When living in Korea becomes overwhelming: an expat psychologist's view

As South Korea sees the increase of foreign residents, understanding their lives and the challenges they face here is becoming increasingly important. To explore these issues, The Korea Herald sat down with Chad Ebesutani, a licensed psychologist in both the US and South Korea who runs the Seoul Counseling Center. "There are many great things about Korea, such as the infrastructure, consumer lifestyle and culture, but there are also unique stressors," he said. The intense urban environ

July 20, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Monsoon days

Find the answer at the bottom. Before Korea succumbs to blistering summer heat, it experiences a period of wet weather known as the "jangma." Typically spanning from late June to July, this season is marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity and overcast skies. During these days, heavy rains can lead to flash floods, mud slides and the disruption of daily activities, while the pervasive humidity thickens the air, creating a sticky and uncomfortable atmosphere. Korean language has

July 17, 2024

[Pressure points] Choose for your kids: AI textbooks or classic physical books?

South Korea's planned leap into the era of artificial intelligence-powered learning has hit resistance, primarily due to parents' concerns about potential digital overload. In a petition posted on the National Assembly’s online platform in May, one such voice requested that the planned introduction of AI digital textbooks in schools starting next year be shelved. Citing the "numerous negative effects of smart devices," the petition called for scientific research to ensu

July 17, 2024

[Survive & Thrive] Need tools? Seoul has you covered

Did you just move to Seoul and need tools for furniture assembly? Or perhaps you need items like an electric drill, hammer or wrench for your latest DIY project? Instead of buying and keeping these tools at home for the few times you might need them each year, you can borrow them from community centers in Seoul. The first step is to visit Seoul’s Sharehub website to find a tool rental center near home or workplace. The website is only available in Korean. The website www.sharehub.kr allows

July 16, 2024

[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

[LLG] How this 'cat detective' finds missing felines

Cho Sung-min is a cat detective. His job is to locate house cats that have wandered from home and return them to their worried owners. When a client calls, he comes equipped with an array of tools like high-performance flashlights, selfie sticks, endoscope cameras, scoop nets, cat traps and even crowbars, in case he needs to open manholes. But it’s not the apparatus that matters. It’s knowing where to look that truly makes him a successful cat detective, he said. “Cats leave

July 10, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Korean dialects

Find the answer at the bottom. Due to topographical boundaries such as the country's mountainous terrain, along with administrative divisions, South Korea's regions have developed their own dialects over time. Among them, the dialect spoken in the provinces of Chungcheong, the inland area situated in the mid-section of South Korea, is famous for its slow and drawn-out manner of speaking, as well as its adept use of metaphors and indirect expressions. This aspect is often used as

July 10, 2024

‘When relationships tire you out, try Schopenhauer’

“A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free."​ “What now on the other hand makes people sociable is their incapacity to endure solitude and thus themselves." More than ever before, the wisdom of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860), a German philosopher, resonates with contemporary South Koreans who seek relief from relationship fatigue, social expectatio

July 9, 2024

Comic legend Bob Layton discovers Korea’s creative potential

A trip to Korea initiated by curiosity is turning into a new chapter in life for comic book artist Bob Layton. Layton's journey to Korea was to be a simple trip, but the country's culture and vibrant webtoon industry have the artist hooked. The man, the legend: Bob Layton Layton is something of a legend in the comic book world. Layton's career in the comic book industry dates back to the 1970s, where he made significant contributions, particularly with his work on Iron Man and oth

July 6, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Korea’s islands

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea, a peninsula nation, boasts a complex coastline stretching 17,361 kilometers. Along this coastline, Seoul officially counts 3,382 islands, with 2,918 of them remaining uninhabited. When considering islands within North Korean territory, the total exceeds 4,400 islands. Comparing countries based on their number of islands is challenging due to varying definitions and counting methodologies as well as data accuracy. South Korea's position in su

July 3, 2024

[Pressure points] My neighbor is having an affair. Should I tell on him?

How delicate is the line when deciding to expose someone else's extramarital affair? A recent post on local online discussion forum website Nate Pann titled, "Should I ignore the affairs of my neighbor?" sparked a heated debate on this hot-button issue. The anonymous author of the post, who identified themselves as a person living next door to a newlywed couple, reported witnessing the husband bringing different women into his house frequently. "The wife does shift work ear

July 2, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean mind] Money paradox: Why money speaks louder than anything else

In South Korean society's contemporary lexicon, the neologism "financial treatment" posits that the mere act of monetary gain serves as a kind of therapy or cure for all manner of psychological and physical ailments. The term, especially popular among Korea's younger workers, points to a deep-seated belief -- amid the country's mixed capitalist economy with its minimal social safety net -- in accumulating money as one's primary focus, rather than as a mere bypro

June 30, 2024

[LLG] Solo and content about life, YouTuber won’t let hate comments dampen her spirits

Seen Aromi, a YouTuber in yoga attire clutching a reusable tumbler, greeted this reporter with a wide smile that crinkled her eyes on June 18. Despite her petite frame, Seen exuded a comfortable confidence that quickly filled the room. Her engaging and straightforward personality has contributed to her devoted fan base of 204,000 YouTube subscribers. However, she has also faced a relentless stream of online criticism. Her content, which has evolved since she first started her YouTube channel six

June 26, 2024

[Pressure points] Boss spying on your work messenger: Where’s the line?

When star dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook was accused by his employees of mistreating and bullying them at work in May, the core allegation was that Kang had been monitoring staff messenger conversations and using surveillance cameras. The dispute between Kang and his former employees has sparked a debate about the appropriateness and legality of employers monitoring workplace messengers. Should management have the right to monitor employee communications? While companies may argue that such mon

June 25, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Pojangmacha

Find the answer at the bottom. In many Korean dramas, the protagonist sits inside an orange tent called a "pojangmacha," drinking soju with a concerned friend or love interest. This is why for fans of Korean dramas, pojangmacha -- which means "covered wagon" in Korean -- are indeed a familiar trope. These street food stalls, serving comfort food and drinks, have been a beloved tradition for generations. Menus feature dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), janchiguksu (n

June 25, 2024

[Korea Quiz] Jeju's wonders

Find the answer at the bottom. South Korea’s southern Jeju Island, created by volcanic activities from as early as 1.2 million years ago, is virtually like a volcano museum. With diverse volcanic features, including volcanic cones, craters and lava tubes, stretching in every direction, the island was also the first in South Korea to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2007. It was listed as the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, which includes Hallasan, Seongsan Ilc

June 19, 2024

Infamy as fashion trend catalyst

In the ever-shifting realm of fashion trends, a public dispute between K-pop tastemaker Min Hee-jin and her company, Hybe, has inadvertently launched an unconventional style statement. Min, CEO of Hybe subsidiary Ador, found herself embroiled in controversy in April when Hybe filed a breach-of-trust complaint against her with police. However, it wasn't just the legal battle that captured public attention. Min's attire during her April press conference, in which she swung between a te

June 19, 2024

Dog's dinner: More Koreans are cooking for their pets

Looking after a dog used to just mean taking it for a walk, providing necessary care and building a bond, while feeding the canine store-bought kibble, perhaps with an occasional canned treat. But increasingly, pet owners are ditching factory-produced pet food and feeding their furry companions real food -- either cooked at home or prepared by a professional chef. A 30-year-old cat owner living in Seoul, Jung recently enrolled in a one-day pet food cooking class at a local pet food retailer, s

June 18, 2024

[AtoZ into Korean Mind] Korea's broken ladder of social mobility

Choi Kyung-min, 33, describes himself and his wife as having been born with a “dirt spoon” in their mouths, meaning they come from less privileged backgrounds. Both graduated from university with student loans to pay back, and their parents are unprepared for retirement. Now renting a small apartment in Gyeonggi Province, they support their parents financially while trying to save as much as possible. However, it would take more than 10 years of saving to afford buying a home in

June 16, 2024

[LLG] Healing through K-food: Brit shares recovery from eating disorder through immersion in new food culture

Lewis Hooper, who turned 30 this year, exudes youthful energy, but for much of his 20s, he was dangerously thin. As a result of his struggle with eating disorders, he weighed just 31 kilograms despite standing 170 centimeters tall. In an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul, he shared that a turning point in his path to recovery and developing a healthier relationship with food and his body came when he moved in 2021 to Korea on a working holiday visa. Obsession with body image Hooper

June 12, 2024