“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…
Chuseok 2026 is on Friday, September 25. Get to know the essentials for food, family, fun, and moon watching. What is Chuseok? Chuseok (추석), also called Hangawi, is one of the most important holidays in Korea, on par with the lunar New Year. It’s often described as the Korean version of Thanksgiving, a time to…
(Feature image: WALASSE TING, Red Horse) A Year at Full Gallop Every twelve years, the Horse trots back into the Korean (or Chinese) zodiac, mane flying, nostrils flared, radiating that particular blend of vitality and don’t-fence-me-in swagger. The Horse is the zodiac’s kinetic extrovert: restless, charismatic, allergic to confinement. It prefers motion to meditation, pursuit…
In January 2026, the Oxford English Dictionary added eight Korean words that English speakers have been using often enough to leave a clear record in print and media. The Oxford English Dictionary adds entries only after sustained use in English texts. What these eight terms share is evidence. They show up in newspapers, scripts, menus,…
Happy Korean New Year! Celebrating the New Year, also known as Seollal (설날), is a serious matter for Koreans. So much so that we often celebrate it twice a year – first on the Gregorian calendar New Year’s Day (shinjeong) on January 1st. Then once again on the Lunar New Year’s Day (gujeong), which lands…
Pepero Day (빼빼로 데이) is a beloved annual gifting tradition in Korea that is observed on November 11th (11/11). Originated by the maker of Pepero (빼빼로), the Lotte Corporation, Pepero Day is more celebrated by Koreans than Valentine’s Day or White Day since those days are for romantic partners whereas this celebratory day is for…
On a ridge between Seoul’s two major royal palaces lies a cluster of tiled roofs and winding alleys, full of Korean traditional homes called hanok. Tourists know it as Bukchon Hanok Village, a postcard of old Korea framed against the city’s glass and steel towers. But this picturesque neighborhood hides an amazing story of determination,…
One of the things I love most about Do Ho Suh’s exhibit at Tate Modern is how universally relatable it feels. Yes, the work is stunningly beautiful, a feast for the eyes as his works usually are. But it’s also an experience I can wholeheartedly recommend to even my non-artsy friends and family, knowing they’ll…
Based on your encounter with Korean names, you might have been wondering if all Koreans share the same handful of last names—Kim, Lee, Park, or Choi. Diving deeper into the anatomy and conventions around Korean names, there’s a lot more that a Korean name can tell you than you think. Korean last names or family…
As New York City basks in the glow of its annual Art Week, one of the oldest galleries in NYC is playing host to the US debut of one of Korea’s most exciting young artists, Doowon Lee. “Doowon and the Golden Fish Submarine Arrive in New York”, transforms ACA Galleries into a portal of good…