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

Learn Korean with News: The 'Diet Meal Prep' Trend in Korea Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Are you interested in healthy eating and fitness? Recently in Korea, a dining culture called 'Meal Prep' (밀프렙 - preparing meals in advance) has become a massive trend among the 20s and 30s for diet and health management. Instead of relying on salty or high-calorie delivery food, many young Koreans are spending their weekends meticulously preparing a week's worth of healthy meals—p

Learn Korean with News: Korea's Michelin Guide, Blue Ribbon Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever walked down a street in Korea and noticed a small, blue ribbon sticker attached to a restaurant's door? If you have, you've just discovered a guaranteed delicious spot! Today, we are going to learn about the 'Blue Ribbon Survey' (블루리본 서베이), which is famously known as Korea's very own Michelin Guide. This guide has become the ultimate compass for foodies in Korea. Whet

Learn Korean with News: The Great Escape of Neukgu the Wolf Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Today, we are going to dive into a heartwarming local news story that has captivated South Korea recently: the great escape of a 2-year-old wolf named 'Neukgu' (늑구). On April 8th, Neukgu escaped from Daejeon O-World Zoo by digging a hole under the fence. For 9 days, he evaded drones and search parties, surviving in the wild by catching fish. When he was finally captured safely, the