[AtoZ into Korean mind] ‘Tell me I fit in'

“Do you think it’s okay to go for a test-drive of a Mercedes Benz car in track pants?” Kim, a veterinarian in her 30s living in Seoul, posed the question via a yes-or-no poll on Instagram. To her relief, over 90 percent of respondents said, “Yes.” “I didn’t want to give the impression that I can’t afford the car, which could make the dealer treat me unkindly. So I asked whether there is a dress code for these events,” Kim said. Instagram and

Dec. 2, 2024

Can government be cool? South Korea's local officials think so

Who says government institutions are boring? In South Korea, the typically not-so-interesting image of state-run organizations and local governments is getting a glow-up, thanks to a growing wave of meme-worthy content that they create. Take Korail, the national railway operator. In a video on its YouTube channel, a real-life KTX train driver waltzes down the aisle of the new KTX Cheongryong train. Dressed in her uniform, she delivered a quirky dance to "Shooting Stars" by Bag Raiders.

Nov. 30, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Mature tastes

Find the answer at the bottom. "Jang" is a traditional Korean fermented condiment made from soybeans, essential in many Korean dishes. It is a broad term for a variety of soybean-based sources, including "doenjang" (soybean paste), "ganjang" (soy sauce), and "gochujang" (red pepper paste). The process of making jang begins with boiling soybeans and mashing them into bricks called “meju.” After fermenting the meju and aging it in brine, the

Nov. 27, 2024

Why cynical, 'memeified' makeovers of kids' characters are so appealing

Disturbing to kids but amusing to older fans, cherished childhood characters have been reimagined online, far removed from their original innocent portrayals. Elsa from "Frozen" transforms into a drunkard, slurring to her sister Anna that she plans to drink more. Mickey Mouse turns out to be a bald human, hiding a receding hairline beneath a detachable wig with mouse ears. And, Winnie the Pooh, no longer the cute teddy bear, has become a weary drive-thru worker at McDonald's, sl

Nov. 27, 2024

[Pressure points] Mourning death on Instagram

When someone you personally know passes away, how do you mourn? For some, posting about it on social media, particularly Instagram, has become a part of the mourning process. Following the death of actor Song Jae-rim on Nov. 12, the platform was flooded with tributes. Friends and colleagues posted memories and heartfelt messages. For instance, broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon shared his sorrow on Instagram. “I am heartbroken that I will never see your wonderful smile again... I failed to care

Nov. 26, 2024

Think you know how kimchi tastes? Wait until you try these regional variations

As winter's icy grip approaches, Koreans roll up their sleeves to prepare a year’s supply of kimchi to ensure they have enough for the cold months ahead. The fermented dish varies in shape and flavor across the nation, with the distinct regional environment influencing kimchi's ingredients, seasonings and presentation. Take a tour of South Korea’s regional kimchi varieties, each adding its own zing to the traditional dish. Their distinct flavor profiles are guaranteed to

Nov. 26, 2024

Wealthy parents ditch Korean passports to get kids into international school

Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific, is a paradise for nature lovers. But in South Korea, this beautiful island nation is gaining attention for a different reason: citizenship shopping. Bae, 30, a housewife living in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, is thinking of acquiring Vanuatu citizenship for the sake of her 4-year-old son. “My son currently attends an English immersion kindergarten. I am hoping he can enroll in international schools (in Korea), instead of local s

Nov. 24, 2024

German shepherds and French poodles... What about Korean Jindo?

On a crisp autumn Sunday morning in Seoul’s World Cup Park, the air buzzed with excitement — and the occasional bark. Sixty Jindo dogs, Korea’s national breed, gathered for a one-of-a-kind parade. The event, “Let’s Go for a Walk, Jindo” (literal translation), aimed to shift public perceptions of these loyal yet often misunderstood companions. “It’s very difficult for Jindo dogs to live in Korea,” said Kim Eun-ho, the event’s organizer

Nov. 21, 2024

Doctor eases pain of tattoo regrets

At a gathering of people with striking facial and body tattoos, a middle-aged man wearing fake tattoo sleeves attempts to blend in. That’s Dr. Park Young-soo, filming for his popular YouTube channel at the Korea Tattoo Convention in Seoul, a major event for tattoo artists in South Korea. He’s there to learn about the latest trends and interact with people from the opposite side of his profession -- removing tattoos. Every day, he meets people who regret their tattoos and seek removal

Nov. 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Webtoon

Find the answer down below. Webtoons are serialized web comics designed for mobile reading. Each episode typically takes around five or so minutes to read, making them accessible for readers on the go. Originating in South Korea, webtoons differ from traditional print cartoons in that they are created exclusively for digital formats, featuring a vertical scrolling layout. Webtoons are immensely popular in Korea, with 4 in 10 adults reading an average of 55 episodes annually, according

Nov. 20, 2024

[Pressure Points] Should schools aim for phone-free learning environment?

The debate over whether to ban smartphones in the classroom continues to rage worldwide. South Korea is no exception, as it looks to address an epidemic of smartphone addiction among young students. In August, Rep. Cho Jung-hun of the People Power Party proposed a bill to limit smartphone use in schools. In October, the National Human Rights Commission reversed its long-standing position, ruling that schools confiscating students' phones is not a violation of their rights. Proponents view

Nov. 19, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Unspoken but often felt, the hurt feelings that Koreans won’t openly share

In Korea, there is a word expressing an emotion that people use with great frequency, though it doesn't translate well into English: “seounhada.” This term, used interchangeably with “seopseophada,” captures a combination of feelings: hurt, disappointment, sadness or a sense of being mistreated, ignored or even offended. It can be a combination of all or any of those feelings, but subtle and not too intense. And here's the kicker — these feelings are often

Nov. 17, 2024

Seoul's top 5 reading retreats

Ever considered indulging in a book-reading binge, right in the heart of the city, yet far from its usual hustle and bustle? The answers are scattered across Seoul's foothills: Forest libraries. These retreats are where book-loving spirits wander through pages and gaze beyond the window to a world written in the language of trees, which shift from the lush green of spring and summer to the golden hues of autumn and the pristine white of winter. Here are a few selected libraries across the

Nov. 16, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Gifts for test-takers

Find the answer at the bottom. In South Korea, it’s common to give well-wishing gifts to those preparing for exams, especially significant ones like the annual college entrance exam, the Suneung. Common gifts include vitamin supplements, stationery items like pencils and analog watches, as well as snacks like rice cakes and taffy. Many of these gifts hold symbolic meaning in addition to their practical purpose. The symbolism of yeot, a traditional Korean taffy made from barley malt a

Nov. 12, 2024

'Are you a T?' is a new put-down in S. Korea

The Myers-Briggs personality test is no laughing matter in South Korea. Though generally regarded as "pseudoscientific," the self-reported Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is immensely popular in Korea, particularly among younger people, as a tool to help them understand both themselves and others. Categorizing everyone into 16 different personality types, the MBTI essentially comes down to a four-letter code, such as ISTP or ENFJ, with each letter suggesting a certain personality trai

Nov. 12, 2024

Raising bookworms or robots? Why private reading academies thrive

How can you cultivate a lifelong love of reading in your child? Reading them a story before bed, sharing stories and regular library visits might come to mind. In Korea, there’s another option that is popular with parents: sending your kids to private reading academies. At a typical one, children read for a designated time, followed by activities such as writing summaries, studying vocabulary and engaging in discussions about the material with the teacher. For older students, the curricu

Nov. 10, 2024

[Pressure points] Do we still need school yearbooks?

Yearbooks have long been cherished as a way to remember the school days, friendships and experiences that shape our youth. However, in South Korea, people are now questioning whether the tradition of creating photo albums featuring all students and faculty should continue. This shift in sentiment comes after an increase in deepfake pornography, where photographs of classmates have been illegally used to create sexually explicit content using artificial intelligence technology. While some are cal

Nov. 7, 2024

[LLG] Typical Korean weddings were too boring. So they made their own

If you’ve ever attended a Korean wedding, you know the drill: First, hand over an envelope of congratulatory money at the front desk to receive your meal coupon, then either attend or skip the ceremony itself, which typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Enjoy a sit-down or buffet meal during which the couple, after the formal wedding ceremony, make their rounds to each table, thanking the guests. But that wasn’t the wedding day that Rebecca Nour, a Lebanese American influencer, ha

Nov. 6, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Mystery bride

Find the answer at the bottom. "Ureong Bride" is a Korean folktale about a widowed peasant and a mysterious, generous woman who comes into his life. In Korean, the title reveals the maiden’s secret right away: she is not a human but an “ureong,” a freshwater river snail that inhabits streams and rice paddies. Here is one version of the story. Long ago, a poor, widowed farmer found a fist-sized river snail without its shell near a rice paddy. Concerned that the

Nov. 6, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Ever noticed some Koreans talk to themselves?

An older Korean person at your usual bus stop mumbles something that sounds almost like a question about the weather. To be polite, you respond, only for them to glance at you and dismiss it casually with a shrug, saying, "Oh, I was just talking to myself." A 36-year-old American living in Seoul surnamed Rodriguez recalls encountering this situation upon first arriving here. Near him, an older Korean woman had murmured in Korean, “It's so cold." Assuming she was speakin

Nov. 3, 2024