SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The era of predawn queues for luxury goods appears to be waning among South Korea’s young consumers, who are increasingly turning to budget-friendly alternatives known as “dupes” — affordable replicas of high-end products. The term “dupe,” derived from “duplicate,” refers to cost-effective substitutes for luxury or premium items. According to [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — In a sign of shifting market dynamics, new applications for reverse mortgages in South Korea increased while cancellations decreased as the real estate market showed signs of cooling at the end of last year. According to data from the Korea Housing Finance Corporation’s housing finance statistics system, new reverse mortgage [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Fashion and apparel companies are increasingly leveraging short-form videos to tell brand stories and boost marketing efforts, industry sources reported on February 2. Major fashion brands and platforms are expanding their YouTube presence and video content offerings on their platforms, responding to the preferences of their primary customer base – [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Japanese-style mahjong, known as Riichi mahjong, is experiencing a surge in popularity among South Korean millennials and Gen Z, both online and offline. Once overshadowed by traditional Korean card games, Riichi mahjong is now drawing significant interest, fueled by online gaming platforms, manga culture, and social gaming trends. Online Riichi [...]
SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent survey indicates that a majority of South Koreans support increasing inheritance tax rates, contradicting calls from business groups and conservatives to ease the tax burden. According to the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF), data from the 16th Fiscal Panel Survey revealed that respondents favored a 5% tax [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Korea approaches the milestone of 10 million senior citizens aged 65 and older, businesses are being urged to tap into the rising purchasing power of this demographic, according to a new report from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The report, titled ‘GG Market Strategy Report,’ [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The share of monthly rental contracts in South Korea’s housing market reached a record high in 2024, nearing 60% of all lease agreements, as rising interest rates and concerns over rental fraud (in particular jeonse frauds) accelerated the transition away from traditional lump-sum deposits. According to data from the Supreme [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s fashion and beauty industries are gaining significant traction in Japan, driven by the global popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas. Industry players are leveraging this momentum with targeted efforts to expand their presence in the Japanese market. Leading the charge, companies like Musinsa, CJ Olive Young, and department [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s coffee imports reached a record high of nearly 2 trillion won ($1.38 billion USD) in 2024, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous year, according to data from the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation. The country imported 215,838 tons of coffee, including green beans, roasted beans, concentrates, [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Koreans hit the road for holiday travel, highway rest stops become essential destinations for refueling and grabbing snacks. During last year’s Chuseok holiday (September 14-18, 2024), the most popular item sold at rest stops nationwide was the Americano, generating 2.27 billion won ($1.57 million USD) in sales, according [...]