Search Results

Discover festive European-style cheer, unique K-gifts, and stunning light displays throughout Korea with the Dojeon team! We share our favorite Christmas markets in Korea of 2025! Image: Christmas Market in Korea - Photo: https://thesoulofseoul.net/ There is indeed no shortage of places in Korea to experience a Christmas-packed day out; however, this article will list the Dojeon Team's top picks when it comes to Christmas vibes and Christmas markets , which you should not miss this year! Lotte Town Christmas Market (Jamsil) Lotte Town Christmas Market is one of the more famous markets in Korea during this time of year. Not only is it in Korea's capital city, Seoul, but it also showcases a grand European-style village complete with wooden stalls and a two-story carousel. It is Seoul's largest outdoor Christmas market, famous for its towering Christmas tree and immersive holiday atmosphere. Visitors enjoy special events like the "Heart Light Show" and "Snow Shower" while browsing unique festive goods, and it is one simply not to be missed this year! Busan Christmas Village at the Busan Cinema Centre Located in the South of the country, Busan Cinema Center transforms the tourist hub of Haeundae  into a "Santa Village Busan Branch" with an enchanting narrative and design, and leads to amazing photo opportunities. The Santa Village showcases amazing wooden booths, a themed photo zone, fun for all of the family, and an iconic Christmas tree. Visitors can also buy handmade gifts and enjoy the famous snow machine under the big roof this year! Gwangbok-ro Winter Light Tree Festival (Nampo-dong) Another Busan favorite this Christmas is actually Busan's longest-running outdoor display, which takes over the entire Gwangbok-ro street , displaying dazzling Christmas illuminations. While this is not a traditional market with stalls, the festival creates an energetic holiday shopping environment with a massive main tree and various street performances. The vibrant lights and festive energy in the heart of Nampo-dong make it a top winter destination for locals and tourists alike this year. The Hyundai Seoul's Christmas Village (Yeouido) If you are after charming buildings and the opportunity to enjoy a giant Christmas tree this year, then step into a whimsical Christmas village at the iconic The Hyundai Seoul department store . Due to its extreme popularity, timed reservations are often required to manage the crowds and ensure a pleasant experience, so make sure you check this place out in advance to avoid disappointment on the day! Daegu E-World Starlight Festival / Miracle Toy Store In the center of Korea, you will find Daegu's premier Christmas event this year, which is a massive illumination festival held at the iconic E-World theme park . This festival is held around the iconic 83 Tower which offers unspoiled views of the city. The theme park is covered in literally millions of LED lights, featuring a 15-meter Christmas tree and various festive zones like the "Miracle Toy Store". Along with enjoying the rides and the light displays, visitors can catch special holiday performances and photo opportunities with characters like Santa and Bibi and Popo, which are great moments for the young ones. If you love thrills and rollercoasters, then head to E-world this year for an amazing evening out! What do you enjoy most when visiting a Christmas market? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know! #KoreaChristmasMarkets #SeoulChristmas #KHolidayMagic #LotteWorldTower #TheHyundaiSeoul #GwanghwamunSquare

Wetter is Better: Let's check out the reason behind South Korea's water-activated street art! Image: South Korean Street Art - Photo: Pintrest Rainy days in Seoul can be downright depressing. However, thanks to a collaboration between ANTONE and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago , the miserable rainy days of Seoul have started to get a whole lot more colorful. The project, called "Project Monsoon " , saw a team use a special type of paint that's invisible when dry, but illuminates with bright colors when it rains or becomes wet. The project was inspired by South Korea's culture and its focus on the flow of rivers; these hidden murals are revealed by the rain, bringing a vibrant surprise to the city's grey streets. As most of you know, rainy days are dull, depressing, and they can be like a K-drama moment in themselves, or for some, perhaps it's a good idea to sit and cry into your coffee. This, however, is about to change, and the Dojeon Media team cannot wait! With South Korea's push on K-culture, the fusion here between traditional backdrops and the more modern social media trend is a hallmark of the Hallyu Wave , and it has taken over some social media channels, mainly by tourists and locals alike. We all know that Korea's soft power is about culture, and this is a new way to keep locals and tourists interested. "Project Monsoon" embodies this by drawing inspiration from a key element of Korean culture: the river. This art project, while a viral concept rather than a widely implemented reality, perfectly captures the spirit of Korean dramas and webtoons , where everyday urban spaces are transformed into magical, emotionally resonant backdrops like the beautiful must-visit Bukchon Hanok Village . Check out our other article about things to do at Bukchon Hanok Village . Image: Image: South Korean Street Art - Photo: Pintrest The Transformation of Urban Spaces K-dramas are masterful at making mundane urban locations feel magical. K-dramas, for many, have been able to provide a sense of escape and, for some, a more heartfelt moment. "Project Monsoon" has been able to use some of these K-drama aspects to create some of its dramatic and inspiring scenes. As a result, commuters and tourists can enjoy a more vibrant commute, as opposed to miserable, dark, and grey skies. This kind of "place-making" is a core tenet of modern Korean popular culture, where the setting is as important as the characters. Finding Beauty in the dull rainy days A central theme in many popular K-dramas, particularly slice-of-life genres, is finding beauty and meaning in the small, everyday moments, which is easier said than done. However, with K-drama characters, it's possible to navigate through ordinary day-to-day challenges with cinematography, music, and writing. These simple and often free things can elevate these experiences to something deeply meaningful, which a lot of people look for. "Project Monsoon's" concept uses this idea entirely. It takes a routine, potentially annoying experience—walking through a city during a prolonged monsoon—and turns it into a surprising and beautiful discovery. The hidden art is a reward for those who are willing to look a little closer and appreciate the beauty in their surroundings, a lesson often imparted by K-drama patriots. Final thoughts While "Project Monsoon" was an award-winning conceptual campaign and not a reality, its viral success is a testament to how well it tapped into the cultural sensibilities already familiar to millions of K-drama fans worldwide. It's a perfect real-life example of the art and narrative that defines the genre. It also takes some of the more cultural or perhaps at times run-down areas, and offers a bright and colorful facelift, and while attracting tourists to the area, it is also able to support the local economy. We would love to hear your thoughts!! Have you ever noticed this amazing rainy day street art? If so, then the Dojeon team would love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments below! #ProjectMonsoon #SeoulStreetArt #HydrochromicPaint #RainyDayArt #KoreaArt #InvisibleArt

K-pop sensation, Jisoo, a member of the global pop group, Black Pink, was named a Global Ambassador earlier

Jungkook from BTS was the protagonist of a new vlog for the official channel of BANGTAN TV. The maknae of the group took the opportunity to go to the beach and have a small camp for himself, where he shared several moments with ARMY. Jungkook 's camping vlog is so warm and full of happiness: seeing Jungkook smiling, having fun, eating, cooking, driving, singing, and playing with the bonfire. Just the fact that he finds joy in simple things makes my heart grow very fond! Here is the full episode: Jungkook's camping vlog location sign with the words "[Jungkook [BTS Vlog .] Camping Vlog Vlog Shooting Site" is also shown around the camping site. The camping site is located at Songjiho Beach in, Geseong Gangwon-do, South Korea!! Here are some of BTS ARMY's tweets : Did you see the full episode? Have you ever gone to this location where Jungkook was filming his vlog? What was your reaction? Let us know!

#koreacafe #koreancoffee #koreancatcafe There are literally Starbucks on top of another Starbucks if you walk down the wide streets of Seoul, South Korea. Everywhere you look, there seem to be cafes and coffee shops lining the streets. At one particular subway exit, you'll find four different Starbucks on each corner of the intersection! Even on the tiniest corner on a city block, a tiny coffee kiosk is seen nudged in between two larger stores. What is Korea's obsession with coffee? A Starbucks shop in Seoul, South Korea. Photo via Wikipedia. Coffee was introduced to Korea during the reign of King Gojong, who is proclaimed to be the first Korean to ever take a sip in 1896 during Russian litigation in Seoul while evading the Japanese Army. Since then, Koreans have been hooked on the caffeinated beverage. Korean mixed coffee. Photo via The Korean Times. With the introduction of Starbucks into Korea in 1999, a cultural shift began to happen. Koreans, due to the lack of space in their own personal homes, often had nowhere to meet up with friends for a quick drink and chat. Starbucks changed the cultural paradigm by creating a cozy, clean, and spacious atmosphere for Koreans young and old, a place to hang out. Partnered with 5G speed internet, Starbucks and other coffee chains became the go-to spot for many Koreans taking a quick break from shopping or hanging out with friends. Korean drama scene at a cafe. Photo via Annyeong Oppa. Korea's coffee consumption is around 6% of the total Asia Pacific coffee market and is one of the leading markets in the world. You will see custom-blended coffee shops all around Korea, each with their unique taste and make. According to the Korean Economic Institute of America, Koreans drink 12.3 cups of coffee per week! That's equivalent to 2.3 kg (about 5 lbs) per capita consumption a year! Inside look at one of Korea's trendy cafes. Photo courtesy of There She Goes Again. If you do plan on visiting Korea, be sure to check out the numerous quirky-themed cafes! Check out this awesome list of cafes by 'there she goes again' ! If you've been to Korea, what cafes did you like most? What's the craziest cafe you've seen/been in? Share your pics and experiences!

Fashion trends within the K-pop industry have taken off, and the King of K-pop fashion Key , from the To me, this photo screams sophistication as well as cementing himself in the K-pop hall of fame due to It's all about how you "feel" that makes the outfit "pop" Don't hold it against us, but we can't get turn heads at a party, which is why it has made it to my favorite fashion items from the King of K-pop Let us know your favorite outfit by the King of K-pop fashion in the comments below!

SUHO - "Forever" My Demon 4. 10CM - "The Way to Lose You" 5. Yoari - "True" 6.

#jackinthebox #jhope #more BTS 's J-Hope dropped new concept photos for his upcoming single "More" from his much anticipated solo album "Jack In The Box"! The official teaser video dropped on June 30 at midnight KST. "More" will be released Friday, July 1 at 1 pm KST. The single will be included in his upcoming album. Check out this teaser for "Jack In The Box", scheduled to drop on July 15 at 1 pm KST! Here are the official concept pictures for J-Hope's anticipated single! (All photos are credited to Big Hit Music) This is awesome for all BTS fans as we get to experience what each member wants to do during their break from group activities! We'll get to see what drives each member to their creative extent and share in their happy moments! Let us know if you're excited about this release! What are you looking forward to most?

Blinks ! It's that time of the year! Global phenom super girl group Blackpink celebrates 7 years together! We celebrate with the girls and show what Blinks had to say about their favorite group throughout the years! "Happy 7th anniversary to me and my 3 amazing girls @blackpinkofficial 7 is one of my favorite numbers and I hope this year will be a lucky one for us" — Lisa To start off their 7th anniversary in sweet fashion, Blackpink collaborated with Starbucks with special pink drinks and a sticker pack! Here in Korea, we did a taste test of this drink called "Blackpink Strawberry Choco Cream Frappuccino" and it was amazing! YG Entertainment also released a 2023 Cereal Deco Kit on both their site and on Weverse for fans! The Deco Kit comes with key chains, a notebook, sticks, and more! You can pre-order yours here ! Each member also posted on their personal Instagram accounts with their favorite photos over the years! Take a look! Here's what some fans had to say to wish Blackpink a happy anniversary! "I love you so much too, congratulations on your 7th anniversary as well that I have been with you, love you so much, always be successful!!!" "Happy anniv. So inspiring, the greatest girl group in the world" "Happy 7th ANNIVERSARY🤍 Thank for making Blink happy . You're so strong and I will be a blink forever 💖 love BLACKPINK.I wish you more happiness! and healthy❤️" "Can’t wait to see what you girls can accomplish for the next 7 years 🖤💖" So how will/did you celebrate Blackpink's 7th anniversary? Let us know in the comments below! #2023DEBUTANNIVERSARY #CEREALDECOKIT #BLACKPINK7thANNIVERSARY #Starbucks #7YEARSWITHBLINKS

The new song off their comeback album " Between 1&2 " shows the amazing vocal range of the K-pop stars by bringing in an early 2000s pop-rock sound! Reminiscent of early 2000s pop-rock vibes, Twice even had the wardrobe to prove it in their new music

Discover the secret medical-grade skincare, potent supplements, and unique wellness products that have turned Korean pharmacies into shopping hot spots. The Dojeon team has you covered with savings and more affordable products to try! Image: Pharmacy Tourism in South Korea - Photo: Koreatimes The Rise of Medical Tourism and Post-Procedure Care One reason why the surge in visitors visiting Korean pharmacies has increased is thanks to the direct recommendations from dermatologists and clinics throughout Korea and online. Over the past few years, the Korean medical tourism industry has skyrocketed, thanks to cosmetic procedures and skin care services. The price point for many has also played a vital role in why people have been coming to Korea for treatments as opposed to places like Türkiye or Thailand. Once the treatment is completed, foreign visitors are usually recommended the exact pharmacy products by their doctors to help them with their aftercare, to speed up the healing time, and reduce potential scarring. This direct medical recommendation fuels demand, as tourists seek out the "real" recovery products to maximize the results of their investment in a procedure. The Dojeon Team has also experienced these types of treatments and services in Korea. The Social Media Hype and "Must-Buy" Culture Globally, viral word-of-mouth has been the way for companies to promote their products for centuries; however, with the rise of social media, pharmacists have been making vlogs to promote their products and services. Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok are driving the trend when it comes to foreign visitors visiting Korean pharmacies. Some of the videos feature the must-have products that visitors all raving about. This content, created by tourists and local influencers, positions the products as "hidden gems" and effective, exclusive staples that locals trust over mainstream beauty store options. This has caused many pharmacies to establish a close-knit chain of K-beauty and pharmacy tour-focused products and services for visitors. Korean VS Global products Korean pharmaceutical products have gained a reputation for high-grade ingredients. Lewis Hooper, a writer from the Dojeon Media team, has collaborated with several Korean pharmacies and skin care companies to promote these products on social media, and he agrees that the products are great for the skin! Global products, on the other hand, although they are sometimes a fraction of the price, the ingredients are not as strong, which has led to more consumers turning to K-beauty products . This connection to professional clinical guidance establishes the products as essential for healing and scar prevention, driving tourists to seek them out as part of their health and beauty regimen, with some hoping to turn out like their favorite K-idol. What items will you buy from a Korean pharmacy? Comment below and let the Dojeon team know! #KPharmacyTour #KBeautySecrets #KoreanSkincareHaul #MustBuyKorea #Cosmeceuticals #SeoulShopping

Common Ground is the first pop-up store in Korea built with 5,300 square meters of shipping containers