In the wake of the financial crisis in 1997, a frugality campaign swept the country under the motto of “anabana,” or “save, share, swap and reuse goods.” The movement spread through flea markets, charities and local communities, helping reduce the pains of the economic meltdown and change the mindset and behavior of consumers. About fifteen years later, the grassroot movement is being revived magnificently. A myriad of enterprises and organizations are jumping on the “sharing economy” bandwagon,

More and more Seoul citizens are engaging in a new lifestyle by sharing everything from their talent to parking lots to houses.Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon introduced the “Share Seoul” project in September 2012 to provide better welfare and services to people at a low cost. The movement is not only aimed at helping people save money but also to solve environmental and employment problems and bring community spirit to modern life.“Calls for better welfare, a cleaner environment and more jobs are soa

On Wisdome, a social networking site, people can open offline classes to provide their knowledge, experience and skills for a small fee. Lectures on a range of topics like overseas travel, calligraphy, asset management and cookie-making are offered by practitioners eager to share their know-how and time. “What changes one’s life is not advice from famous figures on TV or somewhere else, but advice from people around us including family members, colleagues and friends at school,” said Han Sang-ye

The sharing economy can contribute to sustainable development and has plenty of room to develop further in diverse fields of business, society and life, says Harald Heinrichs, a leading sharing economy theorist. The professor of sustainability politics at Luneburg University in Germany offered his views on a range of issues regarding the sharing economy in a recent email interview with The Korea Herald. The following are excerpts from the interview.Korea Herald: What are the possible benefits of

New forms of residency save space, facilities and foster interaction

Confucian roots hold in Lunar New Year holidays, but change is in swing

Exploring the eating traditions of the Korean Lunar New Year table

Han Hyun-young, a 29-year-old office worker in Seoul, had a hanbok custom-made for herself when she got married in 2011. But she has worn the traditional Korean clothes only twice ― on her first visit to her in-law’s house after her honeymoon and on her sister-in-law’s wedding day. “I wore it because I had to. I wouldn’t wear it if I didn’t have to,” she said. Han is not the only one feeling reluctant to wear a hanbok on special occasions. As hanbok are no longer a daily outfit for most Koreans,

Seollal, which falls on Jan. 31 this year, involves a lot of hectic food preparations and family gatherings, but Koreans are not the only people observing it. Though practices differ, a version of Seollal is celebrated across Asia: millions of Chinese, Vietnamese and Mongolians meet families and friends on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Here in South Korea, Seollal demands intensive preparations for family gatherings and “charye,” a memorial rite that pays homage to the ancestors of the pa

Seollal, the Lunar New Year, is one of the most celebrated holidays in Korea: It is not only a time to pay respects to one’s elders and ancestors, but is also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends to celebrate the New Year immersed in tradition. With the colorful hanbok (traditional Korean costume) and the traditional food and folk games, Seollal gives people the chance to experience some real Korean culture. Whether it be traveling to the countryside to reunite with extended fami

The easternmost islets were the first Korean territory colonized by Japan, and in Koreans’ view, Tokyo’s continued claim to them epitomizes its unrepentance for its wartime wrongdoings

Dokdo islets are a source of pride and patriotism entrenched in Koreans’ collective consciousness

Islets get 1.24m visitors since 2005, command fertile fishing grounds, may have huge natural gas deposits

Japanese-born scholar calls for end to emotional fight between two countries

Delivery service market is red carpet convenience for customers, red ocean competition for providers