[Weekender] Fast, cheap and convenient

On a Saturday morning, a middle-aged man in a black leather jacket cuts between vehicles on a motorbike to reach the head of the queue at a red light. When the light turns green, he whizzes past other vehicles, riding off with a big pile of packages loaded on the back of his bike.“I like Saturdays. There’s less traffic and I can travel more quickly,” said Koag Sung-soo, a 54-year-old courier. Koag delivers documents, parcels or just about anything that is not too heavy or big for his 125 cc moto

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Safety is key for women customers

On a Saturday night, I felt a sudden urge for instant noodles, a pack of frozen dumplings, tofu and some other trivial groceries, but didn’t feel like going out ― it was freezing and around midnight, and the idea of having to get dressed for an outing was unbearable. I picked up the phone and called a delivery service. The operator asked a few questions ― my name, address and the items I wanted to purchase. She acknowledged that it was a busy weekend night and the delivery might run a little lat

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Mobile food order apps seek to go mainstream

South Korean students, office workers, singles and especially those who find it frustrating to stand in queues see home-delivered food as a blessing. Only a couple of years ago, they used to reach for flyers to place an order. Now, things have become smarter. Suh Jeng-hoon, for instance, is a student who enjoys food delivery and uses mobile apps specializing in this to read reviews, browse menus, check restaurant locations and even place orders. Like Suh, a growing number of Korean consumers pre

Social AffairsJan. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Drones for delivery?

A drone-based delivery system currently under development has raised hopes for faster, more efficient services, but concerns over its feasibility linger due to legal and technical limitations.A series of major global firms such as Amazon have recently revealed their prototype services, which aim to reduce delivery time and labor costs to increase profits. But challenges such as safety concerns, logistics and potential invasion of privacy remain.Experts express concerns about flying drones in pop

TechnologyJan. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Riding into the new year

While the horses are used for leisurely riding in modern Korea, people on the peninsula have had a relationship with the animal since prehistoric times. For Koreans, the horse has been a stable source of nutrition, a dear friend, an efficient means of transportation, and a symbol of power. From Jan. 13, 2014, to Feb. 18, 2015, people here and across East Asia will celebrate the Year of the Horse, which is associated with stamina and power and also represents practicality and obedience to nature.

Jan. 3, 2014

[Weekender] Korea’s horse racing industry goes global

In recent years, Korea’s horse racing industry has gained the spotlight from the global market. The nation’s racehorses have been exported to other countries including Malaysia and Macau, and Korea also held its first international race with Japan last November. The state-run Korea Racing Authority said it exported broadcasts of the race to Singapore for the first time in Korea last December. The KRA signed a deal with Singapore Turf Club to air the grand prize race at Seoul Racing Park. “This i

IndustryJan. 3, 2014

[Weekender] Saddling up for business

As we ring in 2014, the Year of the Horse, businesses are introducing the mammal in their products and marketing tactics.It’s happening even in the food business: The horsemeat market in Korea, albeit fledgling, is on a growth path as the meat is increasingly perceived as a healthy food.One restaurant located in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, draws in those wanting to try unique gourmet foods.“Raw minced horsemeat is the most popular at the small restaurant,” Chae Sang-ho, owner of the r

Jan. 3, 2014