[Korea Quiz] (29) Soybean powder, a recipe for disastrous family?

Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related. -- Ed. Which of the following best explains the meaning of "kong garu” (soybean powder) in the dialogue below? Find the answer at the bottom of the page. Soybean powder is a special ingredient that goes with several Korean delicacies; sprinkling it over injeolmi or gyeongdan rice cakes can be transformative. But its flavor turns sour when used in reference to a family. A

Nov. 16, 2022

[Land of Squid Game] Using middle finger unknowingly

Most people never use their middle finger when pointing; it is used only as an obscene gesture. Some Koreans unknowingly use their middle finger to point at a menu, press buttons on the elevator, scroll on their smartphone, or adjust their glasses. All of this is done unwittingly because they don't know what it means and is not intended to insult anyone at all. Min Byoung-chul is an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University who is widely known as a multicultural educator and for his

Nov. 16, 2022

No need to fly: Experience Japan in Korea

Friends and couples in kimonos take pictures on streets lit by colorful paper lanterns under the eaves of Japanese-style houses and shops. Food stalls' yakitori, takoyaki and platters of beautifully arranged sashimi tempt the appetites of passersby. At a shinto shrine, people write prayers or wishes on paper strips and bamboo plaques and hang them on wooden hooks. This corner of Dongducheon, just north of Seoul, may be a picture-perfect slice of Japan, but if you came to the same spot years

Nov. 15, 2022

‘Land of Squid Game’ author holds special lecture

Min Byoung-chul, the author of “Land of Squid Game” and endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University, recently held a special lecture to talk about the content of his book with his local and international readers. Min, a well-known English educator and K-Culture advocate, explained Korean culture and behavior, along with the traditional games that were introduced in the book. The lecture was held Nov. 9 at the AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam in southern Seoul. Published last De

Nov. 13, 2022

[Weekender] In hyper-connected Korea, a growing urge to unplug

Smartphones brought the world to our fingertips. But they have also brought endless notifications, social feeds and a deluge of information and distractions. Fatigue from this ever-persistent and ultra-fast connectivity has led to a growing interest in ‘digital detox’, or unplugging from the digital and online world, among South Koreans. Kim Young-jae, a 40-year-old office worker, felt a strong urge to disconnect recently. It was after the Oct. 29 Itaewon crowd crush which left 156 p

Nov. 12, 2022

Mosque project pits villagers against Muslims in Daegu

DAEGU -- A pig’s head sits atop a small chair at a residential dead end. Another is placed on top of a bucket, a few steps away. On a wall hangs a banner that reads: “We strongly oppose the construction of an Islamic mosque.” This tiny corner of Daehyeon-dong in the southern conservative city of Daegu is the site of one of the most acrimonious cultural conflicts in South Korea today. A group of Muslims bought one of the properties here and have set out to build a mosque. Now ne

Nov. 11, 2022

[Land of Squid Game] Using reverse 'V' sign unknowingly

The 'V' sign, which started as a symbol of victory or peace, is used by many Koreans while taking pictures. While most of the Koreans use this as a 'V' sign only, rather than a 'peace' sign; some of them unknowingly do the reverse V sign (with their index and middle finger held up with their palm facing towards them). The reverse V sign, which is merely done unknowingly by Koreans, is an obscene gesture and must be avoided, especially in international settings.

Nov. 9, 2022

[Korea Quiz] (28) Proud Son of S. Korea

Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related. -- Ed. Find the answer at the bottom of the page. Son Heung-min, a player on the English Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur, is considered one of the best forwards in the world and arguably the best Asian soccer player of all time. The youngest child of a former South Korean professional soccer player Son Woong-jung, Son relocated to Germany to join the youth team of Hamburger S

Nov. 9, 2022

Abandoned spiral ramp turns into public art space in Seoul

A derelict spiral ramp, which was once connected to a rooftop parking garage of the former Seoul Station building, has been adorned with fluorescent installations. At the hollow center of the circular ramp stands a large, blue structure that resembles a rotating galaxy. Dubbed “Docking Seoul,” the once-abandoned structure in the center of the capital has been turned into a unique cultural space with immersive art experiences. The ramp has been disused since 2004, when the new Seo

Nov. 8, 2022

[Subway Stories] Gwanghwamun revamped: old sounds, but new look

On Saturday, an estimated 20,000 people gathered on the streets of Jung-gu, Seoul near City Hall Station and Gwanghwamun Station in memory of the Itaewon tragedy that claimed 156 lives. The participants protested the lack of safety measures and promptness in response from authorities the day of the tragedy. The tribute, however, sparked a mixed reaction as some -- particularly the factions supporting President Yoon Seuk-yeol -- raised suspicion that the protest was politically charged to bring d

Nov. 6, 2022

[Korea Quiz] (27) When you are in your “Leeds era”

Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related. -- Ed. Find the answer at the bottom of this page. Leeds is the name of an English city. But in Korea, the term “Leeds era” has taken on a life of its own. It is a popular term that has stood the test of time and inspired the name of a TV show as well as a commercial. It is also often used in everyday conversations as well as making an appearance in headlines for entertainment

Nov. 2, 2022

[Land of Squid Game] Laughing when embarrassed

When Koreans make a mistake, they often smile to conceal their embarrassment. This is often misunderstood by foreigners, who usually expect a person to look contrite. To a non-Korean, a smile on such an occasion often implies, "I have done something wrong, but I don't care." Koreans are not, however, being discourteous in this case; they are simply admitting their fault through an embarrassed or nervous laughter. Min Byoung-chul is an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang Unive

Nov. 1, 2022

Itaewon, a party district with international vibe, was magnet for Halloween revelers

Itaewon, a popular nightlife district in Seoul known for its cultural diversity and international flair, has always been considered the place to go for Halloween festivities. On Halloween weekends, young people in their late teens and 20s wearing costumes of zombies, ghosts or famous characters would fill the streets, using the holiday with traditional Irish roots to express themselves in a way that is not usually considered socially acceptable here. On Saturday, when a fatal crowd surge late in

Oct. 30, 2022

[Interview] ‘It’s just a job’: Actor-turned-shaman speaks against prejudice toward shamanism

Many Koreans have a love-hate relationship with traditional shamans, or “mudangs” as they are called here. While it is not unusual to find a practitioner around the block, they are still widely frowned upon by the majority of the public. Jeong Ho-geun, a 58-year-old veteran actor better known as a shaman nowadays, has experienced such prejudice firsthand since he decided to become a shaman in 2014. His friends started dodging his calls and people left him “like the parting of t

Oct. 29, 2022

When everyone is on KakaoTalk and you have a secret to hide

When KakaoTalk was down and suffered extended service malfunctions last month, rumors quickly swept through social media platforms that the messenger app’s multi-profile function had gone haywire, exposing users’ profile photos to groups which were not intended to be shown. People with secrets to keep, such as extramarital affairs, became particularly concerned about the rumor. A blog post on Daum acted as a warning to other adulterers who created a secret relationship profil

Oct. 28, 2022

"Land of Squid Game” author to hold live chat with readers

Min Byoung-chul, an endowed chair professor at Chung-Ang University and a multicultural educator, will hold an author event in Seoul next month. In the lecture, Min will talk about his recent book “Land of Squid Game,” which highlights some deep-rooted aspects of Korea’s unique culture and traditional games. The first 100 participants will receive a copy of the book for free. A live chat with the author is limited to 50 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. The event wi

Oct. 28, 2022

[Korea Quiz] (26) Birthplace of black noodles

Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related. -- Ed. Find the answer at the bottom of the page. Incheon, a port city west of Seoul, has long served as South Korea’s gateway to the outside world. Located on the western tip of the country and facing China across the sea, it is where the largest numbers of Chinese merchants settled following the opening of the port in the late 19th century. For this reason, the city boasts the lar

Oct. 26, 2022

'No tattoos allowed here'

Tattoos were once considered a badge for gangsters in Korea, but they have become a medium of self-expression or a fashion statement among younger generations. Many are not reluctant to show off their inked skin in public or on social media, but there still persists a societal stigma surrounding the body art. A sports center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, has recently put up a notice that restricts entry of tattooed members. The no-tattoo policy was introduced after complaints from nontattooed member

Oct. 25, 2022

[Land of Squid Game] Coordinating hiking outfits

With 70 percent of its land covered in mountains, many Koreans enjoy hiking as a part of their weekend leisure activity. Mountains are a place where Koreans feel a great sense of community and togetherness. And when it comes to dressing, most Koreans wear proper hiking outfits and carry their hiking sticks along with all the necessary gear for a hike. Sometimes you will see a group of middle-aged hikers wearing coordinated outfits to express their affinity as one group. Min Byoung-chul is an

Oct. 25, 2022

[Subway Stories] Art meets rusty factories in Seoul’s Mullae-dong

  The following is part of Seoul Subway Stories, a Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. -- Ed.   A roughly five-minute walk from Exit No. 7 of Mullae Station on Seoul subway leads you to a village with two faces. Greeting visitors first are the boisterous sounds of machinery and workers cutting and welding iron bars and slabs inside small factories and metal workshops. But soon, one can hear jazz and classical music being played somew

Oct. 23, 2022