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[Korea Quiz] 'Moon neighborhoods'

Find the answer at the bottom. In South Korea, some urban areas are called “moon neighborhoods,” or "daldongne" in Korean. Although it is primarily for their location on higher ground, seemingly closer to the moon, the term also reflects the challenge of living in these areas, which are often steep, difficult to access and home to low-income households. The term became widespread in the 1980s after the popular TV drama, “Daldongnae,” depicted the lives of rural-to-urban migrants who settled in m
Dec. 25, 2024 - 10:20:50
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Mature tastes

Find the answer at the bottom. “Jang” is a traditional Korean fermented condiment made from soybeans, essential in many Korean dishes. It is a broad term for a variety of soybean-based sources, including “doenjang” (soybean paste), “ganjang” (soy sauce), and “gochujang” (red pepper paste). The proce
Nov. 27, 2024 - 11:22:09
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[Korea Quiz] Webtoon

Find the answer down below. Webtoons are serialized web comics designed for mobile reading. Each episode typically takes around five or so minutes to read, making them accessible for readers on the go. Originating in South Korea, webtoons differ from traditional print cartoons in that they are created exclusively for digital formats, featuring a vertical scrolling layout. Webtoons are immensely popular in Korea, with 4 in 10 adults reading an average of 55 episodes annually, according
Nov. 20, 2024 - 10:07:59
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Gifts for test-takers

Find the answer at the bottom. In South Korea, it’s common to give well-wishing gifts to those preparing for exams, especially significant ones like the annual college entrance exam, the Suneung. Common gifts include vitamin supplements, stationery items like pencils and analog watches, as well as s
Nov. 12, 2024 - 17:57:55
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Mystery bride

Find the answer at the bottom. “Ureong Bride” is a Korean folktale about a widowed peasant and a mysterious, generous woman who comes into his life. In Korean, the title reveals the maiden’s secret right away: she is not a human but an “ureong,” a freshwater river snail that inhabits streams and ric
Nov. 6, 2024 - 09:42:56
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‘Nunchi’

Find the answer at the bottom. “Nunchi” (눈치) is the skill of sensing others‘ thoughts and feelings. Literally translated as “eye measurement,” it reflects the ability to gauge the context and atmosphere of a situation and act appropriately. This behavior is often seen in those who are sensitive to g
Oct. 30, 2024 - 09:35:51
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Han Kang

Find the answer at the bottom. Born in November 1970 in Gwangju, Han Kang‘s literary career began in 1993 when she published poems in the winter edition of the quarterly magazine, “Literature and Society.” Since then, she has been honored with numerous awards, writing work that addresses universal h
Oct. 23, 2024 - 09:19:49
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K-drama feels and foods

Find the answer at the bottom. In Korean, the terms sweet potato (고구마) and cider (사이다) are often used as metaphors to describe emotions evoked by fiction, TV dramas, or other narratives. In this context, the sweet potato, commonly featured in various Korean dishes, refers to moments in a story that
Oct. 16, 2024 - 14:41:12
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Bonanza!

Find the answer at the bottom. A slow-growing forest perennial, wild ginseng has long held a revered place in East Asian culture for its supposed ability to stave off aging and boost stamina. In South Korea, where ginseng use remains popular, certain old, naturally grown varieties can come with jaw-
Oct. 10, 2024 - 09:20:37
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Speed of lightning

Find the answer at the bottom. “Roasting beans on a lightning bolt” is an idiom widely used in daily conversation in South Korea. It means that someone is acting with such urgency that they could, figuratively, roast beans on a lightning bolt. The phrase is often used with a rather negative nuance,
Oct. 4, 2024 - 14:22:54
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Armed Forces Day

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea boasts one of the world‘s strongest military forces, a result of the Korean War (1950-53) having ended in an armistice but without a peace treaty, with continuing threats from nuclear-armed North Korea across the border. The country marks Oct. 1 every year
Sept. 30, 2024 - 09:54:53
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Chuseok

Chuseok, one of Korea’s two main traditional holidays, is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month on the lunar calendar. This year, it falls on Sept. 17, with the day before and the day after also designated as official public holidays. Chuseok is also known by other names, including “Hangawi (한
Sept. 14, 2024 - 16:05:44
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Traditional Korean masks

Find the answer at the bottom. Hahoe is a traditional clan-based village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, known for having the oldest surviving masks for mask dance dramas in South Korea. Eleven Hahoe masks have been passed down, representing different characters in a stage play, including a li
Sept. 10, 2024 - 12:45:41
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Banknotes

Find the answer at the bottom. Portraits of people featured on a country’s banknotes are a reflection of the country‘s pride, identity and heritage. They often depict prominent figures from the past such as national leaders, scientists, artists or activists who have made significant contributions to
Sept. 5, 2024 - 13:37:55
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National flag

Find the answer at the bottom. In the center of the South Korean national flag, known as the Taegeukgi, there is a yin and yang symbol with red on the top and blue on the bottom. The four corners of the flag feature groups of black bars, each with a specific meaning: The top left bars, the “geon,” s
Aug. 27, 2024 - 17:28:50