ONLINEKOREANEWS.COM

Author: 남연재

  • Korea’s “Young Forty” Becomes a Target of Online Mockery

    Once celebrated in the mid-2010s as a declaration of “I’m still young,” the term “Young Forty” represented a generation of 40-somethings who embraced change and enjoyed trends. Seen as leaders in fashion, beauty, and wellness, they became a key consumer group for brands promoting messages like “style has no age.” The phrase “Young Forty look” became popular, symbolizing the idea that age was just a number.

    But recently, that positive image has turned sour.

    Internet memes like “Sweet Young Forty” have transformed the term into an object of ridicule. What once meant “middle-aged with a youthful spirit” now implies “someone desperately trying to look young.” Social media is flooded with parody content such as “acting young challenges” and “Young Forty fashion,” turning youth into a dividing line between generations. According to a CBS survey, 68.3% of respondents in their 20s and 30s viewed “Young Forty” negatively, and 75% first encountered the term through social media memes.

    This shift in perception has impacted the market as well. Brands that once marketed sneakers or luxury goods with “Young Forty appeal” now find themselves outdated in the eyes of younger consumers, leading to disengagement from that demographic.

    Experts interpret this phenomenon as a reflection of generational anxiety and identity competition. Professor Shim Jae-man of Korea University explained, “Younger generations are using humor to reinforce their youth by caricaturing middle age.” Professor Park Jung-min of the Korea National Open University added, “Some showy cases have been generalized to an entire generation, creating stigma. When memes are consumed as mere entertainment rather than social insight, they can deepen generational misunderstanding.”

  • GIRLSET to Return with New Digital Single “Little Miss” on November 14

    JYP Entertainment’s global girl group GIRLSET will return on November 14 with their new digital single Little Miss.

    On October 31, JYP revealed the album cover art via the group’s official social media channels, announcing GIRLSET’s long-awaited comeback. The digital single Little Miss and its title track of the same name will showcase the group’s vibrant energy and musical versatility.

    In the teaser image, the members hold unique weapons and strike confident poses reminiscent of movie heroines. Their bold styling, kitschy motifs like hearts and stars, and sparks flying between members all heighten anticipation for the upcoming release.

    Little Miss marks GIRLSET’s first comeback in about three months since Commas, released in August. Following their debut phase, the group continues to define their limitless future and artistic identity through this new release, signaling another step forward in GIRLSET’s evolution.

    The new digital single Little Miss will be released globally at midnight (local time) on November 14.

  • 2PM’s Ok Taec-yeon Announces Marriage to Longtime Partner Next Spring

    2PM member and actor Ok Taec-yeon has announced that he will marry his longtime partner.

    His agency, 51K, stated on November 1, “Actor Ok Taec-yeon has promised to spend his life together with someone he has been seeing for a long time.” The wedding will take place privately next spring in Seoul, attended only by close family members and acquaintances. The agency added, “As the bride-to-be is a non-celebrity, we ask for your understanding that specific details will remain private.”

    Taec-yeon also personally shared the news with fans through a handwritten letter on his social media. “It has already been 19 years since I debuted with 2PM,” he began. “I felt it was only right to share this news first with the people who have been with me through it all. I’ve decided to spend the rest of my life with someone who has understood and trusted me for a long time. We’ll continue to walk forward together as each other’s source of strength.”

    He went on to express his gratitude to fans, saying, “I sincerely thank everyone who has supported me with unwavering hearts. Your love and encouragement have been an indescribable source of strength for me. I will continue to do my best as a member of 2PM, as an actor, and as your Taec-yeon, to repay the love and trust you’ve given me.”

  • AI-Powered “The Next Idol” Pop-Up Opens in Pangyo

    Millennial Works has opened a K-POP idol theme park, The Next Idol, powered by its proprietary AI technology. The pop-up store runs until November 9 at the Iconic Square on the 4th floor of Hyundai Department Store Pangyo.

    Based on the “Virtual Academy” concept from Millennial Works’ own IP, Nextworks, the experience allows visitors to step into the world of K-POP trainee life alongside popular virtual characters.

    The pop-up consists of three main zones — the Trainee Zone, Idol Zone, and Character Zone — featuring 16 interactive experiences such as AR-based vocal, facial, and dance practice studios, an AI photo booth for an “idol transformation” camera test, reflex games, fan communication training, idol tarot readings, and the “PICK MY TEAM” popularity voting.

    All visitors receive 10 free AI-generated K-POP-themed goods, including personalized idol character photocards, custom albums, light sticks, sticker packs, and badges. Multiple photo zones are also available for SNS snapshots, though visitors must make a timed reservation in advance through Naver’s “The Next Idol” booking system.

  • BTS’s V Redefines Hanbok in Modern Style at Vogue World: Hollywood

    BTS member V turned heads in Los Angeles with a stunning reinterpretation of traditional Korean attire blended with modern fashion elements.

    On October 26 (local time), V attended Vogue World: Hollywood 2025 at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, invited personally by Vogue’s U.S. editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

    V arrived wearing a long gray coat paired with a gray hat reminiscent of a traditional Korean gat, completing the look with a striking red traditional knot tied around his waist. The elegant red accent on his minimalist modern outfit created a perfect harmony between heritage and contemporary aesthetics, immediately drawing the attention of global fashion figures at the event.

    Maggie Kang, director of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters, also posted on her social media, sharing side-by-side images of V and the film’s character “Saja Boys Jinu,” captioned, “I see you @thv, BTS V = Saja Boys Jinu,” delighting fans worldwide.

  • CRAVITY to Drop New Album Dare to Crave : Epilogue on November 10

    The K-pop group CRAVITY has unveiled the tracklist for their upcoming album.

    On the 28th, their agency, Starship Entertainment, shared the tracklist for their 2nd full-length album Dare to Crave : Epilogue, set to release on November 10.

    According to the tracklist, the album consists of 15 songs, combining 12 tracks from their previously released album Dare to Crave (released in June) with 3 new tracks.

    The album will feature the title track “Lemonade Fever,” along with new songs “OXYGEN” and “Everyday.” Additionally, the album includes previously released hits like “On My Way,” “SWISH,” “SET NET G0?!,” “Rendez-vous,” “PARANOIA,” “Straight Up To Heaven,” “Stadium,” “Marionette,” “Underdog,” “Click, Flash, Pow,” “Love Me Again,” and “Wish Upon A Star.”

    Following the trend from their previous album, the members have actively participated in the creation of the tracks. Both “Lemonade Fever” and “OXYGEN” feature lyrics written by Serim and Allen. Allen also showcases his growing musical talent with his self-composed song “Everyday.”

    Dare to Crave : Epilogue will be available on all major online music platforms on November 10.

  • Korean Skincare Brand Equal Berry Tops Amazon’s Facial Serum Category

    The Equal Berry serum line from the Korean cosmetics company Boosters has ranked high on North American Amazon, catching the attention as a rising force in K-beauty.

    On the 27th, Boosters announced that its Vitamin Illuminating Serum had earned 1st place in Amazon’s Best Seller Rank (BSR) for facial serums in North America. The BSR is a real-time indicator of product rankings based on sales volume and trends.

    Equal Berry, which entered Amazon in January of last year, achieved 1st place in the facial serum category in just under two years, proving K-beauty’s global competitiveness.

    The Vitamin Illuminating Serum is designed to address skin concerns such as dark spots, dullness, and pigmentation, with a non-irritating formula suitable for sensitive skin. It has received positive feedback from local consumers thanks to its refreshing feel and excellent moisturizing power, powered by ceramide capsules.

    Additionally, the Vitamin Serum and NAD+ Serum ranked 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the “Most Wished For” list, showing strong purchase demand and consumer favorability. This list highlights products that are most desired for occasions like weddings and baby showers, further demonstrating their popularity among consumers.

    A representative from Boosters shared, “Equal Berry combines K-beauty’s technical expertise and sensitivity with a philosophy that respects one’s skin, offering global consumers a beauty routine that balances self-understanding, nature, and technology.”

  • Cross-Cultural Storytelling Strengthens Korea–Japan Ties on OTT Platforms

    Joint drama productions between South Korea and Japan are winning praise from viewers worldwide, expanding their presence in the global streaming market. Co-productions released through platforms such as Netflix are captivating audiences far beyond the two countries.

    According to Netflix’s official site TUDUM and its “Netflix Top 10,” the Japanese original series Romantic Anonymous, starring Shun Oguri and Han Hyo-joo, ranked sixth globally in the non-English category and first in Japan. Streaming analytics site FlixPatrol also reported that the series placed in the top five on Netflix in markets including Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Dominican Republic.

    The show is seen as an ideal example of cross-border collaboration, going beyond simply featuring a Korean actor in a Japanese drama or selling IP rights. Instead, it showcases a deep creative exchange between Korean and Japanese actors, directors, and production teams, successfully appealing to global OTT viewers.

    Netflix is also producing another Japan original series, Soulmate, starring Ok Taec-yeon and Hayato Isomura, as a Korea–Japan collaboration. The story follows Ryu (Isomura), a man who leaves Japan behind and is saved by Yohan (Ok Taec-yeon), a Korean man he meets abroad, leading to a deep emotional bond. The series is written and directed by Japanese novelist and filmmaker Shunki Hashizume, with Korean production company GTist (a subsidiary of Studio Dragon) handling production.

    Additionally, the upcoming Netflix Korean original series Road has been confirmed as another joint production.

    Industry analysts attribute the rise of Korea–Japan collaborations to the cultural and emotional similarities shared by the two countries.

    An OTT industry insider explained, “Korea and Japan share emotional narratives and values as neighboring countries. By combining the strengths of both countries’ actors and production systems, they can create works that resonate with global audiences.” The insider added, “Both countries possess vast IP resources and strong mutual interest in each other’s content, allowing co-productions to bring fresh, unique dramas to life.”

  • KiiKii Transforms into Characters in New Web Novel, Releases New Single

    The girl group KiiKii is transforming into the main characters of a new web novel.

    According to their agency, Starship Entertainment, the web novel Dear.X: Tomorrow’s Me to Today’s Me starring KiiKii will be launched on KakaoPage on November 4.

    Dear.X: Tomorrow’s Me to Today’s Me is a modern fantasy web novel that explores the friendships and adventures of a group of girls on the brink of their teenage years. The novel follows KiiKii’s journey into another world, where each member transforms into a character with unique traits. They face their loneliness and fears, seeking out friends and completing quests to return to their original world.

    The novel’s writer, Kim Pan, also penned the original novel for the popular drama Sonjae on My Back, starring Byun Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon. Kim Pan conducted multiple interviews over ten months to capture the vibrant world of KiiKii and the individual personalities of the members. The narrative is designed to be both easy to follow and exciting, while providing fans with exclusive questions and TMI content from the group, adding an extra layer of fun to the story.

    In addition, KiiKii will release a new single, To Me From Me, that shares the same world as Dear.X: Tomorrow’s Me to Today’s Me. The song will be released at 6:00 PM on November 4, the same time the web novel is available on KakaoPage.

  • Autumn Hikers Warned as Fire Prevention Restrictions Begin Early

    Hikers eager to enjoy Korea’s vibrant autumn foliage have been met with disappointing news. The government has implemented an early “Autumn Mountain Fire Prevention Entry Ban” beginning October 20 — 12 days earlier than usual.

    The measure, aimed at supporting the upcoming APEC Summit in Gyeongju and responding to climate abnormalities, has sparked debate as it coincides with the peak foliage season. While some criticize the move as excessive, experts view it as a necessary shift toward a new disaster response framework in the era of climate crisis.

    Public sentiment remains largely supportive. According to a survey by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, 89% of respondents agreed with expanding restricted mountain areas, and 81% supported higher fines. Ultimately, the decision is seen as an unavoidable step to protect lives and property from a wildfire risk that has surged eightfold, even at the cost of some seasonal inconvenience.

    The entry restrictions primarily apply to national and municipal forests under the Korea Forest Service. However, national parks such as Seoraksan and Jirisan, managed by the Korea National Park Service, will enforce their usual closure period from November 15 to December 15. Those planning autumn hikes are strongly advised to check access conditions before visiting.