Christmas has arrived early in Seoul’s department stores, where luxury retailers Shinsegae, Lotte, and Hyundai are locked in a competition to outshine one another and attract customers. With the domestic economy still struggling to recover, the festive displays went up even earlier this year, starting on Nov. 1. Shinsegae Department Store in Myeongdong arguably lit the fuse of this holiday decoration competition. Since 2021, the store has forgone outdoor advertisements for big brands durin

Consumer Nov. 21, 2024

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

Hashtag Korea Nov. 21, 2024

A senior secretary to President Yoon Suk Yeol criticized a journalist's question, which had asked the president to elaborate on the specifics reasons for his public apology during a televised press conference, calling it "rude." At a parliamentary session Tuesday, Hong Chul-ho, Yoon’s senior political secretary, made the criticism while trying to defend the president and the latter's 140-minute-long Q&A session with the media on Nov. 7. “The president apologiz

Politics Nov. 20, 2024

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

Hashtag Korea Nov. 17, 2024

Andy Kim, 42, a three-term Congress representative from New Jersey, has won the US Senate race, becoming the first Korean American elected to the Senate. Kim, a Democrat, defeated Republican Curtis Bashaw, securing 53 percent of the vote to Bashaw’s 44.7 percent, with 87 percent of ballots counted as of 3 p.m., according to AP. This Senate seat opened in August when former Senator Bob Menendez resigned after being convicted on charges of bribery and acting as an agent of the Egyptian gover

Politics Nov. 6, 2024

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

Hashtag Korea Nov. 6, 2024

"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

Hashtag Korea Oct. 31, 2024

South Korea’s resident identification card is due to get a fresh look. On Monday, the government announced a nationwide design competition to revamp the card, which was last redesigned in 1999. The competition, which will run from Nov. 18-28, will involve both professional designers and the general public. "Through this competition, we aim to actively solicit public input and incorporate expert ideas to create a new ID card design that represents South Korea," the Ministry of the

Social Affairs Oct. 28, 2024

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, &

Hashtag Korea Oct. 23, 2024

As the new trend of spicy-sweet -- "swicy" -- flavors has been gaining ground in the US restaurant scene, Korean gochujang (red chile pepper paste) is gaining popularity. According to a Tuesday report from CNBC, more Americans are seeking bold flavors, and gochujang has become one of the key ingredients fueling this movement. “Common menu items have paired fruity flavors with chili powder or used sauces like hot honey and gochujang, a red chile (pepper) paste that’s a pop

Industry Oct. 23, 2024

After former US President Donald Trump called South Korea a "money machine," Korean news outlets on Wednesday grappled with how to best capture the nuance of his words for the Korean audience through translation. Trump made the remarks during an interview with Bloomberg News at the Economic Club of Chicago while discussing the costs of maintaining US troops in South Korea. "If I were there (in the White House) now, they (South Korea)’d be paying us $10 billion a year. And

Defense Oct. 16, 2024

In a “limited and exceptional freedom” granted, South Korean badminton champion An Se-young can wear the shoes of her choice at the Denmark Open tournament, which opened Tuesday. The Badminton Korea Association’s decision on Monday exempts the Paris Olympic gold medalist from the obligation to choose footwear exclusively from brands that have signed sponsorship deals with the association. The exemption applies exclusively to An and only for the Denmark Open. It follows An&rsq

More Sports Oct. 15, 2024

SEJONG — From runners in perfect gear to families with strollers and couples with dogs, nearly 7,000 participated in a fun race in the city of Sejong on Wednesday, celebrating King Sejong’s great gift to the Korean people, Hangeul. The 2024 Hangeul Run, held at Sejong Lake Park to mark the 587th anniversary of Hangeul’s proclamation in 1446, featured two courses: a 10.9-kilometer run commemorating Hangeul Day and a 5.15-kilometer course celebrating King Sejong’s birthda

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024

SEJONG -- Interest in K-pop has motivated many students overseas to study the Korean language and its alphabet, Hangeul, according to contestants of the inaugural Sejong Hangeul Olympiad held on Tuesday in Sejong. For many students, K-pop’s global influence extends beyond music, serving as a cultural link to Korea’s linguistic heritage, they shared. “K-pop acts as an ambassador for the Korean language,” said the Spicy Samgak Gimbap team of three international students --

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024

Dressed casually in a black T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, Chef Choi Jung-yoon greeted us at a cafe near Jung-gu, Seoul. Initially reserved, her face lit up when discussing the recent Netflix hit "Culinary Class Wars." "I'm so glad the chefs are getting so much attention," she said, with her enthusiasm for the local food industry evident throughout the hour-long interview. Choi, with over 26 years of experience as a chef and Korean cuisine researcher, founded Nanro, a co

Hashtag Korea Oct. 10, 2024