ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM

Author: 남연재

  • Koreans’ Favorite Snacks: Saewookkang Leads the Market

    In the first half of this year, the most widely consumed snack among Koreans was Shrimp Crackers, known locally as Saewookkang, which is often said to have been inspired by the Japanese snack Kappa Ebisen.

    According to data released on the 10th by the Food Industry Statistics Information Service, Saewookkang recorded retail sales of 57.8 billion won in the first half of the year, ranking first for the second consecutive year. It topped the overall rankings across all snack categories, including chips, chocolate, and biscuits.

    Second place went to Orion’s Pocachip, a leading potato snack brand, which posted sales of 54.4 billion won. Its revenue increased by 8.1 percent year-on-year, marking the highest growth rate among products in the top 10.

    Other top-ranking snacks included Orion Choco Pie at 47.8 billion won, Lotte Wellfood Pepero at 42.6 billion won, Nongshim Kellogg’s Pringles at 41.8 billion won, Lotte Wellfood Kkokkalcorn at 41.2 billion won, Haitai Confectionery’s Home Run Ball at 39.6 billion won, Ferrero Rocher at 36.5 billion won, Lotte Wellfood Ghana at 33.8 billion won, and Orion Squid Peanut at 31.5 billion won.

    Home Run Ball was the only biscuit product to enter the top 10, recording 39.6 billion won in sales during the first half. Known as a classic baseball stadium snack, the product is on track to reach cumulative sales of 2 trillion won this year.

  • From the 13th to the 14th, most regions across South Korea are expected to see cloudy skies accompanied by snow or rain, with sub-zero temperatures continuing. Travelers and residents are advised to take extra care in maintaining their health.

    According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 11th, strong snowfall is expected nationwide on Saturday the 13th, particularly with heavy snow likely in the central inland regions during the afternoon.

    Expected snowfall levels include 3–8 cm in northern and southeastern Gyeonggi, 1–5 cm in Seoul, Incheon, southwestern Gyeonggi, and the Five West Sea Islands, 5–10 cm in inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, 3–8 cm in central and northern Chungbuk, 1–3 cm in Daejeon, Sejong, inland Chungnam, southern Chungbuk, and 1–5 cm in northern inland and northeastern mountainous Gyeongbuk.

    Forecasted precipitation includes 5–10 mm in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and the Five West Sea Islands; 5–10 mm in inland and mountainous Gangwon; around 5 mm along the Gangwon East Coast; 5–10 mm in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk; around 5 mm in Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk; 5–10 mm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo; around 5 mm in Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk; and 5–10 mm in Jeju Island.

    On Sunday the 14th, rain or snow is also projected from early morning to afternoon, mainly in Chungnam and the Jeolla West Coast regions. Following the snowfall and rain, temperatures will fluctuate, maintaining a cold atmosphere. Although next week’s temperatures may rise about three degrees above seasonal averages, the weather is expected to remain chilly, calling for continued caution.

    A Korea Meteorological Administration official noted that “precipitation type and snowfall levels may vary significantly depending on temperature” and advised the public to remain alert for icy roads and slippery surfaces in affected areas.

    Visitors traveling in Korea are encouraged to take note of these conditions and enjoy their trip while staying safe and warm.

  • Daiso Expands Cash-Free Retail in Response to Consumer Trends

    Daiso has begun piloting a “cashless store” in the Ulsan region as part of its response to shifting consumer trends.

    The pilot location fully blocks cash payments and operates exclusively with card and mobile payment methods. This initiative is widely seen as a strategy to enhance efficiency amid the rapid spread of digital payments and the broader shift toward a cashless society.

    According to a Bank of Korea survey, cash usage among Korean consumers has fallen to 15.9 percent, half the level from a decade ago. As a result, retailers are expanding unmanned checkout systems and automated payment processes to improve turnover and reduce the operational burden associated with handling cash. Daiso also expects faster payment processing and reduced staff workload, and major supermarket chains are likewise adopting card-only unmanned checkouts.

    However, not all age groups can adapt equally to this change. Elderly shoppers and teenagers without easy access to payment cards risk being left out of the new system, raising concerns about accessibility in a fully cashless transition.

    Even so, as mobile payments continue to dominate daily transactions, the number of cashless stores is expected to grow steadily across the country.

  • New ‘Three Ribbon’ Restaurants in Seoul Unveiled by Blue Ribbon 2026

    The Blue Ribbon Survey, Korea’s first domestic restaurant guide, has unveiled its “Seoul’s Best Restaurants 2026,” naming six new “Three Ribbon” establishments.

    Among the honorees are modern kaiseki “Kagen,” Chef Ahn Seongjae’s “Mosu Seoul,” sushi specialty “Sosuhon,” modern Korean “Soul Dining,” high-end sushi “Hane,” and Chinese master Chef Hu Deokjook’s “Hobin.”

    This year’s rankings, determined by over 70,000 readers, now feature 43 three-ribbon restaurants, an increase of two from last year. The prestigious culinary spots in Seoul, known for their trustworthiness, maintained high ratings.

    Restaurants across various genres, including Kwonsuksoo, Muoki, Mingles, Jeong Sik Dang, and Alla Prima, once again secured places at the top of the list, demonstrating strong competitiveness in French, kaiseki, new Korean, sushi, and Chinese cuisines.

    Despite the diversity of genres, the shared standard of “highly refined dishes and stable operations” stood out in this year’s selection.

    Additionally, 10 newly recognized restaurants, including New Korean “Giwakgang” and “Mukjeong Seoul,” steakhouse “Smith & Wollensky,” dessert shop “Patisserie Mieu,” and modern Japanese “Hakushi,” reflect the changing dynamics of the food industry.

    The 2026 edition includes 1,560 restaurants in total, with a slight reduction in the overall list, but a stronger emphasis on top-ranked spots, showcasing the evolving food map of Seoul.

  • Korea’s Most Popular Autumn Destination Drew 170,000 Visitors

    Gangcheonsan County Park in Sunchang, Jeollabuk-do has been named Korea’s most stunning fall foliage destination of the year, attracting roughly 170,000 visitors between late October and late November.

    Gangcheonsan’s signature “high-density foliage,” created by layers of colorful maple varieties, lasted longer than usual as the peak season arrived later this year. The extended operating period alone drew tens of thousands of additional visitors, reaffirming the park’s status as one of Korea’s top autumn travel spots.

    Operational improvements also contributed to the positive response. Four seven-seater unmanned road trains operated during peak periods to reduce visitor fatigue, and free parking improved accessibility.

    Local markets near the park generated over 50 million KRW in sales of seasonal produce such as chestnuts, persimmons, and sweet potatoes, providing an economic boost to the region.

    Winter-season operating hours were adjusted to 7 a.m.–5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. starting December), reflecting more efficient, seasonal management.

    Building on increased interest, Sunchang County plans to upgrade infrastructure, including access roads, expanded parking, and improved guidance systems, positioning Gangcheonsan as a year-round tourist destination.

    Located about four hours from Seoul and three and a half hours from Korea’s west coast, the park is also appealing for day trips.

    Despite the brief peak foliage period, Gangcheonsan showcased the depth of Korea’s autumn scenery and is expected to continue welcoming visitors with new seasonal landscapes.

  • TWICE to Headline Historic Solo Shows at Japan’s National Stadium

    TWICE will make history next April as the first foreign act to headline a solo concert at Japan’s National Stadium in Tokyo.

    The group’s agency announced on the 7th through its official Japanese SNS channels that TWICE has added new dates to their sixth world tour “THIS IS FOR,” confirming three solo shows at the National Stadium on April 25, 26, and 28 in 2026.

    The concerts will be staged in a massive 360-degree full-seating format, accommodating approximately 80,000 attendees per show and an estimated total of 240,000 across all three dates. This marks the first time a foreign artist will perform a standalone concert at the National Stadium.

    In September, TWICE drew a total of 400,000 attendees during their Japan dome tour, part of their ongoing world tour, affirming their status as one of the strongest ticket-selling K-pop girl groups. Their declaration at the final Tokyo Dome show—promising to “step onto an even bigger stage”—has now become a reality with this unprecedented National Stadium announcement.

  • CHICOR Opens New Hongdae Store Following Myeongdong Launch

    CHICOR will open its Hongdae store on the 11th in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, with a floor area of approximately 495㎡.

    Earlier on the 5th, the brand also opened a new 330㎡ store in Myeongdong, further expanding its footprint in major commercial districts.

    Both stores showcase one of the largest lineups in Korea, featuring around 230 beauty brands. The selection includes popular names such as TIRTIR, JUNGSAEMMOOL, and d’Alba, alongside rising brands like dasique, ARENCIEL, and isoi, allowing customers to experience a full spectrum of K-beauty trends. The Myeongdong store, known for its high volume of foreign visitors, highlights CHICOR’s strengths with a “Lip & Cheek Bar” and dedicated zones for skincare, perfume, and hair-body categories.

    The first floor of the Myeongdong store features a “Lip & Cheek Bar” offering over 20 lip and cheek products, presenting an interactive way to explore the latest makeup trends. The second floor includes skincare, perfume, and hair-body zones designed to accommodate the preferences of international shoppers.

    The Hongdae store presents a “K-Perfume Station” on the first floor with over 20 Korean fragrance brands, reflecting the rapid growth of the perfume market. The store layout continues with a makeup and tools zone on the second floor and a skincare-focused third floor.

    Both branches offer 1:1 K-makeup services and CHICOR’s “Beauty Lab,” where AI scalp diagnostics are available. To celebrate the grand openings, special gifts and promotional discounts will be offered based on purchase amounts.

  • Jungkook and Winter Dating Rumors Spread, Agencies Remain Silent

    Recently, various online communities and social media platforms have been buzzing with evidence related to the dating rumors between BTS’s Jungkook and aespa’s Winter.

    Netizens have pointed to several items as evidence to support the dating rumors, such as similar tattoos featuring three dog faces in the same spot, matching shorts, slippers, bracelets, in-ear monitors, and other accessories. Additionally, they highlighted that both Jungkook and Winter had their nails done on their ring fingers just one day apart.

    Further fueling the rumors, reports resurfaced about Jungkook visiting aespa’s concert during his military service. It’s been noted that Jungkook had never attended concerts of other girl groups under HYBE’s labels, which has led to speculation about a special relationship between the two.

    However, both BigHit Music (Jungkook’s agency) and SM Entertainment (Winter’s agency) have remained silent on the issue.

    This silence from the agencies has led many to speculate that the lack of denial could be seen as an implicit acknowledgment of the relationship.

  • Netflix’s K-pop Demon Hunters Pop-Up Opens in Seoul

    The official Seoul pop-up for Netflix’s animation K-pop Demon Hunters opened on the 3rd in Seongsu-dong, offering an immersive offline experience that expands the show’s universe into a physical space.

    The pop-up spans three entire floors, each connected as one continuous world-building journey.

    On the third-floor showroom, visitors can experience the product concept before the main tour begins. The second floor features themed OST zones such as “How It’s Done” and “Soda Pop,” along with various exhibition and interactive areas that deepen immersion into the full storyline. On the first floor, guests can pick up purchased items, customize keyrings and patches, and conclude their visit at the “Golden Stage,” where they complete “혼문 (Honmun),” the core narrative of the universe.

    The pop-up also includes multiple special events.

    These include a stamp mission where collecting four stamps earns visitors an exclusive “Deopy Balloon” reward, a random draw event for emoji purchasers, and a photo frame zone where fans can take pictures with characters from the animation.

    BeMyFriends, Netflix’s official partner overseeing the pop-up, stated, “Since this is being held in Seoul, the birthplace of K-POP, we prepared meticulously to showcase the essence of K-POP fandom culture.” They added, “This pop-up isn’t just an exhibition, but a fully integrated fan-experience space that combines platform, merchandise, and on-site events. We mobilized all our global fandom business expertise to create a deeper connection between the show and its fans.”

  • Digital Photocard Tickets Rise as the New K-POP Concert Trend

    A new trend is taking hold in the K-culture boom: concert tickets are becoming collectible goods.

    The digital photocard ticket, which merges a photocard-style design with NFC-based digital technology, is rapidly spreading across KPOP concerts, combining convenience, high collectible value, and anti-counterfeiting features into a new ticket culture.

    These tickets contain an encrypted NFC chip that allows entry with a simple tap. Since audience information is verified through a central system, reissuance is possible, solving the limitations of traditional paper tickets. Fans have praised the tickets, saying they are “easy to store,” “valuable as memorabilia,” and “pretty,” acknowledging their appeal as goods.

    The technology is being adopted not only for large-scale concerts featuring BLACKPINK, Stray Kids, and NCT DREAM, but also for fan meetings for various singers and actors, expanding rapidly across the market. Ticket developer Booster Lab Co., Ltd. stated that annual card issuance has increased two to threefold, with adoption expanding into Japanese concerts as well. The company plans to further extend the technology into musicals, exhibitions, and sports events.

    Whether digital photocard tickets will bring new innovation to the performance market is now a key point of interest.