SoYoun Lim Some useful Korean apps and websites still show important information mainly in Korean. When that happens, your phone’s built-in translation tools can often help you understand the screen without changing the app itself or copying Korean text into a translator one phrase at a time. Because I live in Korea, I normally use Korean-language apps … Read more
I have never been the kind of person who travels somewhere just because a drama or celebrity was filmed there. If I visit a place in Seoul, I usually want another reason to go as well, whether that means good food, an interesting neighborhood, history, architecture, or simply a pleasant walk. Something that happened near … Read more
Olive Young has become a popular shopping stop for international visitors to Korea, especially those interested in K-beauty. A large branch can have shelves of skincare, makeup, hair and body products, health items, beauty tools, snacks, and Korean brands that may be difficult to find at home. I live in Korea, but I am not … Read more
If you visit Korea, you will probably notice signs for PC bang (PC방) in busy shopping areas, near universities, and even in ordinary residential neighborhoods. A PC bang is a place where people pay to use high-performance computers, usually for gaming. I remember the late 1990s, when going to a PC bang with friends was … Read more
If you eat at a Korean restaurant for the first time, one small thing may feel surprisingly unfamiliar: the chopsticks are often made of metal. They can feel thinner and more slippery than wooden or bamboo chopsticks, and many Korean versions are relatively flat. There is no single historical event that fully explains why metal … Read more
Korean convenience stores are easy to find almost anywhere in the country. CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven appear on busy streets, near subway stations, around apartment complexes, and in residential neighborhoods. For people living in Korea, stopping at a convenience store is part of everyday life. You might buy coffee on the way to work, pick … Read more
When people first become interested in Korean food, they often start with familiar dishes such as kimchi, bibimbap, bulgogi, or tteokbokki. Behind many everyday Korean dishes, however, are seasonings that may be less familiar at first: ganjang, doenjang, and gochujang. Learning how they taste, how they are used, and what their labels mean makes both … Read more
I didn’t see Even If This Love Disappears Tonight in a theater. I found it almost by accident while scrolling through Netflix. The thumbnail caught my attention, and I clicked on it thinking I would watch for only a few minutes. Instead, I stayed until the movie was over. I’m usually more analytical than sentimental … Read more
QWER began in a way that was unusual even by Korean entertainment standards. The four-member girl band was created through an online project led by creator Kim Gye-ran. Chodan, Magenta, and Hina already had audiences through streaming, YouTube, TikTok, and other online platforms, while vocalist Siyeon had previously been a member of the Japanese idol … Read more
Ramyeon is so ordinary in Korea that most people do not think much about it. It is inexpensive, quick to make, easy to find, and useful whenever you want something hot without preparing a full meal. People cook it at home late at night, eat cup noodles at convenience stores, take packet ramyeon camping, order … Read more