[Korea Quiz] Konglish terms in K-beauty

Before K-beauty became an export industry targeting consumers globally, South Koreans had been using terms in Konglish -- in this sense, English loan words appropriated into Korean in ways that mean something different than their original meaning -- to describe certain products. For starters, toners -- the liquid applied to the skin after cleansing and before moisturizing -- are commonly called “skin” in Korea. This can lead to somewhat baffling expressions in Korean like, "Yo

May 22, 2024

[Words to know] Corporate jargon to navigate S. Korean workplaces

Some coming straight out of college, new employees endeavor to adapt to South Korea's corporate culture, a journey made smoother if they're well-versed in business jargon -- both formal and informal. For international recruits, the challenge may be compounded by both a new language and a different work culture. Here are some insights into Korea's corporate culture explained through common office lingo, empowering those pursuing their careers here to navigate their workplaces.

May 21, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] World of the in-laws, where gender stereotypes persist

Shim Yeon-sun, 40, was surprised by her mother's behavior during her brother’s formal engagement dinner, where her family met the bride-to-be's family for the first time to discuss wedding plans. "My mother, who presented herself modestly at my 'sanggyeonnye' by saying 'My daughter still has a lot to learn,' seemed like a completely different person that day," she said. Sangyeonnye is a pre-wedding meeting at which the families of the bride and groom

May 19, 2024

[Weekender] Geeks have never been so chic in Korea

The stereotypical nerd with glasses who gets straight As in school has never been so fashionable in South Korea. Once relegated to the corner of the school cafeteria, geeky individuals have stepped into the limelight, as the mainstream warms to the intriguing blend of their characters and fashion, encapsulated by the term, “geek chic.” The term is not new. But the fashion is undergoing a revival amid a growing appreciation for nerd-like qualities, making geeky style elements all th

May 18, 2024

[Eye Interview] Italian priest feeds souls of the hungry in Korea

It was only 3:40 p.m. on a Tuesday, but at Anna’s House, dinner was ready. The meal of the day -- braised half-dried pollack, seasoned bean sprout salad, kimchi, kimchi soup and rice -- was neatly arranged in big containers. Father Kim Ha-jong gathered around with a group of volunteers and they all recited a prayer in unison. “We are grateful to serve those in need … happier when giving than receiving.” After the prayer, priest Kim, who was born in Italy as Vincenzo

May 18, 2024

Vintage digicams sought again by '90s kids

Old digital cameras, long neglected and gathering dust in South Korean homes, are now seeing a resurgence in demand in the secondhand market. Driving this newfound interest in vintage devices are both people in their 20s who grew up in the smartphone-camera era and those in their 30s who used digital cameras as kids. "I think owning a vintage camera is really hip nowadays," said Park Hye-in, 31, in an interview with The Korea Herald. Having recently purchased a used vintage camcorder

May 17, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Life milestones

Find the answer at the bottom. Depending on one's cultural background, one may celebrate various milestones in life. In South Korea, the first significant milestone for a baby is surviving the first 100 days of life. Although rare now, in the past, families -- often wealthy ones -- would invite relatives, neighbors and friends to a celebratory banquet marking the baby’s 100th day. This custom stemmed from the high infant mortality rates of the past, which records show stood at

May 15, 2024

Behind the making and marketing of ‘trendy’ dog breeds

Park Ji-won, 34, often hears comments like "It's refreshing to see a shih tzu. They seem so rare these days," while walking her 5-year-old dog. The recurring remarks prompted her to ponder a question: "During my elementary school years, shih tzus were everywhere. Where have all the shih tzus gone?" she said. "Even when I encounter them occasionally, they're usually very old." Park's observation reflects a shift in pet preferences in South Korea over

May 15, 2024

[Pressure points] Should non-drinkers split the check with friends who drink?

Where does the value of liquor lie at gatherings involving food and alcohol: in its price tag or in its mood-enhancing role? The social pressure on non-drinkers to chip in for their friends' alcoholic drinks is a contentious issue here, as shared platters, paid for collectively, often make up the bulk of the bill, unlike in some societies where individuals typically cover the cost of their own meals and drinks. Indeed, anonymous online discussion forums such as Blind, for verified employe

May 14, 2024

[Words to know] What it means to 'chew' messages

Since the advent of the smartphone era, KakaoTalk -- which Koreans commonly shorten to “katalk” -- has become the go-to form of digital communication among Koreans, eclipsing conventional text messaging. The nation’s No. 1 messenger app remains unchallenged here, even amid the proliferation of messenger platforms, each offering slightly different communication functions. Explanations of commonly used terms on KakaoTalk, often abbreviated for swifter messaging, along with re

May 14, 2024

[LLG] Unseen inheritance: Trauma of transnational adoption 'trickles down' to adoptees' children

As South Korea’s dark past of international adoptions continues to unravel, an unexpected second storm has emerged. Intergenerational trauma -- a concept from the field of counseling psychology that has come into wider use in recent years -- is connecting a generation of adoptees' children feeling the effects of their parents’ adoption experiences. With their newfound collective voice, adoptees' children are raising awareness for their community and the need for clarity on

May 12, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Three Kingdoms

Find the answer at the bottom. The Three Kingdoms period (57 BC-AD 668) was a fascinating era in the Korean Peninsula's early history, marked by rivalry and exchanges among three distinctively different kingdoms, each possessing its own charm and history. The distinctive appeals of the three kingdoms -- Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla -- along with their evolving dynamics, leading to their eventual unification under one conqueror, make this period one of Korean history's most studied ti

May 8, 2024

[LLG] 'The stars are there for everyone'

On a Saturday evening in March, Hong Kee-cheon brought his prized telescope out to a park in Ilsan, northwest of Seoul. He pulled a cart laden with his astronomy gear, weighing over 60 kilograms in total, to the heart of the park, where two people had already set up their more compact telescopes. “Tonight, Jupiter and its moons grace us," Hong, 52, said, his eyes scanning the skies above, before he began assembling what he affectionately calls his "scope." By the time he was

May 8, 2024

In global smartphone powerhouse, an unwavering submarket for 'dumb phones'

In February last year, Kim Min-ji bought a used Samsung flip phone made in 2009. With a circle-shaped LED display on the outside showing the time and information such as incoming calls, the cell phone was the same Kim used in her first year of college. “It brought back memories,” Kim said. But nostalgia wasn't her motivation for the purchase. She bought it for her 9-year-old daughter. She wanted to be able to reach her child whenever and wherever needed, but also to limit the

May 7, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Does your job define who you are? Should it?

"What do you do for a living?" Lim Eun-hye came to understand the power of this one simple line after losing the title of college student. Wanting to explore her true desires before settling into a mundane work life, she dabbled in various pursuits, including freelancing, traveling and social clubs. But she now bitterly admits that she was naive and out of touch with reality. "People didn't care who I was and what kind of values I was leading my life by,” Lim, 29, sai

May 6, 2024

Golden chance to liquidate babies’ gold rings?

A baby’s 1st birthday is celebrated in a significant way in South Korea, with the custom of showering the little one with gold jewelry -- most commonly gold rings. The tradition began in the early 20th century after Chinese immigrants to Korea gave gold and silver rings or bracelets as gifts. Each ring typically contains 1 “don” (3.75 grams) of 24-karat gold. Don is the unit used for measuring gold in Korea, originating from Japan. These gold pieces serve dual purposes, symbo

May 2, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Homes in Korea

Find the answer at the bottom. Six out of every 10 South Korean nationals live in apartments, earning South Korea the nickname, "the Republic of Apartments." According to law here, structures featuring multiple housing units per floor and standing at least five stories tall are considered apartments. Locals refer to them as “apateu.” As of 2022, apartment homes made up 64 percent of Korea's 19.16 million homes, according to Statistics Korea. Similar to many societa

May 2, 2024

[Survive & Thrive] Like my hair? Get yours done at a Korean hair salon, if you know how

If you thought perfect hair was only possible in Korean dramas or on K-pop stages, you might be surprised to see so many Koreans on the street with voluminous, perfectly styled hair. The secret may lie in Korean hair salons, or rather, in their abundance. According to KB Financial Group's Management Research Institute, the number of hair salons in Korea, including barber shops, surpassed 110,000, as of September 2020. This translates into 21.3 salons per 10,000 people. To put this in cont

April 30, 2024

Loanword-laden apartment names become lengthy, bizarre

Last November, a three-decade-old apartment complex in Gaepo-dong, Seoul, welcomed new residents with a new identity after being rebuilt: "Di-e-i-chi-peo-seu-ti-eo-a-i-pa-keu" in Korean, or "The H Firstier Ipark" in English. Previously, it was more simply called Gaepo Jugong. This 12-syllable new name, however, falls short of claiming the throne for the longest in the city, let alone the nation. The nation’s longest-named apartment complex, located in Paju, Gyeonggi P

April 29, 2024

New celebrity-endorsed therapy for face contouring requires only a pair of rubber bands

Rubber band therapy Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of hi-tech skin gadgets, a new trend has captured the attention of South Koreans, with a promise of swift lifting and contouring effects. All that’s required is a simple pair of rubber bands. The secret? Hang the rubber bands around your ears for about 10 minutes. This therapy has earned public endorsements from celebrities like Seo In-guk, Myung Se-bin and Kim Ha-young, with a variety of related content available on YouTube and

April 27, 2024