[Weekender] Activities galore for expats this Chuseok

Chuseok, or the Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the country’s biggest holidays, and traditionally spent at home with family and loved ones. The occasion is widely considered to be about good food and company, but expats without family in Korea are often left with the question of how to spend the break. With Seoul virtually desolate as masses travel to their hometowns, some expats may choose to jet off overseas, too. However, those stuck in the city during this upcoming holiday need not despair, a

CultureSept. 9, 2016

[Weekender] Do hangover cures actually work?

On the morning after a night of heavy drinking, many hungover Koreans feel better after having a bowl of hearty, spicy soup. 　There is a plethora of choices -- soybean sprout soup and ox bone spicy soup, to name a few -- which all belong under the category of “haejangguk”: any soup that is eaten as a hangover cure in Korean cuisine.　For Kim Ji-hwan, a 31-year-old office worker in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, his favorite haejangguk is a bowl of potato soup with Korean red pepper powder. “It’s heart

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2016

[Weekender] How do Koreans relieve a hangover?

Kim Jae-hwan, who drinks heavily at least three times a week to socialize with his co-workers, had to find a magic cure to relieve his hangovers so he could work as usual the next morning. His routine of convenience store noodles followed by vitamin pills from the pharmacy seems to do the trick every time. Haejangguk street in Nakwon-dong, Jongno, Seoul (The Korea Herald file photo)“After I drink a lot, I get a headache,” said Kim, who recently got a job at a Seoul-based company. “And for me, my

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2016

[Weekender] Gukbap, a warm pot of consolation for the weary

When hungover, most Koreans almost instinctively crave a hot pot of soup, or haejang-guk, hoping that the warm spicy liquid will soothe the unwanted consequences of boozing.While the question of whether haejang-guk has the hangover healing effect still remains, one thing is for certain -- that rice soup, or gukbap, has always been an indispensable factor in Korea’s food culture. Gukbap (Yonhap)According to the traditional Korean food serving protocol, which sets rice and soup in separate bowls a

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2016

[Weekender] Hangover remedies in 20 countries

Despite the different drinking cultures around the world, there is one universal truth that no one can escape from after a night of heavy drinking: the hangover.As studies technically show, the only way to avoid the dreaded hangover is to drink less, but there are other tactics people use to reduce the pain and suffering that come having one too many. While the go-to cure for many people is to drink plenty of water in the morning, different countries have their own designated hangover food, comp

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2016

[Weekender] The aftermath: sobering up

It is not a pretty sight in the streets of Hongdae on a Saturday morning.Famous for being one of the hot spots for young clubbers in South Korea, the pavement mixes chaos and serenity, as the morning calm is broken by random bursts of young men and women staggering from weight of all-night partying.Sprawled unconscious adjacent to M2 club are youngsters who seem to have overestimated their own sobriety. And just around the corner are all-night eateries, serving up gamjatang (spicy pork and potat

Social AffairsSept. 2, 2016

[Weekender] Retailers eye wine market through exclusive sourcing

The wine industry is on the rise in Korea as consumers show an increasing preference for lighter, fruitier alternatives to the traditional strongholds of beer and soju. In response to the rising demand, companies in Korea are developing exclusive partnerships with wineries abroad to bring down prices and increase sales. The wine sampler at Mad for Garlic. (Mad for Garlic)“As we have more customers asking for wine, we wanted to find ways to bring them quality wines at lower prices,” a spokesman f

IndustryAug. 26, 2016

[Weekender] Korea’s budding winemaking scene

YEONGCHEON, North Gyeongsang Province – Popular wines in Korea are mainly sourced from countries such as France, Italy and Spain, but recently, locally produced Korean wines have been carving out their own share of the market.Korean vineyards started to venture into winemaking in the late 1990s and benefited from an unprecedented wine boom driven by the hit Japanese wine-themed comic “The Drops of God” in the early 2000s.Vineyards on the island of Daebudo on the west coast jumped into winemaking

FoodAug. 26, 2016

[Weekender] Koreans more adventurous with wine

For many Koreans of a certain age, hearing the word “Majuang” will bring a wistful smile. It is difficult to recall the taste, but in the days when imported wines were a rarity, Majuang ruled. 　The story has it that Majuang, launched in 1977, was created at the behest of the late President Park Chung-hee, who, while visiting Germany, hit upon the idea of producing grape wine in Korea as an alternative to the traditional rice wine. The country suffered from a rice shortage at the time and the man

FoodAug. 26, 2016

[Weekender] Rise and fall of restaurant chains in Korea

Up until the mid-2000s, US restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse was the go-to dining option for many Koreans who wanted to celebrate special occasions.The Australian-themed casual-dining chain has served its signature grilled steaks and cheese fries for years. However, it has lost ground in recent years due to the growing trend of health-conscious customers and market demand for unique menu items. In 2014, Bloomin’ Brands, the US-based company that brought Outback Steakhouse to South Korea in 199

IndustryAug. 19, 2016

[Weekender] Dining as leisure, small luxury

For many Koreans, cutting up an American-style steak with a knife and fork was until recently the most common idea of premium dining. Western-themed restaurants thrived for nearly 20 years in the ’90s and 2000s, serving as popular venues to experience food more exotic than kimchi and rice, and to celebrate special occasions. Driven by technological advancements and economic growth, however, dining has recently become about more than just eating out. A growing number of Koreans are perceiving din

IndustryAug. 19, 2016

[Weekender] Food tech transforms dining industry

Technological developments have significantly changed dining and restaurant operations worldwide, improving convenience and efficiency. South Korea, one of the most-wired countries in the world, is no exception. Good restaurants can now be tracked down and reservations made with just a few simple clicks. Models promote restaurant recommendation and pre-order app Syrup Table (SK Planet)According to data released by the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. and the Agriculture Minist

IndustryAug. 19, 2016

[Weekender] Conglomerates go head-to-head in casual dining

Competition for customers at Seoul’s various casual premium restaurants is fierce, with restaurants opened up by owner-executives of Korea‘s largest corporations aggressively seeking to set trends and gain international clout. The battle features some formidable names, including CJ’s Lee Jay-hyun and Shinsegae’s Chung Yong-jin.CJ Group’s restaurant operator CJ Foodville is undoubtedly the oldest and best established in casual dining. Its buffet and steak house VIPS has long become a household na

IndustryAug. 19, 2016

[Weekender] Shake Shack scores big with trendy Koreans

Kim Go-hee, a 22-year-old university student living in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, had one mission on a recent day trip to Seoul -- dining at South Korea’s first Shake Shack restaurant, which opened last month in Gangnam, southern Seoul.　　Kim, who was with her boyfriend, had to wait in line in the scorching heat for nearly an hour on Wednesday afternoon. Parasols and ice packs at hand, the couple passed the time by taking selfies in front of the store for Instagram and Facebook.　After successf

IndustryAug. 19, 2016

[Weekender] Korea braces for antigraft law

Korea’s civil servants, elected officials, journalists and officials of private educational institutions must soon abide by this new discipline: They cannot receive free meals that cost more than 30,000 won ($27), presents worth over 50,000 won or monetary gifts valued 100,000 won or higher. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act -- or the Kim Young-ran law, named after its initiator and the former chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission -- is poised to reshape the country’s cu

Social AffairsAug. 12, 2016

[Weekender] Antigraft bill puts local industry on its heels

A seafood restaurant based in Jongno, Seou recently adjusted the price of its two most popular dishes from 32,000 won ($29) to 28,000 won per person.It was a preemptive measure to assure that government officials at the Seoul Government Complex, located just around the corner, would continue visiting the eatery after the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act kicks in next month. Often referred to as the Kim Young-ran law, named after former Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission chief Kim You

Social AffairsAug. 12, 2016

[Weekender] Antisolicitation law at a glance

In spite of all the opposition, concerns and disputes, the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act -- commonly dubbed the Kim Young-ran law -- will finally take effect starting from September 28.Guidebooks have been issued by various public and private agencies, including the supervisory Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. However, its extensive range of regulation and murky details is still causing confusion among the general public.Below are some of the key questions and answers. An offic

Social AffairsAug. 12, 2016

[Weekender] Confused businesses prepare for anti-graft law

With the looming effectuation of the antigraft law, most South Korean companies are suffering from confusion about how they can prepare for promotional and other events.The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act basically bans businesses from offering meals over 30,000 won, gifts over 50,000 won and congratulatory or condolence money over 100,000 won to selected groups of people. Employees show a gift set priced below 50,000 won for the upcoming Chuseok holidays at the Ritz-Carlton, Seoul. (Yonhap)

IndustryAug. 12, 2016

[Weekender] Korean firms use Olympics as sales booster

The Summer Olympic Games that kicked off Friday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are a bonanza for major Korean businesses that have suffered from sluggish domestic consumption for years. Companies across industries are aggressively rolling out marketing events to appeal to consumers around the world during the 17-day international sports event.  Models pose with gold medals to promote a giveaway event dubbed “Lovely Korea Festival” at the Lotte Department Store headquarters in Sogong-dong, central Se

IndustryAug. 5, 2016