The Old Man’s Harbor
Jongno is the old man's harbor in Seoul. Why do so many come here? What are they looking for? Read our exposé of one of Korea's most historic neighborhoods.
Society - page 4
Lonely, Aging, Dying: South Korea’s Kodokushi
Death of a TV star that went unnoticed for two weeks highlights wider issue of social isolation of the elderly and the aging in S. Korea.
The Last Gulps of the Canary in the Itaewon Coal Mine
The taps are set to run dry at an infamous Seoul boozer and as it goes under, the era of old-fashioned Itaewon debauchery is dying too.
A Complex Issue: The Apart-ization of South Korea
As a chunk of Itaewon prepares for bulldozer-assisted oblivion, questions about Seoul's redevelopment addiction come back to the fore.
Do Convenience Stores With No Staff Signal a Future with Fewer Jobs?
Unstaffed convenience stores provide a glimpse at a possible future where instead of paying higher a minimum wage, companies invest in capital to eliminate jobs.
No-Kids Zones and the Myth of “Parasitic Mothers”
No-kids zones are polarizing South Korean society. Blame often falls on the parents, and unfortunately more often on the mothers.
“Don’t Speak in Korean”: When Koreans Travel to North Korea
Here's an essay by a Portuguese-Korean traveler, who recently visited North Korea. He was discouraged from revealing his South Korean roots.
Reporter’s Notebook: Summer in Tapgol Park
Korea Exposé's intern reflects on the experience of meeting elderly Koreans on a sweltering summer's day in central Seoul's Tapgol Park.
Jjokbangchon: Where South Korea’s Destitute Live
The capital’s many districts host favela-esque "cubicle villages," called jjokbangchon in Korean. South Korea's destitute and vulnerable call them home.
“Jae-gaebal”: Resisting Seoul’s Brutal Apart-ization
Urban redevelopment has taken a curious form in Seoul. Fully functioning and inhabited neighborhoods are razed with the consent of a bare majority. Explore the world of redevelopment - "jae-gaebal" -- and the role of hired goons known as "yongyeok."
Brown, Male, and Wanted in Korea
Racism in Korea is prevalent. British student of Sri Lankan origin explains why he feels Korea does not discriminate based on race but nationality.