Seoul is gearing up for its first-ever AI Robot Show (서울 AI 로봇 쇼) from September 30 to October 2, 2025, at COEX in Gangnam.
Robots, Ramps, and Rescue Missions: Seoul’s High-Tech Showdown
Scarcity Sells: Seoul’s Summer Pop-Up Boom Explained
Seoul’s Seongsu‑dong has become the heart of a summer 팝업(pop-up) boom. Brands like Coupang, Musinsa, LG Electronics (“Lifezip Housewarming”), and Lotte Wellfood are launching thematic stores focused less on sales and more on immersive experiences—think arcade games, exclusive tastings, and social media‑worthy interiors .
Oversized, unbothered, unstoppable: Korea’s youth style movement
Seoul’s “Young Fashion Revolution” (청년 패션 혁명) is reshaping street style scenes across Seoul districts like Hongdae and Seongsu. Driven by digital platforms, Gen Z creators and indie brands are turning casual wear into bold statements—gender‑neutral silhouettes, DIY detailing, and retro‑modern mashups are now everyday urban fashion.
From bricks to bliss: Seoul’s Street Art Festival
Seoul’s Street Arts Festival (서울 거리예술 축제) returns October 5–9, 2025, from 12:00–21:00, across Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Plaza, and downtown Seoul. Discover live 퍼포먼스 (performances), mural art, acrobatics, and interactive 워크숍 (workshops) where visitors can paint, dance, or join shadow-puppet shows.
K-Ramen for the Soul: Seoul’s Cozy Pop-Ups Fighting Loneliness
Seoul has launched “정신 편의점” (mind convenience stores)—pop‑up spaces where people can relax, sip instant noodles, enjoy a foot spa, and find on‑site 상담 (counseling).
With nearly 40 % of households now single‐person, these soothing pop-up refuges (mind convenience stores) help to ease 외로움 (loneliness) in a stigma‑free, welcoming environment.
In districts like Dongdaemun, locals frequent them to unwind between work or errands. Through massage chairs and supportive peer listeners, these stores offer a cozy corner for mental health care—combining convenience (편의) with compassion (공감). A creative, caring addition to Seoul’s vibrant urban life.
Facts:
“In Seoul, home to nearly 10 million people, single-person households have surged from 16% to nearly 40% of all homes in just over two decades.” Here’s a link to the study.
Vocabulary
정신 편의점 (mind convenience store) jeongsin pyeonui-jeom
상담 (counseling) sangdam
외로움 (loneliness) ui-loum
편의 (convenience) pyeonui
공감 (empathy/compassion) gonggam
Related Articles
-Bored alone and nothing to do
-Person who eats alone
-To be emotional
Where to chill with bingsoo in Seoul
Looking to cool down in Seoul this summer? Try bingsoo (빙수, bing‑soo) — Korea’s ultimate shaved ice dessert! From the old-school pat‑bingsu (팥빙수, pat‑bing‑soo) at Taegeukdang (태극당) to towering matcha (말차) and mango (망고) “ice mountains” at trendy cafes and hotels, the Korea Times highlights where to go for both jeontongjeok (전통적, traditional) and hyeondaijeok (현대적, modern) flavors.
Don’t miss injeolmi (인절미) toppings or sweet red beans. Seoul’s bingsu game is strong — one bowl might not be enough!
Similar posts:
–Bingsoo still in-season
-Bingsoo gets an update at Seoul hotels
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