KOREAN NEWS

Controversy is mounting over "mass camping" by fans aiming to secure prime viewing spots for the upcoming BTS concert near the Gwanghwamun area on the 21st. With dozens of posts on social media organizing overnight stays in the Gwanghwamun area, authorities are struggling with the limitations of safety enforcement and crowd control. A significant factor contributing to this trend is the skyrocketing cost of local accommodations, with prices jumping five to six times higher th

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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

A total ban on the use of power banks will be implemented across all 11 domestic airlines in South Korea, including Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. This measure is a robust safety response to recent incidents of power bank fires and smoke emissions occurring in-flight. Under the new policy, passengers are prohibited from charging the power banks themselves or using them to charge electronic devices, such as smartphones, while on board. While carrying power banks onto the airc

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

Ahead of the Spring 2026 transitional season, leather jackets are recording explosive growth. According to an analysis by the select shop 29CM, transaction volume for jackets over the past two weeks (January 26 to February 8) surged by more than 526% compared to the same period last year, while search volume more than doubled compared to the previous month. This craze stems from the "2016 is the new 2016" trend spreading across social media, reflecting a demand to reinterpret

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

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

Finding a reliable Korean buying agent  is the first step toward a successful international shopping or sourcing journey. Whether you want something from Korea but don't have the time to visit, or you're looking to import products for your business but are unsure which partner to trust, we are here to help. To ensure a seamless experience, we are pleased to introduce the 6 defining standards of ONLINE-KOREA.   Please use this guide as a reference when choosing your profession

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

The original soundtrack (OST) "Golden" from the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters" won the "Best Song Written for Visual Media" category at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 1 (local time). This award is presented to the songwriters of the track, and major Korean producers and composers, including Teddy, EJAE, 24, and IDO, were named as the winners. This marks the first instance where the core K-pop production and creative staff, rather than musi

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

Nongshim’s flagship product, Shin Ramyun, was featured on the popular ABC late-night talk show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on the 26th (local time), garnering significant attention. During the broadcast, regular cast member Guillermo Rodriguez appeared in a humorous skit where he relieved daily fatigue with the "deliciously spicy taste" of Shin Ramyun. By naturally integrating the product into the content rather than using a forceful advertisement, the segment drew positive reaction

Located in Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Junghwa Reservoir is a hidden sanctuary perfect for those seeking peace and "water-gazing" (mulmung).  The centerpiece of this destination is "Gayatgyo," an 800-meter floating deck road that sits just above the water's surface. Walking along this path gives you the surreal sensation of gliding across the lake, with the surrounding mountains reflected perfectly in the mirror-like water—a must-visit for photography enthusiasts. At the hear

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