Learn Korean with News: Beating the Monsoon Season & Rainy Day Culture Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever heard the term 'Jangma' (장마) in Korea? As the summer approaches, the month-long monsoon season brings unique changes to Korean daily life. While some enjoy the rainy weather by eating crispy Pajeon with Makgeolli, others find it challenging to deal with the high humidity and sticky heat. It's a season where Koreans adapt their lifestyles, from searching for

Learn Korean with News: The 'Cat Mom' Debate & Coexisting with Stray Cats Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever heard the term 'Cat Mom' (캣맘) in Korea? As the number of people caring for stray cats grows, a heated debate has sparked in many Korean neighborhoods. While some passionately advocate for animal rights and peacefully coexisting with our feline friends, others raise complaints about noise, torn trash bags, and hygiene issues in residential areas. It's a

Learn Korean with News: Korea's 'Beggar Map' & Extreme Saving Trend Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you noticed that prices for eating out are getting higher and higher everywhere? Korea is no exception. Due to high inflation, also known as 'Lunchflation' (런치플레이션), young Koreans have invented a very unique and humorous way to save money! Recently, 'Beggar Chat Rooms' (거지방) and 'Beggar Maps' (거지맵) have become a massive trend. In these anonymous chat rooms, people roas

Learn Korean with Culture: The Rise of 'Hon-sul-ba' (Solo Drinking Bars) Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever wanted to grab a drink but felt too exhausted to socialize? Or maybe you just wanted to read a book with a nice cocktail in hand? In the past, Korea’s drinking culture was dominated by noisy group gatherings and mandatory company dinners called 'Hoesik' (회식). However, with the rise of 1-person households, a new cultural trend has firmly taken root: 'Hon-s

Learn Korean with Culture: How Do Koreans Date? (Blind Dates & More) Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever watched a Korean drama and wondered, "How do normal Korean people actually meet and start dating?" While meeting naturally at school or the workplace (회사/학교) is still common, Korea has a highly developed and unique "arranged meeting" culture. From a casual setup by a friend called 'Sogaeting' (소개팅) and college group blind dates called 'Meeting' (미팅), to serio

Learn Korean with News: The Mounjaro Craze in Korea Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you heard about the new "miracle" weight-loss drug making headlines globally? Recently, 'Mounjaro' (마운자로) has officially landed in Korea, and it has sparked an incredible frenzy. Korean society has traditionally held a very strong, and sometimes stressful, obsession with a thin figure. With the arrival of this highly effective, yet expensive, weekly injection, people are lining up at