1,753 Complaints in 7 Months, Surpassing Last Year’s Total Between January and July 2026, a total of 1,753 tourism-related complaints were filed across the country. According to data released by …
J. Haan
J. Haan
I'm J. Haan, the writer and editor behind KoreaUpClose. Each story is built from vetted local and international reporting, official sources, and public data — not just trend recaps.
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Travel & K-Content Tourism
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Fashion
The Fashion Big 4’s Bold 2026 Move: The Battle for Imported Brand Distribution Rights
by J. Haanby J. HaanSamsung C&T Lands 121 Stores in a Single Deal In March 2026, Samsung C&T Fashion Group signed an agreement with French fashion company SMCP, securing the exclusive domestic distribution rights …
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Movies & Animation
Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ Surpasses 10 Million Viewers in Just 33 Days
by J. Haanby J. HaanCrossing the 10-Million Mark on Day 33 Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Odyssey, passed 10 million cumulative viewers around 4 p.m. on September 6, 2026. According to the Korean Film Council’s …
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K-Food & Dining
Korean Snacks Built for Export Are Becoming Travelers’ Favorite Souvenirs
by J. Haanby J. HaanKorean products making the journey back in travelers’ suitcases Travelers returning from Vietnam are increasingly packing their bags with Orion’s “An” rice crackers and “C’est Bon” packaged bread. Meanwhile, reviews …
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Society & Social Trends
73.5% of Koreans Are Happy Living Alone, But Their Wallets Tell a Different Story
by J. Haanby J. HaanThe economic pressure behind rising satisfaction Satisfaction with current life among single-person households in South Korea has reached 73.5%, marking a 2.3 percentage point increase from 2024. Yet, the same …
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K-pop & Fandom
Soyeon Returns as a Solo Artist After Five Years With Her First Full-Length Album
by J. Haanby J. HaanFrom group producer to the star of her own full-length album Soyeon, the leader and producer of (G)I-DLE, is dropping her first full-length solo album, What a Wonderful Life, on …
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Dating Culture
When Divorce and First Love Become a Genre: Inside Korea’s Niche Dating Shows
by J. Haanby J. HaanWhen opposite dating experiences share a space On one side is a woman who has experienced both marriage and divorce, and on the other is a man who has never …
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Skincare & Beauty Products
K-Beauty’s Mini-Mart Strategy Lands in 22 UK Primark Stores
by J. Haanby J. HaanK-beauty mini-marts launch across 22 UK stores UK-based K-beauty retailer PURESEOUL teamed up with Primark to launch the “K-Beauty Mini Mart” on September 1. This new retail space, bringing together …
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K-Drama & Screen
Two Major September Releases, Nine Days Apart: Made in Korea 2 and Scandal Fill Korea’s OTT Calendar
by J. Haanby J. HaanTwo major September releases, two different premiere dates In the Korean OTT market this September, two major series starring Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin, respectively, will premiere one after another. …
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Daily Life & Society
Korea’s 2026 Chuseok Ticket Rush Begins as KTX and SRT Merge Into One System
by J. Haanby J. HaanGeneral Ticket Reservations Open on September 7 General reservations for the 2026 Chuseok holiday train tickets kicked off on September 7. KORAIL is opening ticket sales for trains running from …
