When I was a child, I tanned very easily. I was also the kind of kid who loved running around outside, so avoiding the sun was never really on my mind. Every summer, my skin would become noticeably darker. Then…
When I was a child in Korea, my parents usually left home at around 7 in the morning and came back sometime after 6 in the evening. At the time, I never thought this was unusual. As far as I…
If you spend some time in Korea, you may notice something small when people say “thank you.” They often don’t just say 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida). They may also lower their head or upper body slightly at the same time. When I…
When I first heard of Gentle Monster, I honestly assumed it was a foreign brand. The name sounded international, and everything about the stores and campaigns looked so polished and unusual that I never really questioned it. Then I found…
When you first look at Seoul on a map, the city may seem fairly compact. But after living here, one thing I have realized is that Seoul has far more places to explore than its size might suggest. Even within…
When planning a trip to South Korea, you may come across the term K-ETA while booking your flight or checking entry requirements. At first, it can be confusing. Is it a visa? Is it an arrival card? Does everyone traveling…
Korean food seems to have become much more familiar around the world through K-pop and Korean content. I’ve especially noticed short videos of people trying samgyeopsal, grilling meat at the table, and wrapping it in lettuce just like they’ve seen…
If you open Google Maps while planning a trip to Korea, you may find that getting the detailed directions you expect isn’t always as straightforward. In Korea, people use several map and navigation apps, including Naver Map, KakaoMap, TMAP, and…
f you watch Korean dramas or movies, you may notice people naturally taking off their shoes as soon as they enter a home. If you’re visiting Korea for the first time, you might wonder: Why do Koreans take off their…
If you’re planning a trip to Korea, you may be wondering how much cash you should exchange before you arrive. The short answer is: you probably don’t need to carry much cash in Korea. Cards are widely used for everyday payments,…