[Korea Quiz] 1988

Find the answer at the bottom. For South Koreans, 1988 was one memorable year. It is because in 1988, the nation hosted the Summer Olympics, a much-anticipated opportunity to show the world how the once impoverished nation had developed. Although the country had hosted the Asian Games two years earlier, which provided valuable experience in managing international sports events, the 1988 Games were unmatched in terms of their grandeur. Korea underwent years of preparations to present itself

Aug. 7, 2024

[Pressure points] Should priority seating for pregnant women be kept empty?

Seoul Metro's trains have had priority seats reserved for pregnant women since 2013. These pink seats, located at the ends of some rows, however, have been a source of continuous controversy. Recently, debate erupted online and in local media when one individual proposed that the city install a sensor system to prevent ineligible passengers from sitting in them, so they remain readily available in the event that a pregnant woman might need one. Apart from practical issues associated with in

Aug. 6, 2024

Firsts in Korea's Olympic history

This year, summer in South Korea is even more sizzling with excitement as its athletes have delivered outstanding performances at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Major milestones in Korea’s history of participation in the Summer Games -- like shooter Ban Hyo-jin’s win of the country's 100th gold medal and the men’s saber fencing team's win of Korea's 300th medal of any type -- have sparked awe. But equally if not more deserving of recognition are the firsts i

Aug. 5, 2024

Grammy-winning producer David ‘Yungin’ Kim sets to bridge gaps between music and cultures

David "Yungin" Kim, a Grammy Award-winning mix engineer, hopes to create a bridge between Korea and the US music industries as he continues on his professional and personal journey in both countries. Kim, who goes by his artist name Yungin, is the first Korean-born person to win a Grammy outside of classical music. As a mix engineer, he has worked with many big names including BTS, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Hit-Boy, Post Malone and Ariana Grande. And earlier this year he debuted as a produc

Aug. 2, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Gold medal sport

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea consistently dominates the sport of archery at the Summer Olympics in a way that not many other countries have, particularly the women's team competition. Ever since the introduction of the women's archery team event at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, Korea's female archers have never failed to win gold, including at the ongoing Paris Games. Korea's male archers are also among the world’s finest, both in team and individual c

July 31, 2024

Budget or bougie: Coffee choices in S. Korea

Can South Koreans today manage a day without coffee? Data from market research company Euromonitor International suggests it's unlikely, as they consume an average of 405 cups annually as of last year -- well above the global average of 152 cups. Korea's voracious coffee consumers have unleashed a price war among retailers, leading budget coffee shops here to converge on the standard price of 1,500 won ($1.09) per Americano for several years now. At the opposite end of the spectrum,

July 30, 2024

[LLG] After diving head-first into webtoons, creator learns hard lessons

Many dream of leaving their mundane jobs to pursue something creative and original. Only a few actually take the leap, and even fewer succeed. But it's usually only the stories of the successful that get told; this is not one of those stories. For Dang Yeon-hee, a 34-year-old aspiring webtoon artist in Gyeonggi Province, the journey has entailed many disappointments and painful lessons about harsh realities. It has ultimately turned into a path of self-discovery. "I lacked a sense of r

July 24, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Liver metaphors

Find the answer at the bottom. In traditional Korean medicine, the liver is considered one of the five most important organs in the body. This belief in the liver being in charge of many functions may be why a number of references to the organ are often found in colloquial Korean phrases. "Gan (간)," one's liver, is metaphorically used in Korean to describe a person's courage or boldness. For example, when someone is said to have a "big liver," it signifies th

July 24, 2024

What are they wearing? Korean fashion brands attract youth locally, globally

Following the global popularity of K-pop, K-dramas and K-food, get ready for another "K": K-fashion. Alongside established Korean fashion houses like Songzio, Wooyoungmi, Juun.J and System, a new generation of local fashion labels is making waves globally, establishing Korea as a fashion hot spot, particularly for today’s style-savvy millennials and Generation Z. Recognizing Korea’s dynamic and emerging fashion profile, a 2023 US News & World Report survey ranked the

July 23, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] How to say 'no'

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 this weekend.” “The message made me wonder. Is she politely saying, ‘No, I don’t want to go on another date with you,’ or does this mean that I can ask her again next week?” Lee said. Lee asked his friends and fou

July 21, 2024

When living in Korea becomes overwhelming: an expat psychologist's view

As South Korea sees the increase of foreign residents, understanding their lives and the challenges they face here is becoming increasingly important. To explore these issues, The Korea Herald sat down with Chad Ebesutani, a licensed psychologist in both the US and South Korea who runs the Seoul Counseling Center. "There are many great things about Korea, such as the infrastructure, consumer lifestyle and culture, but there are also unique stressors," he said. The intense urban environ

July 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Monsoon days

Find the answer at the bottom. Before Korea succumbs to blistering summer heat, it experiences a period of wet weather known as the "jangma." Typically spanning from late June to July, this season is marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity and overcast skies. During these days, heavy rains can lead to flash floods, mud slides and the disruption of daily activities, while the pervasive humidity thickens the air, creating a sticky and uncomfortable atmosphere. Korean language has

July 17, 2024

[Pressure points] Choose for your kids: AI textbooks or classic physical books?

South Korea's planned leap into the era of artificial intelligence-powered learning has hit resistance, primarily due to parents' concerns about potential digital overload. In a petition posted on the National Assembly’s online platform in May, one such voice requested that the planned introduction of AI digital textbooks in schools starting next year be shelved. Citing the "numerous negative effects of smart devices," the petition called for scientific research to ensu

July 17, 2024

[Survive & Thrive] Need tools? Seoul has you covered

Did you just move to Seoul and need tools for furniture assembly? Or perhaps you need items like an electric drill, hammer or wrench for your latest DIY project? Instead of buying and keeping these tools at home for the few times you might need them each year, you can borrow them from community centers in Seoul. The first step is to visit Seoul’s Sharehub website to find a tool rental center near home or workplace. The website is only available in Korean. The website www.sharehub.kr allows

July 16, 2024

[Weekender] Niche cinemas: Small yet rich in content

Amid the battle between streaming services and megaplexes for film dominance, a passionate few long for a cinematic experience only niche theaters can provide: curated gems on the big screen. For casual viewers who prefer monthly subscriptions to streaming services and occasional blockbuster splurges, the appeal of these smaller-scale theaters may not be as compelling. However, beyond the sheer size of the screen, these venues' offerings of films from all eras, along with other cinema-rel

July 13, 2024

[LLG] How this 'cat detective' finds missing felines

Cho Sung-min is a cat detective. His job is to locate house cats that have wandered from home and return them to their worried owners. When a client calls, he comes equipped with an array of tools like high-performance flashlights, selfie sticks, endoscope cameras, scoop nets, cat traps and even crowbars, in case he needs to open manholes. But it’s not the apparatus that matters. It’s knowing where to look that truly makes him a successful cat detective, he said. “Cats leave

July 10, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Korean dialects

Find the answer at the bottom. Due to topographical boundaries such as the country's mountainous terrain, along with administrative divisions, South Korea's regions have developed their own dialects over time. Among them, the dialect spoken in the provinces of Chungcheong, the inland area situated in the mid-section of South Korea, is famous for its slow and drawn-out manner of speaking, as well as its adept use of metaphors and indirect expressions. This aspect is often used as

July 10, 2024

‘When relationships tire you out, try Schopenhauer’

“A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free."​ “What now on the other hand makes people sociable is their incapacity to endure solitude and thus themselves." More than ever before, the wisdom of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), a German philosopher, resonates with contemporary South Koreans who seek relief from relationship fatigue, social expectatio

July 9, 2024

Comic legend Bob Layton discovers Korea’s creative potential

A trip to Korea initiated by curiosity is turning into a new chapter in life for comic book artist Bob Layton. Layton's journey to Korea was to be a simple trip, but the country's culture and vibrant webtoon industry have the artist hooked. The man, the legend: Bob Layton Layton is something of a legend in the comic book world. Layton's career in the comic book industry dates back to the 1970s, where he made significant contributions, particularly with his work on Iron Man and oth

July 6, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Korea’s islands

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea, a peninsula nation, boasts a complex coastline stretching 17,361 kilometers. Along this coastline, Seoul officially counts 3,382 islands, with 2,918 of them remaining uninhabited. When considering islands within North Korean territory, the total exceeds 4,400 islands. Comparing countries based on their number of islands is challenging due to varying definitions and counting methodologies as well as data accuracy. South Korea's position in su

July 3, 2024