People learn to surf at Songjeong Beach in Haeundae District, Busan, on Aug. 3.YONHAP
And just like that, it's the start of a new week! It is absolutely steaming in the capital as a heat wave continues across the country. Here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, the mercury rose well into the high 30s in Seoul, while hotter temperatures were felt in the nation's south. Weddings in Korea are on the comeback, and venues are looking at new ways to entice couples to celebrate their special day with them. In other news, a new survey has found that almost half of Koreans have been asked to work while on leave.
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Today's top story
KOREA
Heat wave spreads as Seoul nears 38 degrees Celsius, South Jeolla heat index hits 40C
Extreme heat is expected to spread farther west on Monday, sending daytime highs in the Seoul metropolitan area to as high as 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
The heat index is also expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius in parts of South Jeolla.
"Daytime highs on Monday are expected to range from 33 to 39 degrees Celsius, similar to Sunday," the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said. "Temperatures in South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang are expected to exceed 39 degrees Celsius, bringing extreme heat at life-threatening levels."
Hotels reinvent wedding services as marriages in Korea rebound
Rather than relying on lavish floral arrangements and luxury services, hotels are turning to storytelling through immersive, personalized designs to distinguish themselves
Nearly half of Korean workers asked to work while on leave: Survey
Of the 48.8 percent of 1,000 employed adults who had received work-related calls or texts during vacation, 37.7 percent stated that they had accepted the requests and worked from home or another location.
New a-peel: Potato chips revamp image from junk food to healthy snack
The shift in perception and the variety of chip flavors have resulted in Korean food companies pulling in hundreds of billions of won on potato-based snacks alone.
Trouble brewing as budget coffee chains raise their prices
Rising ingredient and operating costs are pushing low-cost coffee brands in Korea to raise prices, stirring worries that their affordability edge may be fading.
Actor Kim Soo-hyun says he's happy to be greeting fans again in brand ambassador video after 16-month hiatus
Kim Soo-hyun appeared in an Instagram post by lifestyle brand Bench, marking his first official promotional activity since he suspended his career following allegations about his relationship with late actor Kim Sae-ron.
