SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – The recent declaration and swift repeal of martial law in South Korea, coupled with political turbulence surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol, has significantly impacted the entertainment landscape, including the online streaming industry. OTT platforms, typically bustling during the winter peak season, saw a sharp decline in viewer engagement as the nation’s [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s ongoing political protests have taken an unexpected cultural turn, with young demonstrators incorporating K-pop lightsticks—typically used at concerts—into their gatherings. As crowds chant and wave lightsticks to popular songs, the vibrant displays are transforming the nation’s protest culture. Lightstick Rentals and Sales Skyrocket Secondhand marketplaces like Karrot and [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) –In a seismic shift in South Korea’s corporate desirability rankings, SK Hynix has claimed the top spot as the most coveted workplace for 2024, according to a report released by leading recruitment platform Catch. The semiconductor giant leaped from 4th place last year, overtaking long-time favorite Samsung Electronics, which fell [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – The resale value of South Korean presidential memorabilia has seen a notable decline following the December 3 imposition of martial law, reflecting shifting public sentiment. According to industry sources, a “Classic” model of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s commemorative wristwatch was sold for ₩80,000 (approximately $56) on December 7 through a [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – A major South Korean advertising agency has identified seven emerging consumer trends that it says will shape markets in 2025, highlighting shifts in everything from luxury consumption to climate-responsive behaviors. Daehong Communications, in its “2025 D.Life Signal Report” released on December 10, outlined several key “signals of change” that it [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — New installations of global messaging app Telegram have spiked in South Korea, data showed Tuesday, as concerns brewed over possible media censorship following the martial law fiasco. The number of new Telegram installations came to 40,576 cases last Tuesday, according to data compiled by industry tracker IGAWorks, the day President [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – With global markets increasingly focusing on South Korean webtoons, Japan’s traditional manga is experiencing a surprising surge in popularity within South Korea itself, marked by a wave of high-profile exhibitions and unprecedented author visits throughout the year. The manga renaissance has been particularly evident in Seoul’s bustling exhibition scene. The year [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 5 (Korea Bizwire) – CJ OnStyle, a major South Korean online retailer, has identified “newmiliar” as the defining consumer trend of 2024, describing a preference for products that combine familiarity with innovative twists. The term “newmiliar,” a portmanteau of “new” and “familiar,” emerged from the company’s analysis of sales data across its most popular [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Video streaming service YouTube has been the most used mobile app in South Korea for an entire year, industry data showed Wednesday. The Google-owned mobile platform recorded 46.35 million monthly active users in November, maintaining its lead for 12 straight months in the country, according to the data from [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – In a shift away from luxury brand obsession, South Korea’s younger generation is increasingly adopting a “YONO” (You Only Need One) approach to fashion consumption, prioritizing practicality and versatility over conspicuous consumption. The trend, particularly popular among millennials and Gen Z consumers born between the early 1980s and early 2000s, [...]