[Korea Quiz] Gyeonggi Province

Find the answer at the bottom. Slightly over half of South Korea's population lives in the Greater Seoul area, consisting of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province. The region is the country’s cultural, commercial and infrastructure capital. If the Greater Seoul area could be symbolized by a fried egg, the yolk would be Seoul and the white would be Gyeonggi encircling it. In terms of territory and population, Gyeonggi is bigger. Gyeonggi covers an area of about 10,200 square kilometer

June 10, 2024

More Koreans are running marathons, but at what cost?

"Birds fly, fish swim and humans run.” This famous remark by legendary Czech distance runner Emile Zatopek resonates more deeply than ever now in South Korea, where interest in running is leading to a multitude of marathon events and record-breaking participation. According to an online community website for running enthusiasts, Marathon Online, at least 20 public or elite running events took place across the country in the last two weeks of May, offering a variety of distance cours

June 5, 2024

From piggy banks to fake fish: The modern pursuit of good fortune

Red beans, rice grains, dried pollack, a pig's head and scissors -- this might seem like a random collection of items. But many Koreans would see the connection between them. They are items used in traditional superstitious practices here, either to protect against bad luck or to invite good fortune. The level to which people adhere to rituals involving these items or believe in the superstitions behind them varies greatly. Often, even those who do maintain such superstitious practices say

June 4, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Unspoken code of K-cool

"K-everything: The rise and rise of Korean culture" (The Guardian) "The art market: Korean cool" (Financial Times) "Hallyu: 'Cool Korea' and the art of soft power" (Le Monde Diplomatique) From music and films to food, art and fashion, the world is falling in love with everything South Korean, according to overseas media reports. In their effort to understand this new object of global fascination, media outlets have been paying attention to what they ca

June 3, 2024

[LLG] He quit his office job for delivery work, and now, life is better

Kim Dae-gun’s day starts very early. At the break of dawn, he collects the packages that need to be delivered that day. He sorts and loads them in his truck, arranging them in a way that matches his itinerary for the next several hours: items meant for the nearest locations in the front, with the farthest destinations in the back. “Once I get to my delivery area, it is a race against time,” Kim said. He needs to move quickly, efficiently and without mistakes to deliver near

May 29, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Jindo dogs

Find the answer at the bottom. Once the owner, always the owner. This phrase epitomizes the faithfulness of the Jindo dog, native to the island of Jindo in South Jeolla Province. One of the most famous stories illustrating the Jindo dog’s loyalty to its owner and its instinct to return home, even from several hundred kilometers away, is the tale of Baekgu from 1993. In March of that year, 5-year-old Baekgu, originally born in a home in Jindo, was sold and sent to a new owner in anothe

May 29, 2024

[Pressure points] Should noise from playgrounds be regulated?

In South Korea, where apartment buildings dominate the residential landscape, communal playgrounds within these high-rise complexes serve as a hub for children to play outdoors. However, kids' high-pitched voices can also generate noise pollution for other residents, sparking debate on the necessity of regulatory measures for children's playground use. This issue was raised by a Korea Herald reader surnamed Jeong via email. Jeong expressed concern that the complaints of a few residen

May 28, 2024

‘Gimflation’ in S. Korea as dried seaweed prices grow on rising global demand

Dried seaweed or gim, a staple dish nicknamed "rice thief" for its perfect pairing with rice, is seeing considerable popularity globally these days. In recent years, gim's deliciousness, coupled with its nutrient content and recognition as a food source beneficial to ocean ecosystems, has captivated taste buds worldwide, making its way into an unexpected array of dishes, served in salads, broths, casseroles, pizza and even occasionally sprinkled on ice cream. Yet, despite the

May 23, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Konglish terms in K-beauty

Before K-beauty became an export industry targeting consumers globally, South Koreans had been using terms in Konglish -- in this sense, English loan words appropriated into Korean in ways that mean something different than their original meaning -- to describe certain products. For starters, toners -- the liquid applied to the skin after cleansing and before moisturizing -- are commonly called “skin” in Korea. This can lead to somewhat baffling expressions in Korean like, "Yo

May 22, 2024

[Words to know] Corporate jargon to navigate S. Korean workplaces

Some coming straight out of college, new employees endeavor to adapt to South Korea's corporate culture, a journey made smoother if they're well-versed in business jargon -- both formal and informal. For international recruits, the challenge may be compounded by both a new language and a different work culture. Here are some insights into Korea's corporate culture explained through common office lingo, empowering those pursuing their careers here to navigate their workplaces.

May 21, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] World of the in-laws, where gender stereotypes persist

Shim Yeon-sun, 40, was surprised by her mother's behavior during her brother’s formal engagement dinner, where her family met the bride-to-be's family for the first time to discuss wedding plans. "My mother, who presented herself modestly at my 'sanggyeonnye' by saying 'My daughter still has a lot to learn,' seemed like a completely different person that day," she said. Sangyeonnye is a pre-wedding meeting at which the families of the bride and groom

May 19, 2024

[Weekender] Geeks have never been so chic in Korea

The stereotypical nerd with glasses who gets straight As in school has never been so fashionable in South Korea. Once relegated to the corner of the school cafeteria, geeky individuals have stepped into the limelight, as the mainstream warms to the intriguing blend of their characters and fashion, encapsulated by the term, “geek chic.” The term is not new. But the fashion is undergoing a revival amid a growing appreciation for nerd-like qualities, making geeky style elements all th

May 18, 2024

[Eye Interview] Italian priest feeds souls of the hungry in Korea

It was only 3:40 p.m. on a Tuesday, but at Anna’s House, dinner was ready. The meal of the day -- braised half-dried pollack, seasoned bean sprout salad, kimchi, kimchi soup and rice -- was neatly arranged in big containers. Father Kim Ha-jong gathered around with a group of volunteers and they all recited a prayer in unison. “We are grateful to serve those in need … happier when giving than receiving.” After the prayer, priest Kim, who was born in Italy as Vincenzo

May 18, 2024

Vintage digicams sought again by '90s kids

Old digital cameras, long neglected and gathering dust in South Korean homes, are now seeing a resurgence in demand in the secondhand market. Driving this newfound interest in vintage devices are both people in their 20s who grew up in the smartphone-camera era and those in their 30s who used digital cameras as kids. "I think owning a vintage camera is really hip nowadays," said Park Hye-in, 31, in an interview with The Korea Herald. Having recently purchased a used vintage camcorder

May 17, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Life milestones

Find the answer at the bottom. Depending on one's cultural background, one may celebrate various milestones in life. In South Korea, the first significant milestone for a baby is surviving the first 100 days of life. Although rare now, in the past, families -- often wealthy ones -- would invite relatives, neighbors and friends to a celebratory banquet marking the baby’s 100th day. This custom stemmed from the high infant mortality rates of the past, which records show stood at

May 15, 2024

Behind the making and marketing of ‘trendy’ dog breeds

Park Ji-won, 34, often hears comments like "It's refreshing to see a shih tzu. They seem so rare these days," while walking her 5-year-old dog. The recurring remarks prompted her to ponder a question: "During my elementary school years, shih tzus were everywhere. Where have all the shih tzus gone?" she said. "Even when I encounter them occasionally, they're usually very old." Park's observation reflects a shift in pet preferences in South Korea over

May 15, 2024

[Pressure points] Should non-drinkers split the check with friends who drink?

Where does the value of liquor lie at gatherings involving food and alcohol: in its price tag or in its mood-enhancing role? The social pressure on non-drinkers to chip in for their friends' alcoholic drinks is a contentious issue here, as shared platters, paid for collectively, often make up the bulk of the bill, unlike in some societies where individuals typically cover the cost of their own meals and drinks. Indeed, anonymous online discussion forums such as Blind, for verified employe

May 14, 2024

[Words to know] What it means to 'chew' messages

Since the advent of the smartphone era, KakaoTalk -- which Koreans commonly shorten to “katalk” -- has become the go-to form of digital communication among Koreans, eclipsing conventional text messaging. The nation’s No. 1 messenger app remains unchallenged here, even amid the proliferation of messenger platforms, each offering slightly different communication functions. Explanations of commonly used terms on KakaoTalk, often abbreviated for swifter messaging, along with re

May 14, 2024

[LLG] Unseen inheritance: Trauma of transnational adoption 'trickles down' to adoptees' children

As South Korea’s dark past of international adoptions continues to unravel, an unexpected second storm has emerged. Intergenerational trauma -- a concept from the field of counseling psychology that has come into wider use in recent years -- is connecting a generation of adoptees' children feeling the effects of their parents’ adoption experiences. With their newfound collective voice, adoptees' children are raising awareness for their community and the need for clarity on

May 12, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Three Kingdoms

Find the answer at the bottom. The Three Kingdoms period (57 BC-AD 668) was a fascinating era in the Korean Peninsula's early history, marked by rivalry and exchanges among three distinctively different kingdoms, each possessing its own charm and history. The distinctive appeals of the three kingdoms -- Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla -- along with their evolving dynamics, leading to their eventual unification under one conqueror, make this period one of Korean history's most studied ti

May 8, 2024