Upcycling fashion brand RE;CODE charts new course in fashion

The invitation-only audio chat application named Clubhouse is surging in popularity around the globe by picking up millions of people on social media. Launched in March 2020, the niche platform facilitates audio conversations between users. Once users are invited to join, they can enter various chat rooms and communicate about those topics. The types of chat rooms are diverse and the most popular ones are operated by a handful of users speaking to a silent audience. The chat rooms range fro

Millions of people in South Korea are set to drive for hours to reunite with their families and relatives for one of the country’s biggest celebrations: Seollal. Ceremonies and rituals are traditionally held during the big holiday to pay respect to ancestors. People usually bow to an altar table with fruits, liquor, fish and meat, wishing for prosperity and health. The Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 12 of the Gregorian calendar this year, and the holiday starts Thursday and runs through S

The availability of Korean fruits is very much seasonal. Strawberries signal the coming of spring, oriental melons welcome the scorching hot summer, apples catch the tail end of the sweltering season and tangerines bring in the fall. The distinctive sweetness of citrus species adds a potpourri of color to the fall foliage across the nation in particular. The strong aroma of mandarin oranges fills grocery stores and markets until the winter season. During the snowy months, many locals find the

Protective gear has become a symbol of hope to fight back the pandemic, as the virus continues to sprawl to unprecedented heights. Medical personnel swathed in thick layers of protective hazmat suits have become harbingers of life and death. In this battle, doctors and nurses treating patients are playing the role of real-life superheroes. Footage of buckets of sweat pouring out of hazmat suits are commonplace in media around the globe. In particular, Europe displayed gratitude by hanging ba

South Korea’s stringent social distancing rules has emptied many offices as the nation tries to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Among confirmed cases, many of the infections are linked to densely populated metropolitan areas. In 2020, a shift toward working from home quickly became the norm among many workplaces. Along with worries and challenges, remote working introduced several changes -- the tools employees use to work, shortened commuting, what we wear to work, being able to wo

Koreans enjoy edible tokens of appreciation and affection with family and friends during the winter season. It’s considered one of the best ways to leave the year behind by dishing out winter specials to relish the festive mood. Yet, as the virus continues to spread, gorging on food indoors has risen as a major trend to keep the global pandemic at bay. With many self-quarantining themselves, people are reaching out to making iconic winter street foods in Korea at home. Convenient ways o

Fancying a glass of craft beer and wine in the hippest vicinity was the vogue among the younger generations in recent years. Yet, traditional Korean liquors are permeating through the market, as makgeolli has become the latest taste. The nation's oldest spirit has been brewed with tradition, history and local ingredients for nearly 2,000 years. Traditional Korean drinks are made from rice, a staple food for Koreans. The liquor is also cooked with water, yeast and nuruk, an old-fashioned Korea

A host of psychology and personality tests supposedly shedding light on one‘s personality are picking up popularity in South Korea. The internet questionnaires show specific explanations of one’s self that align with the psyche. These tools help people draw conclusions about who they are as a person. The complicated human condition triggers people to characterize themselves by taking the test. By evaluating the results, people can better find out about the different aspects of the

Around 490,000 college hopefuls will flock to test sites across the country on Dec. 3 to take the Suneung -- South Korea’s national college entrance exam. On this day, silence brings the nation to a standstill, as the cold air turns jittery with angst. Military training temporarily ceases, flights are grounded and government institutes and banks delay opening by an hour to prevent traffic during the rush to testing sites. Suneung is the College Scholastic Ability Test in Korean -- the

South Korean food makers are reaching out for unique collaborations by adding a little twist to their original products. Convenience store GS25 has teamed up with Miwon Group and launched Miwon Matsogeum Popcorn, touching on the “newtro” trend of blending established, sometimes unfashionable brands with new products they are not usually associated with. Matsogeum is a kind of seasoning and in Korea, Miwon is a household name associated with it. And while the Buldak brand, more

Red flames trickle down from a furnace while viscous glass tubes glide down a long iron rod, dancing. This harmonious dance to shape hot molten glass takes place at around 700 degrees Celsius. Next, a professional craftsperson moves the rod from the scorching hot stove, takes it out again, and cuts and stretches the glass to form different shapes. The art practice resembles a glowing beam of light from Iron Man’s artificial heart. Together, the various techniques and processes are c

The coexistence of the past and present tunes Seoul into its beautiful history while serving as the nation’s economic and political hub. Glassy skyscrapers and various institutions interweave the metropolis, catering to all walks of life. At night, majestic palaces turn into splendors for visitors. The harmony has been seen for decades -- buildings nestled next to each other cuddle the city palaces Deoksugung and Gyeongbokgung. Sejongno -- dubbed the “Street of Six Ministries&rd

In the heart of Gwangju’s bustling downtown district, the historic building that witnessed the May 18 Democratic Movement became the inspiration for the creation of the Asian Culture Center. Opened in 2015, the ACC’s overarching concept, “The Forest of Light” was planned by architect Woo Kyu-sung. The protest song “March for the Beloved” plays every afternoon at the May 18 Clock Tower, which is located at the entrance of the square. In the spring of 1980,

Coffee districts in Seoul are moving beyond the old aesthetics and have turned into highly Instagrammable spots. Quirky yet trendy cafes in old settings have infused fresh energy and unbelievable ambiance into these areas. These districts have since placed themselves as the latest “it” spots among the younger generation. A case in point is Yeonnam-dong. The majority of the cafes, restaurants and old vintage shops are nestled in narrow alleyways, allowing visitors to easily stumble