Call me competitive, but I admit I watched the medal count in the Olympics every day of the events in Paris and, sometimes, multiple times a day. Two numbers mattered most to me: the USA and South Korea. When the events came to an end on Sunday, the numbers were fixed and there was a…
The jar’s curves are full yet simple. Its white color is pure but not cold, and its glaze shines warmly without being flashy. The humble Korean moon jar has captivated the world and is experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity. The international craze for moon jars first started in the UK. It began in 2006,…
Summer is still going strong and while dermatologists tell us any kind of sunscreen is better than none, Korean sunscreens feel so much better than others. It’s been three years since I tested the best Korean sunscreens on the market and since then, the sun care from Korea has only gotten better. None of the Korean…
Bingsu is one of the most popular Korean summer treats enjoyed not only in South Korea but also across the globe, thanks to the growing popularity of K-food and culture. But did you know that a bowl of bingsu can cost more than ₩100,000 ($70-80) at some high-end hotels in Seoul? It seems absurd, considering…
Commanding center stage at the Grand Ole Opry, comedian Henry Cho looked right at home, drawing the kind of belly laughs that only come when people really “get you.” There’s an energy, a feeling like no other. Just ask any performer or athlete. There’s nothing like killing it in front of a home crowd. With…
With our bags checked and having passed through security at Gimhae Airport, I felt a sigh of relief as we sat in the chairs waiting for our flight to take off. This was my first trip to Japan, and I don’t think the waves of excitement hit until that moment. It was at that moment…
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated” – Confucius “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo Da Vinci * When I think of Ju Rhyu and her Mighty Patch success story, I am awed by the simplicity of her journey. In 2017, Rhyu bootstrapped one product and launched it the fastest…
In recent years, South Korean cinema has captivated audiences worldwide, transcending language barriers with its unique blend of storytelling, innovation, and artistry. Far from being newcomers to the industry, Korean filmmakers have been been honing their craft for decades. From the groundbreaking brilliance of “Parasite,” which made history at the Oscars, to the intense political…
Three Giants of Joseon Art Jeong Seon, Kim Hong-do, and Shin Yun-bok are among the most representative painters of Korea’s Joseon period, a 500 year dynasty which lasted from 1392-1897. These artists’ works reflect the customs, landscapes, and spirit of Joseon, marking an important era of Korean painting history. Their works are fundamental to Korean…
Captured on grainy black-and-white film, surrounded by the roar of a stadium, a broken Olympian cast his gaze down to his feet. Looking utterly humiliated while clutching a laurel plant to his chest, the Korean Gold Medalist hears the anthem of a country that’s not his own. And so we start, on the “Road to…