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: 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: 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

Learn Korean with News: The Sea Women of Jeju - Exploring Haenyeo Culture Hello, Korean learners! It's Soona. Have you ever heard of the real-life mermaids of Korea? In Jeju Island, there are incredible women known as '해녀' (Haenyeo), or "sea women." Without any oxygen tanks or modern breathing equipment, they dive deep into the ocean to harvest seafood, relying solely on their own breath. Haenyeo culture is incredibly unique. Most of these divers are elderly women in their 60

Walk, Stamp, Achieve: Korea's Dulle-gil Stamp Tour Korea is a country blessed with beautiful mountains and coastal trails. Recently, a new hiking trend has captivated both the younger and older generations: the "Dulle-gil Stamp Tour." 'Dulle-gil' refers to scenic walking trails that loop around mountains, cities, or islands, such as the famous Seoul Dulle-gil or Jeju Olle Trail.What makes this trend so addictive? It's the analogue joy of collecting stamps! Hikers carry a dedi

Making Friends on the Road: Korea's Guesthouse Party Culture When you think of a 'guesthouse' or 'hostel', you might imagine a quiet, cheap place for backpackers to sleep. However, in Korea's top tourist destinations like Jeju Island and Gangneung, the guesthouse culture has evolved into something entirely different. It has become the ultimate 'social space' for the MZ generation! During the day, travelers explore the beautiful scenery on their own. But when night falls, ever

The $1 Beauty Mecca: Korea's Daiso Cosmetic Craze When you think of high-quality cosmetics, a dollar store might not be the first place that comes to mind. However, in Korea, the famous $1 store 'Daiso' has completely transformed into the hottest "Beauty Mecca" for teenagers and people in their 20s. Recently, top-tier Korean cosmetic brands have started exclusively launching highly affordable, yet incredibly high-quality products at Daiso. With prices ranging from just 1,000

Capturing the Moment: Korea's "4-Cut Photo" Culture If you walk down any busy street in Korea, you are bound to see colorful signs for "Self Photo Studios" (셀프 사진관) like "Life Four Cuts" (인생네컷). In an age where everyone has a high-quality smartphone camera, why are young Koreans so obsessed with paying to get their photos printed? For the MZ generation, it is more than just taking a picture; it is an essential part of hanging out. The process of picking out funny headbands, s

WELCOME TO KOREAN SOONA STUDY LAB! Spring has finally arrived in Korea! This is the season when the entire peninsula turns into a colorful garden. From the snowy white cherry blossoms in Jinhae to the bright yellow canola flowers in Jeju, there are so many breathtaking festivals to explore. But do you know how to describe these beautiful scenes or suggest a trip to your friends in natural Korean? In today's curation, we will travel through Korea's best flower spots while mast