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Reporting, analysis, and commentary on business from Breeze in Busan.

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The Republic of Franchises: Where Every Meal Tastes the Same

What happens when every taste is a brand, every menu is a manual, and every chef follows someone else’s recipe?

May 12, 20259 min read

The Rise of Franchises and the Fall of Korea’s Independent Bakeries

Franchise bakeries have flourished in Korea. But at what cost? Local flavors, food identity, and cultural diversity are disappearing.

May 12, 20257 min read

When Healthcare Becomes a Hashtag: The Ethics of K-Medical Exports

Aesthetic care is thriving — but at what price to the country’s healthcare system? Inside the contradiction between cosmetic excellence and essential care collapse.

May 9, 202510 min read

Why Korea’s Public Delivery Platforms Keep Failing

Once seen as a lifeline for small businesses, publicly funded food delivery apps are shutting down across South Korea. Poor design, weak infrastructure, and lack of sustained strategy reveal a deeper problem: local governments are still treating digital services as short-term campaigns.

April 15, 20258 min read

The Reality of South Korea’s Empty Knowledge Industry Centers

South Korea’s knowledge industry centers were meant to support startups and SMEs, but oversupply and speculative investment have left thousands of office spaces vacant, driving investors into financial distress.

March 10, 20254 min read

South Korea’s Self-Employed Sector Shrinks by 200,000 in Two Months

Self-employment in South Korea has reached a historic low, with the number of small business owners falling below 5.5 million. As debt surges and revenue drops, the future of independent businesses looks uncertain.

March 10, 20254 min read

The Fall of Homeplus: What Went Wrong and What Comes Next?

The decline of Homeplus marks a turning point for South Korea’s retail industry. E-commerce, debt, and shifting consumer habits have reshaped the market—can Homeplus adapt?

March 6, 20254 min read

The Empty Streets of South Korea’s New Towns

South Korea’s new towns, once envisioned as thriving urban hubs, are now facing a crisis of rising commercial vacancies. Empty storefronts and struggling businesses reflect a deeper flaw in urban planning—overestimated commercial demand, rigid zoning laws, and shifting consumer habits.

February 24, 20257 min read

South Korea’s Restaurant Closures Surge to Record High

South Korea’s restaurant industry faces an unprecedented crisis as closures hit record highs, outpacing new openings for the first time in 16 years.

February 13, 20255 min read

KFTC’s Record Fine on Coupang Halts Busan Logistics Center Plans

On June 13, 2024, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) imposed a historic fine of 140 billion won on Coupang for its unfair business practices, including manipulating search algorithms to unfairly prioritize its private label (PB) products. This decision has significant implications for fair competition and local businesses. Coupang, one of South Korea’s largest e-commerce platforms, has been at the center of controversy for manipulating search algorithms to favor its private label products o

June 13, 20243 min read

South Korea's Digital Nomad Visa: A Leap Forward or a Missed Opportunity?

South Korea's recent introduction of the digital nomad visa, effective from January 1, 2024, marks a shift in its approach to remote work and tourism. However, the visa's stringent income requirements and other criteria have sparked debate about its actual effectiveness and appeal. High Income Threshold: A Barrier to Broader Appeal A pivotal aspect of the digital nomad visa is its high income requirement, set at twice the national GNI per capita, translating to an annual income of about 84.96

January 9, 20242 min read

Harim Selected as Preferred Bidder for South Korea's Largest Shipping Company HMM

In a significant development for South Korea's shipping industry, Harim Group Consortium has been chosen as the preferred bidder for acquiring HMM (formerly Hyundai Merchant Marine), the country's largest shipping company. This move paves the way for the formation of a mega national shipping line, equipped with a fleet of over 300 vessels. While the final contract negotiations are pending, the integration of HMM's container-focused fleet with Harim Group's Pan Ocean, primarily a bulk carrier, wo

December 20, 20233 min read

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