[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Atlas Obscura explores the connection between kimchi-making and family bonds, Quartz reveals the darker side of Korea's play culture, Korea Exposé checks the pulse of Korea's LGBT movement, and is modern Korea really "Hell Joseon"?

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"How Kiddie Pools of Kimchi Bind Korean Families Together"

Did you know that some 230 tons of kimchi are consumed each year in South Korea? This is according to a UN report, but who's making all that kimchi? Surprisingly, the commercial sector is only a small percent with the Koreans themselves making up the vast majority of all the kimchi that's produced. After Korea's biggest national holiday, Chuseok, many Korean families set aside time to refresh their supply before the really cold months hit. In this narrative piece on Atlas Obscura, Natasha Frost tells the story of how kimchi-making at home binds families and communities together.

...READ ON ATLAS OBSCURA

"South Korea's play culture is a dark symptom of overwork"

"The pressure to succeed in South Korea has fostered a culture of play that at first glance looks unusually vibrant and fun", writes Kelly Kasulis in an acerbic piece on Quartz. South Korea's taxing work culture is well known, but its effect on how the country plays is often overlooked. "The average Seoulite has plenty of options to blow off their steam: arcades with late-night hours and ID checks at the door, rage rooms for object-smashing fun, 24-hour computer and video game rooms, VR cafes, party buses, overnight spas, street carnival games, claw machines and exotic animal cafes (for raccoon snuggles)". A lot has been said about Korea's hectic work culture, and positive changes are taking place, but what do you think of the country's current 'play culture'?

...READ ON QUARTZ

"Battle Over South Korea's Constitutional Reform Focuses on LGBT Rights"

"The fight over the rights of sexual minorities isn't new in South Korea, but in recent months it's taken on a completely new dimension", writes Daniel Corks, Korea Exposé's human rights editor and research fellow at the Korea Human Rights Foundation. Starting with Gwangju's well-attended anti-LGBT in September last year, and then the poorly attended counter rally that happened two months later, Daniel takes us through some of the serious challenges that pro-LGBT advocates face to affect K-culture at large. "Even if all these hurdles are overcome, constitutional protection wouldn't change life for LGBT communities overnight".

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE

"[Park Sang-seek] Is Korea really "Hell Joseon"?"

Park Sang-seek, the author of "Globalized Korea and Localized Globe" and the former head of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (now Diplomatic Academy), explores the desire of many young Koreans to leave the country, a place some refer to as "Hell Joseon". "The main reasons for the Hell Joseon mentality are that Korean society is unfair and corrupt", writes Park. After detailing some of the causes and perceptions contributing to this pessimistic view, Park concludes by calling for "a nationwide movement to transform Korean society into a civilized society and escape an anomic society as soon as possible".

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD