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Here are the top 10 must-visit Starbucks outlets in South Korea

Are you the sort that goes to Starbucks around the world to bring home some local-specific merch?

If yes, you would want to drop by one (or more) of the top 10 must-visit Starbucks outlets in South Korea.

These stores aren’t handpicked by me, but by Starbucks Korea together with the Korea Tourism Organization.

And they are not just in Seoul, just in case you’re visiting other cities for your upcoming trip to Korea 😉

KYUNGDONG 1960 STORE

Dedicated to revitalizing and restoring the Kyungdong Market’s heritage, this store preserves the original architecture and materials of the old Kyungdong Theater.

3F Kyungdong Market, 1036 Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

THE YANGPYEONG DT STORE

The largest Starbucks store in Korea, located in Yangpyeong, offers scenic views of the South Han River and flexibility for any travel style.

76 Yanggeunro, Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

THE YEOSU DOLSAN DT STORE

Located on Dolsan Island, this store features an observatory to enjoy breathtaking ocean views of Yeosu.

697-20 Udu-ri, Dolsan-eup, Yeosu-si

THE JEJU SONGDANG PARK R STORE

Korea’s largest Starbucks Reserve® store in Jeju City offers views of Hallasan Mountain and Jeju Stone Park, with an interior design by local kinetic artist Jo Byeong-cheol.

2635-3 Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si

EDAE R STORE

The first Starbucks® store in Korea, remodeled into a Reserve® store, located in the Ewha Womans University area.

54-4 Daehyeong-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

THE BUKHANGANG R STORE

South Korea’s only pet-friendly Starbucks® store, located along the Bukhan River and provides open space for pets and their owners.

806-1 Geumnam-ri, Hwado-eup, Namyangju-si

THE BUKHANSAN STORE

Near the entrance of Bukhansan National Park, this store offers a unique café experience with a special photo zone capturing Bukhansan Mountain.

277-11 Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul

BYULDABANG STORE

An oasis known locally as ‘Byuldabang’, this store features a large digital art wall and LEED-certified design.

88 Hoehyeon-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

CHUNCHEON GUBONGSAN R STORE

This store offers panoramic views of Chuncheon City, lovely for sunset viewing on Gubongsan Mountain.

340-61 Mancheon-ri, Dong-myeon, Chuncheon-si

DAEGU JONGRO GOTAEK STORE

Housed in a century-old hanok, this store honors Daegu’s heritage with over 100 years of history.

58 Jong-ro 2ga, Jung-gu, Daegu

Starbucks Korea celebrates 25 years

If you haven’t heard, Starbucks in Korea is celebrating 25 years of coffee and connections this year.

To share the milestone with their loyal customers, they will offer some special drinks and deals for a limited time.

If you’re in Korea during this period, look out for their global-inspired beverages like the London Fog Tea Latte, French Vanilla Latte, and Melon of Melon Frappuccino on the menu.

Image Credits: starbucks.co.kr

The new Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Hazelnut is also available!

As an eco-friendly option, you can get an Americano, Latte, or Caramel Macchiato at the original 1999 price when buying a reusable cup.

To mark the anniversary, Starbucks Korea has also launched a limited collection with the heritage logo.

You can pick up mugs, tumblers, and a big Bearista Bear.

Exclusive merch made in collaboration with Bernardaud and Bialetti is also on sale.

All image credits to Starbucks Korea/Starbucks Asia Pacific.

Singapore Airlines Crowned 2024 Best Airline in Asia, Ranked #2 Globally

With our leave requests finally approved, it is time to pack our bags and escape the daily grind of the Lion City. It is important that our adventure is enjoyable from the moment we step on the plane as traveling is our chance to truly unwind.

To help us make the best choices, Skytrax, a UK-based consultancy specializing in the air transport industry, conducted the 2024 World Airline Awards. Since its inception in 1999, the World Airline Awards have been based on an annual global customer satisfaction survey. This year, the competition was fierce, with results so close they required a recount. Qatar Airways claimed the top spot globally, while Singapore Airlines secured a close second.

ASIA’S BEST AIRLINES IN 2024

#1: SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Singapore Airlines not only topped the list as Asia’s best airline but also secured the second spot globally. Known for its exceptional cabin crew and world-class service, Singapore Airlines has consistently ranked as a 5-star airline by Skytrax for the past three decades.

It was the first to introduce the Airbus A380 and Boeing 787-10 into service and is the only operator of the ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900. The airline is celebrated for its efficiency, convenience, and spacious cabins, making it a favorite among travelers.

#2: ANA (ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS)

Ranked fourth globally, ANA (All Nippon Airways) is a Japanese airline offering both domestic and international flights. Known for its excellent service, ANA has received a 5-star rating every year since 2013. The airline also won awards for the World’s Best Airport Services and the World’s Cleanest Airline. Committed to expansion, ANA plans to introduce new short-haul and medium-haul aircraft by 2030.

#3: CATHAY PACIFIC

Cathay Pacific, the flag carrier of Hong Kong, flies to over 200 destinations and consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction. This year, it was recognized as the World’s Cleanest Airline and the provider of the World’s Best Economy Class. It also received the Cargo Airline of the Year award at the 49th Annual Airline Industry Achievement Awards.

#4: JAPAN AIRLINES

Japan Airlines, founded in 1951, was Japan’s first international airline and now connects over 349 airports in 54 countries and regions. Known for its hospitality, it has been awarded a 5-star rating by Skytrax and consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction.

#5: EVA AIR

EVA Air, one of Taiwan’s largest airlines, operates both passenger and cargo services to more than 40 international destinations. Celebrated for its cheerful environment and brightly painted livery, EVA Air is known for its fun in-flight experience and a wide range of service items.

WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION

The World Airline Awards are based on a survey conducted from September 2023 to May 2024, with over 21 million customers from 100 countries who evaluated more than 350 airlines. This extensive survey captures a wide range of opinions and experiences, providing a comprehensive overview of the global airline industry.

Qatar Airways’ win marks its eighth time as the World’s Best Airline, highlighting its commitment to quality and service. Although Singapore Airlines slipped to second place, it remains a key player in the industry, renowned for its exceptional service and innovation.

LOOKING AHEAD

The World Airline Awards serve as a benchmark for excellence in the airline industry, recognizing airlines that excel in service quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation. The prominence of Southeast Asian airlines in these awards indicates a positive trend for the region’s aviation industry.

As these airlines continue to invest in fleet modernization and service enhancements, they are likely to further strengthen their positions in the global market.

Sources: 1 ,2, & 3

Singapore’s Gold Medal Payout: World’s Most Generous Prize

As the 2024 Paris Olympic Games unfold, the world’s top athletes are competing not only for individual glory but also for their countries’ pride. The medals themselves are a spectacle: gold medals consist of 523 grams of silver coated in 6 grams of gold, while silver medals weigh 525 grams and are made of pure silver. Bronze medals weigh 455 grams and are composed of copper, tin, and zinc. Adding a unique touch to their traditional design, this year’s medals also incorporate a piece of iron from the Eiffel Tower.

While nations like the U.S., China, and France currently lead the medal tally, another exciting race is taking place behind the scenes: which country offers the most generous reward for Olympic gold?

The answer is Singapore, as it stands out with its extraordinary prize offerings. Through its Major Games Award Programme (MAP), it awards an impressive S$1 million to gold medalists in individual events. Silver medalists receive S$500,000, while bronze medalists are given S$250,000. For team events—such as athletics relays or badminton doubles—the reward is even higher, with winners taking home S$1.5 million. In the case of team sports like basketball or football, the prize reaches S$2 million. Silver and bronze medalists in team events receive 50% and 25% of these amounts, respectively.

To date, the only athlete to have claimed this substantial prize is swimmer Joseph Schooling, who won gold in the 100m butterfly at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

In comparison, American athletes are awarded US$37,500 (approximately S$51,000) for each gold medal, US$22,500 (about S$30,600) for silver, and US$15,000 (around S$20,400) for bronze. And the neighboring country, Malaysia, offers one million ringgit (approximately S$341,000) for a gold medal.

Other notable countries include Hong Kong, which provides HK$6 million (approximately S$1.03 million) per gold medalist through its Athlete Incentive Awards Scheme, and Serbia, which awards US$218,000 (about S$295,000) for gold medalists.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Olympics

With its impressive prize structure, Singapore leads the world in Olympic gold medal payouts, highlighting its dedication to celebrating athletes’ extraordinary accomplishments. As the Paris 2024 Olympics continue until August 11, we look forward to seeing more Singaporean athletes make their mark in sports.

Sources: 1 ,2, & 3

HDB has allocated over $742 million for upgrading works of these HDB flats islandwide

The Ministry of National Development (MND) and Housing & Development Board (HDB) have earmarked over 53,000 HDB flats for enhancements, as part of the latest Home Improvement Programme (HIP) selection.

These flats are dispersed throughout the island, and here’s the full list:

Hougang

Blks 358 – 363 Hougang Avenue 5

Blks 830 – 835 Hougang Central

Blks 460 – 468 Hougang Avenue 8/Hougang Ave 10/Upper Serangoon Road

Serangoon

Blks 531 – 535, 535A & 536 – 542 Serangoon North Avenue 4

Blks 500 – 506, 506A, 506B & 507 – 511 Serangoon North Avenue 4

Blks 232A, 234A, 236A & 255 – 258 Serangoon Avenue 2 / Central Drive

Ang Mo Kio

Blk 317 Ang Mo Kio Street 31

Blks 104A, 104B, 253 & 253A Ang Mo Kio Street 11/21

Blks 613 – 619 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4

Toa Payoh

Blks 35 – 37, 43 – 46 & 48 – 50 Lorong 5 Toa Payoh

Blks 80, 80A, 80B, 81, 81A, 81B, 82, 82A, 82B, 84, 84A, 84B & 86 Lorong 2/4 Toa Payoh

Choa Chu Kang

Blks 201 – 204 & 205 – 221 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1/Central

Blks 223 – 239 Choa Chu Kang Central

Blks 553 – 569 Choa Chu Kang North 6 / Street 52

Blks 305 – 308, 340 – 346 & 350 – 355 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4/Loop/Central

Blks 150 – 152 & 154 – 160 & 162 – 164 Jalan Teck Whye

Blks 751 – 761 Choa Chu Kang North 5

Blks 762 – 771 Choa Chu Kang North 5 / Street 54

Bedok

Blk 140 Bedok North Street 2

Bukit Panjang

Blks 437, 440, 442 & 447 – 453 Fajar Road/Bukit Panjang Ring Road

Blks 170 – 176 Gangsa Road / Lompang Road

Image Credits: Google

Kallang

Blks 4, 5 & 6 Boon Keng Road

Blks 13, 14, 14A Upper Boon Keng Road

Blks 59A, 59B, 59C & 60 Geylang Bahru

Bukit Batok

Blks 285 – 287, 290A – 290G & 291A – 291E Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 / Street 24

Geylang

Blks 27 – 29, 33, 41, 42, 55, 56, 92 & 92A Balam Road / Circuit Road /Pipit Road

Blks 28, 30, 56 & 9 Cassia Crescent / Pine Close

Woodlands

Blks 401, 406, 408 – 410, 413 – 418, 421 & 424 – 427 Woodlands Street 41

Blks 851 & 856 – 864 Woodlands Street 83 / Blks 601 – 605 Woodlands Drive 42

Blks 701 –713 Woodlands Drive 40 / 70 / Blks 744 –747 Woodlands Circle

Blks 714 –720 Woodlands Drive 70 / Avenue 6

Blks 659 – 664 Woodlands Ring Road

Pasir Ris

Blks 463 – 466 & 478 – 487 Pasir Ris Street 41 / Drive 4

Blks 531 – 543 & 564 – 569 Pasir Ris Drive 1 / Street 51

Blks 544 – 562 Pasir Ris Street 51

Blks 203 – 216 Pasir Ris Street 21

Blks 217 – 230 Pasir Ris Street 21

Blks 231 – 251 Pasir Ris Drive 4 / Street 21

Blks 180 – 199 Pasir Ris Street 11/12

Blks 500 – 521 Pasir Ris Street 52

Sengkang

Blks 229 – 236 Compassvale Walk

Tampines

Blks 491A – H, 492B – D, 493A – E, 494B, 494C, 495A – F, 496B – G Tampines Avenue 9 / Street 43 / 45

Blks 242 – 247 & 253 – 256 Simei Street 1/5

Blks 472, 474, 476, 477, 479 – 484, 485A, 485B, 486A – C, 487A – C, 488A, 488B, 489A – C, 490A & 490B Tampines Avenue 9 / Street 43 / 44 / 45

Blks 301 – 323 Tampines Street 32 / 33

Blks 371 – 374 & 381 – 396 Tampines Avenue 7 / Street 32 / 34

Queenstown

Blks 129 – 133 Clarence Lane

Blk 134, 135 & 139 Jalan Bukit Merah

Blks 3, 3A, 5, 30, 30A Holland Close / Blks 7, 7A Commonwealth Avenue

Jurong West

Blks 961, 965 – 966 & 974 – 980 Jurong West Street 92 / 93

Blks 810 – 832, 828A & 830A Jurong West Street 81

Blks 357 – 363 & 365 – 369 Yung An Road / Corporation Drive

Blks 752 – 761 & 764 – 766 Jurong West Street 74

Blks 833 – 853 Jurong West Street 81

Blks 115 & 321 – 336 Ho Ching Road/ Tah Ching Road/ Kang Ching Road

A budget exceeding $742 million has been allocated for these upgrades.

Initiated in 2007, HIP assists flat owners in addressing prevalent maintenance issues like spalling concrete and ceiling leakage, which occur due to the natural aging of older flats.

This year, flats chosen for HIP will use a new Corrosion Resistant Repair (CRR) method in bathrooms to reduce recurrence.

Although the CRR method is more expensive and time-consuming, it will be primarily used for repairing spalling concrete in toilets, where the issue is most prevalent.

For other areas, HDB will continue using the current localized repair method.

The program will also include upgrades to improve the general living conditions of these flats.

Will you or someone you know be affected? Spread the news!

The advantages of marrying a miser

Marrying/Married a penny-pincher?

Sure, your spouse’s frugal ways might drive you insane sometimes, but have you ever considered the perks of being hitched to a miser?

Before you roll your eyes… Hear us out.

Financial stability

Goodbye, money worries!

Your penny-pinching partner’s careful spending habits mean you’re less likely to get yourself into debt.

While your friends are maxing out credit cards, you will be sitting pretty with a healthy bank balance.

Your personal money guru

Think of your miser spouse as your very own financial advisor (minus the extra fees).

They are great at sniffing out deals and making investments; you will be building a nest egg that would make even Warren Buffett proud.

Who needs a lottery ticket when you’ve got a miser by your side?

Future-proofing your finances

With a miser in your corner, you’re likely to have a financial cushion to fall back on.

So when your car decides to throw a tantrum or your pipes’ got a leak somewhere, you won’t be left high and dry.

Budget consciousness

Ever catch yourself tossing out almost-empty shampoo bottles or letting food spoil in the fridge?

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Your thrifty spouse will put an end to that faster than you can say sorry.

They will influence you on what it means to stretch every dollar (and cent), making sure nothing goes to waste.

Long-term planning

Thinking ahead pays off

Your miser’s money meticulous character means you’re likely to have a solid retirement plan.

While others are scrambling to save near retirement, you will be sipping cocktails on a beach, thanks to decades of savings.

Weathering life’s storms

Your miser’s habit of living way below your means also ensures you’re always prepared for life’s lemons.

A sudden job loss or an unexpected medical bill doesn’t sound so scary anymore.

Minimalism and mindful spending

Embracing the simple life

When you’re with someone who’s very cautious with cash, you start seeing the beauty in less.

No more drowning in stuff you don’t need but want.

Thoughtful purchases, fuller wallet

You will probably find yourself asking, “Do I really need this?” before every purchase.

It’s not about depriving yourself, but about making smart choices.

Marrying a miser isn’t all doom and gloom. Yes, you might have to fight for every penny spent on fun stuff, but your frugal spouse is basically a human ATM, helping you save for the future especially when you’re not too good at it. Plus, you will become a pro at finding ways to live life on the cheap. Who knows, you might even find yourself enjoying clipping coupons and hunting for promotions yourself?

KYUNGDONG 1960 STORE

THE YANGPYEONG DT STORE

THE YEOSU DOLSAN DT STORE

THE JEJU SONGDANG PARK R STORE

EDAE R STORE

THE BUKHANGANG R STORE

THE BUKHANSAN STORE

BYULDABANG STORE

CHUNCHEON GUBONGSAN R STORE

DAEGU JONGRO GOTAEK STORE

Starbucks Korea celebrates 25 years

Financial stability

Budget consciousness

Long-term planning

Minimalism and mindful spending

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