Concepts & society
The keywords for reading contemporary Asia: kaizen, nunchi, hallyu, feng shui, chaebols or the 996 system.
Japan
Anisong
Japanese anime music. A genre in its own right with dedicated artists, labels and festivals.
Cosplay
Art of dressing up as fictional characters.
Gacha
Video game mechanic based on randomness. Originating from Japanese gachapon machines.
Gyaru
Japanese fashion subculture from the 90s-2000s.
Kaizen
Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement.
Lolita Fashion
Japanese fashion inspired by Victorian and Rococo aesthetics.
Danshari (Japanese Minimalism)
Japanese art of decluttering and minimalism.
Omiyage
Japanese tradition of travel souvenirs. Social obligation to bring gifts for loved ones.
Vocaloid
Japanese voice synthesis software and cultural phenomenon.
Yōkai
Supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore.
China
Confucianism
Chinese philosophy founded by Confucius. System of thought centered on ethics, rites and social relations.
Feng Shui
Chinese art of spatial harmony. Ancient practice of arranging space to optimize qi flow.
Hukou (residence system)
Chinese household registration system determining legal residence and access to public services.
996 Work System
Intense work culture in Chinese tech: 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week.
Taoism
Chinese philosophy and religion based on Lao Tzu's teachings.
Korea
Chaebols
South Korean family conglomerates. Samsung, Hyundai, LG, SK dominate the Korean economy.
Hallyu (Korean Wave)
Global spread of South Korean popular culture: K-pop, K-drama, cinema, fashion.
Nunchi
Korean art of social reading. Ability to perceive others' emotions and thoughts through subtle cues.
K-pop Trainee System
Korean idol training system. Young recruitment, years of intensive training, strict contracts.
Asia
Hallyu (Korean Wave)
Global cultural phenomenon referring to the international spread of South Korean culture since the 1990s.
Manga
Japanese comics read from right to left, covering a thematic and demographic diversity unmatched anywhere in the world.
Wuxia
Chinese literary and cinematic genre centered on the adventures of wandering martial heroes in ancient China.
Anime
Term referring to Japanese animation, covering an immense variety of genres, styles, and target audiences.
K-pop
Musical genre originating from South Korea, blending pop, hip-hop, R&B, and EDM with elaborate choreography and polished visual aesthetics.