Girls’ Generation Sooyoung Dazzles in Vogue Korea x ETRO April 2025 Pictorial

Latest News from Korea

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  South Korean defense industry thrives on strong overseas demandApril 15, 2025
  (Courtesy of Yonhap)  South Korea’s defense industry is expected to enjoy its heyday for a while after global demand for Korean-made weapons and combat systems has surged amid growing geopolitical conflicts in the world. According to Seoul-based financial data company FnGuide Inc., a combined sales of 31 listed defense companies in Korea stood at 43.1 trillion won ($30.3 billion) in… Read more: South Korean defense industry thrives on strong overseas demand
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  SK Innovation E&S, JB Financial to team up for renewable energy loansApril 15, 2025
  JB Financial Group, SK Innovation E&S and InnerGen sign an MOU to develop loan products for both producers and consumers of renewable energy (Courtesy of SK Innovation E&S)  JB Financial Group Co., the parent company of Jeonbuk Bank and Gwangju Bank, will join hands with SK Innovation E&S Co. and InnerGen Co. to roll out South Korea’s first secured loan… Read more: SK Innovation E&S, JB Financial to team up for renewable energy loans
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  Mirae Asset’s default option retirement funds top $700 mn in assetsApril 15, 2025
  Mirae Asset’s headquarters in Seoul Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. now manages over one-third of South Korea’s default-option retirement funds, with the assets it operates under the scheme surpassing 1 trillion won ($700 million) for the first time, the company said on Monday. The default option refers to a pension operation scheme, under which a designated financial company manages the… Read more: Mirae Asset’s default option retirement funds top $700 mn in assets
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  Koreans cut spending in March, except on health, educationApril 15, 2025
  A kids clinic in Seoul is crowded with pediatric patients  South Korean consumers exhibited recessionary spending behavior in March, cutting expenditures across nearly all sectors, except healthcare and education. Travel, leisure and household goods were among the hardest hit. Card spending on travels plummeted 28.8% on-year in March, marking the sharpest decline among the major 59 consumer segments tracked by… Read more: Koreans cut spending in March, except on health, education
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  Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel: winners in South Korea’s luxury marketApril 14, 2025
  A Louis Vuitton outlet in Seoul South Korea’s luxury goods market is becoming increasingly polarized, with ultra-high-end brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel reporting record-breaking sales, while mid-range labels struggle amid a broader consumer pullback. Despite an overall downturn in discretionary spending, the Korean branches of the foreign big three posted their highest-ever revenues in 2024, according to… Read more: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel: winners in South Korea’s luxury market

Latest Entertainment from Korea

• Interview with glumrollApril 15, 2025
  glumroll’s evolution from rock to electronic music isn’t a new thing, but there’s a uniqueness to her style and form Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.
• Short Stuff 55 : HWAYEON, edith, Moon Young, CHE GOON, FireMoth, glumrollApril 15, 2025
  A mixed set of songs from a spectrum of artists on Short Stuff 55 Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.
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  Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi Kick Off ‘BALANCE’ Asia Tour: Seoul Concert Details and Ticket InfoApril 14, 2025
  Photo Credits: SM Entertainment Red Velvet’s Irene and Seulgi are set to dazzle fans across Asia with their first-ever concert tour as a duo, titled BALANCE. This highly anticipated tour begins in Seoul on June 14 and 15, 2025, at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Songpa District. Known for their electrifying performances and seamless chemistry, the pair promises an unforgettable experience… Read more: Red Velvet’s Irene & Seulgi Kick Off ‘BALANCE’ Asia Tour: Seoul Concert Details and Ticket Info
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  VVS: Meet the Rising K-Pop Girl Group Set to Shine Like Diamonds [Teaser Images]April 13, 2025
  Photo Credits: MZMC Inc VVS, the new South Korean girl group under MZMC Inc., is set to debut on April 22, 2025, with their single “TEA” and accompanying B-side track “FACT$.” The group, consisting of Brittney, Ilee, Rana, Jiu, and Liwon, has already generated buzz for their innovative concept and polished teasers. Their name symbolizes both the highest grade of… Read more: VVS: Meet the Rising K-Pop Girl Group Set to Shine Like Diamonds [Teaser Images]
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  RIIZE Shines on W Korea’s May 2025 Cover: A Stunning Showcase of Spring JewelleryApril 13, 2025
  Hero Image: Billboard, SM Entertainment Photo Credits: SM Entertainment, RCA Records, W Korea The May 2025 issue of W Korea is turning heads in the fashion and entertainment world, with boy group RIIZE gracing its cover in a dazzling feature centered around spring jewelry. Known for their retro teen vibe, RIIZE has seamlessly blended their signature aesthetic with effeminate jewelry styles, creating… Read more: RIIZE Shines on W Korea’s May 2025 Cover: A Stunning Showcase of Spring Jewellery

Learn People & History of Korea

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  The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityFebruary 7, 2025
  Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
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  The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsFebruary 6, 2025
  Introduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
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  The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondFebruary 5, 2025
  Ancient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
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  Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3January 30, 2025
  Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
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  Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingJanuary 30, 2025
  Introduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling