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 into 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 speakin

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

[Oddities] What's in a name? How Koreans faked their way to Kim, Lee and Park

If you meet a South Korean, there's a 45 percent chance that their surname is either Kim, Lee or Park. And there’s an even higher probability -- some say nearly 90 percent -- that their surname originates from a bogus family tree. According to the latest census data from Statistics Korea, these three surnames account for nearly half the population, which is over 20 million people. Expand that to the top 10 surnames, and you're looking at 64 percent of the population. This remarka

Oct. 22, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Sexless marriages: Why more prevalent in S. Korea?

Ever since the arrival of her daughter six years ago, the precious little being has become the center of Park Eun-jeong's world. It also marked the beginning of a new dynamic in her marriage: a sexless, more companionate relationship with her husband. “(After the baby was born,) we gradually drifted into a sexless relationship. I was tired from taking care of the baby and doing housework. My husband also looked exhausted when he came home. He no longer initiates it either,” Park

Oct. 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] K-drama feels and foods

Find the answer at the bottom. In Korean, the terms sweet potato (고구마) and cider (사이다) are often used as metaphors to describe emotions evoked by fiction, TV dramas, or other narratives. In this context, the sweet potato, commonly featured in various Korean dishes, refers to moments in a story that feel stifling, frustrating, or slow. Eating a sweet potato without water can make one feel like they’re choking or struggling to swallow, which parallels the experience of watching charac

Oct. 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] Miss Universe Korea winner Ariel Han talks embracing true self

Beauty pageants often conjure up stereotypical images of young, attractive women in swimsuits reciting canned responses. But this year's Miss Universe Korea competition, co-hosted by The Korea Herald and Yedang Media on Sept. 30, shattered those molds, celebrating women's unique qualities both inside and out. The pageant eliminated the age restrictions that had previously limited participation to women aged 18 to 28. Gone too were the longstanding height and weight requirements. This i

Oct. 14, 2024

[Weekender] 'Funsumerism': Buying should be fun.

Purchasing behavior is a complex decision-making process, but for some consumers, one factor plays a crucial role -- fun. These individuals, known as "funsumers" in Korea, prioritize enjoyable and engaging experiences in all aspects of brand interaction, from buying products and attending events to social media consumption. The long-term viability of this trend is questionable. Yet one thing seems certain: brands are constantly innovating to keep consumers entertained and, consequently

Oct. 12, 2024