Protective gear has become a symbol of hope to fight back the pandemic, as the virus continues to sprawl to unprecedented heights. Medical personnel swathed in thick layers of protective hazmat suits have become harbingers of life and death. In this battle, doctors and nurses treating patients are playing the role of real-life superheroes. Footage of buckets of sweat pouring out of hazmat suits ...

South Korea’s stringent social distancing rules has emptied many offices as the nation tries to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Among confirmed cases, many of the infections are linked to densely populated metropolitan areas. In 2020, a shift toward working from home quickly became the norm among many workplaces. Along with worries and challenges, remote working introduced several changes --...

Koreans enjoy edible tokens of appreciation and affection with family and friends during the winter season. It’s considered one of the best ways to leave the year behind by dishing out winter specials to relish the festive mood. Yet, as the virus continues to spread, gorging on food indoors has risen as a major trend to keep the global pandemic at bay. With many self-quarantining themselves, peo...

Fancying a glass of craft beer and wine in the hippest vicinity was the vogue among the younger generations in recent years. Yet, traditional Korean liquors are permeating through the market, as makgeolli has become the latest taste. The nation's oldest spirit has been brewed with tradition, history and local ingredients for nearly 2,000 years. Traditional Korean drinks are made from rice, a sta...

A host of psychology and personality tests supposedly shedding light on one‘s personality are picking up popularity in South Korea. The internet questionnaires show specific explanations of one’s self that align with the psyche. These tools help people draw conclusions about who they are as a person. The complicated human condition triggers people to characterize themselves by taking the test. B...

Around 490,000 college hopefuls will flock to test sites across the country on Dec. 3 to take the Suneung -- South Korea’s national college entrance exam. On this day, silence brings the nation to a standstill, as the cold air turns jittery with angst. Military training temporarily ceases, flights are grounded and government institutes and banks delay opening by an hour to prevent traffic during...

South Korean food makers are reaching out for unique collaborations by adding a little twist to their original products. Convenience store GS25 has teamed up with Miwon Group and launched Miwon Matsogeum Popcorn, touching on the “newtro” trend of blending established, sometimes unfashionable brands with new products they are not usually associated with. Matsogeum is a kind of seasoning and in Ko...

Red flames trickle down from a furnace while viscous glass tubes glide down a long iron rod, dancing. This harmonious dance to shape hot molten glass takes place at around 700 degrees Celsius. Next, a professional craftsperson moves the rod from the scorching hot stove, takes it out again, and cuts and stretches the glass to form different shapes. The art practice resembles a glowing beam of li...

The coexistence of the past and present tunes Seoul into its beautiful history while serving as the nation’s economic and political hub. Glassy skyscrapers and various institutions interweave the metropolis, catering to all walks of life. At night, majestic palaces turn into splendors for visitors. The harmony has been seen for decades -- buildings nestled next to each other cuddle the city pala...

Coffee districts in Seoul are moving beyond the old aesthetics and have turned into highly Instagrammable spots. Quirky yet trendy cafes in old settings have infused fresh energy and unbelievable ambiance into these areas. These districts have since placed themselves as the latest “it” spots among the younger generation. A case in point is Yeonnam-dong. The majority of the cafes, restaurants and...

South Korea celebrates the 574th Hangeul Day on Oct. 9, commemorating the creation of the Korean alphabet. Hangeul is the writing system for the Korean language, consisting of 24 letters. King Sejong of the Joseon era led the invention of the easy-to-learn writing system with a group of talented scholars in order to promote the literacy level of the general populace. The official Hangeul system ...

Passengers head to their hometowns from Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho, southern Seoul, on Tuesday, just ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The bus terminal has seen a sharp decline in passengers in recent months due to the spread of the COVID-19 infection. The five-day Chuseok holiday starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday. (Photos: Yonhap) By Park Jun-hee ( junheeep97@heraldcorp.com )

Millions of people in South Korea are set to drive for hours to reunite with their family members for Chuseok, one of the country’s biggest annual celebrations. Chuseok, also referred to as “Hangawi,” falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, which starts Wednesday and lasts through Sunday this year. Koreans also perform ancestral commemoration rites to honor the year‘s harvest as part of...

People have come up with innovative alternatives to keep themselves entertained as the novel coronavirus persists worldwide. New hobbies tailored for the pandemic era are flourishing on social media, aiming to combat the fatigue induced by extended social distancing and working from home. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a rise in creative DIY activities, including bead bracelets. Taeyeon of Girl...

Korean students returned to their universities early this month for the new semester, amid lingering worries about coronavirus infections on campus. Universities have introduced new approaches to bringing students back to campus by resuming some pre-virus practices such as offline courses. Several colleges pushed for hybrid learning, combining in-person and remote classroom methods while still c...