South Korea’s population is aging rapidly and is facing significant challenges. In 2023, it had the second-highest life expectancy globally, yet it also recorded the lowest fertility rate in the world, at just 0.72 births per woman. This trend is expected to persist and worsen in the years ahead. By 2025, South Korea is projected […]
Aging population in Korea Read More »
The Dano Festival, a vibrant celebration that unites the past with the present, is nested in the heart of Korean cultural heritage. This festival, also known as the Surit-nal, is held yearly on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month and provides a vivid window into Korea’s rich heritage, folklore, and sense of community.
Exploring the Dano Festival Read More »
Traditional attire is one way to convey a country’s social identity, and the Korean hanbok is no exception. As a type of costume that is much more than a beautiful garment, it not only symbolizes cultural beauty but also reveals the depth of Korean history. And these intriguing facets of hanbok might surprise you. I
A Guide for Ethnic Koreans and Foreigners One ritual approach to non-human ancestors Special to Rooftop on the Hanok, via Mad Sage Astrology Harvest moon festivals were a common activity amongst many cultures, and in South Korea the tradition persists today. South Koreans call their harvest moon festival Chuseok, and it’s a
Worshipping Ancestors on Korean Chuseok Read More »
A European friend had spent three months visiting Seoul a few years back. She had been to ancient palaces, historic districts, mountain peaks, and temples. She had even gotten a good tour of the city’s hipster meetups and youthful nightlife. She had a good feel for Korea and its cultural sites. But there was something
Seosan is a small city in Chuncheongnamdo, a province south of Seoul. It is located near the coast of the Yellow Sea on the western side of the Korean peninsula. As a city with a population of about 175,000 people, it has a rural feel to it. The old city center has many old buildings,
Six Things to Do in Seosan Read More »
Often, people don’t know the lessons of life until after the fact. The same goes for living on the Korean peninsula. Many aspects of living abroad are not evident until after they have been experience. American Alex Hyewon has lived in South Korea for six years. During that time, she learned many things about life
Things I Wish I Knew Before Moving to South Korea Read More »
Visitors to South Korea come in all stripes. One thing all of them have in common is the need to exchange currency. Any seasoned backpacker, tourist, or businessperson has to make use of local currency at some point in their stay. Often, the most common choices, usually due to time constraints, access, and proximity, are
The Top Places to Get a Good Exchange Rate in Seoul Read More »
Living in a shoe-box Korean one room can be a challenge, especially for expats who hail from countries that have bigger homes. Most foreigners who move to South Korea to teach English or to study rarely consider that normal parts of accommodations like baths or ovens are relatively rare in most single-person housing. Seven tips
Living in A Shoe-Box One Room
Tips For the Transition into Korean Housing Read More »
Everyone who lives in Korea as an expat eventually finds themselves receiving a wedding invitation at some point. The sudden revelation that a person is expected to attend a wedding ceremony in a foreign culture might seem challenging at first. The good news is that Korean weddings are not too different from the weddings most
Korean Wedding Primer
5 Tips for Attending a Korean-Style Wedding Read More »
