[Korean History] In 2012, K-pop makes leap from 'Gangnam' to the world

South Korean bands claiming a spot on the top global charts is by no means a surprise at this point, with acts like Blackpink, NewJeans and BTS commanding massive international fan bases. But just a little more than a decade ago, even cracking Billboard's top 100 singles chart would put a K-pop act in the national headlines. And it could be argued that BTS and its contemporaries owe just a bit of their worldwide success to the first K-pop song to enjoy worldwide success: Psy's 2012 meg

Dec. 15, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Dokdo, jewel in East Sea

Find the answer at the bottom. The South Korean island of Dokdo is an ecological jewel, situated furthest from the mainland. Comprised of two islets and 89 surrounding rock outcrops, the entirety of Dokdo is designated a natural monument and is under protection. The waters surrounding Dokdo are home to various marine creatures and rare marine plants, including band-rumped storm petrels, streaked shearwaters and black-tailed gulls. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, as of Aug

Dec. 13, 2023

All Koreans need for Christmas is ... a cake?

Ever wondered what Koreans most enjoy on their Christmas dinner tables? While the classic yuletide meal of turkey and stuffing are hard to find and there's no specific Korean Christmas dish, people often turn to a special treat enjoyed on other special occasions: cakes. Sharing a cake after a Christmas meal, which could be anything from a takeaway pizza and fried chicken to a more special menu, has become a cherished holiday tradition for many Korean families, with some splurging upwards

Dec. 12, 2023

[Korean History] Deadly sinking of Navy ship in 2010 marks worst postwar military disaster

On the night of March 26, 2010, an explosion was heard by crew members on a South Korean Navy corvette which had been patrolling off the country’s west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the West Sea. Five minutes later, the 1,200-ton Pohang-class patrol ship named the Cheonan was broken in half, and the rear half sunk into the ocean, killing 46 Navy personnel inside. “I heard a loud bang at 9:22 p.m. that night, with which the ship tilted to the right, and my body was flung up in the

Dec. 6, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Voluminous traditional Korean porcelain

Find the answer at the bottom. Large, voluminous and round white pottery vessels known as “moon jars” stand as quintessential examples of South Korea’s Joseon-era porcelain art. Originating from the late 17th century, these distinctive porcelain jars maintained their popularity through the late Joseon period, setting themselves apart as unique creations not replicated in China or Japan. The term "moon jar" is a relatively recent invention, created by Korean mode

Dec. 6, 2023

Storing away for a more compact life

The sense of constriction has become more palpable for Kim Min-hyung, a 30-something office worker in Seoul, as his belongings have piled up in his studio apartment over time. While buying a closet might be a straightforward and conventional solution, it carries the risk of further reducing his already confined living space. So Kim is contemplating using a self-storage service. "While renting a storage unit may appear unnecessary, I believe it's a sensible option considering Seoul&

Dec. 5, 2023

[Korea Beyond Korea] Korean Studies gaining traction at Complutense University of Madrid

MADRID -- The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) in Spain's capital boasts a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1293. As one of the world's oldest universities, it recently added Korean as a minor course within the Department of Asian Studies in 2021. Professor Yang Eun-sook, who has led Korean Studies at the university for 15 years, expressed a renewed sense of excitement for the future during an interview with The Korea Herald in October. Yang anticipates that Korea

Dec. 4, 2023

[Korea Beyond Korea] Chae Man-sik expert delivers Korean literature to Spanish readers

When Alvaro Trigo Maldonado came to South Korea in 2012, he only spoke basic Korean. Having studied Arabic and East Asian studies in Spain, Trigo did a master’s degree in Korean history and culture at the Academy of Korean Studies in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, at the time, and completed a two-year program at the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. He then did his Ph.D. back in Spain, writing a thesis on Korean novelist Chae Man-sik (1902-1950), and is now teaching Korean literatur

Dec. 4, 2023

A decade of YouTube and Korea in the World of Dave

In the vast landscape of YouTube, where content creators rise and fall, Dave Levene Jr. stands out as one of the first-generation YouTubers in Korea with over a million subscribers on his YouTube channel, “World of Dave.” Levene’s entry into content creation is a tale of randomness and unexpected viral success. In 2013, a video he posted on his personal Facebook account for his friends to watch went viral overnight, reaching over 40,000 likes and thousands of comments. This unp

Dec. 2, 2023

[Korea History] In 2009, a suicide forces Korea's political pendulum to left

On the morning of May 23, 2009, the South Korean public received shocking news that altered the country’s political course for years to come: Former President Roh Moo-hyun died after throwing himself off a cliff near his retirement home in Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. The deceased leader, then 62 years of age, had been under investigation concerning corruption allegations of his family members and those around him. While there was no conclusive evidence suggesting

Nov. 29, 2023

[Korea Quiz] Neighborhoods with exotic vibes

Find the answer at the bottom. Some districts in South Korea are representative of a certain foreign community, providing visitors with a distinctive cultural experience, marked by exotic surroundings, and a more hospitable, homelike atmosphere for some foreign nationals. On South Gyeongsang Province's Namhae Island, an annual Oktoberfest beer festival takes place in Namhae German Village there every October. This event offers visitors an immersive experience in different aspects of G

Nov. 29, 2023

Spike in camping enthusiasts in Korea, yet camping etiquette lags behind

“This is not a campsite,” reads a banner that hangs prominently -- yet seemingly powerlessly -- in a public parking lot at the port of a small island off the city of Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. After gaining social media fame as a haven for fishing and camping, the island of Neokdo’s usually quiet fishing villages are grappling with visitors in camping cars and tents overstaying their welcome. Often they occupy prime spots in public space, leaving them mostly unattend

Nov. 28, 2023

[Korea Beyond Korea] Korean studies in Turkey grows on foundation of strong relations

Despite being on the opposite sides of the continent, South Korea and Turkey have maintained a positive relationship throughout their histories. Turkey sent the fourth-highest number of troops during the 1950-53 Korean War, and it was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Korea in 1957. During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Korean fans celebrated the Turkish team’s accomplishments as well as their own as the two nations beat the odds to reach the semifinals. With the grow

Nov. 27, 2023

[Hello Hangeul] Welding book first in vocational Korean series for foreign labor

A plethora of textbooks and learning materials cater to Korean language learners from diverse backgrounds. But, there’s a significant gap for a particular type of learners whose grasp of work-related Korean is crucial not only for quality control and skills development but also for their own safety. In August, a groundbreaking work was released to fill the void of job-related technical books for non-Korean native speakers in welding. Welding, essential for various manufacturing processes

Nov. 27, 2023

‘Gorpcore’ a global validation of Korean ajeossi’s fashion instincts?

Long before the seemingly inscrutable neologism "gorpcore” entered the global fashion lexicon, middle-aged men in South Korea were trailblazing the look, seamlessly incorporating Gore-Tex jackets and hiking boots into their daily attire for work, dining and socializing. Leisurely strolling through Seoul's Dongmyo flea market, some of these ajeossi, an appellation for middle-aged men in Korean, caught the eye of a young menswear designer in July 2018: Kiko Kostadinov, whose anti

Nov. 25, 2023

[Korean History] In 2008, Korea's National Treasure No. 1 went down in flames

South Korea stopped assigning numbers to its national treasures a few years ago, but for many, the expression National Treasure No. 1 still remains synonymous with Namdaemun, or Sungnyemun by its official name. So when this gate from the 14th century burned down one night in 2008, the shock was indescribable, akin to what the French people might have gone through during the 2019 blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral. Koreans watched helplessly on TV as the wooden pagoda atop the arch-shaped stone gate b

Nov. 23, 2023

[Korea Quiz] 'Troika" of the 2000s

Find the answer at the bottom. In modern entertainment history, it became a tradition for Korean media to pick three era-defining female actors per decade. Dubbed “troika,” from the Russian term denoting a vehicle pulled by three horses, the three were picked based on their popularity, their work, the number of commercial deals they clinched, and other metrics. Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo and Jun Ji-hyun were the top actors in the 2000s in terms of clout. They became collectively know

Nov. 22, 2023

Cemeteries, columbariums reinvent themselves as sanctuaries for the living

Cemeteries and columbariums in South Korea evoke images of sorrowful families and friends mourning the loss of loved ones. With their rows of urns in glass cabinets, columbariums, in particular, are the last place anyone wishes to visit unless compelled to by the loss of someone dear to them. Called “memorial parks,” the solemn atmosphere of these facilities makes them an unwanted addition to a neighborhood in South Korea, where property prices are a key concern. But from about a dec

Nov. 21, 2023

[Korea Beyond Korea] In Sao Paulo, horizons expand for Korean studies

SAO PAULO -- Separated by oceans and a 12-hour time difference, Seoul and Sao Paulo lack direct flight connections and speak distinct languages. Yet, in this metropolis of over 11 million, the largest in the southern hemisphere, K-dramas are finding their way into ordinary Brazilian homes, and K-pop acts are captivating youth, gradually making the language spoken in the distant Asian nation more familiar to the local population. The University of Sao Paulo stands tall amid this newfound inter

Nov. 20, 2023

YouTuber ‘iGoBart’ and his mission to explore all 467 neighborhoods of Seoul

In labyrinthine Seoul, a multitude of hidden places often go unnoticed by both Seoulites and visitors. Social media has recently become a cornucopia of travel content, and Dutch YouTuber Bart van Genugten, also known as "iGoBart," has leveraged that to the best of his ability to offer a fresh perspective on Seoul’s layers beneath its shiny surface. In his daring new project, "Welcome To My Dong (WTMD)," iGoBart embarks on a journey to visit all of Seoul's 467 neigh

Nov. 18, 2023