Q&A: Chang-rae Lee on ‘A Tender Age’

“Life is weather. Sometimes you’re in it, and there’s nothing to be done. Tragedy is when you can’t endure it anymore.” -CRL From the very first page, A Tender Age strikes straight at the heart. In a world that seems to move forward with accelerating speed, Chang-rae Lee gently reminds us to not misplace our…

why koreans love porto

Eating Naengmyun in Porto

While my husband and I were eating a delicious bowl of naengmyun in Porto, Portugal yesterday, the Korean soccer player Hwang In-beom was finishing his meal at the table next to us at a lovely little restaurant called Wooa. He had just arrived in the city after signing a three-year contract with FC Porto, and…

15 Ways to Maximize the Strong U.S. Dollar in Korea

The current USD-to-Korean won exchange rate is better than ever. As of now, 1 U.S. dollar equals ₩1,474, and it reached a high of ₩1,558 per USD in the summer of 2026. Over the past 10 years, the exchange rate has been as low as ₩1,054 per USD so you are now saving 25%-30% on top of Korea’s already low prices. As stylish and sophisticated as any destination, and with…