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Korea’s Chaebols Fight to Keep Their Thrones South Korea’s economic landscape has long been defined by the dominance of family-run conglomerates known as chaebols. On September 19, 2025, the Hankyoreh reported renewed debates over chaebol reform—an issue that has surfaced repeatedly in Korean politics, economics, and even culture. This latest wave of concern highlights both the contributions of these conglomerates to Korea’s rapid developm..
Twins, Triplets, and Beyond: Korea’s Surprising Rank in Multiple Birth Rates Date: September 16, 2025In a nation where declining birth rates dominate headlines, there is one curious statistic that stands apart: South Korea consistently ranks near the top in the world for multiple births. Twins, triplets, and even higher-order births appear in Korean maternity wards with a frequency that seems paradoxical in the context of its broader demographic decline.The numbers tell ..
When Subsidies Meet Scrutiny: Korea’s Political Fund Controversy On September 16, 2025, one of the most pressing debates in South Korea’s political landscape reignited: the controversy over political subsidies and the demand for their recovery. These subsidies—public funds allocated to political parties to support democratic activity—are supposed to ensure that politics does not become the exclusive domain of the wealthy. Instead, they have become the focus o..
Empty Shops, Full of Lies: The Rise of “Vacant Store” Investment Scams in Korea In recent weeks, South Korea has been shaken by a troubling surge in a new form of real estate fraud: the so-called “vacant store investment scam.” According to a September 16 report by DongA Ilbo, fraudsters are exploiting the anxieties of investors by using empty retail spaces as bait. With promises of guaranteed rent, covered maintenance fees, and steady monthly income, they lure individuals ..
Korea’s FTC Takes Aim at Platform Giants Date: September 15, 2025When a new leader steps into office, their very first gestures often carry symbolic weight far beyond the bureaucratic desk. Such is the case with Joo Byung-ki, Korea’s newly inaugurated chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC).On his agenda lie two demanding tasks: the long-discussed “Platform Law” and the chronic shortage of manpower inside the FTC itself. Both may s..
When “No” Turns Violent: A Korean Case That Demands Reflection In Korea this week, on September 14, 2025, the headlines carried a chilling reminder of how fragile human relationships can become when respect gives way to violence.A 41-year-old man, upon hearing the words “let’s break up,” responded not with sorrow or dignity but with rage. He drove his car into his girlfriend, sending her more than 13.7 meters through the air. The result: severe injuries, in..
Between Smiles and Courtrooms: The Fragile Architecture of K-pop Contracts K-pop dazzles the world with its glittering stages, polished performances, and almost mythic fan devotion. Yet behind this spectacle lies a quieter drama—one that takes place not under neon lights but in courtrooms. On September 11, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin appeared in court, smiling as cameras clicked. Her appearance was part of the ongoing legal battle between her and HYBE, the parent compa..
Baseball Beyond the Diamond: Korea’s KBO League Nears a Historic Attendance Reco A Stadium Becomes a Mirror of SocietyIn Korea this autumn, the crack of the bat carries more than the sound of competition—it carries the heartbeat of a nation. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, already renowned for its passionate fan culture, is now on the verge of surpassing its all-time attendance record. The projection: more than 9.5 million spectators by season’s end, edging pas..
From Seoul to Soksu-cho: How K-Culture is Driving Foreign Spending Across Korea In recent years, the pull of Korean culture has been magnetic — not just in K-pop hits or drama finales, but in the quiet moments of daily living. On 19 August 2025, a report from Maeil Business Economy revealed something subtle yet transformative: foreign tourists aren’t just visiting Korea; they’re seeking to experience it, especially the lifestyle of Korea’s younger generation, the MZ cohort...
Between Two Worlds: The Story of Castrop and His Anthem When a footballer steps onto the field, he carries more than boots and jersey. He carries history, expectation, and sometimes the burden of identity itself.Recently, Korea witnessed such a moment. Christopher Antwi-Adjei Castrop, a young player of mixed heritage, stood with the national team, hand on heart, and sang the Korean anthem before his debut. It was a scene so ordinary in form—athletes ..
A Light in the Index – KOSPI’s Rise Echoes Economic Resolve Seoul’s financial heartbeat seemed to quicken today. On 10 September 2025, the KOSPI—the country's premier stock index—soared to unprecedented heights, climbing as high as 3,316.93 during intraday trading, the highest level seen since June 25, 2021 when it reached 3,316.08. As of early afternoon, indices hovered around 3,311.26, reflecting a rise of 1.56% from yesterday’s close—another testament..
“From Baseball Prodigy to Scandal: The Rise and Fall of Wi Dae-han” Gangster Chapter 1. A Dream That Ended Too Soon (2007)When a baseball leaves the hand of a young pitcher at 144 km/h, it seems as though the future is already written. In 2007, Wi Dae-han was drafted by SK Wyverns, praised as the next great hope of Korean baseball. He stood at the threshold of a shining career.But that brilliance was short-lived. His juvenile criminal record resurfaced online, and the pu..
K-Culture Meets Cup Ramen: Why Korea Can’t Live Without It When Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters (KDH) teased its colorful world of music and magic, few expected a humble bowl of cup ramen to steal the spotlight. Yet there it was—steaming noodles slurped between battles, reminding viewers that in Korea, instant noodles aren’t just food. They are culture.A Market That Never SleepsSouth Korea is one of the largest consumers of instant noodles in the world. A..
MeloMance: From Intimate Ballads to Korea’s Expanding K-Culture Universe When we speak of K-pop, the conversation often turns to dazzling choreography, global fandoms, and relentless innovation. Yet, within this vast and colorful spectrum, there exists a quieter force—artists who remind us that music’s true power lies not only in spectacle but in intimacy. Among them, the ballad duo MeloMance stands as a shining example.The Beginning: A Duo Built on EmotionMeloMance ..
When Crypto Pays the Taxman: Seoul’s First Digital Asset Liquidation For years, cryptocurrencies have been described as assets that live beyond the grasp of traditional institutions. They were praised as “stateless money,” immune from government intrusion, unbound by the heavy hand of regulators or tax collectors. Yet in September 2025, in the heart of Seoul, that myth quietly began to dissolve.The district office of Seodaemun, one of the capital’s 25 local juris..
Aging Workforce in Korea’s Big Corporations: A Growing Divide with Youth an SMEs In recent decades, Korea’s labor market has undergone a striking transformation. While the country has experienced rapid technological advancement and global competitiveness, the internal structure of employment tells a different story—one of deepening inequality between generations, between large corporations and smaller firms, and between those protected by strong unions and those left exposed..
When Global Private Equity Meets Local Lives: The Homeplus–MBK Controversy in So In recent weeks, South Korea has witnessed a heated political and economic debate surrounding the fate of Homeplus, one of the country’s largest supermarket chains. At the center of this storm is MBK Partners, a foreign private equity firm that acquired Homeplus years ago and now stands accused of prioritizing profit extraction over the well-being of workers, partner companies, and consumers. Th..
Kakao Labor Dispute: Why Promises Matter More Than Profits Kakao, one of South Korea’s most prominent technology companies, has recently been shaken by a labor dispute. Management announced the spin-off of its search division into a new subsidiary and asked employees to transfer, but the union strongly resisted. At first glance, this may appear to be a routine personnel matter. Yet behind it lies something deeper: questions of trust, justice, and the mo..
South Korea’s Prestigious Universities Face Global Challenges For decades, Seoul National University (SNU) and KAIST have been regarded as symbols of South Korea’s scientific and academic excellence. They were not just educational institutions, but pillars of national pride, producing world-class researchers, engineers, and innovators. However, recent developments reveal a troubling trend: the weakening of competitiveness among Korea’s top universities.Bra..
Why Seniors Avoid Apartment Community Centers in Korea As Korea moves rapidly into the era of the “100-year life,” the living environment and community services for seniors have become a central issue. Recent studies reveal that while elderly residents of apartment complexes are generally satisfied with their housing environment, they are surprisingly reluctant to use one of the most accessible facilities available to them: the community center, kno..