coffee break

Come Home, Korean Ghost Whales!

Imagine this: a gentle ocean breeze on your face, the rhythmic sound of waves, and a 4-year-old boy by your side, with his favorite book, “Ding-dong! Whale Encyclopedia,” tucked under his arm. He’s waiting, eyes wide with excitement, hoping to catch a glimpse of a whale appearing out of the blue. This is exactly what happened when my adorable nephew patiently waited by the sea with his book, hop..

The ‘Pikki Pikki Dance’ Joins the Global K-Wave

Why the World Can’t Stop Dancing to the ‘Pikki Pikki’: A Global SensationThe 'Pikki Pikki Dance'! If you're a fan of Korean baseball, there's no way you haven't seen it. As someone who recently discovered it through a flurry of blogs and news articles, I was immediately intrigued. The quirky name caught my attention, and it turns out the dance has gotten so popular that The New York Times even d..

University Names That Make You Go 'Aha!'

Interesting University Names in KoreaKorea is home to many universities, some with names that clearly give away their location or meaning, and others that are a bit more mysterious. Often, a university's name reflects a rich historical background or embodies the vision of its founder. Today, we're diving into some unique university names and the stories behind them. Let's explore the surprising ..

Lack of Sleep: The Price Our Brain Pays!How many hours do you sleep each night? Do you catch yourself thinking, "I’m busy, but 6 hours is enough, right?" Well, I used to think the same way, but now I want to shout, "Absolutely not!" Why? Recent studies are raising red flags about just how dangerous sleep deprivation can be, especially in its strong link to Alzheimer’s disease. So today, let’s ex..

How the Game Has ChangedI recently came across an article about the rise of 'App Dating' in South Korea, especially among young people, replacing the traditional 'Natural Dating' trend. It reminded me of my favorite American TV show, The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019), and the quirky couple, Sheldon and Amy. In the show, Sheldon, the socially awkward genius, gets set up with Amy through a dating ap..

I recently caught an interview with Jennifer Lee Ban, the owner of Rice Blossoms, during a Chuseok holiday feature on a Korean news channel. Curious about this unique dessert shop in New York, I decided to check out their website, and there it was: “Sorry, we are at full capacity and won’t be taking orders until 10/7.” The message spoke volumes about the growing popularity of Rice Blossoms. With..

Makgeolli ShakeThe Traditional Korean Drink Taking Over the WorldIf you're a fan of bold and unique flavors, there's a new craze sweeping across Korea and beyond—Makgeolli shakes! This refreshing fusion of the tangy, traditional Korean rice wine (makgeolli) and the creamy richness of milk is turning heads, especially among younger generations and those new to this iconic beverage. And it's not j..

Discovering DaejeonCompared to where I live, Daejeon has so much more going on—and it’s genuinely a great place to live. But with all it offers, I was curious as to why Daejeon had earned the nickname of a "boring city." Living nearby, I decided to dive into it with a bit of affection for the area.  1. Daejeon: From "Boring City" to Destination SpotDaejeon, once labeled as a "boring city," has s..

While chatting with my friend Mr. Kim—who proudly claims the title of "living legend 🤭 in online secondhand trading" ever since he started dabbling in it back in 2001—I discovered something fascinating. Apparently, the U.S. has its own version of Korea's Danggeun Market, and it's called Craigslist. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to dig into both platforms. Spoiler al..

The Story of Korean Apples I was thankful to receive a beautiful gift of Hongro apples For the Chuseok holidays. Among all the varieties, Hongro holds a special place in my heart. Not only are they delicious, but their vibrant color and elegant shape make them a perfect centerpiece on the table. As I delved deeper into the world of apples, I discovered some fascinating insights. Here, I've gathe..