A wave of unexplained cat deaths has sparked a dispute between pet owners and authorities in South Korea, with owners unconvinced that the pet food thought to be at the center of the controversy was not to blame. According to local animal activist groups Life and Myoeon, a total of 513 cases of cats displaying similar symptoms -- acute neuromuscular diseases, high fever, elevated liver enzymes and kidney failure -- have been documented as of May 12. Of the affected animals, 181 have died. The ac

Social Affairs May 19, 2024

The stereotypical nerd with glasses who gets straight As in school has never been so fashionable in South Korea. Once relegated to the corner of the school cafeteria, geeky individuals have stepped into the limelight, as the mainstream warms to the intriguing blend of their characters and fashion, encapsulated by the term, “geek chic.” The term is not new. But the fashion is undergoing a revival amid a growing appreciation for nerd-like qualities, making geeky style elements all th

Hashtag Korea May 18, 2024

Sports and e-sports reporter Gwak Min-seon is reportedly suffering from impaired vision after being exposed to on-stage pyrotechnics at a gaming event on Sunday, officials from Gwak's agency said Friday. According to an official announcement from Gwak’s agency, Starit Entertainment, Gwak sustained physical damage to her face due to sparks set off during the celebration of the champion team of the 2024 Battleground Mobile Pro Series at an e-sports stadium in Daejeon on Sunday. She wa

Social Affairs May 17, 2024

Old digital cameras, long neglected and gathering dust in South Korean homes, are now seeing a resurgence in demand in the secondhand market. Driving this newfound interest in vintage devices are both people in their 20s who grew up in the smartphone-camera era and those in their 30s who used digital cameras as kids. "I think owning a vintage camera is really hip nowadays," said Park Hye-in, 31, in an interview with The Korea Herald. Having recently purchased a used vintage camcorder

Hashtag Korea May 17, 2024

An online user claimed to have discovered broken metal pins, resembling syringe needles, in Korean premium hanwoo beef, raising questions about meat inspection protocols. On Tuesday, a user of the online community Bobaedream shared images of metal pieces she claimed were from a needle tip found in beef. She described an experience of chewing on a "small metal pin" first and "a pin resembling a sharp needle tip” later, although a thorough search for other metal parts afterwar

Social Affairs May 15, 2024

Where does the value of liquor lie at gatherings involving food and alcohol: in its price tag or in its mood-enhancing role? The social pressure on non-drinkers to chip in for their friends' alcoholic drinks is a contentious issue here, as shared platters, paid for collectively, often make up the bulk of the bill, unlike in some societies where individuals typically cover the cost of their own meals and drinks. Indeed, anonymous online discussion forums such as Blind, for verified employe

Hashtag Korea May 14, 2024

Since the advent of the smartphone era, KakaoTalk -- which Koreans commonly shorten to “katalk” -- has become the go-to form of digital communication among Koreans, eclipsing conventional text messaging. The nation’s No. 1 messenger app remains unchallenged here, even amid the proliferation of messenger platforms, each offering slightly different communication functions. Explanations of commonly used terms on KakaoTalk, often abbreviated for swifter messaging, along with re

Hashtag Korea May 14, 2024

Frequently used but unclean ice-making equipment at cafes and restaurants has stirred concern online due to a YouTube video that went viral, drawing attention to the potential health risks posed by ingesting ice cubes from such machines. In an April video posted on the Korean YouTube channel, I am a Businessperson, (direct translation) featuring salespeople and other businesspeople, a cleaning service provider in his 50s, specializing in air conditioning and ice maker maintenance, underscores

Social Affairs May 13, 2024

  Seoul's all-inclusive transit pass, the "Climate Card," will soon be available for short-term use by visitors to Korea starting in July, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday. The city's initiative to introduce a short-term pass, available for one, two, three, five, and seven days, is geared towards enhancing the user experience through its affordable pricing. City officials explained that the pass is estimated to cost around 20,000 won ($15) for a five-day duration. Thi

Social Affairs May 12, 2024

A YouTuber in his 50s was apprehended after killing another YouTuber who was livestreaming in Busan, police authorities said Thursday. As per the Busan Metropolitan Police, the victim in his 50s was fatally stabbed while livestreaming on YouTube to his approximately 4,000 subscribers during a visit to the Busan District Court for a legal trial. The suspect, also in his 50s and identified as an acquaintance of the victim, is known to be a YouTuber as well. His channel has about 8,000 subscriber

Social Affairs May 9, 2024

An emergency text message warning that 70 fierce dogs were on the loose in Daejeon on Wednesday morning turned out to be an overstatement, as only two small dogs had escaped from a local breeding facility. At around 10:00 a.m., the city's Dong-gu District Office sent out an emergency alert message to residents, stating that 70 “fierce dogs” had escaped from a nearby dog breeding farm at 9:44 a.m. The message urged residents to "avoid approaching the affected area and evacua

Social Affairs May 8, 2024

In the 2020 Oscar-nominated film "Minari,” the eponymous Korean herb, which one of the characters explains “thrives where there is water,” symbolizes the resilience of the movie's Korean American immigrant family. While the film may have introduced minari to a wider audience, it fell short of exploring its varied uses in Korean cuisine, known for its light herbal taste, refreshing aroma and detoxifying properties. Native to East and Southeast Asia, this plant has th

Food May 5, 2024

Seoul’s breastfeeding counselors provided assistance to over 5,000 new mothers in the city within nine months since the launch of the postnatal care program last year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday. The free service involves dispatching designated postnatal assistants, totaling 43 at present, to the homes of mothers who have recently given birth to offer personalized sessions and advice. These sessions educate new mothers on proper breastfeeding and breast massage techn

Social Affairs May 5, 2024

As much as "samgyeopsal," the quintessential Korean pork belly cut, translates to three-layered meat, its deliciousness hinges on the perfect balance of fat and meat. This balance delivers a satisfyingly chewy texture bursting with juicy, meaty flavor. In online forums in South Korea now, a heated debate is underway over just how much fat is too much in fat-rich samgyeopsal, as people share their experiences of being served cuts they deem “overly fatty” at restaurants. Th

Social Affairs May 4, 2024

A woman who was hanging from overhead power lines was rescued unharmed after falling onto a blanket held by neighbors, fire authorities reported Friday. Police and fire officials say they received a report at 11:24 a.m. on Wednesday about a woman dangling from power lines 6 meters above the ground in a multiplex housing complex in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. The woman was later identified as being 46 years old and from Uzbekistan. She fell while firefighters were still in

Social Affairs May 3, 2024