Korean Pop Culture
Korean movies, Kdramas, bands in Korea, afterparties and more. (한국 영화, 드라마, 한국의 밴드, 파티 등.)
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Top 7 Kpop Groups of All Time: Who do you think is on the list?
If you’re interested in Korean culture, it’s almost impossible to miss Kpop. Korean pop or Kpop refers to the Korean pop groups that have swept the world over the past two decades. Well-known for their flashy clothes, catchy beats, and pretty faces, it’s no wonder Kpop has become so popular. Kpop has become a global phenomenon and the artists have created some of the top songs in the world today. New to Kpop and want to know which Korean music groups to check out? Or maybe want to join the debate on the top Kpop groups today? Read on to find the most popular Kpop groups old and new, as…
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The Man Who Laughs: A Musical To See In Korea Now!
Did you know that you can see musicals at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts? Musicals are a really popular way to tell stories, and they’re no less popular in Korea. Sometimes Kpop Idols will take up roles in musicals and bring even more attention to them. One example of this happening now is with The Man Who Laughs (웃는남자). When this musical first premiered, EXO’s Suho and Super Junior’s Kyuhyun played the lead role of Gwynplaine. Even though they aren’t in the show anymore, it’s still an incredibly good story with a lot of emotion that a lot of people can relate to. How to see The Man Who…
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The Korean PC Bang: Everything To Know Before You Go!
In an electronically advanced city like Seoul, there lies an active underground society that spends day after day in the safe area of their own temporary personal cubicle. With access to the internet, food, and familiarity—who would ever want to leave? The legendary PC bang. PC rooms are a safe haven for gamers of all games, or people that don’t want the hassle of buying a personal computer. PC bangs are multifaceted and useful to any foreigner when it comes to having a consistent connection to the rest of the world via the internet. If you want to learn more about the Korean PC room and how to find one,…
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Infinity Flying: An Exciting Non-Verbal Korean Musical
Telling stories through song and dance has been a vital part of every culture around the world since the beginning of time, and Korea is no different. Musicals are a great way to spend an evening while you’re in Korea. If you’re looking to see a musical, Infinity Flying is a great choice. Though it is less of a musical and more of an acrobatics show, it’s still a lot of fun. This performance is also good if you’re looking for family-friendly and tourist-friendly shows to see, since it’s non-verbal. Since this comedic show relies mostly on actions to tell the story, it’s easy for kids to follow along with,…
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A Guide to KPop Lightsticks: What to Know and Where to Get Them
Having seen a number of KPop acts over the years while living in Korea, the idea of the lightsticks wasn’t new to me. However, I was recently working on a trends project for a company and realized just how vast the KPop lightstick phenom is. I went down the rabbit hole and have found the best websites to buy Kpop lightsticks online right now. These days, whether you’re at concerts in person or watching shows live online, Kpop lightsticks can even sync to the show so those at home can get in on the light fun too. It’s really quite amazing. My husband, who is an indie musician here in…
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Everything You Need To Know To Buy A Modern Hanbok Online
Are you ready to buy a modern Hanbok? Have you seen some of your favorite K-pop artists wearing Hanboks? Or maybe you’re just getting ready for an upcoming Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, or Seollal, Lunar New Year, holiday. Whatever the reason, here is everything you need to know to buy a modern Hanbok online. I have four Hanboks myself, a traditional Hanbok and three modern Hanboks, and I’m ready to get you ready to buy a Hanbok yourself. Traditional has become trendy. Get your modern Hanbok now: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to…
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Squid Game: All Of The Games Explained So You Can Play Too!
Something about ‘Squid Game’ has struck a nerve and it has apparently become a worldwide phenom. That doesn’t happen often with a Korean drama but this Netflix hit seems to have been the show to do it and has taken the world by storm. Squid Game became the No.1 show on Netflix worldwide and instead of just a one season wonder, it was picked up for a second season and a real life ‘Squid Game: The Challenge” came to be as well. If you haven’t seen ‘Squid Game’ yet, then get on it! If you have watched the nine episode survival drama, then you probably already know what your Halloween…
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To All The Boys: Always and Forever & Where They Went In Seoul
The third and final installment of ‘To All The Boys’ went live last night, February 12th, and of course I was watching. The film titled ‘To All The Boys: Always And Forever’ kicks off with Lara Jean’s family traveling to Seoul, Korea and of course as someone who lives here, I was stoked to see so many places I recognized. Their whirlwind trip to the capital of Korea will make anyone who hasn’t visited want to come, and anyone who has been want to revisit. Want to follow in Lara Jean’s footsteps, see Seoul and be inspired by travel? Here are the places in Seoul shown in the movie ‘To…
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O’Sulloc Tea: Why It’s The Best Souvenir Or Gift From Korea
Ever wonder what the best souvenir in Korea is? It’s one of the top asked questions in expat groups. People are headed home and want to take a gift. Family is coming and want to take gifts back. While there are various options, I think O’Sulloc tea is the absolute best souvenir and gift from Korea. Not only is it from Korea and homegrown, but it’s also a premier product. O’Sulloc Tea is one of those brands that can convert people I think. It’s just that good. Honestly, I’ve given a ton of Korean-centric gifts in the past decade while living in Korea from the metal chopstick sets with holsters…
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A List Of The Best Gifts To Give Your Korea Loving Friends & Family
More and more people around the world are interested in Korea whether it be due to K-Pop or K-Dramas, or a friend that lives in Korea and can’t stop talking about it maybe, I’m not sure. Whatever the case, there are is a ton of interest in South Korea these days and there are plenty of unique gifts to send our Koreaphile friends and family abroad. Whether you need a gift for the K-drama fan, K-pop fan, or maybe the Korean language learner, I’ve got you covered. Here is the ultimate list of Korean gifts suitable for any holiday. Whether you’re looking for a birthday gift, Christmas gift, or just…
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Leesle Hanboks: Where To Buy One
For a time it seemed as though the Hanbok was about to go completely out of fashion in Korea. Seen as only appropriate on special occasions and holidays, the traditional Korean clothing that was originally daily-wear wasn’t daily anymore. That was until designers in Korea, like Leesle, took their passions and put their own modern twists on the traditional Korean dress that has been coming back with resounding applause and style and has even been seen on catwalks in major fashion shows. Leesle Hanboks are both simple and complex but maintain a beautiful balance exactly as they were originally designed. What’s better is you don’t have to be in Korea…
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Yes, You Just Saw Me On CNN & PBS In The Same Week!
January was a good month. Not only was I asked to participate in an episode of Point Of View on CNN, but an episode I had filmed with Samantha Brown on her latest show Places To Love aired. Bing Bang Boom! Here’s what you missed. This just in: I was on CNN’s program ‘South Korea POV’. POV stands for Point-Of-View and the premise of the show is that a local will guide viewers around a city. Having lived in Seoul for the past twelve years, I can say confidently that I am pretty adept at getting around, finding things on and off the beaten path and consistently try to share…
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The Seoul Derby: The Scavenger Hunt You’ll Want To Join
I have now hosted this event four times and I can honestly say it just keeps getting better and better. This year teams were in it to win it weeks in advance. The way the derby works for anyone that hasn’t partaken, teams of four sign up. I limit it to twenty teams because it’s pretty dang hard to find an ending location where 80+ people can get together in all honesty. Having twenty teams really makes it spectacular though. The teams sign up without knowing where the starting location will be. I do this because I can’t have anyone finding the event online and rocking up at the last…
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Seoul Cosmetic Surgery: The Medical Concierge Service That’s Right For You
South Korea has the highest per capita rate of cosmetic surgery in the world, so it stands to reason that a fair number of people coming to Korea are coming for the sole reason of getting something done. Cosmetic Surgery Tourism, or medical tourism in Korea, attracts people from around the world each year and if it were me, I’d want to know who I could really trust to get the job that I want done, done. That’s where Mona Hanson and Dean Seol, the creators of Seoul Cosmetic Surgery, come in. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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Every Single Day: Korean Dramas & Olympic Dreams
Sometimes I forget that I have a front row seat to everything Every Single Day. I assume everyone else knows what they’re up to so seldom write about the band or what my husband is doing with the band. If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ll know that I shared in an Insta-story a bit back that my husband was in the hospital with pneumonia which he basically got because he had bronchitis but was so busy recording and preparing for concerts that he neglected himself. To say he’s been busy is an understatement. That’s not a bad thing when done right though. My husband is a guitarist in…
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Crazy Multiply: The Seoul Art Collective To Follow
Some years ago, in 2013 to be exact, this cool art collective named Crazy Multiply officially debuted in Seoul to play host to some neat events that sought to bring art and music, people and bevvies together in an atmosphere where art could be more approachable and people could collaborate. The art collective which was originally established by Amy Smith, Olivia McNair and Laura MacDonald quickly found a following. It seemed there were many expat and Korean artists looking for something a bit unorthodox and more intrinsic in order to show off their artistic talents. A lot has changed since the beginning, namely the three ladies who established the collective have…
