KOREAN NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

Olive Young, operated by CJ, is increasingly moving into locations formerly occupied by Starbucks. Recently, in major prime districts such as D-Tower in Gwanghwamun and Myeongdong in Seoul, Olive Young has been taking over spots that Starbucks held for over a decade. Beyond a simple change in tenants, this symbolically demonstrates that the core "anchor tenant" of Korean commercial districts has shifted from coffee to beauty and wellness. At the heart of this change is the ex

On the 5th, the Korean Won (KRW) closed at 1,469 against the US Dollar, marking an 18.8-won increase from the previous day. Experts attribute this trend to the strengthening of the dollar driven by expectations of a "hawkish" US monetary policy, combined with the continued weakness of the Japanese Yen due to Japan’s maintained accommodative monetary stance. Domestically, the rising exchange rate is fueling concerns over increased import prices and capital outflows, prompting

Starbucks Korea launched its new product, the "Dubai Chewy Roll," at six major stores in Seoul on January 30. Reflecting the massive popularity of "Dubai Chewy Cookies" on social media, this new dessert features Kataifi (traditional Middle Eastern noodles) and pistachio paste wrapped in a marshmallow sheet. On the first day of release, despite temperatures in Seoul plunging to -12°C, long lines formed at major locations like Gwanghwamun over an hour before opening, leading to

Daiso has begun piloting a “cashless store” in the Ulsan region as part of its response to shifting consumer trends. The pilot location fully blocks cash payments and operates exclusively with card and mobile payment methods. This initiative is widely seen as a strategy to enhance efficiency amid the rapid spread of digital payments and the broader shift toward a cashless society. According to a Bank of Korea survey, cash usage among Korean consumers has fallen to 15.9 percen

Once celebrated in the mid-2010s as a declaration of “I’m still young,” the term “Young Forty” represented a generation of 40-somethings who embraced change and enjoyed trends. Seen as leaders in fashion, beauty, and wellness, they became a key consumer group for brands promoting messages like “style has no age.” The phrase “Young Forty look” became popular, symbolizing the idea that age was just a number. But recently, that positive image has turned sour. Internet memes like

The global luxury market is undergoing a major shift. Amid persistent inflation, strong exchange rates, and high tariffs driving up new product prices, the luxury resale market—rooted in the idea of “rational luxury consumption”—is booming worldwide. What began as a niche has evolved into a mainstream culture that balances value and sustainability. According to Research and Markets, the U.S. luxury resale market is projected to grow from $8.65 billion in 2024 to $13.04 billio

Unmanned flower shops are becoming one of Korea’s latest lifestyle trends — offering a convenient and comfortable way for anyone to buy flowers. Beyond reducing labor costs and enabling 24-hour operation, these shops have created a welcoming space where men can purchase flowers without hesitation. Traditional flower shops required on-site florists and higher operational costs, but automation has changed the landscape, making flower buying more accessible and affordable. The r

Since 2008, Seoul National University Professor Emeritus Kim Nan-do, Korea’s leading consumer trend researcher and author of the annual...

HYBE has officially established HYBE India in Mumbai, marking its full entry into the Indian market. This marks the fifth overseas...

In Korea, matcha has become a rising lifestyle trend among Gen Z, celebrities, and social media users. Unlike brewed green tea, matcha is...

This fall, Korea’s smartphone market is set for a direct clash between its two giants: Samsung and Apple. Apple will launch its iPhone 17...

Nongshim has opened its third global “Shin Ramyeon Bunsik” location in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. This experiential space is part of...

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, will open the second part of its permanent collection exhibition, ‘Korean...

According to Korea Consumer Agency’s price info portal "Chakgaggak" on the 14th, the average price of one roll of gimbap in Seoul last...

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, regulatory updates have been completed, and it is currently reviewing the cross-border...