Author Archives: easykorean

About easykorean

Designers are a Semiconductor Robotics Instructor and a Fine Arts/Graphic Designer -'Easy to Learn Korean' newspaper series since 2009 (published in the Korea Times Englisher Newspaper Tues-Fri each week) -Monthly contributing writers to the Gangnam Newspaper

Fourth of July in Seoul.

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To celebrate both Korean summer (여름) and American-style fun, here’s some Fourth of July spirit in Seoul.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Seoul

One highlight is the retro-inspired Oldies 핫도그, topped with Cheetos powder, blending 스트리트푸드 (street food) flair with nostalgic Americana. Other menu items include a smoky 바비큐 버거 (BBQ burger) and ice-cold 맥주 (beer) or 콜라 (cola)—perfect for Korea’s summer 야외 나들이 (outings).

It’s a tasty reminder of how Korean and American cultures come together through food, fun, and festive vibes—even across the Pacific! See links for more info.

Looking for fireworks? There’s the upcoming Seoul International Fireworks Festival – September 27, 2025.

Vocabulary:

-Fireworks part one and part two

-Something you can’t pass up

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Heat wave.

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South Korea is facing a record-breaking heatwave (폭염) this June, with 59 out of 97 weather stations reporting their highest-ever average temperatures for the month. This extreme weather is straining power supplies as people rely on air conditioning (에어컨), and raises concerns about heatstroke (열사병).

Heat wave in Korea
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Culture Bite: Ho Gwa Dang’s 타코파이 (Taco Pie)

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If you’re visiting the Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong, Gangnam (강남) this summer, don’t miss a stop at 호과당 (Ho Gwa Dang)—also known as Tiger Pie House.

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Seasonal fruit drinks

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Summer is the perfect season for 시원한 과일 (refreshing fruit) treats, and Korea knows how to do it right. MEGA Coffee is a favorite inexpensive coffee and drink shop where the summer brings drinks like 수박 주스 (watermelon juice), 복숭아 스무디 (peach smoothie), and even 멜론 아이스티 (melon iced tea).

Enjoy the summer with fruit! – 과일로 여름을 즐겨요! (gwaillo yeoreum-eul jeul-gyeoyo!

MEGA Coffee 2025 summer drink specials
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Pets multiply in Korea.

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Pet ownership in Korea has reached a record 15.46 million people (반려인), nearly 30% of the population.

Around 5.91 million households (가구) now have pets, mostly dogs (강아지) and cats (고양이). However, over 80% of pets are left home alone (혼자 집에 있음) for nearly 6 hours daily. This rise in pet culture (반려동물 문화) is changing how Koreans live and spend.

cars and dogs
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Enjoy cold noodles in the summer

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Naengmyeon (냉면) is a Korean cold noodle dish made with thin, chewy noodles—often from 메밀 (memil, buckwheat) or 고구마 전분 (goguma jeonbun, sweet potato starch). It’s served in either 물냉면 (mul-naengmyeon, icy broth) or 비빔냉면 (bibim-naengmyeon, spicy mixed version). Common toppings include 소고기 (sogogi, beef), 오이 (oi, cucumber), 배 (bae, Korean pear), and 삶은 달걀 (salmeun dalgyal, boiled egg). The dish is refreshing, tangy, and perfect for hot weather.

(비빔냉면) spicy cold noodles
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Average monthly wages

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According to the Ministry of Labor, South Korea’s average monthly wage reached ₩3.97 million in April 2025 (~$2,900 USD), up 2.7% from 2024. However, real wages—adjusted for inflation—barely grew, showing just a 0.6% increase. Income gaps remain wide as financial workers earned over ₩7 million (~$5100USD/month), while restaurant and hotel staff earned around ₩2.18 million (~1600USD/month). Minimum wage in South Korea is 10,030Won (~$7.35USD) per hour.

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