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Category: K-TRAVEL

  • 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.

  • Inside KREAM Dosan Flagship: The New Epicenter of Korean Trend Culture

    Limited-edition trading platform KREAM officially opened its first-ever flagship location, “KREAM DOSAN FLAGSHIP STORE,” near Dosan Park in Seoul’s Gangnam District on October 25.

    The store’s concept, titled “YOSAE” (meaning “fortress” and “the present”), reflects KREAM’s vision of creating a safe space for trend-savvy visitors to experience the latest in fashion and lifestyle. Built upon KREAM’s online curation expertise, the store showcases today’s most popular fashion and cultural trends through a highly stylized, community-driven experience.

    Designed as a space where visitors can freely gather, share tastes, and connect through style, the store embodies KREAM’s core identity — “the place to experience the hottest fashion first.”

    The KREAM Dosan Flagship Store features a retail zone that offers a wide range of apparel, accessories, and luxury goods. It also includes a curation zone where thematic exhibitions and pop-up events are held. The sneaker zone displays more than 140 pairs of highly sought-after sneakers available for fitting and purchase.

    Additionally, the store provides a private VIP room designed for an exclusive and personalized shopping experience.

    Beyond fashion, visitors can enjoy lifestyle and dining experiences at Peaches, Chef Oh Joon-tak’s restaurant “tak”, and The Coffee, a minimalist-style café — completing a holistic culture of fashion, food, and lifestyle.

    Following its successful offline expansions in Lotte World Mall, Hongdae, and The Hyundai Seoul, KREAM’s first flagship in Dosan marks a defining step in expressing the brand’s philosophy and creative direction.

  • 7-Eleven Unveils ‘New Wave Plus’ Store in Myeongdong, Combining K-Pop & K-Food

    7-Eleven has unveiled its upgraded store concept, ‘New Wave Plus,’ in Myeongdong, Seoul, as part of its next-generation franchise model.

    ‘New Wave Plus’ is a new concept store that enhances the experience of K-food and offers a blend of Korean cultural and fun experiences. Myeongdong, a famous tourist hotspot, has been selected as the first location for this concept.

    The Myeongdong store has strengthened the original ‘New Wave’ model by incorporating immersive sensory experiences. The store spans about 110 pyeong (363.63㎡) near exit 8 of Myeongdong Station and features food stations, fashion & beauty, K-Ramen zones, and new participatory content such as a global K-POP fandom zone and K-event zone.

    A pop-up zone selling K-pop idol goods occupies over 10% of the total store space. Additionally, a “Nuguri Ramen Shop” corner created in partnership with Nongshim features instant ramen-making stations decorated with Nuguri character models. Considering the high proportion of foreign tourists (over 70%), the store also includes a space for selling various souvenirs.

    Furthermore, 7-Eleven plans to open the ‘New Wave Myeongdong Daero’ and ‘New Wave Daejeon Lotte’ stores by the end of the month and is planning further openings in non-capital regions later this year.

  • Wooyang Museum Unveils Lost Works of Nam June Paik

    A special exhibition titled “Nam June Paik: Humanity in the Circuits” featuring 12 works, including major pieces and prints by Nam June Paik, is being held at the Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art in Gyeongju, South Korea.

    Greeting visitors at the entrance is Ancient Horseman Figure (1991), a work Paik created to commemorate the museum’s opening.

    Reinterpreting the familiar Silla-era relic “Clay Figure on Horseback,” the piece depicts a human made of television sets riding a horse — symbolizing the connection between analog and digital, the local and the global.

    The concept aligns perfectly with the upcoming APEC Summit in Gyeongju (Oct. 31–Nov. 1) under the theme “Connectivity, Innovation, and Prosperity.”

    The exhibition also showcases two rarely seen works from Paik’s iconic My Faust series — Economics and Spirituality.

    Inspired by Goethe’s Faust, the series explores the human condition and modern value systems.

    Economics uses currency and Gothic architecture imagery to critique the worship of capital, while Spirituality employs vivid religious symbols and video structures to question the sustainability of the soul.

    Both works have been restored and revealed for the first time in over 30 years since their last display at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 1992.

    Other major works from the 1980s–1990s are also on view, including Electronic Superhighway–1929 Ford, a visionary piece combining a 1929 Ford car with a wooden palanquin and the phrase “Electronic Superhighway,” representing the fusion of tradition and modernity, East and West, past and future.A museum curator noted, “Paik believed that the world could be united through art. This exhibition best reflects that belief.”

    The exhibition runs through November 30 at Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art, Gyeongju.

  • Adidas Launches ‘CAFÉ 3 STRIPES SEOUL’ — A Fusion of Fashion, Lifestyle, and Communit

    Adidas Korea will officially open its new concept space, “CAFÉ 3 STRIPES SEOUL,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on October 25.

    Designed as a community hub that bridges sports, fashion, and lifestyle, the new café is positioned as a cultural hotspot where visitors can share their tastes and experience new trends.

    The building’s exterior draws inspiration from German industrial design, blending concrete, brick, and steel structures to create a balance between classic and modern aesthetics. Inside, the iconic three stripes motif appears throughout, highlighting the brand’s signature identity.

    The café’s menu features around 50 items, including a cake shaped like the Adidas logo and a variety of bakery and beverage selections that reflect Gen Z’s focus on healthy living.

    Developed in collaboration with Dore Creative Crew, the health-conscious menu goes beyond typical café offerings — embodying Adidas’s philosophy of an “active lifestyle.”

    A private fashion show titled “FUN BEYOND RULES CROSSING” will take place in the café’s yard on October 24 at 7 PM, unveiling looks from the FW25 season.

    The event will showcase new products across multiple lines, including Originals, Running, Outdoor, and Sportswear.

    More details can be found on Adidas’s official website and Instagram.

  • Korea Turns Chilly: Early Winter Weather Arrives Ahead of Schedule

    This week, South Korea is expected to experience an early winter chill as a result of a cold continental high-pressure system.

    According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), morning temperatures on the 20th will drop to between 2°C and 15°C, with a chance of first snow in the highlands of northern Gangwon Province. On the morning of the 21st, the temperature may dip to 1°C, and the wind chill in northern Gyeonggi could fall close to freezing. Daytime highs will range from 12°C to 22°C, but strong northwesterly winds will make it feel much colder.

    The cold weather is expected to persist through midweek.

    Frost and thin ice may form in inland areas during early mornings, raising concerns about crop damage. Starting from the weekend (around the 23rd), morning temperatures are expected to rebound slightly to between 6°C and 15°C.

    Meanwhile, rain is expected mainly in eastern Gangwon Province, with 10–50 mm forecast between the 20th and 21st, and 5–30 mm in parts of northern Gyeongbuk and surrounding mountain areas. In high-altitude regions above 1,200 meters, about 1 cm of snow may accumulate. Busan, Ulsan, and Jeju coastal areas will see strong winds and high waves, and additional rainfall is forecast for October 22 and 23–24 along the east coast.

    Overall, the country will see mostly clear or partly cloudy skies this week, but visitors to Korea are advised to dress warmly and take care of their health as temperatures drop sharply.

  • UNESCO Recognizes Magoksa as a Cultural Heritage Site for Its Fall Beauty

    Magoksa, a temple with over a thousand years of history, is a sacred place that has endured through wars and disasters, retaining its original form, earning the title of “Ten Victory Lands”.

    Located at the foot of Mount Taehwa in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, Magoksa was founded in 640 by Jajang Yulsa during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla. Despite its long history, the temple has maintained its form and significance without much damage.

    In recognition of its unique value, Magoksa, alongside Beopjusa and Tongdosa, was inscribed as part of the “Mountain Monasteries of Korea” on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2018. It is not only an ancient temple but also a living testament to the continuous tradition of Korean Buddhist practice since the 7th century. Visitors can experience the tranquility of a space infused with over a millennium of Buddhist spirit simply by walking through the temple grounds.

    During the fall, Magoksa transforms into another breathtaking landscape. From late October to early November, the red and yellow leaves of the trees color the Taehwa Stream, creating a scene that blends with the peaceful temple surroundings, like a traditional East Asian painting. With affordable entry fees, it’s a perfect destination to experience both history and autumn beauty.

  • National Museum Brand MU:DS to Open Promotion Gallery in Hong Kong

    The National Museum Foundation of Korea (NMFK) will open a permanent MU:DS Promotion Gallery at the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong on October 11.

    MU:DS, the official brand of Korea’s National Museum, presents modern reinterpretations of key national treasures from institutions such as the National Museum of Korea. Recently, its Kedeheon collection has achieved remarkable popularity among MZ consumers, leading to multiple sellouts.

    Sales have grown from 6.1 billion KRW in 2016 to 21 billion KRW in 2024, marking a 3.5-fold increase. As of August 2025, revenue surpassed 21.7 billion KRW, and is projected to reach 30 billion KRW by year’s end.

    The new gallery will be located in PMQ, Hong Kong’s creative and cultural hub, with support from the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong.

    The grand opening will coincide with the “Korea Square 2025” festival, featuring exhibitions, live performances, and hands-on cultural experiences. The display will highlight 74 design products inspired by seven key themes — including the Pensive Bodhisattva, Baekje Incense Burner, celadon, white porcelain, mother-of-pearl crafts, and traditional calligraphy and paintings.

    Building on its Hong Kong launch, NMFK plans to expand into North America and Europe.

    In November 2025, the foundation will release a special product line in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art’s special exhibition “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared,” and will also participate in the 2025 Korea Wave Expo to engage with global consumers. Expansion into Europe is planned for 2026.

  • When Will Korea’s Autumn Foliage Peak This Year

    In Korea, the peak of autumn foliage in 2025 is expected to arrive 4–5 days later than in previous years.

    The Korea Forest Service announced on October 1 its “2025 Autumn Foliage Forecast Map,” predicting that the leaves will reach their peak colors between late October and early November.

    By tree type, the peak dates are projected to be October 28 for ginkgo, October 31 for oak, and around November 1 for maple.

    By region, Seoraksan Mountain is expected to peak on October 25, Songnisan on October 27, Naejangsan on November 6, and Gayasan on November 11, showing a gradual delay toward the southern regions.

    An analysis of the past decade’s data revealed that the peak foliage period has been delayed by an average of 0.4–0.5 days each year. Experts attribute this to global warming, with scientists noting that “the delay in autumn foliage is a clear indicator of climate change.”

    This forecast is based on long-term phenological data collected by the National Arboretum and public arboretums nationwide. It represents not just travel information, but a scientific finding of great significance in climate change research.

    This year, as we await the late-turning autumn leaves, it may also be a moment to reflect on the environmental warning hidden within their beauty.

  • Seoul Autumn Festa: Turning the City into a Grand Stage

    Seoul’s city center has transformed into a grand stage for the arts.

    Kicking off with the inaugural “Seoul Autumn Festa,” the city will host a series of large-scale events including the “Seoul Street Arts Festival” (October 6–8) and the “Seoul Living Arts Festival” (October 11), filling the heart of the capital with performances and creativity.

    Modeled after the renowned festivals of Avignon (France) and Edinburgh (UK), the Seoul Autumn Festa focuses on pure performing arts — from theater and dance to music and traditional art — with the goal of elevating Seoul into a global hub for performing arts.

    The main program, Seoul Street Arts Festival, features 122 artists from Korea and abroad presenting 146 performances along a 5.2 km stretch from Cheonggye Plaza to Cheonggye 9-ga. The lineup includes street performances, dance, traditional arts, and circus acts.

    Interactive programs such as Artrekking, where citizens can join in, and Piano Seoul, which allows anyone to perform on stage, will take place along the Cheonggyecheon Hwanghakgyo section. There will also be a special performance by visually impaired marimbist Jeon Kyung-ho, as well as photo zones, stamp tours, and hands-on art activities for visitors.