Korean Pop Culture
Korean movies, Kdramas, bands in Korea, afterparties and more. (한국 영화, 드라마, 한국의 밴드, 파티 등.)
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Unwrap the Magic of Korea: 18 Unique Holiday Gifts for Your Loved Ones!
Looking for something extraordinary to gift this holiday season? Whether you’re surprising a loved one or treating yourself, these carefully curated Korean treasures will bring a touch of culture and charm to your celebrations. I love giving gifts from the country that I’ve decided to call home and if you have someone in your life interested in Korea, or at the very least interested in very aesthetically pleasing items, this list of unique gifts from Korea is for you. From traditional crafts to modern must-haves, this list is filled with gifts that go beyond ordinary and are sure to delight anyone on your list. Not your standard Korean souvenirs, this…
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HBAF Almonds: Everything You Need to Know About This Nutty South Korean Craze
If you have walked down the streets of Myeongdong in Seoul recently, there is no doubt that you have seen the vibrantly yellow-colored HBAF stores beckoning you in. This brand started out producing honey butter almonds, which have been a popular snack in Korea for many years, but in the past couple of years have evolved, introducing characters, new flavors of almonds, other nut mixes, and a variety of unique products, even opening a selection of flagship stores in the heart of Myeongdong! Myeongdong has some super fun and colorful places to go shopping including Butter Shop and tons of places to eat in Myeongdong, so plan some time there…
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Yanggaeng Is Trending In Korea Thanks To K-Pop
In yet another show of retro and traditional Korean products re-emerging and even trending in fact, yanggaeng (양갱) is hot! K-pop sensation Bibi’s latest hit, “Bam Yang Gang,” has stirred up a craze and yanggaeng, a traditional Korean jelly dessert, sales are trending up. First it was the newtro (뉴트로) trend and then the Halmennial, the combination of “halmeoni” (할머니), the word for grandmother in Korean, and “millennial” as younger connoisseurs were embracing all things nostalgic so it’s no surprise that yanggaeng is now reaping the rewards. Whether you want to try it because of the song, or are just interested in all things traditional Korean, let me fill you…
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The Photobooth Trend In Korea: Providing Unique Souvenir Memories
Photobooths are THRIVING in Korea. You can’t walk down the streets in popular meet-up districts like Hongdae, Sinchon, Seongsu, or Myeongdong and not find a photobooth to hop into. The trend of unmanned photoshops emerged a couple years back but doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and in fact, seems to be adapting and changing in ways you might not expect. Themed photobooths? Yes, and not the kinds of themes you might expect. Amidst the vibrant university neighborhoods, queues form in front of uniquely adorned photo booths, each offering a creative and fun way to capture memories in the more nostalgic paper form instead of in the captured in the…
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Beyond the Border: Korean Films That Reflect a Nation Divided
To South Koreans, North Korea is both the closest and the farthest place away. Not only in Korea, but abroad as well, North Korea has become a source of intrigue that has captivated the film industry. Amidst the division of North and South Korea, South Koreans, harboring fantasies of reconciliation and unification, find themselves drawn to content about inter-Korean relations, seeking to fulfill these fantasies through such narratives. Get ready to dive into how Korean dramas and movies have reflected and explored the complexities of a nation divided: War movies in Korea On June 25, 1950, with the onset of the Korean War, the Korean Peninsula was divided into North…
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Build An Epic Korea Itinerary By Visiting Crash Landing on You Filming Locations
If you are already interested in Korean content, chances are high that you have already heard about Crash Landing on You (사랑의 불시착). This Korean drama offers a deep exploration of the nature of love and human relationships, along with an understanding of the relationship between North and South Korea. Crash landing on You is not just a romantic comedy, but a drama that delivers a wide range of emotions that led to its major and continuous popularity. You could build a pretty epic Korea itinerary based on the filming locations in the Crash Landing On You Korean drama. Get ready to find beautiful places in the country: What is…
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Mystical Realms of Korean Mythology in Popular Films
Today, we embark on a fascinating journey to explore how Korean myths and folktales, more than just stories, have endured through time and continue to shape our understanding today. These ancient narratives are not merely legends; they are cultural treasures that unveil the richness and diversity of Korean culture. They bring to life a world where nature, humans, gods, and spirits intersect. Among Korea’s foundational myths is the tale of a bear and a tiger transformed into humans after consuming garlic and mugwort. We also encounter stories of mischievous doggae-be (goblins), known for stealing treasure and considered symbols of good fortune and protection, despite their playful nature. Another key element…
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Korean March 1st Movement: Movies To Watch For The Holiday
Among the pivotal events in Korean history, March 1st holds a deeply significant place. On that day in 1919, in collective defiance against Japanese colonial rule, the Korean people initiated Sam-il Un-dong (The March 1st Independence Movement / 3.1 운동). March 1st is now celebrated as one of South Korea’s five major national holidays. It is a day of remembrance and reflection, honoring the courage and unity of those who stood up for their nation’s independence. It serves as a solemn reminder of Korea’s history of sovereignty and the spirit of independence activists. Get ready to learn about the March 1st Independence Movement Day in Korea and movies to learn…
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From Forbidden Love to Terrifying Horrors: The Charm of Iconic Korean Dramas
As you check out the trending lists on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+, you can’t help but notice a recurring trend: Korean dramas are consistently stealing the spotlight more than ever before. It’s more than just a passing fad; it’s a global phenomenon. The Hallyu wave has truly washed ashore in just about every country at this point. Extending far beyond South Korea, these shows have effortlessly transcended geographical and linguistic barriers to captivate a diverse global audience. But what is it about Korean dramas that viewers are loving worldwide? Get ready to dive into five of the most iconic Korean dramas that are more than just entertaining…
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Korean Gastronomy on Display: A Deep Dive into Iconic Foods in K-Dramas
In Korean culture, the significance of food extends beyond the everyday table and integrates into language and media, particularly in Korean dramas and films. When greeting someone in Korea, instead of asking “How are you?”, you may have noticed that people ask, “Have you eaten?” If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama or film you may have picked up on this, but the food on the table in each scene can also be an important narrative tool. In many cases, filmmakers and producers have used specific Korean dishes in order to tell the viewer something about the people that are eating together. Specific Korean dishes can play a pivotal role…
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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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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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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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A List of K-Dramas With Great Stories and Catchy Music
This list of Korean dramas probably isn’t like other lists you’ve seen. It’s not a list of the best K-dramas of all time, or the top Korean dramas of this year even. My husband, Jae-oo Jeong, is a guitarist and music producer and he has written and produced music for almost 20 Korean dramas… I might be forgetting a few. This list is a list for the Korean drama lover of music and good OSTs. I might be a bit bias, but I can say without a doubt that my husband and his team were some of the first music producers in Korea to produce musical scores for Korean television…
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How To Get Korean Snacks Outside of Korea
I don’t know about you, but I love Korean snacks. There’s sweet, savory, salty, something for everyone really. Also there are special snack releases in Korea, seasonal snack releases in Korea, and Kpop related snack releases in Korea. Just… so many options! You might need to visit Korea to see what I mean. But, even if you can’t visit now or later, you can still get some awesome Korean snacks shipped right to your door and here’s how. Get Korean snacks right to your door with this Korean snack subscription box: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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Fall Fashion In Korea: The Trends To Know
Fashion plays an important role in how we perceive a culture and helps us express ourselves in various ways. In Korea’s case, the bold and unique K-pop style, the traditional Hanbok (한복), and the clean everyday, or minimalist look are the most common styles that we see overall. If you’ve been following the Korean fashion trends, then you know how people worldwide are now embracing the Korean styles more and more. You probably also know how fast the trends in Korean fashion change. What is hot on a drama one day, is not just a week later. While we’re all just trying to keep up, there are some main stays…
![Hantangang Sky Bridge [한탄강하늘다리], Pocheon, Korea](https://thesoulofseoul.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_6700-2.jpg)
