Korea & Kpop

☕ Korean Coffee Culture: Why Do Koreans Love Coffee So Much? If you visit South Korea, you will quickly notice something interesting: Koreans love coffee. You can find coffee almost everywhere—from convenience stores and offices to small neighborhood cafés and large international coffee chains. Many Koreans drink coffee several times a day. Some start their morning with instant mix coffee, while others prefer an iced Americano from a café. Coffee has become much more than a simple beverage in Korea. It is connected to work, social life, relaxation, studying, business meetings, travel, and everyday lifestyle. So how did Korea develop such a strong coffee culture? 1. A Brief History of Coffee in Korea Coffee was introduced to Korea during the late 19th century and was initially associated with the royal court and upper classes. Later, coffee became more accessible through dabang , traditional Korean coffeehouses. During the 1960s and 1970s, dabang culture became an important part of urba...

Car insurance is an important annual expense for anyone who owns or drives a vehicle in Korea. However, the cheapest policy is not always the one with the lowest advertised price. Your actual premium can vary depending on your age, driving history, vehicle, mileage, accident history, coverage level, and available discounts. The good news is that there are several practical ways to reduce your car insurance premium without unnecessarily reducing important coverage. Here is a simple guide to help you compare and save. 1. Consider Direct Car Insurance One of the easiest ways to reduce your premium is to compare direct car insurance . Direct insurance is usually purchased online or through a mobile application without using an insurance agent. This can reduce distribution costs and may result in a lower premium than an equivalent offline policy. Major insurers in Korea offer direct car insurance products, so it is useful to compare several companies rather than automatically renewing with ...

If you are a foreigner living in Korea or an overseas investor interested in Korean financial markets, you may have heard about ETFs, ETNs and TDFs . These products can provide exposure to Korean stocks, bonds, semiconductors, global indexes and other assets without having to buy individual securities one by one. But ETFs, ETNs and TDFs have different structures, risks, taxation and withdrawal rules. This guide explains the basics and also covers how foreign investors can open an investment account in Korea . 1. What Is an ETF? ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund. An ETF is a fund that invests in a group of assets and is traded on a stock exchange like an ordinary stock. For example, an ETF may invest in: Korean large-cap stocks KOSPI 200 U.S. S&P 500 stocks Nasdaq 100 Korean semiconductor companies Government bonds Corporate bonds Dividend stocks Gold or other commodities The biggest advantage of an ETF is diversification . Instead of buying 20 different stocks individually, an in...

Chuseok in Korea 2026 History, Traditions, Foods, Free Attractions and Travel Tips If you are visiting Korea in September, there is one traditional holiday you should know about: Chuseok (추석) . Often called “Korean Thanksgiving,” Chuseok is one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea. It is a time for families to come together, celebrate the autumn harvest, remember their ancestors, enjoy traditional food, and spend time with relatives. In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25 , the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. The official Chuseok holiday is September 24–26, while the nationwide holiday period extends through Sunday, September 27. For foreign visitors, Chuseok is also an excellent opportunity to experience traditional Korean culture. 🌕 What Is Chuseok? Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month , when the autumn full moon appears. It is also known as Hangawi (한가위) . The word “Han” can mean “great,” while “gawi” refers...

For many years, Korean stock investors had to finish their trading before the regular market closed at 3:30 PM. That has changed. With NXT (Nextrade) , Korea's alternative trading system, investors can trade eligible Korean stocks during additional market sessions, including an after-hours market . This is particularly useful for people who cannot actively trade during regular market hours, such as office workers and international investors following Korean stocks. So, how does Korea's after-hours stock market work, and what should investors be careful about? Let's take a closer look. What Is the Korean After-Hours Stock Market? An after-hours market allows investors to trade stocks after the regular trading session has ended. In Korea, NXT provides additional trading sessions alongside the traditional Korea Exchange (KRX). The NXT market is divided into several sessions: Market Trading Hours Pre-Market 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM Main Market 9:00:30 AM – 3:20 PM After-Market 3:40 PM...

After a long period of individual activities and military service, BTS is back as a complete seven-member group. RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are once again appearing together, and fans around the world are excited to see a new chapter in the BTS story. For BTS, 2026 is a particularly meaningful year. With the release of “ARIRANG” and a major world tour, the group is creating a new era after their military-service hiatus. 💜 1. BTS Is Together Again BTS's hiatus was different from an ordinary break taken by a music group. The members entered military service at different times, which meant that full-group activities had to pause. During that period, however, the members continued to grow through solo albums, performances, and individual projects. After SUGA completed his service in 2025, all seven members were finally able to return to group activities. For ARMY, seeing all seven members together again has been one of the most exciting moments in recent BTS histo...