Trend in Korea

Kimchi may be one of Korea's most famous foods. But there is another Korean word that international visitors may know much less about: Kimjang (김장). Kimjang is the Korean tradition of preparing and sharing large quantities of kimchi, traditionally in late autumn before winter arrives. But describing kimjang simply as "making kimchi" misses something important. For generations, families, relatives and neighbors gathered together to prepare enough kimchi for the colder months. They worked together, shared food, exchanged recipes and divided the finished kimchi among households. That social tradition is so important that "Kimjang, making and sharing kimchi in the Republic of Korea" was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013. And although Korean life has changed dramatically, kimjang has not completely disappeared. Children can still experience it today. These photos show one small example. ...

When you visit Korea, especially around a traditional palace, you may see people wearing colorful clothing with flowing skirts, short jackets and elegant lines. This traditional Korean clothing is called hanbok (한복). Today, Koreans usually wear hanbok for special occasions rather than everyday life. But for visitors, wearing hanbok has also become one of the most memorable ways to experience Korean culture. Here is what you should know before trying it. What Is Hanbok? Hanbok literally means “Korean clothing.” Traditional hanbok is known for its graceful shape, bright colors and comfortable, flowing design. For women, the basic pieces are: Jeogori (저고리) — the upper jacket Chima (치마) — the long skirt For men, traditional hanbok commonly includes: Jeogori (저고리) — the jacket Baji (바지) — loose-fitting trousers There are many variations depending on period, age, occasion and social status. For a first-time visitor, however, the easiest way to recognize hanbok is b...

Spend time with Koreans and you may hear a question that sounds surprisingly personal: 밥 먹었어? — Bap meogeosseo? Literally, it means: “Have you eaten?” But Koreans are not always asking because they want to know what you had for lunch. Sometimes, especially between people who are close, the question can carry a feeling closer to: “Have you been taking care of yourself?” or simply an expression of concern. To understand why, you need to understand the importance of bap (밥) in Korean culture. What Does “Bap Meogeosseo?” Mean? 밥 (bap) literally means cooked rice, but in everyday Korean it can also mean a meal or food in general . 먹었어? (meogeosseo?) means “Did you eat?” Together: 밥 먹었어? Bap meogeosseo? “Have you eaten?” Between friends, family members or people who know each other well, it is an extremely natural question. Sometimes it is literal. But sometimes it is simply an expression of concern. Why Is Food Connected to Caring? For generations, making sure someone...

Visit a Korean department store or supermarket before Chuseok (추석) and you will see something surprising: huge displays of beautifully packaged gift sets. Korean beef, apples, pears, health products, seaweed — even tuna and cooking oil. Why do Koreans exchange these gifts, and what should you give if you are invited to celebrate Chuseok? Here is a simple guide. Why Do Koreans Give Chuseok Gifts? Chuseok is traditionally a time of family, harvest and gratitude . Today, giving gifts is a popular way to express appreciation to parents, relatives and people who have been helpful during the year. There is no single “correct” Chuseok gift. Some are luxurious. Others are surprisingly practical. The important idea is showing appreciation , not simply spending a lot of money. 1. Hanwoo: A Premium Chuseok Gift Hanwoo (한우), Korean beef , is one of the most recognizable premium holiday gifts. Department stores often display beautifully packaged sets containing cuts for grilling, bulgo...

During Chuseok (추석) , you may see Korean families preparing special foods or visiting ancestral graves. These traditions are often described using two Korean words: Charye (차례) and Seongmyo (성묘). Both are connected with remembering ancestors, but they are not the same. Here is a simple guide to understanding these important Korean traditions. What Is Charye? Charye is a traditional memorial ritual performed by some Korean families during major holidays such as Chuseok and Seollal, the Lunar New Year. Traditionally, family members prepare food and gather to remember and honor their ancestors. A Chuseok table may include seasonal fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, jeon and songpyeon , although the foods and customs can differ between families and regions. The important idea is not simply the food. Charye reflects remembrance, respect and gratitude toward previous generations . What Is Seongmyo? Seongmyo means visiting the graves of ancestors to pay respects. Families may visi...

If you visit Korea in late September 2026, you may notice crowded train stations, colorful gift sets in stores and rice cakes called songpyeon everywhere. The reason is Chuseok (추석) , one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays. Often called “Korean Thanksgiving,” Chuseok is a time for family, food, gratitude and remembrance . Here is a simple guide for visitors. When Is Chuseok in 2026? In 2026, Chuseok Day is Friday, September 25 , and the official holiday runs from September 24 to 26 . Chuseok falls on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year. It is also known as Hangawi (한가위) and has long been connected with the autumn harvest. What Do Koreans Do During Chuseok? Traditionally, many Koreans returned to their hometowns and spent Chuseok with family. Some families perform Charye (차례) , a traditional ritual honoring ancestors, or visit ancestral graves in a custom called Seongmyo (성묘) . However, not every Korean family f...

Imagine walking into a room and immediately sensing that something feels different. Nobody tells you what happened, but you notice the silence, people's expressions, and the way they are speaking. Somehow, you understand that this may not be the right moment to make a joke. In Korea, there is a word closely connected to this ability: nunchi (눈치). It is often translated as “reading the room,” but nunchi means a little more than that. Understanding it can help foreign visitors better understand how people communicate and interact in everyday Korean life. What Does Nunchi Mean? Nunchi literally relates to observing with your eyes, but in everyday Korean it refers to the ability to notice what other people are thinking or feeling and respond appropriately to the situation . It may involve paying attention to facial expressions, tone of voice, silence, relationships, or the overall atmosphere. Someone who quickly understands a situation may be described as having “fast nunchi.” Someone ...

Walk through almost any neighborhood in Seoul and you will notice something surprising: cafés are everywhere. You can find them inside office buildings, beside subway stations, hidden in residential alleys, and even on the upper floors of buildings where tourists rarely look. Some are tiny neighborhood coffee shops. Others are huge spaces designed around architecture, desserts, photography, or spectacular views. So why does Seoul have so many cafés? The answer is about much more than coffee. Cafés have become an important part of modern Korean lifestyle and social culture . Coffee Is Part of the Daily Routine For many Koreans, coffee is closely connected to everyday life. Office workers often buy coffee on their way to work. After lunch, groups of colleagues frequently visit a café before returning to the office. A familiar weekday routine is: Lunch → Coffee → Back to Work This helps explain why cafés are particularly concentrated around business districts such as Gangnam, Yeouido, Gwa...