The Korea Times

VIDEO The city lights never dim: 12 hours in a Gangnam convenience store

In a corner of Gangnam where towering skyscrapers, nightclubs and 24-hour saunas intersect, the rhythm of life shifts as the sun sets. At 9:00 pm, when most people are wrapping up their day and hurrying home, other people's days are just beginning. Song Ga-yeon, a 23-year-old store manager, starts her commute through the darkening streets, fueled by a unique energy that powers her through the night. Korea boasts one of the highest densities of convenience stores in the world. Contemporary Korean convenience stores have evolved far beyond simple retail space. They have become a vital "social safety net" for the community. These stores serve as "Safe Zones" — warm shelters for lost children and a secure space for women at night. The emergency bells beneath the counters and the guidance signs posted throughout the store show that this space is more than just a place to buy goods; it is a meticulously woven fabric of human connection and public security. As the city grows quiet, the atmosphere inside the store heats up with the arrival of logistics trucks. A flood of fresh snack items, lu

Apr 29, 2026By Ha Il

[VIDEO] The city lights never dim: 12 hours in a Gangnam convenience store

Howdy Korea

VIDEO The silent witness: Chasing secrets behind Korea’s tinted windows

If you walk through one of the sprawling Korean apartment complexes or a quiet riverside parking lot, you might notice a white SUV with windows tinted so dark, they look like ink. To a casual passerby, it is just a parked car. But inside, it is the mobile office of a private investigator, a modern-day shadow operating in the legal and emotional gaps of Korean society. Until 2015, adultery was a criminal offense in Korea, meaning the police could raid hotel rooms to catch cheating spouses in the act. However, since the abolition of the anti-adultery law, infidelity has moved from the criminal courts to the civil ones. Today, the state no longer intervenes in private betrayals; the burden of proof rests solely on the victim. "The state won't help you anymore, so you have to catch them yourself," says Woo Min-ho, a private investigator. "Suspicions hold no weight in court. Without concrete evidence, a spouse who confronts their partner risks being sued for defamation or dismissed as 'paranoid.'" The investigator’s work often leads to the outskirts of the city, specifically places like t

Mar 18, 2026By Ha Il

[VIDEO] The silent witness: Chasing secrets behind Korea’s tinted windows

Howdy Korea

VIDEO Beyond skin care, Korean doctor treats idol trainee daughter’s dreams

In the heart of Seoul's Gangnam District, Dr. Min is a renowned dermatologist who takes care of her patients' skin with precision. However, once she sheds her white coat, she becomes a mother navigating a complex relationship with her daughter, a K-pop idol trainee. For Dr. Min, professional success doesn't make parenting any easier; she admits with a bittersweet smile that her teenage children have likely blocked her on social media. Despite the grueling nature of the idol industry, Dr. Min remains a steady pillar of support. She views her daughter’s intense training not as a gamble, but as a vital process of growth. Just as she heals skin, she sees these challenges as a way for her daughter to build resilience. Part of her "prescription" for her daughter is to wait with dedication outside the dance studio at night to provide a safe ride home. Though her suffocating schedule leads to occasional burnout, Dr. Min believes in leading by example. "Showing my children how I live with passion is the best education I can give," she says. As the city lights fade at the end of a long day, sh

Feb 9, 2026By Ha Il

[VIDEO] Beyond skin care, Korean doctor treats idol trainee daughter’s dreams

Howdy Korea

VIDEO Even potluck parties turn competitive in Korea

A potluck party held in Hongdae to celebrate YouTube channel Howdy Korea reaching 100,000 subscribers turned out to be much more than a simple gathering. Former guests and crew reunited for the event, creating a festive atmosphere where food, fashion and enthusiasm came together in a friendly showdown. The guest list included a face reader with 35 years of experience, a Korean shaman known as the “Snowflake Witch” and former Howdy Korea host Kady. Each arrived with dishes they had personally prepared: a seafood hangover soup loaded with abalone, shrimp, crab, mussels and clams; steaming braised short ribs; and even North Korean-style coriander kimchi made by host Joel himself. The table quickly became a vibrant display of Korean cuisine. But the excitement extended far beyond the food. With votes held for “Best Foodie” and “Best Dresser,” the evening evolved into a playful competition. The shaman, dressed in a white outfit, claimed the Best Dresser title. Meanwhile, the face reader, whose seafood stew captivated attendees, was named Best Foodie. She boosted the excitement f

Dec 2, 2025By Ha Il

Ha Il

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VIDEO The city lights never dim: 12 hours in a Gangnam convenience store

VIDEO The silent witness: Chasing secrets behind Korea’s tinted windows

VIDEO Beyond skin care, Korean doctor treats idol trainee daughter’s dreams

VIDEO Even potluck parties turn competitive in Korea

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