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Korea has a ‘whale festival’ at the end of September 2024 you don’t want to miss

South Korea’s anticipated whale-themed festival is back this autumn along the coast of Ulsan.

Ulsan, South Korea’s industrial powerhouse, is home to giants like Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.

The city boasts a huge GDP of over US$55 billion and a per capita GRDP of approximately US$45,500—the highest among the country’s metropolitan cities.

Once struggling with pollution, Ulsan has improved its status through green initiatives like restoring the Taehwa River.

Now known as Korea’s cleanest city, Ulsan’s eco-friendly change is a model for other cities worldwide.

From 26 to 29 September 2024, the port town will come alive with multimedia performances, parades, and concerts celebrating its rich maritime heritage at the Jangsaengpo Whale Culture District (장생포고래문화특구).

Located in Ulsan, Korea’s only whale-themed district offers several attractions.

Jangsaengpo was once a thriving fishing village but became known for whaling before a 1986 ban.

To revitalize the area, the district created cultural spots like the Whale Museum in 2005.

Now, visitors can explore the warehouse, and village and take whale-watching cruises.

The museum also showcases whale skeletons and artifacts.

Feel free to ride the monorail or try traditional games featured in the hit show “Squid Game.”

Now in its 28th year, the 2024 Ulsan Whale Festival promises four days and nights of entertainment under the theme “The Dream of Jangsaengpo, the Hope of Ulsan!”.

Kicking off with an opening ceremony on 26 September featuring special effects and a massive holographic whale display, the festival offers something for everyone with musical productions, DJ parties on the waterfront, and the hugely popular 1 km Night Parade illuminated by floating LED artwork.

Educate yourself about Korean whale culture at the Jangsaengpo Cultural Warehouse, home to media exhibitions like the “Claude Monet: An Immersive Experience” show, and enjoy short films screened in the rooftop W Theater, or bag home some souvenirs at the flea market.

Don’t forget to feed your tummies at Jangsaeng Restaurant while enjoying the surrounding sea/city views.

Seo Dong-wook, Mayor of Nam-gu, Ulsan, shared that they have worked tirelessly to elevate the Ulsan Whale Festival by producing in-house media content that reflects the unique theme of Korea’s only whale culture, adding that they hope visitors will leave with cherished memories from this one-of-a-kind festival.

What is the fastest way to get to Jangsaengpo Whale Culture District from Seoul?

I would recommend you get your plane tickets from Gimpo International Airport to Ulsan as it will only take an hour.

A one-way ticket should cost you around $50…

Image Credits: skyscanner.com.sg

Once you reach Ulsan Airport, take a 35-minute taxi ride to Jangsaengpo Whale Culture District.

You can tell the taxi driver to drop you off at “장생포고래문화특구”.

The taxi fee should come out to be approximately 14,000 KRW.

Have fun in Ulsan if you’ve never been there before!

This new “Pamper Yourself” K-beauty box worth $237+ is yours to bag home at just $67+

We’re a little late on this September’s K-beauty box but there’s still time left this month to purchase your share.

Here’s what you get in Olive Young’s “Pamper Yourself” edition worth $237+:

FULL SIZE

ROUND LAB Pine Calming CICA Ampoule 30ml

Is hormonal havoc turning your skin into a war zone?

Cica pine to the rescue.

This lightweight ampoule packs soothing plant extracts that hit the fast-forward button on calming irritated complexions.

Redness, rosacea flare-ups, and hormonal breakouts don’t stand a chance against its botanical blend.

But don’t mistake this green cure-all for a harsh, drying treatment—it’s fortifying your skin’s defense barrier while delivering a dose of hyaluronic acid hydration.

Just a couple of soothing drops after toning is all it takes to have this ampoule’s reparative powers fully absorbed and visibly restoring your complexion to its former glory.

Cica pine FTW.

iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream 60ml

Coddled by a blend of Centella Asiatica and Tea Tree Leaf Waters, this calming cream swaddles sensitive skin.

More than just a moisturizer, its 72% Centella Asiatica Leaf Water helps reduce redness and irritation while shielding skin from environmental stressors through a patented fresh buds complex.

Gentle for all skin types, it moonlights as a brightening and wrinkle treatment, imparting a dewy radiance.

No more tight, inflamed complexions, only relief and anti-aging benefits your sensitive skin craves.

Your new glow-to routine starts with this gel cream.

SUNGBOON EDITOR Deep Collagen Anti Wrinkle Lifting Mask 37g x 4ea

Ditch the ordinary sheet masks—this collagen-concentrated jelly pack is THE way to achieve a lifted, line-free complexion.

As the silky gel melts into your skin, it infuses collagen that becomes virtually invisible once absorbed.

You will certainly feel its effects, thanks to a refreshing mint blend that tightens pores while delivering an ice-cold shot of hydration; the inclusion of xylitol and the patented AQUAXYL ingredient means this mask offers cooling moisture that lasts longer than your evening shower.

Simply smooth it on before bed and let the collagen solution work its anti-wrinkle magic overnight.

By morning, you will be glowing.

SKINFOOD Black Sugar Perfect Essential Scrub 2X 210g

This is one deliciously gritty facial treat—a black sugar and rice wine scrub that buffs away dullness to reveal a smooth complexion.

Don’t be fooled by its jet-black hue; the SKINFOOD Black Sugar Perfect Essential Scrub 2X harnesses the exfoliating might of black sugar and rice wine, plus fruity extracts, to slough off dead skin cells and minimize the appearance of clogged pores.

Massage the scrub in circular motions and allow the blend to work.

Meadowfoam and macadamia oils make it a hydrating experience that leaves skin velvety soft without stripping.

Indulge 1 to 3 times weekly to delay moisture loss.

BRINGGREEN Tea Tree Cica S.O.S Spot Patch 75+25 Counts

Fed up with pesky blemishes?

BRINGGREEN’s Tea Tree Cica S.O.S Spot Patch takes the stress out of dealing with those problem areas.

This hydrocolloid patch adheres snugly to the skin, delivering a combi of tea tree leaf oil, cica, and salicylic acid right where you need it most.

Three different sizes let you customize your DIY treatment, whether you need higher coverage or a precision strike on that one stubborn spot.

Just slap one on in the morning and let the natural ingredients do their thing while you go about your day.

With 75+25 patches per pack, you’re covered for weeks of clear-skin confidence.

espoir Dewlike Jello Glowrizer 40ml

The espoir Dewlike Jello Glowrizer is a moisture-filled water gel essence that drenches skin in long-lasting hydration.

But it does more than just quench—it also smooths and softens, thanks to the rose peptides and rose flower capsules.

That floral formula creates a dewy glow that lets your skin’s natural radiance shine through.

As if that wasn’t enough, this essence packs an antioxidant punch with vitamin C and acai berry to protect against free radicals.

And niacinamide joins the party to give you an even and luminous complexion.

Simply put, it’s a moisture-meets-radiance formula for a lit-from-within look.

BRAYE Lipsleek

Prep your pout (and cheeks!) for some serious color payoff with Braye’s Lipsleek.

This buildable, melty tint blends into lips and cheeks for a natural-looking flush.

But keep layering and watch it transform into a pigmented look.

It’s a blendable, melting texture that melds into skin and builds with every swipe.

This multitasking 2-in-1 formula is packed with apple seed oil and hyaluronic acid for serious moisturizing power.

Available in over 5 shades ranging from subtle to sassy, this lip product offers versatility.

The buildable color glides on easily while the stick packaging makes it easy to reapply on the go.

Comes with a silicon brush in the “Pamper Yourself” K-beauty box for fuss-free application.

TRAVEL SIZE

ROVECTIN Pore Care Cleansing Foam 10ml

Say annyeong to those pits with this pore-shrinking cleansing foam.

ROVECTIN’s Pore Care Cleansing Foam is a deep pore detox that discharges blackheads and whitehead buildup—even those stubborn ones that never seem to budge.

Charcoal powder acts like a magnet, drawing out the dirt and oil clogging your complexion, while the patented green fruit complex gets down and dirty to unclog every last pore.

Pores will look 19.56% smaller after just one use.

And those anti-inflammatory ingredients halt excess oil production to keep shine at bay.

Consider this a one-way trip to pore perfection.

Get Olive Young’s BEAUTY BOX SEPTEMBER (Pamper Yourself Box) at $67+ here.

Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to S’pore Comes to a Close

Arriving from Timor-Leste, Pope Francis marked the final leg of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour with a visit to Singapore. At 87, the Pope continues to defy concerns about his health as he travels from the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea to Jakarta’s grand mosque. Despite his reliance on a wheelchair, walking sticks, and aides, he has maintained an impressive pace as he energized crowds with impromptu call-and-response moments and braving the tropical heat for hours at a time.

Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth, welcomed the Pope and his entourage upon landing. He was presented with flowers by local schoolchildren in a warm reception. Pope Francis is only the second pope to set foot in the Lion City, following a brief five-hour layover by Pope John Paul II in 1986.

PAPAL MASS AT THE NATIONAL STADIUM

The highlight of Pope Francis’ three-day visit to Singapore (from September 11-13, 2024) was an afternoon Mass at the 55,500-seater National Stadium on September 12, held in celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. Attendance at this historic event was determined through a balloting system via myCatholicSG accounts, with results announced last August 19, 2024.

Just a brief history: Singapore’s oldest surviving Catholic church, the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, was built between 1843 and 1847. Moreover, there are approximately 395,000 Catholics in the country according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. Pope Francis sees Singapore as a strategic platform to reach not only the region but also the world, highlighting its significance in his global mission.

KEY ADDRESS AT NUS

During his address to Singapore’s authorities, civil society representatives, and members of the diplomatic corps at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Pope commended the country’s transformation from humble beginnings. He praised its “unwavering commitment” to initiatives that have fueled its rapid development, acknowledging that this success was the result of the people’s careful planning and rational decision-making.

Pope Francis paid tribute to Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, whose leadership laid the groundwork for the nation’s growth and modernization. He also stressed that Singapore’s achievements extend beyond economic progress, highlighting its dedication to social justice, care for the poor, and the protection of migrant workers. “These migrants contribute greatly to society and should be guaranteed a fair wage,” he added.

A recurring theme in the Pope’s message was the responsible use of technology. He urged Singaporeans to harness technological advancements to “promote understanding and solidarity,” warning against the dangers of isolating individuals in a “false and intangible reality.”

The Pope also praised Singapore’s harmonious coexistence of various ethnicities, cultures, and religions, recognizing it as a model for peaceful multicultural living. The Pope has long been advocating for environmental awareness and sustainable choices. Thus, he thanked Singapore for its commitment to environmental sustainability, expressing his hope that the nation’s future efforts would continue to reflect a spirit of inclusiveness.

A PRAYER FOR SINGAPORE

Pope Francis took time to pray for Singapore’s leaders, asking that God guide them in responding to the needs of their people. He expressed his hope that the country would continue its mission of inclusivity and harmony, for the betterment of all.

Sources:1,2, & 3

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