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[Weekender] From underdogs to culinary stars: How 'Culinary Class Wars' brings chefs into spotlight

On the second floor of a modest building in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant awaits: Jokwang 201. Previously known among food lovers for its bold dishes like marasyanggwo, maratang and soy sauce-braised pork belly, also known as dongpayuk, the restaurant has recently attracted broader attention after its owner, Jo Kwang-ho, appeared on Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars" as a chef on the black team, referred to in Korea as "the black spoons." Th
Oct. 19, 2024 - 16:01:32
Hashtag Korea
[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 - 16:01:19
Hashtag Korea
[Weekender] Make way for running crews?

They now seem to be everywhere, moving in groups, their presence felt on every corner of Seoul. "Running crews" -- groups of people that meet to run together at a specific time and place, otherwise known as run clubs -- have taken over Seoul's streets, parks and riverside tracks, reflecting the country’s growing obsession with one of the oldest and most basic human activities. "There are tons of them now," said Patrick Hong, 26, a frequent runner on the trails arou
Oct. 5, 2024 - 16:00:58
weekender
[Weekender] How Seongsu, once an industrial zone, has become ‘Seoul’s Brooklyn’

The streets around Seongsu Station in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul, have recently become a popular destination for young adults and foreign tourists, especially those interested in fashion and beauty products. The increasing popularity in this area is due to the growing number of fashion brand select shops, along with beauty and drugstores, strategically located along the street to target the rising number of visitors -- creating a virtuous cycle that continues to boost its reputation. On Sept. 1
Sept. 28, 2024 - 16:00:58
Culture
[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products

Japanese songs playing on South Korean TV and radio stations and giant posters of Japanese anime hung outside cinemas -- unimaginable just over two decades ago -- are no longer surprising. This year marks 20 years since Korea fully opened its doors to Japanese pop culture products. Following liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Korea had banned Japanese cultural products from reaching its shores, only gradually opening the market to Japanese cultural products in 1998. The
Sept. 21, 2024 - 16:00:53
weekender
[Weekender] Goodbye Gyeongbokgung, hello hair salon

Twenty-eight-year-old Janell Ng from New Zealand, who is visiting Korea with her family, knows her priority. Their first stop is a hair salon in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where each family member hopes to experience a trendy Korean-style makeover. "It's our first time visiting Korea. We are here for a week, and the first thing on the itinerary is to get our hair done at a Korean hair salon," she said while having her hair permed at Suin Style Hair and Spa in Samseongdong, southern Seoul. The
Sept. 14, 2024 - 16:05:57
Hashtag Korea
[Weekender] Feeling lazy but craving tteokbokki? Try a meal kit

A quiet revolution is sweeping through one of Korea’s most iconic street foods: tteokbokki. Once the beloved snack of schoolgirls and the young at heart, these chewy rice cakes drenched in sweet and spicy sauce have transcended their street food origins, thanks to the relentless innovation of the local meal kit industry. At an E-mart outlet in central Seoul, Korea's largest discount store chain, which this reporter visited on Aug. 27, there were over 20 different varieties of ready-to
Sept. 7, 2024 - 16:01:49
weekender
[Weekender] Subculture festival in Seoul transcends gaming

“Tech otakus save the world” is a motto from Hoyoverse, the Chinese game giant behind the global subculture gaming phenomenon Genshin Impact. While it might seem exaggerated, the sentiment isn’t entirely off the mark. Subculture gaming, once considered niche, has exploded into a mainstream cultural force -- as is especially evident in South Korea. Subculture games -- games that originally targeted small, dedicated communities with specific cultural interests often rooted in ani
Aug. 31, 2024 - 16:00:57
Culture
[Weekender] Art as more than propaganda: Meaning of culture and art transforms for North Korean defectors

Park Sang-young, the founder and principal of Set Net School for North Koreans resettling in South Korea, will be stepping down after 20 years. "Set" and "net" mean numbers three and four, respectively, in Korean. The school's name signifies that it serves as a continuation for North Korean defectors who have completed the three-month educational program at the government-run Hana Dul (One, Two) School. While several organizations offer alternative education programs f
Aug. 24, 2024 - 16:00:53
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[Weekender] Discover Seoul's serene retreats: From libraries to hanok

As South Korea is experiencing its hottest summer on record, finding refuge from the heat has never been more important. Fortunately, Seoul offers several serene spots where you can escape the sun's intensity and immerse yourself — all without spending a dime. Whether you’re looking to relax with a book or simply enjoy the green August scenery, these four spaces in Seoul provide the perfect combination of natural beauty and cool shade. Cheongun Literature Library: Hidden han
Aug. 17, 2024 - 16:00:56
weekender
[Weekender] Loconomy: Food makers flock to locally sourced ingredients

Food items made with locally sourced ingredients have emerged among food companies in Korea. This approach, which aligns with those companies’ corporate social responsibility efforts, supports economic growth in rural areas and offers unique experiences for consumers, collectively known as "loconomy." On July 11, McDonald’s Korea launched the Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Burger and Jinju Pepper Cream Cheese Muffin, both using peppers produced in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Provinc
Aug. 3, 2024 - 16:01:40
Books
[Weekender] What we are reading at Korea Herald

The weather has been nothing short of erratic in Seoul, swinging from torrential rain to searing heat. Amid such atmospheric unpredictability, there’s no better moment to retreat indoors with a stack of books. Here are some summer reading recommendations from The Korea Herald. Lee Joo-hee Managing editor, The Korea Herald "American Diplomacy" by George F. Kennan "American Diplomacy" by the late diplomat and historian George F. Kennan is a compilation of his lectures a
July 27, 2024 - 16:03:32
Books
[Weekender] Summer reads: Suggestions for books to take with you on vacation or staycation

The weather has been nothing short of erratic in Seoul, swinging from torrential rain to searing heat. Amid such atmospheric unpredictability, there’s no better moment to retreat indoors with a stack of books. To help you do just that, The Korea Herald asked around for some summer reading recommendations. The responses of the following figures, arranged alphabetically, have been edited for length and clarity. Cha In-pyo Author/actor "Questions and Answers on Trees" by Hwang Kyu
July 27, 2024 - 16:01:34
Social Affairs
[Weekender] Save the date for affordable, unique weddings in Seoul

When it comes to his big day, hotels, wedding halls and convention centers have never been an option for Bae Sung-jae. The 38-year-old always wanted a wedding that broke from the Korean norm, where hundreds of guests gather at an indoor venue to watch the newlyweds make their wedding vows, followed by a meal or a buffet, and then a photo session. The budget was also an issue. Wedding venues charge not only for food and drinks but also use of the venue, screen for videos and flowers. Instead, he
July 20, 2024 - 16:01:35
Hashtag Korea
[Weekender] Niche cinemas: Small yet rich in content

Amid the battle between streaming services and megaplexes for film dominance, a passionate few long for a cinematic experience only niche theaters can provide: curated gems on the big screen. For casual viewers who prefer monthly subscriptions to streaming services and occasional blockbuster splurges, the appeal of these smaller-scale theaters may not be as compelling. However, beyond the sheer size of the screen, these venues' offerings of films from all eras, along with other cinema-rel
July 13, 2024 - 16:01:19