Hey chinggus!

Welcome to this week's Korean news round-up! In this edition, we talk about:

• Cherry blossom season in Seoul: Spring has arrived!

• Blackpink headlines Coachella for the first time

• SpaceX's Starlink seeks partnership with major South Korean telcos

Grab a cup of coffee and join us as we dive in!

It’s Cherry Blossom Season in Korea

Spring has arrived in Seoul, and the city is awash with the pink and white hues of 벚꽃 (“beot-kkot”).

Yunjung-ro in Yeouido and Seokchon Lake in Jamsil are two of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists alike to take in the breathtaking spectacle.

However, the crowds at Yunjung-ro have grown so much that some visitors are finding it overwhelming. If you're seeking a quieter spot to enjoy the cherry blossoms, here are two other great options where you can savor the beauty of spring and create cherished memories with loved ones.

Songpa Trail's Seongnaecheon Section

The Seongnaecheon section of the Songpa Trail, also called Seongnaecheonduk-gil, is a picturesque causeway that runs for about a kilometer along the Seongnaecheon in Seoul's southeastern district of Songpa, from Asan Medical Center to the pavilion near Olympic Park.

It's a 12-13 minute walk from Jamsillaru Station's Exit No.1 and is popular with families and locals for light exercise or leisurely strolls.

During springtime, visitors can enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms that form a tunnel along the trail, attracting walkers and cyclists alike. The trail leads to a small pavilion for rest or a tour around Olympic Park's vast green fields for those wanting more spring flower sightings.

Donggyo-ro 41-gil

For "Instagrammable" cherry blossom photos, head to Donggyo-ro 41-gil in Mapo-gu, western Seoul.

The area is next to Gyeongui Line Forest Park's Yeonam-dong section, just a five-minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit No.3, which is full of trendy cafes and hotspots.

Donggyo-ro 41-gil is an ideal viewing spot, offering beautiful cherry blossoms and delicious food from small boutique shops and restaurants, such as Beebeede and Seoul Pastry, known for their cronuts.

Visitors can also enjoy a leisurely stroll and the floral scent outside the cafes. Cherry trees in Donggyo-ro 41-gil are positioned in the middle of the road, giving visitors a unique spring atmosphere different from Seoul's other popular cherry blossom sites.

Blackpink Headlines Coachella

Blackpink just made history as the first K-pop group to headline Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival!

The girls, consisting of Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa, and Rosé, took the stage in their signature sparkly black and pink outfits, performing hits from their latest album "Born Pink" to fan favorites like "Kill This Love" and "How You Like That."

We all know that Blackpink is a force to be reckoned with - they've had nine songs reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even debuted at No. 1 on the Emerging Artists chart, making them the first female K-pop group to do so.

The ladies gave individual performances of their solo songs, with Jennie performing "You And Me," Jisoo singing "Flower," Rosé belting out "On the Ground," and Lisa showing off her rap skills in "Money."

While they didn't bring out any guests, Blackpink proved that they don't need anyone else to put on an amazing show. Overall, Blackpink's Coachella performance was a dream come true for fans and a testament to their hard work and talent. We can't wait to see what they'll do next!

Starlink's Arrival in South Korea: SpaceX Seeks Partnerships With Telcos

US space company SpaceX is planning to launch its satellite-based communication service in South Korea in the second quarter and is looking to partner with major telecom operators in the country, according to sources.

The company has approached SK Telecom, KT Corp., and LG Uplus separately and offered to sell its satellite internet network service, Starlink, to them. While the terms of the contract have not been disclosed, the sources said that SpaceX has wooed each operator with specific conditions, including revenue sharing.

The domestic mobile carriers have mixed reactions to SpaceX's proposal, with one firm not actively considering it, while another is open to cooperation and would also consider offers from other satellite operators globally.

SpaceX established Starlink Korea LLC in Seoul on March 8, and Lauren Ashley Dreyer, SpaceX's senior director of Starlink business operations, has been appointed as its representative.

Despite some predictions that Starlink may even aim to enter the domestic market as a mobile carrier, market watchers believe that the service will be limited to the business-to-business market as the nation's wired and wireless communication networks are already well established.

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Keep an eye out for next week's round-up, where we will continue to bring you the latest news and updates on Korean culture.

See you in our next email and have a great week 😃 

K-Culture Connect