🇰🇷 Will Ice Skating On The Han River Ever Be Possible Again? 🧊

K-Travel

🧊 Will Ice Skating On The Han River Ever Be Possible Again?

Laure 🌼 No, you can't skate on the Han River… anymore! In the 1910s, the river would freeze for up to 77 days a year, but now it only freezes for a few days, if at all. In fact, the river hasn’t frozen on nine occasions, with the latest being in 2021. This year, it has finally frozen for the first time, but it’s 30 days later than average and the second-latest freeze on record, after 1964. The Han River freezes when the lowest temperature in Seoul stays below -10°C for more than five days, and the highest daily temperature remains below freezing. Compared to the past, the river no longer freezes thick enough for winter activities like ice skating.

👀 Is The Gyeonghuigung Palace The Next Gyeongbokgung Palace?

Laure 🌼Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace are the most popular palaces in Seoul and must-visit tourist attractions! You’ve probably heard of them. But what about Gyeonghuigung Palace, a representative palace from the late Joseon Dynasty? Ring a bell? Well, it currently sees an average of 1,500 visitors per day, compared to 57,430 at Gyeongbokgung Palace. However, the Seoul city government plans to transform Gyeonghuigung and its surroundings into a must-visit destination. By 2035, the 136,000㎡ area will include the Seoul Museum of History, Donuimun Gate, Donuimun Museum Village, the restoration of the Seoul City Wall, and expanded green spaces. Looking forward to its grand transformation!

K-Food

🍓 Valentine’s Day Could Be Called Strawberry Cake Day!

Laure 🌼As we’ve mentioned in previous issues, winter is the perfect season for strawberry cakes, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s no surprise that cafés are offering cakes featuring strawberries and chocolate. One of the most well-known café and bakery chains, A Twosome Place, has created a special cake featuring smooth pistachio cream, refreshing berry mousse, and crisp raspberry crumble. A treat perfect for the season!

🍫 Take A Break With Kit Kat, Not With Love

YuJun 🍎 In Korea, Kit Kat Korea makes Valentine’s Day easy, as they’ve come out with a limited edition Heart Tin. It features an array of chocolate, along with various stickers you can use to decorate any surface you wish. And with DAY6’s WonPil as the model for the special product, it becomes even more enticing to buy, even for yourself. Now, whether you make it a personal purchase or a purchase to gift is entirely up to you - but as with most limited items, better act fast before it runs out.

K-Society

🏋 The Fitness Craze Area Is Coming To An End (Feat. Scam Increase)

Laure 🌼The fitness craze in Korea has slowed down. In past years, new gyms were popping up everywhere, but that changed last year. Many gyms are now closing—and at a rapid rate! In 2023, 553 fitness centers shut down, a 26.8% increase from the previous year, marking the highest closure rate ever recorded. With these closures comes a major issue: scams. Many members pay for memberships and classes, only to be left without refunds when the gym suddenly shuts down.

👰 Before Walking Down The Aisle - The Korean Twist On Bridal Showers

Dyllan 🐼Bridal showers are a common occurrence worldwide, however, there are some slight differences between Korea and the West. Unlike its Western counterparts, bridal showers in Korea have taken out gift giving, in light of the congratulatory money provided later at the wedding. Instead, there’s an emphasis on extravagance, making the bridal shower look and feel exquisite. Hotel Shilla has maintained a bridal shower package since last May, offering everything from a flower-adorned room to a private dining experience. What do you think of Korean-style bridal showers?

🎢 Everland's T Express Is Open For A Date

Sharmaine 🌸 Everland's popular roller coaster, T Express, is open for a date this love month after its temporary closure due to cold weather. The T Express ride lasts 3 minutes with a speed of 104 kilometers per hour. What’s crazy is it drops at a 77-degree angle from 53 meters, enough to make your heart drop! The amusement park also plans to resume its other outdoor attractions, like Amazon Express and Thunder Falls, as the temperature is expected to be warm because of the onset of spring. You can check out their official website, www.everland.com, for an accurate schedule. Are you ready for a rollercoaster date?

🎓 Budget Cutbacks: Graduation Season Without Fresh Flowers?

Sharmaine 🌸Flower season no more? February is the month of flowers in South Korea, and it is also graduation season. In Korean culture, flowers symbolize beauty, perseverance, and beginnings. Bouquets of flowers are usually given to congratulate a new business, successful pursuits, or graduation. However, many opt to not buy fresh flowers for the graduates to cut spending. Many Koreans are more interested in non-fresh bouquets than fresh ones, which is seen in various online posts on how to make bouquets at home using stuffed toys, chocolates, and knitted flowers. On the Karrot app, Korea’s largest secondhand market, there is a surge of reselling graduation bouquets. One post said that the bouquet was originally 50,000 won but sold at 18,000 won. What are your thoughts on secondhand graduation flowers?

Intern Diaries From SK

Theresa 👻This week, winter hit full force with heavy snowfall, turning the city into a white wonderland. The freezing wind made it tough to stay outside, so I mostly stuck to warm, indoor spots. Over the weekend, I met up with friends in Jamsil and spent the day at Lotte World Mall. We checked out the Lotte Aquarium, then warmed up with sizzling KBBQ nearby—nothing beats grilled meat on a freezing night! Earlier in the week, I also stopped by a PC bang because, honestly, what’s more Korean than gaming for hours with snacks on the side? With temperatures this low, this week was all about staying cozy, eating well, and enjoying the snow from indoors!

Q&A Corner

❔ Question: What news surprised all Koreans about Spring and Summer?

💬When reading the news recently, Koreans were shocked—it even trended on Twitter and was widely shared among friends. The weather forecast announced that spring would begin by the end of February, with summer-like temperatures expected from April to November. However, when this news was released, the Korean Peninsula was experiencing a harsh cold wave due to Arctic air, bringing extreme cold to the region. Seoul was covered in ice and snow, with temperatures dropping to -18°C. So, when it was reported that in just three weeks, spring temperatures would arrive and flowers would likely bloom earlier than usual, many Koreans were surprised. As we write this newsletter, temperatures are gradually rising, with positive figures in Seoul and some days reaching up to 8°C at their peak.

Will the flowers bloom early? Will people already be wearing short sleeves in April? Stay tuned to our newsletter for updates!

❔ Question: Since “Single’s Inferno 4” has ended, what other Korean dating reality programs are there to watch?

💬There’s a lot to choose from in terms of Korean dating reality shows. While not completely the same, “Love Catcher” is the closest to the vibe of “Single’s Inferno” where there’s high stakes, but also the chance to fall in love. There’s the widely popular “Heart Signal” and “Transit Love” that have gained immense popularity among both Korean and global audiences. Newer dating programs include the surprisingly heartfelt, “Sibling’s Romance”, as well as the intriguing “Possessed Love” which featured fortune tellers of different backgrounds. Although “Single’s Inferno 4” has ended, you will have a variety of Korean dating programs to choose from, with some spanning multiple seasons too!

❔ Question: How do you enjoy Love Month in Korea if you are single?

💬Korea is full of lovey-dovey couples everywhere, and love month will not be anything different. As the weather is still cold, you cannot avoid feeling cold when you are walking alone in the streets, right?

Thank God it is the season for strawberries because it means that there are a bunch of new goodies to try. There are two options to find these tasty strawberry goodies: first in convenience stores, then second in cafes. In convenience stores, the mochi strawberry is a must-try!I can also recommend Samlip cheese, strawberry jam, bread, and Haitai Home Run Ball matcha strawberry.

In cafes, you should check out Mega Coffee’s strawberry churros and Godiva's chocolate ice cream with strawberry.

Lastly, take advantage of buy 1 take 1 chocolate offers in Olive Young, convenience stores, and discounted chocolates in Coupang. It is good to have a stack of sweetness when you don’t have sweetness in life!

QUIZ OF THE WEEK 💗

QUIZ: Which Lee SooHyuk K-Drama Character Is Your Ideal Type?

Find out which unforgetable character of Lee SooHyuk will be your ideal type.