The lights are out, and the air is thick with tension inside an abandoned psychiatric hospital -- shuttered just a week ago after a devastating fire. Armed with only a flashlight, you step cautiously into the darkness to find three other suspects standing in silence, each tasked with uncovering the truth behind the murder of the hospital director. As you sift through the wreckage together for evidence, every second counts -- before one of you is accused of being the killer. This is not a real cr

In Seoul, a city defined by its high-rises and sprawling infrastructure, green spaces like Hangang Park, the silver grass fields of Haneul Park, and the tree-lined Seoul Forest offer a chance to slow down and reconnect with nature. For those looking for more than just a scenic stroll, Boramae Park in Dongjak-gu offers something different, starting this week. This year, it plays host to the 10th edition of the Seoul International Garden Show — an immersive event that turns public gardens into liv

Cho Ha-eun, a woman in her 30s, waited in line for over an hour to enter a casual buffet chain in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, for lunch on a weekend in March. When she arrived around noon, more than 50 groups were waiting outside the restaurant, as it was offering strawberries as part of a seasonal event. “I expected there would be a wait because of the event, but not for 1 1/2 hours. There were several other locations of the same chain across Suwon (offering the same event),” Cho said. The chain

PYEONGTAEK, Gyeonggi Province — Tucked away from the usual tourist trails, a three-story building stands steeped in mountain greenery and calm. Overlooking the mountains and the meandering river is the Meditation Room, where a handful of guests sit on legless floor chairs, their eyes closed. The only sound in the silent room is the sound of deep breathing at regular intervals. “It’s liberating,” says Kim Mi-hye, one of the six guests meditating at Trivium, a wellness center that primarily offers

May is known as “Family Month” in South Korea, as it has several days to celebrate and show love for those held closest to people's hearts. One such commemorative day is Parents’ Day on May 8. A time-honored tradition in South Korea has children give carnations to their parents to express gratitude for their love and care. However, some Koreans have recently shown a shift in preferences for Parents' Day, as they search for gifts that are more meaningful and worthwhile. Kwon Young-june, a 53-year

Beneath the glitz and glamour of K-pop, countless trainees, many still in their teens, spend years perfecting their vocals and choreography, clinging to the hope of one day stepping into the spotlight. A 2022 survey by the Korea Creative Content Agency put their numbers at 1,170. But this figure leaves out K-pop star wannabes outside entertainment agencies -- those training at independent dance studios or trying their luck on platforms like YouTube. For many, the pursuit consumes their entire ad

Once overshadowed by mainstream choices like soju and beer, traditional Korean alcohol has experienced a resurgence since the early 2020s. The market for traditional drinks in Korea grew from 62.7 billion won ($43.8 million) in 2020 to 147.5 billion won in 2023, and the trend appears to be continuing, with major department stores reporting double-digit on-year increases in their traditional alcohol sales in 2024. This rapid growth is largely driven by younger generations seeking flavors beyond t

Amid dwindling birth rate, shuttered schools become a growing headache -- and potential asset -- for urban revitalization On a weekday afternoon at around 1:30 p.m., an eerie silence blankets the schoolyard of what was once Hwayang Elementary School in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Where children's laughter once filled the air, now only the rustling of trees in the spring breeze and occasional birdsong break the stillness. The human presence has shifted dramatically. Elderly residents with canes now walk

The global obsession with K-beauty shows no signs of slowing down. What began as a cult fascination with cushion foundations and 10-step skincare rituals has now bloomed into a multi-billion-dollar export industry. South Korea’s cosmetics exports soared to a record $10.2 billion in 2024, accounting for 76.1 percent of the total domestic. But beneath the glossy sheen of BB creams and sheet masks, another wave is quietly rising — this time, it's perfumed. While Western fragrance houses like Dior,

Food companies embrace new health trend with more nutritious offerings Ha Sang-hee, a woman in her 30s, regularly shares photos of her homemade meals on social media platform X. Her dishes consistently exclude white rice, processed foods and strongly flavored sauces— a choice she refers to as the "slow-aging diet." To fully enjoy meals without these ingredients, she experiments with recipes and shares her successful creations online. "(After eight months on the diet,) I feel my stamina and immun