[Video] Indoor Games go wild to combat quarantine boredom

The 2020 Tokyo Games have been postponed, but people are taking themselves to the games at home to fill that void -- with the Quarantine Games. It all started when the Presley family held their games to combat lockdown boredom. The family uploaded footage of a viral competition series on TikTok, a short video-app, which quickly made them “internet famous.” The competition began in April when one of the family members attempted a challenge in which participants competed in drinki

CultureAug. 24, 2020

[Video] Communication in a world where facial expressions are unseen

Face masks that tightly cover mouths and noses are a vivid symbol of how the world is combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Masking up in public is mandated in more than fifty countries to guard their citizens against getting infected. And masking may stay for quite a while, according to experts. But face coverings in troubled times have hindered facial expressions of all kinds. Understanding and displaying feelings through closed layers are baffling for the majority to interpret emotions. Likewis

CultureAug. 11, 2020

[Video] Seoul’s repurposed space turned into a majestic sky garden

Seoullo 7017 is an overpass-turned-sky garden situated on a disused highway ramp at the heart of Seoul. The name translates to “Seoul Road,” with the number “7017” coming from two symbolic years. The overpass was first built in 1970, and was reborn in its current form in 2017. The city took a cue from New York’s glorious High Line as part of its urban redevelopment project. The effort was put into action in 2015 and the bustling cosmopolitan capital revamped into

CultureAug. 5, 2020

[Video] Breaking the ice in the era of social distancing

The intricate art of socializing never comes easy, depending on personalities. Introverts usually despise the awkward silence during small gatherings and the need to mingle. Extroverts find it easier to approach newcomers in unfamiliar settings. Getting to know someone new is challenging, but can’t be avoided because relationships are a crucial part of life. Every day, humans seek emotional connections on a deeper level for better well-being and happiness. A short encounter with a str

CultureJuly 28, 2020

[Video] A cup of coffee brewed with inspiration

Located in Seongsu-dong, known as the “Brooklyn of Seoul,” a cafe named Hisbeans opened its 19th store in March this year. At the counter you notice the sign which reads, “Our coffee is made by 67 professional baristas, and they are not people who have disabilities. They are the truly talented (baristas).” The baristas working at Hisbeans are people who have mental disabilities, experiencing anxiety disorders and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophreni

CultureJuly 22, 2020

[Video] Newly coined online terms fun for young Koreans, puzzle for others

As with other cultures and countries, Korea’s youth have their own vocabularies, slangs and some creative expressions reflecting a range of trends and ideas. Korean teenagers are producing a torrent of new slangs that defy easy interpretation by those in other age groups. The objects, ideas and definitions behind the newly coined words are not entirely new, but they are still a sign of the time in general and what is linguistically fashionable among the young generation. Cryptic acron

CultureJuly 16, 2020

[Video] Convenience stores begin selling lighter, droplet-blocking masks

Convenience stores in South Korea began selling thin, droplet-blocking masks on July 1. Labeled as KF-AD for Korean Filter and Anti-Droplet, the newly stocked masks are now available at CU, 7-Eleven and Emart24 across the nation.  Five masks are sold in one package at the cost of 3,000 won. There is no limit to how many masks one person can buy.  CU and 7-Eleven plan to supply 500,000 and 350,000 masks a week, respectively. Emart24 is set to sell 1 million masks in the first week of

Social AffairsJuly 2, 2020

[Video] Subtle, ordinary moments of Seoul captured through lens

  James Lucian is a daytime kindergarten English teacher who wanders around the streets of Seoul, taking pictures of people and places. His work has gained attention from both amateur and professional photographers interested in Korea. James has close to 20,000 followers on his social media account where he posts stories. After his high school experience visiting the darkroom doing photography, James discovered his lifetime interest and decided to major in Fine Art Photography at the Univ

PeopleJune 29, 2020

[Video] Why Seongsu-dong is called ‘Brooklyn of Seoul’?

Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul was once filled with rugged warehouses and shops specializing in handmade shoes. The once-industrial district has turned into an Instagrammable spot. Trendy cafes and restaurants have replaced old storage spaces, infusing fresh energy into the district. Unique signboards, tables and chairs lying outside the cafes sit in contrast with the remnants of old buildings. Cafes and restaurants exhibit stylish sensibilities, inviting people to experience a newly emergin

CultureJune 26, 2020

[Video] Korean War veterans wish for the end of war and lasting peace

Korean War veterans, bereaved families and future generations wished for the end of war and lasting peace on the 70th anniversary of the beginning of the 1950-1953 Korean War. South Korea’s northeastern Gangwon Province held a commemorative ceremony at Baekma Goji Memorial Tower in the border county of Cheorwon on Thursday. Under the theme “Beyond Memory, Together with Hope,” 400 people, including the members of the Korean War Veterans Association and officials from the Ga

North KoreaJune 26, 2020

[Video] A home transformed into a shared office for NPOs

Dongrak-ga, a shared working space in central Seoul’s Jongno, opened its doors last month, offering space that nonprofit organizations in Korea can use without paying any rent.  Dongrak-ga translates into “a place where people come together for fun,” and was originally the house of Lee Joon-yong, the honorary chair of the corporation Daelim. After his retirement, Lee announced in 2015 that all his property, estimated to be worth around 200 billion won ($165 million), wou

CultureJune 22, 2020

[Video] A frosty summer companion to beat the heat

The summer season often triggers an irresistible whim to hop on a plane. Italy has affogato; the Philippines has halo-halo as its summer staple and Korea has patbingsu. The dessert is made of shaved ice and condensed milk with red bean paste taking center stage. A big spoon of the smooth ice texture hints that summer is imminent when it glides down your throat. This is when the scorching heat and bright sunlight have replaced the cherry blossoms of spring. Around this time of the year, Kore

CultureJune 19, 2020

[Video] S. Korea introduces QR entry log system

  Since June 10, South Korea requires QR code entry logs at facilities deemed to pose a high risk of creating COVID-19 clusters. It is a step intended to bolster the country’s contact-tracing capabilities and study virus transmission routes. Around 80,000 facilities across the nation -- including bars, nightclubs and singing rooms -- are now required to install QR code readers. Anyone who wishes to enter first needs to scan a QR code using a Naver smartphone app. 　 The Korea Center

Social AffairsJune 17, 2020

[Video] A walk through K-pop paradise: SMTown and K-Star Road

The iconic picture of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr crossing Abbey Road turned 50 last year. The zebra crossing featured on the group’s 11th album is now the world’s most famous crosswalk. Similarly, the 1-kilometer-long K-Star Road features the Gangnamdol -- the name is a mixture of Gangnam, idol and doll -- which represent renowned K-pop groups. Hallyu Street, situated in this affluent district of Seoul, is modeled after the Walk of Fame in Hollywo

K-popJune 12, 2020

[Video] COVID-19 pandemic ushers in new ways of exploring art in Seoul

With the summer heat and the COVID-19 virus hitting the metropolitan area in South Korea, citizens are in search of places to avoid the scorching sunlight as well as the crowd. Citizens are making their way to a host of local museums and art galleries in Seoul, which have taken preventive measures to block the spread of the coronavirus. A case in point is D Museum, located in Seoul’s Hannam-dong, which opened its doors last month, after having been closed due to COVID-19. The museum&rs

Arts & DesignJune 8, 2020

[Video] When will tourists return to Myeong-dong?

English, Chinese and Japanese conversations are widely heard in Myeong-dong -- Seoul’s famous shopping district for foreign tourists. Shops here typically hire at least one Chinese-speaking employee at the counter to serve Chinese shoppers. In recent months, it is somewhat difficult to hear the three different languages widely used in Myeong-dong, as the number of inbound tourists sharply declined in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Around the world, countries have tightened border c

TravelJune 5, 2020

[Video] ‘No-mask, no-ride’ policy for public transport

South Korea has launched a “no-mask, no-ride” policy for public transportation to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus infections. The Korean government has allowed taxi or bus drivers to refuse to give rides to passengers who are not wearing masks since May 26. Although there is no law to regulate passengers without masks, Seoul has eased a clause that bans drivers from rejecting passengers for the time being. The strengthened measures came amid another wave of COVID-19 infe

Social AffairsJune 1, 2020

[Video] Night spots closed as virus spreads again

Just days after the nation eased social distancing guidance, young people took themselves to Seoul’s nightlife district. Youngsters -- mostly in their 20s and 30s -- lined up in single file at the front door of a club, waiting to get temperature checks. Yet, there were no masks to be seen once inside. The recent cluster of infections linked to Itaewon clubs has instigated a public outcry over the country’s youth culture. Entertainment venues in Shinchon and Hongdae, western

Social AffairsMay 22, 2020

[Video] Virus scare leads to drive-thru upgrades

Drive-thrus became familiar in Korea when fast-food giant McDonald’s opened its first location in 1992. The contactless system allows people to purchase or receive goods and services without leaving the car. Recently, the country began setting up drive-thru testing sites for more examinations to combat the virus. The quick service has since sprawled across the nation at a rapid pace and been imported by other countries. Taking a cue from the road-style facilities, schools have also ad

Social AffairsApril 29, 2020

[Video] What is ‘Nth Room’ case and why it matters

The “Nth Room” refers to a massive digital sex crime that has shaken up the country due to its unprecedented scale and violence, involving dozens of victims, many of them minors. On mobile messenger Telegram, paying members joined secret chat rooms to watch videos in which women were sexually exploited and abused. Experts say the crime reflects how women, regardless of age, are viewed in Korean society. Victims were priced based on their perceived value as sexual objects. It&rsq

Social AffairsApril 24, 2020