One of my favorite things about Seoul is that it is chock full of hidden gems, unsuspecting and obscure, that offer those that are lucky enough to discover them a real treat. Restaurants, cafes, galleries and bars are easy to find in Korea’s capital city, but it’s the ones tucked into back alleys and inconspicuous …
It’s no secret that Koreans are some of the hardest workers in the world. From a young age, one spends his or her school days buried in books, memorizing endless pages of material while hopping from math academy to English lessons to study hall. There’s very little time for play, or childhood, for that matter. …
Perhaps no other neighborhood in all of Seoul embodies Korea’s youth culture as well as Hongdae. Here, the streets are alive with a youthful spirit that fosters a creativity evident in the sounds of busking musicians, in the colorful graffiti on the walls and in the unique fashion and hair styles sported by the young …
Nicky Kim is a Korean-Brit freelance writer based in Seoul. In addition to having been featured in various publications and tbs eFM, Nicky shares her own observations about Korean culture on her blog Neon But More. Ranging from issues such tiger parenting to youth culture to diet trends, her posts are as diverse as the …
One of the first Korean words I learned after my arrival to the peninsula was bbali (빨리). Meaning “fast,” it’s a term used frequently and, in my opinion, perfectly summarizes the entire country in two syllables. After all, the nation rose from the ashes of the Korean War in a mere six decades to become …
I’ve been living in Korea for over seven years now, so it pretty much feels like “home”—or close to it. But, every once in a while I do find myself missing home, the good ol US of A. These feelings of homesickness usually arise when I least expect them. They might spring up after a …
Nowhere else in Asia (or perhaps the world) does nightlife as well as Seoul, and although there’s a party for everyone, there are a number of places designed especially for the entertainment of women. But we’re not just talking buy-one-get-one-free drinks and half priced appetizers. Think more along the lines of cute guys in hard …
Once the center of Seoul’s art and music scene, Hyehwa is a neighborhood bursting with creativity and youthful energy. The area is situated in the northeastern part of the capital and is also known as Daehangno, a nickname derived from dehag, or “university,” because of its close proximity to a number of learning institutes. Over …
Korean cuisine, much like the country’s people, is vibrant, flavorful, eclectic and packs a lot of punch. It’s so diverse that it would take years to try each banchan (side dish), variety of kimchi (there’s over 200!) and regional and seasonal specialty. Fortunately for gastronomes eager to sample Korea’s tastiest cuisine in a limited amount …
Earlier this week, international sensation Psy debuted his latest release, “Hangover,” featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg (er… Lion) on his oft-visited YouTube channel. Responses to the video have been mixed. Some believe the song is just as catchy as his “Gangnam Style,” a viral hit that has received over 2 billion views to date. Still …