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Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age?

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  Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age? One of the most common questions foreigners hear when they first arrive in Korea is: “How old are you?” At first, it may seem like a simple question born out of curiosity or small talk. However, this question carries a deeper cultural significance in Korean society, rooted in language, respect, and social structure. Korea’s Unique Age Culture: Why Do Koreans Ask Your Age? 1. In Korea, Age Defines Relationships In Korean culture, age is far more than just a number. It determines how people speak to each other, address one another, and even how they behave in social situations. The use of honorific or informal language is based on age difference. Titles like oppa (older brother), noona (older sister), hyung , and unni are assigned based on relative age. Traditional etiquette such as allowing the eldest to eat first is still commonly observed. Knowing someone’s age helps define the relationship and the ap...
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In the Age of AI, Knowledge Faces a Crisis — And We Must Act Now

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  In the Age of AI, Knowledge Faces a Crisis — And We Must Act Now – ChatGPT Surpasses Wikipedia for the First Time In April 2025, a historic shift occurred. For the first time ever, ChatGPT’s monthly traffic reached 780 million, surpassing Wikipedia’s 716 million visits . (Source: SimilarWeb, April 2025) This milestone reflects more than numbers—it reveals a profound transformation in how we seek and consume knowledge. We must take action now 1. The Rise of ‘Zero-Click’ and the Fall of Open Knowledge Platforms AI tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overview have changed how users interact with information. Instead of clicking through to source websites, people now consume summarized answers directly from AI interfaces. This ‘zero-click’ trend has caused: Significant drops in source website traffic Reduced incentive and revenue for content creators A growing detachment from original, verifiable information Most notably, Wikipedia’s global traffic has dropped by ...
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Gakgung: The Korean Horn Bow that Changed History — A Weapon, a Path of Cultivation, and a Masterpiece of Science

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The Arrow That Changed History: Gakgung, the Korean Traditional Bow A single small arrow flying through the chaos of battle can alter the tide of war and rewrite history. Such was the power of Korea’s traditional bow, Gakgung (각궁) — short yet powerful, deadly yet elegant. To Koreans, it was more than just a weapon. It was the embodiment of spirit, art, and strategy. From ancient times through the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, and into modern Korea, the bow was a symbol of victory in the hands of elite archers. Today, South Korea’s dominance in Olympic archery is no coincidence—it is the result of centuries of tradition, discipline, and mastery passed down through generations. Ancient Korean Kingdom Goguryeo Muyongchong Mural This refers to the famous mural paintings found in the Muyongchong (Tomb of the Dancers) , a Goguryeo-era burial site known for its depictions of dancers and musicians, offering valuable insights into the art, clothing, and culture of Goguryeo. Let me know if you n...
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When Students Led History – Remembering June 1987 and the Silent Courage of the Youth

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  When Students Led History – Remembering June 1987 and the Silent Courage of the Youth Today, Korean universities feel quiet. Students worry more about resumes than reform. But not long ago, young people led a movement that reshaped a nation. They challenged lies, risked everything—and won. In June 1987, South Koreans flooded the streets. What became a nationwide call for democracy began not with a crowd, but with the hands of students feeding paper into a mimeograph in a dark basement. This essay is a tribute to those hands—quiet but courageous—and the question they left behind: Will we act when truth is in danger? June Democratic Uprising and Mimeograph A Lie That Sparked a Nation, and the Students Who Told the Truth The death of Park Jong-cheol, a third-year linguistics student at Seoul National University, exposed the cruelty of the regime. Tortured to death at the Namyeong-dong interrogation center, the government shamelessly claimed, "He died after we slammed ...
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Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) Sightings in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty: Historical Context and Modern Scientific Interpretation

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  Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) Sightings in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty: Historical Context and Modern Scientific Interpretation 1. Introduction: Mysterious Skies in Korean Historical Records While global interest and research into UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) have surged in recent decades, surprisingly, Korea’s ancient historical records, such as the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty ( Joseon Wangjo Sillok ), also contain numerous accounts of mysterious lights and objects observed in the sky. Although some of these accounts might be attributed to natural phenomena, the detailed descriptions and the seriousness with which they were recorded have drawn significant attention from contemporary UFO researchers as important historical evidence. This post systematically reviews major UFO-suspected incidents documented in the Annals , arranged chronologically, and examines them within the socio-cultural context of the time—including the role of the Gwansanggam (Bureau of A...
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The Arctic Shipping Route and South Korea: Unlocking Economic Opportunities through Strategic Preparation

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  The Arctic Shipping Route and South Korea: Unlocking Economic Opportunities through Strategic Preparation Significant changes are unfolding in the Arctic, drawing global attention. Due to climate change, Arctic sea ice is rapidly diminishing, opening a navigable “Arctic shipping route” during the summer months. Once impassable due to thick ice, this emerging maritime corridor is now poised to revolutionize global shipping. As a global leader in shipbuilding and maritime trade, South Korea must proactively prepare to capitalize on this development, enhancing its international influence and securing substantial national benefits. The Arctic Shipping Route - Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Data . The Dramatic Decline of Arctic Sea Ice Summer 1979: Approximately 7 million square kilometers Summer 2023: Approximately 3.9 million square kilometers → A nearly 44% reduction (Source: NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) This rapid decline in Arctic ice has t...
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