All about Korea

As the curtains close on the 2026 Spring/Summer (S/S) Fashion Week circuit across Paris, Milan, London, and New York, one reality has become indisputable: the heartbeat of the luxury industry no longer originates solely in Europe. It pulses from Seoul. The deafening roar of crowds outside the Grand Palais or the Piazza del Duomo isn't for the creative directors or the legacy supermodels; it is for the K-Pop icons who have become the new royalty of the fashion world. In 2026, the alliance between luxury houses and South Korean idols has matured from a flashy marketing gimmick into a sophisticated, multi-billion-dollar ecosystem. Brands that once guarded their heritage with elitist fervor—think Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton —are now rebuilding their entire global outreach strategies around the schedules of K-Pop comeback cycles and world tours. This comprehensive analysis explores the economic, psychological, and strategic layers of this synergy. 1. The Evo...

📅 Last Updated: January 14, 2026 👤 Author: ALL ABOUT KOREA Editorial Team ✅ Status: Official BIGHIT Announcement Included The wait is over for ARMY. Today marks the historic return of the 21st-century pop icons with a massive 79-show global odyssey. The Grand Return: BTS is Ready to Purple the World Again Today, January 14, 2026 , BIGHIT MUSIC has officially confirmed what the world has been waiting for: the "BTS WORLD TOUR 2026-2027" . Following the successful military discharge of the final members last month, the group has moved with incredible speed to announce a tour that transcends all previous boundaries. This 2026 era, aptly named "Eternal Reunion," represents more than just a musical comeback. It is a cultural reset. With a new full-length studio album set for release on March 20, 2026 , the upcoming tour will feature an u...

In a world constantly buzzing with notifications, deadlines, and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing, finding a genuine pause can feel like an impossible luxury. Yet, nestled amidst the ancient hills and historical whispers of Gyeongju, South Korea, lies an antidote: a profound, yet simple, journey into the heart of Buddhist temple life through its unique cuisine and the tranquil ritual of tea with monks. This isn't just a meal; it's an immersive experience in mindful living, a culinary meditation that resonates deeply with the burgeoning global interest in veganism and mental well-being. As an avid traveler and seeker of authentic cultural experiences, I recently explored a temple food and tea program in the Gyeongju area, and I’m sharing what makes this tradition feel surprisingly modern: a calmer way to eat, a lighter way to travel, and a slower way to reconnect with yourself. A monk prepares tea beside a traditional ...

The K-Pop landscape in 2026 is vastly different from what we saw just a couple of years ago. We are now witnessing a fascinating era where the "pioneer" groups are celebrating a decade of excellence while "new-gen" groups are redefining the genre's boundaries. Having followed K-Pop for years, I’ve seen many groups rise and fall, but these ten teams have something special that sets them apart this year. In this post, I’ve curated a list of the top 10 girl groups based on their current reputation, musical quality, and global impact as of early 2026. This is more than just a ranking; it’s an exploration of why these artists continue to matter in an increasingly crowded industry. 1. IVE (아이브) - The Unrivaled "Icon of the Era" If 2023 was the year of "I AM," 2026 is the year where IVE has officially become a cultural institution. What I admire most about IVE is their consistency. Many groups struggle to maintain their i...

Planning a trip to South Korea is an exciting venture. From the neon-lit streets of Seoul to the serene temples of Gyeongju, the country offers a unique blend of ancient tradition and futuristic technology. However, many first-time visitors face a sudden "digital culture shock" the moment they land at Incheon International Airport: Google Maps doesn't work here. As someone who manages a trading business in Europe and frequently travels between Europe and Seoul, I have seen many business partners and tourists struggle because they relied on their usual global apps. Due to local security regulations and the dominance of domestic IT giants, South Korea has its own digital ecosystem. To navigate like a local and make the most of your 2026 journey, you must install these three "survival" apps before you leave the airport. 1. The Navigation King: Naver Map (Beyond Just Directions) In most parts of the world, Google Maps is the gold sta...

K-POP moves fast. Sometimes too fast. Every year, dozens of new idol groups debut, each hoping to become the next global phenomenon. Yet only a handful manage to survive beyond the initial spotlight. As someone who has followed K-POP not only as a fan but also as an observer of cultural trends and global markets, I believe 2026 will be a defining year for a specific group of idols. This article is not a popularity ranking. Instead, it is a curated list based on musical growth, market positioning, fan behavior, and long-term sustainability . Some of these groups are already familiar names, while others are still quietly building momentum. What they share is potential—and 2026 may be the year that potential becomes reality. Live performance energy from next-generation K-pop boy groups on a large concert stage 1. Music That Feels Honest BOYNEXTDOOR stands out in a landscape often dominated by concepts and visuals. What caught my attention early on was not their styling or choreog...

If you visit a Korean home for the first time, one of the very first things you will notice is not the furniture, the food, or the interior design. It is the entrance . Before stepping inside, you are expected to take off your shoes. For many Western visitors, this moment can feel slightly awkward at first. In some cultures, taking off shoes may feel overly informal, or even uncomfortable when visiting someone else’s home. Yet in Korea, it is not only normal — it is essential. This custom is often explained briefly as “a cultural thing” or “for cleanliness,” but the real story goes much deeper. Understanding why Koreans remove their shoes indoors helps explain how Koreans view homes, health, space, and even social relationships. Interestingly, this once “foreign” habit is now slowly spreading across Europe and other Western societies as well. The Historical Roots: Life Close to the Floor One of the strongest reasons Koreans remove their shoes indoors is rooted in how Kore...

I live in Europe, and over the years I’ve met many people—friends, colleagues, neighbors—who visited Korea for the first time. Some went for K-pop or K-dramas, some for business, and others simply because Korea “felt interesting” on social media. What surprised me most wasn’t that they noticed big tourist landmarks. It was how quickly they started noticing tiny everyday details—often within the first day. When we talk about travel, we usually focus on attractions. But first impressions are often shaped by ordinary things: the way people stand in line, how fast a meal arrives, how the subway sounds, and what you can buy at 2 a.m. Below are 10 things foreigners tend to notice immediately when they visit Korea , plus my own personal take—because I’ve watched these reactions play out in real conversations, again and again. 1) The Speed of Everything (The “Ppalli-Ppalli” Feeling) The first thing many visitors mention is speed. Not...