Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

[WHY] When do Koreans say ‘I love you’? Too fast, some say.

Cultural differences affect perceptions of saying 'I love you' in Korean relationships, with younger Koreans tending to express love earlier, while intercultural couples often experience misunderstandings about the phrase's timing and significance.

2026-04-11

[WHY] Twice the time but twice the benefits? Why some young men choose to serve as officers in the Korean military.

All able-bodied Korean men must complete military service, but the service period for enlistees is 18 to 21 months. However, it is 39 months for officer candidates. Why do men choose to serve longer, and how does the experience benefit them?

2026-03-28

[WHY] What is a 'conception dream' and why is it so common in Korea?

The idea of conception dreams may be unfamiliar to international readers, but taemong is very commonplace among Koreans. Ask any person what their taemong was, they would tell you about dreams their parents or grandparents had.

2026-03-21

[WHY] Service without a smile: The popularity and problems of unstaffed stores

In Korea, there are hundreds of unmanned stores across the country, whether in residential areas or university and business districts. And their level of variety is unmatched.

2026-03-14

[WHY] Seat warmers: Cause for comfort or pain point for Korea's commuters

Commuters in Seoul express frustration over overly heated subway seats, often referred to as 'eong-ddeu.' Complaints have surged in recent months, with temperatures regulated by an overall heating system, not intentional seat warmers.

2026-02-28

[WHY] Has the Korean market become optional for K-pop?

K-pop's popularity is shifting as domestic interest wanes, despite global successes by groups like Stray Kids. Industry observers note that casual listeners in Korea are decreasing, leading agencies to focus on core fandoms instead of broader appeal.

2026-02-21

[WHY] Flat, frustrating and now famous: The history of Korea's metal chopsticks

The flat, metal chopsticks omnipresent in Korea have become more well-known around the world with the rise of the Korean Wave, but where did these more difficult versions of the utensil come from, and why are they still around?

2026-02-14

[WHY] Millennial parents choose memories over mortgages, setting up temporary homes abroad

Millennial parents in Korea, like Park Chan-mi and Cho Ah-ram, are increasingly prioritizing extended travel experiences over traditional financial investments like mortgages. When memories matter more than money, monthlong vacations become the norm.

2026-02-07

[WHY] Why older adults brave freezing winters, scorching summers to collect cardboard

From the freezing morning hours of winter to the scorching afternoons of summer, older adults can be seen collecting paper and cardboard, but this isn't part of a recycling program — it's how many keep the lights on in a rapidly aging society.

2026-01-24

[WHY] Once-dreaded worksheet from childhood now becoming surprising study tool of choice for adults

For today’s MZ generation, daily worksheets are a familiar — and not especially fond — childhood memory. And yet, despite those groan-inducing memories, many of those children are now, as adults, voluntarily returning to the once-dreaded worksheet.

2026-01-17