The Rise of Rash Guards in Korea In recent years, rash guards have become a staple of Korean beachwear. Unlike in many Western countries, where bikinis and revealing swimwear dominate, Korean beaches are filled with people wearing long-sleeved, brightly colored rash guards. This trend is so distinct that travelers can often identify Koreans abroad by … Read more
What It Means and Why It Matters Introduction: A New Era for YouTube Subscriptions in Korea Google has announced the upcoming launch of YouTube Premium Lite in Korea, a move that signals a major shift in the video streaming market. This separate tier will deliver ad-free viewing without YouTube Music, designed explicitly to address growing … Read more
A Guide to Karrot and Junggonara The Rise of Secondhand Culture in Korea In Korea, the culture of buying and selling secondhand goods has evolved rapidly, especially in urban areas where traditional garage sales and thrift shops are rare. Instead, people turn to digital platforms to find bargains and give new life to pre-owned items. … Read more
Introduction: Toss Expands Its Reach Toss, operated by “Viva Republica”, is rapidly becoming a household name not only among Koreans but also among the growing foreign community in Korea. In the first half of this year, Toss reported a remarkable 30% surge in its foreign user base, reaching 460,000 users compared to 360,000 in the … Read more
The Commodification of Fandom The Rise of Paid Communication Platforms K-pop fandom has evolved dramatically over the past decade, with the introduction of paid communication platforms fundamentally changing the way fans interact with their idols. Today, platforms such as Bubble, Phoning, and Fromm allow fans to pay a monthly fee to receive messages from their … Read more