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  • YUQI Celebrates Her 1st Single ‘Motivation’ with Seoul Pop-Up Event

    YUQI from (G)I-DLE is celebrating the release of her first single with a special pop-up event.

    The YUQI 1st Single [Motivation] POP-UP will be held from September 19 to 28 at Samhwa Building in Seongsu, Seoul, designed as a fairy-tale space featuring YUQI’s official character GIGI.

    Fans can explore a wide range of merchandise inspired by the single Motivation — including postcards, photo cards, image pickets, and photo frame keyrings — along with GIGI-themed dolls, keychains, and bag accessories. A special photo zone will also be available for visitors.

    The pop-up will expand globally for international fans, opening in major cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanjing from September 19, followed by Hong Kong on September 22 and Taipei on September 25.

  • From Shopping Mall to Urban Playground: Seoul’s Dopamine Station Boom

    Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul has transformed from a simple shopping venue into a must-visit “hot place” for Gen Z and international tourists.

    Its 3rd-floor “Dopamine Station,” featuring over 200 gacha (capsule toy) machines, generates monthly sales of 300–400 million KRW, drawing up to 30,000 daily visitors during peak vacation seasons. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, it recently ranked second among Seoul’s top attractions, solidifying its reputation as a K-culture landmark.

    Branded as an “urban playground,” Dopamine Station houses unique shops such as the Nintendo Store, Crayon Shin-chan and Cardcaptor Sakura goods stores, rare plant shops, and mechanical keyboard pop-ups. Visitors can also enjoy the Kirby crane event, Nexon’s first game café, U.S. burger chain Five Guys, and a K-food restaurant inspired by Korean street food, making it equally appealing to international guests.

    Its strong SNS buzz has amplified its popularity, with official account views up 80% year-on-year and 70% of visitors in their 20s and 30s. No longer just a mall, it has become a cultural, gaming, and culinary experience space unique to Korea — and is set to continue rising as a global K-lifestyle destination.

  • IVE’s Liz and 8seconds Unveil a Fairytale-Inspired FW Collection

    Samsung C&T’s casual brand 8seconds has joined hands with IVE member Liz to launch its Fall/Winter (FW) season collaboration.

    By featuring Liz—a Gen Z fashion icon—as its model, 8seconds aims to boost brand recognition and expand its customer base to women in their 20s and 30s.

    The first unveiled content also presented collaboration pieces with designer MINJUKIM, a global fashion creator celebrated for winning the H&M Design Award, finishing as runner-up in the LVMH Young Designer Prize, and winning Netflix’s Next in Fashion.

    Inspired by a rose garden, the collection fuses fairytale romance with casual sensibilities. It incorporates cross-stitch, wave pleats, and sheer fabrics to create a unique mood. Key pieces include cropped jackets, balloon skirts, floral tulle dresses, graphic T-shirts, embroidered cardigans, and ruffle shirts.

    8seconds shared its anticipation, stating, “Liz’s mysterious charm combined with MINJUKIM’s distinctive sensibility will create a new synergy this season.”

  • BIGBANG Returns for 20th Anniversary with Coachella 2026 Performance

    BIGBANG is set to make a spectacular comeback as their first step into their 20th anniversary year, taking the stage at the world’s biggest music festival, Coachella 2026.

    According to the official lineup announced on the 16th (local time), BIGBANG will perform on April 12 and 19 at Coachella’s main stage in Indio, California, presenting a global performance that encapsulates their two-decade musical journey.

    This comeback goes beyond a simple stage return—it is seen as a symbolic message from one of K-pop’s most iconic groups to the global music market. With G-DRAGON, Taeyang, and Daesung reuniting under the name BIGBANG, the moment is expected to reaffirm K-pop’s cultural influence. Sharing the lineup with global stars such as Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Karol G, BIGBANG’s presence will stand out even more.

    Marking their 20th anniversary with a Coachella comeback, BIGBANG’s performance is anticipated to open a new chapter in K-pop history. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting not only this stage but also the group’s upcoming anniversary projects and future activities.

  • From Cosmos Waves to Pink Muhly Mist: Autumn Magic at Dangnam-ri Island

    Dangnam-ri Island in Yeoju has transformed into a floral wonderland, blanketed with vibrant cosmos and dreamy pink muhly, signaling the peak of autumn.

    Located just about an hour’s drive from Seoul, the island floats on the Namhan River and currently showcases the Seoul metro area’s largest autumn garden. With no entrance or parking fees, it’s an accessible and inviting escape.

    Visitors are first greeted by vast fields of pink muhly, resembling a pink haze against the river backdrop — an instant photo hotspot. Venturing deeper, a breathtaking 1.16 million㎡ sea of cosmos awaits, offering the sensation of being completely immersed in blossoms. Pathways allow for strolls and photography without harming the flowers, while traditional huts and zelkova trees add a uniquely Korean scenic charm.

    Though open year-round for free, the island has little shade, making mornings or late afternoons the best times to visit. On weekends, parking can get crowded, so using the spacious inner parking lots is recommended. While Seoul’s Haneul Park displays the city’s orderly autumn, Dangnam-ri Island provides a more expansive, lyrical autumn in nature.

  • Encore in Taipei, Spotlight in Hanoi: G-DRAGON Expands World Tour

    G-DRAGON has announced the 4th phase of his third world tour, [Übermensch].

    According to the newly released poster on the 12th, he will hold encore concerts in Taipei on November 1–2, followed by a performance in Hanoi, Vietnam, on November 8. The inclusion of the phrase “AND MORE” has fueled anticipation for further announcements.

    G-DRAGON previously made headlines in Taipei when he appeared on the front page of a leading local newspaper, while in Vietnam, fans and companies staged a massive “GD Shoutout” with daisy flowers. News of his return has reignited excitement across Taiwan and Vietnam.

    He has already completed successful shows in Korea, Japan, Australia, major Southeast Asian cities, as well as Newark, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles in the U.S. After his Paris concert on the 20th, he will head to Taipei and Hanoi, with more world tour stops to be revealed soon.

  • Cutie Run 2025 Meets Busan: Olive Young Hosts Sanrio-Themed Pop-Up Store

    Olive Young, Korea’s leading health and beauty retailer, has opened its first pop-up store outside the capital region, choosing Busan as its next destination.

    The Sanrio X Olive Young Cutie Run RUN&GLOW pop-up stores will run until September 21 at Lotte Department Store’s Busan main branch and until September 28 at Trendpot by Olive Young Hongdae.

    The pop-up is tied to Cutie Run 2025 Seoul, taking place on September 20, and features a marathon-themed experience zone, limited-edition merchandise, and special promotions tailored for Busan.

    An Olive Young representative said, “We created spaces in various regions where customers can experience our brands and products more deeply, so more people can enjoy differentiated beauty experiences.”

  • Apple Freezes Prices, Samsung Surges Ahead: Who Will Win Korea’s Fall Smartphone War?

    This fall, Korea’s smartphone market is set for a direct clash between its two giants: Samsung and Apple.

    Apple will launch its iPhone 17 series on September 19, boosting performance while freezing prices to stay competitive. Its ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air is positioned against Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge, unveiled in May.

    The iPhone 17 offers 256GB base storage, an improved front camera, a 6.3-inch display, and fast charging (50% in 20 minutes). However, critics argue its AI upgrades fall short of expectations. Meanwhile, Samsung has leveraged its price freeze strategy and aggressive promotions, pushing Galaxy S25 sales in Korea past 3 million units.

    Key battlegrounds are thickness, camera quality, and AI features. At just 5.6mm, the iPhone 17 Air is slimmer than the Galaxy S25 Edge, but consumer reviews and social media suggest Galaxy’s generative editing tools outshine Apple Intelligence. Apple has responded by adding real-time translation and “Visual Intelligence” to enhance user experience.

    The market is now watching closely as the two brands go head-to-head, with slim design and AI at the heart of the fight.

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  • Inside Olive Young’s Mega Sale: What Shoppers Really Want in K-Beauty

    CJ Olive Young’s “Olive Young Sale” (Aug. 29–Sept. 4) revealed that ingredient-focused beauty and pack cleansers are emerging as new highlights compared to last year.

    In skincare, the spread of the “slow-aging” trend boosted searches for PDRN (+695%), peptides (+72%), and niacinamide/zinc (each +65%), showing a firm shift toward ingredient-centered routines.

    In the cleansing category, searches for pack cleansers skyrocketed by 1,700%, with brands like Arencia, Ffory, Hanyul, and Whipped leading the charts.

    In sun care, diverse formats such as sun gels, sun serums, and sun ampoules gained traction, with functional products combining UV protection and skincare standing out.

    In makeup, Olive Young’s limited-edition sets performed strongly, while consumer preferences for blush shifted from powder to liquid formulas.Meanwhile, scalp and body care also saw growth in ingredient-driven items such as ampoules, serums, and functional lotions.

    Olive Young stated that it will continue to lead the market by promoting K-beauty and K-wellness trends while discovering new emerging brands.

  • From Classics to Rising Stars: How Korea’s MZ Generation Redefines Sneaker Trends

    Korea’s MZ generation is increasingly drawn to new “rising sneakers” under the trend of “Ditto consumption.” While steady sellers like Nike Air Force and adidas Samba remain strong, emerging brands such as ALO and PUMA, along with collaboration models, are rapidly gaining traction.

    According to the “KREAM Report” by Korea’s limited-edition trading platform KREAM, purchasing patterns strongly tied to social media and celebrity influence are becoming evident. The “ALO Sunset Sneakers” worn by Kendall Jenner saw searches spike 469% in a single day, while PUMA’s “H-Street OG” worn by Rosé recorded a transaction surge of over 30,000%. Mizuno’s “Racer Trail SE,” despite not being released in Korea, also saw a sharp increase in trades thanks to social media buzz.

    Collaboration products such as “New Balance × Tokyo Design Studio,” “On Running × PAF,” and “Nike × Hyein Seo” are showing strong demand with premium prices, fueling the ongoing collaboration craze.

    Industry insiders noted, “The recent sneaker trend is defined by rising sneakers that quickly absorb the interest and transactions of the MZ generation, driven by the influence of social media and celebrities.”