Seoul Design Week (Oct 15–19) has opened at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, featuring over 70 lifestyle brands in themed zones like “Maximalist Life” and “Quiet Foodie.”
Seoul Design Week Shapes Everyday Life in Style
Category Archives: Series
Teto vs. Egen: Korea’s Viral Love Language
Since 2024, young Koreans have been embracing a viral “Teto‑Egen” (테토·에겐) personality test, comparing behaviors to testosterone (테스토스테론 teseu-toseu‑teu‑ron) and estrogen (에스트로겐 eseu‑teuro‑gen). The quiz classifies you into one of four types—teto man/woman or egen man/woman—based on traits like dominance, sensitivity, or expressiveness .
For example, a “teto woman” is bold and outgoing, while an “egen man” is gentle and appearance-conscious . Results also give romantic‑compatibility insights: emotionally‑sensitive egen men often pair well with charismatic teto women, and strong‑willed teto men with caring egen women. A video on the subject. And more on the characteristics of each here. Types (타입스) — a widely-used personality test site in Korea, also featuring the Teto/Egen quiz.
On dating in Korea
Personality tests (MBTI, blood‑type, or Teto‑Egen) are common conversation starters on blind dates. Koreans often use them to assess compatibility—looking for traits that complement one’s own. Many couples bond over matching test types or opposite types. It’s a lighthearted way to break the ice and build rapport before dating more seriously.
Vocabulary:
-Period of boredom in a relationship part one and part two
-Predict marital harmony part one and part two
Fourth of July in Seoul.
To celebrate both Korean summer (여름) and American-style fun, here’s some Fourth of July spirit 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
Heat wave.
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).
Culture Bite: Ho Gwa Dang’s 타코파이 (Taco Pie)
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.
Seasonal fruit drinks
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!
Enjoy cold noodles in the summer
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.
