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In the world of air travel, where comfort often takes precedence over style, one K-pop star is breaking

K-pop fashionistas Aespa is back for their 3rd mini album "My World" !

From royal kitchens to the modern family table, we explain the evolution of one of Korea's most delicious foods: dumplings! Image: Korean Dumplings - Photo: stayhappening.com Have you ever walked into a Korean restaurant and felt like you'd stumbled into a feast before you even ordered? That's the magic of Korean hospitality! Suddenly, your table blossoms with banchan  – a delightful cast of small dishes, each with its own story and vibrant color. Of course, these aren't just to tide you over; they're a vital part of the Korean dining experience, a delicious conversation happening alongside your main course. Often, you'll notice a nod to Korea's history in these offerings – the simple goodness of vegetarian dishes , a whisper of the Buddhist influence and the agricultural heartland, preserved through time-honoured techniques like fermentation , which has become a popular aspect of the modern diet around the world today! This explosion of side flavors is your first clue to the incredible depth of Korean cuisine, a culinary tradition that once graced the tables of royalty, where layering flavors and techniques was previously an art form. So, with this love of variety ingrained in the culture, it's no wonder that Korean dumplings, the essential mandu , also boast a fascinatingly diverse family tree. Imagine stepping back in time to the 14th Century where along the Silk road Mongolians most likely introduced these delightful treats once they arrived in Korea! Though of course as times change, the culinary shift and flavor palates changed, the countless flavors of these small juicy pockets also did! How to make mandu (Korean dumplings) Step 1: Mix the dough and add boiling water with a teaspoon of salt and stir well, before adding the flour to the bowl and mixing. Then knead into a smooth dough and allow it to rest for half and hour. Step 2: The filling! Cut your filling (Kimchi, pork, vegetables) and place them into a large bowl and season with soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and pepper powder. Mix these together well and this will help to create the filling. Step 3: Divide the dough into four parts, and cut them into blocks (depending on your recipe will depend on the size) Once this is complete, then add corn-starch and flatten each dough ball into a round piece. Step 4: Next, you need to scoop each spoon of your filling into the middle of the dough, and carefully fold the dough in half, so that the filling is covered tightly! Step 5: Time to put the pot of water onto the stove and let it boil! One by one, place each Mandu into the boiling water and after boiling you can steam or fry them depending on your taste! Put them on a plate and let them cool before eating! Picture this: a plate of mandu arrives. What does it look like? Think of mandu  as tiny edible stories, found woven into the fabric of Korean life. You might first encounter them as a steaming, satisfying snack from a street vendor, the perfect fuel for a busy day. Later, you might find them nestled in a comforting bowl of tteok mandu guk  (soup dumplings) at a family dinner, each dumpling a warm embrace. Even in the refined atmosphere of an upscale restaurant, mandu  carry a sense of tradition and deliciousness. They're more than just food; they're a culinary thread connecting generations. When enjoyed on their own, there's often a familiar friend – a sweet and savory soy-based dipping sauce, the same one that elevates the crispy edges of a kimchi  pancake. But the true magic of mandu  lies in their endless variations. One might hold a savory blend of pork and kimchi, another delicate glass noodles with mushrooms. Each household cherishes its own secret recipe, a unique fingerprint of taste which has been passed down through generations! Final thoughts So, from their humble beginnings to their modern forms, Korean mandu  stands as a delicious testament to the country's rich culinary heritage and spirit of innovation. Whether savored as a simple street snack, a comforting addition to a hearty soup, or an elegant offering in a fine restaurant, these versatile dumplings encapsulate the Korean love for shared meals! It's a cultural icon, lovingly folded and eagerly enjoyed across generations. Mandu fan? Drop a comment and let us know your favorite mandu flavors! #KoreanDumplings #CulinaryHeritage #SymbolOfWealth #KoreanFoodHistory #ManduEvolution

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!

(Quezon City, Philippines) — The magic of storytelling transcended borders as the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines and the Quezon City Public Library came together for “Once Upon Our Lands: Phil-Kor Puppet Show” , a special cultural event celebrating the timeless folktales of Korea and the Philippines. The event brought young learners on a shared journey through the vibrant stories of both nations, igniting their imaginations and deepening their appreciation of each other’s cultures. Held at the Quezon City Public Library, the event welcomed children and families for an engaging storytelling session that spotlighted beloved tales from Korea and the Philippines - “Myth of Dangun” and “Malakas and Maganda.” “Malakas and Maganda” “Myth of Dangun” With eyes wide and smiles bright, kids listened intently as the stories unfolded—learning, laughing, and discovering the heartwarming values embedded in both cultures' literary traditions. The experience didn’t end with storytelling. Participants explored their creativity through hands-on activities inspired by the tales. Children delighted in coloring pages drawn from story motifs, while others expressed themselves through a fun craft activity where they designed their very own hanbok keyrings—a nod to Korea’s traditional attire . The interactive session helped bring the stories to life and offered a unique way for children to connect with the cultural elements they had just discovered. Photo Courtesy of KCC PH (Korean Culture of the Philippines). Photo Courtesy of KCC PH ( Korean Culture of the Philippines). Adding lasting value to the day, the KCC officially opened its ‘Mini KCC Library’ (Korean Corner) at the Quezon City Public Library, marking a meaningful milestone in expanding access to Korean literature in the Philippines. The corner will house various Korean books—from children's books, to non-fiction and fiction novels—making Korean stories more accessible to the Filipino public and encouraging a deeper literary and cultural exchange between the two countries. Korean corner at the Quezon City Public Library (Credits: KCC PH) “Once Upon Our Lands: Phil-Kor Puppet Show” is part of the KCC’s continuing effort to foster understanding and friendship through education, creativity, and cultural sharing. Events like this provide children with a glimpse into Korea’s rich heritage and underscore the importance of libraries as welcoming spaces for cross-cultural connection. #OnceUponOurLands #PhilKorPuppetShow #SeeYouThere #KoreanCulturePH #KCCPH

From the explosion of K-pop and South Korea's soft culture to the global technology giants Samsung and beginner-level Korean language classes to advanced courses, alongside diverse cultural activities like K-Pop Through global expansion and access to K-pop and K-dramas such as BTS and Squid Game , there has been

Son Heung Min (a Korean football player) has been at his peak of popularity, making his debut at the age of 16 in 2010! We take the reasons why he's been able to be at the top of endorsements, fame, and fortune for such a long time! So coming from the UK, I grew up watching football, and during my teenage years "David Beckham" was a household name. Son Heung Min is known as “Korea’s David Beckham." Signing with Tottenham Hotspurs Son Heung Min became the first Asian footballer ever to win the Premier League's Golden Boot and the second to receive the Puskas Award in 2020. Most recently, he became the only Asian to be nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’Or, the highest honor in football.  This has of course led to his fame and popularity in Korea. When ever I meet a Korean 9 times of out of 10 they will either mention Son Heung Min or Tottenham when I tell them that I am from England. Let's take a look at some of his success! Originally from Chuncheon, northeast of the capital Seoul, Son made his name first in Germany after moving to Europe as a teenager with Hamburg. His success earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2013 where he caught the eye, persuading Tottenham to pay a reported $28 million for the forward. Imagine earning that much money at such a young age. That fee has been more than repaid since, with Son scoring 18 goals in 53 appearances last season alone. His performance and achievements have established Son as one of the most exciting players in the Premier League, while earning him huge popularity both in Korea and much nearer his new home, which is why his legacy and of course helping to bring K-culture and Korea in general on the world map has led to his success both home and away. With success comes money right? When I heard that the value of the Son economy — that is the value of sales of Son-related products — was estimated at around 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) in 2020, according to a study by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Son’s net worth is reported to be around $31.6 million, including his roughly $9 million salary from Spurs, not only this but he was ranked at No. 3 on Forbes Korea’s 2022 Power Celebrity Index, after BTS and Blackpink . Basically, anything with Son’s face on it sells like hotcakes. Let's take a look at Son's most recent commercial with luggage giant TUMI! Son's popularity of course extends well beyond football, that doesn't mean there are plenty of fans still interested in watching him play. Despite the majority of Tottenham games taking place in the middle of the night in Korea, every single fixture still gets a big audience of supporters staying up to watch.  Let us know in the comments your thoughts on Son's success. #SonHeungMin #TottenhamHotspur #Tottenham #footballer

#hannakim #misskorea2022 #btsarmy Hanna Kim was appointed Miss Universe 2022 and she was preparing to represent her country at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in January, and it's easy to say why they choose to make her Miss Korea: She is brought up in the United States. Hanna also has a fluent command of English which will only help her in speaking up about her ideas and advocacy. She is experienced, talented, and driven toward representing the country and will prove to be a strong delegate on the international platform. Instagram: @hanna.ming But there was a lot of talk on social media when she declared here her love for Jungkook !! After Hanna Kim, Miss Universe Korea 2022, followed Jungkook on Instagram, she mentioned that she put his image as a background for her phone! There were a lot of comments that said that she is also the first Miss Korea who is an ARMY and who loves BTS . She's so gorgeous like BTS, and she is the first Miss Korea who reveals BTS's name in public and becomes an ARMY! What do you think? Is she a New ARMY or maybe she's just a friend of BTS members?

Actor Teo Yoo has become a household name, especially among the younger Korean generation due to the sincerity he puts in his roles. We dive into why this German-born Korean is loved by so many! Teo Yoo was born and raised in Cologne, Germany. He began acting when studying at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, New York, at the age of 20. He later continued his studies in an intensive course at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. After acting in various independent films and theatre productions in New York and Berlin he moved to Seoul in 2009. Since he moved to Seoul the star has been busy becoming a household name. He has starred as Viktor Tsoi in the musical film Leto (2018) and won the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best New Actor in 2021. In 2023, he gained wider recognition for starring in the romantic drama film Past Lives , earning a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in, June 2024, he was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Let's take a look at some of his fan's best moments! In my opinion, this K-drama star does have it all. He has a mature look which is great for sex appeal, and as you have just watched from some of his fans best loved moments, he puts his all into every scene, let alone say he appears to be a great kisser. You can see it in the way Yoo plays Hae Sung in the film. His performance feels more like an act of excavation than an embellishment, which makes him simply a great star and household name. Teo Yoo has expressed his upcoming plans! Let us know in the comments below, why you think this actor is so popular, and let us know your favorite drama that he has featured in. #teoyoo #pastlives #koreanactor

#lalisa #btsv #parkbogum Hallyu has officially taken over the global fashion scene! Blackpink's Lisa , BTS's V , and actor Park Bo Gum were all seen at the Celine men's Spring-Summer 2023 collection show during Paris' Men's Fashion Week. The trio attended the show on June 26 as representatives of South Korea. It was reported that BTS's V aka Kim Tae Hyung and actor Park Bo Gum were personally invited by Celine's creative director, Hedi Slimane. Blackpink's Lisa, as we all know, was named Celine's global ambassador in 2020. BTS' V wore a sequined polo neck tee which he paired with leather pants and a red leather jacket that he left open. He flaunted his love for OTT jewelry with a tasseled neckpiece, which man fans claimed: "ruined his look". He wore his soft wavy locks and opted for a natural look. Lisa never fails to amaze as she was spotted with a backless and sleeveless turtleneck top, alongside black shorts. Her bag, boots, and belt, all adopted black hues, creating a ton sur ton look. In addition, Lisa also wore a Western makeup style and layered platinum hair, making her super eye-catching. Park Bo Gum opted to go with the same necklace as his best friend, V, as the actor chose a turtleneck, long blazer, and leather pants all in black. However, many critics stated that his outfit "wasn't groundbreaking enough". It was a sight to behold as the trio attracted an unprecedented crowd, never seen as many fans attended a Celine fashion show. Check out Lisa posing for pictures! What did you think about this event? Thai fans, are you proud of Lisa becoming such a global superstar? Let us know your thoughts!

The concert was a much-awaited event for fans of the K-pop star.

Jin was spotted at Incheon International Airport in Seoul on September 11, heading to Los Angeles for his schedule. Here's Jin at the airport : Many fans have questioned what his motive for traveling solo to the United States! Some say that Jin went to shoot his own solo MV. And BTS 's Jin's name topped the hashtags on Twitter: Jin's conversation with the staff at the airport Staff : Jin-SSI, it's a little embarrassing when you're traveling alone, isn't it? Jin : Yes Staff : When RM left he said it was very embarrassing too. Jin : Yes, I was saying that in the waiting room a while ago. Hair stylists, stylists, make-up experts, mirror creators, creative directors of visuals, and fashion directors at Big Hit Music have also traveled to Los Angeles, and it looks like something big is coming. Here are some of the tweets posted: Seems like a great event! What do you think will happen? Tell us what you think in the comments.