Articles by Song Seung-hyun
Song Seung-hyun
ssh@heraldcorp.com-
Seoul fires civil servant for poor performance for first time
The concept of the "iron rice bowl" -- a Korean term signifying lifetime job security for civil servants -- appears to be cracking, as the Seoul government fired an employee on the basis of poor performance for the first time. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s official gazette, released Monday, the employment contract of the official, among the four who received the lowest grade in performance, has been terminated after the person received the lowest possible rat
Social Affairs May 13, 2024
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Lim Young-woong outshines BTS for parents'gift
For Koreans seeking an alternative to carnation bouquets on Parents' Day, Lim Young-woong concert tickets could be the perfect gift, a survey found, though securing them would be extremely challenging. A recent survey by Focusmedia Korea, a local media content provider, revealed that among different concert options surveyed, Lim's was the most sought-after as a gift for parents. The poll garnered responses from 2,212 apartment residents aged 25 to 59, with him taking the top spot with
K-pop May 8, 2024
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In global smartphone powerhouse, an unwavering submarket for 'dumb phones'
In February last year, Kim Min-ji bought a used Samsung flip phone made in 2009. With a circle-shaped LED display on the outside showing the time and information such as incoming calls, the cell phone was the same Kim used in her first year of college. “It brought back memories,” Kim said. But nostalgia wasn't her motivation for the purchase. She bought it for her 9-year-old daughter. She wanted to be able to reach her child whenever and wherever needed, but also to limit the
Hashtag Korea May 7, 2024
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Best ways to add 'minari' to your table
In the 2020 Oscar-nominated film "Minari,” the eponymous Korean herb, which one of the characters explains “thrives where there is water,” symbolizes the resilience of the movie's Korean American immigrant family. While the film may have introduced minari to a wider audience, it fell short of exploring its varied uses in Korean cuisine, known for its light herbal taste, refreshing aroma and detoxifying properties. Native to East and Southeast Asia, this plant has th
Food May 5, 2024
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[Korea Quiz] Homes in Korea
Find the answer at the bottom. Six out of every 10 South Korean nationals live in apartments, earning South Korea the nickname, "the Republic of Apartments." According to law here, structures featuring multiple housing units per floor and standing at least five stories tall are considered apartments. Locals refer to them as “apateu.” As of 2022, apartment homes made up 64 percent of Korea's 19.16 million homes, according to Statistics Korea. Similar to many societa
Hashtag Korea May 2, 2024
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Seoul Metro to seek legal action against malicious complaints
Seoul Metro, the operator of the Seoul subway system, is set to adopt a tougher stance to combat persistent harassment and verbal abuse by imposing restrictions on complaints and considering legal action against repeat offenders. “We will actively pursue measures to address repeated malicious complaints that disrupt our operations,” the operator said Wednesday in a statement. Under the new measures, repeat offenders will be registered on a blacklist and will be barred from submitti
Social Affairs May 1, 2024
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[Survive & Thrive] Like my hair? Get yours done at a Korean hair salon, if you know how
If you thought perfect hair was only possible in Korean dramas or on K-pop stages, you might be surprised to see so many Koreans on the street with voluminous, perfectly styled hair. The secret may lie in Korean hair salons, or rather, in their abundance. According to KB Financial Group's Management Research Institute, the number of hair salons in Korea, including barber shops, surpassed 110,000, as of September 2020. This translates into 21.3 salons per 10,000 people. To put this in cont
Hashtag Korea April 30, 2024
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Forklift exam draws more test-takers in 50s seeking new skills
A record number of South Koreans in their 50s took exams last year for government-issued occupational certifications, with forklift licenses topping the list. The trend reflects a surge in interest in pursuing second careers and highlights the significant difficulty many face in finding new employment related to one's previous experience. According to the Human Resources Development Service of Korea, the number of test-takers in their 50s exceeded 218,000 in 2023, accounting for 12.2 percen
Social Affairs April 29, 2024
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[LLG] Why this tutor teaches for free
DAEGU-- Han Si-nae, 36, is no ordinary tutor. Her students, totaling 10 and ranging from primary to high school, come to her house after school for supplementary math lessons. After challenging their brains with math quizzes, the students fill their stomachs with an ample amount of snacks and dinner whipped up by Han. The best part? None of them pay a single penny. So, is Han an altruistic benefactor for future generations with deep pockets? Listening to her speak for a brief moment, it becomes
Hashtag Korea April 24, 2024
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[Pressure points] Leggings in public: Fashion statement or social faux pas?
The question of whether leggings are suitable for everyday public wear has been a globally debated issue, transcending national borders. Since the "athleisure" trend took off around 2016, merging athletic wear with everyday fashion, particularly gaining traction among young Koreans, the appropriateness of wearing leggings outside the gym has been a recurring topic of debate in various online forums here. On one side are those who perceive leggings as a provocative garment that clashe
Hashtag Korea April 23, 2024
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Seoul studies W100m cash incentive for each child born
In a bid to bolster abysmal birth rates, South Korea is exploring what would be its most generous incentive ever -- 100 million won ($72,500) in cash per baby born. The state-run Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission on Wednesday commenced a survey to gauge public opinion on the idea. "Through this survey, we plan to re-evaluate the country’s birth promotion policies to determine whether direct financial subsidies could be an effective solution,” the commission said in a
Social Affairs April 23, 2024
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[Weekender] Why aren't K-pop stars cashing in on cosmetics?
K-beauty is trending globally. Many Korean celebrities, particularly K-pop stars, command vast, devoted fan bases, influencing fashion and beauty trends. Combine the two and one might naturally assume there would be numerous cosmetic brands launched by Korean stars, similar to Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics or Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty in the US. The reality, however, is quite different. Korean stars might be the faces of top beauty brands, but they rar
Hashtag Korea April 20, 2024
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Farming households dip below 1m for first time in 2023
The number of farming households in South Korea fell below 1 million for the first time last year, while over half of the country's farming population was aged 65 or older, latest data showed Thursday. According to Statistics Korea, there were an estimated 999,000 farming households as of Dec. 1, a decrease of 24,000, or 2.3 percent, compared with 2022. This is the first time since the survey began in 1949 that the number has dipped below 1 million. However, Statistics Korea cautioned that
Social Affairs April 18, 2024
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Seoul says will cut power to porn festival planned on Han River
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it would deal sternly with a festival planned for this weekend featuring Japanese adult film stars, including cutting off electricity to the venue. The warning message came after the city formally issued a ban Sunday on the adult industry exposition advertised as “2024 KXF The Fashion,” organized by Play Joker and to be held on the Han River. The city government also sent a formal letter to the operator of the venue, Us Cruise, located at Jamwon
Social Affairs April 16, 2024
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Seoul police officer accused of stealing from lost wallet
A Seoul police officer in his 20s is accused of stealing money from a lost wallet, according to the Seoul Seodaemun Station on Monday. The officer is alleged to have pocketed 200,000 won ($145) from a lost wallet that had contained 203,000 won, in December last year. The officer documented the wallet as only having 3,000 won in a lost property report. He has been referred to prosecutors on charges of embezzlement in the line of duty. The police officer’s alleged crime came to light when th
Social Affairs April 15, 2024
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