Lotteria back on grill: Burger chain aims at W1tr comeback

Lotte GRS, once overshadowed by doubts over taste and image, to breach 1 trillion won sales mark again after 7 years Burger chain Lotteria, under Lotte Group’s food franchise arm Lotte GRS, is making a bold comeback, burning away its stale reputation with a flavorful rebranding. Industry insiders predict that Lotte GRS will break through the 1 trillion won ($694 million) sales barrier for the first time after a seven-year stagnation. Lotteria is leading the charge, contributing over 70 percent o

Jan. 28, 2025

Palace filled with hanbok-clad visitors

Gyeongbokgung, the main Joseon-era palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul, comes alive with visitors of different nationalities dressed in hanbok, Korea's traditional attire, during the Lunar New Year holiday on Monday. The Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, is one of the country’s two major traditional holidays, marking the first day of the lunar calendar -- a time when families gather to observe various traditions. This year, the holiday spans six days, running until Thursday, after the government designat

Jan. 27, 2025

Seollal holiday unfolds amid snowy views

South Korea braces for heavy snow and rain expected to impact much of the country during the extended Seollal holiday, with weather authorities predicting up to 30 centimeters of snow in some areas. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Monday, snowfall of 10 to 20 centimeters is forecast for the greater Seoul area, parts of Gyeonggi Province and southern regions through Wednesday. Heavier snowfall, up to 30 centimeters, is anticipated in areas such as Gangwon Province, eastern

Jan. 27, 2025

Round two: New dawn for Korean MMA

Korea's surging MMA scene links international glory with hometown action-packed battles On a pulse-pounding night last December, a furnace of fighting spirit erupted from the eight-sided ring, where two fighters collided in a fierce battle. An arena packed with 5,000 spectators echoed with thunderous roars, resonating with every explosive exchange inside the octagon. This adrenaline-fueled showdown marked the second event of Z-Fight Night, or ZFN, a newly launched Korean mixed martial arts promo

Jan. 25, 2025

Shinsegae, Coupang chiefs build ties with key figures at Trump inauguration

Korean business leaders attending Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Monday networked with key political and business figures in the new Trump administration. Their roles, especially with a leadership vacuum in South Korea, received outsized attention, as their cross-sector reach spanning political and business circles could potentially impact future Korea-US relations. Among the attendees, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin stood out, having forged a connection with the US preside

Jan. 24, 2025

This apartment looks eerie, but it may be missed one day

In the heart of Seoul‘s ultramodern cityscape, a dilapidated apartment complex stands as an eerie reminder of the city’s past. The Hoehyeon Simin Apartment, which sits at the foot of Namsan, has gained fame in recent years primarily for its decrepit, post-apocalyptic appearance, making it a sought-after filming location for dark productions such as Netflix‘s “Sweet Home.” Yet, believe it or not, this elevator-less, 10-story apartment was once a symbol of modern urban living. Its 352 identical 38

Jan. 23, 2025

Korea launches state body to boost biotech industry

South Korea launched a national committee dedicated to biotechnology Thursday, in a strategic move to enhance the nation's global competitiveness in the rapidly evolving biotech market. At its inaugural meeting, presided over by acting President Choi Sang-mok in Seoul, the National Bio Committee highlighted its goals of advancing the nation’s biotech sector as a key economic driver and positioning Korea among the top biotech nations. The new state body, comprising 24 industry experts and 12 gove

Jan. 23, 2025

Ministry vows to spur growth of K-food exports

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a meeting at aT Center in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss strategies for sustaining growth in Korean agricultural and food exports. The meeting centered on expanding exports of K-Food+ -- a category that includes agricultural and food products along with related industries such as smart farming, agricultural equipment and veterinary medicines -- with officials discussing the outlooks of local firms, implementation plans and government support

Jan. 21, 2025

[Photo News] Edward Lee-crafted flavors

Edward Lee, a star chef from Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars," poses for a photo at a launch event at The Shilla Seoul on Tuesday, where he unveiled three exclusive creations in collaboration with Korean fast-food chain Mom's Touch. Lee developed two burgers and one chicken dish for the chain, inspired by recipes from his US restaurants. The first offering, a bourbon-based chicken set, will debut in February, followed by a beef-based burger and a chicken-based burger in March. (Mom's Touch)

Jan. 21, 2025

Korean dried seaweed: the 'black semiconductor'

Strong overseas sales of Korean seaweed products earn a nickname echoing the nation's top export South Korea, where semiconductor exports dominate trade, has found another success story in an edible export -- dried seaweed, or gim in Korean. Dubbed the "black semiconductor" for its rising export performance -- albeit on a smaller scale than its microchip counterpart -- gim has become a vital contributor to the Korean economy and leads the nation’s seafood exports. According to data from the Mini

Jan. 20, 2025