Last week, it was reported that South Korea’s export of instant noodles hit a new all-time high in the first half of the year. Yet the country’s leaders in the industry differ on how to spell the product in English. Nongshim, the perennial industry leader of instant noodles in the country, spells it “ramyun” on its homepage and on its exported product packages. But Ottogi and Samyang inscribe “ramen” on products that are shipped overseas. When inquired abou

Food Aug. 29, 2022

In May, a ruling by a Jeju court made headlines when it ordered the accused -- found guilty of threatening his subordinate -- not to curse and mistreat the victim, in addition to the suspended prison term he received. The man, a high-ranking official at a bus company, had been at odds with the plaintiff after the latter had joined the labor union and filed charges against him for assault. While judges hand out punishments in accordance with the law, there is a clause that allows them, or the p

Social Affairs Aug. 27, 2022

When Netflix‘s “Squid Game” became an international hit last year, Korean critics praised how the show’s emotional aspects helped its success among western audiences. Just a year later, the star-studded “Emergency Declaration,” one of the most anticipated films of 2022, went down in flames, obliterated by fans and critics alike, with criticism directed at its supposed tear-jerking moments. Comparing the differing responses these two received resurfaced a dec

Film Aug. 22, 2022

Hours before the baseball game between the Doosan Bears and Kiwoom Heroes in Seoul on Thursday, the area around Sports Complex Station was bustling with colorfully dressed fans, merchants and even scalpers calling out to bystanders. The scene was in stark contrast to just a year before, when the Korea Baseball Organization sold only 50, 30, 10 or zero percent of the seats, depending on the COVID-19 pandemic situation at the time. Korean pro sports are back, and the jam-packed exits at the

Hashtag Korea Aug. 21, 2022