KOREAN NEWS

BLACKPINK is meeting fans through a unique promotion connecting downtown Seoul to celebrate the release of their 3rd mini-album, 'DEADLINE'. YG Entertainment announced on the 27th that it will hold the "BLACKPINK 3rd MINI ALBUM [DEADLINE] HOURGLASS TOUR" from March 1st to 9th.  This promotion will be operated at four locations: the Same Hapjeong, Soundwave Yeongdeungpo Times Square, Musinsa Standard Seongsu, and Ktown4u COEX. By connecting these four points around the Nationa

Busan City is launching a major crackdown to eradicate "price gouging" and "illegal operations" in the lodging industry ahead of the BTS World Tour performance in Busan this June. The city announced that it will conduct a special inspection targeting accommodations near the venue and major tourist attractions for approximately four months, from February 23 to June 15, immediately following the concert. This is a follow-up to the "Price Stabilization Response Manual" establish

For the week of February 23 to March 1, South Korea is expected to experience yellow dust and cold temperatures early in the week, followed by a gradual rise in temperatures to recover to mild, seasonal spring weather starting mid-week. On Monday the 23rd, fine dust concentrations nationwide will remain at "Unhealthy" levels. Morning temperatures will stay below freezing with strong winds, making the wind chill feel significantly lower. However, by mid-week on Wednesday the 2

Are you visiting or leaving Korea between February 13th and 18th? Incheon International Airport Corporation has announced that approximately 1.22 million passengers are expected to use the airport during this Lunar New Year (Seollal) holiday. With Asiana Airlines’ relocation to Terminal 2 (T2) last month, the passenger flow is now balanced 50:50 between terminals. While this helps reduce overall congestion, we recommend these three tips to ensure a seamless and stress-free jo

Specific details regarding the scale and ticketing schedule for the full-group comeback performance, "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG," have been released. The concert will be held for free at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21. The official seating will accommodate approximately 15,000 people, including both standing and reserved sections. The event is scheduled to be broadcast live to over 190 countries worldwide via Netflix. Fierce competition for tickets is expected to be

Rain or snow is expected nationwide starting on the 10th, and no severe cold is anticipated through the Lunar New Year holiday (February 15–18). According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, morning temperatures in Seoul dropped to -10.1°C on the 9th, with strong cold around -10°C recorded nationwide. However, temperatures are expected to rise significantly above freezing in the afternoon, returning to average levels. In Seoul, the midday high is expected to reach 5°C

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

MUSINSA has officially opened "MUSINSA STORE MYEONGDONG," a large-scale fashion select shop spanning four floors from the first basement to the third floor, covering approximately 300 pyeong(Approx. 10,700 sq ft). This store specifically targets female foreign tourists in their 20s, significantly increasing the presence of "MUSINSA GIRLS" and the unisex line "MUSINSA YOUNG." Additionally, More than 80% of the 110 brands in the store are domestic Korean brands, creating a cura

Netflix will exclusively live stream "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG" on March 21 at 8:00 PM. In this performance, all members will showcase their comeback stage for the new album for the first time. The event will be broadcast live to viewers in over 190 countries worldwide via Netflix. Netflix will also release the feature-length documentary "BTS: THE RETURN" on March 27, which chronicles the production process of the ARIRANG album. It will provide an intimate look at the group

Recently, the Japanese TBS news program "N Star" highlighted the record-breaking cold in Seoul, reporting a unique experimental video filmed near the Han River, which has since gone viral. At the time of the report, the temperature in Seoul had plummeted to -13°C. The "Han River Ramen" that the reporter cooked outdoors froze solid within just two hours, with the noodles suspended mid-air. The reporter vividly conveyed the harshness of the cold in Seoul while observing the ram

Recently, Karina, a member of the group aespa, gained attention by recommending the combination of Samgyeopsal (pork belly) and ramen as her "soul food" in a video on the YouTube channel "Editor Karina." Karina compared Samgyeopsal to life and memories, suggesting that a meal is only truly complete when ramen is added. This combination is a popular part of Korean food culture and is gaining interest among international fans following the K-pop star's recommendation. However,

The announcement of BTS resuming their world tour after nearly four years has triggered a massive explosion in travel demand to South Korea, led by the global fandom ARM According to data from Hotels.com , inbound searches for Seoul increased by 155%, while searches for Busan skyrocketed by 2,375% within 48 hours of the schedule announcement on January 13. This indicates that global fans began securing accommodations and flights even before ticket sales started, proving that

Seoullo 7017 is a 1,024-meter-long elevated pedestrian park that breathes new life into a decommissioned 1970s overpass. Designed by Dutch architect Winy Maas, this urban regeneration project connects 17 different pedestrian paths around Seoul Station, allowing travelers to navigate the city center with ease. Standing 17 meters above the ground, it offers panoramic views of major landmarks, including the historic Seoul Station building, Namdaemun Gate, and N Seoul Tower. The

Content For the week of January 19 to 24, South Korea is expected to experience a noticeable dip in temperatures due to a cold air mass. On Wednesday (Jan 21) and Thursday (Jan 22), lows in Seoul are forecast to hover around -14°C (6.8°F). As we are in the heart of winter, these sharp drops require extra attention to windproof and thermal layering to ensure comfort while exploring the city. The focus shifts to precipitation towards the end of the week. Friday may see light fl

Standing at 202 meters, 83 Tower is the tallest structure and a must-visit landmark in Daegu. Located within the E-World theme park complex, it offers a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city and its surrounding mountains. While the daytime scenery is impressive, the tower is most famous for its stunning night views, making it a top photography spot for travelers. Beyond the observatory, the tower is a multi-cultural hub featuring "Lala’s Musical Museum," an indoo

A dense layer of fine dust covered South Korea on Friday, January 16, significantly reducing visibility across the country.  According to the National Institute of Environmental Research and the Korea Meteorological Administration, a combination of pollutants from China and yellow dust from the Inner Mongolian Plateau has been trapped over the peninsula due to atmospheric stagnation. In Seoul, PM2.5 levels averaged 68μg/m3, with certain districts like Dongjak and Gwanak reach

In early 2026, international tourists are expanding their horizons beyond Seoul to Suwon, Gyeonggi-do. According to the latest data from the Korea Tourism Organization, Suwon has ranked #1 in satisfaction among "day-trip destinations near Seoul." Specifically, Starfield Suwon, home to the magnificent "Starfield Library 2.0," has become one of the most tagged South Korean landmarks on Instagram and TikTok this month. The true charm of Suwon lies in the harmony between the mass

As of January 2026, South Korea's traditional markets have evolved far beyond mere grocery stops, emerging as the hottest "complex cultural spaces" for foreigners.  Data analysis from social media reveals that spots like Gwangjang Market and Mangwon Market consistently rank as the #1 "must-visit destinations" for global tourists. Recently, "fusion street food"—which blends traditional recipes with modern sensibilities—has gained immense popularity. The driving force behind th

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement “special safety management measures” through January 4 next year in key areas and events expected to draw large crowds during Christmas and the year-end holiday season. With winter festivals seeing a sharp surge in visitors—about 1.08 million people attending the Gwanghwamun Market and the Seoul Lantern Festival alone—the city has launched preemptive actions to prevent safety incidents in busy districts and event venues. The sa

The Seoul Business Agency has unveiled the key programs of the global K-culture festival “2025 SEOULCon,” signaling its status as one of Seoul’s signature year-end cultural events. Now in its third year, SEOULCon is a participatory festival bringing together global influencers and citizens. Last year, it attracted 60,000 visitors and generated 320 million online impressions, underscoring its growing global reach. The event will take place from December 29 to January 1, 2026,