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…
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…
Korean convenience stores are everywhere, so if you’re traveling in Korea, you’ll probably end up visiting one sooner or later. You might stop by for water or a drink, or walk in late at night looking for cup ramyeon or…
Planning to save on accommodation or experience local culture? Learn everything you need to know about sleeping in a Korean jjimjilbang, from etiquette to safety tips.
If you walk down a street or ride the subway in Korea, you’ll probably see people wearing masks. But they may not be coughing or showing any obvious signs of being sick. It’s easy to assume this is simply a…
Why do Koreans use hair rollers in public? If you take the subway or bus in Korea, you may occasionally see someone with a big hair roller clipped into their bangs, especially teenage girls and women in their 20s. If…
what-is-korea-like-through-korean-eyes We live our everyday lives in Korea. We wake up in the morning, head to work, stop by a convenience store to pick up a few things, enjoy a cup of coffee at a café, and return home at…