KOREAN NEWS

Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, the stars of "The Devil Wears Prada 2," which hits theaters on April 29th, visited South Korea to promote the highly anticipated sequel. During a press conference held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on the morning of the 8th, the duo introduced the film, which returns after 20 years, and shared their thoughts on visiting Korea. This marks Streep's first visit to the country, while Hathaway returns after an eight-year absence since 2018. Hathaw

Located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, the Anyangcheon Stream Cherry Blossom Path is a scenic trail built along the embankment of the Anyangcheon Stream. It has long held the title of the longest cherry blossom stretch in Seoul, extending toward the border of Gwangmyeong City. The path's unique two-tier structure allows visitors to experience different atmospheres on the upper and lower levels of the embankment. On the upper trail, cherry tree branches from both sides intertwine

Are you unsure which service to use when purchasing items in Korea and having them delivered to your country? We have compared the features of the major Global Shipping Services, including Korea Post EMS and global express carriers DHL and UPS, in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Shipping costs are just as important as the price of the product. Check out how to reduce unnecessary expenses and receive your delivery in the most reasonable way. Category 📮 EMS (Post Office)

Starting April 1st, fuel surcharges applied to international airfares by various airlines have risen by more than three times compared to the previous month. Korean Air's one-way fuel surcharge for U.S. routes increased from 99,000 KRW last month to 303,000 KRW, resulting in a 606,000 KRW charge for round-trip tickets. Asiana Airlines and low-cost carriers (LCCs) have also implemented significantly increased fuel surcharges as of today. There is a high possibility that fuel s

A heated debate erupted at the "Gwanghwamun Plaque Forum" held on March 31st at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. The discussion centered on a proposal by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to install an additional Hangeul (Korean alphabet) plaque beneath the existing Hanja (Chinese characters) plaque on Gwanghwamun Gate. The gate's signage has historically shifted between Hangeul (installed in 1968) and Hanja (restored in 2010), making this a highl

According to the "2025 Health Perception Survey," the percentage of Korean adults who do not exercise at all has risen to 12.7%, a significant jump from previous years. When including those who exercise less than once a month, over 21% of the population is effectively living a sedentary lifestyle. While Koreans score high on personal hygiene (4.2/5.0), their engagement in active physical or social activities remains alarmingly low. The primary culprit is "Time Poverty," with

CJ CheilJedang has announced the establishment of a fully automated production facility for frozen Gimbapt its CJ Blossom Campus in Jincheon. This marks the first time in the food industry that the entire process—from ingredient insertion and rolling to cutting and tray loading—has been automated. Developed in-house over 18 months, the system significantly increases production speed while maintaining consistent weight and meeting strict global hygiene standards. Leveraging it

A heated debate has emerged regarding the mobilization of over 10,000 civil servants for the BTS comeback concert held at Gwanghwamun Square. While police and Seoul city officials initially forecasted a massive crowd of up to 260,000, actual attendance was estimated at 104,000 by HYBE and only 62,000 by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's tracking system—a significant deviation from the original predictions. The safety operation involved 6,700 police officers and 2,600

For international individuals and business customers looking to source Korean products, the biggest concerns are likely 'unexpected customs duties' and 'complex shipping.' Additionally, while South Korea does not impose export taxes, the customs duties and logistics costs incurred according to the regulations of the importing country (the customer's country) significantly impact the final procurement cost. Accordingly, ONLINE-KOREA has organized basic customs information and

On March 19, the Korean Won fell past the psychological barrier of 1,500 against the U.S. Dollar, closing at 1,500.55 KRW—the lowest level in 17 years. The sharp decline was fueled by a combination of a hawkish FOMC stance and rising global oil prices following the intensification of the conflict between the U.S. and Iran. The safe-haven appeal of the dollar strengthened significantly toward the market close, increasing volatility. Global energy markets reacted sharply to the

The success of international sourcing depends as much on "Local Compliance" and "Logistics Risk Control" as it does on product quality. Therefore, today we would like to provide a professional checklist for global buyers to verify in advance, ensuring the secure and economical import of Korean products to any country worldwide. 1. International Standard HS Code & Local Tariff Research Most countries follow the WCO (World Customs Organization) HS Code (common 6-digit) system.

Ahead of the BTS special performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21st, local restaurants, cafes, and retailers are busy preparing for an expected crowd of 260,000. Gwanghwamun Myeonok, a local cold noodle restaurant, has announced a giveaway of 1,000 free bowls of naengmyeon on the day of the event. Coffee@Works is offering a 20% discount to customers wearing purple fashion items, while Paul Bassett has introduced a limited-edition Lavender Ice Cream, leveraging the signat

Shinsegae Group announced a strategic partnership with the U.S. AI firm Reflection AI to establish a "Sovereign AI Factory" in South Korea. The MOU signing ceremony in San Francisco was attended by Shinsegae Chairman Chung Yong-jin, Reflection AI CEO Misha Laskin, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. This project marks the first collaboration under the U.S. government's "AI Export Program," signaling a significant expansion of the global AI ecosystem through U.S.-Ko

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced comprehensive safety measures for the BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21st. To manage an expected crowd of up to 260,000, approximately 6,500 officers and 5,400 pieces of equipment, including high-altitude observation vehicles and lighting trucks, will be mobilized. Police will implement a "stadium-style crowd management system," where entry to viewing areas is restricted solely through 31 designated gates to

Released on the 26th of last month, Orion’s limited-edition "Moist Yellow Cheese Chip" has become an instant hit, causing a massive shortage across the market. As the seasonal production run concluded, the product—originally priced at 4,480 KRW—is being resold on secondhand platforms for 15,000 to 20,000 KRW. Some e-commerce listings have even reached 45,000 KRW, a staggering ten times the retail price. According to Orion, all limited quantities have already been distributed

Leading South Korean bakery chains, including Tous Les Jours and Paris Baguette, have announced price reductions of up to 8.2% for key products, responding to lower flour and sugar costs. This move, influenced by government pressure to stabilize consumer prices, has raised public expectations for potential price cuts in other processed food sectors, such as instant noodles and snacks. However, food manufacturers are hesitant to lower prices due to escalating geopolitical risk

Following the "Dubai Cookie" craze, "Bomdong (Spring Cabbage) Bibimbap" has emerged as the latest viral food trend on Korean social media. A 2008 clip of entertainer Kang Ho-dong enjoying the dish has resurfaced, triggering a "Bibimbap Challenge" featuring seasonal greens. Short-form content views have surpassed 5 million, leading to a nearly 30% surge in Bomdong prices over the past month. Nutritiously, Bomdong is a powerhouse. It contains twice the calcium of eggs and doubl

Lotte Department Store has launched the nation's first "MUSINSA OUTLET" at Lotte Mall Eunpyeong, accelerating its influence in the northwestern Seoul fashion market. Spanning approximately 1,587 square meters, the outlet features over 200 brands popular among Gen-Z and Millennials, offering year-round discounts of up to 80% across apparel, accessories, and beauty products. A key highlight is the offline debut of "MUSINSA USED," a re-commerce section offering authenticated pre

While South Koreans prioritize "sleep" as the most critical factor for health, only 28.8% reported being satisfied with their sleep quality. According to a survey by Philips Korea, 70.4% of respondents suffer from sleep disturbances such as insomnia and snoring. This indicates a significant gap between the perceived importance of sleep and the actual quality of rest achieved. The study also highlighted the social impact of sleep issues, termed "sleep divorce." Among responden

On March 3, 2026, Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan officially launched as South Korea's 24th National Park. This marks the first time in approximately 39 years since Sobaeksan in 1987 that a previously unprotected area has been elevated to national park status. It holds significant historical importance as South Korea's first "urban national park" situated entirely within a major metropolitan area. Geumjeongsan National Park spans approximately 66.859 square kilometers across s