The Mosquito Trucks of Childhood Past: Where Are They Now?
Opaque, white steam trailing behind loud trucks were a routine sight in many a childhood around the world. In South Korea, too, trucks would wail out siren sounds while emitting disinfectants and children would chase after the trucks through narrow alleyways, breathing in the foul-smelling gas. Used as a pesticide
50,000 Won for Loose Dogs, Public Smoking, and Death Threats
On Aug. 10, a South Korean broadcast jockey (BJ) live-streamed his quest to track down and “kill” a female YouTuber. But he’s not the only one being criticized online — netizens are just as angry and taken aback by the police who handled the case, by fining the jockey a
While Politics Swings Left, MBC Reporters Feel Pushed Further Right
One of South Korea’s biggest public broadcasters, MBC, is being criticized by its own reporters for biased reporting on the Moon administration. Last week, on Aug. 7, the economics desk at MBC News released a statement about reporting practices and hierarchical structures within the outlet. It claimed that since
Fried Chicken Tests Take Wing in South Korea
South Koreans love their fried chicken. So much so, in fact, that they’ve used it (cheekily) as a determinant of political party affiliation, labeled the country chimaek (chicken and maekju, or beer) republic, and consume 800 million chickens annually, in a country of 51 million people. Now, they’ve
Rape and Retribution: Nayoung's Story Isn't Over
In 2008 South Korea, an eight-year-old girl now known by the alias Nayoung was brutally raped and beaten by a 58-year-old man in a public bathroom. Months later, she and her family received a second wave of shock when the rapist was sentenced to a mere 12 years in jail.
Quiz: Are You A South Korean Hipster?
For hipsters, the hipster culture is so yesterday. (Or, if you’re a hipster, you probably won’t call yourself one) Many contemporary subgroups have now, ironically enough, become mainstream enough to no longer be deemed “cool,” as in fringe, niche, or esoteric enough to decorate the consumer with a
When It Comes to Hangovers, South Koreans Follow Their Gut: Haejang Traditions
A night of heavy drinking can sometimes be the cause of some serious homesickness while abroad. Back in my suburban university town in the States, it’s not uncommon to see the one local Korean restaurant packed on Saturday mornings, full of students trying to put their queasiness to rest
Park Geun-hye's Forgotten Blue House Documents
It seems the Blue House and Park Geun-hye just can’t seem to part. While the presidential office is still trying to figure out what to do with her leftover beds, it is now embroiled in the latest string of ties to the former president — thousands of potentially game-changing documents
Coping with the Heat? South Korean Frozen Treats to the Rescue
There comes a certain type of trust with tearing open the same exact ice cream package you’ve had for decades, and being able to predict its exact flavor. For most South Koreans, this is standard business — convenience store ice creams that were a staple of childhood are still around
South Korea Migrant Workers Publicize Dire Work Conditions
In a viral video posted by Facebook page “Khmer people in Korea,” a migrant worker is violently beaten and abused by a man assumed to be his South Korean boss. It has reached more than 2 million views since July 13. The video shows the worker being forcefully dragged around,
South Korea Drops HIV Screening of Foreigners, but Stigma Remains
The Ministry of Justice announced earlier this month that English teachers will no longer be screened for HIV during the visa application process to be eligible to enter and stay in South Korea. The decision comes 10 years after the government changed its visa policies for foreign English teachers, in
Viral Crash Footage Prompts Questions About Drowsy Driving
In a viral video from July 9, a blue bus first crashes into, then entirely crushes and shatters a white sedan on a highway through Seoul. A car to the right swerves to avoid the scene, only to hit another car and flip over onto its top. The 51-year-old driver