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Why Did Koreans Cry Over a Story They Already Knew? – The King’s Warden and King Danjong’s Tragedy

In Short Jang Hang-jun’s 2026 historical drama The King’s Warden (known in Korea as Wang-gwa Saneun Namja ) became a major box office success in Korea while also attracting unexpected attention overseas. Despite telling the already well-known tragedy of King Danjong, the film resonated strongly with audiences through its emotional focus on loneliness, loyalty, and human relationships rather than large-scale political spectacle. 1. Why Is The King’s Warden Getting Attention Overseas? The impact of The King’s Warden has extended beyond Korea’s domestic box office. In North America, the film began as a limited release, but positive word-of-mouth reactions gradually led to expanded screenings in additional theaters. The film also maintained a high audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, and many overseas viewers commented that they became emotionally invested in the characters even without fully understanding Joseon history. Some viewers described the movie not as a traditional ...
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Why Do Koreans Seem to Have So Little Body Odor?

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Why do many people say Koreans have very little body odor? This post looks at genetics, hygiene habits, food smells, and everyday Korean culture in a friendly way. One thing foreigners sometimes notice in Korea is that people’s natural body odor seems much less noticeable. Some studies connect this to the ABCC11 gene type, which is common in East Asian populations. But genetics alone cannot explain everything. Korea’s frequent washing habits, awareness of others in public spaces, and preference for clean scents also seem to shape this everyday cultural impression. 1. A Cultural Difference Many Foreigners Notice in Korea Foreigners living in Korea often notice many small cultural differences. One of the more surprising ones is body odor. In crowded places like subways or buses, people are often standing very close to one another. Even then, some foreigners say they rarely notice strong body odor from people around them. Many Koreans who have traveled or ...
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Why Seoul Fills with Lanterns Every Spring – Buddha’s Birthday in Korea

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If you visit Seoul in spring, you may suddenly notice thousands of colorful lanterns hanging above the streets. This is part of Buddha’s Birthday in Korea , one of the most beautiful spring traditions in the country. In this post, I want to gently introduce the atmosphere of Korea’s Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) , the meaning behind the lanterns, and why this season feels special to many Koreans. If you visit Seoul in May, you may wonder why colorful lanterns suddenly appear across the city. These lanterns are part of Buddha’s Birthday , celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in Korea. During this season, temples fill with lanterns, and Seoul hosts the famous Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) , a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. 1. Lanterns That Change the Mood of Seoul As Buddha’s Birthday approaches, colorful lanterns begin appearing all across Korea. Around Jongno, Jogyesa Temple, and Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, t...
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Korean Garlic Culture – Why Koreans Eat So Much Garlic

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1. The Bear, Garlic, and the Dangun Myth In a previous post, we talked about the Dangun myth, the famous Korean founding story where a bear and a tiger entered a cave hoping to become human. Do you remember that part of the story? If you have not read the Dangun myth yet, you may enjoy starting with that story first. 👉 Read the Dangun myth here Hwanung told them that if they stayed away from sunlight for 100 days and ate only mugwort and garlic, they would become human. In the end, the bear endured the long and difficult time. She became a woman, known as Ungnyeo. Koreans often say, half-jokingly and half-affectionately, that we are descendants of that patient bear. Perhaps that is why garlic still feels so familiar and comforting to many Koreans today. Illustration created for bookicooki. 2. Korean Garlic Consumption in Numbers When someone asks, “Do Koreans really eat that much garlic?” these numbers are usually the first thing that comes to mind....
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Do You Need to File Taxes in Korea in May? A Guide for Foreigners

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If you live or work in Korea, there is one phrase you will almost certainly hear in May: comprehensive income tax filing . If you are wondering whether you need to file taxes in Korea in May, you are not alone. This guide will help you understand the basics and see if it applies to your situation. ⚡ What You Need to Know In Korea, May (May 1–31) is the main tax filing season. If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or have additional income, you may need to file taxes. If you are a regular employee, your taxes are usually handled through year-end tax adjustment. Still, some employees may need to file in May if they have multiple sources of income or missed the year-end tax settlement process. Foreigners may also need to file depending on their income and situation, so it is important to check carefully. A simple example of preparing tax documents during Korea’s tax filing season. Why Is May Important for Taxes in Korea? In Korea, Ma...
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The Three Kingdoms of Korea – How Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla Emerged

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To understand ancient Korean history, there is one period you cannot skip. ⚡ Key Takeaways The Three Kingdoms period refers to the era when Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla existed at the same time, competing across the Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria. After the fall of Gojoseon, several regional powers emerged, and some of them gradually developed into three major kingdoms. This was not simply a time of division, but an important turning point when the kingdoms grew through rivalry, exchange, and cultural development. In global history, this period is commonly known as the Three Kingdoms of Korea . It is generally understood to have lasted from around the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE, nearly 700 years. How Did the Three Kingdoms Period Begin? After Gojoseon fell, several new powers began to appear across the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria. As we saw in the previous post, states such as Buyeo, Goguryeo, Okjeo, and Dongye started to take shape in ...
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Why May Feels So Expensive in Korea – Holidays, Family Month, and Hidden Costs

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In Korea, May is often called Family Month . It sounds warm and meaningful, but for many Koreans, May can also feel surprisingly busy and expensive. Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, Teachers’ Day, travel plans, family gatherings, and even tax filing season all come together in the same month. ⚡ The Short Answer May in Korea is called Family Month because several meaningful days are concentrated in this period, including Children’s Day, Parents’ Day, and Teachers’ Day. However, these events often bring extra spending, busy schedules, and emotional pressure around family and social relationships. On top of that, May is also the month for comprehensive income tax filing, which makes it feel even more stressful for freelancers and self-employed workers. 1. So Many Important Days Are Packed into May A quick overview of major holidays and events in Korea in May 2026. May has more special days than many people expect. Some are official public holidays, while othe...
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