Hi, how have you been this week?👋

Next week is already Chuseok, but it's still so hot in Korea. It's unbelievable that we're having heatwave warnings in September—what is going on with this weather!🤬

As mentioned, next week is Chuseok in Korea.🇰🇷 It's one of the country's major holidays. Chuseok is a special day when families and relatives gather to express gratitude, share meals, and enjoy traditional foods.

In this newsletter, I’ll introduce four of Seoul’s major palaces that are offering free admission in celebration of Chuseok.💡

Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty.

The palace grounds are spacious with plenty to see, making it a great place to leisurely stroll around and explore.

📍 Location: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (about a 5-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line 3)

🗓️ Dates: 9/14 (Sat) - 9/18 (Wed) 09:00 - 18:00 (last admission at 17:00)

You can catch re-enactments of historical ceremonies from the Joseon Dynasty, like the 'Sumunjang (Royal Guard) Changing Ceremony,' where guards switch posts at the palace gates. There's also the 'Sumunjang Patrol Ceremony,' where guards would patrol the palace and nearby areas at night to prevent theft or fires.⛔️

🔹 Royal Guard Changing Ceremony: 10:00, 14:00

🔹 Royal Guard Patrol Ceremony: 15:00

🔹 Gwanghwamun Parade: 11:00, 13:00

Changdeokgung Palace is the only one of the four major palaces that’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.✨

📍Location: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (a 5-minute walk from Anguk Station, Line 3)

🗓️ Open from 9/14 (Sat) to 9/18 (Wed), 09:00 - 18:00 (last entry at 17:00)

Changgyeonggung Palace is directly connected to Changdeokgung and was mainly used as a living space for the royal family.

📍 Location: 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (a 20-minute walk from Anguk Station on Line 3, or a 12-minute walk from Hyehwa Station on Line 4)

🗓️ Open from 9/14 (Sat) to 9/18 (Wed), 09:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 20:00)

Munjeongjeon Hall inside Changgyeonggung Palace is where the king met with officials, received reports, and made important policy decisions.📚

Unfortunately, due to event preparations, Munjeongjeon will not be accessible from 13:00 to 21:00. If you want to visit, it’s recommended to go early in the morning‼️

Deoksugung Palace feels like stepping into a peaceful, spacious park.🏞️

It’s especially beautiful when the leaves change color in the fall, and the whole place seems to glow with a special charm.

📍 Location: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (just a 1-minute walk from City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2)

🗓️ Open from 9/14 (Sat) to 9/18 (Wed), 09:00 - 21:00 (last entry at 20:00), with special night openings"

If you're a K-pop fan, there's one show you can’t miss—it’s Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC)!💪

It’s a show where various K-pop idols compete in different sports events. First aired in 2010, it has become a holiday special that airs every Chuseok and Lunar New Year with events like track and field, bowling, rhythmic gymnastics, archery, and more.⚽️

Although injury of artists and for various reasons, it still has a special appeal for fans. It gives you a chance to see your favorite artists up close, showing off a different side of their personalities as they compete in sports. That’s why ISAC continues to be a fan favorite, offering K-pop lovers some unforgettable moments.💭

This year’s ISAC has an awesome MC lineup featuring Jun Hyun-moo, Lee Chan-won, Kang Daniel, and NMIXX's Haewon, with trot singers Jang Min-ho, Young-tak, and Jung Dong-won joining in to keep things lively and fun for the whole family.⚡️

This year's ISAC will hold a total of five events, including field, archery, futsal, dance sports newly established in 2022, and breaking dance🕺 newly established this year. 

One of the best parts of ISAC that fans absolutely love is the idols’ fan tribute!🎁

Tribute is how idols show their appreciation to fans in a special way. Whether it’s handing out snacks or giving little gifts, these moments make fans feel truly valued. It’s always heartwarming to see idols take time out of their busy schedules to connect with fans in such a meaningful way..❤️

And when they recognize fans who’ve been cheering them on all day during the competitions, you can feel the love! It’s these moments that make fans fall for their idols even more.

Let's see what kind of unique tributes there were this year!

BTOB's Seo Eunkwang truly lives up to his nickname, "Seo Sujong," with his thoughtful tribute returns! Participating in a futsal event meant that fans had to wait outside in the heat, so he went the extra mile to provide some cool relief. He gifted items like umbrellas, cooling sprays, cooling patches, and cushions to help fans beat the heat.🧊

But that’s not all! He also included Stanley tumblers filled with drinks, Outback gift cards, and even Kwangnyang’s madeleines! Fans must have felt so appreciated and energized by his generous support!🥹

BOYNEXTDOOR really brought their A-game with the most MZ-style tribute among 4th-gen idols! Who would’ve guessed they’d serve yogurt ice cream (yoajung)🍨 as tribute?!🤯💙

The members personally chose everything from yoajung, sunscreen, cleansing foam, and sandwiches to salads, bakery treats, and even dosirak (packed lunches)…..

Talk about next-level tribute!!! 💝

LUN8’s tribute is hands down the grandest tribute I’ve ever seen!❤️‍🔥

100,000 won Haidilao gift cards, Dubai chocolates (they're really MZ…🥇), bus reservation, Samgyetang and even snacks. And mini video call fan meeting‼️

This tribute is a feast for both your eyes and your taste buds! Isn’t this exactly what tribute is supposed to be?!📞

Have you ever heard of an idol offering taxi coupons as a tribute?🚖

While it’s common for idols to provide buses for their supporting fans, Ichillin’s taxi coupons are a true game changer!

Even if the recording wraps up late at night, you can feel safe getting home with Ichillin’s taxi coupon.❤️

They already go above and beyond by providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, but now they’re also covering taxi fares! How can you not adore Ichillin?☺️

That's all for this week's newsletter~!💌

We'll take a break next week for the Chuseok holiday and return the week after. See you then!🙌

Wishing all our FanWorker friends a delightful holiday filled with delicious food!🌰🌕