Writing
Korea is pulling out all the stops to popularize its cuisine
SEOUL, South Korea — Until a few years ago, legions of food-loving Americans had never heard of bulgogi or kimchi, those Korean staples that are now available in most cities and towns across the country. Sushi is so 1980. Thai went the way of the American Chinese fast...
Activist plans to send 10,000 copies of ‘The Interview’ to North Korea by balloon
SEOUL, South Korea — If all goes according to plan, about 10,000 North Koreans will get to endure an hour of toilet humor from Seth Rogen and James Franco. And then watch a rocket-propelled grenade incinerate their supreme leader, Kim Jong Un. The average North Korean...
I wanted to look like a K-Pop star. So I went to a plastic surgery clinic
SEOUL, South Korea — There is a glamorous nouveau riche neighborhood in Seoul called Gangnam. You may have heard the song. Gangnam is renowned for its culture of beauty and style. And its plastic surgery. Hundreds of clinics cater to fashionistas seeking convenience...
Here are 25 reasons why Seoul is now Asia’s coolest city
1) The food is tangy, piquant, pickled, and awesome. Just about every corner watering hole whips up dazzling barbecues, stews and pickled vegetables. It’s spicy, and that's a good thing. 2) The locals will go out of their way for you. Even if you don’t speak...
Here’s why some South Koreans really don’t like the United States
SEOUL, South Korea — Wearing traditional garb and wielding a 10-inch fruit knife, the assailant stood up and shouted for the unification of the two Koreas before slashing his supposed enemy: the guest of honor, US Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert. Ironically at a...
Behold! The best of North Korea’s 349 new propaganda slogans!
SEOUL, South Korea — Pyongyang is drab and colorless, known mostly for its blockish, retro-Soviet architecture and socialist realism. But colorful propaganda posters stand out garishly, perhaps deliberately, in the North Korean capital. These banners and billboards...
Why justice in Korean Air’s nut rage case was a big surprise
SEOUL, South Korea — Ever since the 2008 economic crisis, Americans have bemoaned the impunity and influence-peddling of Wall Street. But South Koreans have long complained that their country, nicknamed the “Republic of Samsung,” has a far more entitled corporate...
It looks like Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin are becoming BFFs
SEOUL, South Korea — Is the sun setting on the brotherly bond between North Korea and its biggest patron, China? North Koreans often compare the indefatigable relationship to “lips and teeth.” China is North Korea’s biggest investor, and has long sustained the regime,...
Freewheeling, prosperous Korea is a remarkably tough place for Western companies
SEOUL, South Korea — Of course, China is renowned as a tough place to do business. But world’s biggest brand names have a long history of investing major bucks in booming South Korea — only to whiff. Chalk it up to consumer demands, a failure to understand the market,...
The Islamic State beheadings are firing up Japan’s hawks
SEOUL, South Korea — A wave of national mourning has swept Japan after a gruesome video released over the weekend, apparently showed the Islamic State beheading celebrated journalist Kenji Goto. If confirmed, Goto would be the second victim during the 19-day crisis,...