Why South Korea? | Korea JoongAng Daily

Why

Latest News

Not too cool for school: How K-pop stars took over university festivals

The easiest way to catch a K-pop concert isn't, in some ways, bagging a coveted ticket for a dome show — it's a university festival, where star-studded lineups descend on school campuses. But how did this tradition start?

2026.6.6

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon shaves his head in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 23 to call for the enactment of a special act on the southeastern port city's ″global hub″ initiative. [LIM HYUN-DONG]

[WHY] Korea's hair-itage: The history of head-shaving in politics

In the history of Korean politics, head-shaving ceremonies have been a recurring tactic used by people to show their resolve or make a dramatic appeal. The upcoming June 3 local elections, set for next Wednesday, are no exception.

2026.5.30

Popular in Why

[WHY] One Americano, four hours: Inside Korea's 'cafe study tribe'

In Korea, the emergence of 'cagongjok' has transformed coffee shops into quiet study environments. As the number of cafes has doubled, young adults prefer them over libraries for their ambient noise and accessibility.

2026.5.23

An AI-generated image of a wedding invitation gathering [CHATGPT]

[WHY] Korea's newest prewedding gathering: Why expensive 'cheongmo' are necessary before saying 'I do'

Happy faces, joyful tears, loud cheers and endless congratulations from friends — these are what most people imagine when they think of a wedding, and Korea is no exception. After all, no couple wants an empty wedding hall.

2026.5.16

A poster for Season 8 of Coupang Play's Saturday Night Live Korea [COUPANG PLAY]

[WHY] How Korea’s political comedy show became an image laundering machine

SNL Korea has begun to function as a tool for image rehabilitation, impacting the public's perception of political figures' reputations.

2026.5.2

People on a bus look at smartphones and do not engage in an undated photo. [GETTY IMAGES PRO]

[WHY] Small talk, big discomfort: Why Koreans don't chat with strangers

Small talk: The trivial interactions that make the experience of living communal without obligation or gravity. But not so in Korea, where silence is golden and a greeting is often off-putting.

2026.4.18

Lee Jee-ho, the eldest son of Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, salutes during an enlistment ceremony at the Naval Academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, on Sept. 23, 2025. [YONHAP]

[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?

2026.3.27

An unmanned ice cream and snack store in western Seoul [CHO YONG-JUN]

[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.

2026.3.13

Commuters sit and stand inside a subway car in Seoul on Dec. 1, 2025. [YONHAP]

[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.

2026.2.27

Boy band Stray Kids wins the Album of the Year award at the 2025 MAMA Awards in Hong Kong on Nov. 29, 2025. [CJ ENM]

[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.

2026.2.20