South Korea's fashion scene has been making waves globally, captivating fashion enthusiasts with its unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. From streetwear to high-end luxury, Korean clothing brands continue to redefine fashion boundaries and set trends worldwide. In this article, we will explore some more popular clothing brands in Korea that have gained immense popularity and have their own unique identity.
ART BY MARK GONZALES, also known as "What it isNt," is a distinctive "culture street" brand rooted in the creative artistry of legendary skateboarder and artist Mark Gonzales. The brand's inception dates back to 2001 when Gonzales and Tommy Guerrero collaborated on the "What it isNt" CD. What isn't brand captures the essence of urban culture, offering trendy and innovative designs that fuse skate culture with artistic expression, making it a standout player in Korea's dynamic fashion industry.
Established in 2010, Thisisneverthat challenges conventional fashion norms by embracing a rebellious and urban aesthetic. With its emphasis on edgy designs, the brand has successfully captured the attention of young streetwear enthusiasts worldwide. Combining vintage elements with contemporary cuts and graphic prints makes Thisisneverthat a go-to choice for those seeking bold and dynamic fashion statements.
Founded in 2007 by Choi Jieun, Lifework focuses on comfortable and functional designs catering to diverse age groups and styles. The brand's popularity lies in its ability to balance fashion-forwardness and everyday wearability. With an emphasis on practicality and modern aesthetics, Lifework has become a staple in the wardrobes of many Korean fashion enthusiasts.
Covernat is a young Korean fashion brand established by designer Cho Kyoungmo in 2014. Urban subcultures, grunge, punk, and hip-hop aesthetics heavily influence the brand's designs. They often feature bold patterns, distressed detailing, and unconventional silhouettes.
ALAND is a multi-brand concept store that offers a curated selection of local and international fashion labels. Founded in 2005, ALAND is a trendsetter in the Korean fashion industry, presenting a diverse range of styles and trends. Their stores provide an immersive shopping experience, reflecting the brand's commitment to exploring different aspects of fashion.
KIRSH, led by designer Kim Heejin, is a brand that exudes sophistication with a quirky twist. Launched in 2014, the brand is known for its elegant cuts, artistic patterns, and unexpected details. The brand's ability to blend traditional elegance with contemporary aesthetics has garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts seeking creative expression in their wardrobes.
Avandress is a brand that celebrates femininity and elegance. Established in 2013, the brand specializes in chic and romantic designs, targeting young women who desire graceful and enchanting clothing options. Avandress' collections often feature soft pastel colors, intricate lacework, and flattering silhouettes, allowing wearers to exude timeless charm and sophistication.
MIXXO is a prominent fast-fashion brand offering trendy and affordable clothing options to a broad consumer base. Part of the Samsung C&T Fashion Group, MIXXO caters to diverse styles and preferences, making it a popular choice among fashion-forward individuals. Whether looking for casual wear or stylish evening dresses, MIXXO has many options for various occasions.
Another brand under the Samsung C&T Fashion Group, 8seconds, is known for its modern and practical clothing. Launched in 2012, the brand emphasizes sophistication while keeping up with the latest trends. Collaborations with global designers and K-pop groups have contributed to its popularity among young and style-conscious consumers.
Minjukim, led by designer Kim Minju, is celebrated for its experimental and avant-garde designs. The brand gained international recognition after winning the prestigious International Fashion Showcase in London in 2013. Minjukim's collections feature vibrant colors, bold patterns, and unconventional silhouettes, allowing wearers to express their individuality and embrace bold fashion statements.
MUSINA is a brand with a focus on sustainability and ethical fashion. Founded by Kang Yelim in 2016, MUSINA utilizes eco-friendly materials and ethical production methods to create elegant and contemporary designs. The brand appeals to socially-conscious consumers seeking stylish and environmentally-friendly clothing options.
SPAO is a well-known brand that collaborates with popular Korean entertainment companies to create merchandise featuring beloved K-pop groups and dramas. The brand offers a range of stylish and trendy clothing options, catering to K-pop fans and enthusiasts who want to express their love for their favorite idols through fashion.
Maisonmarais, founded by designer Lee Jinyoung, is synonymous with chic and modern designs. The brand focuses on high-quality materials and attention to detail, resulting in sophisticated collections and timeless elegance. Maisonmarais' classic silhouettes with contemporary twists make it a preferred choice for those seeking refined and fashionable clothing.
We11done, created by Dami Kwon and Jessica Jung, a former member of Girls' Generation, has garnered global recognition for its avant-garde and luxurious designs. The brand's collections blend streetwear with high fashion, creating bold and distinctive looks. With celebrity endorsements and a forward-thinking approach, We11done continues influencing Korean and international fashion scenes.
Known for its exploration and documentary work, National Geographic has ventured into the fashion world with its clothing brand. National Geographic's clothing line features eco-friendly materials and stunning wildlife imagery that allows wearers to connect with nature. The brand's collections cater to brand enthusiasts and traveler lovers, offering a range of apparel and accessories that resonate with those who share a passion for adventure and a desire to protect the planet. By wearing National Geographic-branded clothing, individuals proudly showcase their support for a brand with a rich legacy of promoting awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural wonders.
Korea's fashion landscape is a vibrant and dynamic space characterized by its ability to combine traditional influences with contemporary innovations. Although diverse in styles and aesthetics, these clothing brands collectively contribute to Korea's status as a fashion-forward nation. These popular Korean clothing brands will continue to evolve and capture global attention.
Korean weddings are a beautiful fusion of ancient customs and modern practices, reflecting the country's cultural heritage. From seeking family permission to the jubilant celebrations on the wedding day, each tradition holds significant meaning, underscoring the importance of family, unity, and love. This article will explore the various stages of a traditional Korean wedding, from the engagement to the wedding day, encompassing customs such as the Jeonanyre, Paebaek, and the Wedding Banquet.
Respecting the values of the family is a cornerstone of Korean culture. Before announcing their engagement, it is customary for the couple to seek the blessings and approval of both sets of parents. This gesture pays homage to the role of family in the couple's life journey and ensures their support for the union.
Engagement rings are not a standard in traditional Korean weddings. Some couples may choose not to exchange rings, while younger couples may embrace the exchange of wedding bands influenced by modern customs. The exchange of wedding bands is seen as a cherished custom symbolizing eternal love and commitment between the couple.
look at that wedding ring #TAEYANGXGIVENCHY#TAEYANG_PFW23 pic.twitter.com/IU0RRJCVa7
— 🔮 (@xxibgdaragn) January 17, 2023
Taeyang from Big Bang met his wife, actress Min Hyo-rin while filming the music video for his song "1AM," the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in February 2018.
Couples can purchase engagement rings or wedding bands at various jewelry shops, including the renowned Jongno Jewelry Shopping Street. This bustling street is a popular destination for soon-to-be-wedded couples seeking the perfect symbol of their love and commitment. With a wide array of exquisite designs and styles, couples can find the ideal rings that resonate with their unique preferences and budget.
In Korean tradition, marriage is a joint decision made by the couple. Unlike extravagant proposals in some cultures, Korean couples openly discuss and plan their marriage together, solidifying their commitment. Some couples today have decided to take the approach of an elaborate or quiet sentimental proposal.
Lee Kyou Hyuk and Son Dam Bi developed a romantic relationship while participating in the show "Kiss and Cry," describing their time together as a fiery, spectacle-like love.
Before announcing their engagement, it is customary for both families to meet and get acquainted. This meeting is essential to ensure compatibility and harmony between the families. Unlike some cultures where parents may meet their child's partner early in the relationship, in Korea, the couple typically introduces their parents to the person they intend to marry, signifying a serious commitment.
Preparations for the wedding day include a professional photo shoot, commonly called a "wedding snap" or "wedding studio." Couples can choose from various styles and packages offered by studios like Naver or Instagram's "filmdenini," with prices varying based on preferences and duration.
Selecting the wedding venue is a pivotal aspect of wedding planning. The venue should accommodate the guests and align with the couple's vision for their special day, providing a picturesque backdrop for their joyous celebration.
Traditional Korean wedding attire, known as "Hanbok," is worn during the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom wear vibrant, beautifully embroidered outfits with deep cultural significance. Some brides have opted for a more Western approach by wearing modern wedding dresses.
park shin hye's first post with his husband choi tae joon this 2022, their wedding photos 🥺🤍 pic.twitter.com/aXIuxlS2fC
— 💙 (@kdramatreats) January 26, 2022
Park Shin Hye and Choi Tae Joon, both talented South Korean actors, confirmed their relationship in March 2018 after being close friends for many years.
Korean wedding ceremonies are thoughtfully designed to be concise, allowing guests to continue their daily lives after the celebration seamlessly. While maintaining the essence of meaningful rituals, the couple pays heartfelt respects to their parents and ancestors, expressing gratitude and seeking blessings for their promising future together. This thoughtful approach ensures that attendees can attend the wedding and quickly resume their routines, such as work and school, after the joyful occasion.
Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, both famous South Korean actors, confirmed their real-life relationship in January 2021 after starring in the hit drama "Crash Landing on You."
Instead of traditional wedding gifts, it is customary for guests to offer cash as a wedding gift. This monetary gift is often placed in special envelopes and presented to the couple during the wedding reception, symbolizing support and good wishes for their new life together.
Following the main wedding ceremony, the "Paebaek" takes place, where the couple pays respects to the groom's parents by offering them tea. In return, the parents provide blessings and wisdom for their married life.
During the Paebaek ceremony, a heartwarming tradition takes place where family members and close relatives offer envelopes of money to the couple as a symbol of support and good wishes. These envelopes are given with genuine joy and excitement for the newlyweds as they begin their journey together. The act of offering money envelopes during the Paebaek ceremony symbolizes the passing down of wisdom and blessings from one generation to the next, and the couple receives them with gratitude, cherishing the emotional weight of family support and love expressed through this heartfelt gesture.
The "Gyobaerye" is a momentous occasion where the bride and groom see each other for the first time. With their respective attendants by their sides, they exchange bows and gestures to symbolize their commitment to each other. This heartfelt ceremony marks the beginning of their united life together in marriage.
In a Korean wedding, the couple partakes in a meaningful tradition by sharing a gourd of wine during the ceremony. As they take turns drinking from it, this act symbolizes their profound commitment to sharing the joys and sorrows of their married life. Just as the wine blends within the gourd, their hearts intertwine with love and support, signifying the unity of their souls as they embark on their journey as life partners. This simple yet powerful ritual encapsulates the essence of marriage, representing their willingness to stand by each other through all of life's moments, embracing the highs and lows with unwavering devotion.
A few days after the first wedding ceremony, the couple celebrates again by visiting the man's family. Koreans call this "pyebaek." The bride offers dates and chestnuts to the groom's parents as a symbol of fertility and the hope for a prosperous future with children.
The "Jeonanyre" is a delightful tradition where the groom's family presents a live wild goose to the bride's family. While a wooden goose may be used instead of a live one in modern times, the sentiment remains unchanged. The wild goose symbolizes fidelity and the groom's commitment to caring for the bride, exemplifying a lifelong promise of love and devotion.
The wedding banquet is a joyous celebration where guests come together to enjoy a sumptuous meal and share in the newlyweds' happiness. Some banquet venues offer makeup, hair styling, and photography packages, ensuring the couple looks their best on their special day.
Korean weddings are a fascinating blend of ancient customs and contemporary elements, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural heritage of the country. From seeking family permission to the various traditional ceremonies, each step is infused with love, respect, and unity. While some customs have evolved, the essence of Korean weddings remains true to its roots, celebrating family, community, and the journey of two souls coming together in matrimony.
South Korea is a great travel destination, even during the scorching summer, not only for its cultural spots and historical attractions but for how many unique events and activities are available to those who like music, art, and celebrating in general.
For those of you who are going to South Korea this summer, or the next one, here are five great Korean music festivals you cannot skip!
If you want to know more about these Korean music festivals, keep reading this article, and if you want to be updated about your favorite K-pop idols or K-dramas, check out the other articles on Daebak.co! If you cannot travel to Korea this year but want to have a piece of Korea with you, check out the Daebak Shop!
The first one is probably one of the most famous Korean music festivals on the list, especially among foreigners, since many idols participate every year, giving us great performances and eye candy too!
𝙎𝙀𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏 𝘾𝙄𝙏𝙔!
— Waterbomb_Official (@waterbomb_seoul) June 25, 2023
모두가 열정으로 젖어들었던 워터밤 서울!
끝나지않는 이 열정을 이제 다음 도시에서 불태우자!🔥
📍 𝙉𝙀𝙓𝙏 : 7/8 광주 | 7/15 인천 | 7/22 대구 | 7/29 부산 | 8/5 대전 | 8/12 수원 | 8/19 속초 | 8/26 제주#WATERBOMB2023 #SEOUL #서울 #WATERBOMB #워터밤… pic.twitter.com/WXwhUdEdBE
During the Water Bomb festival, in fact, not only will the public have the chance to take part in dynamic water fighting armed with great water guns and divided into teams, but they will also experience super refreshing water bombs, a great way to survive the summer heat!
Idols, as well, while performing, will take part in the games and get visibly wet; for this reason, they usually wear swimsuits and white t-shirts.
Also here Kwon Eunbi recent performance at the festival:
워터밤 퀸!! 권은비!!👑 워터밤에서 부르는 underwater!! 시너지 미쳤다!!🌊
— Waterbomb_Official (@waterbomb_seoul) July 12, 2023
화려하게 막을 올린 워터밤 투어, 이제 시작이다!🏃♀#WATERBOMB #WATERBOMB2023 #WATERBOMBSEOUL #워터밤 #워터밤서울 #권은비 pic.twitter.com/ELoFe5YgaQ
Here are AESPA members playing with the water guns during their performance:
230625 aespa x waterbomb2023#WATERBOMB2023 #WaterbombSeoul #WATERBOMB #aespa #KARINA #GISELLE pic.twitter.com/AO5EapHIF1
— 1e_hanni (@C_h1oooo) June 25, 2023
This Korean music festival touches multiple cities around South Korea and some cities in Japan. If you want to know more about it, visit the Waterbomb websit and discover all the incredible K-pop and K-Hip-Hop artists who will perform this year!
The second of the Korean music festivals on the list doesn’t take place in Seoul but in Daegu, the third largest city in the country.
This festival combines two of the most beloved things in South Korea: fried chicken and beer (치맥 or chimaek is the union of the Korean words 치킨, chicken, and 맥주, beer) and, as a plus, during the festival various EDM parties and performances take place.
This year, in particular, it will be held from the 30th of August until the 3rd of September in Duryu Park.
You can find the events and the artists and DJs’ performance dates on the Chimac festival page.
Here is a video of DVWN during last year Chimac festival:
Dvwn short videos from @KOZ_Entofficial #dvwn #다운 #정다운https://t.co/QvJgeAukZa
— Hehet (@areum_dawoon) July 10, 2022
Here is also a video about the Chimac festival 2019’s edition, one that was particularly special since it was the first after the pandemic:
I couldn’t skip this fantastic Hip-Hop and R&B music festival, which takes place in Seoul between the 2nd and 3rd of September.
Rapbeat has a unique lineup of well-known artists like Taeyang, Zico, and DPR Live and less-known artists like AP Alchemy, Damiani, and Able.
Here is the full list of artists for this year edition:
Here is a video presentation of the RAPBEAT festival:
As well as this video of last year B.I’s exhibition, who will also be part of this year’s event:
B.I is such a great performer. I was a casual listener but after rapbeat, where do I sign up to be part of his Fandom? 🤗😂😂🙈. His vocals were so stable and he didn't lipsync👌 pic.twitter.com/lFxBPLTszH
— 졸리 Sabi Girl 👧 (@Maqcrazynerd) September 5, 2022
Among the Korean music festivals if you like Hip Hop this is the one you cannot skip!
This one will not be everyone’s cup of tea since it is a classical music festival, but I think Music in PyeongChang deserves mention!
The festival was formerly the Great Mountains Music Festival & School and has occurred yearly in Pyeongchang since 2004.
This year it will be held from the 26 of July to the 5 of August; among the guests are Korean and International musicians and orchestras.
You can find the full list of artists on the PyeongChang Festival website.
This Korean music festival is the perfect way to spend a few days days enjoying some of the most incredible music ever while relaxing surrounded by a great view (the Taebaek mountains and the many Buddhist temples of the area).
Here is the teaser for this year edition:
And a beautiful performance from the 2018 edition:
If you like Classical music definitely you have to add this one to your Korean music festivals go-to list!
The last of the Korean music festivals on the list is the Busan Rock Festival which, this year, will take place between the 7th and the 8th of October, a bit further from summer but still a significant period to go on vacation in South Korea.
The festival started in 1999 as the Asian Rock Festival and was renamed a year after as we know it today; it offers a variety of genres like rock, metal, and indie.
The artists are both international and Korean, many are underground less-known musicians, but there are also better-known artists like Bastille and Woodz, who participated in last year’s event.
The lineup has still to be revealed, but you can wait for any updates on the Busan Rock Festival website.
Here is a video of LUCY’s performance last year:
Here are some pictures from last year's Woodz performance:
BUSAN ROCK FESTIVAL 2022 #WOODZ SETLIST 👽❤️🔥
— 휸지 🫶🏻 (@CSY_CoffeeTMI) October 1, 2022
Dirt on my leather
Hijack
Kiss of Fire
Feel Like
Thinkin bout you
Love me Harder
Chaser
Bump Bump
I Hate You
Trigger#BusanRockFestival_WOODZ #2022BusanRockFestival #우즈 #조승연 pic.twitter.com/52dgBEFfqk
What are you waiting for? If you like rock music add this to your Korean music festivals list!
This year's Dream Concert, one of the biggest K-pop joint music festivals in South Korea, has already taken place on the 27th of May, but I couldn't skip it!
This year's concert lineup included well-known K-pop groups like ITZY, Dreamcatcher, Oh My Girl, BTOB, and ONEUS, and the four rookie groups JUST B, MIRAE, Lapillus, and NINE.i.
Here is a video uploaded by the official Instagram page of the event:
Hope you can visit the Dream Concert next year! Definitely a must-go among the Korean music festivals.
I’ve tried to include Korean music festivals of different genres to satisfy every reader and future tourist!
If you have any other festival in mind, let us know in the comments, and if you have the chance to visit any of the ones on the list, let us know.
Korea’s weather is known for being unpredictable, especially in the summertime. With scorching hot days that make you want to stay inside, or its rainy season where your only options are to meet up with friends at local cafes and restaurants or stay home, Koreans never know what type of weather they will get during the summer!
Staying cool in the summer months is a top priority, which is where clothing comes into play, as Koreans must find the balance between fashion and comfort when the weather gets warm.
While the heat may not affect some people, others want to know how they can stay cool in the summer and look presentable no matter where they go.
So, here are a few things to wear to stay cool during the summertime in South Korea while also keeping up with the most popular Korean fashion trends!
Sundresses, or flowy dresses, are a perfect way to stay cool while looking nice during the summertime!
You will see many Korean women wearing dresses when the weather gets warm because they are convenient to wear, and the fabric is usually on the lighter side or made of linen, so you won’t get hot while wearing it.
You can find dresses with floral patterns, sleeves, pockets, etc., so you can match the dress to your style. Another big trend is wearing flowy skirts, which you can find in sets or on their own, that are equally convenient to wear during the summer when paired with a tank or cropped shirt!
One of the best ways to wear pants during the summer is to opt for ones with wide-leg styles. They are more comfortable than skinny jeans or other form-fitting pants and allow for more airflow, keeping you cool when it's warm!
Wide-leg pants are also super versatile, so you can dress them up with a nice button-down or even go for an oversized t-shirt or cropped shirt to complete your look!
Playing off the wide-leg pants trend, crop tops or cropped shirts can be worn with just about anything during the summer! Whether going out to eat or hanging out with friends, you can throw on a crop top and your favorite bottoms to match your outfit to your activities.
Many Korean and K-pop idols wear crop tops during the summer and on stage, as they use less fabric than full-length shirts or dresses.
Also, depending on the weather, you can wear them with skirts as a matching set, pants, shorts, etc., so you can come up with many different outfits with the same shirt!
Oversized shirts are always trending among Koreans as they can be dressed up or down and provide more coverage than tanks or cropped shirts in the summer, which can help prevent sunburn!
While you could purchase one from a well-known brand or designer or order the same shirt your favorite K-pop idol wore on social media, any oversized shirt will keep you cool and comfortable during the summer.
If you are into fashion, you probably know that Y2K fashion is back, and many Koreans and K-pop idols, specifically in the fourth generation, are opting for 2000s-inspired wardrobes!
One way you can nail down Y2K style is by incorporating elements like chunky shoes, baggy or wide-leg jeans and pants, hair clips, and many more into your outfits to get the early 2000s aesthetic. Many of the trends on this list fall under this category as well!
K-pop idols like New Jeans, TXT, and G-idle have been leaders of this trend with their fresh sense of style, both on and off the stage, so if you want to dress like your favorite Korean celebrities and idols, I’d hop onto this trend!
When the sun is out, the most fashionable way to prevent sunburn on your face is to wear a baseball cap. Baseball caps rarely go out of style, and you will find many of your favorite K-pop idols rocking them on their way to their schedules or social media accounts!
They are also great for keeping hair out of your face and off your neck, which is one of the worst things to deal with when you have long hair during the summer!
While they aren’t necessarily a trend, sunglasses are a must during the summer! Not only can a cute pair of sunglasses elevate your outfit, but they serve their function when it is too sunny out, and you can only see by squinting!
They are beneficial if you are driving or plan to spend your day outside, so always keep a pair on you during the summer if you want to enjoy your time in the sun!
Nothing screams fashion more than layering on your favorite sunscreen before you put on your nicest outfit, right?
Either way, protecting your skin from UV Rays during the summer should be the most essential step in your skincare routine!
While you may be thinking, what does sunscreen have to do with summer fashion? But to answer your question, if you forget to put on sunscreen and end up looking like a lobster, like most of us would, you probably won’t be able to wear the clothes you want to when your skin burns to the touch and starts peeling off!
So, instead of being limited to loose-fitting clothing that covers your sunburn and flakey skin, apply sunscreen every day before you go outside!
Let us know if you plan on visiting Korea this summer in the comments below and what you plan to pack to survive the heat while still looking great!
Summer in South Korea can be scorching and humid, making it challenging for those who dislike the scorching temperatures. However, there's no need to worry! South Korea offers plenty of exciting indoor destinations to beat the heat and have a fantastic time. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an art lover, or an adventure seeker, there's something for everyone.
South Korea is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant art scene. Visiting museums and galleries allows you to escape the heat and provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the country's history and artistic expression. The National Museum of Korea in Seoul is a must-visit, housing an extensive collection of artifacts spanning thousands of years. The Seoul Museum of Art and the Leeum Museum of Art, Samsung Museum of Art are also worth exploring for their impressive exhibitions.
For those seeking a thrilling adventure, indoor theme parks offer a perfect respite from the summer heat. Lotte World in Seoul is one of the largest indoor amusement parks globally and provides a wide range of rides and attractions suitable for all ages. Everland, located in Yongin, is another popular destination featuring indoor and outdoor sections, providing various entertainment options, from roller coasters to water rides.
South Korea is renowned for its extensive shopping options, and its modern shopping malls are an ideal place to escape the heat while indulging in retail therapy. COEX Mall in Seoul is one of Asia's largest underground shopping complexes, boasting many shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. In Busan, the Shinsegae Centum City is a record-breaking shopping complex where you can explore many luxury brands and enjoy a diverse culinary experience.
Escape rooms are a fantastic choice if you're looking for a mentally stimulating and immersive experience. These interactive games challenge participants to solve puzzles and escape from a locked room within a specific time limit. Seoul has many escape rooms, such as 'The Escape Game' and 'Escape Hunt,' where you can put your problem-solving skills to the test and enjoy an adrenaline-filled adventure away from the sweltering heat.
South Korea offers various options for sports enthusiasts or those looking to engage in physical activities indoors. Bowling alleys, indoor rock climbing centers, and indoor golf simulators are famous. You can also try traditional Korean archery, known as "Gungdo," at indoor shooting ranges. These activities help you stay active and allow you to learn and appreciate different aspects of Korean culture.
Karaoke is a beloved pastime in South Korea, and Noraebangs (karaoke rooms) can be found in abundance throughout the country. Gather your friends or family and enjoy a private singing session in a cool, air-conditioned room. Noraebangs typically provide an extensive selection of songs in various languages, ensuring everyone can find something to sing. It's a great way to have fun, beat the heat, and create lasting memories.
South Korea is famous for its whimsical-themed cafes that transport visitors to enchanting worlds. There is something for everyone, from adorable animal cafes to quirky cafes inspired by famous animated characters. The Sanrio cafe in Seoul is a must-visit for fans of the iconic characters, serving character-themed treats and beverages. For animal lovers, the Thanks Nature Cafe in Seoul lets you enjoy coffee while petting adorable sheep.
Traditional tea houses are perfect for a serene and culturally immersive experience. These tranquil oases escape the summer heat while offering a glimpse into South Korea's tea-drinking traditions. In Seoul's Insadong neighborhood, beautiful tea houses serve various types of tea, such as green tea and herbal infusions, accompanied by traditional Korean snacks. The serene atmosphere and elegant aesthetics make it an ideal spot to unwind and savor the flavors of Korea.
If you still crave water fun without the heat and sun, consider visiting an indoor water park. Caribbean Bay, located near Seoul, offers an extensive indoor section with thrilling slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers. Spa Land in Busan is another popular choice, featuring numerous indoor pools with different temperature zones, saunas, and relaxing spa treatments.
Jjimjilbangs are communal bathhouses that offer a range of sauna facilities, hot tubs, and various wellness treatments. These establishments are an integral part of Korean culture and are known for their extensive facilities, including saunas, hot springs, massages, and sleeping areas. Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul is among the most popular jjimjilbangs, offering various saunas with different themes and temperatures. From traditional oak charcoal saunas to salt saunas and even ice rooms, you can experience a variety of rejuvenating treatments.
While the summer heat in South Korea can be intense, numerous indoor attractions allow you to have a fantastic time without enduring the scorching temperatures. From exploring museums and art galleries to enjoying thrilling rides in indoor theme parks, indulging in retail therapy, solving puzzles in escape rooms, engaging in sports and karaoke, or cooling off in indoor water parks, South Korea has something to offer everyone seeking respite from the heat. So, embrace the air-conditioning and embark on an unforgettable indoor adventure during your summer stay in South Korea.
Spring and summer bring warmer weather, vacation, and music festivals. If you are interested in attending a festival this summer or you are wondering if there are any music events in Korea that you can attend, you have come to the right place. Here is a rundown of the top Korean music festivals in Korea to look out for in 2023!
Many festivals include a wide array of genres and…water. South Korea is well-known for its water-related festivals to cool off from the humidity and the sun’s heat. The Boryeong Mud Festival is incredibly popular, where families and friends gather together and play in the mud, which is good for blood circulation and the skin. But the water festivals are not simply playing in the water or on the beach; there’s a twist: music. The South Korean water festivals are music festivals, and there are two that you’ll want to check out:
Even if you have never been to South Korea as an avid K-Music fan, you have probably heard of the WaterBOMB Festival. This is one of the hottest events in Seoul that people look forward to every Summer. The festival was first held in 2010 and has garnered a broad audience, with thousands of people attending yearly. The Waterbomb Festival is especially popular among young people since it is a unique way to cool down and have fun during the summer heat.
The WaterBOMB festival is usually held in three Asian countries: Korea, Japan, and Thailand. The Korean leg, starting on June 23 and all through August 26, travels through several cities, including Seoul, Gwangju, Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Daejeon, Suwon, Sokcho, and Jeju. The lineup for this year includes WaterBOMB seasoned veterans Jessi and Jay Park.
Another festival to help cool down the summer heat this year is the 4SEIDON Water Music Festival in Busan, South Korea. The festival is one of the newest additions to the South Korean music festivals. First held in 2015, the 4SEIDON amasses thousands of attendees every year. This year the festival will have two locations: Busan in July at the Asiad Sub Stadium and Gwangju at Chosun University in August. The Korean music festival has a stellar lineup this year including B.I, HYOLYN, H1-KEY, and BewhY amongst others.
The popularity of music genres in different countries may vary due to many factors, historical and cultural elements, and the availability of streaming channels, platforms, and media that influence listeners in the area. Many people think the Korean Rock scene is small–and they aren’t wrong. The Rock genre in Korea rarely tops the music charts and is not as widely spread as in other countries such as the U.S., Europe, and Australia. If you are living in or traveling to South Korea and were hoping to catch a Rock show, do not worry. Although the Rock scene in Korea is not as prominent as Pop and Hip-Hop, Rock enthusiasts still have some options for upcoming music festivals.
Like WaterBomb, the 2-day festival is considered one of South Korea’s longest-running music festivals. The Busan International Rock Festival started in 1999 and included a variety of subgenres in Rock, including Metal and Indie. Up until 2019, admission to the event was free. Now you have to pay to experience the concert. The 2023 edition of the festival is yet to be announced, but it should be coming soon. Some of last year’s impressive lineup included Bastille, NELL, WOODZ, SORAN, and HONNE, amongst others.
Another big Rock festival in Korea is the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival. Considering itself the “Home of K-Rock,” the festival goes on from May to October. The lineup for the festival is yet to be announced, but it will likely include a mix of local and international artists. Some lineups from past years included NELL, Vampire Weekend, BIBI, The Fray, The Rose, Weezer, So!Yoon!, The Vamps and Japanese Breakfast, to name a few. It’s safe to say attendees this year can expect to listen to some great acts, have fun, and rock out!
The Peak Festival is an annual EDM music event that has grown relatively quickly in popularity. With the first Peak Festival being held back in 2017, it is rather new. The festival is smaller than many long-running music events in Korea, but still a good one to consider attending. It is typically held in September or October and is known for its multiple stages. The festival features live performances from local and international acts and many sub-genres of EDM, including Techno, House, Trance, and many more.
ULTRA is a global festival with concerts in the U.S., South Africa, and South Korea. ULTRA Festival usually takes place around August or September. The 2023 lineup has not been announced yet, but some of last year’s headliners included Marshmello, KSHMR, and Martin Garrix, with supporting acts such as R. Tee, DJ Keiko, Acraze, Cream, and more. This year’s lineup is sure to be no exception.
The EDM festival is well-known in South Korea and is considered one of Seoul's largest, most popular annual festivals. It started in 2007, garnering over 90,000, and has only grown up to the present day. The festival lasts three days, from Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4. This year, the World DJ Festival is sponsored by Samsung Galaxy and includes an impressive international lineup. Some acts include Zedd, Galantis, Nicky Romero, and SHAUN, among many others.
Not only are there globally famous artists, but the World DJ Festival supports local acts and includes them as support to the headliners. As many people from other countries travel to Seoul to attend the event, Korean artists are also promoted and have the chance to gain some new listeners.
Both the lineup and the event dates are yet to be announced. However, the Rabeat Festival usually takes place in Seoul every summer, usually around August, since its beginning in 2014. The festival showcases and promotes global and local Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B artists. If you love Hip-Hop and find yourself in South Korea this summer, you should keep an eye out for this year’s event.
The Seoul Jazz Festival is usually held in May. The festival is considered one of Seoul's most significant international music scenes. Although it includes Jazz music, the festival's genres have diversified, including artists in the Pop and R&B scenes. The 2023 headliners included MIKA, Sergio Mendes, and Damien Rice. Some stellar acts will include BIGBANG's Taeyang, CRUSH, AKMU, EPIK HIGH, Christopher, MAX, AJR, Tai Verdes, Kim Feel, Beenzino, and many more!
This year, Gucci marked its 25 years of presence in South Korea when the first store was opened, and to commemorate this auspicious event, the Italian brand staged its Gucci Cruise 2024 in Korea. On 16th May, this unforgettable day was celebrated in Seoul most elegantly, with a fashion show called Gucci Cruise 2024 in Seoul's capital. The cherry on top was the venue that made fashion so extravagant and pivotal. The venue was the six-century-old Gyeongbokgung Palace in front of Geunjeongjeon, which used to be the main hall of the palace during the Joseon Dynasty and where all the royal ceremonies used to be held.
This runway became the third show of Gucci to be held in Korea, and like always, it was a highly anticipated one. Apart from all the glam and the glory, one thing that might be going through your mind right now might be how the brand managed to get the venue for the show because we all can agree that it is a task. It has been reported that Gucci has been making various efforts to get the palace for a show, and they managed to get it in November. However, everything had to be called off after the tragic crowd crush during Halloween week. But then Gucci tried again, and because of its strong alliance with culture and heritage, they got a green signal from Cultural Heritage Administration, which managed the palace. The approval came at the best time to complete 25 years of Gucci in Korea, leading to the Gucci Cruise 2024 happening in the capital.
Like all shows, the Gucci Crusie 2024 was star-studded and glamorous. Through this show, the brand launched its new collection by bringing together the culture and heritage of Italy and South Korea. Through this, it continued to extend its commitment to preserving, sustaining, and promoting the heritage as it was being held and restored. Gucci also shared their decision to host the show in Gyeongbokgung Palace, “ From fashion and beauty to music and art, the worldwide impact of contemporary South Korean culture is a shining example of global connectivity that drives Gucci every day. The collection pays homage to this impact, and on a broader scale, how our wardrobe interacts across continents today.”
The show was decorated with stars who attended the event, including Dakota Johnson, Alia Bhatt, Elizabeth Olsen, Saoirse Ornan, Hanni, IU, Lee Jung Jae, and many more. The Gucci Cruise 2024 also marked the welcome of the new Creative Director of the brand Sabato De Sarno with the latest collection after the departure of Alessandro Michele, making the show even more significant.
Regarding the collection showcased on the runway, the inspiration was primarily taken from South Korean streetwear and street style, along with the multicultural style from around the world. Gucci tried to bring back the 1990s, and there is no denying that they did it very successfully. From bomber jackets of all forms, baggy ripped jeans, puffy vests, wallet chains, and many more. The collection showed both surf and skatewear, which has recently been very prevalent in Gucci’s collection. In the Gucci Cruise 2024, it was seen that the brand also put its steps into the sports arena. Dior and Hermes also lend their expertise in devising and designing the collection. Wetsuits cropped into shirts, dresses, hoodies, along with surfboards.
Clothes were one thing that grabbed all the attention, but Gucci remembered the shoes and made sure that they also made a statement -water shoes with grippy soled neoprene and rubbed wader boots. The scuba boots from Gucci’s archive debuted in Gucci Cruise 2024. “In this digital age, different cultural and subcultural approaches to everyday dressing are now shared globally. These ways of wearing clothes tie us together across cultures and create a global community spirit found in fashion. The collection merges the wetsuits of the Han River windsurfers with the skirt suits of bourgeois dressing and the tropes of the skateboarding uniform with formal tailoring.” shared the house about the collection. Gucci handbags also were a bold statement in the show with new forms like the Horsebit chain bags; the archived minimalist bags was introduced with new interpretation and color, fabric, and ornaments.
The anticipation, vibrancy, and generosity of Gucci Cruise 2024 were heightened and were made to be assumed a success when the trailer of the show was streamed, starring the global ambassador Hanni, Kai, IU, and Mina Shin. At the birthplace of Hangul, celebrating the birth and 25 years of Gucci was just the right and apt way of celebrating the brand and the country because both got the opportunity to bring the history and past and merge them with the present and the future. Fashion was made to respect and promote heritage, global culture, and diversity.
With the new collection in the runway show of Gucci Cruise 2024, the brand that opened its first flagship store in the form of a boutique in Seoul in 1998 proudly demonstrated that fashion is not just about clothes but can also be a way to honor culture, heritage, bring several cultures together and bring about a global community through creativity by managing to have a full-on glamorous, sophisticated fashion show in 626-year-old Gyeongbokgung Palace of Joseon Dynasty that has history written on its wall and now will have one more memory etched on it for the years and generations to come.
Today, on the 27th of May, Koreans celebrate Buddha's Birthday, also called 부처님 오신 날 (bucheonim osin nal), literally the day when Buddha came, or 석가탄신일 (seokgatansinil).
Celebrated in most South and East Asia countries, Buddha's birthday commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
In South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, it is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually falls from the end of April to the end of May.
Buddha's birthday in South Korea is a religious celebration for those practicing Buddhism and a public holiday where people can enjoy many fun activities.
If you want to know more about this Korean festivity, keep reading this article. And if you want to know more about Korean culture and be updated about your favorite K-Dramas and K-pop groups, check out the other articles on Daebak.co!
Introduced in South Korea in the Fourth century CE from China, Buddhism slowly diffused among the three kingdoms of Paekche, Koguryŏ, and Silla. Under the unified Silla nation, it flourished but was later suppressed by the Joseon dynasty, which preferred Confucianism.
Among the most important monks who helped spread Buddhism in the country, Wonhyŏ Daisa, who, in particular, implemented the use of music, literature and dance to express the meaning of Buddhism, and Ŭisang, who sent to China to learn more about the religion and brough back the Hwaom sect.
Despite that ,it is, as of now, the most widely spread religion together with Christianity; for this reason, there are a lot of temples around the country.
Firstly a great lantern is lit inside the main temple; for Buddhists, lanterns have meaning of enlightenment and letting go of worldly worries.
Since Buddha's birthday also celebrates his reaching enlightenment, this ceremony holds a lot of meaning.
In particular, the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, prepared a large-scale ceremony at Jogye Temple in Seoul, the first big celebration for Buddha's birthday since all the restrictions dut to the pandemic were lifted.
Buddha's birthday is known around the globe as the Festival of Lanterns.
This name describes it perfectly since the event that usually draws the most attention is the Lantern Parade. In this vast procession, many people hold colorful lanterns, primarily red, pink, and gold, lit with candles.
Throughout the day, other parades, performances, and ceremonies are held on the streets and inside temples across the country. People can admire those temples, covered in lotus lanterns, and enjoy foods and beverages offered by the monks, among them traditionally vegetarian bibimbap.
Also many people make small donations to the temples to hang their own lantern, equipped with paper tags on which they can write their names and worries or wishes.
Many Koreans also enjoy wearing traditional clothes on Buddha's Birthday. The traditional clothing is called Hanbok and is not only exceptionally beautiful but also very colorful. If you visit South Korea during this celebration, you can rent one to join the festivities.
The most anticipated event is 연등회 (Yeon Deung Hoe), or the Lotus Lantern Festival, which takes place the weekend before Buddha's birthday.
Before the parade, in the afternoon, there are dance performances and ceremonies in the streets; then, around 7 pm, participants move to Dongguk University, one of the prominent Buddhist universities in South Korea.
The parade works its way along Jongro, one of the main streets of Seoul, and finishes at Jogyesa temple around 9 pm.
The participants in the parade are pretty varied, not only monks but people from every age group and of any kind, of course also many tourists, all holding their paper lanterns. Among these simple ones are some larger set-piece parade floats of any shape: fishes, flowers, and dragons!
Surely a must-go-to-event for everyone! The day after the Lotus Lanterns Parade, there are other cultural activities and performances around Insadong, a neighborhood crammed with traditional shops and tea houses.
Despite Seoul's parade fame, Busan too has a really beautiful parade and, overall, they take place all over South Korea, even if in minor scale.
Of course, during Buddha's birthday, many stalls around Seoul also sell traditional foods and products, so it's an excellent occasion for tourists to find beautiful souvenirs.
Buddha's birthday is a celebration rooted in centuries of South Korean traditions, a festivity that goes beyond religion and celebrates new beginnings and harmony for all those who want to participate.
As Buddhism preached, the festivity revolves around enlightenment, spending time in harmony, if you want, in one of the many Buddhist temples around the country, embracing nature and eating vegetarian foods, letting go of your worries, and bringing forth new beginnings.
All these teachings are incredibly positive and would significantly improve anyone's life, so in honor of Buddha's birthday, wherever you are, try to let go of your worries and spend some time in nature!
As the scorching heat of summer descends upon Seoul, South Korea, a wave of anticipation sweeps through the city, heralding the arrival of a spectacular event that captivates everyone's attention. The Waterbomb Festival emerges as a highly anticipated celebration, transforming the bustling streets into a vibrant oasis of water-based delights, electrifying performances, and a contagious atmosphere of liveliness.
This thrilling festival is a testament to Seoul's lively spirit and ability to bring people together from all corners of the country and beyond. It's an opportunity to escape the sweltering temperatures, immersing oneself in a community of shared exhilaration, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.
The Waterbomb Festival is more than a mere gathering—it's a transformative experience that transports participants into a world of refreshing escapades. Attendees are transported to a realm where laughter and joy become the day's soundtrack.
It's a chance to revel in life's simple pleasures, where drenching one another with water guns and water cannons becomes an expression of liberation and a tangible manifestation of carefree bliss. Amidst the sizzling summer heat, the festival's allure lies in its ability to invigorate and rejuvenate, providing respite through water-based activities that awaken the senses.
The Waterbomb Festival is an immersive celebration that creates a massive water fight in public spaces, turning Seoul's parks and streets into a battleground. As festival-goers arm themselves with water guns and cannons, they engage in friendly battles with fellow participants. The festival aims to bring people together for a refreshing respite from the summer heat while enjoying an unforgettable experience filled with joy and laughter.
The festival's organizers have created a unique and immersive environment for participants to enjoy. You're transported to a world of water-based fun at the festival. You can participate in the water fight or watch the action from a safe distance. The festival offers an inclusive experience, welcoming people of 18 and above and all backgrounds to participate.
The Waterbomb Festival in Seoul is a grand event in late July or early August. The festival's primary location is the famous Jamsil Sports Complex, which has been transformed into a water-based playground for the event. The park is divided into different zones, offering unique activities and performances.
The atmosphere is charged with energy as festival-goers explore the park's various zones and participate in the festival's activities. Attendees can immerse themselves in the visual extravaganza of K-POP performances, the trendy and powerful charm of HIP-HOP, and the explosive dance music of Korean DJs.
To enhance the overall experience, festival organizers provide free water guns and water balloons for participants, ensuring everyone has the necessary equipment for a thrilling water fight. Food stalls and vendors also offer a wide range of refreshments, snacks, and water-resistant merchandise, such as phone cases and accessories.
The centerpiece of the Waterbomb Festival is the epic water fight, where participants unleash their water guns and other water-based weapons upon each other. It's a battle with participants skillfully dodging incoming water bombs while simultaneously drenching their opponents. The atmosphere is excited as the combination of cool water and high energy creates an unforgettable experience.
The festival sells various water guns, encouraging participants to explore their creativity and choose the weaponry that suits their style. The possibilities are endless, from smaller water guns that offer accuracy to giant cannons capable of soaking multiple opponents. Participants are also encouraged to bring their water guns, adding a personal touch.
Regardless of the approach, the ultimate objective is to lead your team to victory, and the choice of water guns plays a vital role in achieving success. The more powerful and unique the water gun, the better the chance of gaining an advantage over opponents.
The water fight is an outstanding balance, bringing people together from all walks of life in the spirit of fun and play. The festival offers a chance for participants to challenge themselves, embrace their competitive spirit, and experience the joy of friendly competition. Even if your team doesn't emerge triumphant, the thrill of utilizing these dynamic water guns leaves a lasting impression.
Beyond the exhilarating water fights, the Waterbomb Festival offers attendees a chance to recharge and relax in the festival's chilling lounge. This designated area provides:
A cool respite from the heat.
Offering various amenities such as relaxation zones.
Comfortable seating.
Photo opportunities.
It's the perfect spot to take a break, recharge your energy, and reflect on the day's excitement.
For those seeking a more luxurious experience, the festival's premium area provides elevated comfort and indulgence. The section lets participants relax and enjoy champagne, finger foods, and other delectable treats. It's a delightful opportunity to bask in the festival's vibrant atmosphere while savoring a touch of sophistication in your private space.
The Waterbomb Festival in Seoul presents an unparalleled experience that combines the thrill of a water fight with mesmerizing visuals, energetic performances, and a lively atmosphere. As a must-attend event on Seoul's summer calendar, it offers a unique opportunity to create unforgettable memories while beating the summer heat. Whether unleashing your water-fighting skills, exploring the diverse zones of Jamsil Sports Complex, or relaxing in the festival's chilling lounge, the Waterbomb Festival promises an immersive and exhilarating experience for all.
Let the explosive tension and thrill envelop you as you feel the excitement brought by the overwhelming scale of water bombs and powerful water cannons throughout your body. As you immerse yourself in the overwhelming visuals and dazzling performances, experience the dynamic water fights like never before. With a focus on enjoyment and relaxation, the festival provides various facilities and amenities to ensure comfort.
So grab your water gun, gather your friends, and prepare for an unforgettable adventure at the Waterbomb Festival in Seoul.
Korea, the land of the morning calm, is known for its rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, stunning landscapes, and friendly people. But during the summer, Korea comes alive with exciting and colorful festivals that celebrate the season and the country's unique culture. From mud fights and music concerts to lantern parades and bamboo crafts, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So pack your bags, grab the sunscreen, and get ready to explore some of Korea's most unforgettable summer festival experiences.
The Boryeong Mud Festival, held annually in July in Boryeong, a small coastal city in the west of Korea, is one of the country's most popular and iconic summer festivals. The festival began in 1998 as a marketing strategy for cosmetics made from the region's mineral-rich mud but has since evolved into a global event that attracts millions of visitors each year.
The festival is a week-long celebration of all things mud; the festival's main attraction is the giant mud pool, where visitors can indulge in a range of mud-related activities, such as mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud painting. Visitors can slather themselves in mud from head to toe and enjoy the sensation of the cool, gooey mud on their skin.
Aside from the mud pool, the festival also offers a range of other activities, such as a mud run, a mud massage zone, and a mud bath. Visitors can enjoy live music performances, dance parties, and fireworks displays. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances, street food stalls, and a range of other entertainment options. For those who want to take a break from the mud, the festival offers different activities, such as sports experience, a water park, a variety of colorful water floats.
The Seoul Rose Festival is a famous annual festival held in the capital city of South Korea, Seoul. It takes place in late May and early June when the city's roses are in full bloom, and it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.
The festival has been held annually since 1986. It aims to showcase the beauty and diversity of roses while promoting environmental awareness and the importance of green spaces in urban areas.
The main venue for the Seoul Rose Festival is the Seoul Grand Park, a sprawling park in the southern part of the city. The park has thousands of rose bushes, with over 20,000 roses in more than 300 varieties. The park is transformed into a vibrant sea of colors during the festival, with roses of every shade and hue on display.
Visitors can enjoy a range of activities during the festival, such as rose-themed exhibitions, live music performances, and cultural events. There are also food and drink stalls offering a variety of Korean and international cuisine and a range of souvenirs and handicrafts for sale. Seoul Rose Festival celebrates nature's beauty and diversity, immersing visitors in thousands of roses' vibrant colors and fragrances.
The Lotus Lantern Festival, held annually in May in Seoul, is a colorful and joyful celebration of Buddha's birthday and the arrival of spring. The festival dates back to the Silla Dynasty (57 BC-935 AD) and has become a cultural tradition passed down through the generations.
The festival features a range of activities, including traditional Buddhist ceremonies, such as the Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Lighting Ceremony), where participants light their lotus-shaped lanterns and offer them as a symbol of enlightenment and compassion. The festival's highlight is the Lotus Lantern Parade, a colorful procession of lanterns and floats that winds its way through the streets of downtown Seoul.
The Lotus Lantern Parade is a celebration of Buddhist culture and traditions and a showcase of Korea's rich history and artistic practices. Each lantern is intricately designed and crafted, depicting scenes from Buddhist scriptures, folklore, and mythology. The festival offers a unique and unforgettable cultural experience that celebrates the beauty and diversity of Korean culture and traditions.
The Jeju Fire Festival is a traditional festival in Jeju Island, South Korea, every year in March. The festival celebrates the island's cultural heritage and traditions and centers around the lighting of huge bonfires. This unique festival is one of the most popular events on the island and attracts visitors worldwide.
The festival has its roots in Jeju Island's history when locals would burn down their fields to renew the grass and eliminate pest. The festival has evolved and is now a major cultural event celebrating the island's unique culture and traditions.
During the festival, the streets of Jeju are lit up with huge bonfires and fireworks displays. Visitors can participate in various activities, including fire walking, fire jumping, and fire stunts performed by local performers. Various cultural performances, including traditional Korean music and dance, and local food stalls serving delicious cuisine.
The Jeju Fire Festival is a must-see for anyone visiting Jeju Island in March. It offers a unique and unforgettable cultural experience celebrating the island's rich history and traditions. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture, sample traditional Korean food, and witness spectacular fire displays that light up the night sky.
The Seoul Park Music Festival is an annual event held in the capital city of South Korea during the summer months. The festival features local and international artists and has become one of Asia's most famous music festivals. The festival attracts diverse music fans, from K-pop enthusiasts to rock, hip-hop, and electronic dance music fans.
The festival occurs in one of Seoul's many parks, providing a beautiful outdoor setting for music fans to enjoy their favorite artists. In addition, to live music, the festival also features a range of activities and attractions, including food stalls, art exhibitions, and other entertainment.
The Seoul Park Music Festival offers a unique and unforgettable cultural experience that celebrates the diversity of music and culture in South Korea. Visitors can immerse themselves in the local music scene, sample delicious Korean food, and enjoy the stunning natural beauty of Seoul's parks. It offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the vibrancy and excitement of Seoul's music culture.
The Damyang Bamboo Festival is an annual event in Damyang, a small town in southwest South Korea. The festival celebrates the region's unique bamboo culture and traditions and has become one of the most popular cultural events in the country.
Visitors can enjoy various festival activities, including bamboo craft workshops, traditional bamboo music performances, and bamboo-themed food stalls. One of the festival's main attractions is the Bamboo Forest Walk, which takes visitors through a beautiful bamboo forest and showcases the region's natural beauty.
The festival also features a range of competitions, including bamboo basket weaving and bamboo flute playing. Visitors can participate in these competitions and learn about the traditional skills and techniques used in bamboo crafts. The festival is a fantastic opportunity to experience Damyang and South Korea's rich cultural heritage and learn more about the importance of bamboo in the region's history and traditions.
Korea's summer festival season offers a range of unforgettable experiences for visitors to enjoy. Each festival showcases a unique aspect of Korea's culture and traditions, from mud fights and music concerts to lantern parades and bamboo crafts. So, whether you are looking for a relaxing day surrounded by nature or an exciting and energetic night of music and dance, Korea's summer festivals have something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab the sunscreen, and prepare for a summer to remember.
While South Korea has many holidays geared towards couples, like Valentine's Day and White Day, which both fall on the 14th of their respective months, there is also an unofficial holiday for singles known as Black Day.
It is the last of Korea's "romantic holidays," coming two months after Valentine's Day and just a month after White Day, which is essentially the same as Valentine's Day, except you are reciprocating the gifts to those who gave them to you for Valentine's Day.
So, if you want to learn more about this anti-romantic holiday, keep reading!
Black Day is an unofficial holiday in Korea that celebrates being single. It is comparable to Valentine's Day and White Day, except people celebrate with their fellow single friends instead of a significant other.
There is also no gift exchange, so single people celebrate by enjoying comfort foods and bonding over the fact that they do not have significant others.
Black Day takes place on April 14th to coincide with Valentine's Day and White Day, giving singles a chance to celebrate a day of their own.
Many Koreans will get together with their fellow single friends and eat Jajangmyeon, which is a popular Korean dish made with noodles and black bean sauce.
Since the sauce is made with black bean paste, it suits the name and mood of the holiday. Many people in Korea consider this dish a comfort food, which perfectly ties in with those not in relationships since they need extra comfort on this holiday.
Some people also celebrate the holiday by wearing all black, whether it be their clothes or nail polish, to symbolize that they are not in a relationship and are possibly looking for one.
The holiday also differs from Valentine's Day and White Day since it doesn't involve gift-giving, so some companies will hold dating activities to help singles find a partner or offer special discounts for singles.
Black Day was originally a day of mourning for those not involved in romantic relationships, hence the association with the color black.
People would come together to mourn their lack of romance and drown their sorrows in popular comfort foods, like Jajangmyeon, and other themed foods, like black coffee and dark chocolate.
However, it is now a day of celebration for singles since the emphasis on dating has decreased with time, and it is now more acceptable to be single.
Jajangmyeon, or Korean black bean noodles, is a Chinese-Korean noodle dish made with black bean paste (chunjang) and topped with various meats and vegetables.
This national food is often eaten on Black Day because it is topped with a shiny black sauce, which is very fitting for the holiday, and because it is a popular comfort food in Korea. Hence, the dish helps to comfort all of the singles who are celebrating the day alone.
There are also many jajangmyeon-eating contests held on Black Day, giving single people a chance to come together on the lonely holiday and eat away their feelings.
Watch the video above to learn how to make Jajangmyeon at home for Black Day!
Let us know how you plan on celebrating Black Day in the comments below!
Are you looking to buy yourself something special for Black Day? Check out The Daebak Company's one-stop shop for your favorite kpop merch, kdrama merch, and other Korean goods to celebrate Black Day!
With the Hallyu wave spreading around the world, it is important to learn more about the holidays and traditions celebrated in South Korea that you have seen in your favorite kdramas or while traveling to Korea.
So whether you are looking to buy your significant other their favorite kpop group's merch or their favorite Korean snacks, or even if you are doing the same for yourself this Black Day, you can find it all at The Daebak Company!
Spring is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of fashion trends! South Korea, a country known for its incredible sense of style, has been setting the fashion scene with its unique and daring fashion statements. This spring fashion has something for everyone, from tans to pastels, bright colors to jumpsuits.
Neutral Shades have always been a staple in Korean fashion, and for a good reason. These colors, including white, beige, black, baby blue, navy, blush, and pistachio, are versatile and easy to mix and match with other colors and patterns. They are perfect for creating a minimalistic look, becoming a popular trend in Korean street fashion.
One way to incorporate neutral shades into your spring wardrobe is through layering.
A beige trench coat or gray blazer can be worn over a white blouse or black turtleneck, creating a chic and sophisticated look. Neutral shades can also be mixed with pastels, bright colors, or patterns, creating a stylish, cohesive outfit.
Bright pinks, oranges, and greens are vibrant and playful colors perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfit. These eye-catching hues are perfect for making a statement and standing out. Whether you opt for a soft pastel shade or a bold fuchsia tone, wearing pink is a sure way to make a statement and add excitement to your outfit. Bright pink, in particular, is a popular choice this season, and it's not hard to see why. This lively color is associated with energy and a sense of fun.
Incorporating bright pinks, oranges, and greens into your spring wardrobe is a great way to add color and fun to your outfits. Whether you wear these shades in a bold, head-to-toe look or as a statement accessory, they will make you stand out and exude confidence. So why not try them this season and see how they can elevate your style game?
Denim on denim has been a controversial trend but has come back recently. With some effort and creativity, it can look stylish. A denim shirt is an excellent addition to any wardrobe because it can be dressed up or down and worn in different seasons. It creates a cohesive, monochromatic look that's perfect for spring.
A denim shirt is a staple item for Korean spring fashion paired with jeans or skirts. Choosing different washes or shades of denim is essential to avoid looking too matchy-matchy. For instance, pair a light-wash denim shirt with dark-wash jeans or a dark-wash denim jacket with distressed light-wash shorts.
The key is to balance the denim pieces and make them look effortless. With some bold accessories, like statement earrings or a colorful scarf, you can elevate the denim-on-denim look to a new level.
Leather jackets are timeless pieces that add an edge to any outfit. They are versatile and can be worn in different seasons, making them a must-have item for your wardrobe. In Korean spring fashion, a leather jacket is perfect for transitioning from colder to warmer weather.
Many leather jacket styles are available, from classic biker jackets to cropped styles and everything in between. These styles offer the right amount of warmth without being too bulky or heavy. When choosing a leather jacket for spring, opting for a lightweight style, like a bomber or a moto jacket, is best.
Leather jackets come in various colors, but black is the most classic and versatile. A black leather jacket can be worn with almost any outfit, from a simple white t-shirt and jeans to a floral dress. For a bold statement, you can opt for a colored leather jacket, like red or green, to add personality to your outfit.
Choosing the right style and accessories allows you to make a leather jacket work for any occasion, from a casual daytime look to a night out.
Korean spring fashion trends for 2023 offer diverse options, from minimalistic neutral shades to vibrant and playful bright pinks, oranges, and greens. Denim on denim is making a comeback, and a leather jacket is a must-have staple item for transitioning from colder to warmer weather. With the help of South Korean fashion influencers and celebrities, such as Yujin, Se-Jeong, Jungkook, and Rose, it's easy to see how these trends are incorporated into your spring wardrobe. So, a Korean spring fashion trend is perfect for you whether you prefer a classic, edgy, or chic look!
When the cherry blossom season is coming to an end, the springtime celebrations are far from ending. To help you get in the spirit for spring, we've put together a list of the top five spring festivals in Korea this year.
These events make it quite simple to break free from our smartphone trance and experience the world around us. Spring in Korea is the best season of the year to get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer.
You should check out these Korea spring festival 2023 whether you are seeking activities this spring or just looking for things to cross off your bucket list!
You are in luck even if you cannot attend the cherry blossom celebrations this year or want to take in the flowery energy of spring in Korea. One of several tulip festivals throughout the world is the Taean International Tulip Festival, which has been ranked among the top five each year since 2015.
There is a lot to see and do at the Taean festival because the spring festival in Korea is held in conjunction with the regional farming cooperatives and businesses.
Aside from the simple beauty of the sea of color provided by the tulips, the festival offers activities such as strawberry picking, animal feeding, face painting, performances, and a nightly lighting ceremony. Admission varies depending on age, but the price is worth a day full of outside fun!
Learn more at the festival’s official website.
What better place to taste tea, learn about history, and realize your wildest tea party desires than the birthplace of the tea industry itself?
Boseong is known for being the largest tea grower in Korea. Each year, they commemorate this accomplishment with a variety of tea ceremonies, interactive activities, traditional performances, and, of course, tastings!
Anyone who wants to experience some culture, see the endless rolling hills of green tea leaves that Boseong is famous for, or enjoy a day stuffed full of delectable food and drink should check out this fantastic Korea spring festival.
Daegu, famed for its herbal medicine stores, clinics, and businesses, is called Yangnyeongsi. The herbal medicine festival, which has been a part of Korean culture for hundreds of years, marks the beginning of the Yangnyeongsi season.
The spring festival Korea showcases Yangnyeongsi’s rich history through exhibitions, Daegu’s famous herbal medicine market, personalized “consultations,” and general education about herbal medicine practices. This year’s festival is sure to be a hit due to the high prevalence of misemunji (미세먼지, fine dust) in Korea. If you’re thinking of planning a trip to Daegu, be sure to add this experience to your itinerary!
Find out more about the festivities here!
The Seoul Lotus Lantern Festival is a must-see among the spring festival in Korea. The purpose of this festival, which features a variety of musical and traditional performances, is to spread happiness and light throughout each participant's heart.
From May 3 to May 12, lanterns are displayed at Jogyesa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream. However, the parade, which begins at Dongguk University on May 4, is where the main action happens.
Seoul is flooded with thousands of lanterns, and anyone is welcome to take part by lighting their own lanterns.
The festival continues in the days that follow with cultural activities and performances, which come to a close with a parade celebration. If you're around when this event takes place, stop by and snap lots of photos!
Find more information about performance times here!
The most well-known of them is arguably the fire city shows, which feature fire-loving performers that can perform feats that will make you wonder what the human body is capable of!
Bring your friends and family—the events are suitable for people of all ages!
If you're in Korea, you should put this on your list of things to do.
Prices for tickets range. Learn more here and check out some amazing images and films (highly recommended)!
We sincerely hope you added something to your list of things to do in Korea in Spring. If you have any further recommendations for spring festivals in Korea, please share them in the comments section!
Also Read
]]>Flowers are the pinnacle of any beautiful scenery, especially during spring. The colors, shapes, and sizes portray beauty in many exciting and intriguing ways. Korean flowers are the ones to look forward to in the season of bloom.
When you walk past one stunning flower, you can't help but stop and take a photo. Wouldn't it be nice to know what these flowers were called? While we can't cover every flower of Korea, next time you see one of these, you'll be able to name it! Discover some of the most beautiful Korean flowers' names and more!
The national flower of South Korea, known as mugunghwa, blooms throughout August and usually lasts a few weeks. These pretty South Korean flowers hold the colors of a gentle light pink on the large part of their petals with a spot of a darker pink in the center, creating an ombre effect. If you visit Korea in the summer, you know what to look for!
A vivid yellow stands out in a field in the distance. What may this Korean flower be? It's so bright, and the shape is so intriguing. Forsythia Koreana, also known as the Korean golden bell tree, blooms in the year's colder months from around late January to March and usually lasts for a few weeks.
These native Korean flowers are truly fascinating! The shape looks like something out of a fantasy movie. Pulsatilla is a perennial herb and one of the Korean native flowers that can also be used as traditional herbal medicine.
Maybe you know these Korean plants and flowers by their more popular name—winter hazel, a tree covered in pretty little blossoms fairly spread along its branches. The soft yellow that colors these flowers makes them seem perfectly calming, and if you find one, great for some Instagram photos. These Korean flowers are native to Asia and North America, so if you think you’ve seen one of these before, you might have!
We're sure everyone knows this one. The famous cherry blossoms, with beautiful light pink petals, bloom in the spring and are displayed all over the country, along the streets, and in parks. When they're in bloom, there are even festivals dedicated to them! Walking under cherry blossoms is one of the most peaceful things to do, so the next time you're in Korea during spring, take a chill stroll through some gorgeous trees.
Have you taken any photos of or with any of these Korean flowers? Or some others that you discovered on your last trip to Korea. Feel free to show them to us in the comments!
Written by Nicole Simpkin
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Korea is one of the most desired travel destinations. The increasing popularity of the Hallyu wave has encouraged people from all over the world to visit Korea to get a taste of the food, culture, and music. After enjoying everything Korea offers, indulge yourself in a luxurious experience in a Jjimjilbang. Take advantage of resting and relaxing on your next vacation to Korea with a traditional Korean bathhouse experience.
Jjimjilbang translates to a heated room but offers so much more. A jjimjilbang is a traditional Korean bathhouse experience that includes various experiences and amenities to rest, relax, and get clean. It's a part of Korean culture that has withstood the test of time.
Some amenities that visitors of jjimjilbangs can take advantage of are the saunas, concession stands, massage areas, communal sleeping rooms, hot and cold baths to soak in, and seshin sessions, also known as professional scrub. You can find noraebangs (karaoke booths), PC bangs (internet cafes), hair and nail salons, and exercise rooms in more modern facilities.
When visiting a jjimjilbang, there are a few basic rules that visitors must follow.
Jjimjilbangs are different from saunas and spas because it creates a truly immersive experience where you can indulge in both sweating it out in a sauna and taking advantage of the treatments spas offer to many other amenities, just in a large community setting.
Most jjimjilbangs are open 24/7, and it is common for people to spend the night in a jjimjilbang.
While you can find jjimjilbangs in Korean communities worldwide, experiencing them in South Korea is the ultimate experience. For the Daebak fam who lives in America, check out these jjimjilbangs in the United States.
Planning your next visit to Seoul and need to find the jjimjilbang to visit? There are so many great choices to choose from that will have you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed after a visit.
Dragon Hill Jjimjilbang in Seoul is a 24-hour spa retreat open all year round. In addition to the usual amenities, make sure you check out the ice room, which features freezing temps that most people can't handle for more than two minutes, and the crystal sun salt room, which is filled with salt pebbles. With over seven floors to explore, you'll have the opportunity to get an authentic jjiljimbang experience.
You can give yourself an at-home jjimjilbang experience with k-beauty products like face masks and cleansers. Enjoy some ramen as well to round out your jjimjilbang relaxation session.
Another unique jjimjilbang experience can be found at Spa 1899. They are known for their full body massages and baths that use red ginseng extract beauty products. This is the place for you if you're looking for a more intimate jjimjilbang experience.
If you can't make it to Seoul, you can still get all the benefits of ginseng sent right to your doorstep with Sulwhasoo's Overnight Vitalizing Mask.
Siloam Sauna is a jjimjilbang loved by both tourists and locals. Their six floors feature medicinal hot baths that include mugwort, a jade fomentation room, a red light sleeping room, and a yummy menu of classic jjimjilbang foods. Their traditional rice punch is a must-try!
With so much to do in a hustle and bustle city like Seoul, visiting a jjimjilbang is an excellent opportunity to slow down and relax while still immersing yourself in Korean culture during your trip to Korea.
Want to learn more about Korean culture and places to visit where you can immerse yourself in Korean culture while traveling in Korea? Check out these awesome Korean culture and Korean travel blogs from The Daebak Magazine.
Korean New Year, or ‘Seollal,’ which will fall on January 22 of this year, is one of the most essential traditional national holidays in South Korea. Seollal is a vastly-celebrated holiday that takes place over three days — starting the day before the Lunar New Year and ending the day after.
Koreans living abroad or away from their hometowns often return home to spend time with their families and celebrate the new year together. The holiday typically involves feasting delicious traditional foods, playing games, exchanging gifts, and holding services and rituals for their ancestors.
With this being said, here are some of Korea’s most popular Seollal traditions and festivities!
Charye is an ancestral custom held during Korean New Year. During this ritual, Koreans pay their respects to their ancestors and pray for their peace and good health.
A table is set with the various dishes favored by the ancestors. During Charye, family members bow and offer prayers to their ancestors, often with adults bowing first, followed by the children in the family.
At the end of the ceremony, family members will share the ritual food and hope for the virtues of their ancestors to be passed onto them. It is believed that they absorb their ancestors’ wisdom and righteousness when they eat the food.
Sebae, otherwise known as the new year’s bow, is usually performed by younger family members, who present gifts to their elders and exchange new year’s wishes and blessings for good health and fortune.
The elders give sebaedon (세뱃돈 – new year’s money) to the young family members, which is then put into a traditional coin purse, known as a bokjumeoni (복주머니).
Bowing often signifies respect and greetings, so during Seollal, children line up before the adults and give them a bow to signify greetings for the new year.
In return, the adults give their blessings, known as deokdam (덕담), and allowances to the children.
Eating rice cake soup, or tteokguk, on Seollal is a widespread Korean tradition. It has been said that with the consumption of rice cake soup, you add another year to your age and gain luck for the year.
The rice cakes used in the soup are called garaetteok, or 가래떡, and signify prosperity and virtue for the new year.
This traditional dish is typically made of thinly-sliced rice cakes, beef, egg, and vegetables and is eaten with family members on the morning of Seollal.
Traditional folk games are often played amongst families on Seollal, as it is a time to remember your ancestors and spend time with family members. Some of the most popular games played on Seollal include:
In the weeks leading up to Seollal, Koreans are busy shopping for gifts to give their family members and friends to celebrate the new year.
Some of these gifts include; ginseng, fresh fruits, gift baskets (with spam, traditional sweets, and dried fish), and money, often given to children by their elders and parents.
Hanbok is a traditional Korean custom dress worn for holidays and other special occasions. From neutral and simple patterns to vibrant colors and intricate designs, Hanbok is a traditional attire that can accommodate many people’s styles.
In addition to the traditional dress, Hanbok is often worn with a traditional headpiece or pouch bags.
Many Koreans wear this traditional clothing to celebrate Seollal and pay their respects to their ancestors and culture.
Let us know what your favorite Seollal Tradition is in the comments below!
Happy Lunar New Year!
새해 복 많이 받으세요!
If you haven’t heard the news, winters in Korea are horrible! It’s so cold it bites your skin, and the piles of snow show up almost overnight - if you’re not prepared, you can find yourself with a burning red face and a few slips right onto your bum. But do not fear the dreadful Korean winter! Here are 5 Korea winter festivals to make your stay fun!
If you have not visited during the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, you can still attend the Pyeongchang Trout Festival now! This festival includes ice fishing, lure fishing, sledding, folk games, sleigh trains, different programs, and many other fun activities!
In the small town of Jinbu, you can even participate in their Winter Games Experience while learning more about trout and tasting the freshly caught fish in many variations of cooking done by either yourself or the restaurants! It's a great family festival and takes place on the Odaecheon Stream. You can also just attend the huge market where you can eat through the festival if fishing isn't for you. Locations and details can be found HERE on Visit Korea's website.
One of Korea's most well-known places is The Garden of Morning Calm in Gyeonggi-do. It is known for its natural beauty most of the year and for its other festivals in other seasons, but in the winter, people come from all over to walk through this beautifully lit garden. The lights and the blanket of white snow transport you to another world.
It's an especially great place for a date! During the festival period, the garden is open later at night (9 PM on Sundays through Fridays and 11 PM on Saturdays), but the lights come on at 5 PM daily. You can also warm up at the garden's restaurant on the property but be aware that it usually closes at 8 PM. Check out the official web page HERE for more information.
Snow sliding, an ice fountain, Igloo cafe, a snow hiking competition, huge snow sculptures, and more await you at the Taebaeksan Snow Festival in Gangwon-do. The large sculptures are of various people, places, and characters and sit on three levels of the mountain. There are even activities for kids, like sledding or skating.
There are food stalls and restaurants, too, if you need to escape the chilly temperatures. The festival is free, but some booths and activities may charge a small fee. Getting here and back can be a hassle, so do look into travel time and consider staying overnight to explore the area to make the long trip even more worth the trouble.
The official website is currently down, but you can get information about when and where from HERE. Need more snow and ice fun but don’t want to go to two different festivals in different places? Be sure to check out the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival!
This year, you can find some Christmas magic at the Busan Tree Festival in Nampo-dong. At this festival, there are street performances, contests, a parade, beautiful hanging lights, and even Christmas trees as tall as 18 meters! The festival is laid out in 3 zones, plus a photo zone where you can take great pictures for memories!
It is a free event, and the opening performance and the lighting ceremony are at 6 PM on December 1st, so make sure to get there and see the magic come to life! Performances and activities vary daily, so you can return more than once! You can check HERE for the festival's official site for more information. It is in Korean, but Google does offer a comprehensible translation to help you find what you are looking for - including a schedule!
What better way to start the new year off than by catching the first sunrise of the year on Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, located on the lovely island of Jeju? Though the festival became a festival in 1994, Koreans have been viewing the first sunrise here since the Goryeo Dynasty. The short festival begins with a nature tour on December 30th and a midnight fireworks show on New Year's Eve.
In between is filled with local artist performances, a torch replay, the New Year's countdown, and some other activities and events. As the sunrise approaches, everyone hikes up to the Seongsna Ilchulbong Peak - a UNESCO World Nature Heritage Site, I suggest - where you wait for the majestic viewing of the year's first sunrise and make your New Year's wish.
The peak is available for sunrise viewing all year long, but New Year's is the perfect time to go for the first time. You can find more information about the festival on the official Korean website HERE or just get directions to the event HERE.
From fishing to snow sledding to watching the first sunrise of the year, Korea definitely has winter fun under control. Cities and provinces all over the country have different ways of fighting the seasonal blues that come with winter. Have you been to any Korea winter festival? If so, where did you go, and what was the most unique thing to do?
Learning Korean isn’t easy—there’s Hangul, sentence structure, and grammar. On app stores, there are hundreds of Korean language learning programs. Which is the best app for learning Korean language? Based on my experience with these apps, it’s time to rate them and find out which of the most well-known apps come up on top!
These apps will be rated out of five based on their interface (how user-friendly it is), the content (if it gives Hangul romanization, whether it explains the grammar behind certain words, etc.), and how much content you can get without having to pay.
Duolingo is the classic app for learning any language. Accessing lessons is simple, but if you want to return to a specific lesson, you must re. It’s easy, accessible, and clean.
This app is convenient if you already know Hangul. You can test out the beginning Hangul section quickly. The lessons teach you new vocabulary, but it can sometimes seem sporadic. In the third lesson of the first chapter, it randomly goes to brand names. Topic markets and sentence structures must be thoroughly explained, and you must figure it out yourself.
The app doesn’t have a price wall blocking you from any content. The premium version gets rid of ads and lets you learn offline. Though, you can still learn without having to pay for anything.
Eggbun and their mascot Lanny have your back in language learning! The app's interface is very clean and cute. You can easily access any lessons as long as you have unlocked them. Eggbun takes a different approach with its teaching method. It's placed in the form of text message chats.
This is quite friendly and entertaining, but if you just want to get to the next point, you can't speed it up without it freaking out for a bit. Quizzing out on levels can be frustrating. If you want to skip ahead because you have Hangul down, you can't because you will have to know a bunch of vocabulary.
Besides the basic lessons, there are also cultural notes. They explain idioms, slang, and Korean holidays!
All of the notes are free, but the downside is that you can only access a portion of the Hangul chapter for free. A monthly subscription is $9.99, but if you're committed, it's worth it for all the material. Learn more about EGGBUN here!
Get ready to memorize with Memrise! With this app, you can either start at a beginning or advanced level. The interface is confusing; you must click on the top bar to access the lesson you're on. It's clunky on the design when it comes to the lesson. A little confusing but far from being terrible.
The content accessible for this app is pretty good. There are flashcards, videos, and voice lessons. The videos, which include native speakers, are a huge help. However, the first available lesson only has romanization regarding the Hangul.
This is okay, but you want to depend on something other than romanization. Learning Hangul makes it easier later, and after lessons, do include Hangul. For a beginner, the transition might be confusing.
As with most apps, you must pay to access most of their content. Annually, it would be $29.99 or $8.99 monthly. The free version has a limited amount of material to work with, though this app would definitely help out with hearing Korean.
This user interface is straightforward, and lessons are labeled. The grammar explanation and charts aren’t messy. If you want to, you can skip over the Hangul section if you already grasp it. LINGODEER takes a bit of exploring to find out where the extras are.
If you need a refresher on writing, this app also shows how to write the characters. Videos with stories are also included. The speech part can get tedious. They explain the grammar thoroughly, though you might have to read it several times. They also have a story mode where you can learn conversations with little stories.
The plus/premium version includes different materials like dark mode and voices. The regular version is good enough to get you through the basics of beginning Korean.
Overall, I recommend using DUOLINGO. But personally, I love the content more on EGGBUN.
With life getting in the way, the holiday season sneaks up on us every year, and we scramble around looking for gifts for all of our loved ones. With so many holiday gift guides floating around the internet, it's easy to get lost amongst them and just pick whatever first piques our interest instead of choosing a truly unforgettable gift.
Still looking for that perfect gift to give this holiday season? Your search is over with Daebak's 2022 Holiday gift guide. You're guaranteed to find something for everyone on your list that will be unique and truly loved.
The Daebak Company offers many cute holiday-themed items that you'll definitely want to include under the tree this year
Add a dancing Christmas tree to your holiday decor that also plays music to get you in a festive mood! It comes with an added bonus of a free duck snowball maker, which is always super popular in Korea in the wintertime.
Pair your dancing Christmas tree with a Kakao Friends Secret of Christmas mood light to give your home a warm glow to set that cozy holiday atmosphere.
Grab a super cute Kakoa friends Cookie Socks doll ornament as a gift for someone you love that they can use for years to come! It even includes a little snap button to close the stocking so you can add an additional treat!
Suppose you have a loved one who is really into cute Korean characters or Kakao friends. In that case, you can get them this cute Kakao Friends My Christmas Cookies advent calendar, so they can count down the days to Christmas with super cute ornaments and yummy sweet treats!
As a special gift given out during the holiday season, the Daebak fam will be given a free pair of holiday socks with your order, so order soon before they run out!
Check out more of Daebak's Christmas specials to choose a special gift for your special someone.
K-Pop fans will rejoice when you hand them over a Christmas gift that includes one of their favorite k-pop artists or groups. The Daebak Company has an official k-pop merch shop that features so many artists so you'll find exactly what you'll need to make them squeal with excitement when opening their gift from you.
Monsta X's new mini album Reason is up for preorder and Daebak has all the versions of it! You know the k-pop fans in your life want to collect all the photocards so grab them a Cassette Tape version, the 5-Set Jewel Version, and the KiT version.
You can also find the latest k-pop merch and k-pop albums from other k-pop artists such as NewJeans, NCT, BTS, and Blackpink, which make perfect stocking stuffers for the holiday season.
Seasonings Greetings are some of the most popular k-pop merch items this year and a perfect gift option for the k-pop fan in your life. The Daebak Company has many artists to choose from for the 2023 Season's Greetings. Each Season's Greetings comes with loads of content, behind the scene footage, and collectibles like photo cards and posters.
See which artist tempts you the most or go with your loved ones' fave when choosing between artists' Season's Greetings packages such as Pentagon, THE BOYZ, Oh My Girl, and TXT.
Korea has some of the cutest character merch! With brands like Kakao Friends and Line Friends having their own line of Korean characters and then helping popular k-pop groups create their own Korean characters, there are so many cute little faces to choose from!
BTS fans have so many fun options to choose from when it comes to Korean characters. Check out BT21, BT21 minini, TinyTAN, and BTS character merch.
Monsta X fans have Twotuckgom for their Korean characters, CCREW for Cravity, TRUZ for Treasure, and SKZOO for Stray Kids.
Even a cute Korean character acts as a mascot for the popular soju brand Jinro, the Asiatic Toad.
Check out all the Korean characters The Daebak company has to offer here.
Who doesn't want a gift you can eat? Korean snacks are the perfect way to give someone a little piece of Korean culture while also satisfying their tummy with a bit of yumminess!
Stay warm this holiday season with a rice latte or a spicy snack of Samyang Hot Chicken Crab chips.
Do your loved ones have more of a sweet tooth? They'll love these exclusive Jeju Island Green Manadarin Pies and these Hershey mandarin sandwich cookies!
Get the ultimate holiday gift of Korean snacks with the Snackfever box! It comes with 8-11 of the hottest Korean snacks, and if you're really feeling generous, you can get your loved one or even yourself a subscription to the Snackfever box to have a new package of Korean snacks every month!
The winter months of the holiday season can be so harsh on your skin, but you'll never know with some Korean beauty staples added to your makeup bag.
Keep yourself and your loved ones looking the best during this holiday season with k-beauty items like BTS x AMOREPACIFIC Lip Sleeping masks, CLIO's Pro Eye Palette that comes with a Melting Sheer lippy, or this Hydro Callogen gift set that comes with a special TENZERO product.
Get lost in all the fantastic k-beauty products here and fill your cart before the best stuff is sold out!
The new year means new beginnings and a chance to start with a clean slate. Start fresh with a new 2023 Diary where you can write down your goals for the new year and keep track of your day-to-day life.
K-jewelry is a great gift that won't break the bank. The Daebak Company features jewelry that will have the k-pop fan in your life excited to have the same pieces worn by their favorite artists. Check out this freshwater pearl choker worn by Red Velvet's joy or this dice necklace worn by BTS's RM, and you can't miss these gorgeous silver moonstone earrings worn by STAYC.
Korean lifestyle is a culmination of everyday products you can't get anywhere else but in Korea. The Daebak Company can send them to your doorstep almost anywhere in the world. So why not gift some Korea-exclusive items to your loved ones this holiday?
Check out some travel items for your next trip to Korea, home and living goods to make your home super cozy, and apparel that you can find in tiny tucked-away boutiques in the side street alleys of Korea.
Some of the best works of art come from Korea through music, k-dramas, and books. The Daebak company has a wide variety of k-content that will pique the interest of the person you're shopping for this holiday season.
For the K-drama lover in your life, Daebak has so many OST albums to choose from, including Big Mouth, Curtain Call, and Alchemy of Souls.
Curl up in front of the fireplace this holiday season with a script book from one of your favorite k-dramas like The Penthouse, SKY Castle, or the recently famous Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
And if you have a book lover to shop for that's looking for a new book series to get lost in, The Villainess is a Marionette Manhwa Set is perfect. It tells the tale of a beautiful princess named Kayena whose own brother uses her to secure his spot on the throne.
Add to their bookshelf some of BTS member RM's favorite books: I Want to Die But I want to Eat Tteokbokki and Almond.
Still trying to figure out what to get as a gift for someone this holiday season?
Daebak's Santa Sack may be precisely what you're looking for! It comes with a little bit of everything: a cute plushie or kitchen sponge, 2 Korean snacks, 2 k-beauty items perfect for the wintertime, 3 stationary items featuring adorable Korean characters, jewelry or a hair accessory, and a fabric perfume. These fantastic items are then wrapped in a colorful reusable bag!
The Daebak Box is another excellent gift-giving option that includes k-pop/k-drama goodies, k-beauty products, k-snacks, k-lifestyle items, and a copy of our Daebak Magazine. This box can also be ordered as a subscription that sends out one box every season that features seasonal items.
As an additional perk of being a Daebak box subscriber, you get an exclusive member discount that can be used to shop for more amazing Korean merch at The Daebak Company!
The holidays are a time for relaxing, spending time with family and loved ones, and having fun. You'll have one less thing to worry about with Daebak's 2022 Holiday Gift Guide.
When you're done with your holiday shopping, indulge in some light reading about the holiday season in Korea with The Daebak Magazine.
The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, the wrapped Christmas presents are hidden away in the closet, and the hot cocoa has marshmallows slowly melting into it. Have you ever been curious about how they celebrate Christmas in Korea?
Ever wondered about Korean Christmas traditions and what kind of food they eat for Christmas dinner? Dive deep into learning about Christmas in Korea in this article.
Christmas time in Korea is extremely festive! Friends and families gather to hold Christmas parties and exchange small gifts and cards decorated with Santa Claus. Stores and businesses decorate with colorful Christmas decorations. Amusement parks have holiday-themed events that offer fun for the entire family. Nature parks put up elaborate light festivals for people to walk through and marvel at.
Restaurants feature menus of Christmas-themed lunches, dinners, desserts, and drinks. Churches hold Christmas services and do Christmas caroling around the city, and you can also watch Christmas concerts featuring famous k-pop artists and classic Christmas plays.
Christmas in Korea does not follow any out-of-the-norm traditions. Many families celebrating Christmas in Korea do it on a smaller scale than in western countries. They often have small Christmas trees they decorate, hang up stockings that they later fill with Christmas-themed sweets, and exchange small gifts. The holiday is more about spending time with loved ones rather than focusing on presents.
Saying "Merry Christmas" in Korean sounds similar to how you would say it in English. You say Merry Christmas in Korean by saying 메리 크리스마스 or Meri Keuriseumaseu. A more traditional way to say Merry Christmas is 성탄축하 or Sung Tang Chuk Ha.
In Korea, they refer to Santa Clause as Santa Kullusu, 산타 클로스, or Santa Haraboji, 산타 할아버지, which means Santa Grandfather. He is usually pictured wearing a long green robe with a gat or traditional Korean flat-topped hat worn by men In the Joseon Dynasty.
On Christmas Day, you can find many Korean people eating traditional Korean foods prepared on most Korean holidays. Those traditional Korean holiday dishes include bulgogi, sweet potato noodles known as dangmyeon, bibimbap, and kimchi.
Couples will often make reservations to restaurants featuring an exclusive Christmas menu. You can also find lots of families going to buffet restaurants as well. Some Koreans have adopted the popular Japanese tradition of having KFC for Christmas dinner. To learn more about a Korean-style Christmas dinner, check out this article.
For dessert, Koreans will often bring home a decorated Christmas cake. They will also have traditional Korean sweets such as steamed pear (also called baesuk), sweet Korean pancakes (also called hotteok), a honey pastry similar to baklava (also called yakgwa), red bean rice cakes (also called bukkumi), and walnut-wrapped persimmons (also called gotgamssam).
Christmas is a national holiday in Korea, so most businesses and schools close for the day, but many places are open for business on Christmas. Shopping areas like Myeongdong are usually packed with people shopping on Christmas day. Many workplaces and groups of friends hold Christmas parties and gatherings.
You can find couples waiting in line for their favorite restaurants or huddling together, waiting for their favorite ride at an amusement park. Religious people have the opportunity to attend Christmas day services that often feature plays and reenactments of the birth of Jesus Christ. For people who really want to get into the Christmas spirit, they attend light festivals or go to shopping plazas that are extravagantly decorated for the holiday season.
Even though you won't see many people decorating their houses with Christmas lights in Korea, many places will put together grand spectacles of Christmas light displays so that everyone can visit and get into the holiday spirit. Check out this list of the four best light festivals in Korea to visit during Christmas to add to your itinerary!
A really lovely experience to take part in during the holiday season in Korea is attending a Christmas play. One of the most popular is The Nutcracker put on by the Korean National Ballet troupe. You could also catch a glimpse of local plays at some churches and shopping centers.
Christmas markets are some of the most magical places to get your fill of the holiday spirit. They offer many places to pick up local goods like jewelry, housewares, and everything in between, all while creating a festive atmosphere where you indulge in street food and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
The Hyundai Seoul Christmas Village is a popular Christmas market to visit this year. If you want to learn more about Christmas markets in Seoul, check out this article.
The Seoul Plaza Skating Rink is opening back up after three years of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The skating rink will open on Christmas Day and has extended hours on holiday. With an admission fee of KRW 1,000, including the skate rental fee, it's a fantastic and inexpensive activity to participate in during this holiday season.
Visiting ski resorts is also a popular winter activity during Christmas in Korea. Many resorts offer Christmas packages where the whole family can enjoy a white Christmas while sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and tubing!
Lotte World holds a Christmas festival every year. The entire park is covered in Christmas decorations and lights, and they have an extravagant Christmas parade where you can see snow! Enjoy one of the family-friendly musical shows, and don't forget to stop by Santa Village for a really cute photo zone.
Everland Theme Park has a "Snowman World" theme for this holiday season. Check out the Snowman Panorama, a garden full of cute snowman sculptures, and then head over to the special gigantic snow bunny representing next year's Chinese zodiac animal. Don't miss the Christmas fantasy parade and end the night with their spectacular fireworks.
Christmas in Korea is not centered around gift giving, so if people choose to exchange gifts, they are usually small. In families, it is common for each person to only receive one gift. Common gifts given are money, Korean gift sets that may include things like beauty products or red ginseng, and luxury brand name items.
If you'll be in Korea for Christmas and are looking for some awesome gifts to give loved ones back home, The Daebak Company has a gift for everyone on your list! Share a piece of Korean culture by gifting traditional Korean souvenirs.
Got a k-pop lover in need of a gift for Christmas? Choose from all the latest k-pop merch, including Seasons Greetings from the hottest artists topping the charts this winter.
Foodies everywhere will rejoice when you bring them back some yummy Korean snacks. Why not hook them up with a subscription to the Snackfever box so they'll get a new box of tasty Korean snacks to try every month?
Got someone super picky on your list and have no idea what to get them for Christmas? A subscription to the Daebak Box will not disappoint. They'll get a box every season that includes k-pop/k-drama goodies, Korean beauty products, Korean snacks, Korean lifestyle items, and a copy of The Daebak Magazine.
Want to know more about the holiday season in Korea? Check out these amazing articles from The Daebak Magazine while you cozy up by the fireplace.
Every year, South Korea is the place to be if you want to see gorgeous sculptures, scenes, and landscapes… all made out of lights! It’s time to grab your scarves and hats and enjoy the beautiful light festivals in Korea.
From animal themes to popular Korean structures, all light festivals in Korea have their own unique vibe. Below is a Korean travel guide with just a few of the best places to go during your next holiday getaway.
What is the most popular festival in South Korea? Discover one of the most popular light festivals in South Korea first! Starting with the most densely populated and popular city in South Korea- Seoul. The center of the country that hosts millions of travelers every year is one of the busiest cities in the world.
With the Hallyu movement bringing kpop fans and Korean culture enthusiasts from all over the world, the Seoul Lantern Festival has become a popular stop during the holidays.
Seoul's beautiful dazzling holiday lights are displayed from Mid-December to New Year’s Eve.
The light festival Korea reflects off the small river they are placed over, spanning over a kilometer. With various lights and paper lantern sculptures, this free event is a must for a beautiful walk through Seoul.
A present awaits you at the end of your walk... A large, lit Christmas tree is a popular spot to take photos and enjoy the holiday spirit all around.
To find out more information and see a sneak peek of what’s to come for this years display follow @seoullanternfestival on Instagram!
Next we are taking our Korean travels to Pocheon, South Korea.
Psst- don’t get hangry on the way. Grab the perfect road snacks like the Choco Mint Pie with a warm cup of KANU Mint Choco Latte to get you in the holiday spirit.
We have arrived in Pocheon, in Gyeonggi-do, for the popular Herb Island Light Festival. With a Mediterranean theme that is sure to be the perfect backdrop for stunning photos and a romantic walk, you’ll want to make sure this goes on your own Korean travel guide as a stop.
The Herb Island Festival shares colorful lights designed for different parts of nature. With pathways decorated in LED light carriages, presents, and fairy lights, it’s no surprise this magical location is the place to go to propose in South Korea during the winter.
Even if you want to go with family or friends, Herb Island Light Festival will have you in your own holiday fairytale setting.
To see photos and learn more about this light festival in Korea, follow Herb Island on Instagram @herbisland_korea.
We are hitting the road again and headed to Petit France in Gapyeong-gun.
For this part of your Korean travels, you’ll want to enjoy a cup coffee to keep you warm as this light festival is up from December to March which tend to be the coldest parts of the year in South Korea.
Pour your group a cup of BTS Hand Drip Coffee before you go in a WIGGLE WIGGLE bamboo eco mug for the trip.
The Little Prince Light Festival is unique as it takes place in Petit France Park, a little village modeled after small villages in France and Italy. With pastel painted houses, cherubs, and male sculptures all around, you will feel like you have been dropped into the middle of a small town in France.
This light festival in Korea also has other attractions besides the beautiful fairy twinkling lights. While visiting, you can enjoy marionette performances, magic shows, and a wish tree event.
This cute village has also been the filming location for kdrama One Spring Night and boasts popular characters from the child fairytale Pinocchio.
To find out more about this unique experience and little village follow @petit_france_korea on Instagram.
We are ending this Korean travel guide at one of Korea's most beautiful and unique light festivals. The Light Festival of The Garden of the Morning Calm is one of South Korea's oldest and first light festivals that combines nature and environmentally friendly LED lights.
Held in December until Mid-March, this is another location you will want to make sure you are dressed warm enough for.
Grab the brand new BLACKPINK Kpop merch from their latest comeback, BORN PINK, to keep you warm!
The BLACKPINK tour merch beanie is sure to keep you fashionable and warm for all the pictures and memories you'll make.
If there is one light festival you make it to during your Korean travels, The Garden of the Morning Calm has to be it. With lights covering over 330 thousand square meters and a light show that lasts almost two hours, this is sure to be a highlight on your trip through South Korea.
Add The Garden of the Morning Calm to your Korean travel guide and follow the garden’s Instagram @morningcalm_garden.
They share stunning views of the garden during the day and at night, with each picture making you yearn to have your own moment in this fantasy like garden.
With so many places to explore, you can stay in Seoul or head to Gyeonggi-do to enjoy the holidays surrounded by friends, family, and beautiful fairytale lights.
To find more exciting places to explore while traveling South Korea during the Autumn or Winter check out the blogs below. And don’t forget to subscribe to a SnackFever box so you can enjoy seasonal Korean snacks all year round.
Big news for ARMYs and art lovers! The talented leader of BTS, Kim Namjoon, also known as RM, shared the details of one of his latest projects with an exhibition of The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art.
Do you want to know more about this project full of art, history, museums, and of course, the handsome leader's RM LACMA's project? Get more details below.
Namjoon is an ardent art lover, and we can see that he usually shares his love for art on social media and frequently shares photos of himself visiting museums and galleries.
It is no secret that the rapper is encouraging his followers to support artists in general and South Korean artists in particular by visiting museums and showing them support.
The charismatic Kim Namjoon surely made art lovers heart's flutter with his consistent visits to museums. We want to share one of the many reasons to love this legend with his latest art project: LACMA RM audio guide!
@dulce_ciel0 Estas fotos merecen ir a un museo #namjoon #namu #kimnamjoon #nam #bangtam #rkive #parati #fyp #fypシ #xyzbca #namjoonie ♬ SUGA's Interlude - Halsey & SUGA & BTS
BTS RM announced the details of his most recent endeavor on Instagram, and ARMYs couldn't control their excitement! The first-ever significant exhibition of modern Korean art to be displayed in the West will be "The Space Between The Modern in Korean Art."
Known for his soothing and deep voice, you can listen to the RM audio guide at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). On the official website of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), the guides are in Korean in addition to the English version through LACMA and MMCA.
One of the many favorites among fans and art enthusiasts from this endeavor is the LACMA RM commentary on the Playing Children, 1963, by Park Soo Keun.
The LACMA exhibition looks at how modern art in Korea developed due to artists' interactions and reinterpretations of the foreign influences that helped to form it. The Space Between LACMA exhibition has more than 130 pieces of Korean art which will be opened to the public from 11 September 2022 to 19 February 2023.
The LACMA the Space Between audio will help visitors to fully appreciate and listen to informative commentary on these artworks in a beautiful guide to travel in the past with BTS RM.
The LACMA Korean art exhibition explores how modern art in Korea evolved due to the influences of traumatic events like the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War through 88 artists.
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, and The Hyundai Project: Korean Art Scholarship Initiative have collaborated to create "The Space Between," the second in a series of shows. It will showcase artworks in various media, such as sculpture, oil painting, and photography.
@eileentv Namjooing with Namjoon’s voice this time! LACMA’s The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art walkthrough #btsrm #btsnamjoon #btskimnamjoon #namjooning #lacma #thespacebewteen #koreanart #modernkoreanart #kpoptiktok #namjoonvoice #rmofbts ♬ Sky Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
The project is a great chance to educate people about modern Korean art by examining how conventional molds were broken to introduce new and borrowed ones during the serious difficulties the nation experienced at the time.
These works of art—never previously displayed outside of Korea—illustrate how Korean art was viewed in the context of the serious difficulties the nation was experiencing at the time.
To further spark interest in and excitement for Korean culture, the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles will also host an exhibition of contemporary Korean cinema alongside LACMA during this exhibition period.
Any visitor can buy or reserve an online advance admission ticket, including LACMA members and NexGenLA youth members. Prior to admittance, each visitor must successfully complete an on-site health confirmation screening. Only those who successfully complete this examination will be admitted to the museum.
Check the website to get your tickets!
General Admission
Adult: $25
Senior (65+): $21
Student (with ID): $21
Teen (13–17): $10
Youth (3-12): $10
Youth (0-2): Free
Location: Resnick Pavilion
Time: 11 am–7 pm
Remember to arrive at LACMA at least 15 minutes before your reservation to check in.
If you're interested in getting a complete book guide, an illustrated volume is essential for understanding modern art in Korea and how it evolved to meet the contemporary global context. You can check it on its website for $75.00
Are you in Los Angeles? You can have the opportunity to join a gallery tour with a docent this November 8 from 2 pm - 3 pm. The entrance is free with museum admission. For more information, visit the LACMA page.
The fact that their favorite leader is working on a project involving museums is not a surprise to the ARMYs. Fans now call taking time out from their busy schedules to unwind in a "Namjooning" way, a reference to BTS RM's propensity for venturing out by himself to explore museums, parks, and other relaxing outdoor activities. If you are interested in RM's recommended books, know more about them here!
@kooklliet Joon day 🐨🍃🧚🏼🌱 #fyp #fypシ #namjoon #joon #rm #bts #btsarmy #vlog #vlogaesthetic #aesthetic #adayinmylife #nature #namjooning #kpop #kpopvlog ♬ son original - Juliette
Do you want to know more about the activities of your favorite groups and about Korean culture? Stay with Daebak, your best option to stay informed about the world in South Korea
Halloween is the time for trick or treating, but kids are not the only ones you should surprise with treats and sweets! It is also the best time to send your family, friends, and yourselves some spooktaculiar Halloween gifts.
If your loved ones treasure everything about Korea, you can plan a perfect trip from our Halloween in Korea blog. But travels to Korea are not the only Halloween gift ideas with which you can surprise your loved ones! So here are a couple of daebak Halloween gifts with a Korean twist!
Kdrama fans have their list of supernatural, thriller, and horror series and movies they love, so how about sending them a basket packed with Kdrama merch? Some kdrama Halloween boo basket ideas for friends are items from Squid Game, All of Us Are Dead, It's Okay Not to Be Okay, and Sweet Home.
Include a couple of costumes from their favorite Kdrama stars to prepare them for a Kdrama-themed Halloween party!
Adorable Halloween gift ideas from their favorite kdramas will surely make them happy. Halloween is not only for horrors, so mix in a couple of charming items like Kdrama plushies and merch from Yumi's Cells or Extraordinary Attorney Woo Young-Woo!
If you do not have enough time to pick items one by one, how about getting Kdrama gift sets instead?
Halloween is not complete without Halloween candy gifts! For first time Korean snackers, you can shop from our Halloween 2022 collection to pick the best sweet treats to complete your Halloween candy gift bags ideas.
You can also mix Halloween candy treat bags with spicy and hot items from Samyang to recreate hell's kitchen for your Halloween parties! Do a Fire noodle challenge to add a Korean mix to your Halloween challenges.
Another surprise you can get for your friends and loved ones are getting them the best Halloween care package filled with Korean items! Not everyone is having a good day, so send them an amazing Korean snack box like SnackFever or go for a Special Hallowen kit packed with themed treats!
Other Halloween care package ideas should also include healthcare items! Get Lemona and MyNi vitamin sets, or choose healthy drinks from Teazen.
Halloween is also a time for creative makeup, but it can be a scary moment for your friends to keep their skin healthy. Add the best Halloween makeup items with Korean skincare items for their 10 step Korean skincare routine too!
Can't think of a spooky basket gift for your pet-lover friends? The best Halloween gift ideas for pet lovers are bootastic costumes! Get a pumpkin costume and add a couple of toys for their fur babies.
Or pick Hanbok costumes from Yitzdog to get them ready for your kdrama Halloween costume party!
Are you launching a Kpop-inspired Halloweed party? Don't forget to get your guests the best DIY Halloween loot bag! Like fan events and kpop concerts, some kpop Halloween loot bags ideas are small kpop merch.
Send them your friends Halloween sets of their kpop group's favorite items like Jungkook's Teazen pick or a BTS snack kit!
Make it memorable by adding one or more kpop jewelry items to level up their Halloween kpop outfit from BTS, Red Velvet, ITZY, IVE, BLACKPINK, IU, and more!
For more Halloween gift ideas and discounted items, visit our Halloween 2022 collection! Get themed snacks, celebrity items, makeup products, and pet gifts.
Don't miss out on Halloween giveaways and live Halloween party on our Instagram and other SNS accounts too! You may just get the ultimate Halloween surprise.
The spooky season is finally upon us! There's never been a better time to visit Korea to experience how Halloween is celebrated in Korea. Let The Daebak Company give you some of the best tips on how to have a hauntingly good time while you're in Korea for Halloween. If you can't make it to Korea for the spooky festivities, Daebak can bring Halloween in Korea right to your doorstep.
If you're in Korea for Halloween, most people will tell you to follow the crowds for the best place to go. Whether it's a long line to get into a theme park or trying to weed through a large crowd to get to a popular nightclub having a Halloween-themed night, you'll have tons of options to make your Halloween in South Korea, a memorable one.
If you're looking for a true Halloween experience in Korea, you have to check out the night scene in Itaewon. Halloween in Itaewon, in Seoul, is a world-renowned event. It is even highlighted in the second episode of Itaewon Class where the main character gets his face painted and has a night out on the town after being reunited with a long-lost friend.
During Halloween weekend, you can walk down the streets of Itaewon and see makeshift vanities set up where people offer to paint your face or give you gory wounds with special effects makeup to compliment your outfit for the evening.
Stores, clubs, and restaurants have Halloween decorations up for the entire month of October. You can even find restaurants that feature Halloween food, drink, and dessert menus. At clubs, you will find Halloween-themed drinks in IV bags, syringes, and, cauldrons.
If the crowds of Itaewon on Halloween seem a bit intimidating, look into going to Hongdae instead which will still be just as lively as the Halloween partying in Itaewon, just not as crowded.
Nami Island is a gorgeous place to visit, even more so during the fall because of the beautiful scenery filled with autumn foliage. Stroll through Bungalow Row Riverside Path to take in the scenic nature and discover hidden photo spots along the way. Visit the over 300 maple trees planted in Baekpungmilwon Maple Garden and be in awe of the beautiful fall-colored leaves. Gingko Tree Lane is one of the most photographed spots on Nami Island, so definitely give yourself time to get the perfect picture here as there may be a line for the perfect photo spot.
For Halloween, you will see Nami Island subtly decorated with large ghosts hanging from trees and Halloween-themed art installations on some of the grounds. Even the restaurants on the island showcase a Halloween-themed menu during the spooky season.
Lotte World Adventure Theme Park holds an annual Halloween event. This year it is called Lotte World Horror Halloween: The Expansion. Catch Lotty's Halloween Party Parade for a family-friendly performance featuring tons of Korean snacks and candies. If you're looking for more of a thrill, check out Lotte World's "Zombie Prison" escape room experience or the "Restricted Area A" performance of a gruesome battle between army soldiers and zombies.
With Everland being the largest amusement park in Korea, it is a popular choice to visit year after year, especially during Halloween. The entire park is covered with Halloween decorations, hoping for ghouls and goblins, from near and far, to take a visit.
A kid-friendly festival is held at Everland every Halloween and this year it's called "Happy Halloween." "Happy Halloween" features a "Halloween Wicked Parade" where kids can sit and watch as fun characters ride by on elaborately decorated floats. If you'd rather have anything other than a terrifying time on Halloween, check out Everland's Halloween Infinity Garden. Frolick through the fields of orange marigolds and don't forget to take a picture to remember your visit. End your night with a Night Safar Tram ride where you can witness many of the animals when they're most active.
A festival held for people who want to feel goosebumps and the hair on the back of their neck standing up is also held every year around Halloween. It is called "Blood City 6: Express 199." It features a horror zone called "Horror Village" as well as popular rides that have been given a bone-chattering Halloween makeover. Pay the extra 10,000 KRW for a walk through the Horror Maze if you want to end up with no voice at the end of the night from all the screaming you'll be doing from being scared. Finish off your hauntingly good time with one of the photo zones where you can take a picture with a giant zombie.
If you'll be in Daegu for Halloween, you can have a Halloween theme park experience at Daegu E-World theme park. This year, their Halloween experience is called "BEEBEE's Happy Halloween." Their cast members will be adorned in some of the best-looking costumes as you explore all the thrill rides they have to offer.
The Yongin Korean Folk Village opens at night for the Halloween season. has a ghost-themed exhibit to explore called The Horror of Ghost Zone. You can watch a performance of people dressed up as popular Korean urban legends and then explore the haunting aura of the village at night.
Halloween in Korea is less about trick-or-treating and more about having new experiences and a good time while partying hard. With so many options to choose from to enjoy your Halloween in Korea, there's guaranteed to be a fun event for you to take part in whether you want a chill, not-so-scary Halloween or if you'd rather keep the blood-curdling screams coming all night.
Every year in Korea, there's a popular theme that many people follow to dress up as for their festivities. It will usually align with a popular series or movie that has come out that year. Last year, Squid Game was a popular Halloween costume choice. The Netflix k-drama series Money Heist Korea is a popular choice for Halloween costume inspiration in Korea this year.
With the anticipation of Squid Game season 2 hanging in the balance, you can definitely still use it as your Halloween costume inspo. Complete your Squid Game soldier look with this Squid Game soldier mask. You can get it in a triangle, circle, or square design. Get your inspiration for another Squid Game costume from this Young-hee Plushie but don’t move when she looks at you while playing Red Light, Green Light.
Pub crawls are popular any time of the year in Seoul, but if you want to experience the amazing Halloween party atmosphere that happens all over Itaewon, a pub crawl is a great way to experience the Halloween club scene while getting to meet people from all over the world. Grab a ticket to Absolute’s Seoul Pub Crawl Experience where you’ll get to experience multiple clubs that are decorated for the spooky holiday and include festive Halloween drink menus, as you mingle with a group of international friends and native Koreans just looking to have a fun night.
Learn about a side of Korea that you may not be familiar with: its ghostlore and urban legends. The Dark Side of Seoul Ghost Walk will take you through dark alleys and hidden passageways as you learn about forgotten bloody massacres and mourning ghosts. The tour guides suggest that you bring comfortable walking shoes, bottled water, an umbrella in the event that you experience a random Seoul downpour, and a change of underwear as you will surely be scared enough to wet your pants by the end of the tour. If you can't make it to Seoul for this spooky walking tour, you can listen to The Dark Side of Seoul podcast which features Korean ghost stories, dark history, and true crime.
Grab some friends and go on a midnight Zombie Run at Starfield COEX Mall. When you sign up to participate you'll get a survival kit that includes a name tag, a sticker, gloves, and a life belt with three flags that zombies will try to steal from you as you run the course. If you enjoyed the zombie thriller k-drama All Of Us Are Dead, this is your chance to experience your own zombie survival situation!
Here at The Daebak Company, we know not all of our Daebak Fam will have the opportunity to visit Korea for Halloween, so we've made it easier than ever to have a little bit of a Korean Halloween shipped right to your doorstep. Whether you're staying in for the night for a thriller k-drama binge night or taking your pets out to a pet costume party, Daebak has all your Halloween needs taken care of.
You don’t have to go out for a night on the town to have an awesome Halloween at home. Grab some friends and put together this Halloween Camping Brick Figure set to keep the spooky times going.
Keep your mind off of the ghouls and goblins that are lurking around outside by munching on some Buldak Samyang ramen snacks, which have a spicy chicken flavor.
Want something hardier with that same fire chicken flavor? Nongshim Shin Ramyun Friend Noodles or Ottogi Hot Ramen are yummy options that you can enjoy with friends while watching scary movies.
If you’re looking for a show to binge-watch on Halloween night, why not watch the korean series Squid Game while enjoying the same ramen that players 001 and 457 share in the show? It’s a classic meal that will put you right in the middle of the show.
Don’t leave your furry friends out of the Halloween celebration. Turn them into cute little jack-o-lanterns with this Halloween Costume Cape, or give them a spooky princess look with these Halloween dress capes. Who can resist cute doggos in a Halloween costume?
Trick-or-treating is not widely practiced in Korea like it is in America and other western countries but you can still enjoy some tasty Halloween treats and snacks. Explore the awesome Halloween treats Korea has to offer at The Daebak Company.
Keep the vampires away with a pack of these crispy garlic chips. This light and crunchy snack are the perfect pick-me-up before a spooky night on the town.
Looking for a salty snack with a spicy kick to go along with your spicy Halloween costume? Samyang’s Hot Chicken Crab chips will have your taste buds dancing whether you spend your night burning up the dance floor or burning the midnight oil as you have a thriller movie marathon.
Still getting your treats ready for the trick-or-treaters who will soon be knocking on your door or looking for a way to get your office mates into the spooky vibes of the holiday? Pass out some of these limited edition Bloody Beatles candy. With a burst of cherry cola flavor, you might see a trick-or-treater or your coworker come back around for seconds!
If you’re looking for a little bit of everything all in one to bring to the office or to pass out to trick-or-treaters, this Pumpkin Halloween has an assortment of sweet treats to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
Fans of sour candy will love this sour chewing candy. With 80% more sour powder, the packaging shows exactly how these candies will leave you after popping one into your mouth!
Halloween Jelly Jellys are made to be played with! These spider-shaped tattoo gummies come in three different flavors: strawberry, blueberry, and apple. The tattoos themselves can be found on the inside of the packaging! Just enjoy your gummies, cut open the packaging, place the tattoo where you would like it, and just press it onto your skin! You can also add one of the tattoos onto your disposable mask to go with your Halloween costume.
Oreo has always come out with some of the best flavors for different holidays throughout the year and for Halloween, they’ve come out with a citrusy orange cream flavor sandwiched between their classic chocolate cookies. The Oreo cookies feature spooky cartoon designs on one side and on the other it says “trick or treat.”
Chocolate lovers hoping for a yummy chocolate treat to enjoy this Halloween can grab these Ercho Happy Halloween sweets. Get more than one, so you don’t have to share in The Deabak Company's Halloween 2022 collection!
Want to learn more about Korea's spin on Halloween? Check out some more spine-chilling Daebak Magazine articles below! Don't forget to leave us a comment telling us what your Halloween costume is this year and how you plan to celebrate.
The Hallyu movement has been sweeping the globe by storm. Ever-present is the rising popularity of k-pop, k-dramas and Korean culture as a whole.
If you're looking to learn more about Korean culture as you take a deep dive into all things Korean, start with this guide to get to know all of the Korean holidays.
Come learn about the Korean holidays and how Koreans celebrate them!
New Year's Day is known as Sinjeong(신정) in Korea. Koreans celebrate on the first day of the solar calendar, January 1, just like westerners.
On New Year's Eve in Korea, family and friends gather to watch the elaborate fireworks show held annually to bring in the New Year. Many will also watch the first sunrise of the year together at a sunrise festival
Korean New Year is known as Seollal(설날) or Korean Lunar New Year. It is a three-day celebration that starts on the first day of the first month of the lunar new year.
For many Koreans, Lunar New Year is arguably more important than the regular New Year.
During Lunar New Year in Korea, you can find people celebrating by spending time with their family and friends, partaking in sacred ceremonies and rituals, and eating lots of traditional yummy food
The most common thing you'll see on Lunar New Year is the Korean culture tradition of sebae(세배). Sebae is when you wear traditional Korean clothing, Hanbok, kneel on the ground and bow deeply to your elders as you wish them a happy new year. This sign of respect usually earns you a gift of money inside a tiny envelope from your elders.
The food most associated with Lunar New Year in Korea is tteokguk(떡국) or rice cake soup. It is said that the act of eating tteokguk turns you one year older during Lunar New Year.
Check out the Daebak New Year page for some exclusive Lunar New Years goodies that you can't find anywhere else!
Daeborum(대보름) is known as the Great Full Moon Festival. This festival celebrates the first full moon of the year after the Korean New Year. Koreans celebrate on the 15th day of the lunar new year, usually in February.
Koreans celebrate Daeborum by hiking up mountains to have the best view of the full moon, lighting lanterns, and participating in fire festivals in which they practice the tradition of daljiptaeugi(달집태우기), setting daljips(달집) or bonfires aflame.
Traditional foods eaten during Daeboreum are ogokbap(오곡밥) a five-grain rice, assorted nuts known as bureom(부럼), a wine said to improve one's hearing called gwibalgisul(귀밝이술), injeolmi(인절미) a chew rice cakes covered in powder soybean, and yaksik(약식) a glutinous rice mixed with dried fruits, nuts and honey, served in a cake.
Independence Movement Day is known as Samiljeol(삼일 운동). It takes place on March 1.
This holiday is in direct remembrance of some of the earliest displays of Korean resistance that would play a huge part in Korea's journey to independence from Japan.
Presidential Election Day is known as Seongeonal(선거날) and comes on March 9.
People in South Korea will elect a new president every five years for a single five-year term.
It's a day to encourage everyone who can vote to get out and vote for their preferred candidate that aligns with their ideas and values.
Arbor Day is known as Sikmogil(식목일). Koreans celebrate Sikmogil on April 5.
Although the holiday lost its official status as a holiday in 2006, people still participate in the holiday by planting a tree or another type of vegetation.
Arbor day is a reminder to respect and appreciate nature, as well as a reminder to take better care of our planet.
South Korea celebrates Labour Day(노동절) on May 1.
The holiday honors the labor movement's achievements and recognizes the impact on the nation's working people.
Children's Day is known as Eorininal(어린이날) and is celebrated on May 5. This holiday was founded by the Korean children's book writer Pang Chonghwan to instill confidence, pride, and independence.
Outdoor activities are usually planned for kids to enjoy and receive small gifts. There are also parades, taekwondo demonstrations, and traditional games that any kid would get, wrapping up into play because it was so fun.
Buddha's Birthday is known as Bucheonnim Osinnal(부처님 오신 날). Korean celebrate Bucheonnim Osinnal on the first full moon of the sixth month of the Buddhist calendar.
Flocks of people head up to the Buddhist temples all over Korea decorated with Buddhist flags and lanterns while making offerings. You'll surely come across a parade or street fair near the temple.
Memorial Day is known as Hyeonchung-il(현충일) and is observed on June 6.
Memorial Day in Korea remembers and honors all service members who paid the ultimate price when they decided to fight for their own country.
Constitution Day is known as Jeheonjeol(제헌절) and is celebrated on July 17.
On July 17, 1948, the constitution of the Republic of Korea was created. This date was purposely chosen for the celebratory holiday to match the founding date of the Joseon dynasty.
As of 2008, it is no longer considered a public holiday where everyone is off from school and school.
Taegukgi flags are still hung up all over cities on this day and a ceremony is held at the National Assembly building.
Chilseok(칠석) falls on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Lunar Calendar, so its date of celebration will change from year to year. In 2022, Chilseoek will fall on August 4.
Also referred to as The Traditional Korean Valentine's Day, you can think of Chilseok as a Romeo and Juliet holiday.
It's common to celebrate Chilseok by taking a bath and eating wheat-based foods.
Liberation Day is known as Gwangbokjeol(광복절) and is celebrated on Augst 15.
Liberation Day and the Korean Independence Movement are often used interchangeably but are two very different hard.
Korean Liberation Day was when Korea was free from Japanese imperialism after being under their rule for 35 years.
Chuseok(추석), referred to as Korean Thanksgiving, is celebrated as the mid-autumn harvest festival.
Chuseok is a holiday to connect with family on a different level and to honor and be grateful for our ancestors and the bountiful harvest they are said to bring. It involves preparing food or jaesa(제사)
as ancestral rites to show respect and appreciation for your neighbors.
One food eaten during Chuseok is Songpyen(송편), a pine needle-filled rice cake that is supposed to represent the moon.
In a giving mood this harvest festival? Check out Chuseok gift-giving guide for all your harvest festival needs.
Armed Forces Day is known as 국군의 날.
Celebrated on October 1, Armed Forces Day is a day to pay homage to the service of the many brave men and women who are a part of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
It's celebrated on this day because, in 1950, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces invaded North Korea by breaking through the 38th parallel border during the war.
Sea and air drills are done on this day as a demonstration and show of force. A military parade and ceremony are held where the Korean president is usually in attendance.
National Foundation Day is known as Gaecheonjeol(개천절) and is celebrated on the 3rd day of the 10th lunar month.
The holiday is celebrated in commemoration of the founding of the first organized Korean kingdom, the Gojoseon Dynasty.
On National Foundation Day, you can find people sitting at home and burning sandalwood incense to worship the founder of Korea, Dangun. You may see others who go to a parade or go hiking to pay homage to Dangun by visiting where he is said to have descended from heaven before founding the Korean nation.
Hangul Day is known as Hangeulnal(한글날) and is celebrated on October 9.
Hangul Day commemorates the day that Sejong the Great created the Korean alphabet in 1446.
You can find people celebrating this Korean Holiday by visiting the bronze statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul, visiting the King Sejong Memorial Hall, and visiting the Tomb of King Sejong.
For the next Hangul Day, see if you've mastered the Korean language with a Hanguel board game that you can play to test your knowledge with your friends.
Halloween(할로윈) is celebrated on October 31. Although Halloween is not a national or public holiday in Korea, Koreans love to go all out to celebrate the spooky season.
Halloween in Itaewon is a world-renowned event where people from all over the world flock to the streets of Seoul to hang out with other ghouls and goblins. Halloween in Itaewon was even featured during an episode of the k-drama Itaewon Class.
Trick or treating is not a traditional activity for kids on Halloween in Korea.
You will find subways packed with young adults dressed in their Halloween costumes, eager to see where the night will take them.
You can get a quick gory makeup makeover to compliment your costume from one of the many makeshift vanities set up on the side of the street. You can find The Daebak Company's latest Halloween goods here!
When you're done, follow the large crowds of people flooding the streets and you'll end up at one of the fun dance clubs that are decorated for the occasion and feature drinks that will leave you having a hauntingly good time all night.
If you're not into dancing the night away at one of Seoul's nightclubs, you can go to one of the amusement parks like Lotte World to experience haunted house attractions, zombie parades, and spooky performances.
While Christmas does have a Korean word for the holiday, Gidoktansinil(기독탄신일), you will often hear people who just call it Christmas(크리스마스).
Christmas in Korea is more commonly celebrated between couples unlike other parts of the world where celebrating Christmas is a family affair.
Beyond the typical Korean dishes of bulgogi, kimchi, and rice cake soup that you may find on the dinner table, it is also quite common for Koreans to partake in KFC for their Christmas dinner meal.
Daebak's holiday gift guide has so many choices to choose from when picking out holiday gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. Daebak's Christmas market has something for everyone so you can start checking them off your list early.
Korea has a rich history; one can experience different aspects of Korean culture by learning about the Korean holidays.
While you're planning your next trip to Korea with the help of The Daebak Company's Best Times to Visit Korea guide, see if you'll be visiting during one of the Korean holidays so you can get immersed into Korean culture for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Which Korean holiday interests you the most? Let us know in the comments, and read up on some more Korean holidays below.
Sometimes when you travel, you need a little something to really make your trip pop!
Going back and forth to Korea for the past 3 years, if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that South Korea does not fall short of festivals or parties. If you're traveling to the land of some of the biggest festivals in Asia, here are 5 festivals to check out in Seoul and Busan. Can't make these this year? Not a problem! These festivals are selected so you can plan your future trip accordingly! *Note: Dates change every year so be sure to check the dates on the official links when you go!
1. Busan International Film Festival
Running Oct 4th - Oct. 13th
One of biggest film festivals in Asia - if not the biggest film festival in Asia takes place for almost 10 days at all of the major theaters in the city (mostly in Haeundae and Centum City area). There are screenings for both international and domestic films, a BIFF shop, and so much more; it is insane! This is a cannot miss festival for movie buffs, and I am personally excited about the opening movie this year. Tickets information can be found HERE on BIFF's official website along with other details for the events.
2. Seoul International Fireworks Festival and Busan International Fireworks Festival
Seoul's IFF on Oct. 6th, Busan's IFF on Oct. 27th
I put these two together because of obvious similarities, but I have only been to Seoul's annual fireworks show. And a show it is! Fireworks accompanied by lights, lasers, the whole multimedia sha-bang that reminded me of Thunder of Louisville, the firework show from my hometown - only bigger and brighter!
Taken place along the Han River at Yeouido Hangang Park and perfected since 2000, there's everything from food trucks, events, performances, a market and so much more starting at 1 PM. The opening ceremony is at 7 and will feature more than 100,000 fireworks. My tips if you choose to go are to bring something with sleeves to be able to put on (mosquitos and sometimes a wind chill) and to take the subway as there will be roadblocks for buses. Check out Visit Korea's site HERE for performance times and more info.
If you decide to go to Busan's festival which will have similar activities and set up, it takes place at Gwangalli Beach between the Busan Aqua Hotel and Homers Hotel. You can find out more HERE ,and admissions to these are free!
3. Jeon-ju Bibimbap Festival
Running Oct. 25th to Oct. 28th
Stepping away from Seoul and Busan, I have only been to one festival outside of these two cities, and that is Jeon-ju's Bibimbap Festival. It is a whole 3-day long event dedicated to just bibimbap! This is where I learned everything I know about one of Korea's most famous rice dishes.
This is a place for cooking competitions, sampling different recipes from all over, and even where you can learn to make a huge bowl of of the dish yourself during the United Bibimbap opening event. And I mean huge. There's plenty to see, eat, do, eat, try and eat during this festival. What makes it better is that it is held in Jeon-ju Hanok Village and Korean Intangible Cultural Heritage Hall. Admission is free and starts at 11 AM, but note that some programs and event do charge so be sure to check the official website HERE for details before you head down.
4. Seoul Lantern Festival
Running Nov. to Nov. 18
In Downtown Seoul, along the water path of CheongGyeCheon Stream that stretches for 1.2 km, the 10th anniversary Seoul Lantern Festival will take place. This year's theme, "Seoul Dream, Flowing Light" will feature hundreds of lanterns made by local artists and those from all over the world, broken up into 4 different categories: Sparkling Memories, Dreaming of a Future, Traditional flow, and New Dream. Some known events are contests both at the festival and on social media, making your own lanterns, sending of wish lanterns (the ones released to fly), and much more. The event is free but some participating events may have a fee so be sure to check it out HERE.
5. Busan One Asia Festival
Running Oct. 20 to Oct. 28
Last but not least, one of my personal favorites is the Busan One Asia Festival! Busan One Asia Festival is a huge K-pop event full of concerts and exhibitions for everything Korean including fan meetings and so much more. There's honestly so much to do here that it can't be summarized. A few announced performers for the opening and closing concerts are EXO, Wanna One, Seventeen, NCT 127, Celeb Five, Mamamoo, EXID, GFriend, Dynamic Duo, Red Velvet, NCT Dream, and more. And don't forget other groups and artists will be performing throughout the festival as well. Check out the official website HERE for more, and also check out this great opening and closing awards concert package deal for foreigners from TRAZY HERE (it includes round trips to and from the station to the concert, a bus tour, coupon book and more). Prices vary!
And there you have it, my 5 favorite Fall festivals that are a must if you are in Korea. Again, all of these festivals happen every year so it's okay if you can't make it this year; there's always time to plan a trip for next year! Are there any favorites for those of you who have been to Korea? Or do you have a list of festivals you would like to go to? If so, leave a comment below telling us! We love updating our travel itineraries with new places and events.
Written by matchalexie
]]>Are you interested in learning the Korean language? Before you book a Korean class, get to know its history through Hangul Day! Read more to know how do we celebrate Hangul Day and other facts about Hangul too.
Hangul was created to allow everyone from all social classes to be able to read and write. There are many characters in Chinese characters, and not everyone back then had the privilege of education.
Hangul, the Korean word for the alphabet, was created by King Sejong. Before the creation of Hangul, South Korea (known as Joseon at the time) used classical Chinese letters.
In 1945, the Korean government declared October 9th a legal holiday, which gave government workers a day off. Then in 2013, Hangul Day became a national holiday for everyone to have a day off.
Hangul has evolved since it was invented on October 9, 1446, but only a few things have been changed or taken out during that time! Korean is a phonetic language, and the letters of the consonants are in shape the mouth takes when saying them.
There are nineteen consonants and twenty-one vowels in Hangul. It may seem like a lot, but each vowel sound has its own letter, which helps with pronunciation and is easy to learn!
2009 marked the 563rd anniversary of the invention of Hangul. To commemorate Hangul Day, South Korea built a bronze statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul. People visit the statue as well to honor King Sejong.
During Korean Language Day, people visit the King Sejong Memorial Hall in Cheongnyangni-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. You can find the entrance behind the statue of King Sejong. Inside are several exhibition rooms about Hangul's creation and other accomplishments during King Sejong’s reign. Check more details here.
Another place to visit in celebration is the Tomb of King Sejong, located in Wangdae-ri, Neungseo-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do. The tomb is well-kept and modest, and you can also visit the small museum that covers some of King Sejong’s most outstanding achievements.
During Hangul day, some choose to celebrate by wearing hanbok, but it is not a requirement. Some consider Hangul Day a special occasion in which people wear hanbok since the time in which King Sejong ruled is often known as the Golden Period.
People know King Sejong's rule because enlightenment and knowledge are defining moments of history instead of war and invasion. Many also view him as the best king of Korea, and his picture is on the 10,000 won bill!
Now that you know all these facts about Hangul Day, find the best Korean language school or get learning materials here! How familiar are you with the Korean alphabet? Let us know in the comments below!
On October 3rd, Korea celebrates the public holiday of National Foundation Day. The Korea National Foundation Day is also known as Gaecheonjeol, Dangun Day, and The Festival of the Opening of Heaven. Gaecheonjeol translates to “the day the sky opened.”
National Foundation Day of Korea celebrates the founding of the first organized Korean kingdom, the Gojoseon Dynasty, also known as the "old Joseon."
National Foundation Day of South Korea is said to have been founded on the 3rd day of the 10th lunar month in 2333 BCE by Dangun, but the date was changed to be celebrated on the third day of the 10th month just for modern convenience.
The day is largely based on the Korean mythology tale that Dangun's father, Hwanung, opened heaven to allow his son to descend upon the earth, ultimately founding a land on Baekdu Mountain, the place that many historians regard as the birthplace of Korea.
National Foundation Day is a "red day" in Korea, meaning it's a public holiday where schools and businesses close.
While you can find many people enjoying the day off by just lounging at home while burning sandalwood incense sticks to worship Dangun, others venture out to participate in parades or ceremonies, go hiking or enjoy the firework displays set off for the Korea national day.
During the Korea Foundation Day, people flock to Dangun shrines around South Korea, where ceremonies are held in remembrance and honor of him.
An official ceremony that includes traditional ritual performances full of dance and Taekwondo martial arts exhibitions is held at the Sejong Performing Arts Center.
The summit of Mount Manisan is where Dangun is said to have descended from the heavens and left offerings to the heavens. Mount Manisan is located in Incheon and is the highest peak on Gangwha Island.
People worship at the Chamseongdan altar at the top of the mountain. Every year, people participate in the ceremony at the altar that is said to have been built by Dangun.
People who can't make it to Incheon for the trek up Mount Manisan, often choose to celebrate the holiday by visiting Halla Mountain on Jeju Island.
Halla Mountain is a volcano with an adjacent crater lake. People compare the atmosphere of Halla Mountain to that of Bakedu Mountain because they are both volcanos.
When you visit Jeju, you don't want to miss out on all the yummy treats that are exclusive to the island. Grab these Jeju Udo Peanut Tarts and these Jeju Green Mandarin Pies where one bite will take you back to the island life on Jeju.
The Daebak Company has an entire Jeju Island Collection with even more delectable finds.
For the lucky few who can manage a trip to Baekdu Mountain, it is an excellent option for a hike on Korean National Foundation Day, as it is considered the location of Korea's origin.
The mountain is the highest peak in Korea, located on the border between China and North Korea. Mount Baekdu is actually a volcano and boasts beautiful views of the nearby Heaven Lake. Only the Chinese side of the mountain is available to visitors.
As with many other holidays celebrated in Korea, the day wouldn't be complete without a fireworks display.
Locals catch the nighttime marvel by going to Yeouido Han River Park and setting up a picnic on the banks of the river.
Get there early and bring a SnackFever box along, so you have plenty of yummy snacks to choose from as you wait with friends for the fireworks show.
This Firework Festival-themed mani and Fireworks Day pedi is a perfect addition to your outfit of the day for the holiday. This set is also a collab with BTS, the South Korean boy band known as the pride of South Korea, so it's a fun way to show off your appreciation for all of Korea's achievements.
Food is an important part of Korean culture, especially during national holidays. Eating traditional Korean food is common for Korean National Foundation Day, as everyone is honoring the Korean culture.
Food stalls and restaurants around the country will offer popular dishes like japchae, samgyseospal, and jeongwwa on this holiday.
Get a taste of Korea by trying these japchae noodles. It's a savory mix of chewy glassy noodles, stir-fried veggies, and meat folded into a garlic soy sauce, topped with sesame seeds.
The Hallyu wave has opened up Korea to the world. It has allowed people to learn about Korea's rich history and Korean culture. Embrace Korea's national pride in their traditions and remember the Korean people's achievements on Korean National Foundation Day.
Want to have a slice of Korean pride that you can enjoy at home? Grab the Daebak Box!
With a seasonal membership, you'll get a box of exclusive Korean goodies, including k-pop and k-drama merch, k-beauty items, and Korean snacks, all tailored to fit the current season.
Learn more about Korean culture, holidays, and traditions by checking out Daebak Magazine.
Spread the joy of Chuseok by getting your loved ones these awesome gifts!
You can’t show up empty-handed to a Chuseok 2022 celebration. The courteous thing to do is show up with a gift for any and all hosts of Chuseok get-togethers. Luckily, around the holidays, Korean stores helpfully sell pre-packaged Chuseok gift sets of all kinds.
You don’t even have to wrap it. Just add it to the cart at the supermarket and show up at your fam’s house with the set and a smile. But if this is your first time at the Chuseok rodeo, you might be a little, well, surprised at some of the selection. Not to worry. Here’s a helpful gift-giving guide to make sure you’re the most popular guest at all of your Chuseok events!
The Spam gift set This is probably the most infamous of the Korean Chuseok gifts that appear EVERYWHERE in the lead-up to Chuseok. Before you ask, yes, it is THAT Spam, and yes, it is, in fact, the desired gift among your average Korean citizen. The Americans brought this canned meat over to the country during the Korean War. Unlike in the U.S., it has maintained a mostly un-ironic popularity since then, popping into stews and fried rice and more ... and into Chuseok gift sets. Don’t go a single Chuseok without one. But there are also other Korean food and other gifts you get for the Korean holiday.
Booze Listen. You’ll probably be extremely popular in Korea if you show up anywhere in South Korea with a few bottles of soju. If you want to get a little classier for a Korean Thanksgiving celebration, though, you can get an alcohol gift set that might contain gorgeously packaged soju, a traditional Korean drink like makgeolli (rice wine), or some good old fashioned whiskey or wine.
If you’re trying to send a different message than showing up with a bunch of alcohol, you might try the well-being route. Send a wellness set packed with vitamins! They perfect Chuseok gift sets for families.
Koreans are known for loving natural ingredients like ginseng, tea, and honey not just for cooking, but for general skin care, digestive health, and general well-being. Showing up with a nice gift set of vitamin, ginseng and tea products is a great way to show you’re hoping your recipient has a healthy, happy year ahead of them.
You can take out two birds with one stone here: Your gift can be your dinner! And it can be a really nice one, too, especially if you spring for a nice cut of the meat, which can be expensive in Korea.
This is probably your safest bet for a Chuseok gift. The holiday is all about reaping and giving thanks for the harvest festival, so fruit sets with late summer and fall produce like Asian pears, apples, and grapes are popular Chuseok food gifts all around the country.
If you find fruit sets a bit expensive, you can also gift your friends with snack boxes! Children are also present during family get-togethers and would love to munch on some traditional and new snacks for Chuseok!
Koreans are known for loving natural ingredients like red ginseng, tea, and honey not just for cooking, but for general skin care, digestive health, and general well-being. Showing up with a nice gift set of ginseng products is a great way to show you’re hoping your recipient has a healthy, happy year ahead of them.
What says harvest better than new bottles of toothpaste? You might want to use a little care with this one -- probably not best to give your boss, for instance, a gift that suggests they could use a little extra body wash in their life.
For friends of your own age who could always use some extra shampoo and soap around the house, though, this is a good one. And Korean skincare products are all the rage, so there's no shortage of options!
But the best Chuseok gift box anyone could ever receive - a SnackFever Box! You can also check out our Chuseok gift set for 2022 here.
Written by Rachelle "Roach"
On August 15, Koreans celebrate Gwangbokjeol, Korean Liberation Day. Gwangbokjeol is composed of the words gwang meaning “light,” bok meaning “restoration,” and jeol meaning “holiday.” Gwangbokjeol translates to “the day the light was restored.”
Korean Liberation Day is the day when Korea was free from Japanese imperialism after being under their rule for 35 years. Three years after Korea was liberated from Japanese rule, the Republic of Korea was established.
Some people refer to Korean Liberation Day as Korea’s Independence Day, but you will often hear Koreans making the distinction between independence and restoration to stress that Korea was a nation on its own, for centuries, before Japanese rule.
To exert their dominance during the time when Japan occupied Korea, Japan took over all aspects of Korean society, most notably waging a war on Korean culture.
Japan did things such as cutting down trees native to Korea and replacing them with foreign species, to change the once familiar landscape into some unrecognizable to Koreans.
Koreans were forced to worship at Shinto Shrines that were built from forced donations from Koreans.
Japan heavily enforced the Korean language being banned from being taught in schools.
Many Korean families felt they had no choice but to take on Japanese surnames so that they would be recognized under Japanese rule and thus eligible to receive their mail and ration cards which were official documents used to allow the purchase of clothing, food, and other necessities.
In an attempt to erase Korea’s rich history, thousands of artifacts and books detailing Korea’s history were burned.
An even darker side of Japan’s occupation of Korea was when thousands of Korean women were forced into being comfort women, or sex slaves, to the soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army.
In Korea, Korean Liberation Day is a public holiday, so people are off from work and school.
Koreans are encouraged to display the Taegukgi, the South Korean national flag, outside of their homes and businesses. The flags also line public streets and are hung outside government buildings as well as on streetlights.
Transportation is free for the day. Many museums are also free to the descendants of the activists who fought for the liberation of Korea.
To celebrate Korean Liberation Day, many parades are held to honor the lives of the Korean people and soldiers who suffered at the hands of Japanese imperialism during that time.
It is common for people also to visit the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, the official location for the ceremony. The President of Korea and other guests attend the ceremony to remember the sacrifices their ancestors made for the freedom of Korea.
People will also visit Seodaemun Prison in Seoul, where many of the liberation fighters were imprisoned and tortured.
In celebration of Korean Liberation Day, check out some of the great traditional items that The Daebak Company has, that speak to the history and true essence of Korea.
Hangul is the alphabet of the Korean language. You’ll be sure to be reminded of Korea taking back its power within its language when you grab a pair of hangul consonant socks or a hangul consonant bag.
Want to learn how to speak Korean? The Learn! Korean with BTS package makes it fun and easy as you learn basic conversation with the help of BTS. Don’t forget this hangul notebook to write your notes in while you’re learning Korean.
Ready to test out your hangul knowledge with a fun board game? Check out the Paper Raon game and the Raon Plus Board game. Use the cards and tiles to make Korean words and see how many you can come up with!
Hanbok is a traditional Korean dress. Enjoy the modern take on this traditional outfit with a hanbok that members V and Jungkook of BTS have worn. This hanbok is unisex and comes in five great colors. Because it’s made of cotton, it’s perfect for a spring or autumn outing.
Want to snuggle up in some hanbok after a long day? These Hanbok pajamas will be a great addition to your loungewear. It features a traditional hanbok jeogori design and has been worn by Monsta X members Joohoney and Hyungwon.
Don’t forget about your pets when updating your wardrobe with hanbok. The Daebak Company offers hanbok capes, shawls, and hanbok accessories for cats and dogs.
Stationery is a great way to appreciate the beauty that is Korean culture.
This set of five pens features a traditional tiger design on the case and each pen has its own unique, eye-catching design.
The Ilwol Obongdo Ballpoint Pen Set also comes with five pens and features an Illwolobongdo design on both the pen case and pens. The Illwolobongdo design is a Korean royal painting that symbolizes authority through its depiction of natural objects.
Add this royal embroidery memo pad to your Korean stationery set, which features 32 Korean royal embroidered items that can be seen in the National Palace Museum of Korea.
Relish in the beauty that is this Handmade Moon Jar Notebook that also comes with a bookmark. The notebook is covered in a woven fabric that has a moon jar stitched into it. Moon jars are traditional Korean white porcelain.
Need a bag for everyday use that has a flair of Korean culture? The Daebak Company has you covered with tons of options to choose from.
The Ceramic Garden cloth bag has a stunning abstract but simplistic design that features the necessary elements to make pottery: earth, fire, water, and creativity.
Check out this porcelain knot bag with a Buncheong pattern, a form of traditional Korean stoneware.
Grab this Illwo Obongdo pouch to secure your k-beauty makeup essentials and use it with the matching Illwol Obongdo Cloth bag.
This embroidered passport wallet is a must-have to include in your bag before your next trip to Korea, so you never lose your passport.
Personalize your bags with keychains. Choose from ones like the Forbidden City Tour Dancheong Keychain or the Shinan Keyring, which features a lotus flower.
With the popularity of the Hallyu wave taking the world by storm, the importance of recognizing the history that is the foundation of Korean culture can be lost amongst the excitement of k-pop and k-dramas.
During the next Korea Liberation Day, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifice that was made in order for Korea to be the country that it is today.
Looking for more souvenirs that remind you of Korea? Check out The Daebak Company’s K-Lifestyle store. You can find more traditional items, home décor, and apparel that you’ll love!