To heal the tiny animals, vet turns to creativity

Specializing in animals from snails to birds to tigers, every patient treated a step towards healing planet, says Choi Young-min Veterinarian Choi Young-min is a beloved figure in the animal care community. A regular on popular TV program “Animal Farm,” Choi treats a wide variety of creatures, from

Oct. 9, 2024

The price of numbers: How rankings shape lives in Korea

Quantifying everything, from school to social progress, once worked wonders for S. Korea. Now, number obsession makes Koreans unhappy. Jang Yun-jeong, 28, grew up in a world where numbers defined her worth. From academic achievements to salary and social status, her standing was calculated in terms

Oct. 6, 2024

[Weekender] Make way for running crews?

They now seem to be everywhere, moving in groups, their presence felt on every corner of Seoul. "Running crews" -- groups of people that meet to run together at a specific time and place, otherwise known as run clubs -- have taken over Seoul's streets, parks and riverside tracks, reflecting the country’s growing obsession with one of the oldest and most basic human activities. "There are tons of them now," said Patrick Hong, 26, a frequent runner on the trails arou

Oct. 5, 2024

Speed of lightning

Find the answer at the bottom. “Roasting beans on a lightning bolt” is an idiom widely used in daily conversation in South Korea. It means that someone is acting with such urgency that they could, figuratively, roast beans on a lightning bolt. The phrase is often used with a rather negative nuance,

Oct. 4, 2024

[EYE] With Hangeul-shaped cookies, duo hopes to bring fun to the table

Tyler Rasch and Nidhi Agrawal, who have called South Korea home for years, are no strangers to wearing many hats. Rasch is a well-known TV personality renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Asian history and culture. He's also an author, translator, social media influencer and climate activist. Agrawal, who moved to Korea in 2016 keen on bridging the Indian and Korean markets, has a background across the IT industry and has juggled numerous TV and lecture appointments. The two public pe

Oct. 3, 2024

From seasonal flu to TB, some foreign residents eligible for free shots

A guide to navigating Korea’s immunization program and checking your eligibility for subsidized vaccinations As the summer heat gives way to the crisp autumn air, it‘s time to start thinking about protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu. If you’re a foreign national resident in South Ko

Oct. 1, 2024

Shut up and dance

A large group of people wearing blue headphones, dance out in the open by the Han River. But no music is blaring. This is a silent disco. Instead of speaker stacks, DJs broadcast their sets directly to wireless headphones, allowing people to adjust the volume to their liking. This creates a more personalized, immersive experience while minimizing noise pollution, meaning people can gather and dance in places they normally couldn't. And in this case, it was the Han River's parks. More

Sept. 30, 2024

Armed Forces Day

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea boasts one of the world‘s strongest military forces, a result of the Korean War (1950-53) having ended in an armistice but without a peace treaty, with continuing threats from nuclear-armed North Korea across the border. The country marks Oct. 1 every year

Sept. 30, 2024

She lost son to suicide. Now she is on front line of suicide prevention

Park In-soon‘s journey from a grieving mom to a voice of comfort for those experiencing personal crises Park In-soon can never forget August 2009. That was the month her son ended his life at 23 years old. Her son had been struggling with depression, but he had told her that he was feeling better. B

Sept. 26, 2024

Why some pet friendly cafes are finding themselves in the dog house

Cho, a 31-year-old cafe owner in Seoul who requested anonymity, used to run a popular spot for pet owners. Her cafe, known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and puppuccinos, a drink for dogs, regularly welcomed customers with their pets. Occasionally, she would bring her own dog to work. But recent government warnings have made it difficult to allow dogs on the premises. “I received a warning from the government about having dogs here,” Cho said. “They told me a complaint was fil

Sept. 24, 2024

Pikki Pikki dance: Korean cheerleader dance routine takes social media by storm

In the middle of a bustling ballgame, a cheerleader casually fixes her makeup, seemingly preoccupied and unbothered — until a catchy beat suddenly brings her to her feet. She seamlessly launches into a dance routine, swiveling and swinging her thumb up and down to the bouncy, squeaky rhythm. This is not your typical cheerleading performance full of energy and acrobatics. Instead, the cheerleader maintains a cool, nonchalant expression as she throws her elbow up in place. The transition fro

Sept. 23, 2024

S. Korea‘s safest cities? Data blackout clouds the picture

A reader asked: which city is the safest in S. Korea? Our attempt to answer this seemingly straightforward question met unexpected challenges Safety ranks high on the list of priorities for South Korean and foreign residents alike when choosing where to live in the country. But despite extensive onl

Sept. 17, 2024

Car accidents shattered her vision – and sparked a new artistic journey

Despite two car accidents leaving her with disabilities, artist Kang Joo-hye inspires resilience, kindness Kang Joo-hye is an artist who has a unique view of the world — literally. Blind in her right eye and experiencing double vision in her left, she chooses to communicate with the world through ar

Sept. 17, 2024

Koreans do things quickly. Is it efficiency or lack of patience?

Korea‘s fast-paced culture is credited with many achievements, but it’s time to learn when, how to slow down In South Korea, speed is key. What needs to be done quickly? Virtually everything. As encapsulated in the running joke that “ppalli ppalli” -- where “ppalli” translates to “quickly” or “hurry

Sept. 16, 2024

Chuseok

Chuseok, one of Korea’s two main traditional holidays, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on Sept. 17, with the day before and the day after also designated as official public holidays. Chuseok is also known by other names, including “Hangawi (한

Sept. 14, 2024