In the 2010s, South Korea experienced a period of fascination with the concept of “healing.” The culture of providing comfort to youth and young adults, extending even to comfort for adults facing the challenges of life, dominated the mainstream for a while. While the societal atmosphere is now shifting towards offering “realistic alternatives” due to harsh realities, during that time, ...

Starbucks is not only a personally inspiring space but also a place that garners significant attention. Originating from a small coffee shop in Seattle, the brand transformed its narrative by conceptualizing cafes as a “third space.” In South Korea, the Starbucks phenomenon began on July 27, 1999, with the opening of its first store in front of Ewha Womans University ...

Recently, when it comes to the most influential figure in Silicon Valley, one might think of Elon Musk. Now, he is not only making waves in Silicon Valley but also stands out globally as one of the most significant figures. Elevating Tesla into a successful electric car company, managing the private space industry with SpaceX, and delving into eco-friendly energy ...

Incheon Chinatown resembles a small China within Korea, offering diverse Chinese cuisine through numerous restaurants. Among the eateries on the central street of Chinatown, Wonbo Pyeongga stands out as a place specializing in Chinese pastries. “Chinatown Bakery: Wonbo Pyeongga” Situated in Chinatown, Wonbo Pyeongga is a store that sells Chinese pastries and traditional snacks. Here, you can find a wide ...

In Incheon’s Chinatown, you can savor various Chinese dishes. Considering that Incheon Chinatown is the birthplace of Korean-style Chinese cuisine, it might be somewhat expected to find an abundance of large Chinese restaurants, and Yanjing is among the most spacious. Located in a three-story building, Yanjing exudes a grand atmosphere, providing a rather sophisticated setting for a meal. While the ...

The song “Gale Force,” once an anime theme, has transformed into a widely recognized cheer anthem. It has found its place in various events such as baseball games and university gatherings, emerging as one of the representative cheer songs. From the powerful guitar sounds at the start to the lyrics that begin with “Give me another storm-like courage…,” the song ...

Yoo Jae-ha, a singer-songwriter, is hailed as the pioneer of Korean pop ballads. Despite leaving the world at the young age of 25, having left behind only one album, his contributions to the history of Korean popular music are highly regarded. His debut and masterpiece, “Because I Love You,” had a significant impact on the direction of the Korean music ...

In a world where finding band music is increasingly challenging in South Korea, it’s comforting that in Japan, the realm of band music is still vibrant. However, many Japanese bands often face a common challenge – their vocalists might fall short. While their instrumental performances excel in precision, the final touch, the last 2%, often seems lacking. Enter “Official HIGE ...

In Incheon Chinatown, you can explore a variety of foods, ranging from numerous Chinese restaurants to various snacks and pre-meal treats like cookies.  “Hwadeok Mandu in Incheon Chinatown, Silrihyang” After finishing dinner, I thought it would be great to try as many foods as possible while visiting Chinatown. Particularly, I remembered Hwadeok Mandu introduced on the TV show “Kim Young-chul’s ...

Incheon’s Chinatown offers a taste of Chinese culture and cuisine without the need to travel to China. Often referred to as a small China within Incheon, it stands out as a key tourist destination with a history of 130 years for the Chinese diaspora. As Chinatown gained popularity, a new attraction was created along the walls of Jungsan School, known ...

In various corners along the borders of Incheon’s Chinatown, you can find “Paifang.” Each Paifang is given a different name and serves as a representative symbol of Chinatown. “Paifang Found Throughout Chinatown” The first Paifang, Jungwhaga (中華街), is a prominent symbol of Chinatown donated by Weihai, a sister city of Incheon. The name Jungwhaga reflects the concept of the central ...

Not far from Dong-Incheon Station, which leads to Incheon’s historic Guwol-dong, you can find a long-standing attraction. This well, known as the Yongdong Large Well, has been flowing down for a long time and is considered a historical site. It is a well that has been passed down to have been formed into its current state around the time of ...