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PA++++, Broad Spectrum, the circled UVA logo: reading sunscreen labels by country
When you buy sunscreen abroad or recommend a Korean one to a friend overseas, the confusing part is usually the UVA label. SPF looks similar everywhere; UVA labeling doesn't. Korea and Japan: PA ratings From PA+ to PA+++
0 0Panthenol and madecassoside: the quiet workhorses in K-beauty "repair" creams
Look at the back of many Korean "repair," "cica" or "barrier" creams and two names show up again and again: panthenol and madecassoside. They're less flashy than PDRN, but they're everywhere for a reason. Panthenol (pro-
0 0Korea is missing from Japan’s imported fragrance market. Could K-fragrance work?
In Japan's imported cosmetics data, Korea holds 43.3% of skincare and was the only major country growing in color makeup. Yet in fragrance Korea doesn't appear in the top ranks, while France holds 62.6%. A country that l
0 0Korean-style makeup at a Latin wedding or party: is it too subtle?
The best-known Korean style goes for luminous skin, soft blush, blurred tinted lips and straight, natural brows. Lovely for everyday… but in Latin communities one question keeps coming up: will it last a wedding, a quinc
0 0Tongin Market
Sejong Village was once a center where Joseon-era artists such as Chusa Kim Jeong-hui gathered, and in modern times it was also a hub where writers including Lee Sang were active. Originating as a public market built dur
0 0Kids and 10-step routines: where should the line be?
One debate that keeps coming back on beauty forums and in the news: children and young teens buying adult skincare, often after seeing it on social media. Store staff, parents and dermatologists have all weighed in. The
0 0Dongmyo Flea Market
Dongmyo Flea Market began in the late 1980s. Although it has shrunk considerably compared with its former reputation, it still gathers all kinds of rare items. It covers everything from clothing, shoes, and wallets to wa
0 0Korean toner pads: every day, or only sometimes?
Korean toner pads have become a staple in Japan too. They are handy, but "is it OK to use them every day?" is a question that comes up a lot. Reasons people give for loving them Faster mornings: wiping and toning in one
0 0Dongdaemun General Market
Opened in 1970, Dongdaemun General Market has shared the joys and sorrows of Dongdaemun Market for more than 40 years. It is a large specialty market selling fabric for clothing, clothing notions, accessories, and some b
0 0Sinyung Market
Since 1953, following Liberation, Sinyung Market has operated for 70 years, bringing together people of different nationalities and cultures to create its own distinctive atmosphere. Rather than the image of a typical ma
0 0Red vs brown acne marks: do they really need different care?
Almost everyone has wondered about the marks acne leaves behind. Here's how communities commonly tell them apart and what they suggest. Red marks (often called PIE) Described as redness from a blood-vessel response after
0 0Big day tomorrow and a whitehead tonight: what would you do?
The night before an interview, a wedding or a photo shoot, and there it is: one ripe spot. Forum advice tends to split into a few camps. Common choices Hands off + hydrocolloid patch: leave it overnight, conceal in the m
0 0Be honest: do you actually reapply sunscreen over makeup? How?
Reapplication is the part of sun protection that most people quietly skip. It gets even harder once there is foundation or cushion on top. The methods people share most on skincare forums: Sunscreen cushions or compacts,
0 0Toner pads: what reviewers keep praising and complaining about
Toner pads, cotton rounds pre-soaked in toner in a tub, are one of the most visible K-beauty categories in rankings and hauls. Here is a roundup of what reviews and beauty forums commonly report. What reviewers like: Con
0 0Monami Store Seongsu: DIY Stationery and Ink Lab in Seongsu-dong
Monami FACTORY, which first opened in Seongsu-dong in 1963, has now been transformed into Monami Store Seongsu. Here, you can get hands-on with Monami products and enjoy a more personal experience by making your own DIY
0 0Olive Young Myeong-dong Flagship
This Olive Young store is clearly different from the usual branch in terms of size. It features 14 concept zones where visitors can try things out and enjoy the experience. Representative zones include the perfume bar, b
0 0Seoul Yangnyeong Market
Seoul Yangnyeong Market is Korea’s largest comprehensive Korean medicine complex, with more than 800 herbal medicine-related shops. All kinds of medicinal ingredients from across the country gather here. Seoul Yangnyeong
0 0Seoul Through the Lens of Hollywood Stars
The second installment of the sci-fi series Dune, Dune: Part Two, recently premiered in Korea and quickly became a major hit. With the film’s release, the Dune cast also came to Korea and drew considerable attention. Tim
0 0Dongdaemun Shopping Town
Dongdaemun Shopping Town is one of Seoul’s best shopping streets. Large shopping complexes lined up here cover both wholesale and retail. Shinpyeonghwa Fashion Town, Fashion Nam Pyeonghwa, Pyeonghwa Market, and Dongpyeon
0 0Namdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is a huge distribution center visited by 500,000 people a day and Korea’s largest traditional market. Having been established as a street market since the mid-Joseon period, Namdaemun Market is as large
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