Itchy, Swollen Hands and Feet in the Cold: Chilblains or Frostbite?
Itchy, red swelling after exposure to cold may be chilblains. Pale, firm skin or numbness can signal frostbite, which needs prompt care.
Life
Korea Proposes Cutting Copays for Rare, Severe Diseases to 7%
A proposed revision would lower the health insurance copay rate for covered care for about 1.36 million people with registered rare or severe intractable diseases from 10% to 7%. Public comments are open through November 16, with the change planned for care received from December 1.
What’s a Normal Blood Sugar After Eating? How Fasting Glucose and A1C Fit In
Blood sugar can rise after a meal, and one reading after an ordinary meal cannot diagnose diabetes. Results should be interpreted alongside fasting glucose, A1C, and the conditions under which the test was taken.
Seoul Drops to 0.4°C as Winter Chill Arrives; Rain Reaches Capital Region Late Sunday
Seoul recorded its coldest morning of the season on Nov. 7, the start of ipdong, the traditional beginning of winter. Rain is forecast for the capital region late Sunday, with temperatures expected to return to seasonal norms from Wednesday.
John Park’s McDonald’s Order Rap Inspired an Ad and a Set Meal
A video of singer John Park rapping his McDonald’s order led to an ad shaped by viewer suggestions and a “John Park Set.” McDonald’s Korea says Big Arch sales topped 1 million in two weeks; that figure covers the burger overall, not the set meal.
2027 Met Gala Theme: ‘extraORDINARY’ Reimagines Jeans and T-Shirts
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced its 2027 Costume Institute exhibition, “extraORDINARY,” exploring how designers transform everyday clothes and materials. The Met Gala will take place May 3, ahead of the exhibition’s May 9 opening.
Can Handwashing Alone Stop Norovirus? How to Limit Spread at Home
Handwashing helps prevent norovirus, but it isn’t enough on its own. Cook food thoroughly, keep sick family members apart, disinfect contaminated surfaces, and stay home for 48 hours after symptoms end.
Gmarket’s Life+ Costs ₩4,900 a Month: Spend ₩195,000 to Earn It Back
Gmarket will launch a ₩4,900 monthly membership on Nov. 10, bundling Disney+ Standard with Ads with shopping rewards. Members would need ₩195,000 in eligible monthly purchases to earn enough rewards to cover the fee.
Busan Fireworks Festival: Tickets Started at ₩70,000; Bank Sales Have Ended
The 21st Busan Fireworks Festival takes place November 7 at Gwangalli Beach, Igidae and Dongbaek Island. On-site ticket sales at BNK Busan Bank branches ended November 5; some areas at Geumnyeonsan Youth Training Center will be open to the public, with capacity for 550 visitors.
South Korea Fast-Tracks Two Peritoneal Dialysis Devices for Infants and Children
South Korea’s food and drug regulator has designated a pediatric peritoneal dialysis catheter and connection system for expedited import. The devices are intended to help clinicians precisely manage dialysis volumes for small patients with severe acute kidney injury.
5 Reasons South Korea’s Civil Service Candidates Can Defer Appointment
Successful candidates in South Korea’s open civil service exams may request a deferral for reasons including education, military service, illness, pregnancy or childbirth. The hiring agency decides whether to approve it based on staffing needs.
FDA Grants Priority Review to Brukinsa Combination for First-Line Mantle Cell Lymphoma
The FDA accepted BeiGene’s application for Brukinsa plus rituximab as a first-line treatment for adults with mantle cell lymphoma and granted it priority review. The review target is six months; the designation is not an approval.
Should You Wash Eggs and Store Them in the Fridge Door? Keep Them Unwashed and Toward the Back
Store eggs unwashed toward the back of the refrigerator at 4°C or below. Wash your hands and utensils after handling shells, and cook eggs thoroughly to reduce the risk of salmonella food poisoning.
Allergies or a cold? Itchy eyes and no fever may point to allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis often brings recurring itchy eyes or nose and clear nasal discharge, while colds more often come with a sore throat, aches or fever. See a healthcare professional if symptoms disrupt sleep or daily life, or don’t improve with medication.
SSG Food Day Runs Nov. 5–6 With Up to 50% Off Kimchi-Making Ingredients
SSG.com’s SSG Day Food Day runs Nov. 5–6, with discounts of up to 50% on produce and kimchi-making ingredients and buy-one-get-one offers on select packaged foods. SSG Day coupons offer different discount rates and caps based on purchase amount; the broader event runs through Nov. 8.
Goesan Kimchi Festival Opens Today, With 20-Kilogram Making Sessions From 148,000 Won
The 2026 Goesan Kimchi Festival runs Nov. 5–8, with advance-reservation kimchi-making sessions starting at 148,000 won for a 20-kilogram set. The latest official estimate of household kimjang costs for November has yet to be released.
SSG Day Ends Nov. 8: Check Coupon Caps and Shipping Fees
SSG Day runs through Nov. 8, with coupons offering up to 12% off and discount caps that vary by purchase amount. Check coupon stacking, card offers and shipping fees for each item at checkout.
Korea’s Injury Prevention Week Runs Through Nov. 6, With Tips to Prevent Falls, Burns and Medication Accidents at Home
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is observing Injury Prevention Week from Nov. 2 to 6, with programs on older adult falls and teen medication misuse. Checking bathroom floors and lighting, kitchen safety and medication schedules can help lower the risk of everyday accidents at home.
South Korea Adds Four Rare-Disease Drugs to Insurance Coverage; Crysvita Expanded to Adults
South Korea’s National Health Insurance began covering four additional rare-disease treatments on November 1, while Crysvita coverage expanded from children to adults. Eligibility and out-of-pocket costs vary by diagnosis and treatment criteria, so patients should confirm details with their care team.
Yellow Dust Returns to Seoul in November for First Time in 6 Years; More Expected Overnight Nov. 3
Yellow dust was observed in Seoul, parts of the greater capital region and the west coast on Nov. 2. More could move into the capital region and South Chungcheong Province overnight Nov. 3, so check the latest local forecast before heading out.