In 2000, one song would forever alter the course of Korean pop music. At the time, J.Y. Park was an emerging producer, fresh off the success of g.o.d, a group he had carefully crafted into a national sensation. With their emotional storytelling and melodic hooks, he had begun to define his signature style. But producing…
Korean Everyday Icons #1 Binggrae’s Banana Flavored Milk has been a staple in Korean households for over 50 years, first introduced in June 1974 to encourage milk consumption at a time when dairy was unfamiliar to many Koreans. Bananas were an import-restricted luxury, making the banana-flavored milk an instant hit, offering both a new taste…
From the Silver Screen to Printing Presses: The Evolution of Korea’s Creative Heart In the 1950s and 60s, Chungmuro naturally became Korea’s film hub. Movie studios needed promotional materials — posters, scripts, brochures — and the print shops were already here, ready to meet the demand. This symbiotic relationship between filmmakers and printers gave birth…
A Practical Guide for Foreigners This comprehensive guide is designed to help foreigners better understand the various parts of Korean beef cuts. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to make more informed choices when purchasing beef from Korean supermarkets or ordering dishes at Korean restaurants. Whether you’re an expat living in Korea, a traveler exploring…
Where Contradictions Collide to Create Korean Cool Recently, Seongsu was ranked as the 4th coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out magazine in the UK. Like its nickname “Seoul’s Brooklyn,” Seongsu is a very dynamic space with a strong industrial feel, full of interesting discoveries, where people with diverse life trajectories move busily with…
An Anthropological Perspective on Culture, Identity, and Storytelling I recently came across an insightful interview with Pauline Brown, former North American Chairman at LVMH, in Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo. In it, she describes Korea’s explosive global popularity — through K-Pop, K-Dramas, and K-Beauty — as akin to “sweet candy,” beloved globally yet at risk of losing momentum unless…