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weekender
A mom reporter's day off with 'parenting crew'

When loneliness in parenting overwhelms, why not try co-parenting with strangers? My first meetup through Parenting Crew app unexpectedly created strong bond with other young moms They say parenting is the world’s oldest job, but from my own experience, I can add that it's also one of the loneliest. New moms, while tending to their little ones for what feels like endless hours, often feel disconnected from the world, uncertain and helpless about what to do. But does it really have to be that way
Jan. 11, 2025 - 16:00:00
weekender
How young S. Koreans welcome the new year

Fortunetelling, digital diaries are New Year trends among young Koreans When it comes to the New Year, there are several traditions South Koreans stick to -- whether that’s enjoying a bowl of tteokguk, or rice cake soup, with family or going to see the first sunrise of the year. However, in addition to the conventional New Year's rites, young Koreans have discovered ways to put a unique, digitalized twist on some other classic New Year's traditions, including fortunetelling and diaries. Fortunet
Jan. 4, 2025 - 16:00:00
weekender
[Weekender] Satisfying sustainability: Uncovering South Korea's vegan restaurants

Vegetarianism has become more prominent in recent years -- whether for ethical reasons, in pursuit of better health, animal welfare, or out of a desire to reduce one's carbon footprint for a more sustainable future, many South Koreans are joining the move as well. That has reshaped the Korean food scene, leading to a surge in innovative vegan restaurants. According to the Korea Vegan Union, the number of vegans in South Korea has increased more than tenfold over the past decade, reaching 2
Dec. 14, 2024 - 16:01:18
Hashtag Korea
[Weekender] Anxious, avoidant or somewhere in between? Koreans tap into attachment theory to hack love

Is the Myers-Briggs personality test still the go-to for dating compatibility? If you ask young Koreans, some say, "Not anymore." The trend is shifting, and they’ve found a better playbook. The playbook, in the language of attachment theory, reads: Avoidant types often ghost, anxious types tend to cling. Secure types strike a balance. As a fresh approach to understanding emotional patterns in relationships, the theory has gained popularity in contemporary dating, especially in
Dec. 7, 2024 - 16:01:17
weekender
[Weekender] Comic book cafes: Korea's nostalgic escape for all ages

Comic book cafes in Korea hold a cherished spot in many hearts, offering a nostalgic escape to the imaginative simplicity of childhood and a retreat from the stresses of adult life. Until the 1990s, before the advent of smartphones, comic book cafes were a haven for teenagers seeking entertainment and stress relief. While attention has shifted to multimedia on mobile devices, these cafes remain a haven for many and have evolved to cater to diverse interests. For some, comic book cafes offer esca
Nov. 30, 2024 - 16:01:10
weekender
[Weekender] Korea's traditional sauce culture gains global recognition

South Korea's traditional culture of making "jang," a culinary practice encompassing knowledge and techniques related to the production of fermented soybean condiments, is poised to gain global recognition, as UNESCO considers adding it to the list of intangible cultural assets. On Nov. 5, an evaluation body under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recommended Korea’s “Knowledge, beliefs, and practices relate
Nov. 23, 2024 - 16:01:10
weekender
[Weekender] AI is silently changing our work: 7 professionals share how

It may not be immediately visible, but artificial intelligence is quietly changing Korean workplaces. Since ChatGPT was first unveiled in late 2022, followed by an expanding array of AI tools, nearly 20 million South Koreans have downloaded five major generative AI apps as of July this year. The number of active monthly users stood at 7 million. The Korea Herald interviewed seven individuals across a wide range of professions, including a journalist, web designer, lawyer, translator, music p
Nov. 9, 2024 - 16:00:55
Social Affairs
[Weekender] Welcome to S. Korea’s first ‘vegan village’

INJE, Gangwon Province -- In the village of Sinwol-ri, nestled between the mountains of Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, sits “New Moon Village,” now home for five rescued cows that are driving up hopes to rejuvenate a remote village suffering from population decline. Dubbed the “Flower Cows,” the male Holstein cows had been raised as livestock for beef, and were discovered at an unlicensed dog farm in Incheon in late 2020. As the farm was forced to shut down the same year, th
Nov. 2, 2024 - 16:00:57
Travel
[Weekender] Walk around Korea to really get to know the country

With its last course -- an 11.4-kilometer trail connecting Unification Security Park in Goseong, Gangwon Province and Goseong Unification Observatory in Goseong, Gangwon Province – having opened Sept. 23, the entire 4,500-kilometer-long Korea Dulle Trail that traces the perimeters of South Korea along the eastern, southern, western coasts and the border area of the Demilitarized Zone in the north is now open. The trail is a great way to discover and experience the country with your feet fi
Oct. 26, 2024 - 16:01:00
weekender
[Weekender] From underdogs to culinary stars: How 'Culinary Class Wars' brings chefs into spotlight

On the second floor of a modest building in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant awaits: Jokwang 201. Previously known among food lovers for its bold dishes like marasyanggwo, maratang and soy sauce-braised pork belly, also known as dongpayuk, the restaurant has recently attracted broader attention after its owner, Jo Kwang-ho, appeared on Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars" as a chef on the black team, referred to in Korea as "the black spoons." Th
Oct. 19, 2024 - 16:01:32
Hashtag Korea
[Weekender] 'Funsumerism': Buying should be fun.

Purchasing behavior is a complex decision-making process, but for some consumers, one factor plays a crucial role -- fun. These individuals, known as "funsumers" in Korea, prioritize enjoyable and engaging experiences in all aspects of brand interaction, from buying products and attending events to social media consumption. The long-term viability of this trend is questionable. Yet one thing seems certain: brands are constantly innovating to keep consumers entertained and, consequently
Oct. 12, 2024 - 16:01:19
Hashtag Korea
[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 - 16:00:58
weekender
[Weekender] How Seongsu, once an industrial zone, has become ‘Seoul’s Brooklyn’

The streets around Seongsu Station in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul, have recently become a popular destination for young adults and foreign tourists, especially those interested in fashion and beauty products. The increasing popularity in this area is due to the growing number of fashion brand select shops, along with beauty and drugstores, strategically located along the street to target the rising number of visitors -- creating a virtuous cycle that continues to boost its reputation. On Sept. 1
Sept. 28, 2024 - 16:00:58
Culture
[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products

Japanese songs playing on South Korean TV and radio stations and giant posters of Japanese anime hung outside cinemas -- unimaginable just over two decades ago -- are no longer surprising. This year marks 20 years since Korea fully opened its doors to Japanese pop culture products. Following liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Korea had banned Japanese cultural products from reaching its shores, only gradually opening the market to Japanese cultural products in 1998. The
Sept. 21, 2024 - 16:00:53
weekender
[Weekender] Goodbye Gyeongbokgung, hello hair salon

Twenty-eight-year-old Janell Ng from New Zealand, who is visiting Korea with her family, knows her priority. Their first stop is a hair salon in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where each family member hopes to experience a trendy Korean-style makeover. "It's our first time visiting Korea. We are here for a week, and the first thing on the itinerary is to get our hair done at a Korean hair salon," she said while having her hair permed at Suin Style Hair and Spa in Samseongdong, southern Seoul. The
Sept. 14, 2024 - 16:05:57