From a historic KOSPI 4,000 milestone to the launch of a new presidency, 2025 was a true roller coaster for South Korea. We cheered the “Yang Gwan-sik Syndrome” from When Life Gives You Tangerines, embraced the running boom and the “Slow Aging” movement, and watched Gyeongju step onto the global stage with the APEC Summit. Some moments shocked the country, others reshaped daily life. Here’s a closer look at what really happened.
The Hit K-drama
“When Life Gives You Tangerines” (폭삭 속았수다), which aired on Netflix in March, was a huge hit and sparked the “Yang Gwan-sik Syndrome.”
March Wildfire
Multiple massive forest fires broke out across South Korea in March 2025, becoming the largest and most damaging wildfires in South Korea’s history.
New President
The 21st South Korean presidential election was held on June 3, 2025, and the new president, Lee Jae Myung, was inaugurated on June 4.
K-Pop Demon Hunters
The Netflix film, “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” and its song “Golden” became a global phenomenon.
National Data Center Fire
In September, National Information Resources Service (NIRS) data center fire, caused by an exploding battery, shut down 647 government services and risked 858 TB of data loss.
KOSPI 4000
In October, South Korea’s representative stock index, KOSPI, surpassed the 4,000-point mark for the first time in history.
Gyeongju APEC 2025 Korea
Gyeongju hosted the APEC Summit 2025.
The Hottest Trends in South Korea 2025
Among the hottest trends popular with Koreans in 2025 were AI, the “Slow Aging” (저속노화) movement, and running.
Serious Data Breaches
In 2025, major data breaches at SKT (a leading telecommunication company) and Coupang (a major online commerce platform) highlighted serious concerns regarding data security in the digital age.
Hit K-Pop Songs
Beyond “Golden,” Woodz’s “Drowning” and ZO ZAZZ’s “Don’t You Know” were also major, defining hits on the Korean music scene.
The Scandals That Shook Korean Entertainment
The multiple high-profile scandals involving top actors and comedians shook the Korean entertainment industry in 2025.
Special Counsels
South Korean politics in 2025 were dominated by special counsel investigations concerning former President Yoon and former First Lady Kim.
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