Articles by Song Seung-hyun
Song Seung-hyun
ssh@heraldcorp.com-
Government begins research on legalizing nonmedical tattooists
The government has set in motion a plan to legalize tattooing by nonmedical practitioners. Currently, only medical professionals are authorized to administer tattoos in Korea. According to the Health Ministry on Thursday, it commissioned research earlier this month to develop a national qualification exam for tattoo practitioners. The result of that study, set to be published in November this year, will likely serve as a reference for formulating details of the licensing exam for tattooists and
Social Affairs March 7, 2024
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Dating dealbreakers for Korean divorcees: survey
What made you decide to stop seeing someone after more than three dates? What were the dealbreakers? A new survey conducted by Korean matchmaking services Only You and Bienarae asked this question to divorced, single men and women and found clear differences between their answers. For men, the most significant turnoff, as chosen by 33.8 percent of respondents, was a woman who does not appear to prioritize him over others, while women found the use of vulgar language to be the most off-putting
Social Affairs March 6, 2024
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Korean stars ditch AirPods for old-school earphones
Whether it's a retro trend or just the convenience of not having to charge them in advance, wired earphones are making a comeback. On an episode of YouTube show “Lee Seojin's New York New York" released last year, actor Jung You-mi was seen using wired headphones, prompting a curious inquiry from fellow actor Lee Seo-jin: "What is up with your earphones?" When asked, she explained, "MZ generations use these." And she was right, a growing number of millenn
People March 4, 2024
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Samgyeopsal Day heats up with stricter fat guidelines
March 3, also known as "Samgyeopsal Day" in Korea, is approaching, with anticipation building for promotional events planned by local supermarkets. Most supermarkets and e-commerce platforms will offer discounts ranging from 40 to 50 percent on pork belly from Feb. 29 to March 3. But there is a complication: This year is the first Samgyeopsal Day following the implementation of government guidelines on excessive fat content in pork belly. Last year, criticism arose over local stores&
Consumer Feb. 28, 2024
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Korean 'crypto king' likely to be extradited to US
A court in Montenegro has ruled for the extradition of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Kwon Do-hyung, widely known as "crypto king" Do Kwon, to the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite Kwon's defense advocating for transfer to his home country of South Korea, the Montenegro court has rejected the plea. Both the US and South Korea have sought his extradition. Kwon's legal team now has a three-day window to challenge the decision, according to the court on Wednesday.
Market Feb. 22, 2024
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[LLG] How 'panda aunt' almost did not fall for cub's charms
"People rave about Fu Bao. I just didn't get it." Zookeeper Oh Seung-hee of Everland’s Panda World said of the rock star giant panda of her zoo. Fu Bao, born in 2020 to a panda pair gifted to Korea by China in 2016, was the first cub born in Korea through natural breeding. From the moment of her birth, there hasn't been a single day when the baby panda wasn't popular, with fans who just cannot get enough of the cuddly cub. However, Oh had no problem maintaining dis
Hashtag Korea Feb. 21, 2024
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Busan police on hunt for unidentified Haeundae skyscraper jumpers
Busan police are looking after two unidentified individuals who allegedly parachuted from the 99th floor of a 104-story high-rise in Haeundae, Busan, last week. According to investigators at Haeundae Police Station on Tuesday, the duo, suspected to be extreme jumpers, likely jumped from an observation deck located on the 99th floor of the Haeundae LCT The Sharp, after sneaking into the mixed-use building. Charges of illegal trespassing are being considered by the authorities. The police wa
Social Affairs Feb. 20, 2024
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Photo of RM with saxophone in military band goes viral
Even while serving in the South Korean military, global K-pop star RM of BTS remains in the public eye. On Thursday, a photo of him in a red military band uniform, holding a saxophone, went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter. As of Monday, the photo had garnered over 20,000 likes and 4,000 reposts. The viral post said, "I received a photo of Nam-joon (better known as RM) from an acquaintance who attended the military's basic training completion ceremony." The ceremony is only o
K-pop Feb. 19, 2024
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[Korea Quiz] Korean superstitions
Find the answer at the bottom. Just like any country, Korea has its own traditional beliefs and superstitions. One such superstition warns against whistling at night, as it is believed to attract ghosts, spirits or snakes. This notion is often used to scare children from making noise at night. Though the roots of this superstition remain unclear, it inspired Bang Young-woong’s novel, “Bun-rye's Story,” in which a man whistles to attract snakes. Many Koreans feel uneasy a
Hashtag Korea Feb. 14, 2024
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[LLG] Meet the 'ramyeon conqueror' out to sample every instant noodle
About a decade ago, Ji Young-jun found himself staring at the shelves in the ramyeon section at a military base commissary. Having begun his compulsory military service right after a grueling four years studying for and taking Korea's college entrance exam five times, he felt trapped both physically and psychologically -- little seemed to create excitement or interest for him. But looking at the nearly 50 varieties of ramyeon stacked on the shelves, something stirred within him. “I sh
Hashtag Korea Feb. 7, 2024
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Is streaming making you want to smoke? Korea to propose regulating smoking scenes
In the hit Netflix drama series "The Glory," Lim Ji-yeon, adorned in an elegant magenta blouse, black skirt and gold earrings, leans casually against her white Mercedes-Benz, pulling out a cigarette. The scene, as successful as the drama itself, quickly went viral, prompting the creation of numerous parody videos. Nonetheless, the Korean government seems uneasy about such a smoking scene gaining widespread attention. Dramas aired on broadcast television in Korea are prohibited from dir
Social Affairs Feb. 5, 2024
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Too hot to handle? K-pop stars' ‘no pants’ look sparks debate
It is safe to say that the pantsless trend has firmly planted its roots in Korea, especially within the K-pop scene. This look has triggered mixed reactions, with some arguing that it is a way of expressing freedom while others say that it is too provocative and simply inappropriate. The now-trending no-pants look speaks for itself, featuring a style that discards pants, skirts or any bottom-covering attire, except for briefs, often paired with tights. The origins of this look can be traced
K-pop Feb. 1, 2024
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Alopecia expert recommends washing hair less to lose less
Kwon Oh-sang, a dermatology professor at Seoul National University, who specializes in hair and scalp diseases such as alopecia, advised against washing one's hair daily for individuals in their 40s and up, citing its potential to accelerate hair loss. “Generally the scalp tends to become dry after one's 40s, making it advisable to wash hair three to four times a week,” he said during an interview with a local media outlet on Tuesday. Hair loss is a prevalent issue in Korea
Social Affairs Jan. 31, 2024
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Former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to head Asia Society
Former South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, 68, has been appointed as the 9th president and chief executive officer of the Asia Society, according to the organization's board of trustees on Wednesday. Kang, who held the position of Seoul's top diplomat from 2017 to 2021, is set to assume her new role in April. Before becoming S. Korea's first female foreign affairs minister, she served as a special policy adviser to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Established in 19
Foreign Affairs Jan. 25, 2024
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[Korea Quiz] Korea's spicy affair with noodles
Find the answer at the bottom. The roots of Korean ramyeon trace back to 1963 when Samyang Ramen, the first Korean ramyeon, made its debut. Featuring wheat noodles in a mild, chicken broth, the early product was not very popular, as noodles in general were not a popular meal option for Koreans at that time, due to the widespread preference for rice. But a shortage in rice production in the 1960s prompted the South Korean government to encourage wheat flour consumption, which gave a major boost
Hashtag Korea Jan. 25, 2024
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