bits of Seoul Korea

  I’ve been a huge fan of Forestella — their blend of classical and crossover is just magical. Among the four members, Ko Woo-rim stands out with his rich, deep bass voice that beautifully anchors the group’s sound.  Recently, Woo-rim did his first photoshoot and interview after completing military service . He opened up about life after the army, working with Forestella again, and even shared a few personal stories that made me smile. In this post, I’d love to share some highlights from that interview and my thoughts as a fan. If you love Forestella — or just enjoy honest, thoughtful stories — I think you’ll enjoy this too. Highlights of interview About the photoshoot  In the interview, he was asked how he managed to look so natural and confident during his first photoshoot after the army. Woo-rim admitted he didn’t want to come off as trying too hard, so he asked his wife, Yuna, for some coaching. Since he didn’t expect to be great at it right away, he asked her wha...

In When Life Gives You Tangerines(폭싹 속았수다) , Ae-soon’s mother is portrayed as a haenyeo - a traditional female diver from Jeju Island. While it’s a brief part of her character’s backstory, it opens a window into a unique and powerful aspect of Korean heritage: the haenyeo (해녀) . Who Are the Haenyeo?  Haenyeo, literally meaning “sea women,” are female divers who harvest seafood like abalone, sea urchins, and seaweed from the ocean floor - all without using oxygen tanks. These women dive as deep as 10–20 meters and hold their breath for over a minute, relying only on their training and endurance.  This centuries-old tradition is unique to Jeju Island , and for generations, it was passed down from mother to daughter. Most haenyeo start diving in their teens and continue well into their 60s, 70s, or even 80s. A Life of Strength and Resilience  The haenyeo are more than just divers - they symbolize the resilience and independence  of Jeju’s women. Historically, in many ho...

 In Episode 1 of When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) , there’s a brief moment when students are seen wiping down the hallway windows as Ae-soon’s mother walks through the school. This fleeting scene may be easy to overlook, but it reveals a long-standing tradition in Korean education: students cleaning their own schools. Why Did Students Clean the School Themselves? For decades, Korean schools didn’t hire janitors or cleaning staff. Instead, students were responsible for tidying their classrooms, hallways, and restrooms. This practice was rooted in the belief that: - Cleaning teaches responsibility and discipline - It builds a sense of community and teamwork - Students learn to respect their shared environment     This tradition was influenced by broader East Asian values, and is still found in countries like Japan and Taiwan today. Is It Still Practiced in Korea?  While many viewers may assume that student-led cleaning is a thing of the past, the truth is more ...

 If you're watching the Netflix drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) and found yourself wondering,   “Why are they sitting on the floor  in front of a perfectly good couch?” - you’re not alone!  Many international viewers are surprised to see Korean characters lounging against   the couch rather than on  it. In fact, this cozy floor-sitting behavior is such a norm in Korea.   Let’s unpack this cultural quirk that might seem unusual but is actually deeply rooted in Korean lifestyle. Couch Culture in Korean Dramas and TV Shows  While this might stand out in When Life Gives You Tangerines , the truth is - this behavior isn't unique to that drama. From cozy family dramas to reality shows, Korean TV is filled with scenes of people sitting on the floor with a couch unused right behind them.  To many viewers outside Korea, this might seem like an odd furniture choice. After all, why buy a sofa if you're not going to sit on it? B...

 In episode 13 of the Netflix Korean drama When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) , two historical references subtly appear in the background: the IMF crisis and the Gold Collection Movement . While not explored in depth, these events serve as meaningful elements of the episode’s setting, and offer international viewers a glimpse into the economic hardships Koreans experienced in the late 1990s.  What Was the IMF Crisis?  In 1997, South Korea was hit hard by the Asian Financial Crisis , leading to the collapse of major corporations, mass unemployment, and a sharp drop in the value of the Korean won. The country requested an emergency bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)  - a move that deeply affected national pride and sent shockwaves through society.  In When Life Gives You Tangerines , we see this crisis portrayed through the story of Geum-myeong , who worked at Daewoo , one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates at the time. After the fi...

  If you're watching the Korean drama   When Life Gives You Tangerines   ( 폭싹 속았수다 ), you might have noticed something unusual: characters eating tofu right after being released from the police station or jail.  So, what’s the story behind this tradition? Is it just a quirky K-drama detail—or is there a deeper cultural meaning? Tofu Moments in  When Life Gives You Tangerines 📺 Episode 3 – Ae-soon and Gwan-sik Share Tofu After a Brief Arrest  In this early episode, Ae-soon and Gwan-sik are brought in by the police after a heated scuffle. The tension quickly diffuses, and the two are released without serious consequences. Soon after, we see them outside, quietly sharing tofu from a plastic bag. 📺 Episode 14 – Eun-myeong’s Tears and the Tofu Reveal  Later in the series, the tofu appears again—but this time, the scene is deeply emotional. Eun-myeong is released from the police station. We see him crying, not out of relief, but devastation—he has just fou...