There is something inherently captivating about work that blurs the lines between tradition and modernity, or the East and the West. In this edition of Seoulicious, we introduce Gomgom-e, an illustrator who reimagines the Western fairy tales we thought we knew so well through the unfamiliar yet breathtaking lens of "Korean color." There is a certain thrill when a familiar story puts on entirely different clothes. Gomgom-e has turned a delightful, bold imagination into reality: picturing the protagonists of our childhood dreams wearing elegant hanbok instead of western dresses.

Recently, she has garnered renewed attention with the release of <Stories from the Five-Color Teahouse Coloring Book>, a collection that brings together her unique artistic world. Tucked away at the end of a quiet alley, her world of Korean-style fairy tales and fantasy unfolds over a warm cup of tea, inviting readers into a mysterious and immersive experience.

Masterpieces Reimagined Through a Korean Mise-en-scène

The fairy tales reborn at Gomgom-e’s fingertips are saturated with Korean aesthetics. In Beauty and the Beast, the Beast is transformed from a typical Western monster into a mystical creature reminiscent of a majestic Korean dragon or a dokkaebi. The encounter between the Beast and Beauty, who is draped in a brilliant hwal-ot (traditional bridal robe), feels like stepping into a vibrant folk painting.

The Wizard of Oz serves as a masterclass in Korean fantasy. Dorothy, with her hair in a traditional daenggi braid, walks alongside a Scarecrow wearing straw shoes (jipsin) and a Tin Woodman who evokes the image of a sturdy Joseon Dynasty general. The Cowardly Lion, resembling the mythical Haetae, travels down a red clay path that offers a different kind of warmth compared to the Emerald City we remember.

In Sleeping Beauty, the traditional atmosphere reaches its peak. The princess, fallen into a deep slumber atop a silk quilt embroidered with intricate patterns, is surrounded by folding screens and the faint smoke of an incense burner. This setting creates an overwhelming sense of Korean "sorcery" that feels distinct from Western magic.

Snow White offers an equally fascinating reinterpretation. The seven dwarfs are reimagined as mischievous masked performers or small goblins, while the Queen with the poisoned apple is replaced by Korean characters that exude an eerie, mountain-shrouded mystery. Finally, the gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel is rebuilt with traditional Korean sweets like hangwa and dasik. The sight of the siblings standing before a house adorned with colorful grain cookies is both macabre and exquisitely beautiful.

Color Your Own Fairytale World

This newly released coloring book is more than just a visual treat; it is an invitation for readers to participate in the artist's world. It features over 30 illustrations capturing the beauty of Korea, designed with a 180-degree lay-flat binding that allows even beginners to color with ease. The book also includes five mini-posters as a special bonus, perfect for decorating your personal space with a touch of your own artistic flair.

If you are looking for a moment to catch your breath amidst a busy life, we invite you to stop by the Five-Color Teahouse prepared by Gomgom-e. The moment you pick up your colored pencils and begin to fill the pages, a new fairy tale of your very own will begin to unfold.

Imagine the aroma of freshly baked baguettes mixing with a dash of Korean history in the heart of Paris. On January 20th and 21st, the world’s most prestigious baking stage, the 2026 Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie (Bakery World Cup), witnessed a historic moment. The South Korean national team rose to the top, proudly lifting the winner's trophy and proving that when it comes to bread, we mean business.

This victory is especially sweet because it marks the first time in a decade—since 2016—that Korea has stood at the very top of the podium. In a fierce competition against the world’s best, Korea managed to outshine Taiwan, who took second, and the traditional bread powerhouse France, who finished in third place. There’s just something extra satisfying about winning a bread competition in the city of croissants, isn't there?

A Majestic Turtle Ship Built with Dough and K-Ingredients

The theme for this year’s challenge was "Great Inventions of Our Country," and the Korean team delivered a masterpiece that left judges speechless. They crafted a stunning bread sculpture of the Turtle Ship (Geobukseon), the legendary ironclad warship from the Joseon Dynasty. Every detail, from the dragon head to the intricate sails, was rendered with breathtaking precision using nothing but dough.

But the real secret sauce—or rather, secret dough—was in the ingredients. The team didn't just play by the rules; they reinvented them by incorporating traditional Korean flavors like Ssanghwa-tang (herbal tea), Garu-ssal (powdered rice), and turmeric. Across 22 different products, including baguettes and viennoiseries, the judges praised not only the unique taste and artistry but also the team's incredible efficiency and sustainable use of materials.

From Your Neighborhood to the Global Stage

The most heartwarming part of this story is that these world champions aren't just elite celebrity chefs. They are the master bakers who run local shops in Seoul, Daejeon, Hanam, and Incheon. After being selected by the Korea Bakers Association, they spent six grueling months in intensive training, perfecting their teamwork and recipes to take on the world.

It looks like the "Bread Pilgrimage" (Bbang-ji-sun-rye 빵지순례) map is about to get an update. While France may be the spiritual home of bread, South Korea is officially its reigning king. Let’s raise a toast (pun intended) to these local heroes who have put K-Bakery on the global map!

Haechandle, CJ CheilJedang's representative traditional paste brand, has teamed up with the tech accessory brand Aura Flo to unveil a special collaboration guaranteed to spark a desire to collect.

These new products feature the iconic designs of 'Gochujang' (red chili paste) and 'Ssamjang' (seasoned soybean paste) containers, perfectly miniaturized into AirPods cases. By combining the detailed look of the actual packaging with a trendy sensibility, they have created truly witty tech accessories.

The highlight of this edition is the 'partner keyrings' that visually represent the flavors associated with each paste:
- Haechandle Gochujang Case: Comes with a spicy-sweet 'Tteokbokki' keyring.
- Haechandle Ssamjang Case: Paired with a 'Samgyeopsal' (Grilled Pork Belly) keyring, the ultimate soul food partner for Ssamjang.

Adding the fun of matching perfect food pairings, these cases not only serve as a distinct statement piece for plain electronics but are also gaining attention as a delightful and unique gift.

> Purchase link

https://smartstore.naver.com/auraflo/products/11904645894

Cha Eun-woo (28, real name Lee Dong-min), who reigned as the flawless icon of the Korean entertainment industry by coining the term "Choi-Choi-Cha-Cha (My bias is my bias, but Cha Eun-woo is Cha Eun-woo)," is facing the biggest crisis since his debut. A significant crack has appeared in his image as an "upright young man" following reports that the National Tax Service (NTS) notified him of approximately 20 billion KRW in back taxes.

The core of this scandal, which hit the entertainment industry in January 2026, is alleged income tax avoidance. The NTS suspects that Cha diverted massive earnings, which should have been counted as personal income, to a family-owned corporation. This scheme allegedly allowed him to pay a corporate tax rate in the 20% range instead of the income tax rate, which can reach up to 45%. This finding comes after an intense tax audit by Investigation Bureau 4 of the Seoul Regional Tax Office, known as the "Grim Reaper of the business world."

Starbucks Korea’s latest keychain collection is the cutest history lesson you’ll ever get.

Move over, standard teddy bears. Starbucks Korea has just dropped the ultimate travel companions, and they are sweeping international awards. The "Annyeong Bearista" keychain series isn't just adorable; it’s a design heavyweight, having recently snagged a prestigious 2025 iF Design Award.

By blending the iconic Starbucks bear with the distinct local flavor of Korea’s cities and provinces, this collection proves that souvenirs can be both culturally rich and irresistibly cute. Let’s meet the squad that’s taking "Annyeong" (Hello) to a whole new level.

If you are a fan of K-Dramas and K-Pop, names like Hyun Bin, Gong Yoo, and Cha Eun-woo probably sound incredibly familiar to you. But would you believe us if we told you these aren't the names written on their IDs?

In the Korean entertainment industry, it is quite common for stars to adopt stage names to create a more memorable or attractive image. From unique naming origins to meaningful combinations of parents' names, Seoulicious reveals the fascinating stories hidden behind the names of your favorite stars.

In Korea, there is a common idiom: "Sitting on a money cushion (donbangseok). / 돈방석에 앉다." It metaphorically means becoming incredibly rich. Now, a product has appeared that brings this metaphor to reality. KOMSCO (Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp) has released a ‘Money Cushion’ made from recycled banknotes. This is part of KOMSCO's creative project, ‘Money Made.’

Ranking 4th Globally, Surpassing the Churro

Recently, the global food guide ‘TasteAtlas’ announced its ranking for the ‘Top 96 Deep-fried Desserts in the World,’ and Korea’s Kkwabaegi (twisted donuts) proudly took 4th place. This ranking places it even higher than Spain’s beloved Churros or American Donuts, proving that this traditional Korean snack has successfully captured the palates of global gourmets. With international tourists increasingly listing it as a "must-eat dessert" when visiting Korea, Seoulicious takes a closer look at the irresistible charm of Kkwabaegi.

'Hanbok,' our traditional attire, has met the colossal tide of the 'Korean Wave' (Hallyu) and taken center stage on the global platform. The <Hanbok Wave> project, driven by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (KCDF), creates new value for Hanbok by collaborating with influential Hallyu artists and talented designers every year.

Seoulicious introduces the four legendary muses of the 'Hanbok Wave' who have elicited the most enthusiastic responses from our readers.

The name says "Dubai," but you won't find it there. The "Dubai Chocolate" craze that heated up Korea in 2024 has evolved in 2025 into a unique Korean recipe: the "Dubai Sticky Cookie" (hereinafter "Dubai Cookie"). Moving beyond a simple snack to a global trend and even becoming the subject of a meme that baffled a Michelin chef, Seoulicious investigates the true identity of this green dessert.

Jennie at 25, As Remembered by Jennie

Global artist JENNIE is unveiling a very special space to celebrate her 30th birthday. Jennie will hold her first photo exhibition, ‘JENNIE PHOTO EXHIBITION [J2NNI5]’, at Youthquake in Jongno-gu, Seoul, from January 16th to the 29th.

This exhibition is drawing significant attention as Jennie personally participated in the entire project, from planning to the publication of the photobook and spatial direction. While the title 'J2NNI5' commemorates her birthday on January 16th, the content captures the essence of '25-year-old Jennie,' offering a unique experience where the past and present intersect.

A touching story about actor Byeon Woo-seok, currently South Korea's hottest star, is going viral online. It’s not about his next drama role, but about a heartwarming gesture toward a long-time fan.