Discover Korea

  My Everyday Routine for Mature Skin, Dark Spots, Hydration, and Protection From the Australian Sun Introduction: Why I Started Paying More Attention to My Skin Living in Melbourne has made me more aware of how important skincare and sun protection can be. Australia’s sunshine can be intense, and as I have gotten older, I have noticed that freckles, dark spots, and dryness seem to demand a little more attention than they once did. My skin does not always feel as naturally hydrated as it used to, and I find myself thinking more carefully about the products I apply before heading to work. However, there is one small problem. My mornings are busy. Between getting ready for work, managing household responsibilities, and trying to leave the house on time, a complicated ten-step skincare routine simply does not fit into my day. About two weeks ago, I decided to simplify everything. Instead of applying numerous products, I began following four basic steps: Toner → Serum → Moist...

  A Colorful, Savory and Easy Korean Noodle Dish for Any Occasion Introduction – Have You Ever Tried Japchae? Have you ever seen a plate of glossy Korean glass noodles mixed with colorful vegetables and wondered what it was? That beautiful dish is called Japchae (잡채) , one of Korea's best-known noodle dishes. Japchae is made with chewy Korean glass noodles called dangmyeon (당면) , usually made from sweet potato starch. The noodles are mixed with vegetables such as carrots, onions, spinach, and capsicum, along with beef or other optional ingredients. One thing I especially like about Japchae is that it isn't spicy. People who are new to Korean food sometimes think Korean dishes are always hot and spicy because foods such as kimchi and tteokbokki are so well known. But Korean cuisine has many mild dishes too, and Japchae is a perfect example. Its flavor is savory, slightly sweet, and wonderfully nutty from sesame oil. Today, I'm going to show you how I make Japchae at home, al...

  Sunscreen Is More Than Sunburn Protection: UV Damage, Wrinkles, Dark Spots, Skin Cancer and Daily Skin Protection Introduction: “Why Do You Wear Sunscreen Every Day?” Living and working in Australia, I often notice something interesting when it comes to sunscreen. I apply sunscreen every morning as part of my skincare routine. Sometimes my colleagues at work see me using sunscreen and ask: “Why do you wear sunscreen every day?” Some of them are genuinely surprised when I tell them that I apply it even when I am not planning to spend hours outside. Their questions made me realise that many people still think of sunscreen mainly as something you use when you go to the beach, swim outdoors, play sport, or spend a hot summer day under the sun. For me, growing up with Korean skincare habits, sunscreen has always felt a little different. In Korea, it is very common to hear that sunscreen should be the final step of your morning skincare routine. You may even hear people say that you sh...

A Crispy, Chewy Korean Street Food Filled with Sweet Cinnamon Sugar If you ever visit Korea during the colder months, there is one street food that is almost impossible to ignore: hotteok (호떡) . Imagine walking down a busy Korean street on a cold winter day. Somewhere nearby, you hear the gentle sizzling sound of dough cooking on a hot pan. Then comes the smell of warm brown sugar and cinnamon. A vendor presses a small ball of dough flat on the griddle, flips it over, and hands you a golden-brown pancake in a little paper cup. That warm, sweet pancake is hotteok, one of Korea’s most loved street snacks. Today, instead of buying hotteok from a street vendor, I decided to make it myself at home. And the best part? You don't need complicated Korean ingredients or special cooking equipment. With flour, yeast, sugar, cinnamon, nuts and a frying pan, you can bring a little taste of a Korean street market into your own kitchen. What Is Hotteok? Hotteok is a traditional Korean sweet pancak...

  Introduction: What Should You Actually Buy at Olive Young? Walking into Olive Young for the first time can be both exciting and slightly overwhelming. One shelf is filled with calming toners, another is covered in colourful cushion foundations, and almost every product seems to have an award sticker or a “BEST” label. So, what should you actually put in your basket? Instead of choosing five random viral products, I selected five items that can work together as a simple Korean skincare routine. The list includes a cleansing oil, toner, exfoliating pad, hydrating serum, and sunscreen. Each product has a clear purpose, well-known ingredients, and a texture that helps explain why Korean skincare has become so popular worldwide. Of course, no skincare product suits everyone. Your skin type, allergies, current routine, and climate should always be considered. However, if you are visiting Olive Young and do not know where to begin, these five products provide a very practical starti...