In a gritty, bustling area of lower Manhattan, who could have foreseen the nostalgic allure of a retro Korean diner, one echoing the establishments once frequented by Seoul’s taxi drivers? Thankfully Kisa Sikdang is now accepting a limited number of reservations, but it is here that diners queued for hours, eager for a taste of…
Culinary Class Wars broke records this fall as the first Korean unscripted title to rank No. 1 on the Netflix Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) list for three consecutive weeks. With the success of Korean dramas and films paving the way, it’s no surprise that Korean variety shows are now captivating international audiences. This surge…
“Seoul is the best place in the world to shop for clothes!” My cousin’s claim seemed like just another example of Korean hyper-patriotism. After having studied in London and toured Europe, I was convinced that Seoul couldn’t hold a candle to fashion capitals like London, Paris, or NYC, especially in the cutting edge world of…
Watching Andy Kim’s historic victory last night felt like a spark of hope in an otherwise highly divisive and discordant election. As a young Korean American intern for his campaign, I stood with my fellow volunteers, holding “Andy Kim for Senate” signs, all of us buzzing with anticipation. It was really happening. And when the…
I live in what Koreans call the jin-jja shi-gol (진짜 시골), or the deep countryside, so whenever I get the chance to visit Seoul, I’m always seeking out new experiences. Growing up in a time when K-culture wasn’t well-known or considered cool, I’m still surprised by how many tourists visit now. It’s been fascinating to…
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,…
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…
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…