Medical tourism and plastic surgery

Posted on April 28, 2025 by easykorean

A Korea Times article today discusses the enormity of the plastic surgery industry in South Korea. “1.17 million foreign medical tourists” visited Korea in 2024 and a growth rate of over 5% annually. Last year, it’s estimated that Korean medical tourism brought in $1.9 billion USD.

Plastic surgery ranked number two for medical tourism behind dermatology. Facelifts and skin tightening are among the more popular services.

For more vocabulary and content for plastic surgery, see our two-part series here.

Plastic surgery – 성형수술 (seong-hyeong susul)

First birthdays and gold rings.

Posted on April 26, 2025 by easykorean

돌찬지 (dolchanji) is a baby’s first birthday. A long time ago, not all babies lived to see their first birthday and so this day came to represent good fortune for the baby and their family.

The tradition of giving a gold ring to a baby on their first birthday was also born. A gold ring symbolizes good fortune while also having value when the baby grows up – or if the family suffers hardships.

Sadly, due to global inflation and geo-political issues, the price of gold has dramatically risen. A first birthday ring can cost upwards of 700,000KRW ($450USD). Cash and gift certificates are also an acceptable gift for first birthday celebrations.

금반지” (geumbanji) — gold ring

So, giving a gold ring as part of the first birthday celebration can be described as:

돌잔치에 금반지를 선물하다

(dolchanji-e geumbanji-reul seonmul- hada)

To give a gold ring as a gift for a first birthday party

Our articles on babies, gift certificates, and cash.

Raw beef bibimbap

Posted on April 25, 2025 by easykorean

One of our favorites dishes. Raw beef mixed with various sprouts (micro greens) and rice. Rice is served in a separate bowl and is poured into the main bowl and mixed with sesame oil and gochujang paste. Bibim means to mix.

Bibimbap is alternately served with minced beef or bulgogi beef.

육회 비빔밥 – (yukhoe bibimbap) raw beef mixed with vegetables and rice

공기밥 – (gongi-bap) single serving bowl of cooked rice

Here’s a few related posts: here, here, and here.

Garment alterations and laundry services

Posted on April 23, 2025 by easykorean

No neighborhood would be complete a Dry cleaning/Laundry/Alterations (clothing mending) shop.

The turnaround time at the local shops is often 1-2 days and prices are very affordable. Any type of alterations is possible, including shortening pants/jeans while retaining the original hem line. Such service are typically under 15,000 Won ($10.50USD).

Neighborhood dry cleaning/laundry/alterations shop

명품세탁 전문점 – (myeong-pum jeonmun-jeom) Luxury/high quality laundry specialty shop

수선 전문점 – (suseon jeonmun-jeom) Alterations specialty shop

Here’s our related arricle on running errands.

Yangjae Stream cherry blossom and lantern festival

Posted on April 20, 2025 by easykorean

The 7th Annual Yangjae Stream Cherry Blossom and Lantern Festival takes place April 3 to 27, 2025, in Seoul. The event features games for children, crafts, live music, food trucks, and beautiful natural scenery. Special attractions include an outdoor cinema, fireworks, and more. Lined with cherry blossom trees, Yangjae Stream offers a more relaxed setting for enjoying nature, walking, and cycling.

Cherry blossoms suffered some heavy wind and rains during their blossoming and so there’s no a whole lot left at this point. Still, a fantastic festival to attend.

양재천 벚꽃 등 축제 (yangjae-cheon beot-kkeot deung chuk-je) – Yangjae Stream Cherry Blossom & Lantern Festival.