“I’d like to quit my job” It's a phrase that numerous South Korean workers have likely rehearsed silently in their minds on more than one occasion. However, the challenge lies not only in mustering the courage to vocalize these words in front of superiors, but in ensuring one's resignation is taken seriously, not brushed off as a mere complaint, and being let go without too much hassle. Kwon, a 27-year-old who works at a packaging company, is experiencing such diffi

Kakao is not just the name of the mobile messenger that almost all South Koreans use. It is a Korean substitute for the US’ Uber or Southeast Asia’s Grab. KakaoT, operated by the messenger app company, is by far the most widely used app to hail a taxi, although there are smaller competitors. One of the advantages of using the apps, especially for tourists, is that they significantly reduce the likelihood of being overcharged or taken advantage of by drivers. These apps track the rout

Foreign residents of Seoul were happier than than their Korean neighbors, a poll conducted by Seoul City showed Thursday. The “happiness index” of foreign residents in Seoul (7.07) was higher than that of the city’s Korean residents (6.72), according to the survey of some 20,000 families, 5,000 citizens and 2,500 foreign residents of Seoul conducted from September through October last year. Over half of the foreign respondents (56.3 percent) said they wish to continue to live i

Nationwide protests of 1987 led to constitutional reforms and direct presidential election, but would not lead to fall of junta just yet

Find the answer at the bottom of the page. Cash is a common gift in Korea for various celebratory events like a baby's first birthday, Lunar New Year or weddings. For funerals, too, guests prepare cash in a white envelope to give to the grieving family. However, with surging inflation in recent years, there has been upward pressure on the amount of money given as congratulatory or condolence gifts, leading many Koreans to face a dilemma of how much to spend on such occasions. The best guide

Korean devours meal the size of which would satisfy 3 average Europeans and remarked 'I was unwell and had no appetite today' -- 1882 book 'Corea or Cho-sen: The Land of the Morning Calm'

Seoul wouldn’t be famous for its lively nightlife scene if getting back home after a night out were a major challenge. Recognizing the need of a public that is socially active at night, South Korea’s public transport operates at least until around midnight, although one is strongly advised to check on the last vehicle reaching the desired destination from the point of departure. Most major metropolitan areas have buses that operate well after midnight, but Seoul even has regularly di

When 23-year-old Dominick Spina was drafted into the US Army in January 1953 and arrived in South Korea’s Chuncheon as a soldier of the 40th Infantry Division in August that year, his mother was constantly worried about him. So he wrote to her often, hoping to quell her nerves. The Korean Armistice Agreement had just been signed in late July, bringing an end to the hostilities of the 1950-53 Korean War, and Dominick was grateful there was no fighting. In October 1953, he was assigned to th

SAMG Entertainment exec expects 3D animated series' popularity to continue abroad

Life imitated film when actor-director couple fled from North Korean captors in 1986 after being abducted 8 years earlier

You can find the correct answer(s) at the bottom of the page. J-Hope, a member of K-pop juggernaut BTS, has temporarily suspended his stage activities to fulfill his mandatory military service. In South Korea, which faces a belligerent North Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve in the military. The duration of service has changed over time, from three years in the past to a minimum of 18 months at present. South Korea’s Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, Marines and Ai

The sight of a bus passenger paying their fare with cash is dying out in South Korea nowadays. There are several reasons for this. Cashless payments, via Tmoney cards, credit cards or mobile payment options, are not just more convenient but safer, as the conductor can focus only on driving, which can help improve the safety of everyone on the bus. Also, cashless payments save you money -- quite a lot, in fact, if you transfer between buses and/or subways. The country’s free transfer benefi

At least 5 potential refugees currently live inside Incheon Airport, after their on-arrival applications were rejected, says a civic group

On Dec. 23 last year, a group of South Korean tourists became stranded in Buffalo, New York, during a heavy blizzard on their way to Niagara Falls. Their van got stuck in the snow, so two of them knocked on the door of a nearby house to ask for shovels to dig the vehicle out of a ditch. That was the home of Alexander Campagna and his wife Andrea, who had planned for a quiet Christmas weekend indoors, with a stocked fridge to wait out the snowstorm. The couple invited the nine travelers plus the

With various attractions from K-pop concerts to camping, World Cup Stadium Station remains relevant