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  • Virtual Idol Group PLAVE Returns with Playful New Concept

    irtual idol group PLAVE releases their new single album PLBBUU today at 6 p.m. KST.

    Following their charismatic image in February’s mini 3rd album Caligo Pt.1, PLAVE now returns with a more playful and endearing concept. Their collaboration with Sanrio Korea has drawn strong attention from global fans while expanding the group’s distinctive virtual universe.

    The album includes three tracks: the title song “BBUU!”, “Hide and Seek,” and “Bongsoonga.” The title track features an addictive R&B rhythm paired with cute lyrics, highlighted by the catchy “1234567” hook and a lip-shaped point choreography. “Hide and Seek” is the Korean version of their Japanese debut song “Kakurenbo,” characterized by a sentimental band sound, while “Bongsoonga” delivers a cozy winter feeling through warm guitar tones and gentle vocals.

    From August to October, PLAVE successfully completed their first Asia tour DASH: Quantum Leap, visiting six cities — Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Tokyo. The group will wrap up their tour with encore concerts at Seoul’s Gocheok Dome on November 21–22, both of which have already sold out.

    PLBBUU will be available on all major music streaming platforms starting today at 6 p.m. KST.

  • Male Grooming Becomes a Power Trend in Korea’s Beauty Market

    Male consumers are emerging as a powerful growth driver in the K-beauty industry, prompting rapid investment and innovation among cosmetics companies.

    Once limited to basic skincare such as toners and lotions, the men’s beauty market is now expanding into color cosmetics, fragrances, and scalp care, establishing “men’s grooming” as a mainstream lifestyle trend.

    Recent data highlights this shift. According to Mintel, nearly half of Korean men aged 18 to 24 wear makeup, and 17% report doing so daily. In response, leading Korean cosmetics manufacturers and ODM companies are accelerating development of male-focused lines. Cosmax is developing microbiome-based products using ingredients that control sebum and improve pores, while Korea Kolmar is strengthening its lines focused on hair loss, scalp care, and whitening functionality.

    Major corporations are also joining the movement. Amorepacific has expanded the “Homme” lines within its flagship brands like Laneige and Hera, and has strengthened collaborations with male beauty influencers. Meanwhile, Prep by B.Ready surpassed 100,000 units sold within three months of its launch, demonstrating the vast growth potential of the men’s beauty sector.

  • BABYMONSTER Unveils Eerie New Visual with Mysterious Mask

    On the 5th, K-pop group BABYMONSTER surprised fans by unveiling a mysterious image on YG Entertainment’s official blog.

    The poster features figures whose identities are concealed by a perfectly placed mask, with striking long red hair creating a bold contrast that gives off an eerie sense of tension.

    This mysterious mood ties in with the previously released content “EVER DREAM THIS GIRL?”, which had already intrigued fans with its black-and-white noisy portraits of the members and lines that seemed to search for a girl from a dream. The addition of these enigmatic figures has heightened curiosity and left a lingering impact.

    Music fans are now engrossed in connecting the dots between the two visuals, speculating whether this is part of the promotion for their second mini-album WE GO UP or the beginning of a new project. Either way, the introduction of this unique content has captured the attention of fans, eager to see what’s next.

  • South Koreans Shift Travel Habits Amid High Inflation

    In the era of high inflation, significant changes in travel spending patterns have been observed in South Korea.

    An analysis of South Korean travelers’ search data from January 1 to September 30 revealed a growing trend toward cost-effective group travel, rather than solo trips. Additionally, instead of long-haul European vacations costing over 1 million KRW, there has been a notable shift towards more affordable trips to Japan and Southeast Asia, priced between 300,000 to 400,000 KRW. This “value-for-money” trend is becoming more prominent.

    The most notable change is the surge in searches for flights to Japan.

    Japan overwhelmingly ranked first, with search volume 2.7 times greater than that of Vietnam, which ranked second. There was particularly high demand for major cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. Thanks to the continued weak yen and excellent accessibility, Japan has become a favored and affordable destination for South Korean travelers.

    Vietnam ranked second, with its low airfare and affordable local food and transportation costs allowing for budget-friendly trips. In particular, Da Nang has become a popular cost-effective vacation spot, offering a combination of beach resorts and the ancient town of Hoi An for around 300,000 KRW.

    In addition, demand for group travel has increased.

    Searches for flights for 3 or more people have risen by 77% compared to last year, and searches for flights for 2 people have increased by about 37%. Meanwhile, searches for solo flights have decreased by 11%, indicating a clear trend toward traveling with others rather than solo trips.

  • Busan Set to Achieve 3 Million Tourists, Thanks to APEC

    Busan is on track to become the first city in South Korea to reach 3 million foreign tourists in a single year. This shift in Korea’s tourism landscape, which was once centered around Seoul, is largely attributed to the APEC summit held in Gyeongju at the end of October. The summit wasn’t just another international event—it played a key role in creating a new tourism belt linking Busan and Gyeongju.

    Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple

    As of October 2025, the number of foreign tourists visiting Busan surpassed 2.35 million, setting a new record. The spending scale also grew by 33.2% compared to the previous year, reaching 6.594 trillion KRW. Notably, in October, the number of high-speed bus reservations for foreigners traveling between Busan and Gyeongju increased by 185% compared to the previous year. Most of these travelers were long-haul tourists from the US, Europe, and Australia, indicating a growing trend of “regional travel” connecting the two cities via Seoul.

    Busan Nurimaru APEC House

    Experts are predicting that “this APEC summit has successfully merged Busan’s K-culture with Gyeongju’s K-heritage, creating the ‘most Korean regional tourism route’ and leaving a lasting impression worldwide.” They also forecast that Busan’s goal of 3 million tourists will be easily achieved.

    Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan

    Furthermore, the successful “tourism alliance” between Gyeongju and Busan is seen as an important example of how international events in regions outside of Seoul can build a sustainable local tourism model.

  • H1-KEY to Perform at Korea-Japan All-Star Baseball Game

    Girl group H1-KEY will take the stage for a special performance at the Korea-Japan Dream Players Game 2025 supported by DAISO, held at Es Con Field Hokkaido in Japan on October 30.

    The event commemorates the 60th anniversary of normalized diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan and aims to strengthen friendship and trust through sports and cultural exchange. Legendary baseball players from both nations will participate, with H1-KEY adding star power to the event through their celebratory stage performance.

    H1-KEY officially launched their activities in Japan this year, releasing their debut Japanese album Lovestruck in August. The group has actively promoted through showcases and media appearances in Tokyo and Osaka, achieving No. 3 on the Oricon Daily Album Chart upon release. Their upcoming performance at a major stadium, just three months after their Japanese debut, marks another milestone in their expanding career.

  • Gen Z’s Loose-Fit Revolution Marks the End of Tight Wear

    The era of leggings—once the face of the global athleisure boom during the COVID-19 years—is coming to a close.

    Once hailed for blurring the line between casualwear and activewear, leggings have rapidly fallen out of favor as Gen Z’s fashion preferences shift toward looser silhouettes. The rise of “relaxed-fit” styles has even hit the spandex industry, the very foundation of the leggings trend.

    Hyosung TNC, the world’s largest spandex manufacturer, has seen its third-quarter profit forecasts slashed repeatedly, with Hana Securities cutting estimates from 79 billion KRW to 59.5 billion KRW. Major Chinese producers are also reporting declining output and profitability. Globally, spandex production expansion is expected to drop from 160,000 tons this year to just 70,000 tons next year—nearly half.

    The cause is clear: plummeting demand for leggings.

    According to retail analytics firm Edited, leggings’ share of the women’s activewear market fell sharply from 46.9% in 2022 to 38.7% last year. As joggers, track pants, and wide-leg trousers dominate wardrobes, the reign of the “tight fit” has ended. Even iconic brand Lululemon has seen its stock price drop nearly 50% this year, while competitors like Alo Yoga and FP Movement are pivoting toward looser, comfort-driven apparel.

    Korean brands are also adapting.

    Andar has strengthened its men’s and training lines, while Mula Wear is diversifying into “swim-leisure” concepts.

    Fashion experts note that MZ—and particularly Gen Z—consumers now value “natural comfort” over “body-conscious style,” signaling the end of leggings as a youth symbol. As The Business of Fashion put it, “After dominating closets for over a decade, leggings have become rare even in gyms.”

  • Virtual Idol Group Saryeonghwa Debuts with Korean Folklore Concept

    A new virtual idol group inspired by traditional Korean folktales, Saryeonghwa (四靈花), will officially debut on November 13.

    Produced by subculture-focused label GRIM Production, the group follows last year’s debut of WISHes and is gaining attention for its unique storytelling rooted in a deeply Korean worldview.

    The group consists of four members — Cheongmok, Biwha, Maehwarin, and Baekhee — whose name Saryeonghwa means “four spiritual beings coming together to bloom as one flower, creating a beautiful story.”

    An animation released on October 31 depicted “The Garden of Stillness,” a realm where life and death, reality and fantasy intersect, illustrating the moment these four otherworldly beings unite as one team.

    What distinguishes Saryeonghwa’s universe is its reinterpretation of Korean myths and spiritual lore through a modern lens. Once-forgotten deities reawaken as virtual idols, reconnecting with fans to revive lost stories and emotions. The group’s poetic identity is reflected in its ethereal character designs and logo, adorned with drifting petals that symbolize rebirth and harmony.

    Saryeonghwa will hold its first broadcast on November 8 via Naver’s streaming platform Chzzk, followed by the official release of its debut album on November 13. Combining Korean aesthetics with immersive narrative depth, the group is poised to bring fresh energy to the growing virtual idol scene.

  • 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.