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The Halmennial Trend In Korea And What It Means
Even if you haven’t yet heard of the Halmennial (할매니얼) trend in Korea, you might have noticed the bits and bobs that make up the trend. From traditional snacks becoming so cool, they’re chic rather than traditional, to “ajumma pants” taking center stage in girls’ trips, the Halmennial trend is all around. Halmennial, the combination of “halmeoni” (할머니), the word for grandmother in Korean, and “millennial” is the next stage of the “newtro” trend in Korea. Ready to get retro? Ready to go even further and embrace the grandmother inside of you? You might already be on trend then. Get ready to get retro in Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
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Korean Dad Jokes: Or Jokes Your Bilingual Kids Will Love
For a little background, in my house, we’re constantly speaking English and Korean. My husband speaks only Korean with our daughter and I speak only English with her so every conversation between the three of us is bilingual. Now, kids can be… funny. I love that laugh when my daughter thinks she gets a joke but really doesn’t, but sees us laughing so she laughs. Fake it ’til you make it right? I really like that laugh when she thinks she’s told us the funniest thing ever and thus I’ve learned a lot of what I would call “Korean dad jokes”, called “아재개그” (ajaegaegeu) in Korean, but from my 8…
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Where To Learn About The Korean Poet Yoon Dong Ju in Seoul
The first time I visited the Yoon Dong Ju Literature Museum (윤동주문학관) in Seoul, Korea was after I hiked along Bugaksan Mountain. I’d come down through Changuimun Gate (창의문) after hiking along the Seoul Fortress Wall and this intriguing museum sat near the bus stop. I stopped in briefly just to see what it was all about and made note to go back. A Korean poet who wrote his poems while under Japanese colonial rule to fight Korean censorship preserve the Korean language, and push for Korean independence, there was only one copy of Yoon Dong Ju’s most famous work “The Sky, the Wind, the Stars, and the Poem” (하늘과바람과별과시)…
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30 Korean Superstitions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Superstitions exist everywhere and they’re good to know if at the very least to not offend someone or accidentally create some sort of faux pas. If you’ll be traveling to Korea or living in Korea and wonder if there are Korean superstitions (미신), well there are! From accidental death by fan to red ink causing a stir, there are plenty of superstitions in Korea you should be aware of… or beware of. Superstitions may just be quirky beliefs to some, but they can bring on ritualistic behavior by others. Korea has a history steeped in folklore and mythology and brings together beliefs in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shamanism which means there…
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BTS Butter Beach: Otherwise Known As Maengbang Beach in Samcheok
I hadn’t headed to Samcheok to see the BTS Butter Beach per se, but while we were driving from our pension to a nearby viewpoint, we spotted the BTS sign and orange parasols and had to pull over to check it out. Off of peak swimming season and in the early morning, there were only a few locals taking walks on the shore of Maengbang Beach (맹방해수욕장) so we had the K-pop music video spot to ourselves. Samcheok has beautiful beaches, but they were fairly quiet in this area as most tourists flocked to the Gangneung area for beaches, beauty, and fun. It was actually one of the least visited…
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Korean Holidays: Days Off and Unofficial Days To Remember
South Korea has a mix of traditional and modern holidays, with various celebrations that take place across the country. From national holidays, or red days, where workers get the day off like the Korean New Year, to the unofficial but fun holidays like Pepero Day, get ready to celebrate with Korea. Make sure you know about these South Korean holidays so you can plan your trip or if you’re a resident, year, accordingly. Some holidays see just about everything shut down at least for a few hours, while some holidays in Korea are still work days. Make sure you know which is which and what to do when. Get ready…
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Culture Station Seoul 284: Free Art Exhibitions and Experiences
In the heart of Seoul, Korea near one of the busiest, if not the busiest, station sits an old building that houses stories to tell and free exhibitions to tell them. The Culture Station Seoul 284 (문화역 서울 284) is one of my favorite places to visit and it’s just outside of the bustling Seoul Station. Passerby on nearby Seoullo 7017 over look this building while taxis and buses stop out front dropping off travelers. It’s busy around Seoul Station all of the time, and yet Culture Station Seoul 284 manages to be a hidden gem of quiet and calm. Get ready to see more in downtown Seoul. Here’s what…
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Epik Fail? No, it’s EPIK AI. The Yearbook Trend Sweeping The Internet
If you’ve been scrolling through your social media feeds lately, you might have noticed a nostalgic trend sweeping the internet, it’s like everyone just went through their old photo albums and found their neato 90s yearbook photos. In this digital era, the latest craze is all about reliving your high school memories with a ’90s twist, the AI yearbook trend is thanks to the EPIK AI photo editor. Nostalgia has been trending in South Korea for the past few years and got even stronger throughout the COVID period and it has been showcased through an onslaught of interest in traditional snacks, or retro snacks in original packaging. Retro arcades and…
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Things To Do In Sindang, aka the ‘Hip’dang of Seoul
A mix of old-Seoul rice vendors and newtro bars and restaurants, Sindang, aka “Hipdang” has a unique mix of things to find. Centered around one of the three largest traditional markets in Seoul, Korea, young people are flocking to the old alleys of this unassuming area where it’s not so neat and tidy but that’s what makes it fun. The area around Sindang Station has a lot to find and the exteriors of most of them are gritty and will leave you wondering where the door is, but that’s what makes finding cafes, restaurants, and shops in Sindang fun. Get ready to dive in. Get ready to see more and…
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The Korean Dojang: How To Get A Korean Name Stamp
If you’re living in Korea and you’ve ever wondered why the area to put your signatures on forms is so small, the answer is the dojang. I’m sure I’m not the only one that went from a full name signature to just using my initials when signing everything from bank books to contracts after moving to Korea. Wondering what that name stamp is every Korean person seems to have when they go to sign a contract? Let me fill you in. In Korea, a dojang (도장) is a seal or stamp with one’s name or signature. Whether you want one for legal purposes in Korea or if you are just…
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Which immigration office in Seoul should I go to?
Yes, you read that right. Which one? There are THREE immigration offices in Seoul, Korea and while that might seem great, it has and can cause a lot of confusion when you go to book an appointment to get things done. Need to renew your visa in Korea? Reserve a visit to your immigration office in Seoul? First, make sure you know where to go. You do NOT have a choice about which immigration office to go to. It all depends on your local address. Once you now where you’re going, continue reading to find out what information you need to report to the Korean immigration office in Korea when…
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What is Hangul Day?
When you start living in Korea, one of the first things you do is look up all of the national holidays so you know when you have off from work, right? Or, was that just me? Either way, you figured out the holidays in Korea at some point and a holiday in October every year you probably noted was Hangul Day. A celebration that goes beyond marking a historical event, it is a celebration of language, the commitment to preserving a cultural identity through language, and it can be a pretty fun day off. Over the years, Hangul Day has evolved from a symbol of resistance to a vibrant celebration…
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The Korean Stone Art Museum Now Museum Wave: Statues & Media Art
It’s always fun to find the museum gems in Seoul, Korea and finding them when no one else is there. I’ve visited and love to continually visit the numerous art museums in Seoul, but recently, I made my way to the Korean Stone Art Museum (우리옛돌박물관), nestled in the picturesque Seongbuk-dong district. The museum has undergone a transformation and now there’s also a Museum Wave (뮤지엄 웨이브). From contemporary art to cultural stories and statues, this is a cool museum to find in Seoul. Set on the side of a mountain, it’s not the easiest place to find (actually, it’s easy to get to via public transportation, but it’s not…
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Bank of Korea Money Museum in Myeongdong: A Hidden Gem
Most people go to Myeongdong for shopping or maybe for all of the delicious street food, but there are some really interesting hidden gems in Myeongdong and museums that people could easily walk by. The Bank of Korea Money Museum (한국은행 화폐박물관) is one of those hidden gems in a beautiful historical building in downtown Seoul. Learn more about the history of currency culture in Korea and abroad, how currency is made, and check out some really interesting currency design from around the world. Get ready to learn about money in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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12 Korean Drinking Games: A Guide to the Fun and Frolic
Korean drinking culture is a unique and vibrant world. There are rules for nights out and all of the drinking rounds in Korea and fun drinking games too. Whether you’re enjoying a night out with Korean friends or exploring the lively streets of Seoul, you’re bound to either see others playing or be in the midst of some super fun Korean drinking games. These games add a layer of excitement and camaraderie to the drinking experience, making it all the more memorable. Let’s dive into the world of Korean drinking games and discover how to play some of the most popular ones… and then make sure you know all of…
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Kid-Friendly Food in Korea: No Kids’ Menus But Lots Of Food
If you’re planning a trip to Korea or have recently moved here with your little ones, you might be wondering: Do kids’ menus exist at restaurants in Korea? Whether you’re visiting Korea or living in Korea, so much of the experience is about eating out. There are a ton of awesome things to do with kids in Seoul but dining out with children in Korea can seem daunting. If you don’t have much experience with Korean menus or kid-friendly Korean food, I’ll try to provide some guidance to help you with your kids or just picky eaters in general. Korea is known for its rich culinary traditions, which can be…
