Trends
ChiikawaMerchChiikawa the Movie Passes 1.9 Million Viewers in Korea: Why It's a Hit and How to Get the CGV Popcorn Bucket
Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of Mermaid Island retook No. 1 in its third week and passed 1.9 million viewers in Korea. Here's the box office story and the CGV popcorn bucket rules.
10.24–25SeosanBirdwatchingBirdwatching for Beginners: Seosan Cheonsuman Bird Festival, Oct 24–25, With 100,000 Winter Birds
More than 100,000 winter birds have arrived at Cheonsuman Bay. Here's the Seosan Birdland migratory bird festival (Oct 24–25), its birding contest and activities, and a first-timer's checklist.
SeasonalChestnutsGongjuChestnut Season in Korea: How to Enjoy Autumn Chestnuts and a Gongju Trip
October is fresh chestnut season in Korea. Ways to eat them, how to pick and roast, Gongju's Gongsanseong Fortress area and the Winter Gongju Roasted Chestnut Festival.
InteriorGen ZHome decorBeyond Beige: The Gummy Bear Aesthetic and Dopamine Decor Home Trends
The gummy bear aesthetic and dopamine decor swap neutral rooms for soft shapes and bold color. What they are, the search numbers behind them, and easy ways to try them.
Eulji-ro, SeoulMarketJungbu Market's Oil Mill Alley in Seoul: Why Japanese Visitors Buy Sesame and Perilla Oil
Jungbu Market's oil mill alley in Eulji-ro 4-ga, Seoul has become a shopping stop for Japanese visitors buying sesame and perilla oil. Why it's popular, reported figures and what to check.
Oct 27New itemsRetroGambas Jjapaghetti Hits Emart Oct 27, Captain Q Rum Returns After 11 Years: October's New Items (2026)
Nongshim's Gambas Jjapaghetti launches at Emart on October 27, and Lotte Chilsung's Captain Q rum returns after 11 years. Launch dates, what's inside, prices and what to check before buying.
CountrysideWWOOFWWOOF Korea Guide: Help on a Farm for Room and Board This Autumn (Fees and How to Apply)
WWOOF lets you work 4–6 hours a day on a farm in exchange for a bed and meals. Here's what WWOOF Korea costs, how to apply, and what to check before you go.
K-trendsSouvenirs3 K-Trends Bigger Abroad Than in Korea: Peppo, ROKA Tees, Olive Young Tote
Buldak's mascot Peppo, the army-issue ROKA T-shirt and Olive Young's 3,000-won tarpaulin bag. Three K-trends getting more attention overseas, with checked figures.
10.12New snackNongshimNongshim's Neoguring Launches Oct 12: Neoguri Ramyun Meets Onion Rings
Nongshim launches Neoguring on October 12, a snack blending Neoguri seafood ramyun flavor with its onion ring chips. Where the idea came from and what to expect.
SeoulDessertLong linesHanjeongseon Fruit Mochi in Seoul: Locations, Prices, Lines and the GS25 Yogurt Mochi (2026)
Hanjeongseon sells fruit-filled rice cakes for about ₩6,000 each, and people still queue for them. Where the stores are, prices, why it went viral, and the ₩3,900 version at GS25.
Oct 1VegetarianTrendWorld Vegetarian Day: An Easy Way to Eat Veggies in Seoul, No Vegan Label Needed
October 1 is World Vegetarian Day. Here is the relaxed way many people in Korea try plant-based eating, plus how to find veggie-forward meals in Seoul.
SkateboardingYeouidoWhere to Try Skateboarding in Seoul: Yeoui Rolling Zone at Yeouido Hangang Park
A guide to Seoul's Yeoui Rolling Zone: location, free entry, beginner and general courses, the helmet rule and what to bring. Korea's first Asian Games skateboarding gold added to the interest.
BusanWildlifeBukangi the Shark at Busan's North Port Waterfront Park: Timeline, Official Video and Visiting Tips
Bukangi, a shark that entered a canal at Busan's North Port Waterfront Park on Sept 18, drew over a million visits. The timeline, the failed Oct 2 guiding effort, and tips for visiting safely.
Gen ZTrend keywordsFive Korean Gen Z Trend Keywords for 2026: NetWHATking, Scroll Pick, Balance-shim and More
KT's 2026 Gen Z trend keywords, explained: NetWHATking, Scroll Pick, Balance-shim, Hyeonjae-jinhaenglyeok and Try-ator, from a student marketing program and a youth research institute.
Sep 11–13HobbyModel carsModel Car Hobby Guide: Diecast, Kits, Mini 4WD and R/C, Plus Korea's Tamiya Asia Cup 2026 Wins
A beginner's guide to model cars: how diecast models, build kits, Mini 4WD and R/C cars differ, what to check before buying, and how Korean racers did at the Tamiya Asia Cup 2026.
Seoul shoppingTax refundShopping in Seoul as a Visitor: Olive Young, Musinsa Standard, Daiso and How Tax Refunds Work
Where foreign visitors shop in Seoul beyond duty-free: Olive Young, Musinsa Standard and Daiso. Store details, tax-refund basics and what to check before you buy.
9.17~Mom's TouchLimitedA Little Korean Lantern on a Bag: Mom's Touch's Keyring
Mom's Touch's light-up cheongsachorong keyring comes with its "Light Up" meal sets from Sept 17 while stocks last. Set prices, the two designs, buying it alone, and what to check first.
TeaExperiencesTea Experiences in Korea: Hohyeondang in Seoul, Hapcheon and Tips for Brewing Tea Outdoors
Where to try a Korean tea experience (Hohyeondang on Namsan, Hapcheon Tripitaka Theme Park), how to book, and a short checklist for brewing tea in a park.
RunningGPS artGPS Drawing Runs in Seoul: The 8 km Dog-Shaped 'Daengdaeng Run' Route and How to Try It
How GPS drawing runs work, the 8 km dog-shaped Seoul route through Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, Samcheong-dong and Insadong, the copyright story, and etiquette for shared streets.
SmoothiesWellnessWhere to Try Smoothies in Korea: Twelve Wonder Bar in Cheongdam and CU's Real Smoothie
A smoothie guide for Korea: House of Shinsegae Cheongdam's Twelve Wonder Bar, CU's Real Smoothie machines (₩3,500 for new flavors, 500,000 sold) and what to check on the label.
SleepWellnessKorea's Sleep-Tech Trend: What the Data Says About Time in Bed vs Sleep, and Habits to Try
Reported data from Asleep: 6 hours 39 minutes in bed and 5 hours 25 minutes asleep for Korean users. What sleep tech is, what a sleep score can and cannot show, and NHLBI sleep habits.
K-beautyODMWhat ODM Means in K-Beauty: Korean Makers Behind Global Brands and How to Read a Cosmetics Label
ODM (original development manufacturing) explained: how Korean makers like Kolmar and Cosmax develop products for other brands, reported partners of Rare Beauty and Fenty Beauty, and what 'Made in Korea' does and does not tell you.
SouvenirsRegional goodsRegional Souvenir T-Shirts in Korea: Where to Find Gongju, Tongyeong, Jeju and Busan Designs
Town-name T-shirts have become a travel purchase in Korea. Examples from Gongju, Tongyeong, Gangneung, Jeju (Uniqlo x local brands) and Busan, plus buying tips.
ONGOKorean designONGO Knot Caps: Korean Traditional Knotwork on a Baseball Cap (Seoul My Soul Range, Prices and Buying Tips)
ONGO sells baseball caps with maedeup (traditional Korean knot) details, including its Seoul My Soul range. Designs, listed prices as of September 2026 and what to check before buying.
RobloxOnline hangoutsRoblox for Adults in Korea: What It Is, Midnight Plaza, Robux Costs and What to Check
Why people in their 20s and 30s are using Roblox in Korea: what the platform is, the Midnight Plaza dance experience, how Robux and in-game purchases work, and what to check before joining.
DaisoBudget shoppingDaiso Korea Guide: ₩500–₩5,000 Price Tiers, the Myeongdong Branch and Bag-Charm Shopping Tips
How Daiso's fixed price tiers work, what sells best, the 12-floor Myeongdong Station branch, and how to shop for bag charms (baek-kku) without overbuying.
New snacksSeptember 2026New Korean Snacks, September 2026: Han River Ramyeon, Poca Chip Hwang Cheese, Earl Grey Cake and a Twosome Collab
A checked list of September 2026 snack launches in Korea: Ottogi's Han River Ramyeon, Orion's Poca Chip Hwang Cheese, Haitai's Earl Grey & Chocolat cake and a Twosome Place collaboration cake.
Sober curiousNon-alcoholicSober Curious in Korea: Making Room for a Different Kind of Night Out
A 2026 Opensurvey report points to changing drinking habits among younger Korean adults. What that means for a more flexible night with friends.
TrendsFirst week of Sept5 Things Trending in Korea (First Week of September 2026): From AI Dramas to a Fry Holder
AI-made romance fantasy shorts, multi-age tastes, a comment meme, baseball mascots and a drive-thru-only fry holder: Korea's first-week-of-September trends, with what could be verified.
K-foodK-beautyWhy Korean Ramyun and K-Beauty Are Growing in India: What the Export Numbers Show
Korea's exports to India hit $16.8 billion in Jan–Aug, up 30.8%, with noodles up 54.7% and beauty up 19.2%. Why K-food and K-beauty are rising there, and how to read the numbers.