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What if your favorite star's political views oppose your own?
South Korean fandoms are renowned for their deep loyalty, with fans often viewing their idols not just as entertainers, but as role models. Fan connections tend to deepen when their actions receive support from their stars. Members of the K-pop girl group NewJeans, for example, pre-paid for food and beverages at several restaurants near the National Assembly in December last year, to support fans who joined the massive rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol amid the martial
Feb. 4, 2025 -
Baby face obsession: Why Koreans strive to look younger
In a society that celebrates youth and fears aging, pressure to stay young runs deep In South Korea, conversations with strangers traditionally begin by sharing one's age, which helps determine the proper use of honorifics, an important aspect of Korean language, and shapes expectations around people's roles in the relationship. Once ages are shared, it’s very common -- almost expected -- to compliment how much younger someone looks. “You don’t look your age,” one might say, and the other person
Feb. 2, 2025 -
'Treat the boss day,' a decades-old practice in some Korean offices, set to fade away
The practice of subordinates pooling money to treat their bosses to lunch faces discontinuation amid complaints from younger civil servants In a typical hierarchical organization in South Korea, whether public or private, it is generally expected that senior workers will pick up the bill for their juniors. But in some bureaucracies, this expectation is reversed, with subordinates taking turns treating their boss to a meal. The practice, called “treat the boss day,” has unclear origins, but it ha
Jan. 30, 2025 -
This apartment looks eerie, but it may be missed one day
In the heart of Seoul‘s ultramodern cityscape, a dilapidated apartment complex stands as an eerie reminder of the city’s past. The Hoehyeon Simin Apartment, which sits at the foot of Namsan, has gained fame in recent years primarily for its decrepit, post-apocalyptic appearance, making it a sought-after filming location for dark productions such as Netflix‘s “Sweet Home.” Yet, believe it or not, this elevator-less, 10-story apartment was once a symbol of modern urban living. Its 352 identical 38
Jan. 29, 2025 -
After surviving coma on honeymoon, this bride is ready to reclaim bliss of newlywed life
Kim Ye-byeol, recovering from partial paralysis due to a brain hemorrhage, embraces a delayed beginning to life with her devoted husband When Kim Ye-byeol opened her eyes after three weeks lost in the void of unconsciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital bed, with a strange man by her side. The man was calling her name, his voice choked with tears. “He kept talking to me, but I couldn’t hear him clearly and his face appeared to be split in two,” said Kim, now 29 years old, recalling the
Jan. 29, 2025 -
How Korea’s 'dark side' found fame on YouTube
YouTube creators draw millions of views by peeling back the polished image of South Korea to reveal its lesser-known struggles Over the past year, a flood of English-language YouTube clips has garnered millions of views by diving into South Korea’s “dark side.” These viral clips shed light on the country’s intense work culture, skyrocketing housing prices, cutthroat education system, and the grip of chaebol conglomerates on its economy. The allure? A paradoxical mix of glamor and grit. For many
Jan. 28, 2025 -
Retired men are main demographic at Korea's libraries. Why?
We spoke with senior library-goers about the reasons they love spending time there On the second day of the New Year, the National Library of Korea in southern Seoul had its usual visitor profile: senior male citizens forming a predominant majority. A 75-year-old surnamed Lee is among the regulars. He said he comes to the library every morning, has lunch for 5,000 won ($3.45), and stays until 4:30 or 5 p.m. “There’s nowhere to go once you’re over 70. It might be the same for you someday,” he sai
Jan. 27, 2025 -
A $2 kimchi stew with God’s love: How this Catholic priest fights youth hunger
One day, a woman in her 50s dined at Youth Mungan, a small restaurant that serves only one dish, a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae for just 3,000 won, or a little over $2. After finishing her meal, she insisted on paying for everyone's meals that day — a total of around 100,000 won. "It was not that big of a sum. So, I just thought, 'What a nice gesture,'" said Catholic priest Gabriel Lee Mun-su, who runs the restaurant, during his interview with The Korea Herald. But what struck him was what hap
Jan. 22, 2025 -
Sound effects you hear in ‘Squid Game’ are created by this man
Foley artist Lee Chung-gyu says his best work is the kind you won’t notice — perfectly natural, seamlessly part of the story In the second season of “Squid Game,” players vote to end the deadly competition by pressing buttons marked "O" and "X." And in a small studio in Gangnam, Seoul, Foley artist Lee Chung-gyu is bringing that tense moment to life — not by pressing real buttons, but by using children’s toys to mimic the sound. When the recruiter character, played by Gong Yoo, faces off against
Jan. 21, 2025 -
Korean dating shows are having a moment ― What makes them so engaging (or not)?
Fans appreciate 'real' ― even educational ― moments, while others dismiss it as practically scripted. But is there real value in watching others date on TV? We asked both viewers and nonviewers to find out South Korea is in a golden age for dating reality shows. From programs featuring couples with exceptional looks and physiques, like “Heart Signal” and “Single’s Inferno,” to “Love After Divorce,” which focuses on dating among divorcees, and “Last Love” for senior citizens, these shows have mai
Jan. 18, 2025 -
Turkish delivery rider to start own restaurant after accident
Despite valid visa, Samet Yesiltas faces hostility amid rise in illegal foreign drivers For Samet Yesiltas, a 27-year-old Turkish food deliverer in South Korea, wearing a face cover is essential. It's not just to shield him from the cold, but to hide his non-Korean appearance. “When I stop at traffic signs, I often hear curse words from Korean delivery workers, and even ordinary drivers” as soon as they realize he's not Korean, Yesiltas said, speaking in Korean. “It happens a lot these days, but
Jan. 15, 2025