German shephards and French poodles... What about Korean Jindo?

On a crisp autumn Sunday morning in Seoul’s World Cup Park, the air buzzed with excitement — and the occasional bark. Sixty Jindo dogs, Korea’s national breed, gathered for a one-of-a-kind parade. The event, “Let’s Go for a Walk, Jindo” (literal translation), aimed to shift public perceptions of these loyal yet often misunderstood companions. “It’s very difficult for Jindo dogs to live in Korea,” said Kim Eun-ho, the event’s organizer

Nov. 21, 2024

Doctor eases pain of tattoo regrets

At a gathering of people with striking facial and body tattoos, a middle-aged man wearing fake tattoo sleeves attempts to blend in. That’s Dr. Park Young-soo, filming for his popular YouTube channel at the Korea Tattoo Convention in Seoul, a major event for tattoo artists in South Korea. He’s there to learn about the latest trends and interact with people from the opposite side of his profession -- removing tattoos. Every day, he meets people who regret their tattoos and seek removal

Nov. 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Webtoon

Find the answer down below. Webtoons are serialized web comics designed for mobile reading. Each episode typically takes around five or so minutes to read, making them accessible for readers on the go. Originating in South Korea, webtoons differ from traditional print cartoons in that they are created exclusively for digital formats, featuring a vertical scrolling layout. Webtoons are immensely popular in Korea, with 4 in 10 adults reading an average of 55 episodes annually, according

Nov. 20, 2024

[Pressure Points] Should schools aim for phone-free learning environment?

The debate over whether to ban smartphones in the classroom continues to rage worldwide. South Korea is no exception, as it looks to address an epidemic of smartphone addiction among young students. In August, Rep. Cho Jung-hun of the People Power Party proposed a bill to limit smartphone use in schools. In October, the National Human Rights Commission reversed its long-standing position, ruling that schools confiscating students' phones is not a violation of their rights. Proponents view

Nov. 19, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Unspoken but often felt, the hurt feelings that Koreans won’t openly share

In Korea, there is a word expressing an emotion that people use with great frequency, though it doesn't translate well into English: “seounhada.” This term, used interchangeably with “seopseophada,” captures a combination of feelings: hurt, disappointment, sadness or a sense of being mistreated, ignored or even offended. It can be a combination of all or any of those feelings, but subtle and not too intense. And here's the kicker — these feelings are often

Nov. 17, 2024

Seoul's top 5 reading retreats

Ever considered indulging in a book-reading binge, right in the heart of the city, yet far from its usual hustle and bustle? The answers are scattered across Seoul's foothills: Forest libraries. These retreats are where book-loving spirits wander through pages and gaze beyond the window to a world written in the language of trees, which shift from the lush green of spring and summer to the golden hues of autumn and the pristine white of winter. Here are a few selected libraries across the

Nov. 16, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Gifts for test-takers

Find the answer at the bottom. In South Korea, it’s common to give well-wishing gifts to those preparing for exams, especially significant ones like the annual college entrance exam, the Suneung. Common gifts include vitamin supplements, stationery items like pencils and analog watches, as well as snacks like rice cakes and taffy. Many of these gifts hold symbolic meaning in addition to their practical purpose. The symbolism of yeot, a traditional Korean taffy made from barley malt a

Nov. 12, 2024

'Are you a T?' is a new put-down in S. Korea

The Myers-Briggs personality test is no laughing matter in South Korea. Though generally regarded as "pseudoscientific," the self-reported Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test is immensely popular in Korea, particularly among younger people, as a tool to help them understand both themselves and others. Categorizing everyone into 16 different personality types, the MBTI essentially comes down to a four-letter code, such as ISTP or ENFJ, with each letter suggesting a certain personality trai

Nov. 12, 2024

Raising bookworms or robots? Why private reading academies thrive

How can you cultivate a lifelong love of reading in your child? Reading them a story before bed, sharing stories and regular library visits might come to mind. In Korea, there’s another option that is popular with parents: sending your kids to private reading academies. At a typical one, children read for a designated time, followed by activities such as writing summaries, studying vocabulary and engaging in discussions about the material with the teacher. For older students, the curricu

Nov. 10, 2024

[Pressure points] Do we still need school yearbooks?

Yearbooks have long been cherished as a way to remember the school days, friendships and experiences that shape our youth. However, in South Korea, people are now questioning whether the tradition of creating photo albums featuring all students and faculty should continue. This shift in sentiment comes after an increase in deepfake pornography, where photographs of classmates have been illegally used to create sexually explicit content using artificial intelligence technology. While some are cal

Nov. 7, 2024

[LLG] Typical Korean weddings were too boring. So they made their own

If you’ve ever attended a Korean wedding, you know the drill: First, hand over an envelope of congratulatory money at the front desk to receive your meal coupon, then either attend or skip the ceremony itself, which typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Enjoy a sit-down or buffet meal during which the couple, after the formal wedding ceremony, make their rounds to each table, thanking the guests. But that wasn’t the wedding day that Rebecca Nour, a Lebanese American influencer, ha

Nov. 6, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Mystery bride

Find the answer at the bottom. "Ureong Bride" is a Korean folktale about a widowed peasant and a mysterious, generous woman who comes into his life. In Korean, the title reveals the maiden’s secret right away: she is not a human but an “ureong,” a freshwater river snail that inhabits streams and rice paddies. Here is one version of the story. Long ago, a poor, widowed farmer found a fist-sized river snail without its shell near a rice paddy. Concerned that the

Nov. 6, 2024

[AtoZ of Korean mind] Ever noticed some Koreans talk to themselves?

An older Korean person at your usual bus stop mumbles something that sounds almost like a question about the weather. To be polite, you respond, only for them to glance at you and dismiss it casually with a shrug, saying, "Oh, I was just talking to myself." A 36-year-old American living in Seoul surnamed Rodriguez recalls encountering this situation upon first arriving here. Near him, an older Korean woman had murmured in Korean, “It's so cold." Assuming she was speaking to

Nov. 3, 2024

What happens when we eat blindfolded?

The blind taste test featured in Netflix's megahit cooking survival show "Culinary Class Wars" has become one of the hottest social media memes in Korea. Videos of people eating blindfolded, mimicking the blind taste-testing carried out by the two judges -- popular restaurateur Paik Jong-won and Michelin three-star chef Ahn Sung-jae -- in episodes 3 to 5, have gone viral on YouTube and other social media platforms. Even Paik’s youngest daughter humorously recreated her f

Nov. 1, 2024

Will 'APT.' revive Korean drinking games? We asked Korean drinkers

"Apateu, apateu." This catchy chant over a bouncy beat has been propelling Blackpink’s Rose and Bruno Mars’ collaboration, “APT,” to massive global success. For many South Koreans, the tune and its themes feel all too familiar, mirroring the drinking game of the same name that they've nearly grown out of. “Drinking games are kind of over,” said Lee Ji-won, 22, a university student in Seoul. “People who bring them up seem old-fashioned. T

Oct. 31, 2024

[Korea Quiz] 'Nunchi'

Find the answer at the bottom. "Nunchi" (눈치) is the skill of sensing others' thoughts and feelings. Literally translated as “eye measurement,” it reflects the ability to gauge the context and atmosphere of a situation and act appropriately. This behavior is often seen in those who are sensitive to group dynamics. It is sometimes translated as "reading the room" or "having emotional intelligence." Like any cultural practice, children in South

Oct. 30, 2024

Fox Sister: A Korean tale darker than your average ghost story

'Tis the season for all things eerie and macabre. As jack-o'-lanterns cast their glow and costumed revelers share tales of ghosts and ghouls, it's worth remembering that the thrill of supernatural horror isn't unique to Western tradition. While Halloween only caught on in South Korea in the late 90s via Western immigration and pop culture, Koreans have long nurtured their own rich supernatural tradition. Their folklore brims with spirits, demons and shape-shifting creatures t

Oct. 29, 2024

Beyond just cute, these pets have unique stories, and huge followings

In YouTube’s vast sea of content, one particular subgenre is gaining traction among Koreans: video chronicles of the lives of pets, particularly dogs and cats. Catering to viewers looking to escape life's stresses by watching adorable animals, pet videos have cultivated a large and devoted community of fans who regularly tune in for lighthearted moments. Some of these famous animals offer more than just cuteness -- they have a unique vibe, backstory or personality. Here are four of th

Oct. 26, 2024

[LLG] Repairing toys seemed like simple task. It turned out to be deeply emotional

In "Toy Story 3," protagonist Andy grew older, developed other interests and ultimately gave his toys away to a little girl before leaving for college. But not everyone finds themselves able to say "goodbye" to their toys like Andy. And when years of wear and tear take their toll, those toys often find their way to Kim Kap-yeon, the CEO of ToyTalez. For Kim's clients, her work is about far more than just repairing stuffed animals. "Our customers come in and say, &

Oct. 23, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Han Kang

Find the answer at the bottom. Born in November 1970 in Gwangju, Han Kang's literary career began in 1993 when she published poems in the winter edition of the quarterly magazine, "Literature and Society." Since then, she has been honored with numerous awards, writing work that addresses universal human issues such as death and state violence through intense poetic prose. Most recently, she was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature, becoming the first South Korean and t

Oct. 23, 2024