Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.
The complete history of Peking duck (北京烤鸭): imperial origins, roasting technique, carving ritual, legendary restaurants and the global rise of China's most iconic dish.
Complete guide to C-dramas (Chinese series): unique genres (xianxia, wuxia, palace drama), must-watch shows, streaming platforms and the international rise of Chinese television.
From the PSP to 30,000-seat arenas, the story of UtaPri, the male idol franchise that redefined the Japanese media mix and spawned an entire industry.
Discover Namiseom, Nami Island in Gapyeong: the legendary Winter Sonata filming location, metasequoia lanes, culture and tourism in South Korea.
From Galaxy Angel trading cards to the Uta no Prince-sama phenomenon, the story of Broccoli, the Japanese publisher that built its model on media mix and fan devotion.
The history of Vocaloid software, Hatsune Miku's rise as a virtual pop star, the creative community behind the phenomenon, and the cultural revolution of Japanese synthetic music.
From 1930s American science fiction conventions to a multi-billion dollar global phenomenon, the complete history of cosplay, its Japanese transformation, major events, and worldwide cultural impact.
How Portuguese missionaries brought deep-frying techniques to Japan in the 16th century and how Japan transformed a Lenten practice into one of the world's most refined culinary arts.
Everything about okonomiyaki, the Japanese savory pancake cooked on a teppan griddle. History, Osaka vs Hiroshima styles, recipe, sauces, and regional variations.
Wheat flour versus buckwheat flour, hot broth versus cold dipping sauce: a deep dive into Japan's most delicious culinary rivalry. History, preparation, recipes, and vocabulary.
From Hana Yori Dango to Boys Over Flowers, a look back at the history of a franchise that crossed borders, languages, and screens, from shojo manga to the most widely exported K-drama of the 21st century.
Discovering dim sum and Cantonese yum cha: the origin of tea houses, the iconic bites, the ritual of the trolleys and the culture of the Chinese brunch.
The chopstick guide for Asia: Chinese origin, Japanese shapes, Korean metal, table manners and taboos to know in Japan, Korea and China.
How hanzi, the Chinese characters, work. Origins on oracle bones, the six categories, radicals, phonetic compounds, and how many you really need to know.
The story of kimchi and kimjang, the great collective autumn preparation. Origins, varieties, the science of fermentation, and Korea's UNESCO heritage.
The story of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet created in 1443 by King Sejong. Origins, how the jamo work, syllable blocks, and why it can be learned in a morning.
The documented story of Yasuke (弥助), the African man who entered Oda Nobunaga's service in 1581. Sources, debates and the legacy of a legend.
Why 8 brings luck and 4 brings fear in China, Korea and Japan: homophones, tetraphobia, missing floors, license plates and phone numbers sold for a fortune.
From flamboyant visual kei to the arcade cabinets of Taiko and beatmania, a journey through two pillars of Japanese music culture and their shared legacy.
Discovering pansori, the Korean epic chant: the singer and his drum, han, the great tales, the UNESCO listing and its surprising revival.
History and meaning of samulnori, Korean percussion: four instruments, the peasant roots of pungmul, cosmic symbolism and the move from street to stage.
The story of Touhou Project, the cult danmaku series built single-handedly by ZUN. PC-98 origins, Gensōkyō, music, dōjin policy and the world's largest fan ecosystem.
Inside the Japanese school system: the 6-3-3-4 structure, randoseru, kyūshoku, bukatsu, the juken exam war and juku. Equity, discipline and human costs, unflinchingly.
History of the haenyeo, the traditional women divers of Jeju Island: free-diving harvest, matriarchal society, the sumbisori breath and threatened UNESCO heritage.
A complete guide to every Studio Ghibli film, from Nausicaä to The Boy and the Heron. History, directors, timeline, themes and a recommended viewing order.
History and principles of feng shui, the Chinese art of harmony: qi, yin and yang, the five elements, the luopan compass, and the line between tradition and superstition.
From RTA to fighting-game legends, how Japan became the source of the games the world competes on while charting its own road to organized play.
The history of mahjong, the Chinese tile game: Qing-era origins, the 144 tiles, the worldwide craze of the 1920s, and the Chinese, Japanese and American variants.
History of the Chinese kite (fengzheng): ancient invention, military uses, popular art, the capital Weifang and the symbolism of cutting the string in spring.
Origins, magazines and codes of shōnen, from Shōnen Sekai in 1895 to Jujutsu Kaisen. History, archetypes and the friendship-effort-victory creed of action manga.
Seinen or shōnen? Decoding manga's demographic categories: target ages, tone, magazines, examples and false friends. What truly decides the label.
Understanding K-beauty: the ten-step routine, glass skin, sheet masks, signature ingredients and the philosophy of skincare made in Korea.
The history of sakoku, Japan's closure under the Tokugawa. Edicts, Dejima, Christian persecution, Perry's black ships, and the nuance historians now stress.
History and meaning of talchum, Korean masked dance theatre: tal masks, satire of the powerful, village rites, regional variants and UNESCO heritage status.
History of the Silk Road: opening under the Han, Zhang Qian's mission, the silk trade, the exchange of ideas and religions, decline and legacy.
Danshari, the Japanese minimalism that turns decluttering into a spiritual path. Yoga and Zen roots, three characters, Yamashita Hideko, Marie Kondō.
Origins, legends and rituals of Chinese New Year: the Nian monster, the red envelopes, the reunion dinner, the lion dances and the Lantern Festival.
History and principles of weiqi (the game of go): millennia-old Chinese origins, the rule of encirclement, the scholar's art, baduk, igo and the AlphaGo shock.
From Tetsujin and Mazinger to Gundam and Evangelion, the complete history of the mecha genre: super robots, real robots, Gunpla and global influence.
History and rituals of the Japanese maid café (メイドカフェ): birth in Akihabara, moe culture, the okaerinasaimase welcome, cheki photos, etiquette and variants.
A history of the mahō shōjo genre, from Mahōtsukai Sally in 1966 to Madoka Magica. Origins, the henshin codes, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura and the great deconstruction.
Discovering wuxia, the world of Chinese wandering knights: the xia, the jianghu, Jin Yong, swordplay cinema and the values that animate this ancient genre.
The history of the Great Wall of China: not a single wall but 2,000 years of fortifications, from Qin Shi Huang to the Ming, its true length and the myth of visibility from space.
History and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu): the legend of the poet Qu Yuan, the longzhou races, the zongzi and UNESCO heritage status.
Inside Japan's juku (塾), the private after-school cram schools. Definition, types, history from the terakoya, major chains, costs and the debate over academic pressure.
History and principles of tai chi chuan (taijiquan): Chinese internal martial art, yin-yang and qi, debated origins, Chen and Yang styles, global health practice.
The history and culture of gachapon, Japan's capsule-toy machines. Onomatopoeic origins, Bandai, Kaiyōdō, Fuchiko, and an industry worth hundreds of billions of yen.
History and rules of ssireum, Korean traditional wrestling: the satba belt, the sand ring, the bull prize, the Cheonha Jangsa title and UNESCO heritage status.
The history of Chinese tea and gongfu cha: the legend of Shennong, Lu Yu's Classic of Tea, the six great families, the Yixing teapot and the art of infusion.
Gacha (ガチャ) explains the economics of mobile gaming. Drop rates, tenjō pity, the 2012 komp-gacha scandal, and the worldwide loot-box regulation battle.
History and codes of Korean barbecue (gogi-gui): the table-top grill, samgyeopsal, galbi, bulgogi, the art of ssam and the conviviality of the Korean table.
History and technique of furoshiki, the Japanese wrapping cloth. Origins in public baths, musubi knots, motifs, decline and zero-waste revival.
The history of soju, Korea's national spirit: its Mongol origins, the rice ban, the Jinro brand, the etiquette of the glass and soju's place in Korean culture.
Discovering jesa, the Korean ancestral rite: its Confucian roots, the offering table and its rules, the charye of Chuseok and Seollal, and its evolution today.
Four million machines, from city corners to mountain trails. The history, the reasons, and the wild variety of Japan's vending machines.
Traditions and rites of Seollal, the Korean Lunar New Year: the journey home, ancestral charye rite, the sebae bow, tteokguk soup and the yutnori game.
All about the hanbok, Korea's traditional dress: origins, jeogori and chima, obangsaek colors, etiquette, modern revival, and rental at Seoul's palaces.
The story of Japanese city pop, the bubble-era sound resurrected by YouTube and TikTok. From Takeuchi Mariya to Matsubara Miki, a worldwide revival decades later.
History and secrets of the erhu, the Chinese two-stringed fiddle: origins of the huqin, python-skin sound box, voice-like timbre and Abing's masterpiece.
The true story of the 47 rōnin and its legend, the Chūshingura. From the 1701 Akō incident to the seppuku at Sengaku-ji: facts, dates and the myth of samurai Japan.
From twelve animals to five elements, the Chinese zodiac hides a fascinating cosmology. The great race legend, the betrayed cat, and Fruits Basket.
History and secrets of baijiu, China's clear grain spirit: sorghum distillation, qū ferment, Moutai aromas, the culture of ganbei and the banquet, drink of diplomacy.
From TOTO's washlet to futuristic public restrooms, Japanese toilets embody a cultural obsession with comfort, cleanliness, and innovation.
History of the qipao (cheongsam), the iconic Chinese dress: Manchu origins, the 1920s-30s Shanghai revolution, symbolism, decline and revival.
The history of hallyu, the Korean wave: the birth of the term, K-dramas, K-pop, Parasite and Squid Game, soft power and the state strategy behind a global phenomenon.
From Valentine's to White Day and Black Day, how Japan, Korea, and China reinvented love holidays. Plus: the horror game White Day.
History and secrets of makgeolli, Korea's cloudy, fizzy rice wine: nuruk fermentation, the farmers' drink, rainy-day pajeon pairing, and trendy revival.
The PS Vita conquered Japan but failed in Europe and the US. A deep dive into the technical, strategic, and cultural reasons behind Sony's handheld demise.
The history of Peking opera (jingju): its birth in the 18th century, the four roles, the lianpu painted faces and their colors, Mei Lanfang and the preservation of a total art.
Discovering Korean shamanism (muism): the mudang, the gut ritual, the spirits, its prehistoric roots, its survival and its presence in today's Korea.
On 11/11, South Korea celebrates Pepero Day. History of Lotte's iconic snack, marketing genius, Pocky Day rivalry, and cultural phenomenon.
History and secrets of the hanok, the traditional Korean house: ondol underfloor heating, maru wooden floor, curved tiled roofs, hanji paper and harmony with nature.
History and secrets of the giant panda: the bamboo-eating bear of Sichuan, icon of conservation, and instrument of a centuries-old Chinese diplomacy.
Oppa, Noona, Hyeong, Senpai, Kohai, Gege, Jiejie: understanding the honorific titles governing social relationships in Japan, Korea, and China.
The history of taekwondo, the Korean martial art: its origins after 1945, the unification of the kwans, the ITF/WTF rift, the belts, the poomsae and the Olympic path.
History of Beijing's Forbidden City: its construction under the Ming, its nine thousand rooms, its cosmic symbolism, its emperors and its rebirth as a museum.
From the emerald powder of Zen monks to the global matcha latte, a deep dive into the history, production, and secrets of Japan's most iconic tea.
History of karaoke, from its invention in Japan to noraebang culture in Korea and KTV in China. How a machine changed our evenings.
The history of K-pop: from Seo Taiji to global idols, the agency system, the fandoms, Korean soft power and the hidden side of a finely tuned industry.
From fiery Sichuan broth to delicate Cantonese stock, Chinese hotpot is far more than a meal. Explore the history and traditions of China's ultimate communal feast.
Discover chengyu, Chinese four-character idioms born from ancient tales, fables, and literary classics. History, meaning, and daily use.
History and art of the guzheng, the Chinese table zither: 21 strings, movable bridges, glissandos, over 2,000 years of music, from the guqin to today's stages.
Discover Japan's 72 kō, a poetic calendar dividing the year into five-day micro-seasons that shaped Japanese culture, food, and art for centuries.
From ancient fermented narezushi to Edo-style nigiri, explore every sushi type, their thousand-year history, and the art of itamae masters.
From Meiji-era magazines to Sailor Moon and Fruits Basket, discover how shojo manga revolutionized comics, invented a unique visual language, and amplified women's voices in the manga industry.
History of the Terracotta Army of Xi'an: 8,000 soldiers of the first emperor Qin Shi Huang, found in 1974, guardians of a tomb never opened.
Discovering the jjimjilbang, the 24-hour Korean public bathhouse: hot and cold baths, heat rooms, matching uniforms, baked eggs, body scrubs and the etiquette of nudity.
The history of hanfu, the traditional dress of the Han: its forms, its symbolism, its disappearance under the Qing and its spectacular revival among Chinese youth.
From Chinese broth to Tokyo counters, the full story of Japanese ramen. Origins, regional styles, Momofuku Ando and the instant noodle revolution.
History and codes of tteokbokki, Korean street food: rice cake sticks in a sweet-and-spicy gochujang sauce, from royal kitchens to the street stall, its cult variants.
From Angelique's 1994 debut to global hits like Hakuōki and Uta no Prince-sama, discover how otome games became a billion-yen industry and a worldwide cultural phenomenon.
Discovering Taoism: Laozi and the Dao De Jing, the dao, wu wei (non-action), Zhuangzi and the butterfly, philosophical and religious Taoism, against Confucianism.
An illustrated dictionary of works, genres and traditions from Japan, South Korea and China. From Cardcaptor Sakura to Boys Over Flowers, everything explained in one article.
History and symbols of jianzhi, Chinese paper cutting: red motifs on New Year windows, double happiness, origins after the invention of paper, listed by UNESCO.
From Ib to Mad Father, Misao to White Day: explore the Japanese and Korean indie horror games that terrified a generation through pixel art, dread and unforgettable storytelling.
From Tsunku's auditions to Akimoto's Akihabara theater, explore the Japanese idol groups that reshaped pop culture and influenced all of Asia.
Symbolism of the Chinese dragon (long): benevolent creature of the waters, imperial five-clawed emblem, master of rain, and why the Chinese call themselves its descendants.
'Land of the Morning Calm' is a mistranslation. Joseon, Korea's ancient name, actually means 'morning freshness.' A linguistic and historical investigation.
Understanding traditional Chinese medicine: qi, yin and yang, the five phases, acupuncture, herbal pharmacopoeia, its founding texts and today's scientific debate.
The story of CLAMP, the legendary all-female manga collective, from their doujinshi origins to global dominance with Cardcaptor Sakura, X, xxxHolic, and more.
Explore the art of Japanese Sadō, where every gesture, bowl, and season carries a centuries-old philosophy blending hospitality, aesthetics, and spirituality.
Understanding Korean age: born at one, aging on New Year's Day, the three coexisting systems and the 2023 reform that made a whole country younger.
History and codes of Korean bibimbap: rice tossed with namul and gochujang, the sizzling dolsot, the five obangsaek colours, its ritual origins and Jeonju bibimbap.
History and symbolism of Chinese jade: nephrite and jadeite, the five Confucian virtues, bi discs and cong tubes, jade burial suits and the imperial seal.
Banchan, the small shared dishes at every Korean meal, carry centuries of philosophy, fermentation science and seasonal wisdom. A deep dive.
From Wang Ning in Beijing to the worldwide Labubu craze, Pop Mart is reinventing adult collectibles with its blind boxes and becoming China's pop empire.
History and codes of the Korean webtoon: from manhwa to vertical mobile scroll, the Naver and Kakao platforms, the free model and adaptations into global K-dramas.
From silk to Hello Kitty through Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and My Melody, the history of Sanrio, the Japanese company that invented the economy of kawaii.
History and principles of Chinese calligraphy (shufa): the four treasures of the study, the five script styles, Wang Xizhi and the link between gesture, breath and beauty.
The history of Chinese silk: sericulture, the legend of Leizu, the jealously guarded secret, the Silk Road and its theft to Byzantium in the sixth century.
A deep dive into Japanese stationery: Midori, Hobonichi, Pilot, Tombow, washi and stationery lovers, a daily art of detail that has become a global cult.
From Bandai's first 1980 boxes to today's Real Grades, a deep dive into Gunpla, the Japanese hobby where assembling a Gundam becomes a meditative art.
Understanding Chuseok, the great Korean harvest festival: its ancestral rites, songpyeon, the full moon, the return to the village and the ganggangsullae dance.
From Satoshi Tajiri's insect-hunting childhood to a planetary empire: the Pokémon saga, the highest-grossing franchise ever and icon of Japanese culture.
Born in postwar Japan at Toyota, the kaizen philosophy transforms daily life through tiny, constant improvements, at work and beyond.
Understanding Sichuan cuisine and its mala flavour: Sichuan pepper, chilli, mapo tofu, dandan noodles, Chengdu and Chongqing and the art of Chinese heat.
Who Confucius was and what Confucianism is: ren, li, filial piety, the Analects, the imperial exams and the legacy across China, Korea and Japan.
Nunchi, Korea's subtle art of sensing emotions and unspoken cues in any group, rooted in Confucian philosophy, modern social code and a global success tool.
The history of Chinese porcelain: Jingdezhen the thousand-year capital, kaolin, blue-and-white, from the Tang to the Ming, the sea route and the secret cracked by Europe.
History and making of hanji, traditional Korean mulberry paper: its origins, legendary durability, its uses in the hanok and its worldwide revival.
