Korean Diaries

Mysterious Beliefs

Did you know that 4 is an unlucky number in Korea and that writing names in red indicates death? As a country that used to have shamanism as its main religion, South Korea is still influenced by various superstitions associated with ghosts and other spirits. Even though these beliefs aren’t as widespread as they used to be, it is still important to preserve and acknowledge them to promote an optimistic mental attitude and learn about how people in the old days thought, a highly crucial aspect of any culture.

Perfect Doesn’t Exist

As K-pop has experienced a massive boom in its popularity, global fans have been idolizing celebrities’ bodies on social media platforms, creating a new pressure regarding face and body image. So you may wonder, where do these Korean beauty standards and the country’s obsession with the perfect look come from? In this episode, we dive into the origin of Korean beauty standards, how 21st century’s media has promoted them, and some of their consequences.

Continuous Competition and Comparison

Koreans are known to be extremely hardworking, but have you ever thought of the reason why they develop the habit of working 24/7 ever since they are a young child? In this episode, we take a look into the infamous Korean education system, uncovering its flaws, consequences, and a question every student must ask to preserve their true passion for education and future success.

All the Cheesy Food

Wait, Koreans eat cheese with fried chicken? If you’ve ever seen those Korean eating shows, you’ll realize that Koreans love cheese. Even in restaurants, you will commonly see cheese as an option for topping, especially for spicy food. In our very first episode, we ask where this obsession comes from, discussing recent food trends in South Korea.