[Survive & Thrive] Transportation (1): Free transfers within 30 minutes

Getting around in any of South Korea's major cities is easy and convenient, thanks to the cheap and extensive public transportation system. As the first segment in a four-part series on South Korea's mass transit systems, this article will review how to transfer between buses, the subway and other forms of transportation. The transfer system allows passengers to switch between different types of public transport without paying an additional fee. To avoid paying any extra charges, one

May 9, 2023

5 most popular Korean universities for international students

Of all colleges and universities in South Korea, Hanyang University had the highest number of international students last year, with a total of 6,999 enrolled -- 4,816 at its main campus in Seoul and 2,183 at its branch campus in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province -- according to data on Monday. Kyung Hee University came next with 6,912 students, followed by Sungkyunkwan University with 6,676, according to the data compiled by the Korean Educational Development Institute. These colleges were followed by Y

May 8, 2023

Lopsided doctor supply and demand clouds future of health care

Early this year, a 45-year-old former office worker became well known for enrolling at a provincial university’s medical college to learn with classmates less than half his age. He quit SK, his employer of 17 years, and took the annual college entrance exam called Suneung three times to become a medical student. A YouTube video of him sharing how he studied for the test garnered millions of hits. Appearing on a television show, the man surnamed Kwak said he started thinking about pursuing

May 8, 2023

[Weekender] Laser skin treatments, full course meals: luxury life of pets in Korea

Treating oneself to a full course meal and a laser skin treatment at a high-end dermatologist sounds like something out of the life of the superrich. In South Korea, it’s a reality for some of the country's luckiest pets. Luxury laser treatments La Peau Claire, a skin clinic located in Seoul’s affluent Cheongdam-dong, provides laser treatment services for cats and dogs. The clinic, which opened last month, is a trailblazer in Korea’s pet dermatology industry. It’

May 6, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Happy holidays

You can find the correct answer(s) at the bottom of the page. Unlike in a number of other countries, where fathers and mothers are honored on separate days, South Korea has a special day that celebrates both, Parents' Day, on May 8 every year. A week later, on May 15, the country honors teachers, which is fitting as teachers have often been compared to parents in Korean traditional culture. Neither of these days are national public holidays, although Children's Day on May 5 is. It

May 3, 2023

ADHD pills, caffeine tabs and glucose candies: Daechi students' study aids

Seoul's ritzy southern neighborhood of Daechi-dong is the hub of Korea's private education, where hundreds of private cram schools cater to students vying to enter the country’s prominent universities. On April 3, an appalling scam targeting unsuspecting students on the streets of this neighborhood sent shockwaves across the nation. Over 100 bottles of drinks laced with methamphetamines and ecstasy were distributed, falsely marketed as study aids to enhance concentration and me

May 2, 2023

How S. Korea-US alliance became more than a military treaty

The South Korea-US alliance, formed 70 years ago in the wake of the Korean War, has evolved to be more than a military pact. It is a cornerstone for all aspects of the Seoul-Washington ties, encompassing the economy, culture and shared values. The alliance’s beginning dates back to Oct. 1, 1953 when two sides signed the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty. It was in the aftermath of the 1950-53 war on the Korean Peninsula, during which some 37,000 Americans died alongside South Koreans. When th

April 27, 2023

[Korean History] Families separated by war reunite on live TV

"History through The Korea Herald” revisits significant events and issues over seven decades through articles, photos and editorial pieces published in the Herald and retells them from a contemporary perspective. – Ed. In the summer of 1983, Seoul’s Yeouido Park and the nearby area surrounding a TV station building turned into a sea of people, each clutching signboards covered with the details of someone they were searching for. Thousands had gone there to post a poster fo

April 26, 2023

[Survive & Thrive] Renting a home: Jeonse, wolse and everything in between

Navigating the rental market in South Korea requires understanding two key terms and their concepts: "Wolse" and "jeonse." Wolse, which means monthly rent, is self-explanatory: Tenants pay a deposit and the monthly rent to live in the residence. But the deposit is usually much higher than most other countries, conventionally equal to or more than 10-months' rent. A quick scope of the Cheongpa-dong area near Seoul Station showed that a studio of 22 square-meters cost 500,

April 26, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Meal in a box

A typical Korean meal consists of bap (rice), guk (soup) and banchan (side dishes). A portable meal packed in a box for school, work or a picnic is called "dosirak." While records of dosirak go back to the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), they became more popular during the period of rapid economic growth beginning in the 1960s. Before school and office cafeterias were widespread, homemade dosirak packed in metal or plastic containers with compartments were a must. A typical lunch dosirak

April 26, 2023

[Subway Stories] Subway music gains newfound interest

As the train rolls toward the platform, a familiar tune begins to play. An announcement, first in Korean and then in English, follows soon after. It's a simple melody, yet one that is instantly recognizable to not just Seoulites but anyone who has spent some time in the city. It is the sound of the Seoul subway. Recently, it seems there has been a newfound appreciation for the subway platform music. Jonah Aki, an American choreographer who has lived in Seoul for a decade, owes much of his r

April 22, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Hero’s return

You'll find the correct answer at the bottom of the page. Korea's tumultuous history has inspired a myriad of memorable period pieces, both on the silver and small screens. The 2018 drama "Mr. Sunshine" on Netflix, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-ri, is one such case. Set in the early 1900s, the show is based on the story of Korean independence fighter Hwang Ki-hwan, particularly his struggles against Japan for his native country's sovereignty. South Korea recently

April 19, 2023

[History Through The Korea Herald] How tragedy of Kim Duk-goo changed boxing forever

"Boxer Kim clinging to life in coma," reads the top story of the sports page in the Nov. 16, 1982 edition of The Korea Herald. The article recounts how South Korean boxer Kim Duk-goo was barely kept alive on life support after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage during a World Boxing Association lightweight championship fight in Las Vegas. The neurosurgeon who operated on Kim was quoted as saying that his chances of survival were very slim. Three days prior, the 27-year-old faced defending

April 19, 2023

[Korean Dilemma] Can we blame public education?

When talking about education, South Koreans often attribute their rising spending on children’s lessons outside school to an undemanding public education. My daughter, who went to a Singaporean public primary school for a year and half, and now goes to a Korean public elementary school, said the latter is less work and more fun. I did tell her once that I heard Korean kids do much of their studying at hagwon, or cram schools, and that I agree it is strange, but that’s how things are

April 18, 2023

[Survive & Thrive] Korean ‘villas’ are not what you expect

An introductory guide to Korea's housing would be incomplete without an explanation of the prevalence of apartment homes -- the tall, uniformly structured, multi-unit buildings that Koreans commonly refer to as “apateu." Commonly found in urban spaces, apartment complexes often consist of a set of buildings with multiple identical or similar units per floor, equipped with modern amenities such as elevators, security systems, shared gym facilities and on-site parking. There is ano

April 18, 2023

[Korean History] Lifting of curfew in 1982 signals exit from era of repression in daily life

Every night at 10 p.m., over soft music, a female voice actor on the radio would tell teenagers to go home as it had gotten late. After 11 p.m., people would rush to take the last buses and taxis. All stores and bars would close before 11:30 p.m. At the stroke of midnight, sirens would blare and steel barricades would be placed on the streets. Neighborhood patrollers would blow their whistles at anyone still out on the street and those spotted would do their best to run away. This was South Kore

April 12, 2023

[Korea Quiz] How to become a Korean

Find the answer at the bottom of the page. To become a South Korean citizen, one must undergo one of three types of naturalization: general, simple or special. Most people wanting to acquire South Korean citizenship go through the general process, which requires a minimum five years of consecutive stay and a permanent address here. The simple and special processes require less time, but require applicants to meet specific criteria. Those with a parent that had been a South Korean citizen can

April 12, 2023

Black Hawk Village, an American town in the middle of Seoul

On a recent Tuesday morning, a sense of calm pervaded Black Hawk Village, a remnant of the Yongsan Garrison, the old headquarters of the US Forces Korea. Once home to American soldiers and their families, the village of 18 buildings is a relic from a time when the foreign military had its headquarters right in the heart of Seoul. For Hwang, a bride-to-be in her 20s, however, it is the perfect backdrop for her pre-wedding photo shoot. “The hues of the brownish-red buildings, green lawns and

April 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] Fighting for diversity in the 'Land of Squid Game'

For many Koreans, the name Min Byoung-chul rings a bell. In the 1980s, his “Practical English” book series introduced learners to “wanna” and “gonna” instead of “want to” and “going to," which were taught in local textbooks. An educational TV show bearing his name attracted millions of people who aspired to learn “real” English as spoken by Americans. Over the past some 15 years, the man who was once a household name in Korea

April 11, 2023

[Land of Squid Game] Not giving opinions until asked

In many situations, especially in business settings, Koreans prefer to wait until they are directly asked before giving an opinion. This strongly contrasts with people from Western cultures, who are freer to speak their minds anytime the urge strikes. Of course, even in the western countries, subordinates with an eye to the future will be interested in what the boss thinks before expressing their opinions. Min Byoung-chul is an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University's Business Sc

April 11, 2023