UoH, Seoul (2026)

08/02/2026

Seoul is still freezing! ❄️
Sharing the February 2026 pop-up list.
Save this and pop by when you can 👀✨

05/01/2026

The New Year 2026 is here! 🎉
January in Seoul is already packed with fun pop-ups ✨

Personally, the UoH team is especially curious about the Snows pop-up from Hokkaido, Japan ❄️🇯🇵
Snows is a winter-limited dessert brand born in Hokkaido, known for its silky fresh chocolate and crispy cookies—all made with fresh milk from their own free-range dairy farm and carefully selected ingredients 🥛💛

Which pop-up do you want to visit the most? 👀
Anyway, don’t miss out—save this post and share it before it’s too late! 📌

05/01/2026

Beloved South Korean actor Ahn Sung-ki has passed away at the age of 74 after battling blood cancer.

According to reports, Ahn collapsed at his home last month and was rushed to the emergency room. He had since been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit before his death was confirmed.

Widely known as “the nation’s actor,” Ahn Sung-ki profoundly influenced generations of audiences through his decades-long career as a leading figure in Korean cinema. He starred in countless films, demonstrating remarkable range and emotional depth across a wide variety of roles.

His notable works include Two Cops (1993), Silmido (2003), and Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022), which together reflect the extraordinary span of his career and his enduring ability to move audiences.

Ahn Sung-ki leaves behind a legacy that helped shape modern Korean film and touched the lives of many. He will be deeply missed.

📷Yonhap News

23/12/2025

Have you tried Korean instant noodles—especially Nongshim Shin Ramyun?

Nongshim Shin Ramyun is often called “the standard of spiciness for Koreans.” First launched in 1986 by the Korean company Nongshim, Shin Ramyun is a spicy instant noodle that has become an icon. The bold “Shin (辛)” printed on the package comes from the Chinese character meaning spicy, symbolizing the deep, bold, and fiery flavor Koreans love. Today, Shin Ramyun is a global bestseller sold in over 100 countries.

Its rich flavor comes from a blend of spices, chili peppers, mushrooms, and vegetables, creating a signature taste defined by a deeply savory, spicy broth paired with chewy noodles.

Now, Nongshim is introducing Shin Ramyun Gold.
Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Shin Ramyun, this new product features a rich, umami-packed broth made by simmering chicken, enhanced with Shin Ramyun’s signature spicy kick 🌟.

Release date: January 2, 2026

The product will be available through various online and offline retail channels, so keep an eye out!

📸 Nongshim

17/12/2025

The United States has decided to allow duty-free imports of Korean seasoned seaweed, which is roasted with sesame or perilla oil and lightly salted.

The move comes as seasoned seaweed has won over American consumers, driving a surge in demand. With exports hitting record highs this year, Korean seaweed is expected to further cement its reputation as a “black semiconductor,” a term used to describe its high export value.

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, a fact sheet on reciprocal tariffs released by the White House in November 2025 explicitly listed seasoned seaweed as the only seafood product eligible for zero tariffs. In contrast, dried seaweed remains subject to the standard 15% reciprocal tariff applied to other seafood products.

The U.S. decision reflects a combination of strong demand and focused negotiations by the Korean government. A previously agreed U.S.–Korea fact sheet included language stating that tariff exemptions would be further discussed for natural resources not produced in the United States. The Korean government prioritized seasoned seaweed in these talks, as it accounts for roughly one-third of Korea’s total seafood exports and more than 70% of seaweed export revenue.

With tariffs lifted by the United States—the largest export market for Korean seaweed—the industry is expected to see improved profitability. The U.S. accounts for more than 20% of Korea’s total seaweed exports, and seasoned seaweed alone represents over 90% of seaweed exports to the U.S., underscoring its popularity among American consumers.

From January through November this year, Korea’s seaweed exports rose 13.3% year on year to $1.04 billion, marking the first time exports have surpassed the $1 billion threshold. Exports are projected to exceed $1.1 billion by year-end. Meanwhile, the Korean government is continuing negotiations with the United States to secure duty-free treatment for dried seaweed and tuna fillets as well.

📸 Clip Art via Health Chosun
📝 SE Daily

13/12/2025

In South Korea, English kindergarten entrance exams—commonly known as the “Age 4–7 Exam”—are set to be banned.

The partial amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons includes provisions prohibiting entrance exams for children aged three up to pre–elementary school age. As a result, not only English academies for young children—often referred to as “English kindergartens”—but also tutoring centers and private tutors will be barred from conducting selection tests.

The amendment will take effect six months after promulgation, and violations may result in administrative fines or suspension of instruction. However, a clause in the original draft that would have banned level tests or assessments used after admission for class placement was excluded during the legislative approval process.

In democratic societies, the freedom of choice is often emphasized, and specialized programs designed for a select group have long existed. Against this backdrop, opinions are clearly divided on whether this decision is undemocratic—or whether it is the right policy to protect young children.

What do you think?🤔

📸 News1

13/12/2025

The Han River snow sledding parks, long loved during the winter season, are making a fresh comeback ❄️
This year, the snow sledding parks at Ttukseom, Yeouido, and Jamwon Hangang Parks will be transformed into themed leisure facilities called “Pororo Village.”

The parks will feature separate slopes for children and adults, along with food zones offering a variety of menu options, providing a safer and more comfortable environment than before.

The fun-filled Han River snow sledding parks will be open from December 19, 2025, to February 18, 2026, so save the dates and be sure to visit!

📷 Yonhap News

04/12/2025

Olive Young has reportedly surpassed 1 trillion KRW in purchases made by foreign customers. It’s now considered a must-visit stop for travelers interested in K-beauty.🧴

The company announced that foreign customers’ in-store spending exceeded 1 trillion KRW this year, a nearly 26-fold increase compared to the early post-pandemic period. Foreign shoppers now account for about 25% of total sales. In fact, 88% of all cosmetics purchases made by foreign visitors in Korea happen at Olive Young, showing just how essential the store has become on travel itineraries. Olive Young says it plans to continue driving the global spread of K-beauty.

Back in 2022, foreign customers made up only around 2% of Olive Young’s offline sales, but this year marks the first time that number has jumped into the 25% range.

Recently, the trio of Olive Young, Daiso, and Musinsa—nicknamed “Ol-Da-Mu”—has become a popular tourism route among international visitors, which explains the surge in foreign shoppers at Olive Young stores.🛍️

Of course, “Ol-Da-Mu” is not just for tourists—it's also a staple for locals and an everyday part of life in Korea.

03/12/2025

South Korea is starting to feel the chill. On Thursday, December 4, a strong cold front will sweep across the country, with morning temperatures plunging as low as –14°C. Daytime highs will mostly stay in the single digits, and rain or snow is expected along the west coast in the mornings and evenings.

Morning lows are predicted between –14°C and 0°C, while daytime highs will reach 0–9°C — 1–8°C colder than usual for this time of year.

Make sure to bundle up and stay cozy out there! ❄️

01/12/2025

Can’t believe it’s already December 2025.🎄 We’ve put together the latest pop-up news— which one would you love to visit the most?

December in Korea feels extra special. Let’s make it a warm and happy holiday season.☃️

29/11/2025

Are there any pottery enthusiasts out there? 🔍🖼️

Renowned Korean ceramic artist Shin Sang-ho is holding a large-scale solo exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, supported by Loewe. The exhibition, titled Shin Sang Ho: Infinite Metamorphoses, runs from November 27, 2025, to March 29, 2026.

The exhibition highlights Shin Sang-ho’s 60-year artistic journey and experimental spirit, showcasing the possibilities of ceramic art across various disciplines, including sculpture, painting, and architecture.

Shin began his traditional ceramic work in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, in the 1960s. In the 1980s, his experiences in the U.S. and Japan led him to pioneer new forms such as ceramic installations and ceramic sculpture, expanding the boundaries of ceramic art. This retrospective features over 90 ceramic works and 70 archival pieces.

It’s a great opportunity to explore the history of contemporary Korean ceramics and the limitless creative potential of clay. The space of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, itself adds to the experience.

📍313, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
📸 MMCA

28/11/2025

K-beauty hub Olive Young is officially entering the world’s largest beauty market — the United States. 🇺🇸 Olive Young has announced that it will open its first overseas offline store in Pasadena, California, in May 2026.

Pasadena is a high-income area home to prestigious institutions like Caltech, and a key district populated by trend-sensitive consumers who drive demand for fashion and beauty. Starting with this first location, Olive Young plans to expand rapidly by opening additional stores across California, including at Westfield LA.

With strong competitors like Sephora already established in the U.S., Olive Young will need a clear differentiation strategy. Leveraging data from its Korean retail network and global online mall, the company plans to curate a K-beauty showcase featuring around 400 carefully selected brands, while also creating an experiential and highly curated in-store environment.

Since opening its first store in 1999, Olive Young has defined itself as a global lifestyle platform that promotes “healthy beauty,” pioneering a health & beauty store format optimized for Korean consumers. The brand continues to gain popularity not only domestically but also among international customers.

📷 Olive Young

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