Following Seoul’s long, lingering summer heat, the leaves have been taking their time to fall, stretching out over the past few weeks.. Vocabulary 낙엽 — nak-yeop — falling leaves 떨어지다 — tteo-reo-ji-da — to fall 서서히 — seo-seo-hi — slowly; gradually 몇 주 동안 — myeot jju dong-an — for a few weeks 더운 여름 — deo-un yeo-reum — hot summer 주변 지역 — ju-byeon ji-yeok — surrounding areas 지속되다 — ji-sok-doe-da — to continue; to last 가을 — ga-eul — autumn; fall Related Articles Autumn leaves

Lately in Korea, we’re seeing a strong blend of tradition and global influence. For example, the iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁 / gyeong-bok-gung) continues to draw visitors from around the world, reminding us that our past still lives in our present. Meanwhile, the Korea Trade‑Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA / 코트라) says Korea is stepping into a new phase where K-culture exports (K-컬처 수출 / K-keol-che su-chul) will fuel consumer-goods growth.

Even though Seoul’s winters can be cold, the season always feels warm and magical when the city lights up at night. One of the most beautiful winter events is the Seoul Lantern Festival, held every December along the Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Halloween in Korea is a colorful event where foreigners and young Koreans have gathered in Itaewon, Hongdae, and other nightlife districts. Cafés and stores decorate with pumpkins, and friends enjoy themed parties. But since the Itaewon tragedy of 2022, where a large crowd crush took many young lives, Halloween also carries a moment of reflection.

Step into Seoul's autumn wonderland at Yangjaecheon Stream, where ginkgo trees paint the streets in golden hues. Perfect for a scenic stroll, savor seasonal treats, and embrace the city's warm autumn vibe.

Seoul Design Week (Oct 15–19) has opened at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, featuring over 70 lifestyle brands in themed zones like “Maximalist Life” and “Quiet Foodie.”

The Performing Arts Market in Seoul (PAMS) 2025 has officially opened, running from October 14 to November 9, and bringing together global performing artists, producers, and creators. This 21st edition celebrates Korea’s performing arts in spaces like the National Theater, Daehakro, and ARKO theaters.

Through this weekend, October 8–12, 2025, Seoul is hosting the Fall K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전) at its four historic palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. The event features royal court music, dance, traditional craft workshops, and popular nighttime tours under autumn skies.

The Gimcheon Gimbap Festival in North Gyeongsang Province turns Korea’s beloved picnic food into a cultural celebration. Inspired by the city’s name sounding like Gimbap Cheonguk (“Gimbap Heaven”), the festival debuted in 2024 with over 100,000 visitors.

A surprising new hotspot is rising in Korea’s tourism scene: pharmacies. Once seen only as places to fill prescriptions, Korean pharmacies are now popular with foreign visitors searching for unique skincare, acne treatments, and healing creams that can’t be found in regular beauty shops.

Seoul isn’t the only stage — today the Sea Art Festival 2025 opens at Dadaepo Beach in Busan, running September 27 through November 2, 2025. With the theme “Undercurrents: Walking Waves on Water”, artists from 17 countries showcase 46 works blending nature, light, and sound across coastal paths and urban spaces.

From Sept 25 to 28, Seoul will host the 2025 K‑Traditional Culture Festival in Seongsu, Seongdong District, spotlighting the evolution of Korean tradition into modern urban life. Over 30 artists will exhibit their interpretations of traditional daily life in the “Modern Korean Lifestyle” exhibition.

As a growing design city, Seoul is shining once again in the global art and design world. From September 1–14, 2025, the city hosted its first-ever Design Miami / Seoul exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The fair, titled “Illuminated: A Spotlight on Korean Design”, shows off 170 works by 71 Korean artists—traditional craftsmanship (수공예) meets cutting-edge materials like wood, metal, horsehair, and ceramics.

Seoul’s design culture is going global—and going green. The Seoul Design Foundation showcased seven Seoul brands at Maison & Objet Paris 2025 (September 4-8) combining craftsmanship, eco-friendly materials, and urban style for international audiences.

Discover the “Miracle of Moses” (모세의 기적) This spring, from March 29 to April 1, 2025, South Korea’s Jindo Sea-Parting Festival (진도 바닷길 축제) unveiled the Miracle Sea Road (신비의 바닷길)—a rare natural land bridge 2.8 km long that emerges at low tide between Jindo Island (진도 섬) and Modo Island (모도 섬).

Seoul Fashion Week (서울 패션 위크 – Seoul Paesyeon Wikeu) is celebrating its 25th anniversary, running September 1 to 7, 2025. This season, designers are blending 전통 (jeontong – tradition) with 현대 (hyeondae – modernity), staging shows at landmarks like the 덕수궁 돌담길 (Deoksugung stone wall path) and Oil Tank Culture Park.

Legendary (and our favorite) director Park Chan-wook (박찬욱) premiered his long-awaited film “No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다)” at the 베네치아 영화제 (Venice Film Festival). The movie, based on a novel, highlights 고용 불안 (job insecurity) in an 인공지능 시대 (AI era). With star actor Lee Byung-hun (이병헌), the story mixes 블랙 코미디 (black comedy) and 사회 비판 (social critique).

South Korea is rolling out a nationwide ban on mobile phones in school classrooms starting March 2026, aiming to curb social media addiction among students.

Seoul’s art scene is abuzz as Frieze Seoul 2025 is unfolds this September, bringing over 120 galleries from more than 30 countries to COEX in Gangnam. Visitors can explore innovative 작품 (jakpum, artworks) ranging from cutting-edge installation art to retrospectives of masters like Lee Bul and Kim Tschang-Yeul.

South Korea is increasingly focusing on 문화 (munhwa – culture) as a new driver of growth. In 2024, cultural exports—including 웹툰 (webtoon), 문학 (munhak – literature), 미용 (miyong – beauty), and food products—generated over $10 billion.

Even as 가을 (autumn) approaches, South Korea is enduring a late-season 폭염 (heatwave), with temperatures soaring above 35°C in many regions. The 기상청 (KMA) has issued 폭염주의보 (heatwave advisories) and 폭염경보 (heatwave warnings), urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during peak hours.

South Korea is making headlines as it balances its advanced technology with heavy reliance on fossil fuels—in 2025, about 60% (육십 퍼센트) of its energy still comes from coal and gas, while renewables (신재생에너지) make up only 9% (구 퍼센트).

Liberation Day (광복절, Gwangbokjeol) sparkles this year with the 80th anniversary of Korea’s freedom from Japanese rule. Across Seoul, Liberation Week bursts into life: Nodeul Island transforms into “Liberation Island,” while the iconic Bosingak bell rings 33 times to honor the fallen.

South Korea’s former First Lady faces questioning amid corruption charges - Seoul’s spotlight turns political as Kim Geon-Hee (김 건희), the former First Lady, is set to be questioned today in connection with major corruption and stock manipulation allegations. It’s the first time a former presidential couple faces simultaneous legal battles—her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), remains detained amid related scandals.

South Korea’s café culture is getting stricter. Starbucks Korea has issued a new rule asking customers not to bring bulky office gear—like desktops, printers, or desk dividers—into cafés.