It’s January, the month of resolutions.
It’s not uncommon for New Year’s resolutions made with excitement, thinking, ‘I’m going to be a better me this year,’ to fall apart by February, but I commend myself for challenging myself every year!
What are some ways you can make this January most rewarding and meaningful?
1. Burnout Out! New Year’s Mind Reset Retreat
What better way to start the new year than with a mindful retreat in a quiet city center temple? Bongnyeongsa Temple in Suwon City is planning a “2026 New Year: Mind Reset Temple Stay” is the perfect way to do just that. You can meditate, have tea with a monk, and find peace of mind once again. You’ll be able to clear your mind of all the nagging regrets and worries, such as “Did I live well last year?” and start the new year with a light heart.
โฐSaturday, January 3, January 10, January 24, January 31, January 24, January 31, January 31, 2016 14:00 – 12:00
๐๏ธ์์ฝ์ here!
๐Bongnyeongsa Temple, 236-54, Changryong-daero, Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do (Naver link)
You can also visit the Temple Stay website for more information on temple stays at temples across the country!
2. Start a new hobby with just three days’ notice
Learning a new skill in the new year is always a good idea, and one-day classes are a great way to try something new without feeling guilty about the guilt that comes with it!
The Comptable Pastry Studio in Daehak-ro, Seoul, is hosting a one-day baking class. Learn how to make gourmet desserts that look as good as they taste. Your homemade cake will be a special New Year’s gift that will impress your friends and family.
๐Comme Table,2F, Yunseo Building, 25-1, Daehak-ro 14-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
If you’re not into baking and want to try one-day classes in crafts, ceramics, and more, check out the Somsidang app.
3. Level up your education in the new year!
It’s a good idea to read a lot, see a lot, and experience a lot of good things in the new year.
world art festa
The World Art Festival will be held at COEX in January next year. With 2000 artists’ works on display, you’re guaranteed to find plenty to see!
We are especially looking forward to the special exhibition of Salvador Dalรญ. Original drawings, prints, and tapestries by the world-renowned surrealist artist will be on display, and some of them will even be available for purchase.
In addition, works priced under 500,000 won will be on display and for sale, so why not invest in art instead of stocks in the new year?
January 22 (Thursday) 16:00-19:00 (*Pre-entry at 14:00 for VIP ticket holders only)
January 23 (Fri) 11:00-19:00
January 24 (Sat) 11:00-19:00
January 25 (Sun) 11:00-17:00
๐๏ธํฐ์ผ์ here!
๐COEX Hall C, 3F, 513 Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea (Naver map)
Candlelight: The Musical World of Joe Hisaishi
Here’s your chance to hear the music of Joe Hisaishi, the master composer behind the scores for some of the most popular Ghibli films, including Howl’s Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro, and Spirited Away, in a classical performance. The familiarity of the melodies makes it easy for even the most advanced classical musicians to get into the swing of things, and the candlelit setting adds an extra layer of depth and enchantment to the performance. Familiar, moving, and romantic, this performance is sure to enrich your cultural knowledge.
โฐSaturday, January 10, 2026 at 21:00 and Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 19:00
Tickets: ๐๏ธํฐ์ผ์ here!
๐ Venue: Jeongdong 1928 Art Center, 130 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
4. Run like a red horse in 2026! New Year’s Sunrise Run
It would be a shame if your New Year’s resolutions didn’t include exercise, so break free from self-destructive diets and boring, repetitive workout routines and kick off 2026 with a healthy and energetic New Year’s Sunrise Run.
There is a 10-kilometer round-trip course that starts at the lower track stadium at Sinjeonggyo in Yeongdeungpo and takes in Omokgyo Bridge, Mokdong Bridge, Yangpyeong Bridge, Yanghwa Bridge, and Anyang Cheonhapsubu, and there is also a 5-kilometer course that takes in Omokgyo Bridge and Mokdong Bridge and returns. Let’s run like a red horse, the symbol of 2026, while watching the sun rise for the first time in the new year.
Registration is open until 12 noon next Monday, December 15, so if you’re interested, head on over to the registration link!
โฐJanuary 1, 2026 at 09:00
๐๏ธ์ ์ฒญ์ here!
๐Shinjeonggyo Lower Athletics Track, 62, Yeongdeungpo-ro 2-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (Naver map)
5. Global Insider Challenge: Master a Foreign Language
You’ve been putting off studying English, and you want to start learning a new language, but you’re afraid.
If you want to learn a new language, but you’re afraid to start over, or if you don’t know how to learn a new language, Seoul National University has a program for you. Not only English, but also Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Russian, and Spanish classes will start in January. The enrollment period ends on December 15th, so check it out and achieve your language goals this year!
Classes start Monday, January 5, 2026 – Friday, January 30, 2026
Registration period: Monday, December 15, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
Additional Registration Period: Saturday, January 3, 2026 – Wednesday, January 7, 2026
๐๏ธ๋ More information here!
๐Seoul National University Language Institute, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul,Korea (Naver map)
6. Solo Hell OUT! How to Start as a Couple in January
Revive your dead love cells in January! There are various solo parties happening all over Seoul, why not go?
In 2026, when we want to love and be loved to our hearts’ content, let’s go find our own person. Sundabang near Gyeongui-seon Forest Road in Mapo-gu is actively holding rotating blind dates. With blind dates for all ages and idealized tastes, there have been many successful couples and even late marriages. It’s time for you to be part of the success story!
Check out ๐๏ธ๋ for more information on the MUNTO app!
Starting a new year doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just giving a warm gazeto the person you were last year, encouraging them, and taking a little courageto try something new will be the first step to a brilliant and meaningful 2026.