South Korea news
Sympathy For Student Vengeance?
“Did you see this?” On the morning of June 14, a scary message started circulating in my group Kakao chat with other peers at Yonsei University. The message read: “There has been an explosion on the university campus. While the possibility of revenge crimes, terror or further explosions is
T.G.I.F: Will Leaving Work Early on Friday Boost Consumption?
Starting this month, the South Korean government is hoping that a little more free time can boost lagging consumption and a dreary economy. A program will soon take effect that allows government workers to leave work at 4 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. The government
"Becoming Prettier": K-pop MV Chronicles Girl Group's Plastic Surgery
Four girls in skintight pink bodysuits march into a surgery room. One of them lies down and closes her eyes, as blinding white light gleams from the surgical headlights above her. Then, a long beep and brief silence, followed by a catchy beat with these lines: “I’m
A-maizing Ambition: "Dr. Corn" Runs for South Korean Presidency
It’s not uncommon for seemingly random figures to run for power in a democracy. South Korea is no different: On Friday, a man dubbed “Dr. Corn” will announce his bid for the presidency in a press conference at the International Corn Foundation in Pohang. His name is
China Travel Clampdown Empties South Korea's Myeongdong
Myeongdong, a downtown Seoul shopping district typically packed with tourists, was unusually quiet on Wednesday. For the last few years, the area has drawn an unending torrent of Chinese tourists. Most street signs and signboards are written in Korean and Chinese — sometimes only
153 Forgotten Days at Seoul National University
The student sit-in at Seoul National University lasted 153 days, before being disbanded just a day after president Park Geun-hye was ousted from office. Their long-drawn protest, like many news stories, has been subsumed by the Park Geun-hye scandal. What’s going on in the country’s
"Above 19 Not Allowed": Condoms For Sale, Teenagers Only
Instinctus is not your average South Korean company. It’s run by a 26-year-old CEO who openly identifies as a bisexual, and sells certified vegan condoms manufactured in Thailand. More recently, it has garnered media — and police — attention for installing condom vending machines, only for teenagers.
South Korea's Latest Food Craze: Gigantic Rodents?
About 70 cm in length and weighing over five kilogram in maturity, a nutria looks fuzzy and cuddly…if you discount the fact that it is basically a big rat. Nutria, also known as copyu, comes from Latin America. Improbably, in South Korea, it is taking off as medicine
Hong Sang-soo Kim Min-hee Affair Leads to Ratings Sabotage
The film won Kim Min-hee a Silver Bear for Best Actress at Berlin International Film Festival. Foreign media loved it. But on South Korean websites, “On the Beach at Night Alone” is being slaughtered before it has even been released. At home, filmmaker Hong Sang-soo’s new work has drawn
Will the Sewol Finally Be Salvaged?
After nearly three years, the Sewol may finally see the light of day. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has announced that the passenger ferry that sank off South Korea’s west coast with the loss of 304 lives is finally to be brought up&
Assault Case in Ulsan Highlights Labor Hierarchy
Assault doesn’t exactly garner much attention in South Korea or most countries for that matter. Physical fights are common enough. Violence is universal. But the recent assault case in Ulsan, an industrial hub, is tragic because it tells us something about South Korea’s labor hierarchy. On Mar.
The Unpalatable Truth? Castella Cake Castigated on National TV
South Koreans take food seriously. In 2008, some of the biggest street protests in the country’s modern history were sparked by anger at imports of American beef. Media regularly report on alleged culinary outrages such as fake steak, suspect sauces and dud dumplings. On Sunday, Meokgeori X-Pail (“Food