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· Michelle De Pacina
‘Han’ explained: An emotion unique to Korea
“Han,” in perhaps one of its simplest definitions, is a word that embodies shared emotions of sorrow and resentment. But upon a closer look into its many interpretations, it begins to unravel as an untranslatable concept, with its contemporary relevance and usage reflecting a…
· Michelle De Pacina
Japan’s ‘Evil Does Not Exist’ nabs top prize at 2024 Asian Film Awards
Oscar-winning director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s drama film “Evil Does Not Exist” clinched the top prize at the 17th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong on Sunday night. Best Picture: The Japanese formalist arthouse drama was one of the most nominated films along with South Korean…
· Bryan Ke
Aespa’s Karina apologizes to fans for dating in handwritten letter
Aespa member Karina apologized to fans in a handwritten letter one week after her label, SM Entertainment, confirmed that she and South Korean actor Lee Jae-wook are in a relationship. For context: South Korean news outlet Dispatch first broke the news of the two South Korean…
· Carl Samson
South Korean marriages drop 40% in a decade
Marriages in South Korea have plummeted by 40% over the past 10 years, leading to significant consequences for the country’s birth rate. Zoom in: South Korea witnessed only 193,673 marriages in 2023, marking a 40% drop from 322,807 recorded in 2013, according to government data…
· Bryan Ke
BTS’s Jin starts countdown for his return from mandatory military service
Many BTS fans, affectionately known as ARMYs, are celebrating in anticipation of Jin’s return to the spotlight after the singer initiated a countdown for the end of his mandatory military service. Breaking the news: Jin, the oldest member of BTS at age 31, initiated the…
· Bryan Ke
Video of Mexican American toddler crying because she’s not Chinese goes viral
A video of a Mexican American girl crying and upset because she is not Chinese has gone viral. About the video: The video, uploaded to TikTok by Jose Reyes, a realtor in Arizona, on Feb. 16, has garnered over 6.1 million views.
· Michelle De Pacina
Why around 9,000 doctors in South Korea have walked off their jobs in protest
Thousands of doctors in South Korea protested in Seoul against the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions and its perceived lack of support for the healthcare system. The government’s plans: To address changing healthcare demands in a rapidly aging society, the…
· Michelle De Pacina
S. Korea fertility rate drops for 4th consecutive year, beats own record for world’s lowest
South Korea’s fertility rate beat its own record for the world’s lowest fertility rate after dropping for the fourth consecutive year. Population drop: On Wednesday, Statistics Korea reported an 8% decrease in the nation’s fertility rate in 2023 compared to the previous year.…
· Bryan Ke
Shohei Ohtani surprises fans by announcing he is now married
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani announced he is now a married man. Shocking the baseball world: On Thursday, Ohtani, 29, shocked fans with an Instagram post revealing that he married a woman from Japan, noting that he is “excited for what is to come” as he…
· Bryan Ke
Indian netizens praise Korean man for wearing dhoti in viral video
A South Korean man has been receiving tons of love from Indian social media users after a video of him wearing traditional South Indian attire went viral on Instagram. Going viral: “Video creator” @baeyunsooo uploaded the video to his Instagram on Feb. 20, which has already…
· Bryan Ke
Shohei Ohtani shines in spring debut for Dodgers
Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani debuted in a big way on Tuesday by hitting a home run during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training game against the Chicago White Sox. Explosive debut: Ohtani batted second during Tuesday’s game at Camelback Ranch in Arizona after Mookie Betts…
· Bryan Ke
Watch: Mark Zuckerberg forges, wields katana in Japan
Mark Zuckerberg has shared videos of himself learning how to make a katana — a long sword used by Japanese samurais — and wielding it during a stopover in Tokyo. What he shared: In one video posted on Instagram on Sunday, Zuckerberg, 39, can be seen forging his katana under the…
· Bryan Ke
NYC Mayor Eric Adams hosts Lunar New Year celebration
Mayor Eric Adams hosted a Lunar New Year celebration with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in New York City, where they welcomed the Year of the Dragon. What happened: The reception was supposed to be held at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New…
· Bryan Ke
Watch: Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto learn Spanish greetings from teammate
Shohei Ohtani is melting many baseball fans’ hearts after the Los Angeles Dodgers shared a video of him and fellow Japanese newcomer Yoshinobu Yamamoto being taught Spanish greetings by Dominican outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. About the video: The short, 20-second clip, uploaded…
· Michelle De Pacina
Most East Asian adults believe men, women should share family responsibilities: survey
A new survey reveals that large majorities of people in East Asia believe men and women should share familial responsibilities. The results: The survey, which was conducted by the Pew Research Center from June to September 2023 in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and…
· Bryan Ke
BTS becomes first group, Asian act to cross historic milestone on Spotify
BTS has surpassed the 38 billion stream mark on Spotify, reportedly marking a first for any group or Asian act. Making history: BTS crossed 38 billion total streams on Spotify this week, as per music data website Kworb. Tracks with the highest streams include “Dynamite” (1.8…
· Carl Samson
South Korean scientists invent beef-infused rice with cow cells
South Korean scientists have created rice that contains beef. What it is: The invention, dubbed “cultured beef rice,” offers a novel protein alternative with enhanced nutritional value and less carbon footprint compared to conventional beef. Researchers from Yonsei University…
· Michelle De Pacina
Meet the South Korean octogenarian rappers taking the internet by storm
A group of South Korean women in their 80s have gained local fame for writing and rapping about rural farm life. Gaining fame: The octogenarians, known as Suni and the Seven Princesses, are taking social media by storm since their first performance in a community center in…
· Ryan General
South Korean construction firm pays staff $75,000 each time they have a baby
A construction firm in South Korea is offering 100 million Korean won ($75,000) for every child born to its employees, in a bid to address the nation’s declining birth rates. About the incentive: Booyoung Group has pledged its employees a total commitment of 7 billion won ($5.25…
· Bryan Ke
Chinese teen breaks men’s 100m record, S. Korea wins gold in men’s 400m at World Aquatics
China and South Korea saw back-to-back gold medal wins in swimming at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. Fastest swimmer: China’s Pan Zhanle, 19, bagged the gold from the 4x100m relay event by finishing in a record-breaking 46.8 seconds. Romanian…