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Living and entertainment news about South Korea. We bring you the latest information on what is happening in Korea today.

Newlyweds Are Disappearing in South Korea. The Next Generation May Follow.

Newlyweds Are Disappearing in South Korea. The Next Generation May Follow.

SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s newlywed population slipped below the one-million mark for the second year in a row in 2024, a symbolic threshold for a country already preoccupied with its demographic future. Government data released Friday show just 952,000 couples had been married for five years or less last year—a 2.3 [...]

Immersive Screens Double Their Box Office Share as Viewers Seek Premium Experiences

Immersive Screens Double Their Box Office Share as Viewers Seek Premium Experiences

SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — With nationwide theater attendance still sluggish, South Korean cinema operators are increasingly turning to high-tech “special formats” — such as 3D, 4D, and premium immersive auditoriums — to give moviegoers a reason to return. Megabox, one of the country’s major multiplex chains, said Wednesday that revenue from its premium technology [...]

Latest Viral Snack Fuels Debate Over Coffee-Shop Labor Strain

Latest Viral Snack Fuels Debate Over Coffee-Shop Labor Strain

SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A nostalgia-themed snack sweeping South Korean coffee chains has ignited a broader debate about overworked part-time employees, as the inexpensive treat’s popularity collides with the realities of short-staffed shops and intricate preparation demands. The snack, ramyeon-ttang — a microwaved, sweet-and-savory fried noodle dish priced at 1,900 won — has become [...]

As Regions Empty Out, Koreans Point to ‘No Good Jobs’ as the Root Cause

As Regions Empty Out, Koreans Point to ‘No Good Jobs’ as the Root Cause

SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — As demographic decline accelerates across South Korea, a new national survey suggests that a lack of appealing jobs is the single most important reason people are leaving regional areas — and choosing not to raise children there. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) released the findings Thursday [...]

Daejeon to Use AI and LiDAR to Analyze Crowds at Iconic Bakery

Daejeon to Use AI and LiDAR to Analyze Crowds at Iconic Bakery

DAEJEON, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The central district of Daejeon said Thursday it will begin analyzing visitor traffic around Seongsimdang, the city’s landmark bakery that draws more than 10 million visitors a year, using artificial intelligence and LiDAR technology. The district conducted a public demonstration Wednesday in front of Seongsimdang’s main store in Daeheung-dong with [...]

Running Culture Gains Momentum Among Travelers in Jeju

Running Culture Gains Momentum Among Travelers in Jeju

JEJU, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — A growing number of visitors to Jeju Island are incorporating running into their travel itineraries, turning outdoor exercise into a popular part of the island’s tourism culture, according to new data released Wednesday. The Korea Tourism Organization’s Jeju office said its latest report, “Jeju Travel Through Data – Running Edition,” [...]

New Research Links COVID-19 to Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline

New Research Links COVID-19 to Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean health authorities said Wednesday that COVID-19 may directly impair brain function and lead to concentration and memory loss, offering new scientific evidence behind persistent cognitive symptoms reported by many patients after infection. In a study released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and its National [...]

Seoul to Broaden Medical Data Access as Part of National AI Healthcare Strategy

Seoul to Broaden Medical Data Access as Part of National AI Healthcare Strategy

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea plans to gradually open access to its national integrated bio big data system beginning in the second half of next year, as part of a broader push to accelerate the use of medical and public health data across research and clinical fields, the government said Wednesday. The Ministry [...]

KakaoPay Reports Surge in Digital Settlement and Wedding Gift Transfers

KakaoPay Reports Surge in Digital Settlement and Wedding Gift Transfers

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The average amount South Koreans send as mobile wedding gifts has surpassed 100,000 won (US$68) for the first time this year, reflecting changing social norms and rising costs, according to new data from KakaoPay. In its annual “2025 Money Report” released Wednesday, KakaoPay said the average transfer made through its [...]