Menswear moves away from traditional suit pairings to more casual vibe

Korean men in their 20s and 30s are more interested in skin care ― the various products and treatments ― than anywhere else in the world, according to skin care product manufacturer Estee Lauder.“Healthy skin allows an individual to make favorable impressions on others while also providing that extra sliver of confidence, which are both important in this contemporary society driven by fierce competition,” Lab Series communications manager Kim Jung-sook told The Korea Herald.Changes in lifestyle

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Comedian Jeong Hyeong-don recently appeared on the popular TV show “Infinite Challenge,” where he demonstrated how to make “opageti.” The dish was a mixture of ojingeo Jjambbong and Jjapageti ― two types of instant noodles made by Korean food company Nongshim.After the episode was aired, weekly sales of ojingeo Jjambbong and Jjapageti surged 157 percent and 20 percent, respectively, according to Nongshim.The underlying reason for the success of opageti, however, is more than just the show’s popu

Somewhere between evolving technologies and the creative economy paradigm is an emerging consumer trend characterized by three words: do it yourself.Market trend analysts are finding that consumers of the 21st century are bolder and craftier than ever before.“Modisumer” (a combination of “modify” and “consumer”) refers to consumers who invent their own innovative ways to use a product, or combination of products, even if it drifts from the manufacturer’s intentions.“Consumers today have very spe

From food to cosmetics, Korean businesses are increasingly taking advantage of a growing group of customers’ desire to modify products to their tastes and needs ― a group marketing analysts call “modisumers.” They have taken lessons from DIY trailblazer Ikea. The Swedish furniture maker has thrown out the conventional idea of buying ready-made products from a catalogue. Its customers partly assemble their own furniture and arrange it in various ways.Economists say that buyers of Ikea couches or

Korean drinkers may have a knack for making tasty cocktails.Ranging from the traditional boilermaker, which is dubbed poktanju, to trendy cocktails more recently, a large proportion of popular alcoholic beverages here are mixed liquors. More businesses are also moving quickly to take advantage of the long-standing unique drinking culture.“In Korea, a liquor product can be successful only when it tastes good mixed with other liquors or beverages,” said an official of Mackiss, a high-end soju bran

Cosmetic blogger Choi Eun-ji makes a face mist using leftover toner that’s been sitting on her dressing table for months. Mixing it with purified water bought for 1,500 won ($1.40) at a pharmacy, she creates one of her staple beauty items at one-quarter of the price of face mists sold in shops.“I don’t need to worry about skin problems because it has fewer preservatives and made with the toner I’ve been using,” she said in an email interview with The Korea Herald.She is one of the beauty product

Dance sees resurgence as hobby, sport and art

Zumba, pole dance, ballet and salsa are becoming fun alternatives to treadmills

K-pop dance classes grow in popularity over the years