍎With only a little over two weeks since its release, “Harbin” has already dominated box offices in Korea, with the current number of viewers coming out to over 3.77 million. And it seems the movie’s success won’t be confined to the national stage, but it looks to go global as well. The film has already been sold to 117 countries, so there’s a chance it could be appearing in a theater near you! And if it is, you’ll definitely want to book your ticket and discover the movie’s captivating charms yourself.
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Picture by Kpopmap at Changdeokgung Palace
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K-Food |
🧊 Eoljukah, Do You Know About This Disease Well Spread Among Koreans?
Laure 🌼Winter is here, and temperatures are well below freezing. But Koreans continue to order their coffee cold, just like in summer. Wearing puffer jackets, they hold tight to their cold drinks. This is called eoljukah, or "Even if I freeze to death, iced Americano!" According to Starbucks Korea, 57% of their drinks are sold cold in January, 64% in February, and around 89% during the summer.
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Picture by Kpopmap at Changdeokgung Palace
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K-Travel |
🐍 Time To Slithering In Seoul, Admire Paintings With Snakes
YuJun 🍎With the new year being the Year of the Blue Snake, there are several exhibitions in Seoul where you can see traditional and modern paintings featuring snakes or based on the theme. How about diving deep into Korean folklore and the symbolism of snakes worldwide through these exhibitions?
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🐟 Can You Catch Trout With Bare Hands? Nothing Is Impossible At The Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Laure 🌼It's that time of year again! The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is beloved by winter enthusiasts and fishing lovers alike! Visitors can experience ice fishing and bare-hand trout catching. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy trout sashimi, grilled trout, and all the delicious delicacies. If fish isn't your thing, how about snow sledding, snow rafting, and ice karting?
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Picture by Kpopmap at Changdeokgung Palace
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K-Society |
📮 Exclusive Year Of The Snake Stamps Now Available
YuJun 🍎Korea Post has released postage stamps to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The postal service explained that the designs feature a blue snake advancing forward to symbolize progress, with flowers representing growth. It also highlighted that the snake’s ability to shed its skin is meant to convey a message of renewal and new beginnings for the year ahead.
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📙 ‘Doryangbalho’ Selected As The Idiom Of Korean Society In 2024
YuJun 🍎跳梁跋扈 or doryangbalho, a four-character Chinese idiom meaning “the rampant abuse of power and influence,” has been chosen by college professors as the idiom of the year for 2024. 41.4% of voters selected this idiom. The survey was conducted before the Martial Law declaration, which led some professors to emphasize how closely this idiom aligns with the current political situation in Korea.
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☃️ Coldest Wave Hits: Seoul -12°C, Up To 40cm Snow On West Coast
A$ap15 💸A powerful Arctic chill is sweeping across Korea, with Seoul bracing for temperatures as low as -12°C and the west coast expecting up to 40cm of snow. The cold wind is especially strong, so the temperature will be close to minus 20 degrees Celsius, and there is a possibility that the first cold wave warning was issued in Seoul.
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K-Art |
🎨 MMCA’s Global Surge: Next Steps In Korean Contemporary Art
J 🍿In 2024, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) welcomed a record number of international visitors, thanks largely to Frieze Seoul and Korea’s cultural exports. Art experts say the museum must now harness this momentum by strategically spotlighting Korean artists on the global stage and constructing a clearer lineage of contemporary art, ensuring exhibitions serve as stepping stones for ongoing international recognition.
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K-Webtoon |
🖍️ Move Over Webtoons, It’s Instatoon’s Time To Shine
Dyllan 🐼In recent years, webtoons have seen a rise in popularity from original serializations to K-Drama adaptations. But it seems a new artform is gaining momentum and has found its way into the spotlight: Instatoons. Instatoons is used to describe a new wave of online comics that are condensed, bite-sized, and primarily found on Instagram. One of the reasons readers are making the jump is their preference for short-form content. With life becoming more fast-paced, Instatoons fit the needs of the daily reader better than that of a traditional webtoon. With the hashtag accumulating well over 2 million posts, it’s a trend that can be enjoyed by many.
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Intern Diaries From SK |
Theresa 👻Happy New Year!
As we step into this exciting new chapter, I am thrilled to introduce myself as the newest intern at Kpopmap. Joining this vibrant community feels like opening the door to a whole new world, and I can't wait to embark on this journey with you.
Like the intern before me, I’ll be sharing my experiences of living in Seoul—bringing you glimpses of life in this dynamic city and insights into Korean culture. My goal is to not only share my personal adventures but also to provide useful tips about the Korean lifestyle that might inspire or assist you in your own journey.
For more about me and what’s to come, be sure to subscribe to Kpopmap and visit my profile. Let’s make this year unforgettable—together!
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Q&A Corner |
❔ Question: Who are the actors most likely to skyrocket to popularity like Byeon WooSeok in 2025?:
💬To compare with Byeon WooSeok, we need an actor who has already taken on a few lead roles and starred in a drama as a lead in 2025. However, he shouldn’t be widely recognized by everyone just yet.
Some potential candidates include Choo YoungWoo (“GyeonU and Fairy”), Lee ChaeMin (“Bunny and Her Boys”), BTOB’s Yook SungJae (“The Haunted Palace”), Choi HyunWook (“My Dearest Nemesis”), and Lomon (“I'm Human from Today” alongside Kim HyeYoon).
As the French proverb goes, “Never two without three,” we’d place our bets on Lomon, who is acting alongside Kim HyeYoon—a co-star who previously played a part in launching RoWoon and Byeon WooSeok to stardom. It is time Lomon get more recognition!
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❔ Question: What festivals can you currently look forward to in Korea?
💬Earlier in the newsletter, we mentioned the Pyeongchang Trout Festival - but that’s not all. There’s the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival that makes you feel like you stepped into a kingdom of ice. If you love fishing, you will enjoy yourself at the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival where you can partake in ice-fishing. Then there’s the Sanjeong Lake Sledding Festival where you can sled across a frozen lake, surrounded by beautiful winter scenery. With the weather reaching freezing cold temperatures, you’ll want to bundle up and make sure you’re cozy and warm for whichever festival you attend.
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QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗 |
QUIZ: Which Korean Actor Will Start A New Hobby With You In The New Year?
Find out which actor will you start a new hobby with this year.
![](https://image.kpopmap.com/2025/01/QUIZ-New-Hobby-Actor-768x434-1.jpg) |
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