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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

What is this Korean winter street snack that BTS's V enjoys? Is it healthy?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. V of K-pop supergroup BTS was recently spotted enjoying a classic Korean winter street snack, drawing attention from fans as the group prepares for its long-awaited full-member comeback. V, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, posted several photos on social media with the caption, “January ends, February begins.” The images show him with tousled hair as if just waking up, stretching with fellow BTS members in a practice room, and spending casual moments outdoors. One photo in particular caught fans’ eyes: V standing on a street at dusk, holding a bag of bungeoppang — a fish-shaped "pastry" filled with sweet red bean paste or custard cream — and taking a bite from the head first. In Korea, people often debate whether to eat the snack from the head or the tail. Wearing a black jumper and a mask under glowing streetlights, the global star appeared relaxed and down-to-earth. BTS is set to release its fifth full-length album "Arirang" on March 20, marking its first full-group comeback in about three years and nine months. On March 21, the gr

Feb 15, 2026By Kormedi.com
What is this Korean winter street snack that BTS's V enjoys? Is it healthy?

Beyond Japan's onsen: Discovering Asan, Korea’s historic hot spring capital

It is 4:30 a.m. The streetlights are barely flickering, and the winter sun is hours away from rising. Yet, a queue is forming in the darkness. These people are not waiting for a limited-edition sneaker drop or a new iPhone. Clutched in their hands are plastic baskets filled with toiletries. They are waiting for the "first water" — the pristine, untouched draw of the hot spring that opens at 5 a.m. "People who are serious about water always show up this early," a ticket booth attendant said. This is a daily ritual in the Oncheon District of Asan, South Chungcheong Province. Often called the "City of Hot Springs," Asan offers a Korean alternative to Japan's onsen experience. The city features three distinct hot spring zones located within short driving distances of each other: the historic Onyang, the therapeutic Dogo, and the modern Asan. Here is a guide to the three unique styles of Asan’s thermal waters. Onyang: The King’s spa Onyang Hot Spring is the oldest recorded hot spring in Korea. According to the Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), the Baekje Kingdom referred to this

Feb 15, 2026By Hankookilbo
Beyond Japan's onsen: Discovering Asan, Korea’s historic hot spring capital

Right way to visit Bukchon: Quiet hours, hidden paths, cultural etiquette

Bukchon Hanok Village stands as a living testament to the centuries of history that shaped the capital of Korea. Located between Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace, the two main royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), this neighborhood has served as the traditional heart of Seoul for over 600 years. In the Joseon era, the area was a residential district for aristocrats and high-ranking government officials. These elite residents chose it for its ideal location, as it sits on the southern slopes of Mount Bugak, a spot traditionally believed to bring great energy and prosperity. While the rapid modernization of Seoul in the 20th century led to the loss of many traditional structures, Bukchon has managed to preserve its unique identity through the dedication of its residents and the city government. Today, it remains one of the few places where visitors can walk through a dense neighborhood of hundreds of traditional Korean houses known as hanok. But this is no open-air museum. Bukchon is a living, breathing neighborhood — one that now welcomes visitors with clearer boundaries

Feb 15, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Right way to visit Bukchon: Quiet hours, hidden paths, cultural etiquette

Why Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village now closes to tourists after 5 p.m.

As the clock hits 5 p.m. every day, the mood shifts in Bukchon, one of Seoul’s most photographed neighborhoods. The crowds thin, cameras lower and officials known as Bukchon Guardians begin walking the narrow alleys, gently reminding visitors that it’s time to leave. By day, the maze of traditional hanok houses — recently featured as inspiration for the setting of "KPop Demon Hunters" — draws crowds from around the world. But when visiting hours end, the village returns to what it has always been: a lived-in neighborhood where residents reclaim the quiet rhythm of daily life. The area is famous for its dense cluster of hanok, traditional Korean wood-framed houses defined with tiled roofs, making the neighborhood a living showcase of Korea’s architectural heritage. Unsurprisingly, it attracts crowds of visitors, both Korean and international, wandering the narrow lanes in search of the perfect photograph. But tourism often blurred into intrusion. Visitors strayed into residential alleys, posed in front of private gates and at times stepped beyond doorways that were never meant

Feb 15, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Why Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village now closes to tourists after 5 p.m.
  • Right way to visit Bukchon: Quiet hours, hidden paths, cultural etiquette

Palaces, museums offer free entry for Lunar New Year holiday

Major royal palaces and tombs in Seoul will be open to the public for free during the Lunar New Year holiday, which runs from Feb. 14 to 18, while national museums across the country will host traditional games and performances to celebrate the Year of the Red Horse. According to the Korea Heritage Service, the four main palaces — Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong, and Deoksu — as well as the Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, will waive admission fees for the entire five-day period. Jongmyo Shrine, which usually requires a reservation for guided tours, will be open for general self-guided viewing during the holiday. At Gyeongbok Palace, the Korea Heritage Foundation will distribute 2,000 copies of a traditional New Year painting, or sehwa, per day from Feb. 16 to 18 at Heungnyemun Plaza. This year’s painting, titled "Gatekeeper with the Red Horse of the Zodiac," was created by Jeong Kui-ja, a master of folk painting designated as a Seoul Intangible Heritage. Sehwa were traditionally exchanged among people to ward off evil and bring good fortune for the comi

Feb 14, 2026By Hankookilbo
Palaces, museums offer free entry for Lunar New Year holiday

Hong Kong pitches scenic running trails to boost Korean visitor numbers

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has rolled out a fresh campaign aimed at reintroducing Hong Kong as an outdoor destination where urban energy meets nature, collaborating with Korean YouTube channel “Together With Sean” to highlight running routes that connect the city’s skyscrapers, mountains and coastline. In a new video posted on his channel on Feb. 2, singer and marathoner Sean — who leads the running group “Unknown Crew,” which is widely known in Korea for its roster of athletes and entertainers — takes viewers on routes that showcase Hong Kong’s natural and urban charms. The project comes as part of HKTB’s effort to capture the attention of Korea’s growing community of runners and revive travel demand that has dropped off since the pandemic. In the past, Hong Kong was a favorite short-haul getaway for Korean tourists seeking luxury shopping, art districts and urban discovery. Before the pandemic, Korea consistently ranked among the top five sources of non-mainland visitors, helping push the city to a record 65.1 million visitors in 2018. That momentum has yet

Feb 14, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Hong Kong pitches scenic running trails to boost Korean visitor numbers

Theme parks, resorts offer Korean holiday experiences for Lunar New Year staycations

Korean theme parks, resorts and hotels are rolling out family-friendly events that blend tradition with modern entertainment for the Lunar New Year, offering travelers alternatives to going abroad. From folk games to fortune-telling markets and rooftop fusion concerts, destinations are racing to turn the holiday break into a full “K-holiday” experience. In Seoul, Lotte World is using its cluster of attractions to position Jamsil as an all‑in‑one holiday destination. At Lotte World Adventure, mascots will greet visitors in traditional Korean clothes during the main holiday period, with photo sessions and folk games scheduled throughout the day. The adjacent Lotte World Folk Museum is pushing a more traditional angle. During the holiday, visitors can try folk games such as the board game "yutnori" and "tuho," a target game, and take part in workshops exploring wishes for prosperity and protection, like hanging talismans or filling fortune pouches with symbolic grains. Lotte World Aquarium will present aquarists in hanbok in ecology talks and New Year's greeting sessions. They will

Feb 12, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Theme parks, resorts offer Korean holiday experiences for Lunar New Year staycations

Korea eyes record influx of Chinese tourists during extended Lunar New Year break

A record-long Lunar New Year holiday in China is expected to spark a sharp rise in Chinese travelers visiting South Korea this month, according to government data released Wednesday. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that up to 190,000 Chinese tourists are projected to visit Korea between Feb. 15 and 23, marking a 44 percent jump from last year’s holiday average. The growth builds on January’s momentum, when Chinese arrivals spiked more than 20 percent year-on-year, outpacing the annual average increase of 19.1 percent from 2025. The tourism ministry, in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), is combining local marketing and hospitality events to enhance visitor experiences and bolster Korea’s postpandemic tourism recovery. “Family travel demand has soared during the winter vacation season,” said a KTO official at the organization’s China regional office. “Packages to Korea are up four to five times from last year, and interest is growing in two-city routes linking Seoul with Busan as group travel becomes more premium-oriented.” To capture

Feb 11, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Korea eyes record influx of Chinese tourists during extended Lunar New Year break

Sono International expands to Nagoya, strengthening global hotel portfolio

Korean hospitality giant Sono International, a unit of Daemyung Sono Group, said Wednesday it will expand into Japan with its first operations in Nagoya as part of a broader global growth strategy. The company said it has signed a management contract for the Compass Hotel Nagoya in Aichi prefecture and will reopen it in July as SONO Moon Nagoya after renovations. The 10-story, 130-room business hotel is a seven-minute walk from Nagoya Station, offering easy access to city landmarks such as Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine and the bustling Sakae district. With the new property, Sono International will manage 43 hotels and resorts across seven countries, totaling about 14,500 rooms. Since launching its global operations in 2019 with the Sono Belle Hai Phong in Vietnam, the company has expanded to the United States, France and Hawaii, including recent acquisitions of the Normandy Hotel in Washington, D.C., and the 33 Seaport Hotel in New York. Its 2024 purchase of Cross Hotels & Resorts, which operates 16 properties across Thailand and Indonesia, strengthened its footing in Southeast Asia. Sono

Feb 11, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
Sono International expands to Nagoya, strengthening global hotel portfolio

From altars to airports: Koreans flock to Japan for Lunar New Year travel

For many Korean families, traditional holiday gatherings may be getting smaller this Lunar New Year, but suitcases are getting bigger. More than half of flight searches this holiday are for Japan, signaling a sharp shift away from the domestic travel boom that defined the holiday last year. Flight search data from Skyscanner shows Japan accounts for 51.6 percent of all Lunar New Year holiday queries by Korean travelers, with Fukuoka leading at 23.3 percent, followed closely by Osaka at 23.2 percent and Tokyo at 13.7 percent. The only domestic destination to crack the top 10 is Jeju, at 11.6 percent — a steep drop from last year, when domestic destinations including Busan, Seoul and Jeju held the top three spots and made up 57 percent of all searches. The reversal is driven in part by the calendar. In 2025, an extra government-designated holiday created a nine-day break without requiring any annual leave, encouraging families to complete traditional ancestral rites before adding a domestic trip. This year's official holiday spans just three days, from Feb. 16 to 18, pushing travelers to

Feb 11, 2026By Lee Hae-rin
From altars to airports: Koreans flock to Japan for Lunar New Year travel
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