Korea has officially confirmed what many travelers already suspected: a good trip may begin with a train ticket, but it ends with a bakery bag and bakery tourism.
For the new “Korea Attractions Discovery 100×100” project, 40,145 people cast more than 1.53 million votes for nearly 10,000 attractions across 100 themes.
For years, wearing socks with sandals was considered a serious fashion mistake. In Korea this summer, young people are turning that rule upside down.
Open-toe socks designed specifically for flip-flops are becoming trendy, covering the top of the foot while leaving the toes exposed. They originally had a practical purpose: preventing flip-flop straps from rubbing against bare skin. Now they come in cotton, knit and even lace versions and are being worn as a deliberate fashion statement.
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If you think Seoul is already hot, brace yourself. Weather experts are warning that temperatures in parts of South Korea could approach 40°C (104°F) as an intense heat wave continues. While Seoul rarely reaches that level, a combination of strong sunshine, hot air moving north, and warm overnight temperatures could push the city close to a historic record. Authorities are urging people to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day, and check on elderly neighbors and family members.
South Korea’s Han River (한강, Hangang) is much more than a river—it is one of Seoul’s most recognizable landmarks. But in March 2026, it unexpectedly became the center of an online controversy involving a popular finance app and Korean internet culture.
Korean fintech company Toss introduced a small feature that displayed the current water temperature of the Han River. The feature was originally intended for people enjoying water sports, fishing, and other outdoor activities. However, many users immediately associated it with a well-known piece of Korean stock market slang.
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If you visit South Korea in July or August, you may be surprised to see long lines outside restaurants serving steaming hot chicken soup. While many visitors look for ice cream or cold noodles to cool down, Koreans traditionally eat samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) during the hottest days of the year.
If you’re exploring Seoul beyond the famous chain bakeries, one neighborhood deserves a stop: Dogok (도곡동) in southern Seoul. Tucked among residential towers and small office buildings is La Patisserie Kim (르파티세리 김), a bakery that combines classic European techniques with Korean creativity. The bakery is run by a Korean master baker and his son, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, and has built a reputation for using quality ingredients and traditional baking methods.
Unlike many trendy cafés that focus on Instagram-worthy desserts, La Patisserie Kim feels like a neighborhood bakery where locals stop by daily. During my visit, I found shelves filled with breads, pastries, cookies, and seasonal specialties that showcased both French and Korean influences.
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Korea is known for releasing unique soft drinks, and this summer there’s a new one for cola fans: Pepsi Extra Fizz (펩시 엑스트라 피즈).
Unlike regular Pepsi, this version is designed to keep its carbonation stronger for a longer time. According to the manufacturer, a special production process creates finer bubbles, giving the drink a more intense sparkling sensation from the first sip to the last. It also contains about 30% less sugar and fewer calories than regular Pepsi, making it a lighter choice for people who still enjoy a classic cola taste. The drink is available in 355 mL cans and 500 mL bottles at convenience stores and supermarkets across Korea. (Lotte Chilsung)
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