Relieving hangover borders on realm of culture in heavy-drinking Korean society

The wine industry is on the rise in Korea as consumers show an increasing preference for lighter, fruitier alternatives to the traditional strongholds of beer and soju. In response to the rising demand, companies in Korea are developing exclusive partnerships with wineries abroad to bring down prices and increase sales. The wine sampler at Mad for Garlic. (Mad for Garlic)“As we have more customers asking for wine, we wanted to find ways to bring them quality wines at lower prices,” a spokesman f

Local vineyards venture into winemaking to tackle grape oversupply and are rewarded with prize-winning wines

Sales of sparkling wines up, new wine categories are well received

Casual dining franchises challenged by Koreans’ fast-changing appetites, demand for healthy food

Tech-driven ‘gastro-nomads’ change landscape of Korea’s food service industry

Technological developments have significantly changed dining and restaurant operations worldwide, improving convenience and efficiency. South Korea, one of the most-wired countries in the world, is no exception. Good restaurants can now be tracked down and reservations made with just a few simple clicks. Models promote restaurant recommendation and pre-order app Syrup Table (SK Planet)According to data released by the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. and the Agriculture Minist

Competition between owner-executives pulling casual premium dining boom

Kim Go-hee, a 22-year-old university student living in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, had one mission on a recent day trip to Seoul -- dining at South Korea’s first Shake Shack restaurant, which opened last month in Gangnam, southern Seoul.　　Kim, who was with her boyfriend, had to wait in line in the scorching heat for nearly an hour on Wednesday afternoon. Parasols and ice packs at hand, the couple passed the time by taking selfies in front of the store for Instagram and Facebook.　After successf

Korea’s civil servants, elected officials, journalists and officials of private educational institutions must soon abide by this new discipline: They cannot receive free meals that cost more than 30,000 won ($27), presents worth over 50,000 won or monetary gifts valued 100,000 won or higher. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act -- or the Kim Young-ran law, named after its initiator and the former chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission -- is poised to reshape the country’s cu

Dining and gifting industries brace for potential drop in profit

In spite of all the opposition, concerns and disputes, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act -- commonly dubbed the Kim Young-ran law -- will finally take effect starting from September 28.Guidebooks have been issued by various public and private agencies, including the supervisory Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. However, its extensive range of regulation and murky details is still causing confusion among the general public.Below are some of the key questions and answers. An offic

With the looming effectuation of the antigraft law, most South Korean companies are suffering from confusion about how they can prepare for promotional and other events.The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act basically bans businesses from offering meals over 30,000 won, gifts over 50,000 won and congratulatory or condolence money over 100,000 won to selected groups of people. Employees show a gift set priced below 50,000 won for the upcoming Chuseok holidays at the Ritz-Carlton, Seoul. (Yonhap)

The Summer Olympic Games that kicked off Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are a bonanza for major Korean businesses that have suffered from sluggish domestic consumption for years. Companies across industries are aggressively rolling out marketing events to appeal to consumers around the world during the 17-day international sports event.  Models pose with gold medals to promote a giveaway event dubbed “Lovely Korea Festival” at the Lotte Department Store headquarters in Sogong-dong, central Se