🇰🇷 Ready To See Seoul From Above? Take An Air Balloon! 🪂

K-Beauty

💄 Olive Young Lands In The U.S., Boosting K-Beauty

J 🍿K-Beauty giant CJ Olive Young has launched its U.S. subsidiary, CJ Olive Young USA, to strengthen its foothold in the world’s largest beauty market. Based in California, the subsidiary will support online sales and future offline store expansion. With the U.S. beauty market valued at $120 billion, Olive Young aims to capitalize on the rising demand for Korean beauty products while opening global opportunities for Korean SMEs.

K-Travel

🆕 Traveling To Seoul In 2025? Don’t Miss These New Changes In The City!

Laure 🌼 Seoul is evolving! There will be many exciting changes in 2025. Here are some highlights: the opening of the Yeouido Cruise Terminal for more water-based activities, the official launch of the DDP Rooftop Tour for panoramic views, the opening of the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art for a fresh museum experience, Cheonggyecheon Stream nightscape improvement for enhanced nighttime activities, & more!

🚢 Always Wanted To Take A Cruise On The Hangang? What About A Bus?

Laure 🌼It’s official—Hangang buses have been launched! This new water transportation option operates at seven Hangang piers along the route: Magok → Mangwon → Yeouido → Jamwon → Oksu → Ttukseom → Jamsil. These eco-friendly hybrid vessels feature a cafeteria, bicycle racks, and four wheelchair-accessible seats. A total of eight buses will be in service. The names of the boats were chosen through a naming contest, and a ride costs 3,000 won. Would you take a ride?

🪂 Ready To See Seoul From Above? Take An Air Balloon!

Sharmaine 🌸 Soon, international tourists can make online bookings of SEOULDAL balloon rides, and be spared from having to buy one at the venue itself. Smiling brightly, this moon-shaped helium balloon at Yeouido Park stands tall at 130 meters high, affording breathtaking views over Seoul by night. Ticketing was until now somewhat restricted due to unpredictable weather, but will soon be sold through major travel platforms such as Klook and KKday. Rides are 13 minutes, and tickets are 25,000 won for adults, about $17 USD, and for minors, they cost 20,000 won.

K-Food

🍡 Korean Rice Cake Cravings Pop Up Worldwide

Dyllan 🐼Korean rice cake cravings has led to a record-breaking boom of exports in the last year. It all started with the rising popularity of tteokbokki, as more and more people began to develop an appetite for the spicy rice cake dish. With 2024’s 17.5% increase from 2023, the trend looks to continue heading into this new year. And consumers aren’t stopping at tteokbokki. There has been another viral trend going around, introducing honey rice cake cereal to the masses. This has caused consumers everywhere to head to their local Korean market to pick up a bag of Korean rice cakes to try themselves.

☕ South Korea Coffee Price Hike On February

Sharmaine 🌸Looks like your daily caffeine fix in Korea might just get a little more expensive! Compose Coffee, one of Korea’s three major low-cost coffee chains, are raising prices on drinks like iced Americanos and lattes, citing bad weather and increased worldwide demand. Compose Coffee will raise the price of an Iced Americano from 1,500 won to 1,800 won starting February 13. Analysts say that prices may rise further because of weather damage to crops in Brazil and Vietnam, two major coffee-producing countries, with worldwide demand, driven by China. Starbucks, Hollys, and Paul Bassett have also raised the prices of their Americanos and lattes by 200 to 400 won.

✈️ 10.7 Tons Of Kimchi Confiscated Last Year!

Sharmaine 🌸Flying out from Incheon Airport? Well, think twice before you pack that kimchi! Last year, 10.7 tons of so-much-loved fermented dishes were just confiscated because of restrictions on liquids, meaning 3,500 cabbages had to be left behind at Incheon Airport security. Save your tears and check those baggage rules before flying!

K-Society

💘 Is Seoul The New Cupid?

Laure 🌼Valentine’s Day is coming, and the city of Seoul is hoping to help 100 single men and women find romance with a special event! The matchmaking event, "An Exciting Art Night," will feature group activities based on artistic preferences, private one-on-one conversations, and a dinner gathering. At the end of the event, participants will list the three people they are most interested in. Would you join this unique romantic experience?

🚇 Using The Seoul Subway? Don’t Miss This!

Laure 🌼 In 2025, Companion Shelters will be introduced in subway stations! Need a break while traveling in Seoul’s heat or cold? These shelters will offer heated seating, air purifiers, phone charging stations, and destination displays, making your subway journey more convenient and comfortable. With Seoul’s humid summers and chilly winters, this might become your new favorite spot while exploring the city! Would you use it?

Intern Diaries From SK

Theresa 👻 Looking for a change of scenery, I took a trip to Sokcho and Gangneung for a seaside escape. The air was crisp and fresh, but the freezing wind made it tough to stay outside for long. With fewer people around, the usually crowded spots felt almost deserted. In Gangneung, I visited the famous "Goblin" filming location, where the strong winds and crashing waves made the scene feel even more dramatic. Later, I stopped by the BTS bus stop—a quiet stretch of beach with nothing but the sound of the waves. Even if you’re not a fan, it’s worth the visit for the peaceful view alone. Of course, I ate as much seafood as possible—grilled fish, spicy seafood stew, and crispy squid, all perfect for warming up in the cold. Despite the freezing weather, the quiet beaches and incredible food made the trip more than worth it!

Q&A Corner

❔ Question: What’s happening with the 100-meter flagpole at Gwanghwamun Square?

💬Some of you have been excited, some disapproving, and others questioning. One thing is certain: the installation of the 100-meter Korean flagpole at the famous Gwanghwamun Square has been a long-debated topic! Whether you are visiting Seoul or living here, you’ve likely heard about this project. However, the city has abandoned the plan! Instead of a flagpole, a new symbolic space will be created to honor the countries that participated in the Korean War. It is scheduled for completion by the end of the year. Are you excited to see the “Garden of Gratitude”?

❔ Question: What is Ipchun?

💬While spring in Korea is usually considered to begin in March, according to the traditional 24 solar terms of the lunar calendar, the season officially begins with Ipchun. The term literally means “onset of spring” and this year, it landed on February 3rd. Various events take place, with people hanging calligraphic notes on their doors to wish for a prosperous new year. Additionally, farmers also partake in various traditional rites in hopes of a good harvest. Despite the cold weather, the hope of spring is here and ready to embrace all of us.

❔ Question: Why are domestic flights in Korea so cheap now?

💬Jeju Air has flights from Seoul to Jeju for under 20,000 won ($13.85)—that's much lower than usual! This massive discount follows a very tragic plane crash in December that killed 179 people, which resulted in a lot of cancellations and caused earnings to fall. Busan Air is also lowering prices after the fire incident at Gimhae Airport last month. Safety is everything on people's minds now, so low-cost carriers (LCCs) are suffering, while larger airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana hardly lost any passengers. So, are you up for a cheap ticket?

QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗

QUIZ: Which K-Pop Idol’s Hairstyle Should You Wear For Valentine’s Day?

Find out what hairstyle you should go for!