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#south-korea

6 articles Reset

Korea

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.

July 3, 2026Read

Korea

Society5 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.

July 3, 2026Read

Korea

Society5 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.

July 3, 2026Read

Korea

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.

April 14, 2026Read

Korea

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.

March 15, 2026Read

Korea

Society5 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.

March 12, 2026Read