Americans know Valentine's Day to be a day when we give candies and flowers to our loved ones. Valentine's Day falls on February 14th of each year. But what if I told you that there's a different type of Valentine's Day happening in Korea in November? Welcome to Korea's version of Valentine's Day, Pepero Day ! The exact origins of Pepero Day are not known. It can be traced back to a news story in 1983 of two middle school girls in the Yeongnam region that wanted to be tall and thin while exchanging Pepero snacks . Some argue that the origins started with the date, November 11, or 11/11, resembling Pepero sticks. There was a popular belief, at the time, that if one consumed 11 packets of Pepero on November 11 at 11:11 pm at 11 seconds exactly, they would achieve maximum height and thinness! In 1997, Lotte decided to use the middle school story to successfully promote Pepero Day. The trend has caused many competitors creating similarly shaped snacks to participate during this day. As of 2012, Lotte was making 50% of its annual sales on Pepero Day. So what do Koreans do during this "holiday"? Pepero Day is similar to America's version of Valentine's Day. Koreans typically give Pepero to children, co-workers, friends, or family members. Many young Koreans will usually take this day to express their feelings for crushes or people they like! They will often be creative and send a basket of Pepero snacks with some flowers as gifts! Here are some interesting facts about Pepero Day (According to Korea Times): 1. Pepero Day is reportedly the most profitable day for convenience stores all year. 2. Up to 30 percent of all annual Pepero sales occur within a week of Pepero Day, according to Consumer Report Korea. 3. The plain Pepero has fewer calories than the almond-flavored one. 4. The entire length of all Pepero sticks ever sold can circle the circumference of the Earth, 250 times ! 5. According to a dating agency, seven out of 10 people "do not think exchanging Peperos are necessary." So what are your thoughts about this fun and quirky Korean "holiday"? Which K-pop idol would you like to receive a Pepero from? Let us know in the comments below!

The Mnet Asian Music Awards or MAMA has been the long-standing K-pop music awards show since 1999. This year's 2022 MAMA Awards theme is "K-pop World Citizenship" symbolizing that K-pop artistry and fandom are "channeled forces for good guided by a message of shared hope and empowerment." The awards ceremony will be held over two nights at the Osaka Kyocera Dome in Japan. The main show is scheduled to air on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 - 30 , starting with a red carpet event at 16:00 KST and the awards ceremony at 18:00 on various global platforms including Mnet's official YouTube Channel " Mnet K-pop ". The Worldwide Fans' Choice Category Vote starts today November 10 at 19:00 KST . Head over to 2022MAMA.com to vote using Spotify! Please check the site for more entry rules. On November 9, MAMA awards revealed its second lineup of performing artists! LE SSERAFIM , Hyolin, Bibi, Forestella , NMIXX, Street Man Fighter, ZICO , Lim Young Woong, (G)I-dle , NiziU, INI, NewJeans , and Kara have been added so far! Below is the first lineup of performers announced on October 26. You can check out the judging criteria here! Are you excited about this year's MAMA Awards? Let us know who is your favorite to win!

If you haven't already been sucked into Korean dramas, 2022 is as good a time as ever to get started! In this post I'm going to show you the 10 Best K-Dramas in 2022 you'll be completely hooked on! Are you ready? 1. A Business Proposal In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up on a blind date to scare away her friend's prospective suitor. However, plans go awry when he turns out to be Ha-ri's CEO and he makes a proposal. 2. My Liberation Notes My Liberation Notes tells a story of three siblings and a stranger . Yeom Chang-Hee (Lee Min Ki) is the middle child of three siblings. He wants to escape from his family's home in Sanpo Village, but he doesn't have a dream and just spends his life meaninglessly. He is looked down upon by his family members. 3. Twenty-five Twenty-one (25 21) The story is set in two timelines, 1998 and 2022, capturing parallels between South Korea’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) Crisis and the present-day’s COVID-19 situation. And the name of this K-drama simply refers to the ages when the two lead characters of this new K-Drama—Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo Hyuk) and Na Hee-do ( Kim Tae Ri )— when “meet again.” 4. Sh**ting Stars It's their first time as a love team and yet their chemistry is so great, it's overflowing. Watching them will surely make your hearts flutter. The couple is so cute and amusing when they are making fun of each other and it's so thrilling when they finally admit that they are in love with each other! 5. Our Blues Our Blues is touching viewers with its heartwarming and comforting stories! It is an omnibus-style drama set in Jeju Island that tells the sweet, sour, and bitter life stories of a diverse array of characters. 6. The Sound of Magic It tells the story of a mysterious magician, Ri Eul suddenly appears in front of a girl who lost her dream, Yoon Ah Yi and a boy who is forced to dream, Na Il Deung. Using magic as a metaphor to escape the harsh reality, director Kim Sung Youn explores the innocence of a child who feels trapped and burdened by society. The Sound of Magic is not so much about the magic, but the sound of it. It is the feeling it can provide comfort at a time when you feel invisible. 7. Why Her? Oh Soo-jae is a talented lawyer and the youngest partner at TK Law Firm, the best law firm in South Korea. She gets involved in an unexpected case and she gets demoted to work as an adjunct. She gets involved in an unexpected case and she gets demoted to work as an adjunct professor at a law school. 8. Pachinko As a teenager played by Minha Kim Sunja has endured throughout her young life. Though she believes in kindness in the world because of her father it is soon heartbreakingly snuffed out of her. Her experiences of first love and the real world with the fish market player Koh Hansu ( Lee Min Ho ) end with her heartbreak. 9. Juvenile Justice The last case of “Juvenile Justice” reveals why Judge Sim Eun Seok had such hatred inside her for the young offenders. Her child had been killed by juvenile offenders. Two boys, Hwang In Jun and Baek Do Hyeon, had thrown a brick from the terrace, and it hit her son, who died on the spot. This K-drama is so well-written and it deserves more recognition! It depicts so many social issues about young offenders, mirroring someone's reality heartbreakingly. The plot, characters, acting, and every aspect are just remarkable. 10. Tomorrow A supernatural fantasy that had rather dark undertones, Tomorrow revolves around a group of Grim Reapers from the 'Crisis management team', who are entrusted with the task of saving suicidal humans and have to prove to them how important life is. Have you ever watched one of those dramas this year? And how many from this list? And If you guys want a second part of the best K-drama of 2022, just tell us in the comments!

Expect at any moment that you will hear the news that Jin has entered the army! We do not know exactly when the army will enter, maybe this week and maybe next week, and the reason is in this report: By 연합뉴스 It is known that Jin asked to postpone the service until he reaches 30 years old, that is, until December 31, because by December 4, he will be 30 years old. But yesterday, Jin shocked all ARMYs and canceled the military postponement to the Military Manpower Association, because apparently, he will not wait until he is 30 years old. This means that at any moment you will hear about Jin entering the army this week or next week! It's sad news, especially for ARMYs who will miss him a lot! But we all wish him to stay safe and healthy. What are your thoughts?

#Gyeonggi #Travelspots There’s so much to see in the most populous province of South Korea, the Gyeonggi province. Being the backbone of Seoul in the manufacturing complex, Gyeonggi province is home to many manufacturing sites of large conglomerates and highly developed cities. Here are three places that you should consider landing on your travel bucket list! 1. Hwaseong Fortress Take a time travel to the Joseon dynasty as you roam around the Hwaseong Fortress . It took two years(1794-1796) for the fortress to be constructed and is also believed to be scientifically built. Stretching 5.52 kilometers, you can find unique military facilities. The Hwaseong Fortress was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in December 1997. 2. Jebu Island Looking for an island escapade near the capital or Incheon? Come visit Jebudo , which is 53.9km away from Seoul. The “Maebawi (falcon rock)” is a sight to see in Jebudo if you wish to enjoy nature and some avian creatures for relaxation. You can also witness the beautiful parting of the sea in Jebu Island. 3. Hwadam Botanic Garden Hwadam can be translated to “friendly communication”, this place is definitely the epitome of human and nature connection. With around 4,300 types of domestic plants you’ll surely enjoy the vast forest park divided into 17 themes. Hwadam Botanic Garden is also quite close to Seoul, which is only a 40-minute drive away. Which among our recommended spots landed your travel bucket list? Let us know and we would like to know them!

Last month, right after their hit concert ' Yet To Come in Busan ', the phenomenal K–pop group BTS confirmed their enlistment into the military , starting with the eldest member Jin . According to their company HYBE, he was supposed to enlist right after he had finished promoting his new single ' Astronaut ' . Well, apparently earlier today news came that the singer supposedly submitted the application to cancel his military postponement, which allowed him to not have to enlist until the end of the year. If that rumor were true, it would make the singer eligible to be called into the military any time now. This news came right after the confirmation from HYBE's CEO that BTS' leader RM is going to release new music by the end of 2022, while the rest of the members – SUGA, Jimin, V, and Jungkook – are said to do so sometime in 2023. If you weren't aware, every member will enlist in the military right after releasing their solo music. But do not panic! In the same notice where they announced BTS' plans to enlist into the military, HYBE has also announced their intention to regroup in 2025 . Not too far off, right? What do you think? We can wait until 2025, can't we?

The third trailer for Reborn Rich dropped this week and we take a deeper glimpse into Song Joong Ki's newest K-drama! Let's take a look at this upcoming exciting new drama! The trailer explains how an ordinary office manager, Yoon Hyun Woo ( Song Joong Ki ), after working for Soonyang Group for over 10 years, has been mistreated by his employers and sent overseas to find Soonyang's assets that have been leaked. It shows that once Hyun Woo is in a foreign country, there are a group of men chasing him down the street. He is eventually captured and dragged to the seaside without knowing who did this to him as his head is covered with a bag. He is shot and dies. The next scene is of Hyun Woo back in 1987 in Seoul, living the life of a young Jin Do Joon, Soonyang Group's youngest son. He gets a second chance to find out who, within the family, killed him. The trailer already has netizens talking about the film's location, apparently, in Istanbul, Turkey. The drama is based on the webtoon series of the same name. The upcoming 16-episode JTBC drama premieres November 18 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 22:30 KST. Take a look at the webtoon while waiting for the drama! Let us know if you're excited about this thrilling new series! Or are you just excited to see Song Joong Ki on screen again?

#Koreanfood #foodtrip #traditionalmarkets Traditional markets don't just offer a unique experience for travelers but it is also save you some bucks along your trip. Experience the authentic Korean lifestyle when shopping and eating at these three traditional markets! 1. Gwangjang Market Gwangjang Market is the 1st permanent street market in Korea. Situated close to Dongdaemun Market , this traditional market is a great place to shop for a wide range of textiles. The traditional market also offers a great Korean food experience with its many food stalls and restaurants. Address: 88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88 For more info click here . 2. Bangsan Market Bangsan Market is a great place to find ingredients for baking enthusiasts. Back in the day, it was hard to find baking ingredients and this market was the go-to place before online markets existed. You can also import goods here such as sugar, icing, European dark chocolate, and many more. Address: 20, Dongho-ro 37-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 동호로37길 20 For more info click here . 3. Mangwon Market The market has evolved throughout the years adapting modern and indie aesthetics. It still has its traditional hint that complemented modernity. You can find fresh fruits and vegetables and even street food stalls that will give you a traditional Korean grocery experience. There are some coffee shops around the vicinity, where you can go cafe hopping. Click here to get more details on what to eat! Address: 14, Poeun-ro 8-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 마포구 포은로8길 14 For more info click here . What’s next on your shopping list during your trip to South Korea? Let us know ‘cause we would love to know them!

Gripping, emotional, and intriguing. The new KBS drama Curtain Call has captured our attention as one of the best dramas this fall! Driven by a star-studded cast including Kang Ha Neul ( Insider 2022), Ha Ji Won ( Chocolate 2020), and Ji Seung Hyun ( Why Her? 2022), Curtain Call tells the story of an old defected North Korean woman, Ja Geum Soon ( Ko Du Shim ) who is separated from her husband and child. Many years later, as for her dying wish, she wants to be reunited with her North Korean grandson for the last time. Kang Ha Neul plays Yoo Jae Heon, a down-and-out actor for local plays, but has the tremendous acting skill and ability. One day, he is approached by one of Ja Geum Soon's senior employees, Jung Sang Cheol ( Sung Dong Il ), to play her long-lost North Korean grandson for three months. Here are three reasons why you should be watching Curtain Call ! 1. Compelling storyline. We've all seen Korean dramas that deal with North Korean families being separated or torn apart by war. But we have never seen a story where someone is asked to play a long-lost family member because of someone's dying wish. The emotions of a family being torn apart during a war are always heart-gripping and sad, and this drama has hit it on the spot. Driven by emotional sadness and anger, the story of Ja Geum Soon defecting to South Korea and becoming the owner of the country's largest hotel chain is something to behold. 2. Family drama. Not everyone is happy that grandma (Ja Geum Soon) has found her long-lost grandson. Her immediate family (filled with grandchildren) is torn between accepting their long-lost relative and welcoming a new member of the family during a company turmoil time that could affect their pockets. Half of her grandchildren question the timing of how Yoo Jae Heon suddenly appears when the company is in the middle of liquidation of their stock. This brings much suspicion and criticism within the family and creates many tense scenes! 3. Potential romance! What is a good K-drama without some romance? Although it hasn't been proven, we can see the relationship between the closest grandchild, Park Se Yeon (Ha Ji Won) and Yoo Jae Heon! Since Park Se Yeon is very close to her grandmother and protective as well, she is bound to have many questions for Jae Heon. Although Jae Heon comes to his new "family" with an actress for a wife, we can see that Se Yeon will probably not fall for it and find out the truth soon enough! What do you think about this drama? Do you think there is a potential romance between the two main leads? Let us know your thoughts!

Source CNN South Korea has been devastated this Halloween. A crowd crush took place at 22:15 local time (KST) (10 pm) in the narrow alleyway district of Itaewon , witnesses said they could not move or breathe as thousands were shoulder-to-shoulder in alleyways no more than 4 meters (13 feet) wide . Dojeon Media sends out our love to those affected. We wanted to share one of our stories related to the crush. Here is a chat with Jonathan Lui our CEO/Founder: Ann : Jon, why is Itaewon so popular? Jon : Itaewon is a hot spot because when Korea thinks "Halloween ", they automatically think "we have to go to Itaewon. " It's just where the country goes to celebrate Halloween. It is the most concentrated area of foreigners in the country. Ann : When were you in Itaewon? Jon : From 4:30 - 8pm that Saturday Ann : I am so grateful that you were not there later than 8pm! What was the vibe like? Jon : The atmosphere was really quiet when I arrived at the restaurant we were going to have dinner. It started to get busy around 7pm when we went to a cafe. There were more and more people outside on the street with costumes and enjoying themselves. When we stepped out of the cafe it was about 7:30 and that's when I took the video. People started crowding the street, but for us that live here, it's pretty normal. Ann : Was it busy or calm when you were there? Jon : For the most part, it was pretty calm, there wasn't any pushing or shoving since there were many families with small children trick-or-treating. People were just enjoying the festivities (they had face painting and other fun Halloween games). Ann : How has this affected you? Jon : I felt this tragedy could have been avoided and unnecessary. But I also understand the need to go out and "stretch our COVID legs" since it's been 3 years since our last Halloween. I've already known this but "avoid crowds if possible", and this event just confirmed it. I feel bad for the parents of the students who were excited to go out and have a good time. They were given pocket money and encouraged to have fun. How do you think the parents felt? That kind of thing. Also, the foreigners who were just visiting. They had no clue that it would be like this. This is what we recorded during the Halloween festivities in Itaewon before the incident, around 19:30 KST. Readers, please comment below on the Halloween tragedy. How have you felt? Do you have your own story?

After a whirlwind of events, BTS' Jin has definitely been keeping himself busy before entering his mandatory military service . With his new single " The Astronaut " dropping last Friday, flying to Argentina to perform the single with Coldpla y , and a very successful BTS concert in Busan , Jin is definitely making very good use of his time! Long-time running South Korean reality tv show Running Man has invited the superstar to guest appear on their latest episode! Originally slated to air on October 30, the episode was canceled due to the tragic incident in Itaewon the night before. On November 1, SBS decided to air the episode on Saturday November 6 instead. Taking to Twitter, SBS tweeted: "석진 대 석진'의 만남은 11월 6일 오후 5시에 방송됩니다!" ("The meeting of "Seokjin vs. Seokjin" will air on November 6th at 5pm!") - @SBSNOW The thumbnail of the episode shows one of the show's hosts, Ji Seok Jin , and BTS' Jin side-by-side holding their nameplates. Both share the same first name as Jin's full name is Kim Seok Jin! We can't wait for this episode to air! Let us know your thoughts below! Air date: Sunday, November 6 at 17:00 KST

Riding on a wave of good feels and comedic moments, the ongoing drama Love Is for Suckers starring Choi Siwon and Lee Da Hee poses a question that many in Korean society have been dying to know, can a Korean man and a Korean woman be just friends? Today we find out in a fun little interview, but Cosmopolitan Korea, if they really can! The two stunning actors may have amazing on-screen chemistry, but what about off-screen? The following video by Cosmopolitan Korea dives straight into their "extra realistic romance chemistry" as they quiz each other! As the two started a TMI quiz, we really could feel that they really are good friends! They were very comfortable with each other as Siwon would just say one word, like "meat", and Da Hee would know exactly what he was talking about! As for their Love Is for Suckers character romance questions, the two were able to answer the majority of the questions with the same answers! They were able to add some of their own personal thoughts to dating as well! Lee Da Hee was able to explain that she's the type of person to solve things on the spot rather than wait until later since she's a very emotional person and won't admit her faults so she would fight emotionally. Check out the Cosmopolitan photo shoot! This interview was so much fun to watch! Let us know your thoughts about the chemistry between these two! You can watch Love Is for Suckers every Wednesday and Thursday at 21:00 KST on ENA starting October 5th.