Stories about South Korea
South Korea: Game Mocking the Airplane Nuts Fiasco
Korean Air Lines vice president has made numerous headlines, both locally and internationally, for her arrogant behavior on a recent flight out. She randomly accused a crew member of serving macadamia nuts ‘incorrectly’ and even she ordered a plane back to the gate to remove the crew member out of the plane. No wonder this sensational story has...
Everyone but South Koreans Can Watch South Korean TV on YouTube
South Korea's major TV networks are restricting Internet users in the country from watching their content on YouTube, but users with international IP addresses can still enjoy their videos.
Central Asia and South Korea Are More Connected Than You Might Think
South Korea is an unheralded but important partner to the post-Soviet states of Central Asia, serving both as a destination for Central Asian migrants and a source of regional trade.
Why Is It Such a Controversy to Start the School Day at 9am in South Korea?
Some schools in South Korea have adopted a new "9am late-start system," provoking a nationwide debate about reforming the way children are educated and mature.
A Group of University Students in Kyoto Want Japan, China and Korea to Just Be ‘Happy’
Relations between the three countries are often prickly because of territorial and historical disputes. A group of students made a 'Happy' video to promote a message of friendship.
From Liberia to South Korea, West Africa's Ebola Outbreak Is Met With Ignorance and Paranoia
A pub in South Korea posted a notice turning away Africans "due to Ebola virus," and a Nigerian millionaire preacher is offering to cure Ebola patients with his special water.
Pope Francis’ New Wheels Cause a Stir in South Korea
Pope Francis' inaugural visit to South Korea caused a media frenzy, thanks in part to scenes of the pontiff riding around in a Kia, instead of a bulletproof sedan.
Hollywood Studios Sue 15 South Koreans for Subtitling Their TV Shows Without Permission
South Korean subtitlers were sued by Hollywood studios for their translation of popular TV shows. Is there any talking points missing from Western media report?
Seoul Says No to Uber, But Don't Put Down Your Mobile Just Yet
Seoul is banning Uber and planning to release its own mobile app for taxi services. Who wins from such a move?
Debunking Rumors that Algerian Fans Burned Down a Church in Lyon, France after World Cup Win
On June 22 at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, Algeria defeated South Korea 4-2 to keep its chance of qualifying to the knock-out round alive. Scenes of joy were numerous in Algeria [fr] but also in France where a dynamic Algerian community resides. The joy was tempered by rumors that...
South Korean TV Reporters Apologize for Their Flawed Ferry Coverage
Young journalists for KBS (Korea Broadcasting System) have confessed that their ferry disaster reports were biased and too pro-government.
South Korea: Subway Crash, in the Wake of Ferry Disaster
In South Korean capital Seoul, two subway trains collided last week, injuring over 200 passengers, mostly minor injuries. The accident occurred in the wake of the Sewol ferry disaster, and the timing of the event and passengers’ immediate responses to the crash have further fueled discussion. Noticeably, most of subway...
Specter of China Loomed Over Obama's Asian Tour
Many interpreted the U.S. president's actions on his much-ballyhooed "pivot to Asia" as a not-so-subtle message to China.
South Korea: Stunning Sand Animation Video about Ferry Disaster
Various artists have joined in paying tribute to the victims of the Sewol ferry disaster which cost over 260 lives, most of them high school students. This stunning sand animation video commemorating the victims and their families uses nothing but sand on a flat surface and artist's fingers to arrange...
South Korea's Late-Night Gaming Ban for Kids Ruled Constitutional
A law that prohibits kids from playing online games at night was declared constitutional. How will it affect the game industry, students' rights and net freedom?
GV Face: Too “Asian” to Evacuate? South Korea's Ferry Tragedy and Culture Blaming
Stubborn stereotypes about South Koreans prevail in much of the reporting on a capsized ferry that led to the deaths of more than 200 young people. Were they too "obedient"?
South Koreans Accuse Government of Botching Ferry Response
It's been 14 days since the Sewol ferry capsized, and 205 people are confirmed dead. Politicians taking advantage of the calamity and media inaccuracy have fueled anger in South Korea.
A Peek at Hong Kong's Collaborative Sharing Economy
Different initiatives in Hong Kong connect people with others to help fix household items, give away unwanted goods and borrow a book.
28 Dead, 268 Still Missing in South Korean Ferry Sinking
A South Korean ferry heading to a resort island sank with hundreds of passengers. The captain and crew evacuated early, well before most of the passengers.
South Korea: Samsung Sues Newspaper Over Negative Report
South Korean tech giant Samsung has launched a lawsuit against a local IT newspaper for publishing an unfavorable report. Marmot's Hole blog wrote about how things developed and the repercussion of Samsung's response to negative press coverage. Some of the highlights read; I’d caution Samsung that in terms of PR, lawsuits...
Satirist’s ‘KFC’ Podcast is Litmus Test for South Korean Free Speech
A satirist and prominent social critic has returned to the airwaves in South Korea after being acquitted on charges of defaming the president.