South Korea is making headlines as it balances its advanced technology with heavy reliance on fossil fuels—in 2025, about 60% (육십 퍼센트) of its energy still comes from coal and gas, while renewables (신재생에너지) make up only 9% (구 퍼센트).
Liberation Day (광복절, Gwangbokjeol) sparkles this year with the 80th anniversary of Korea’s freedom from Japanese rule. Across Seoul, Liberation Week bursts into life: Nodeul Island transforms into “Liberation Island,” while the iconic Bosingak bell rings 33 times to honor the fallen.
South Korea’s former First Lady faces questioning amid corruption charges –
Seoul’s spotlight turns political as Kim Geon-Hee (김 건희), the former First Lady, is set to be questioned today in connection with major corruption and stock manipulation allegations. It’s the first time a former presidential couple faces simultaneous legal battles—her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), remains detained amid related scandals.
South Korea’s café culture is getting stricter. Starbucks Korea has issued a new rule asking customers not to bring bulky office gear—like desktops, printers, or desk dividers—into cafés.
South Korea is moving toward becoming a more multicultural society (다문화 사회) with over 2.11 million foreign residents—about 4.1 % of the population—as of early August 2025.
South Korea is facing a quirky cultural challenge this summer: lovebugs (연애벌레 yeonae beol-le) have invaded hiking trails and city streets around Seoul and Incheon. These harmless insects swarm in mating pairs, blanketing paths and even spilling into cafés and public transit.
Seoul’s solo-dining lifestyle has entered a vibrant new phase. The 트렌드 (trend) of 혼밥 (honbap)—eating alone—has expanded into 혼호텔 (hon-hotel) and 혼요리 (hon-cooking) experiences, where individuals enjoy meals solo in Instagrammable cafés or self-cook gourmet dishes at home. Honjok (혼족), the “solo tribe,” now embraces these 독립적인 경험 (independent experiences) as a form of self-care and creative expression.
