Once a staple of Korean diners, 'baekbanjip' are on the way out

Failing to keep up with changing tastes and rising costs, eateries serving home-cooked style meals are shutting down "Baekbanjip," or a restaurant serving home-style meals that include a bowl of rice, soup and a variety of freshly prepared side dishes, are on their way out as consumers gravitate toward something new. Amid the rise of social media culture, many people seek out stylish settings that offer unique dining experiences, ambiance and laid-back enjoyment. Changing tastes, rising costs Ki

March 8, 2025

Chef Ahn Sung-jae's Michelin 3-star Mosu Seoul hints at reopening this month

Reservation slots for Mosu appear on restaurant reservation platform Catch Table Star chef Ahn Sung-jae's Mosu Seoul appears to be reopening later this month in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, after a yearlong break. The reservation calendar for the contemporary fine dining restaurant appeared on restaurant reservation platform Catch Table on Wednesday afternoon. Although reservations have not opened, observers believe the Michelin-starred restaurant will likely open March 22, as the platform's page f

March 6, 2025

[팟캐스트] (669) 아기 울음소리 커졌다, 9년 만에 반등한 출산율

South Korea's birth rate rises for first time in 9 years 진행자: 박준희, Elise Youn 기사 요약: 지난해 한국의 출생아 수가 23만 8천여 명으로, 1년 만에 약 8천 명 증가했다. 출생아 수가 증가한 것은 2015년 이후 9년 만이다. [1] South Korea's fertility rate rose by 0.03 in 2024, breaking a nine-year downtrend, according to Statistics Korea on Wednesday. This came as the country has been suffering from a demographic crisis — a double whammy of a low birth rate and and increase in the elderly population — for nearly a decade. *downtrend: 하강 추세 *demographic c

March 4, 2025

[팟캐스트] (668) 00에 해당되는 나, 혹시 온실 속 화초?

Are you living like 'a hothouse flower'? Viral checklist sparks buzz in South Korea 진행자: 박준희, Elise Youn 기사 요약: 최근 온라인 커뮤니티에서 화제가 된 "온실 속 화초 테스트." 이 테스트에 따르면 "살면서 알바를 해본 적이 없다," "의식주 걱정을 해본 적이 없다" 등의 항목 중 절반 이상에 해당하면 자신이 온실 속 화초일 가능성이 높다는데... [1] The term “hothouse flower” metaphorically describes individuals who have led sheltered lives, shielded from the harsh realities of the world. The online post that Jin received featured a checklist of eight traits that, according to the author, define a

March 4, 2025

Kim Keon Hee narrowly escapes investigation in close vote

First lady Kim Keon Hee narrowly avoided a special counsel investigation on Saturday as a revote on a bill to launch a probe into allegations against her fell just two votes short of passing in the National Assembly. In a vote of 198-102, the bill to appoint a special counsel narrowly failed to win the required two-thirds majority in the 300-member parliament. The revote took place before a separate motion to impeach Yoon, which also got scrapped due to a lack of quorum. While the rejection spar

Dec. 8, 2024

Assembly passes motion to impeach state audit chief, top prosecutors

The opposition-controlled National Assembly on Thursday voted to impeach the chief of the state auditor and three top prosecutors over issues related to the relocation of the presidential office and scandals surrounding first lady Kim Keon Hee. The motion was against Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Choe Jae-hae, Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, and two of Lee's deputies -- Cho Sang-won and Choi Jae-hun. The motions passed over 188-4 votes against Ch

Dec. 5, 2024

Health minister denounces martial law amid uproar in medical community

President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration spilled over into the health care sector on Thursday, facing harsh criticism from the medical community and the nation's top health and welfare official. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong, who attended the Cabinet Meeting just before the martial law announcement was made late Tuesday, said during the National Assembly's health and welfare committee meeting on Thursday that he "does not agree with the martial law decl

Dec. 5, 2024

What martial law means to South Koreans: Echo of nation's history of oppression

The six-hour standoff that tossed the South Korean democracy into turmoil on Tuesday echoed images of the powerful authoritarian rule during the 1970s and 80s, leading many people to revisit the times of suppression through the use of coercion and brutality. This also gave a familiar reminder of the dark chapter of the country's history where the military arrested protesting activists and banned political activity, and media -- across all mediums -- censored. "As a person who experienc

Dec. 4, 2024

Cho Kuk says declaration of martial law 'illegal,' meets conditions for impeachment

Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, said early Wednesday that he believed President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was "illegal," adding that it goes against the law and is a move that warrants the president's removal from office. "If President Yoon Suk Yeol does not comply with the National Assembly's resolution (to lift the emergency martial law), that would be considered both illegal and a criminal act," Rep. Cho told

Dec. 4, 2024

Order issued for medical professionals to resume duties within 48 hours

Under the decree issued by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su that went into effect as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, all medical professionals must resume their duties within 48 hours Those affected include striking intern and resident doctors opposing the government's quota hike in medical school admissions or those who have walked out of their medical roles. The decree came nearly an hour after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday. Medical professionals who fail to comply

Dec. 4, 2024