Pop Culture11 min
Korean MMORPGs: Lineage, MapleStory and an Industry
Birthplace of the MMORPG and free-to-play, Korea gave the world Lineage, MapleStory and a business model that reshaped the global games industry.
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The Kotoba Interactive journal.
Editorial features on the cultures, history and languages of Asia. Filter by culture, by topic, or search for what inspires you.
FeaturedFood
Ramyeon: Korea's Instant Noodle Culture
Ramyeon (라면) is not Japanese ramen: almost always instant and fiery. From Samyang in 1963 to the global Shin Ramyun and the ram-don of Parasite.
10 min
Read the article History10 min
Korean Dynasties: From Goguryeo to Joseon
A survey of Korea's great dynasties, from Gojoseon to the Three Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, then Goryeo, Joseon and the Korean Empire.
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Society11 min
Mukbang: the Korean origin of a global phenomenon
Mukbang, those videos of people eating on camera, was born in South Korea around 2009. The story of a portmanteau, a shared distant meal and a worldwide hit.
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Arts12 min
Hayao Miyazaki: Biography and Work of a Master
Hayao Miyazaki's life and work: from Nausicaä to founding Studio Ghibli, from Spirited Away to The Boy and the Heron, his two Oscars and his great themes.
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Society9 min
Plastic Surgery in South Korea: Inside Gangnam
Blepharoplasty, V-line, medical tourism: why South Korea is a global hub for cosmetic surgery, between social pressure and feminist pushback.
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History11 min
The Goryeo Kings: Where the Name Korea Comes From
The word Korea comes not from Joseon but from Goryeo, the dynasty of 918 to 1392: Wang Geon, celadon, the Jikji, and the caravans that carried the name west.
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Arts10 min
The Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Plum, Bamboo
Pine, bamboo, plum: the 歲寒三友, Three Friends of Winter, haunt Chinese art. Song origins, Confucian symbolism, and their spread across the Sinosphere.
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Society11 min
Macau: How a Trading Post Became the Gambling Capital
Macau (澳門) is the world's largest gambling hub, far ahead of Las Vegas. Baccarat, VIP rooms, mega-resorts: anatomy of a casino machine.
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History11 min
Sejong the Great: The Scholar-King Who Invented Hangeul
A portrait of Sejong the Great (1397-1450), 4th king of Joseon: his accession, the scientific golden age of his reign, and the invention of hangeul.
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Society12 min
Shanghai's Parent Marriage Market (相亲角)
Every weekend, Chinese parents 'sell' their single children at Shanghai's People's Park. Inside the 相亲角, its résumé sheets and its unwritten rules.
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Traditions11 min
Kimjang: Korea's great collective winter kimchi rite
Every autumn, families and neighbors salt dozens of cabbages together. Meet kimjang, the communal kimchi-making listed by UNESCO in 2013.
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Food14 min
Kimchi Varieties: Korea's Edible Atlas
There is not one kimchi but nearly two hundred. Cabbage, radish, cucumber, scallion: the detailed guide to the great kimchi families, region by region.
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Traditions10 min
Sexagenary cycle ganzhi: five elements, twelve animals
The sexagenary cycle ganzhi pairs ten heavenly stems with twelve earthly branches over sixty years. Oracle-bone origins, elements, animals, and time as return.
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Society11 min
Aegyo: The Korean Art of Performed Cuteness
Baby voice, finger heart, buing buing: aegyo is a Korean relational language. Origins, repertoire, the gender debate, and its Asian cousins decoded.
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Food14 min
Wagashi: Japan's Traditional Confectionery, Explained
History, ingredients and types of wagashi, Japan's tea confections. Nerikiri, yokan, daifuku, dorayaki: a complete, sensory guide to Japanese sweets.
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Food13 min
Japanese Tea: Sencha, Gyokuro, Hojicha, Genmaicha
Japanese tea is not just matcha: sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, genmaicha. Origins, terroirs, brewing temperatures and the vocabulary to understand it all.
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Society10 min
Konbini: why Japan's convenience stores are legendary
56,000 konbini nationwide, open around the clock, official disaster shelters: inside the Japanese convenience store that became a national institution.
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Society11 min
Palli-palli: The Culture of "Hurry, Hurry" That Keeps Korea Running
Bullet delivery, the world's fastest internet, the Miracle on the Han River: inside palli-palli, the national reflex that built Korea and sometimes broke it.
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Arts12 min
The Colors of Asia's Temples: Vermilion, Gold, and the Five Elements
Vermilion torii, imperial gold, the five elements: a journey through the color symbolism that clothes the temples of Japan and China.
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Food11 min
Chimaek: Fried Chicken and Beer, Korea's National Religion
Crisp fried chicken and cold beer: how chimaek became a ritual of Korean sociability and a cultural export of the country.
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Food10 min
Patbingsu: The Mountain of Shaved Ice That Cools Korea
From royal ice-storage dessert to Instagrammable chains: a journey through patbingsu, the mountain of shaved ice that cools the Korean summer.
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Business & Tech13 min
Alipay, WeChat Pay: How China Abolished Cash
QR-code duopoly, technological leapfrogging, the red-envelope war and the digital yuan: the mobile payment rail that erased cash in China.
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Food11 min
Coffee versus Tea: The Drink War That Divides Asia
Ancestral tea against imported coffee: how China, Japan and Korea arbitrate between tradition, ceremony and urban modernity in their cups.
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Traditions11 min
Asian Zodiacs: Why Vietnam Has a Cat and Japan a Boar
One cycle of twelve animals, three versions: how the Chinese Rabbit becomes a Cat in Vietnam and the Pig a Boar in Japan.
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Society11 min
PC Bang: The Cybercafés That Shaped Korean Gaming
Born of the 1997 crisis and the StarCraft wave, Korea's PC bang industrialized a passion and invented modern e-sports.
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Traditions13 min
Hanakotoba: The Secret Language of Flowers in Japan
Funereal camellia, graveyard lycoris, fleeting cherry blossom: in Japan every flower carries a coded message you had best read before offering a bouquet.
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Traditions8 min
Korean Superstitions: Why Korea Dreads the Number 4
Lifts with no fourth floor, names forbidden in red ink, death by fan, auspicious days: a deep dive into Korean superstitions about numbers and dates.
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Food8 min
Hotteok, Gyeranppang: A Guide to Korean Street Food
Molten hotteok, egg-filled gyeranppang, spicy tteokbokki, winter bungeoppang: a hungry guide to Korea's street snacks and how to order them.
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Society9 min
Cafés in Korea: the National Obsession and the Theme Café Craze
Why South Korea runs on coffee: the café as living room and office, the kagongjok, theme cafés, dalgona and bingsu, and the art of ordering like a local.
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Society9 min
Japanese Housing: Decoding Mansion, Apāto and the 1K Code
Apāto or mansion, 1K or 1LDK, tatami, shikikin, reikin: learn to read a Japanese rental listing and decode housing in Japan without getting lost.
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Society9 min
Karoshi: Understanding Death by Overwork in Japan
Karoshi, or death by overwork, has haunted Japan since the 1980s. The origins of the word, the Dentsu case, the reforms: the anatomy of a social ill.
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Society8 min
Hikikomori: The Social Withdrawal That Is Ageing With Japan
Hikikomori, the prolonged social withdrawal born in Japan, is no longer a teenage affair: it is ageing, becoming chronic, and unsettling an entire society.
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Business & Tech9 min
Sega: the rise and fall of a video game giant
The story of Sega (セガ): from slot machines on American bases to Sonic, from the Dreamcast to leaving hardware behind. The rise and fall of a giant.
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Business & Tech10 min
Nintendo: from hanafuda cards to global video games
The story of Nintendo, from the hanafuda card workshop founded in Kyoto in 1889 to the Famicom, Wii and Switch consoles. A century of pivots.
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Pop Culture10 min
The Legend of Zelda: the story of a cult saga
The full history of The Legend of Zelda, from the 1986 Famicom to Tears of the Kingdom: Miyamoto, Hyrule, the Triforce and the DNA of Nintendo.
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Society9 min
Yuru-chara: Kumamon and the Empire of Japanese Mascots
Kumamon, Funassyi, Hikonyan: a deep dive into yuru-chara, the regional mascots worth billions of yen that embody Japan's brand of place marketing.
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Pop Culture9 min
Purikura: The Japanese Photo Booths That Invented the Selfie
Purikura, the Japanese sticker-photo booths born in 1995, invented digital beautification long before SNOW. History, culture and vocabulary.
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Society10 min
Korean Family Names: Kim, Lee, Park and the Clans
Why Kim, Lee and Park cover 45% of Koreans: bon-gwan clans, jokbo genealogies, the Gabo Reform and the ban on same-clan marriage.
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Society9 min
Korean Couple Looks: the keopeullook Explained
The keopeullook, those matching outfits worn by Korean couples, weaves together rings, the 100-day milestone and Pepero Day. A look at a highly coded social ritual.
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Culture7 min
Anisong: When Anime Music Conquered the World
From Astro Boy theme songs to Animelo Summer Live concerts, the story of anisong, Japanese anime music turned global industry and a musical genre in its own right.
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History10 min
The 36 Stratagems: the handbook of Chinese cunning
The 36 Chinese stratagems (三十六计), their origins, their six categories and their famous chengyu. Military ruses turned into an art of negotiation.
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Philosophy10 min
Yin and Yang: the Chinese Philosophy of Balance
Yin and yang explained without the clichés: their roots in the Yijing, the taijitu symbol, the five phases, and their uses in medicine, feng shui and martial arts.
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Pop Culture9 min
Seiyu: Japan's Voice Actors Who Become Stars
In Japan, seiyu (声優) dub anime and sell out stadiums. The history, schools, salaries and figures of a craft that turned into an idol machine.
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Society9 min
Lines, Lookism and Appearance: South Korea's Beauty Canon
V-line, S-line, small face: decoding the vocabulary of the Korean beauty lines, lookism (외모지상주의) and the counter-movements shaping South Korea today.
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Culture9 min
Jeong: understanding Korean affective attachment
Jeong (정), the Korean affective bond said to be untranslatable: definition, miun jeong, uri and the culture of we. Understanding the feeling that weaves society.
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Society9 min
Guochao: the pride of Chinese brands
Guochao (国潮), the national wave pushing young Chinese consumers toward local brands. Origins, figures and the backstage of a cultural shift.
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Pop Culture9 min
Doujinshi: the amateur manga that shaped Japan
Doujinshi (同人誌), self-published manga made by circles of enthusiasts, fuels Comiket and launched CLAMP and Type-Moon. Inside a counter-economy of drawing.
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Business & Tech10 min
Chinese Livestreamers: The Live Selling That Changed Everything
Li Jiaqi, Viya, Taobao Live: inside 直播带货 (zhibo daihuo), the live selling worth nearly 5 trillion yuan across China.
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Pop Culture9 min
Light novel: the Japanese illustrated novel explained
The light novel (ライトノベル), a manga-styled illustrated Japanese novel: origins, the Haruhi and Sword Art Online turning points, the narou pipeline and media mix explained.
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Culture11 min
Han: Korean Melancholy, Between Grief and Pride
Han (한, 恨), that Korean sorrow made of swallowed resentment and endurance, is it an age-old essence or a colonial invention? An honest inquiry.
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Society13 min
Singles' Day (11.11): The World's Biggest Shopping Festival
Born among single students in Nanjing, November 11 became, thanks to Alibaba, the planet's largest shopping festival. The story of China's Double 11.
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Traditions14 min
The Hungry Ghost Festival: China's Ghost Month
Gates of hell flung open, spirit money burned, meals left for wandering souls: inside Zhongyuan, China's ghost month and its rites.
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Traditions12 min
Chongyang: The Double Ninth Festival and Chinese Autumn
On the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, China celebrates Chongyang: climbing the heights, chrysanthemum wine, Wang Wei's poem, and honoring the elderly.
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Traditions13 min
Nebuta Matsuri: Aomori's Giant Lantern Floats
Every August, Aomori sets the night ablaze with towering washi-paper lantern floats. History, craft, and the haneto dance of Japan's most flamboyant matsuri.
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Arts14 min
Dancheong: The Colors of Korean Temples Decoded
Blue, red, yellow, white, black: dancheong paints Korea's temples and palaces. Decoding the five cardinal colors and their symbolism.
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Business & Tech12 min
Chaebols: History, Structure and Succession of Korea's Giants
The anatomy of chaebols: zaibatsu roots, circular shareholdings, low-capital family control and billion-dollar successions at Samsung, Hyundai and LG.
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Business & Tech17 min
Nemawashi: The Japanese Art of Deciding by Consensus
Nemawashi (根回し), the Japanese art of building consensus before the meeting even begins. Origins, its link to ringi and the hanko seal, strengths and limits.
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Society13 min
Asian Nail Art: The Manicure as a Fine Art
3D reliefs and jewels in Japan, minimalist jelly nails in Korea: a journey through Asian nail art, its techniques, its salons, and its global reach.
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Society14 min
Double Cleansing and Essences: The Heart of Korean Skincare
Oil cleanser then foam cleanser, fermented essences and the 7 skin method: the two gestures that truly build Korea's glass skin.
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History13 min
Gwangju 1980: The Uprising That Awakened Korean Democracy
From May 18 to 27, 1980, the city of Gwangju rose against martial law. The story of the massacre, its cover-up, and its democratic legacy.
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History14 min
The Japanese Occupation of Korea (1910-1945)
The 1910 annexation, the March 1st Movement, forced assimilation, forced labor: thirty-five years of Japanese colonial rule that still haunt Korea today.
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Culture15 min
The Cat in Japan: Maneki-neko, Bakeneko and Cat Islands
From the lucky maneki-neko to feline yōkai bakeneko, from cat islands to cat cafés: a journey through a Japan that both worships and fears the cat.
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Traditions13 min
Qingming: China's Tomb-Sweeping Festival of the Dead
Every spring, the Qingming festival gathers Chinese families around ancestral graves. Discover its origins, rites, foods, and living meaning today.
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Society12 min
Mianzi: The Chinese Concept of Face and Its Social Weight
Understand mianzi (面子), Chinese 'face': giving, losing, and saving face, and its ties to guanxi, renqing, and Confucianism in everyday life.
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Traditions13 min
Auspicious Dates: Picking the Right Day with the Chinese Almanac
Weddings, moving house, opening a shop: how the Chinese almanac (huangli) and the art of choosing a lucky day (zeri) still guide China's biggest decisions.
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Society8 min
The Korean Idol System: Trainees, Agencies, and the Star Factory
How the trainee system works in South Korea. Recruitment from age 10, 2-7 years of intensive training, Big 4 (HYBE, SM, JYP, YG), trainee debt and 2025 reforms.
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Society5 min
Suneung: The Day When Korea Holds Its Breath
The Suneung, South Korea's university entrance exam, is more than a test: it's a national event that determines destinies and reveals a society's obsessions.
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Society6 min
Hagwon: Inside Korea's Private Academy Phenomenon
Hagwon, the ubiquitous private academies in South Korea, shape the daily lives of millions of students. A deep dive into a parallel education system, between excellence and excess.
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Society6 min
Chaebols: The Family Empires That Rule South Korea
Samsung, Hyundai, LG, SK... Understanding the chaebols, these sprawling family conglomerates that shape the economy, politics, and daily life of South Korea.
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Society8 min
Shenzhen: how a fishing village became the tech capital of the world
From special economic zone to innovation megacity: Shenzhen embodies China's tech revolution. Huaqiangbei, maker culture, startups and futuristic urbanism.
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Food7 min
Naicha: how bubble tea became a generational obsession in China
From Taiwanese milk tea to the naicha phenomenon in mainland China: Heytea, Nayuki, three-hour queues and the sociology of a drink turned lifestyle.
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Traditions9 min
Hanfu: the spectacular return of traditional Chinese clothing
The hanfu movement in China: how millions of young Chinese have revived Han traditional dress, between cultural pride, social media and the fashion industry.
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Society9 min
996: the work system that is burning out China
Investigation into China's 996 system, where tech employees work from 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. Origins, backlash, the tang ping movement, and reforms.
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History9 min
Macau: where Portugal married China
Discover Macau, a former Portuguese trading post turned Special Administrative Region of China. Colonial architecture, Macanese cuisine, casinos and a unique cultural heritage.
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Pop Culture8 min
The five generations of K-pop: from Seo Taiji to NewJeans
A complete guide to the five generations of K-pop. From Seo Taiji and Boys to NewJeans, a look back at thirty years of Korean pop evolution: key artists, innovations and global impact.
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Society9 min
Guangchangwu: the Chinese grannies who make public squares dance
Discover guangchangwu, the phenomenon of collective dancing on public squares in China. Origins, controversies, social impact, and 100 million participants.
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Society9 min
The Gaokao: the exam that decides the fate of eleven million Chinese students
Everything you need to know about the Gaokao, China's national university entrance exam. History, social pressure, intensive preparation, and impact on Chinese society.
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Traditions8 min
The Dragon Boat Festival: when China paddles for Qu Yuan
History and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duanwu) in China: dragon boat races, zongzi, Qu Yuan, and rituals of the fifth lunar month.
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Business & Tech12 min
WeChat: the super-app that does everything
The full history of WeChat, the Chinese super-app that redefined digital life. Messaging, mobile payment, mini-programs, social network: how one application became a social operating system.
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Pop Culture12 min
Visual novels: history of a genre
The full history of visual novels, from 1990s Japan to the global phenomenon. Origins, narrative mechanics, landmark works, and influence on gaming and animation.
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Food11 min
Ramune: the marble soda of Japan
The full history of ramune, Japan's iconic marble soda. Victorian origins, the Codd bottle, flavours, the opening ritual, and its enduring place in Japanese pop culture.
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Arts7 min
Wushu: the Chinese martial art between combat and poetry
History of wushu and Chinese kung fu: from Shaolin to taiji quan, internal and external styles, traditional weapons and the legacy of martial arts in China.
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Food7 min
Chinese tea: a journey through the six families
Guide to Chinese tea and its six great families: green, white, yellow, oolong, red and dark. Gongfu cha, terroirs, preparation and the culture of tea in China.
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Society7 min
Beijing's hutong: in the alleyways of Chinese memory
History and life of Beijing's hutong: siheyuan architecture, neighbourhood culture, demolitions and resistance. A journey through the traditional alleyways of Beijing.
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Food6 min
Pojangmacha: under Korea's orange street food tents
Discovering Korean pojangmacha: history, atmosphere, signature dishes (tteokbokki, odeng, somaek) and their place in popular culture and K-dramas.
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Society6 min
Ondol: the Korean floor heating that invented a way of life
History and workings of Korean ondol: the underfloor heating that shaped architecture, sleeping habits, cuisine and daily life in Korea.
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Arts6 min
Blue and white porcelain: China's fragile treasure
History of Chinese blue and white porcelain: Jingdezhen, cobalt, Yuan and Ming dynasties, kraak ware, export to Europe and a living legacy.
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Culture7 min
The classical gardens of Suzhou: nature reinvented
Discovering the classical Chinese gardens of Suzhou: the Master of the Nets, the Humble Administrator, rocks, water, philosophy and UNESCO heritage.
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Traditions6 min
The Lantern Festival: when China lights up the night
History and traditions of the Lantern Festival (元宵节) in China: lanterns, riddles, tangyuan, dragon and lion dances, the fifteenth night of the New Year.
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Culture13 min
Yokai: The Supernatural Bestiary That Haunts Japan's Imagination
A complete guide to Japanese yokai: kitsune, tanuki, tengu, kappa, oni, and other supernatural creatures. Origins, cultural significance, from Toriyama Sekien to Pokemon and Ghibli.
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Culture12 min
Gyaru: The Japanese Fashion Subculture That Defied Convention
A complete guide to gyaru (ギャル): from Shibuya's kogal girls to ganguro, the history of a rebellious Japanese subculture, its styles, its magazines, and its lasting influence on global fashion.
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Culture14 min
Donghua: The Rise of Chinese Animation Challenging Japan
A complete guide to donghua (动画): from the Wan brothers to Bilibili studios, the overlooked history of Chinese animation, its masterpieces, and its meteoric international rise.
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Traditions12 min
Hanami: The Japanese Art of Cherry Blossom Viewing
A complete guide to hanami in Japan: its thousand-year history, the cultural meaning of sakura, the best viewing spots, picnic etiquette, and blossom forecasts.
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Culture10 min
C-Drama: The Guide to Chinese Series Captivating the World
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.
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Pop Culture10 min
Uta no Prince-sama: When an Otome Game Becomes a Musical Empire
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.
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Culture5 min
Nami Island: nature escape and K-drama legend in the heart of Korea
Discover Namiseom, Nami Island in Gapyeong: the legendary Winter Sonata filming location, metasequoia lanes, culture and tourism in South Korea.
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Business & Tech10 min
Broccoli: The Japanese Company That Bet Everything on Fans
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.
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Culture11 min
Vocaloid and Hatsune Miku: Japan's Synthetic Pop Revolution
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.
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Culture10 min
Cosplay: From American Sci-Fi to Japanese Pop Culture Phenomenon
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.
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Culture9 min
Boys Over Flowers: How a Japanese Manga Became a Korean and Global Phenomenon
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.
Read
Food6 min
Dim sum: the Cantonese art of touching the heart
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.
Read
Food7 min
Chopsticks: Etiquette and Differences in Japan, Korea and China
The chopstick guide for Asia: Chinese origin, Japanese shapes, Korean metal, table manners and taboos to know in Japan, Korea and China.
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Language8 min
Hanzi: Understanding Chinese Characters and Their Logic
How hanzi, the Chinese characters, work. Origins on oracle bones, the six categories, radicals, phonetic compounds, and how many you really need to know.
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Language8 min
Hangeul: The Korean Alphabet Invented by King Sejong
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.
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History12 min
Yasuke: The African Samurai Who Served Nobunaga
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.
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Society6 min
Lucky numbers and taboos in Asia: the 8, the 4 and the rest
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.
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Arts13 min
Visual Kei and Rhythm Games: Japan's Music Scene
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.
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Arts6 min
Pansori: Korea's opera of a single breath
Discovering pansori, the Korean epic chant: the singer and his drum, han, the great tales, the UNESCO listing and its surprising revival.
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Arts5 min
Samulnori: when four drums become a storm
History and meaning of samulnori, Korean percussion: four instruments, the peasant roots of pungmul, cosmic symbolism and the move from street to stage.
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Arts12 min
Touhou Project: The Cult Indie Bullet-Hell Saga
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.
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Society13 min
The Japanese School System: From 6-3-3-4 to Juken
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.
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Society5 min
The haenyeo: the sea women of Jeju
History of the haenyeo, the traditional women divers of Jeju Island: free-diving harvest, matriarchal society, the sumbisori breath and threatened UNESCO heritage.
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Arts14 min
Studio Ghibli: A Guide to Every Film
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.
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Culture6 min
Feng shui: the Chinese art of harmonizing space and qi
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.
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Society11 min
Speedrunning and Esports in Japan: RTA, Daigo, JeSU
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.
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Society6 min
Mahjong: The History and Rules of the Chinese Tile Game
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.
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Traditions5 min
The Chinese kite: two thousand years in the wind
History of the Chinese kite (fengzheng): ancient invention, military uses, popular art, the capital Weifang and the symbolism of cutting the string in spring.
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Arts13 min
Shōnen: The Codes and History of Action Manga
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.
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Arts11 min
Seinen vs Shōnen: Understanding Manga Demographics
Seinen or shōnen? Decoding manga's demographic categories: target ages, tone, magazines, examples and false friends. What truly decides the label.
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Society6 min
K-beauty: the Korean skincare routine that conquered the world
Understanding K-beauty: the ten-step routine, glass skin, sheet masks, signature ingredients and the philosophy of Korean skincare.
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History15 min
Sakoku: How Japan Closed Itself to the World
The history of sakoku, Japan's closure under the Tokugawa. Edicts, Dejima, Christian persecution, Perry's black ships, and the nuance historians now stress.
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Traditions5 min
Talchum: the satirical masked dance of Korea
History and meaning of talchum, Korean masked dance theatre: tal masks, satire of the powerful, village rites, regional variants and UNESCO heritage status.
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History6 min
The Silk Road: the history of a network that linked two worlds
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.
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Society13 min
Japanese Minimalism: Danshari, the Art of Letting Go
Danshari, the Japanese minimalism that turns decluttering into a spiritual path. Yoga and Zen roots, three characters, Yamashita Hideko, Marie Kondō.
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Traditions6 min
Chinese New Year: the Spring Festival, the world's largest celebration
Origins, legends and rituals of Chinese New Year: the Nian monster, the red envelopes, the reunion dinner, the lion dances and the Lantern Festival.
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Arts6 min
Weiqi: the Chinese game of go, the art of encircling
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.
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Arts14 min
Mecha: A History of Japan's Giant Robots
From Tetsujin and Mazinger to Gundam and Evangelion, the complete history of the mecha genre: super robots, real robots, Gunpla and global influence.
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Society14 min
Maid Café: Origins and Codes of the Japanese Meido Kafe
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.
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Arts13 min
Magical Girl: From Sailor Moon to Madoka
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.
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Culture7 min
Wuxia: the wandering knights of the Chinese imagination
Discovering wuxia, the world of Chinese wandering knights: the xia, the jianghu, Jin Yong, swordplay cinema and the values that animate this ancient genre.
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History6 min
The Great Wall of China: History, Myths and Truths
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.
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Society13 min
Juku: The Cram Schools That Rule Japan's Nights
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.
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Arts5 min
Tai chi chuan: the Chinese art of slow movement
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.
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Society12 min
Gachapon: Japan's Capsule Toy Culture
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.
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Traditions6 min
Ssireum: the traditional wrestling of Korea
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.
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Food7 min
Chinese Tea and Gongfu Cha: The Ancient Art of Brewing
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.
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Society13 min
Gacha Games: The Mechanics and Controversies Explained
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.
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Food5 min
Korean barbecue: the convivial art of gogi-gui
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.
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Traditions11 min
Furoshiki: the Japanese art of wrapping with cloth
History and technique of furoshiki, the Japanese wrapping cloth. Origins in public baths, musubi knots, motifs, decline and zero-waste revival.
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Food6 min
Soju: The History and Etiquette of Korea's National Spirit
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.
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Traditions7 min
Jesa: the rite of the ancestors at the heart of Korea
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.
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Society10 min
Vending Machines in Japan: Why Are They Everywhere?
Four million machines, from city corners to mountain trails. The history, the reasons, and the wild variety of Japan's vending machines.
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Traditions6 min
Seollal: the Korean Lunar New Year
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.
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Traditions7 min
Hanbok: The History and Symbolism of Korea's Traditional Dress
All about the hanbok, Korea's traditional dress: origins, jeogori and chima, obangsaek colors, etiquette, modern revival, and rental at Seoul's palaces.
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Arts12 min
City Pop: The Global Revival of a Forgotten Sound
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.
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Arts5 min
The erhu: the two-stringed Chinese fiddle
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.
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History13 min
The 47 Rōnin: history and legend of a revenge
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.
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Traditions19 min
Chinese Zodiac: The Twelve Animals and Their Legend
From twelve animals to five elements, the Chinese zodiac hides a fascinating cosmology. The great race legend, the betrayed cat, and Fruits Basket.
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Food5 min
Baijiu: the national spirit of China
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.
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Society15 min
Japanese Toilets: Technology and the Culture of Hygiene
From TOTO's washlet to futuristic public restrooms, Japanese toilets embody a cultural obsession with comfort, cleanliness, and innovation.
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Culture6 min
The qipao: history of the Chinese dress and its mandarin collar
History of the qipao (cheongsam), the iconic Chinese dress: Manchu origins, the 1920s-30s Shanghai revolution, symbolism, decline and revival.
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Culture5 min
Hallyu: How the Korean Wave Conquered the World
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.
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Society9 min
Valentine's, White Day, Black Day: Love Across East Asia
From Valentine's to White Day and Black Day, how Japan, Korea, and China reinvented love holidays. Plus: the horror game White Day.
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Food5 min
Makgeolli: Korea's milky rice wine
History and secrets of makgeolli, Korea's cloudy, fizzy rice wine: nuruk fermentation, the farmers' drink, rainy-day pajeon pairing, and trendy revival.
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Society17 min
PS Vita: Why Sony's Handheld Failed in the West
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.
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Arts6 min
Peking Opera: Makeup, Roles and History of Chinese Jingju
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.
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Traditions6 min
Korean shamanism: muism, the mudang and the gut ritual
Discovering Korean shamanism (muism): the mudang, the gut ritual, the spirits, its prehistoric roots, its survival and its presence in today's Korea.
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Society11 min
Pepero Day: November 11, Korea's Beloved Snack Holiday
On 11/11, South Korea celebrates Pepero Day. History of Lotte's iconic snack, marketing genius, Pocky Day rivalry, and cultural phenomenon.
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Culture6 min
The hanok: the genius of the traditional Korean house
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.
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Society6 min
The giant panda: symbol of China and diplomatic tool
History and secrets of the giant panda: the bamboo-eating bear of Sichuan, icon of conservation, and instrument of a centuries-old Chinese diplomacy.
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Language11 min
Oppa, Senpai, Gege: Titles That Shape East Asian Society
Oppa, Noona, Hyeong, Senpai, Kohai, Gege, Jiejie: understanding the honorific titles governing social relationships in Japan, Korea, and China.
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Society6 min
Taekwondo: The History and Philosophy of the Korean Martial Art
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.
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History6 min
The Forbidden City: the imperial palace at the heart of Beijing
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.
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Food18 min
Matcha: History and Secrets of Japanese Green Tea
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.
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Society10 min
Karaoke: From Japan to the World, the Art of Singing Together
History of karaoke, from its invention in Japan to noraebang culture in Korea and KTV in China. How a machine changed our evenings.
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Pop Culture5 min
K-pop: the history and backstage of the Korean industry
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.
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Food18 min
Chinese Hotpot: The Bubbling Feast That Unites China
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.
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Language11 min
Chengyu: Four-Character Idioms That Tell the Story of China
Discover chengyu, Chinese four-character idioms born from ancient tales, fables, and literary classics. History, meaning, and daily use.
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Arts5 min
The guzheng: the thousand-year Chinese zither
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.
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Traditions14 min
Japan's 72 Micro-Seasons: Nature's Hidden Calendar
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.
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Food11 min
Sushi: A Complete Guide to Every Type and Their History
From ancient fermented narezushi to Edo-style nigiri, explore every sushi type, their thousand-year history, and the art of itamae masters.
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Arts14 min
Shojo: How Girls' Manga Conquered the World
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.
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History6 min
The Terracotta Army: the eternal soldiers of Xi'an
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.
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Society6 min
The jjimjilbang: the Korean sauna that never sleeps
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.
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Traditions6 min
Hanfu: The History and Revival of Chinese Traditional Dress
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.
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Society11 min
Otome Games: Japan Reinvents the Love Story
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.
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Philosophy7 min
Taoism: Laozi, the Dao and the art of not forcing
Discovering Taoism: Laozi and the Dao De Jing, the dao, wu wei (non-action), Zhuangzi and the butterfly, philosophical and religious Taoism, against Confucianism.
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Arts11 min
The Ultimate Guide to Japanese, Korean and Chinese Culture
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.
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Arts6 min
Chinese paper cutting: the art of scissors and luck
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.
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Society12 min
Ib, Mad Father, Misao: Asian Indie Horror Games
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.
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Arts9 min
Japanese Idols: From AKB48 to Morning Musume
From Tsunku's auditions to Akimoto's Akihabara theater, explore the Japanese idol groups that reshaped pop culture and influenced all of Asia.
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Culture6 min
The Chinese dragon: the serpent that brings the rain
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.
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Language10 min
Land of the Morning Calm: Why Korea Is Really the Morning Bright
'Land of the Morning Calm' is a mistranslation. Joseon, Korea's ancient name, actually means 'morning freshness.' A linguistic and historical investigation.
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Culture7 min
Traditional Chinese medicine: qi, yin-yang and needles
Understanding traditional Chinese medicine: qi, yin and yang, the five phases, acupuncture, herbal pharmacopoeia, its founding texts and today's scientific debate.
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Arts14 min
CLAMP: Four Women Who Redefined Manga
The story of CLAMP, the legendary all-female manga collective, from their doujinshi origins to global dominance with Cardcaptor Sakura, X, xxxHolic, and more.
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Traditions10 min
Chanoyu: The Sacred Art of Japanese Tea
Explore the art of Japanese Sadō, where every gesture, bowl, and season carries a centuries-old philosophy blending hospitality, aesthetics, and spirituality.
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Society6 min
Korean age: why Koreans were one or two years older
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.
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Culture7 min
Jade in China: the stone more precious than gold
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.
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Food12 min
Banchan: The Small Dishes That Define Korean Dining
Banchan, the small shared dishes at every Korean meal, carry centuries of philosophy, fermentation science and seasonal wisdom. A deep dive.
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Society10 min
Pop Mart and Labubu: The Chinese Empire of Global Collectibles
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.
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Culture6 min
Webtoon: how Korea reinvented the comic
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.
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Society10 min
Sanrio and Hello Kitty: The Global Empire of Japanese Kawaii
From silk to Hello Kitty through Kuromi, Cinnamoroll and My Melody, the history of Sanrio, the Japanese company that invented the economy of kawaii.
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Arts7 min
Chinese calligraphy: the art of the brush and the breath
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.
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History7 min
Chinese silk: a 3,000-year secret and the road that linked the world
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.
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Arts9 min
Japanese Stationery: A Culture of Detail and the Art of Writing
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.
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Arts10 min
Gunpla: The Culture of Gundam Model Kits in Japan
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.
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Traditions7 min
Chuseok: the Korean thanksgiving under the full moon
Understanding Chuseok, the great Korean harvest festival: its ancestral rites, songpyeon, the full moon, the return to the village and the ganggangsullae dance.
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Arts14 min
Pokémon: The Story of Japan's Greatest Pop Phenomenon
From Satoshi Tajiri's insect-hunting childhood to a planetary empire: the Pokémon saga, the highest-grossing franchise ever and icon of Japanese culture.
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Philosophy14 min
Kaizen: The Japanese Philosophy of Endless Improvement
Born in postwar Japan at Toyota, the kaizen philosophy transforms daily life through tiny, constant improvements, at work and beyond.
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Food7 min
Sichuan cuisine: mala, the fire that numbs the tongue
Understanding Sichuan cuisine and its mala flavour: Sichuan pepper, chilli, mapo tofu, dandan noodles, Chengdu and Chongqing and the art of Chinese heat.
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Philosophy6 min
Confucius and Confucianism: the thought that shaped Asia
Who Confucius was and what Confucianism is: ren, li, filial piety, the Analects, the imperial exams and the legacy across China, Korea and Japan.
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Philosophy15 min
Nunchi: The Korean Art of Reading the Room
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.
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Arts7 min
Chinese porcelain: Jingdezhen and the white gold of China
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.
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Arts7 min
Hanji: the Korean paper that lives a thousand years
History and making of hanji, traditional Korean mulberry paper: its origins, legendary durability, its uses in the hanok and its worldwide revival.
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