A recent episode of SBS’s “One Night of TV Entertainment” on January 27 covered a segment revealing the extraordinary gifting culture of fan clubs. A fan reveals in an interview, “1 million won (approximately $800) is not a big amount. There are those that give more than that and also gift the parents of celebrities… Continue reading The Lavish Gifting Culture of Fan Clubs
Category: Culture
Culture and Society
Creator of Controversial Kopino Fathers Blog Sued for Defamation and Violation of Portrait Rights
On January 26, one Seoul newspaper released an exclusive report that Goo Bon Chang, the creator of the controversial Kopino fathers blog that revealed the identities of those Korean fathers who abandoned their children has been sued for defamation and violation of personal portrait rights. Goo Bon Chang created the blog last year, publishing a list of… Continue reading Creator of Controversial Kopino Fathers Blog Sued for Defamation and Violation of Portrait Rights
Families of Sewol Disaster Victims Receive Draft Notices for Their Deceased Sons
The families of 92 victims from the Sewol Ferry disaster received a painful reminder of their loss, as they recently received military draft notices for their deceased sons. All male Korean citizens are required to serve for two years in the military, and draft notices are sent out after their 18th birthday. The families of… Continue reading Families of Sewol Disaster Victims Receive Draft Notices for Their Deceased Sons
K-Pop 101: How to Navigate Fanclubs vs. Fancafes
K-Pop 101 is an occasional series from Soompi filled with tips and tricks on K-popping in Korea. I’ve been seeing a lot of requests for a K-Pop 101 on how to join fanclubs and fancafes, so we’ll be covering both! We’ll start with the basics of what’s the difference between the two, and then move into some… Continue reading K-Pop 101: How to Navigate Fanclubs vs. Fancafes
Creator of Controversial Kopino Father Blog Reveals Why It Was Created
In the midst of controversy over the site that reveals identity of Korean men who abandoned Kopinos (Korean-Filipino children), the creator of the blog revealed the reason why he decided to launch the site, On January 11, MBN’s “News Fighter” interviewed Goo Bon Chang, the creator of the blog “Kopino Children Find Their Fathers.” Previously,… Continue reading Creator of Controversial Kopino Father Blog Reveals Why It Was Created
Slate Columnist Links Korean Skincare Regimen to “Radical Feminist Self-Care”
Recently, U.S.-based online magazine Slate published an editorial column about the famous 10-step K-beauty skincare routine and its growing movement in North America. The author opens the article with a personal anecdote in which her Korean-American friend, a university professor, sends her sheet masks for the first time. Unlike most U.S. products, the Korean skincare… Continue reading Slate Columnist Links Korean Skincare Regimen to “Radical Feminist Self-Care”
Blog Reveals Identities of Korean Men Who Have Abandoned “Kopino” Children in the Philippines
A blog titled “Kopino Children Find Their Fathers” has gained notoriety for publicly revealing the names, photos, and personal information of South Korean men presumed to be the deadbeat fathers of Korean-Filipino children. The Philippines, with its tropical climate and low costs, has always been a vacation hotspot for Koreans. Since most Filipinos are fluent in English, it’s… Continue reading Blog Reveals Identities of Korean Men Who Have Abandoned “Kopino” Children in the Philippines
South Korea Resumes Anti-North Korea Broadcasts, Includes K-Pop and Dramas
South Korea’s government has once again started up the anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts at 11 spots along the North-South Korean border in retaliation to the North’s alleged hydrogen bomb test earlier this week. In a press conference with the media on January 8, a military official stated, “We have plans to broadcast the sound of… Continue reading South Korea Resumes Anti-North Korea Broadcasts, Includes K-Pop and Dramas
K-Pop 101: How to Attend Fansigns
K-Pop 101 is an occasional series from Soompi filled with tips and tricks on K-popping in Korea. Ah yes, the beauty that is fansignings in Korea. Fansigns are one of the best ways to meet your idols face-to-face, and aren’t particularily that hard to apply for. However, it takes a lot of luck and a lot… Continue reading K-Pop 101: How to Attend Fansigns
South Koreans Angry at “Comfort Women” Settlement That Calls for the Removal of Memorial Statue
In a landmark deal brokered to “finally and irrevocably resolve” the issue of “comfort women” between Japan and South Korea, the Japanese government agreed to acknowledge responsibility for the suffering the victims went through. In addition, Japan will pay one billion yen (approximately $8.3 million) to South Korea to establish a fund for the surviving… Continue reading South Koreans Angry at “Comfort Women” Settlement That Calls for the Removal of Memorial Statue