November 11 is approaching, which means Korea’s convenience stores are getting serious about chocolate sticks. It’s Pepero Day, when people exchange the crunchy snacks with friends, coworkers, and loved ones. Why November 11? Written as 11/11, the date looks like four biscuit sticks standing together.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times to visit Seoul. By late October, the summer humidity has disappeared, temperatures are cooler, and the city’s parks and walking trails begin turning brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red.
One of the best places to experience autumn is along Seoul’s many urban streams, including Yangjaecheon (양재천), where tree-lined paths, peaceful waterways, and colorful foliage offer a relaxing escape from busy city life. Many cafes, bakeries, and European-style restaurants and brunch spots are also here.
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An evening in Seoul, one plate at a time — October 23, 2026
Tonight’s dinner took me to ONYVA (오니바) in Cheongdam-dong (청담동), Seoul. Six photographs tell the story: a colorful opening plate, a crisp folded bite, mushrooms beneath a yellow sauce, a fish course, a meat course, and a simply presented chocolate ice cream dessert.
You find a funny video, think of a friend, and tap “send.” No long explanation needed. The video itself says, “This reminded me of you.”
That everyday moment is a useful doorway into Korean internet culture—and a handful of expressions you might not find in a beginner textbook.
Today’s phrase is 디엠 보내! (Diem bonae!), meaning “Send me a DM!”
KakaoTalk has long been closely associated with messaging in Korea, but it is not the whole picture. Somako’s October 2 trend report highlights teenagers’ use of DMs as a recent topic.
There is also a fresh connection to how people share content. Opensurvey’s September 21 Social Media Trend Report identifies DM sharing as a notable response to content on Instagram. Its summary contrasts this with likes and reactions on TikTok and watching without further action on YouTube.
It’s October, but Korea is already feeling like winter!
Just over a week ago, people in Seoul were enjoying unusually warm weather. On October 12, the capital reached an astonishing 30.1°C (86.2°F), setting an October temperature record.
Now, only ten days later, Seoul is expecting a morning temperature of around 5°C (41°F) on October 22. That’s a remarkable difference of about 25°C (45°F) between the two dates!
Cold wave advisories have been announced for numerous regions, including parts of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang provinces. Some inland and mountainous areas could even fall below freezing.
What would Koreans say about such an abrupt change in weather?
October 9 is 한글날 (Hangeul-nal), or Hangeul Day, a national holiday celebrating the creation of Korea’s unique writing system. It’s a public holiday and 2026 marks the 580th anniversary of the publication of Hangeul in 1446 and the 100th anniversary of the modern Hangeul Day celebration!
While most countries celebrate independence days, important historical figures, or religious holidays, Korea has something rather unusual—a national holiday dedicated to its alphabet!
And there’s a fascinating story behind it.
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Imagine walking into a Korean convenience store for a snack and leaving with a tiny piece of literary culture. A cream-filled bun, a collectible bookmark, and a famous book cover: suddenly, buying bread becomes a bookish adventure.
That unexpected combination is a timely way to discover 텍스트힙 (tekseuteu hip), a Korean expression connecting reading with personal style.
