CategoryK-culture

South Korea’s surge in coffee consumption has led to a growing problem of coffee grounds disposal. We discuss how to recycle coffee grounds, which can have a negative impact on the environment if improperly disposed of, and how the issue can be addressed by expanding collection facilities.   South Koreans love their coffee, with annual per capita consumption more than twice the global...

South Korea’s pornography possession law, which aims to prevent child and adolescent sexual crimes, has been criticized for its ambiguity, logical contradictions, and lack of effectiveness.   Sexual assaults on children and adolescents, including child sexual assault cases, have become a growing social issue in South Korea. What these cases have in common is that the suspect habitually...

Although the perception of homosexuality is changing with the openness of Korean society, many prejudices and misconceptions still exist. In order to naturally accept homosexuality and create a society without discrimination, we need to have a proper understanding and mutual respect for homosexuals.   As Korean society becomes more culturally diverse and people’s thinking becomes more...

This article discusses whether the international community is right to ignore the brutal human rights abuses in North Korea’s political prison camps in the name of cultural relativism, and explores the legitimacy of cultural imposition through universal sentiments and ethical standards.   From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., they dig coal or chop wood. No food is provided, and all kinds of violence...

International tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising recently. North Korea’s nuclear test and South Korea’s controversial deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system are the main causes, and the combination of the strengthening of the U.S.-South Korean alliance, China’s backlash, and divisions in domestic public opinion have led to a new Cold...

  This article uses Jeremy Rifkin’s entropy theory to analyze the South Korean government’s cigarette tax hike policy, considers the trade-off between reducing smoking rates and raising tax revenue, and discusses how the policy may have a negative impact on social development by increasing the burden on the poor.   After reading Entropy by Jeremy Rifkin After reading Jeremy...

This article contrasts the fairy tale with the competitive structure of Korean society and explores the goals society pushes on individuals and the meaning of true happiness. Starting from the fairy tale of a shard of glass that never loses its dream and is reborn into a new form, this article critically examines whether South Korea’s education and workplace culture takes into account an...

This course examines the causes and controversies surrounding the Sewol ferry disaster, explains the key concepts of ship stability – heave and resilience – and suggests technical and policy responses to ensure safe ship operations.   The Sewol ferry disaster happened a long time ago and left many Koreans grieving. It was not just a disaster, but a tragedy that left deep scars on...

Hanoks, traditional Korean houses, are beautifully straight and right-angled from a distance, but when you get up close, the columns appear to curve. This is intentionally achieved through optical compensation techniques such as baehleum columns and purim. Hanok is more than just architecture, it’s a work of art, a result of the pursuit of both visual beauty and structural stability.  ...

Global Gathering Korea has grown into one of the world’s leading electronic music festivals, but its lack of on-site guidance, inconvenient entry procedures, and lack of amenities leave a lot to be desired. Improvements are needed to enhance the quality of the festival.   Many years ago, I attended an electronic music festival called Global Gathering Korea (GGK). With a motto of “the...