Islands to Visit in South Korea This Summer
Go to South Korea, and everyone will know these two islands: Jejudo in the southern end of the peninsula, which attracts over 15 million international and local tourists annually; and Dokdo, which is more a cluster of undistinguished rocks in the sea, famed for being at the center of the
Marijuana Taboo in the “Drug-Free” Nation
T.O.P, a member of a K-pop boy group Big Bang, has been lighting up local headlines for… well, lighting up. He is being charged by South Korean prosecutors for smoking marijuana. Many people want him punished for this “indecent” behavior — according to South Korean law, he could
Trending in South Korea: YOLO and One-day Classes
South Korea can be an innovative trendsetter when it comes to fashion, technology and pop culture. But when it came to YOLO, the country was a relatively late adopter of the catchphrase “you only live once.” It’s about five years late, and the YOLO trend comes with a twist.
"Happy Balloons": South Korea's Legal High
After a bit of trepidation, the young man sucks in air from a yellow balloon, as his friend eggs him on. He draws in the last gasp from the balloon and starts to shamble. Dropping the deflated balloon to the ground, he then puts his hands on his temples while
Soaring Fried Chicken Prices Ruffle South Koreans' Feathers
Bite through the crunchy outer layer and into the juicy flesh, wash it down with a gulp of cold beer, then balance the greasiness of the chicken with a sweet and sour pickled daikon radish cube. The tastiness of fried chicken, and its widespread availability, have made it a popular
Welcome to K-pop Idol School, Where Only the Beautiful Enter
“We are recruiting beautiful freshmen.” This shamelessly explicit phrase on its website says everything about Idol School, an institution that aims to nurture K-pop girl group members. In the video, girls in lolitaesque school uniforms (the skirts barely cover their thighs) vow to follow the school’s curriculum so
Alternative Retreat Destination: Prison
Dressed in jade clothing with plain design and coarse texture, with an ID number on her chest, a woman sits in solitary confinement, cross-legged, gazing out the window. The room is less than five square meters, and has basic facilities like a toilet, washbowl and a table. A food tray
Breaking the Contract with the Republic of Korea
“Politicians are all the same. They make a bunch of promises before the election, but once elected they forget all about them.” This was a fairly recurrent comment I heard on the day of the presidential election this year while interviewing people on the street. Last year, some South
"Humanities Bullshit"
An anonymous netizen posts on a forum: “What did president Park Geun-hye do right?” Another responded: “I own and run a pub near Gwanghwamun Square. Thanks to president Park, I got so many customers and paid off my debts…. Lol.” This is how “Humanities
Moon Jae-in's Road to Gender Equal Cabinet
With his good-looking entourage (especially one of his campaign bodyguards), newly-elected president Moon Jae-in has excited many in South Korea and beyond. Now, he is enthralling the electorate with his choice of ministerial nominees – this time, not for their appearances but because they are women in positions previously dominated
Resurgence of a South Korean Democracy Anthem
“A passionate oath to march our whole lives, leaving neither love nor reputation nor name. Our comrades are gone; only a fluttering flag remains. Let us stand firm until a new day comes.” This year, the solemn melody of “March for the Beloved” reverberated majestically at the national memorial ceremony
South Korea's Nordic Obsessions
A couple of months ago, I bought a monstera, a potted plant that my Swedish friend recommended as an indoor-friendly houseplant that grew in minimal natural lighting. He showed me photos of his place in Sweden with monstera plants hanging off the Nordic wooden shelves. When I looked up&