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South Korean student in Japan hopes to improve international relations with free hugs【Video】

Meg Murphy
Dec 11, 2015
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South Korea and Japan? Not exactly known for getting along. But this inspirational video gave us the feels in a big way.

Japan, Korea
(Free Hugs • inspirational • Japan Korea conflicts • peace • video)

Police arrest Korean national on suspicion of Tokyo shrine bombing

Casey Baseel
Dec 9, 2015

Explosion occurred at controversial Yasukuni religious site roughly two weeks ago.

Japan, Korea
(bombing • crime • expolsion • shrines • terrorism • Tokyo • Yasukuni Shrine)

【Monday Kickstart】Who can stay mad with squeaky shoes? Pouting toddler steals our hearts

Krista Rogers
Nov 16, 2015

A recent viral video of a young Korean girl initially pouting then breaking into giggles at the sound of her squeaky shoes is just the thing you need to kick your week off right!

Internet, Korea
(adorable • Monday Kickstart • squeaky shoes • toddler • YouTube)

EXO calls on the Force in their new Star Wars tie-in single【Video】

Jamie Koide
Nov 14, 2015

With just over a month until Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters, Star Wars fever has taken the world by storm, and Korea is no exception! K-pop group EXO has recorded a tie-in single, named “Lightsaber”, for the Korean release of the film, and a music video for the song was released on YouTube earlier this week. As you may expect, it quickly went viral, reaching almost two million views in the last few days.

Internet, Korea
(collaboration • Disney • EXO • Hollywood movies • K-pop • lightsaber • MV • Star Wars • YouTube)

You have to listen to this Korean girl’s amazing cover of Adelle’s “Hello”【Video】

KK Miller
Nov 12, 2015

Fans of English singer and songwriter Adele were treated to an amazing first song from her new album 25, which is being released on November 20. Titled “Hello”, the song has propelled her back to the forefront of music after a long hiatus and has already broken a number of records.

But Adele isn’t the only one garnering attention because of the moving song. A cover of “Hello” performed by a high school girl in Korea is receiving high praise as it captures the power of the new single in a most humble setting.

Korea
(Adele • awesome • cover • music • singing)

Burger restaurant The Burgers Tokyo collaborates with Korean group Big Bang for limited-time menu

Krista Rogers
Nov 10, 2015

Are you a Big Bang fan living in Tokyo who positively can’t wait to see your five favorite singers take to the stage in less than a week? Then perhaps the following deal will help you let out a little excitement before then!

For 10 days between the period of November 9-18, The Burgers Tokyo, a burger and sandwich restaurant located at Tokyo Dome City, will be offering a special collaboration menu with K-Pop mega-group Big Bang. The limited-time menu ties in with promotions for the group’s ongoing MADE 2015-16 World Tour, which kicks off in Japan this Thursday.

Japan, Korea
(Big Bang • burgers • K-pop • music • restaurants • Tokyo Dome)

“Gangnam Style” to be immortalized with enormous “horsey hands” statue

KK Miller
Nov 7, 2015

“Gangnam Style”, the absolute mega-hit of 2012, came pretty much out of nowhere. The song was popular not only in its home country of South Korea, but all over the world, going on to become the most watched video on YouTube ever. Psy, the artist of this masterpiece, traveled all over the world to show the gathering masses his weird, but very iconic “horsey” dance.

And now, to immortalize this historic achievement, South Korea’s Gangnam district is proposing a grand addition: a gigantic monument positioned in the horsey hands pose.

Korea
(GANGNAM STYLE • horsey dance • K-pop • monument • Psy • statue)

“Whiteday” – A Korean virtual reality horror game that’s sure to get your heart racing【Video】

Jamie Koide
Nov 6, 2015

White Day, observed on March 14, is celebrated in Korea the same way it’s celebrated in Japan: by men confessing their love or returning the affections of the women who gave them chocolate on Valentine’s Day.

But what happens when your plans to leave the girl of your dreams a sweet surprise get you locked inside your school and running for your life, chased by possessed janitors and other ghastly haunts? You get the horror game Whiteday: A Labyrinth Named School, which is getting a re-make and will be released later this month.

Korea
(Horror • playstation • ROI GAMES • Sony • video games • white day • White Day: A Labyrinth Named School)

Samurai Studio is open and we were the first in line!【Photos】

Preston Phro
Oct 27, 2015

When we wrote about Samurai Studio earlier this month, we have to admit we were more than a little excited to head down and try it out ourselves. Hey, who doesn’t occasionally (or constantly) wish they could run around dressed in Japanese armor with a couple of swords strapped to their side?

Samurai Studio opened for its 10-day limited run today, and we were literally the first in line! In case you’re on the fence about going or just want to see what the process is like, you’ll want to check out our full report, complete with lots and lots of photos.

Korea
(Asakusa • Costume • photography • photos • samurai • Samurai Studio • sightseeing)

Adorable animal earrings: The perfect accessory for any nature lover!

Preston Phro
Oct 27, 2015

Do you have ears? Do you wish they were a heck of a lot cuter? If so, we have the perfect product for you: Relax Cling Earrings! Featuring hedgehogs, chicks, and soaring birds, these animal-themed earrings are sure to please any pierced animal lover looking to make their earbuds twice as adorable!

Internet, Korea
(Cling • earrings • relax • Village Vanguard)

The craziest small arms maneuvers by South Korean SWAT, in 9 GIFs

BUSINESS INSIDER
Oct 21, 2015

With a multitude of potential threats radiating over the border from North Korea, South Korea can not be lax when it comes to security.

As such, Seoul places a premium value on the training and capabilities of its military and police forces. This is clearly illustrated through the para-military capabilities of the South Korean National Police (KNP) SWAT teams.

A 2014 video from LiveLeak shows the incredible training in small arms maneuvers that these SWAT members go through.

Korea
(crazy • GIFs • South Korea • SWAT • training techniques)

Korean criminals take a page from Metal Gear with cardboard box burglaries 【Video】

Casey Baseel
Oct 14, 2015

After a vague yet indiscreet falling out with video game publisher Konami, it seems likely that Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear franchise, won’t be working at the company for much longer. As one of the most famous and respected names in the industry, though, we’re sure Kojima will be able to find employment at one of Konami’s many rivals who are licking their lips in anticipation of landing such a prized free agent.

However, we’re not so sure about the future financial well-being of the characters Kojima has created. This video seems to suggest that Metal Gear protagonist Snake has resorted to a life of crime, as multiple burglaries have taken place in Korea with the culprit using Snake’s trademark infiltration technique of disguising himself with a cardboard box.

Korea
(crime • funny • Metal Gear • video • video games)

Internet amazed that beautiful woman exists, does something other than just be beautiful

Cara Clegg
Oct 8, 2015

It’s time for another installment of “Beautiful Women Doing Ordinary Things.” These shots of a teacher at an all-boys school in Korea have been setting more than just her students’ hearts racing now that they’ve hit the internet.

Korea
(beautiful woman • beautiful women doing things • teacher)

Enliven your next lunar party with these beautiful Moon Glasses

Preston Phro
Sep 29, 2015

**Moon watching parties and festivals abound the world over—**and with good reason! There’s nothing quite like drinking in the light of a full moon, is there? It’s magical and fun in just the right proportions. And now, thanks to the Korean design company Tale, you can buy the perfect glasses for your next moon viewing party!

These beautiful Moon Glasses mimic the phases of the moon as they’re filled, going from a new moon to a full moon as your pour in your liquid of choice.

Internet, Korea
(cool • design • dining • drinking • Moon Glass • sake)

Japanese actress Mina Fujii is the most searched keyword in Korea and it’s not hard to see why

Scott Wilson
Sep 26, 2015

When it comes to women, we have a pretty good idea of what Japanese netizens like. They like young shogi players, dancing streamers, and… women who use poop makeup? Sure, why not.

But what about Korean netizens? What do they like? According to search engine results in Korea, right now the number one most searched topic in Korea is Mina Fujii, a Japanese actress. Why is this Japanese actress the current hot topic in Korea? Read on to find out!

Korea
(actress • beautiful women • cute girls • Japanese dramas • K-dramas • Mina Fujii)

Korean “restaurant” just for singles has a romantic surprise 【Video】

Casey Baseel
Sep 24, 2015

Eating out by yourself can feel a little awkward and embarrassing, but a restaurant in Korea billing itself as being just for single diners caught the attention of plenty of passersby. And that’s “single” diners in both senses of the word: unaccompanied and also without a boyfriend or girlfriend.

But while all of the diners walked in lacking a romantic partner, some of them significantly improved their dating prospects while they filled their stomachs, thanks to a special surprise that was waiting for them.

Korea
(funny • hidden camera • relationships • restaurants • romance • video)

It must be love: Korean couple make dramatic body transformations in just five months

Audrey Akcasu
Sep 23, 2015

Want to go from flabby to body builder in five months? Yeah, who doesn’t, right? It may seem to be an impossible feat, but one couple in Korea did it and they are loving life. The couple’s transformation from on-the-chubby-side to bodybuilding not only changed their appearance, but also made them famous. Think it’s too impressive to be real? Check out the photos below!

Korea
(body building • fitness • health • relationships • weight loss)

South Korean graphic designer pays tribute to Studio Ghibli films with minimalistic icons

Krista Rogers
Sep 22, 2015

We’ve seen many Studio Ghibli tributes from around the world–some in the form of still artwork, and others in even more ambitious video formats. Today, we’d like to share another fantastic tribute by a South Korean artist that’s sure to please anyone with an eye for some clean graphic design!

Korea
(anime • art • graphic design • Hayao Miyazaki • Studio Ghibli)

Anime idol will vomit out tickets for you at theater in Korea

Casey Baseel
Sep 11, 2015

Some anime series have complex plotlines, but when it comes to successful character-based franchises, it doesn’t matter so much what the animated cast is doing as long as fans get to enjoy their cute or attractive designs. Really, they could be doing just about anything: hanging out in their school club meeting room after class, eating strawberry parfaits, or even vomiting strips of paper, like at this theater in Korea.

Korea
(anime • funny • love live • weird)

South Korean president says Korean reunification “might even happen next year”

Scott Wilson
Aug 20, 2015

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that North and South Korea used to be the same country. On the one hand, you have South Korea, plastic surgery and cute baby capital of the world, and on the other hand you have North Korea, which is apparently constantly on fire, possibly due to “gasoline clams.”

However, many would love to see the two Koreas reunited once again, among them South Korea’s president, Park Geun-hye. In a speech that she gave at a recent meeting, she said that the two Koreas might even be reunited as soon as 2016.

This of course set off a chain of reactions from South Koreans online, some praising the idea of immediate unification while others criticized it – and not necessarily for the reasons you might think.