“Icon of Debt”: S Korea's Most Sought-After Celebrity
Seven years ago, he was banned from major television channels after being convicted of running an illegal gambling business. Today, Lee Sang-min is one of the most sought-after celebrities in South Korea. He is a permanent panelist on 11 television shows. In May, he ranked first in a celebrity
Can Moon Jae-in Really Save S Koreans from ActiveX Hell?
In March, then-president hopeful Moon Jae-in pledged to rid all government-run websites of ActiveX and abolish the much-hated public certification system. Many South Koreans, fed up with the anachronistic security protocols, reacted with excitement and joy. Now, Moon Jae-in is South Korea’s new president. He
Meet Tory, South Korea's Potential First-Dog-To-Be
Tory is a South Korean mixed-breed dog whose fortunes may be about to change drastically. After being rescued from an abusive owner and given refuge in an animal shelter, Tory’s next stop might just be the most prestigious home in the nation: that of newly-elected president Moon
S Korea Election Day: Voter Snapshots in Seoul
A year ago today, Park Geun-hye probably would have had no idea how May 9 2017 would unfold. She would’ve imagined carrying out her official duties as president, albeit a lame duck president. She would’ve been thinking about the presidential election that would take place&
Progressives vs Conservatives: Fried Chicken or Pork Belly?
With just one day left until South Korea’s presidential election, many are busy speculating who will lead the country. Meanwhile, some are trying to tackle this incredibly challenging question about the future of the country: What will people eat while watching the post-election coverage? Spoiler alert: Fried chicken
Is Seaweed Soup Detrimental to Mothers and Newborns?
On birthdays, many South Koreans eat seaweed soup in the morning. After giving birth, mothers eat this brownish translucent broth swimming with seaweed, believing the nutrients will boost postnatal recovery. But recently, an Australian study has been circulating in South Korean media, warning that miyeokguk may not be so healthy
Woo Byung-woo: One Who Must Not Be Forgotten
Some of the most powerful figures in South Korean society were arrested as a result of Park Geun-hye’s corruption scandal: Lee Jae-yong, the de facto chief of Samsung, former ministers of culture and health, former Blue House aides who yielded significant power, and of course, former president Park Geun-hye
Meet S Korea's "Feminist" Grandpas
Handmaids are a rare breed in the Republic of Gilead, where most women are barren. The purpose of their existence is to reproduce. If these few fertile women shirk their duty to breed, they face immediate execution or, worse, are banished to “The Colonies” to die slowly of radiation poisoning.
The Election Lottery: Cast Your Ballot, Win a Prize?
What’s the best way to lure voters back to the ballot box? Some South Koreans think holding a lottery, with monetary prizes, may do the trick. Recently, 30-year-old software developer Yoo Byeong-joon launched the “National Voter Lottery” with six like-minded friends. The idea sparked interest last April, when politician
Captivating Moments from South Korea's Unexpected Election Season
In less than three weeks, South Korea will have a new president. It’s a little crazy how quickly things have moved in the past few months: Former president Park Geun-hye’s ouster from office on Mar. 10, which immediately kicked off the 60-day presidential race, and the fierce competition
Is the World's First Newspaper...Korean?
Is the world’s oldest-known newspaper Korean? A Buddhist temple in South Korea recently claimed that it possessed the world’s “first” daily newspaper, called the Jobo. If the claim is true, the Jobo would be almost a century older than the Einkommende Zeitungen, one of the world’
The "Mrs. Kim" Cliché: Hyundai Motor's Ads Patronize Women
Kim-yeosa, or “Mrs. Kim,” is a widely known term in South Korea. It’s used to demean female drivers — often those of older generations — who are clumsy on the road. “There goes Mrs. Kim,” one might say, when a female driver doesn’t abide by