Korean gimbap rolls have been trending in the U.S., specifically Trader Joe’s vegetarian type gimbap. Their frozen version is only $3.99 and contains vegetables and tofu. Videos and reviews can be seen in Reddit and TikTok. Continue reading
11/11 Pepero Day.
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November 11 is just around the corner. Often referred to as Pepero Day, young Koreans give Pepero (like Pocky) packs to friends, families, boyfriends, and girlfriends.
All of the “1’s” in the date 11/11 are similar in shape to Pepero sticks, hence the connection between the snack and the date. The day is a lighter and less serious version of Valentine’s Day. Large displays of this snack can be seen in convenience stores and supermarkets.
Learn dating vocabulary here.
Autumn in Seoul.
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Autumn season is a fantastic time to be in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace is a wonderful place to see all the fall colors.
Want to learn autumn and fall season vocabulary? Also here and here.
China begins visa-free travel for Koreans.
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Starting Friday, November 8, 2024, China will add South Korea to its visa-waiver program. The program allows Korean citizens to travel to China for up to 15 days without visa. The program extends through December 31, 2025. Korea tour group operators expect a surge in tourists traveling to China during the period.
Here’s our article on travel gifts.
The 1020 Generation in Korea.
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The 1020 generation in Korea refers to the unique societal challenges facing young people in their teens (10s) and twenties (20s). These generations feel they face high pressure in academics and work, housing affordability, and general economic challenges.
1020세대 – (1020-se-dae) – 1020 Generation
Large Korean companies struggle to market to this demographic, though sometimes find success.
As young people struggle to find jobs, here’s our article on job searching.
A sweet alcoholic drink in the fall season – sogokju.
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소곡주 (sogokju) is a traditional Korean rice wine known for its smooth, sweet, and rich flavor. Made from fermented rice, it has been enjoyed for centuries and is typically associated with Korean royal and noble culture. It’s a great autumn drink.
Unlike stronger distilled liquors like soju (16-25%), sogokju has a milder alcohol content, usually between 10-20%. This drink is often crafted using traditional brewing techniques that include multiple fermentation steps, resulting in a slightly sweet taste and a light amber or golden color.
And for more information on other Korean alcoholic drinks.
Convenience store lunch box prices on the rise.
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Korean convenience stores near the breaking point of proving to be too expensive for cheap meals. The average price of a lunchbox at all convenient stores is now between 6000 and 7000 Korean won. The average price of gimbap is also now 3,000Won.
How to say convenience store in Korean.