Life&Culture
AtoZ into Korean Mind In series
Decoding the Korean psyche through keywords
#Psychology
# Korean mindset
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AtoZ into Korean Mind In series
Decoding the Korean psyche through keywords
Would you like to subscribe?
The case against small talk, according to Koreans
Why do Koreans generally not engage with strangers? We asked locals and experts Ava Miller, an avid K-drama lover, traveled to Seoul in July last year to practice her Korean and immerse herself in authentic Korean culture. Staying at a hostel in Seoul, she tried to engage with locals, but whenever she started a conversation, they responded with short answers, and the dialogue didn’t flow as she had hoped. “Everyone was quietly eating or washing dishes, not making eye contact with each other,” th
March 30, 2025 - 17:11:34
Why Koreans don't apologize when bumping into others
Crowd density isn't the only reason minor physical contact is tolerated in South Korea During William Smith’s first experience riding the subway in Seoul several years ago, he initially felt that some Koreans were rude and didn’t respect other passengers’ personal space. People would push past him and walk away without apologizing. “In the United States, if I accidentally bump into someone — even after apologizing — I could be accused of something like sexual harassment. But here, people seem mo
March 24, 2025 - 10:17:00
Not so free: The irony of Korea’s ‘free size’ fashion
Free size in South Korean fashion is a label that fits the industry better than the consumer Choi A-ra, 24, entered university with a goal: to fit into "free-size" clothing. "In places like Hongdae or Gangnam Station's underground shopping centers, most of the pretty clothes I wanted to buy only came in 'free-size,'" she said. "Back in high school, I was overweight — 170 centimeters and 65 kilograms — so my goal was to lose 10 kilograms to fit into them." She reached her target weight. But even
March 12, 2025 - 10:09:50
Who are the real Gen Z? Breaking down Korea's latest workplace stereotype
They show up to work in sweatpants with hair curlers dangling from their bangs. They wander the office with AirPods firmly planted in their ears. And when the clock strikes 6, they're already hovering by the door, bags packed and ready to bolt -- unfinished projects be damned. At least, that's how the story goes. Tales of Generation Z workers have taken on almost mythical proportions in Korean offices. In break rooms and boardrooms alike, stories of their workplace misdeeds and faux pas spread l
Feb. 16, 2025 - 14:29:24
Baby face obsession: Why Koreans strive to look younger
In a society that celebrates youth and fears aging, pressure to stay young runs deep In South Korea, conversations with strangers traditionally begin by sharing one's age, which helps determine the proper use of honorifics, an important aspect of Korean language, and shapes expectations around people's roles in the relationship. Once ages are shared, it’s very common -- almost expected -- to compliment how much younger someone looks. “You don’t look your age,” one might say, and the other person
Feb. 2, 2025 - 10:45:28
'It's just subtle, not serious': What Koreans miss when downplaying racism
Confronting xenophobia, prevalent but largely unrecognized as a problem, is crucial for South Korea‘s transition to truly multicultural society, experts say Online comments dismissing xenophobia in South Korea as insignificant are surprisingly common. For example, when Chosun Ilbo, a major Korean news outlet, published an article in March about racial discrimination and xenophobia in Itaewon, many readers argued it exaggerated the problem. Reactions included: “Don’t talk nonsense, reporter. It’s
Jan. 4, 2025 - 16:00:00
Not just moms, wives: Korean women's daily struggle for identity
For generations, womanhood in South Korea has been inextricably linked to motherhood, a role often defined by self-sacrifice. But today, Korean women are questioning these norms, striving to reclaim their identities as individuals, not just as daughters, wives or moms, and to redefine what it means to be a woman. To capture a snapshot of this change, The Korea Herald spoke with seven women, ranging from a stay-at-home mom in her 50s who bitterly regrets the limited choices she had compared to to
Dec. 21, 2024 - 16:15:33
‘Tell me I fit in’
Behind endless streams of social media comments, validation-addicted Koreans seek group acceptance “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 relie
Dec. 2, 2024 - 14:43:13
Ever noticed some Koreans talk to themselves?
Some Koreans practice self-talk, wittingly or unwittingly, for such reasons as self-affirmation, indirect communication and coping with negative emotions 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, o
Nov. 3, 2024 - 17:40:54
Sexless marriages: Why more prevalent in S. Korea?
How and why do married couples become sexless? The Korea Herald investigates Ever since the arrival of her daughter six years ago, the precious little being has become the center of Park Eun-jeong‘s world. It also marked the beginning of a new dynamic in her marriage: a sexless, more companionate re
Oct. 20, 2024 - 16:21:33
The price of numbers: How rankings shape lives in Korea
Quantifying everything, from school to social progress, once worked wonders for S. Korea. Now, number obsession makes Koreans unhappy. Jang Yun-jeong, 28, grew up in a world where numbers defined her worth. From academic achievements to salary and social status, her standing was calculated in terms
Oct. 6, 2024 - 11:52:57
Koreans do things quickly. Is it efficiency or lack of patience?
Korea‘s fast-paced culture is credited with many achievements, but it’s time to learn when, how to slow down In South Korea, speed is key. What needs to be done quickly? Virtually everything. As encapsulated in the running joke that “ppalli ppalli” -- where “ppalli” translates to “quickly” or “hurry
Sept. 16, 2024 - 16:00:47
Patriarchal values lose hold: Korean fathers want to change but lack role models
From patriarchal provider to balancer between work and family, Korean fatherhood is starting to change Oh Yoon-suk, a 43-year-old office worker in Busan, addresses his father -- but not his mom -- using honorifics. “I call my mother ‘eomma,’ but with my father, it’s always been ‘abeoji,’” he explain
Sept. 1, 2024 - 11:12:52
‘Ojirap,’ navigating the fine line between care and intrusion
Often viewed as meddling in another‘s business, the caring spirit behind ojirap shows concern, desire to help Kim Eun-hye, 36, instantly regretted mentioning she had gone on a blind date over the weekend. Immediately after her remarks, the usually dull lunchtime conversation with her senior colleagu
Aug. 19, 2024 - 09:54:43
How to say ‘no’
S. Korea‘s social norms and pressures amplify the challenge of declining After a second date, Lee Tae-hyung, 26, wanted to ask the woman out again. He sent her a KakaoTalk message saying, “Do you have time this weekend?” and the reply he received was, “I don‘t think I can make time. I have plans thi
July 21, 2024 - 14:29:23
