News

Learn Korean with News: Daiso - Korea's 'National Store' Learn Korean with News: Daiso - Korea's 'National Store' Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you have ever lived in or traveled to Korea, you definitely know this place: Daiso! It is a massive dollar-store chain where almost everything is sold for just 1,000 to 5,000 won ($1~$4). Recently, Daiso has been showing the most dazzling growth in the Korean retail industry. In the past, Koreans had a strong perception of Da

Learn Korean with News: The Power of 'Suk-myeon' (Deep Sleep) & Health Learn Korean with News: The Power of 'Suk-myeon' (Deep Sleep) & Health Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. How many hours did you sleep last night? In our fast-paced modern society, many people suffer from a lack of sleep due to stress, late-night working, and endless smartphone scrolling. However, getting '숙면' (Suk-myeon: Deep, high-quality sleep) is the most critical factor for our health! While we sleep

Learn Korean with News: The 'Eol-Juk-Ah' Phenomenon - Why Koreans Love Iced Americano Learn Korean with News: The 'Eol-Juk-Ah' Phenomenon - Why Koreans Love Iced Americano Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you visit Korea, especially during the freezing winter, you will witness a very shocking sight. Even when the temperature drops below zero, you will see countless Koreans walking down the street holding plastic cups filled with ice! What are they drinking? It’s '아아' (A

Learn Korean with News: Korean Soul Food - The Evolution of Tteokbokki Learn Korean with News: Korean Soul Food - The Evolution of Tteokbokki Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. When you think of Korean street food, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For most people, it's definitely '떡볶이' (Tteokbokki - spicy rice cakes). Tteokbokki is the ultimate '소울푸드' (Soul food) that comforts Koreans on stressful or exhausting days. Did you know that Tteokbokki wasn't origin

Learn Korean with News: A Day in the Life of a Korean Office Worker Learn Korean with News: A Day in the Life of a Korean Office Worker Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a Korean office worker? From the moment the sun rises, their fast-paced and highly structured daily routine begins! In Korea, the morning commute is so notoriously crowded that people call the subway the '지옥철' (Hell-train). After surviving the commute

Learn Korean with News: Korean Fortune-Telling & Personality Tests - Saju, MBTI & Gunghap Learn Korean with News: Korean Fortune-Telling & Personality Tests - Saju, MBTI & Gunghap Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you have ever made Korean friends, you have probably been asked this question right after your age: "What is your MBTI?" In Korea, trying to figure out someone's personality or predict the future is almost like a national pastime! In the past, people asked abou

Learn Korean with News: Korean 'Uri' Culture (We vs. My) Learn Korean with News: The 'Uri' (We) Culture - Why Koreans Say "Our Mom" Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. One of the most confusing things for foreigners learning Korean is the concept of '우리' (We/Our) and its humble form, '저희'. In English, you say "My house," "My mom," or "My company." But in Korean, it is much more natural to say "우리 집" (Our house), "우리 엄마" (Our mom), or "저희 회사" (Our company). Even an only child

Learn Korean with News: The Korean Trot Music Trend Learn Korean with News: The Trot Craze - Korea's Traditional Pop Music Syndrome Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. When you think of Korean music, K-pop idols probably come to mind first. But did you know there is another massive music genre taking over South Korea right now? It's called '트로트' (Trot)! Trot is Korea's oldest form of pop music, originating in the early 20th century. It is famous for its unique vocal technique

Learn Korean with News: How to Improve Your Concentration - Overcoming 'Popcorn Brain' Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. How many short-form videos like TikTok, Reels, or Shorts do you watch in a day? Recently in Korea, there has been a growing concern over the '팝콘 브레인' (Popcorn Brain) phenomenon. Because our brains are constantly exposed to fast, highly stimulating digital content, many modern people are finding it incredibly difficult to concentrate on slow, deep tasks li

Learn Korean with News: Credit vs. Check Cards - Smart Spending Habits ello, Korean learners! It's Soona. In Korea, paying with a card is an essential part of daily life. But did you know that Koreans are deeply divided on whether to use a '신용카드' (Credit Card) or a '체크카드' (Check/Debit Card)? 'Check cards' instantly deduct money from your bank account, making them highly popular among college students and young professionals (사회 초년생) who want to strictly manage their money and

Learn Korean with News: The Hiking Boom in Korea & 10 Amazing Benefits of Hiking Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Did you know that nearly 70% of South Korea is covered in mountains? Because of this, '등산' (hiking/mountain climbing) has historically been considered the national pastime for middle-aged Koreans. However, a massive shift has happened recently! Hiking has become completely mainstream among the '2030 Generation' (Millennials and Gen Z). Young people wearing styl

Learn Korean with News: Seoul's Hip Hotspots - Where the 2030 Generation Hangs Out Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you travel to Seoul today, where should you go to experience the most trendy and dynamic culture? For the '2030 Generation' (people in their 20s and 30s) in Korea, exploring unique and 'hip' places has become a major lifestyle trend! Today, we will take a tour of Seoul's hottest neighborhoods. We'll visit Seongsu-dong, where old handmade shoe factories hav

Learn Korean with News: Digital Detox - Giving Your Brain a Break Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. How many hours a day do you spend looking at your smartphone or computer screen? In modern society, we are constantly bombarded with endless notifications, emails, and social media updates. Because of this, a new lifestyle trend is gaining massive popularity in Korea: '디지털 디톡스' (Digital Detox). Many Koreans are consciously choosing to log out of the digital world to rest thei

Learn Korean with News: Korean Cafe Culture - Iced Americanos & 'Cagongjok' Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you've ever visited Korea, you might have noticed something incredible: there is a cafe on almost every corner! Korea's cafe culture is truly on another level. For many Koreans, drinking an '아아' (A-Ah: abbreviation for Iced Americano) right after lunch is an absolute daily ritual to chase away the afternoon fatigue. But cafes in Korea aren't just for drinking cof

Learn Korean with News: Korea's 4 Major Public Insurances - Essential Knowledge for Workers Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you are planning to work in Korea, whether as a part-timer or a full-time employee, there is one crucial system you absolutely must understand: '4대보험' (The 4 Major Public Insurances). Many foreigners get surprised when they receive their first paycheck in Korea because the amount is smaller than they expected! This is because insurance premiums ar

Learn Korean with News: Korean Fall Festivals - Fireworks, Lanterns, and Pink Muhly Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you ever plan to visit Korea, autumn is arguably the most magical season to do so. The weather is crisp, the leaves turn stunning shades of red and yellow, and most importantly, it is the season of '축제' (Festivals)! From October to November, every region in Korea hosts unique and spectacular festivals. The most famous one is the 'Seoul International Firew

Learn Korean with News: Fall Outdoor Activities in Korea - Glamping, Hiking & Hot Springs Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. As the sweltering heat of summer fades away, Korea transforms into a colorful paradise with cool breezes and clear blue skies. Fall is widely considered the absolute best season for outdoor activities in Korea! During this time, you will see crowds of hikers with colorful backpacks heading to famous national parks to enjoy the stunning '단풍' (autumn fol

Learn Korean with News: Korean Subway Culture - Priority Seats & Pregnant Women's Seats Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. If you have ever taken a subway or bus in Korea, you might have noticed a very interesting and heartwarming phenomenon. Even during rush hour, when the train is incredibly packed and everyone is tired, there are certain seats at the ends of the train cars that almost always remain completely empty. Why is that? These are the '노약자석' (Priority Seating for

Learn Korean with News: Korean Matchmaking Agencies - Finding Love in a Fast-Paced Society Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. In modern Korea, finding the right partner has become a highly structured and efficient process. Rather than waiting for a "natural encounter" (자연스러운 만남), many busy professionals are turning to '결혼정보회사' (Matchmaking Agencies). These agencies analyze data to find the most realistic and compatible matches based on age, occupation, education, and even pe

Learn Korean with News: Chuseok Holiday Trends - Short Getaways Hello, Korean learners. It's Soona. Today’s lesson covers a rather heavy and heartbreaking social isHello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Do you know what the biggest traditional holiday in Korea is? It's '추석' (Chuseok), also known as Korean Thanksgiving! Traditionally, Chuseok is a time when families gather in their hometowns to hold ancestral rites ('차례') and share traditional food. However, Korean society is cha