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[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

South Korea to research and develop Elon Musk's Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), a North Korean defector helps others to tie the knot, President Moon Jae-in's new pets please animal rights activists, and see how Korea's female fans are powering esports.

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"Hyperloop Transportation Technologies signs deal with South Korea to begin building system"

Technological innovation is a fascinating feature of modern South Korean culture, and a recent agreement with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) is indicative of the Korea's continued commitment to being at the forefront of research and development. The HTT technology, which basically uses magnets in a tube to reach speeds of 750 mph, was originally "thought up" by billionaire Elon Musk, and now the Korean government and select organizations have access to it: "This will include licensing and research development of the tube infrastructure and safety platform, a full-scale test track, and access to HTT's levitation, propulsion, and battery technology as well as passenger experience designs".

...READ ON CNBC

"The bridge builder - defector CEO of marriage company in South Korea"

In order to "better understand the successes and difficulties experienced by defectors in the process of settlement", the Unification Media Group is producing a series of interviews with North Korean defectors about their new lives in the South. In this post on Daily NK, you'll meet Jia Park who runs a successful business that provides information about North-South marriages and relationships. Jia has been living in South Korea for just over a decade now and uses her firsthand experience to help other defectors transitions to the South's culture and norms. "North-South marriages don't come together without hard work, but when both sides work to understand the other, they both tend to become happier", said Ms Park.

...READ ON DAILY NK

"South Korea's new presidential pooches, and why they matter"

South Korea's new president didn't choose the "stoic beauty" and "devout loyalty" of the country's top dog, the Jindo; instead, and with much praise from animal rights activists, Moon Jae-in chose a rescue dog and cat. "The mere image and civil act of Korea's new president showing compassion for abandoned and abused rescue animals will be both positive and powerful", writes Jasper Kim for CNN. "South Korea is a modern country, but its progress when it comes to animal welfare lags behind its rapid economic development".

...READ ON CNN

"Overwatch is booming as an esport in South Korea, and female fans are playing a big role"

Esports are incredibly popular in South Korea; there's a lot of support for the industry and it's become a very much part of the country's cultural profile. That success, writes Nicole Carpenter, has everything to do with the fans that support it, and in the case of "Overwatch" (which mixes gaming with entertainment), the female fans are the one's driving its success: "The women invested in Overwatch's players in South Korea are boosting the game's professionals to otherworldly levels", says Nicole.

...READ ON DOT ESPORTS

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