[Oddities] What's in a name? How Koreans faked their way to Kim, Lee and Park

If you meet a South Korean, there's a 45 percent chance that their surname is either Kim, Lee or Park. And there’s an even higher probability -- some say nearly 90 percent -- that their surname originates from a bogus family tree. According to the latest census data from Statistics Korea, these three surnames account for nearly half the population, which is over 20 million people. Expand that to the top 10 surnames, and you're looking at 64 percent of the population. This remarka

Oct. 22, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Sexless marriages: Why more prevalent in S. Korea?

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 relationship with her husband. “(After the baby was born,) we gradually drifted into a sexless relationship. I was tired from taking care of the baby and doing housework. My husband also looked exhausted when he came home. He no longer initiates it either,” Park

Oct. 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] 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 feel stifling, frustrating, or slow. Eating a sweet potato without water can make one feel like they’re choking or struggling to swallow, which parallels the experience of watching charac

Oct. 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] Miss Universe Korea winner Ariel Han talks embracing true self

Beauty pageants often conjure up stereotypical images of young, attractive women in swimsuits reciting canned responses. But this year's Miss Universe Korea competition, co-hosted by The Korea Herald and Yedang Media on Sept. 30, shattered those molds, celebrating women's unique qualities both inside and out. The pageant eliminated the age restrictions that had previously limited participation to women aged 18 to 28. Gone too were the longstanding height and weight requirements. This i

Oct. 14, 2024

[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

Race event celebrates Hangeul Day in Sejong

SEJONG — From runners in perfect gear to families with strollers and couples with dogs, nearly 7,000 participated in a fun race in the city of Sejong on Wednesday, celebrating King Sejong’s great gift to the Korean people, Hangeul. The 2024 Hangeul Run, held at Sejong Lake Park to mark the 587th anniversary of Hangeul’s proclamation in 1446, featured two courses: a 10.9-kilometer run commemorating Hangeul Day and a 5.15-kilometer course celebrating King Sejong’s birthda

Oct. 10, 2024

K-pop motivated us to study Hangeul, contestants say

SEJONG -- Interest in K-pop has motivated many students overseas to study the Korean language and its alphabet, Hangeul, according to contestants of the inaugural Sejong Hangeul Olympiad held on Tuesday in Sejong. For many students, K-pop’s global influence extends beyond music, serving as a cultural link to Korea’s linguistic heritage, they shared. “K-pop acts as an ambassador for the Korean language,” said the Spicy Samgak Gimbap team of three international students --

Oct. 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Korean cuisine should go premium'

Dressed casually in a black T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, Chef Choi Jung-yoon greeted us at a cafe near Jung-gu, Seoul. Initially reserved, her face lit up when discussing the recent Netflix hit "Culinary Class Wars." "I'm so glad the chefs are getting so much attention," she said, with her enthusiasm for the local food industry evident throughout the hour-long interview. Choi, with over 26 years of experience as a chef and Korean cuisine researcher, founded Nanro, a co

Oct. 10, 2024

[Korea Quiz] 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-dropping price tags reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Although the herb is typically referred to as sam (삼) today based on the hanja character meaning "ginseng," historical records

Oct. 10, 2024

[LLG] To heal the tiny animals, vet turns to creativity

Veterinarian Choi Young-min is a beloved figure in the animal care community. A regular on popular TV program “Animal Farm,” Choi treats a wide variety of creatures, from lizards to sparrows, turtles and hedgehogs. The sight of tiny limbs taped down for an X-ray, or being gently cradled in one hand for a checkup, often evokes both squeals for their cuteness and a twinge of pity in viewers. "It's adorable to watch, but for a veterinarian, it means the work is more challengin

Oct. 9, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] The price of numbers: How rankings shape lives in Korea

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 of scores, grades and ranks. At school, where comparison was at its most ruthless, Jang received report cards after every midterm and final exam, which displayed her rank in each subject within her class and the entire school. These numbers made her constantly aware of where she stood relative to her classmates. "Feeling the nee

Oct. 6, 2024

[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

[Korea Quiz] 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, such as to describe the hasty and impatient nature of a person when they are trying to complete something at an unrealistic pace. Variations with the same meaning include “l

Oct. 4, 2024

[EYE] With Hangeul-shaped cookies, duo hopes to bring fun to the table

Tyler Rasch and Nidhi Agrawal, who have called South Korea home for years, are no strangers to wearing many hats. Rasch is a well-known TV personality renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Asian history and culture. He's also an author, translator, social media influencer and climate activist. Agrawal, who moved to Korea in 2016 keen on bridging the Indian and Korean markets, has a background across the IT industry and has juggled numerous TV and lecture appointments. The two public pe

Oct. 3, 2024

[Survive & Thrive] From seasonal flu to TB, some foreign residents eligible for free shots

As the summer heat gives way to the crisp autumn air, it's time to start thinking about protecting yourself and your loved ones from the flu. If you’re a foreign national resident in South Korea, you may be eligible for free seasonal flu shots, one of many immunizations offered under the government's National Immunization Program, as long as you meet the same priority group criteria applied to Korean nationals. Korea’s vaccine program covers for free 18 essential vaccines f

Oct. 1, 2024

Shut up and dance

A large group of people wearing blue headphones, dance out in the open by the Han River. But no music is blaring. This is a silent disco. Instead of speaker stacks, DJs broadcast their sets directly to wireless headphones, allowing people to adjust the volume to their liking. This creates a more personalized, immersive experience while minimizing noise pollution, meaning people can gather and dance in places they normally couldn't. And in this case, it was the Han River's parks. More

Sept. 30, 2024

[Korea Quiz] 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 as the Armed Forces Day, to honor the services of all military personnel -- including young conscripts -- to the nation. All able-bodied male South Korean citizens over age 19 are requir

Sept. 30, 2024

[LLG] She lost son to suicide. Now she is on front line of suicide prevention

Park In-soon can never forget August 2009. That was the month her son ended his life at 23 years old. Her son had been struggling with depression, but he had told her that he was feeling better. But two months after he stopped taking his medication, he took his own life. For Park, the news of his death felt like receiving a life sentence. She could not sleep. All she wanted was to follow him in death. Several weeks later, she got into a car accident, while driving home from a sunrise service a

Sept. 26, 2024

Why some pet friendly cafes are finding themselves in the dog house

Cho, a 31-year-old cafe owner in Seoul who requested anonymity, used to run a popular spot for pet owners. Her cafe, known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and puppuccinos, a drink for dogs, regularly welcomed customers with their pets. Occasionally, she would bring her own dog to work. But recent government warnings have made it difficult to allow dogs on the premises. “I received a warning from the government about having dogs here,” Cho said. “They told me a complaint was fil

Sept. 24, 2024

Pikki Pikki dance: Korean cheerleader dance routine takes social media by storm

In the middle of a bustling ballgame, a cheerleader casually fixes her makeup, seemingly preoccupied and unbothered — until a catchy beat suddenly brings her to her feet. She seamlessly launches into a dance routine, swiveling and swinging her thumb up and down to the bouncy, squeaky rhythm. This is not your typical cheerleading performance full of energy and acrobatics. Instead, the cheerleader maintains a cool, nonchalant expression as she throws her elbow up in place. The transition fro

Sept. 23, 2024