A new info-graphic that summarizes a survey of 3,0000 couples over the last three years. The survey, by the matchmaking firm Duo, shows that the average age of a female getting married for the first time is 32 and a male is 35.
Category Archives: News
Local smartphone market dries up.
After 5 years of growth, the local smartphone market prepares to shrink as much as 14% for the current year. South Korea has the highest density of smartphones users in the world. Internationally, Samsung had released 37 mostly low-end phones last year alone. Amazing how that compares to a single high-end phone from Apple (except for two phones in 2013). Samsung relies heavily on new phone sales and a slowdown could cause problems for their electronics division. Continue reading
Korean auto sales down, imports up.
In the local market, the five domestic automobile manufacturers suffered decreasing sales for the second year in a row. Foreign automaker sales have been continually rising since the economic downturn.
49 spies arrested in the past 10 years.
A summary of recent spy activity in South Korea that includes 49 arrests in 10 years. Nearly half of these were people disguised as North Korean defectors. Continue reading
COEX Mall renewal project to be completed in late 2014.
Most visitors to Seoul have spent time shopping, sleeping, or attending meetings/conventions at the COEX center in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The COEX complex consists of a subway station, three hotels, casino, shopping mall, convention center, and countless restaurants. The shopping mall, which boasts of being the largest underground shopping mall in Asia, underwent construction in July and is expected to be completed by December 2014. A second subway station will also open with connections to Gimpo Airport. It’s also worth noting that the mall offers blazing fast free wifi. (Note: nearly all of the shopping mall is closed for construction as I discovered.)
Here’s a story on the overall future plan for COEX.
Korean cosmetics and clothing companies expand to meet growing demand in Japan.
A Japanese press article detailing the expansion of Korean brands into Tokyo’s Shibuya and Harajuku Districts as well as to Yokohmama city. The article specifically mentions the growing interest in Korean pop culture as a reason for the increased demand. It points out the fact that fashion seems to transcend the ongoing political disputes between the two countries.
Robot Land Amusement Park in Incheon city to open in late 2015.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Robot Land amusement park was recently held in Incheon city, an hour west of Seoul. The park is scheduled to open in late 2015. Story here.