KOREAN NEWS

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,

From the 13th to the 14th, most regions across South Korea are expected to see cloudy skies accompanied by snow or rain, with sub-zero temperatures continuing. Travelers and residents are advised to take extra care in maintaining their health. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 11th, strong snowfall is expected nationwide on Saturday the 13th, particularly with heavy snow likely in the central inland regions during the afternoon. Expected snowfall lev

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

The Blue Ribbon Survey, Korea's first domestic restaurant guide, has unveiled its “Seoul’s Best Restaurants 2026,” naming six new “Three Ribbon” establishments. Among the honorees are modern kaiseki "Kagen," Chef Ahn Seongjae's "Mosu Seoul," sushi specialty "Sosuhon," modern Korean "Soul Dining," high-end sushi "Hane," and Chinese master Chef Hu Deokjook’s "Hobin." This year’s rankings, determined by over 70,000 readers, now feature 43 three-ribbon restaurants, an increase of

Gangcheonsan County Park in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do has been named Korea’s most stunning fall foliage destination of the year, attracting roughly 170,000 visitors between late October and late November. Gangcheonsan’s signature “high-density foliage,” created by layers of colorful maple varieties, lasted longer than usual as the peak season arrived later this year. The extended operating period alone drew tens of thousands of additional visitors, reaffirming the park’s status

A new route connecting the city and nearby islands is about to be unveiled in Incheon. Set to open early next year, the Incheon 3rd Crossing Bridge is drawing attention not just as a transportation link but as a rare experiential tourism bridge in Korea. The bridge offers more than a simple roadway. Its signature feature is a 184.2-meter-high main-tower observatory, already certified by the World Record Committee (WRC) in the United States as the world’s highest observatory o

The K-POP payment card launched by WOWPASS, a payment platform designed for foreign visitors, is gaining explosive popularity among global travelers coming to Korea. More than a simple payment tool, the card offers the joy of “carrying your favorite idol in your wallet,” adding emotional excitement to the travel experience. Orange Square, the operator of WOWPASS, stated that its K-POP card created in collaboration with JYP Entertainment is receiving strong responses from fore

Located on the border between northern Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Mount Suraksan has become one of the city’s trending weekend hiking destinations, thanks to the newly renovated Gicha Rock Observatory and its open rest area. Standing at a modest 638 meters, Suraksan offers a compact yet rewarding hiking experience that combines rocky ridges, forest trails, and tranquil temples. The new 84-square-meter observatory provides panoramic views — Unaksan and Bukhansan to the north

The Netflix animated feature KPop Demon Hunters  has unveiled the full lineup of official merchandise that will be available at its Seoul pop-up store. The pop-up will showcase a wide variety of items inspired by key characters from the film, including HUNTR/X  and Saja Boys . Highlighted products include Duppy & Seo plush dolls and keyrings, apparel and accessories, K-pop–style goods such as random photocards, photocard holders, and collect books, as well as CD keyrings feat

The Korea National Park Service has issued a public appeal urging hikers to refrain from entering Seoraksan’s 1275 Peak, emphasizing that the area is an officially restricted zone. Located along the Dinosaur Ridge, 1275 Peak is not part of the designated hiking trail, yet it has gained popularity on social media as visitors climb it to post photos from the summit. This has caused growing concern for park authorities. The rocky peak rises about 20 meters above the official rou

Seoul’s historic Gwangjang Market in Jongno District is rapidly transforming from a traditional food market into a new hotspot for K-fashion and K-beauty. As Korea’s first permanent market, Gwangjang has long been a must-visit destination for tourists seeking authentic Korean street food like yukhoe (beef tartare) and bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes). But in recent years, its atmosphere has shifted dramatically — now, locals joke that visiting famous bakeries and then shoppin

Hikers eager to enjoy Korea’s vibrant autumn foliage have been met with disappointing news. The government has implemented an early “Autumn Mountain Fire Prevention Entry Ban” beginning October 20 — 12 days earlier than usual. The measure, aimed at supporting the upcoming APEC Summit in Gyeongju and responding to climate abnormalities, has sparked debate as it coincides with the peak foliage season. While some criticize the move as excessive, experts view it as a necessary sh

Limited-edition trading platform KREAM officially opened its first-ever flagship location, “KREAM DOSAN FLAGSHIP STORE,” near Dosan Park in Seoul’s Gangnam District on October 25. The store’s concept, titled “YOSAE” (meaning “fortress” and “the present”), reflects KREAM’s vision of creating a safe space  for trend-savvy visitors to experience the latest in fashion and lifestyle. Built upon KREAM’s online curation expertise, the store showcases today’s most popular fashion and

Adidas Korea will officially open its new concept space, “CAFÉ 3 STRIPES SEOUL,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on October 25. Designed as a community hub that bridges sports, fashion, and lifestyle, the new café is positioned as a cultural hotspot where visitors can share their tastes and experience new trends. The building’s exterior draws inspiration from German industrial design, blending concrete, brick, and steel structures to create a balance between classic and modern aesthe

🌿 The Hidden Gem of Korea: Jusanji Pond in Cheongsong In the quiet mountains of Cheongsong County, Gyeongsangbuk-do, lies a place that feels like a dream.At dawn, mist rises over the water, wrapping ancient trees that stretch skyward from beneath the pond.This magical scene became famous worldwide through director Kim Ki-duk’s film Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring . Surprisingly, Jusanji Pond isn’t natural — it’s an artificial reservoir  built in 1721 during Korea