I think it’s no secret that Korean fans and International fans argue a lot. There a myriad of reasons about why they argue; in my opinion the majority of spats are focused around various cultural differences, and one of the biggest may be the attitude towards multifandom. What’s multifandom, you ask? Simply said, multifandom is… Continue reading Why There Can Only Be One: Multifandom in Korea
Category: Culture
Culture and Society
Viral Video Illustrates Shocking Reality of Korean Education System
A video depicting the disturbing reality of students in South Korea is going viral. In the video, a middle school girl starts by asking her mother, “If I pass this exam, can I do what I want?” Throughout the video, the girl becomes increasingly more stressed and agitated with school. She is unable to hang… Continue reading Viral Video Illustrates Shocking Reality of Korean Education System
Seouling: Cozying Up at Kyuhyun’s Cafe Mom House
Seouling is a new series from Soompi featuring photo tours, thoughts, and reviews of places in Seoul. By giving a first-hand view into the streets of Korea, Seouling hopes to transport Soompiers to the hub of Korean entertainment. I made the decision to make the trek — ok, by trek I mean take the 10-minute bus ride… Continue reading Seouling: Cozying Up at Kyuhyun’s Cafe Mom House
Cornrows, Feathers, Face Paint, Oh My: Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation in K-Pop
Mnet’s “Unpretty Rapstar” has certainly raised some heads this season. In particular, one of the contestants, Truedy, has garnered much attention for both her talent and resemblance in musical style to the famous Yoon Mirae (Tasha). However, netizens and fellow “Unpretty Rapstar” contestants alike have also called out the gifted, but perhaps unaware rapper for… Continue reading Cornrows, Feathers, Face Paint, Oh My: Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation in K-Pop
Opinion: Why Sasaengs Happen in Korea
Let’s talk about sasaengs. Sasaengs are one of the most peculiar features to K-pop and one that leaves many western fans scratching their heads. What motivates fans to wait in the rain for hours outside an idol’s house, hack into Twitter accounts, or break into dorms? Furthermore, how do sasaengs even know where idols live,… Continue reading Opinion: Why Sasaengs Happen in Korea
This 88-Year-Old South Korean Man “Visits” North Korean Hometown for the First Time Since 1947
Born in 1927 in Pyeonganbukdo, North Korea, Kim Gu-Hyeon has no way to visit his hometown again. While he can still recall his riverfront home with the yard full of flowers and the mountain in the distance, as a South Korean citizen, he will never be able to turn his memories into reality. However, Hyundai’s research teams… Continue reading This 88-Year-Old South Korean Man “Visits” North Korean Hometown for the First Time Since 1947
South Korea’s Top University Elects First Openly Gay Student Body President
South Korea’s most prestigious university has elected its first openly gay student body president last Friday. Kim Bo-mi, a consumer and child studies major at Seoul National University who currently serves as student body vice president, revealed her sexual orientation during a campaign speech two weeks ago. “I want the world to be a place in… Continue reading South Korea’s Top University Elects First Openly Gay Student Body President
Video of Elementary Students and Their Teacher Dancing to GFRIEND’s “Me Gustas Tu” Goes Viral
A video of five students from a Korean elementary school covering the dance for GFRIEND’s “Me Gustas Tu” at their school’s talent show has gone viral. That may not sound out of the ordinary and you may be wondering why in the world that would go viral. First, the girls’ teacher joined the team and danced… Continue reading Video of Elementary Students and Their Teacher Dancing to GFRIEND’s “Me Gustas Tu” Goes Viral
Korean Twitter Users Protest Censorship, Provide Coverage of Rally
Koreans are taking to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to reveal a different perspective on the anti-government protests that took place in central Seoul on November 14. Using the hashtag #PrayForKorea to spread their message, many protesters described and recorded events as they unfolded, and demanded an end to government censorship. Although the rally was attended by some 100,000… Continue reading Korean Twitter Users Protest Censorship, Provide Coverage of Rally
French Man Says His Phone Saved His Life During Paris Terrorist Attacks
A man says that his Samsung phone saved his life when he was under gunfire in the terrorist attacks that ravaged Paris on the night of November 13, local time. Just moments after the attack, French media station iTele approached the man, identified only as Sylvestre. The man was shot while attending a soccer match… Continue reading French Man Says His Phone Saved His Life During Paris Terrorist Attacks