What Happens to Women After #MeToo
The first #MeToo headlines are always big and dramatic. A male prosecutor accused of sexual harassment. The star politician accused of rape. The powerful, internationally respected male director. The CEO. The journalist. And more. But look beyond the headlines. What about the many more ordinary cases, that usually don’
South Korea's Plus-Size Women: Break the 48kg Myth
“Don’t girls normally weigh less than 50kg?” “If you weigh over 50, how can talk openly about your weight?” “ARE YOU CRAZY?” Meet the women giving the middle finger to South Korea’s pervasive culture of fat-shaming.
Before Criticizing South Koreans Eating Dog, Know the Context First
TL;DR: Many countries eat dog, not just South Korea. There are a lot of problems within the industry, which is barely regulated, but the problem isn’t as simple as South Korea rooting out the custom altogether. Neither is the problem just about a ‘backward, barbaric’ culture. Here’s
Why the Korean-Venezuelan Brothers Make Chocolate
Meet the creators of P.chokko, a chocolate shop in Seoul. They want to change Korean chocolate and send a message about their home, Venezuela.
Best Meat-Free Buddhist Places to Eat in Seoul
Typically known for fried chicken and barbecued pork belly, Korean food may not seem very vegetarian/vegan-friendly. But off the beaten paths in Seoul (and sometimes smack in the middle of it) stand Buddhist temples that offer clean and modest meat-free meals — even free of charge at times. In
The Artist Painting Seoul's Streets
Meet the street artist painting her impressions of Seoul — on Seoul. She illustrates the walls and buildings of the city, filling them with vibrant colors and characters.
Stop Attributing Everything to Confucianism
To some, Confucianism is synonymous with East Asia. Anything and everything about East Asian countries, good or bad, seems to be explicable through Confucianism. Perhaps sociologist Max Weber set the trend when he argued in 1915 that Confucian values had discouraged capitalist development in China. A century later, the Economist
Is It Still Hanbok if It's See-through?
Let’s face it. Hanbok may be beautiful to look at but cumbersome to wear. But 24-year-old CNe Choi is trying to change that. She has been attacked for allegedly debasing tradition — by adding her unique touches, from see-through materials to bold patterns. But she has also attracted
A K-pop Star for One Day
Going to a noraebang and belting out a tune or two is a favorite pastime for South Koreans. Some companies, though, see an opportunity in elevating this mundane experience to a new level: helping Chinese tourists feel like a K-pop star for one day. For more on this story, read:
Barber From Another Era
Opened in 1927, Seongwoo Barbershop is one of the oldest in South Korea. Its 68-year-old proprietor-cum-barber Lee Nam-yeol may also be one of the longest-running barbers in the country. Time seems to stand still here. Since Lee’s grandfather opened the shop under Japanese rule, Lee has kept most
Female Bus Drivers in Seoul
There are some 20,000 bus drivers in Seoul. Only 2 percent of them are women. Korea Exposé spoke to a couple of them to find out more about their job experience. Many jobs are still assumed to be “men’s/women’s jobs.”
Faster Than Men
Too many occupations are still perceived as “a man’s job,” or “a woman’s job.” Meet Hyemin Moon, a car racer in a sport still dominated by men. She’s not afraid to break stereotypes, and she’s not afraid