Must Read News Updates from Korea You May Have Not Heard Before

  • Samsung launches 2025 ‘Bespoke AI One Body’ washer-dryer in Korea with upgraded AI features

    Samsung Electronics began sales in Korea on July 4 of the 2025 model ‘Bespoke AI One Body’ washer-dryer, equipped with a 7-inch ‘AI Home’ touchscreen and enhanced AI capabilities.

    With this upgraded combination washer-dryer model, Samsung aims to expand consumer choice while reinforcing the idea that “AI appliances = Samsung.”

    The 2025 Bespoke AI One Body combines a 25kg-capacity washer on the bottom and a 22kg-capacity dryer on top—making it an optimal solution for consumers who do large loads or prefer separating laundry.

    Smarter connectivity through ‘AI Home’ screen and ‘Bixby’

    The appliance features a 7-inch AI Home touchscreen that allows users to easily check and control washing and drying courses and settings.

    Conveniently positioned at eye level for users standing upright, the screen supports a more natural user experience.

    It includes a ‘3D Map View’ that displays a 3D layout of the home and shows the location and status of connected appliances, enabling seamless control of SmartThings-connected devices.

    It also supports Samsung’s AI voice assistant Bixby, allowing users to control the machine naturally through conversation. It understands unfamiliar or complex commands and remembers previous interactions.

    For example, if a user asks, “Bixby, what’s the detergent-free tub clean cycle?” Bixby will provide an explanation. If the user then says, “Start it,” Bixby remembers the previous question and launches the corresponding cycle.

    AI provides optimal solutions for a more convenient laundry experience

    The 2025 Bespoke AI One Body includes upgraded AI features such as AI Custom Wash+, AI Custom Dry+, AI Vibration and Noise Reduction System, and AI Auto Detergent Dispenser.

    AI Custom Wash+ analyzes the type, weight, and dirt level of the laundry to select the optimal course. It identifies fabric types and adjusts the washing, rinsing, and spinning process accordingly. It even adjusts detergent levels and wash duration based on dirt level during the wash.

    AI can now recognize five fabric types—delicate, towel, normal, denim, and outdoor—up from the previous three.

    AI Custom Dry+ distinguishes between normal, denim, towel, and delicate items. It ensures thick clothes are dried thoroughly and towels come out soft and fluffy by using optimized algorithms for each fabric type.

    Special features also support bedding. AI Bedding Wash and AI Bedding Dry detect the bulk and type of bedding—quickly washing and drying thinner blankets to save water and energy, while providing thorough cleaning and drying for thicker ones to prevent tangling and ensure a fluffy finish.

    The new model includes an upgraded AI Vibration and Noise Reduction System. It detects the washer’s vibration pattern based on the floor it’s installed on to minimize movement. A dual damper absorbs vibrations, reducing spin cycle noise to 51.7dB(A).
    ※ dB(A): A-weighted decibel, representing perceived loudness

    Other convenient features include AI Auto Detergent Dispenser, which automatically adds the right amount of detergent for each load, and Auto Open Door, which automatically opens the door after washing or drying finishes.
    ※ Based on in-house testing; actual results may vary depending on usage environment

    The new model also includes the ‘Direct Water Jet Auto Clean’ feature introduced in the Bespoke AI Combo. It uses high water pressure to clean dust from the heat exchanger automatically, with manual cleaning also available when needed.

    The 2025 Bespoke AI One Body consumes 22.2Wh of electricity per kilogram of laundry—45% lower than the 45.8Wh/kg minimum required for 1st-grade drum washers by the Korea Energy Agency as of July 2025.

    Moon Jong-seung, Executive Vice President of Samsung’s Digital Appliances Business Division, said, “Samsung provides all-in-one, stacked, and separate washer and dryer options so consumers can choose what fits their lifestyle. We will continue to deliver laundry solutions that make daily life more convenient by integrating diverse platforms with personalized AI technology.”

    The new model comes in four colors: Dark Steel, Silver Steel, Greige, and White. Retail prices range from KRW 3,698,000 to KRW 4,348,000 (USD 2,715 to 3,192), depending on specifications.

  • Honolulu Company’s ‘Mooncletrip 2.0’ surpasses 100,000 monthly users

    Group demand-based personalized travel deal platform ‘Mooncletrip 2.0’ | Image by Honolulu Company

    Honolulu Company (CEO Beomsoo Kim), a travel-tech startup and resident company at the Digital Content Company Growth Support Center, has launched its upgraded group demand-based personalized travel deal platform ‘Mooncletrip 2.0,’ achieving over 100,000 monthly active users.

    Founded in 2022 with the goal of promoting a culture where travel is part of everyday life, Honolulu Company gained market attention by commercializing Mooncletrip, a platform that offers ultra-personalized travel experiences through customized recommendations of destinations, accommodations, and travel content.

    Mooncletrip stands out from traditional OTA (Online Travel Agency) platforms with its ability to curate available accommodations and send automatic alerts based on shared customer demand. By analyzing factors such as travel dates, group size and composition, preferences, and desired facilities, the platform identifies common needs among users and recommends suitable lodging options.

    This recommendation-based hyper-personalization not only simplifies the customer’s decision-making and booking process but also enhances profitability for partners. After validating the market through the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) launch in 2023, Honolulu Company refined the platform based on user feedback.

    In September of the following year, the company temporarily suspended the original version and relaunched ‘Mooncletrip 2.0’ in January 2025 with an updated user interface and enhanced features. As a result, the platform reached a record high of over 100,000 monthly active users by May.

    In terms of sustainability, Mooncletrip 2.0 has shown notable success. Its revisit rate reached up to 28%, and conversion rates continue to climb steadily.

    This growth is largely driven by high loyalty among female users in their 30s and 40s, particularly ‘kid-mom’ travelers accompanied by young children. These users, who prioritize play facilities and child-friendly amenities, align well with Mooncletrip’s condition-based matching features, contributing to higher conversion rates.

    CEO Beomsoo Kim stated, “Mooncletrip’s personalized recommendation engine leverages extensive data, including the basic conditions of hotels and pensions, amenity composition, and individual facility status. This makes it highly satisfying for family travelers who seek safe and engaging environments for their children.”

    Currently, Mooncletrip 2.0 has partnered with around 150 domestic affiliates, offering nearly 10,000 accommodation listings. Honolulu Company uses a proprietary algorithm that labels each product based on 300 to 400 core tags, maximizing the precision of personalized recommendations.

    Continuous improvements to the app interface aim to make its unique recommendation features more accessible to traditional OTA users. The company has also enhanced policies for cancellations, refunds, and flexible scheduling to boost overall service quality.

    Looking ahead, Honolulu Company plans to expand its exclusive ultra-discounted deals, ‘Mooncle Deals,’ which are provided by partners targeting group demand. The company will further refine its algorithms to elevate service quality and scale the platform.

    CEO Kim added, “In Korea’s OTA market, on-demand personalized travel platforms are still a novel concept. However, Mooncletrip is steadily building a loyal customer base, and we believe that customer experience will become a powerful growth engine. Honolulu Company remains committed to enhancing customer satisfaction and fostering mutual growth with the domestic travel industry.”

    Honolulu Company is supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and receives consulting for commercialization and investment from the National IT Industry Promotion Agency and the Next-Generation Convergence Contents Industry Association through the Digital Content Company Growth Support Center. The company also participates in external promotional and networking programs to fuel its business development.

    Founded in February 2022, Honolulu Company is a travel-tech startup focused on building convenient, personalized services through proprietary and innovative technologies. The company aims to lead a culture where travel is an everyday experience, differentiating itself from traditional OTAs by developing its own unique platform.

  • KG Mobility launches vehicle subscription service ‘KGM MOBILING’

    KG Mobility (KGM) has launched its new vehicle subscription service ‘KGM MOBILING,’ marking its entry into the mobility platform business.

    ‘KGM MOBILING’ allows users to rent KGM vehicles on a monthly basis, without incurring additional costs such as insurance, taxes, maintenance, deposits, or down payments. The service aims to offer a hassle-free experience by eliminating the financial burdens typically associated with vehicle ownership.

    The name ‘KGM MOBILING’ combines ‘Mobility’ with the present progressive suffix ‘-ing,’ symbolizing a life in constant motion and a spirit of continuous adventure.

    Initially, the service will include models such as Torres, Torres Hybrid, and Actyon, along with the upcoming Actyon Hybrid set for release in July. The lineup will later expand to include eco-friendly and newly launched vehicles. Users can switch their vehicles monthly to suit their lifestyle needs.

    Monthly subscription fees are expected to range from around 700,000 to 800,000 KRW, allowing up to 2,500 kilometers of driving per month, making it a practical option for daily life.

    Vehicle maintenance, including replacement of consumables and regular checkups, is provided free of charge. The service features real-time monitoring of vehicle condition using over 20 types of safety-related data and offers systematic management through a nationwide network of over 1,350 service centers.

    Eligibility is open to Korean nationals aged 26 or older who have held a driver’s license for more than one year and possess a credit card under their own name.

    ‘KGM MOBILING’ is being launched in strategic partnership with Car 123 Jesper, Korea’s top vehicle management outsourcing company, to ensure professional service operation and enhanced customer satisfaction.

    KGM emphasized that ‘KGM MOBILING’ is not just a car rental service but a dynamic mobility platform designed to empower customers to enjoy their daily lives with freedom and confidence. The company plans to expand the service with additional models and lifestyle packages, such as camping options, in the future.