The Korea Times

Less clicking as Koreans rethink US Black Friday

Just a few years ago, Korean shoppers would stay up past midnight to pounce on Black Friday deals from the United States. Now, many are closing their browsers instead. America’s biggest shopping weekend long served as a major online event in Korea, where direct overseas purchases once promised luxury goods and specialty items at bargain prices. But this season, the excitement is noticeably quieter. With the U.S. dollar still strong against the Korean won, even steep discounts are failing to translate into real savings. The currency gap is wiping out the price advantage that once made the process worthwhile, especially after international shipping fees and customs charges are added. “Even if an item is 40 or 50 percent off, by the time you convert it into won and add shipping, it’s no longer a deal,” wrote one user on Dealgong, an online community focused on overseas bargains and shipping tips. Black Friday sales of Ralph Lauren, a consistently popular brand among Korean consumers, also feel underwhelming this year. Its 30 percent discount on select items is not enough to spark pa

Nov 29, 2025By Jane Han

Less clicking as Koreans rethink US Black Friday

World

Kimchi for Thanksgiving? More American cooks are giving it a try

SEATTLE — Turkey, pie — and kimchi? The Korean staple is starting to show up on more Thanksgiving tables as home cooks look for ways to add a little spark to their traditional spread. As Thanksgiving approaches, many cooks are pulling out trusted recipes they’ve made for years. But for anyone looking to introduce something unexpected, kimchi is quietly emerging as a bold twist that blends surprisingly well with American favorites. Thanksgiving, observed in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday of November, is one of the country’s biggest family holidays, much like Chuseok in Korea. With social media helping spread the idea, kimchi-inspired Thanksgiving dishes are popping up in viral posts and Instagram Reels, where home cooks and food influencers share fusion plates that look both playful and comforting. Many note that kimchi’s tangy brightness and gentle heat can lift the richness of a heavy holiday lineup. One of the most popular ideas is Kimchi mac and cheese, a dish that has already made its way into Korean-American kitchens and trendy cafés. The combination works for the same r

Nov 27, 2025By Jane Han

Kimchi for Thanksgiving? More American cooks are giving it a try

South Korea

No US trip needed: Dollar-priced menus are hitting Koreans at home

Koreans don’t need to take a trip to the U.S. to experience the pain of a weak won. A few restaurants at home already charge in U.S. dollars, turning a $110 buffet into a splurge of more than 160,000 won and giving diners a taste of American-style sticker shock without ever leaving Seoul. At the handful of restaurants that price their meals in dollars, the won’s slide has simply made those figures feel heavier. The menu hasn’t changed, but the exchange rate has, pushing meals that already leaned pricey into noticeably more expensive territory for locals. Among the small group of establishments that rely on dollar-based pricing are seafood buffets like Viking’s Wharf — known for its $110 buffet — and Crab52, where dinner runs $200 per person, as well as Noryangjin101, a high-end spot that opened earlier this year in Seoul’s fish market district. All three have been listing their prices in U.S. dollars, a practice the company says stems from relying heavily on imported seafood, whose costs are tied to global markets. Notably, the restaurants belong to the same parent company,

Nov 26, 2025By Jane Han

No US trip needed: Dollar-priced menus are hitting Koreans at home

Shows & Dramas

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Beloved veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, who remained active on stage and screen until his final days, died on Tuesday. He was 91. According to his family, Lee died early Tuesday morning. The actor had been battling health issues since late last year, which forced him to step down from a theater production to focus on recovery. Despite hopes for a return expressed by his agency in August, his health continued to deteriorate, ultimately bringing an end to an extraordinary career that spanned seven decades. Born in Hoeryong, North Hamgyong Province, now in North Korea, in November 1934, Lee moved to Seoul at the age of 4. He graduated from the prestigious Seoul National University with a degree in philosophy, but found his passion in acting, making his stage debut in 1956 with the play "Beyond the Horizon" during his college years. Having started his career with HLKZ-TV, Korea’s first television station, Lee was selected as part of KBS’ first class of actor recruits in 1960. He was a living history of Korean broadcasting. Throughout his 70-year career, he transcended genres, moving fluidly

Nov 25, 2025By Jane Han and Baek Byung-yeul

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

World

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

SEATTLE — A major Korean bathhouse chain in the U.S. must now allow transgender women into its female nude section, regardless of surgery status, under a legal settlement with a customer who said staff interrogated her about her body. According to court documents cited by the New York Post, the dispute began when Alexandra Goebert, a transgender woman, tried to enter a women-only nude area at King Spa & Sauna in New Jersey but was stopped by staff who questioned her about her body. Although her ID listed her as female, workers asked whether she had undergone gender-affirming surgery and told her she could only enter if she wore “uniform shorts.” Goebert refused, saying no other customer was required to cover up, and later filed a discrimination complaint after she was denied access and offered a refund. The settlement requires the spa to revise its long-standing gender-segregated policy. Under the revised rules, customers may use the facilities that match their gender identity, regardless of anatomy or surgical history. Guests are also advised they may encounter others whose physi

Nov 25, 2025By Jane Han

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

World

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

SEATTLE — At Costco food courts across the United States, a new condiment trend known as “Costco kimchi” is transforming the chain’s $1.50 hot dog into a surprising cross-cultural mashup. Shoppers are mixing ketchup, mustard, relish, diced onions and crushed red peppers into a bright, tangy pile that many say mimics the flavor and crunch of kimchi. The viral hack, first shared by social media food influencer Photogami, has spread across TikTok, Instagram and Reddit, inspiring customers of all backgrounds to give their hot dogs a zesty upgrade. It’s not real kimchi, of course. There’s no fermented cabbage or chili paste involved, but fans insist this quick mix delivers a similar bite reminiscent of “geotjeori,” Korea’s fresh, unfermented version of the dish. “It’s crunchy, a little bit spicy, salty. You get the tang and heat from the mustard, and that tiny bit of relish gives it sweetness. It kind of makes it like Korean-style quick kimchi,” says Photogami, demonstrating the mixture at a Costco food court. The recipe is simple: two cups of diced onions, three pumps

Nov 14, 2025By Jane Han

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

South Korea

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

Foreign content creators planning to feature Korea on their channels are getting a new cautionary note: Their words now carry higher stakes. During a Cabinet meeting this week, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho said the government may restrict entry for foreigners who make hateful or derogatory comments about the country. “We will review comprehensive measures to restrict entry for foreigners who express hate toward South Korea from overseas,” Jung said. Under this new enforcement, an influencer whose overseas channel posts derogatory commentary about Korea could face more than social backlash — they could find themselves banned from entering the country. For global creators who routinely post in English on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, the message is clear: content matters. A video joking about Korean culture or making sweeping negative generalizations might once have passed as edgy or clickbait. But with the proposed clampdown, serious consequences may follow. Recent cases of foreign content creators drawing public backlash include Johnny Somali and Debo-chan. Somali, an Amer

Nov 12, 2025By Jane Han

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

World

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

SEATTLE — If you’re obese or diabetic, moving to the United States could soon become much harder. Under the new Trump administration guidance, immigrants with chronic conditions such as diabetes or obesity may be denied U.S. immigrant visas as officials expand medical screening to include non-contagious illnesses. The policy, sent to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, instructs visa officers to assess whether applicants with long-term or costly health issues might become a “public burden,” tightening health-based grounds for immigration. The directive coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement Thursday to cut consumer costs for popular weight-loss drugs. On the same day he pledged to make medications like Ozempic and Wegovy more affordable for Americans, the administration issued new instructions that could make it harder for obese foreigners or those with diabetes to qualify for immigrant visas. According to a U.S. State Department cable, consular officers are now required to consider a wide range of chronic conditions including cardiovascular and respiratory

Nov 8, 2025By Jane Han

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

Others

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

Across the U.S., low-income families are tightening their grocery budgets as the federal government shutdown drags into its sixth week. With food stamp benefits in limbo, many are unsure whether they will get money for groceries this month, and community centers from Los Angeles to New York are fielding anxious calls from families worried about how to put food on the table. The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to about 42 million Americans, including thousands of Korean American households. But as the shutdown continues without a spending agreement, several states have warned that November deposits could be delayed or reduced. The White House said Monday that it would release limited emergency funds to provide partial food benefits this month, though officials cautioned the money would cover only a fraction of normal payments and could take weeks or even months to reach recipients. For many who rely on food aid from SNAP, the uncertainty has turned into panic. “They say EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments in California are delay

Nov 8, 2025By Jane Han

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

World

Democrats win surprisingly big in early test of Trump’s second term

SEATTLE — From immigration raids and a prolonged government shutdown to food stamp cuts and a lavish “Gatsby” party at the White House, Americans turned their frustration into votes this week. In Tuesday’s elections, Democrats won surprisingly big, defying forecasts and signaling growing public pushback against President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda. The results, which included gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and a historic mayoral victory in New York City, gave Democrats new momentum in what many viewed as an early test of Trump’s leadership. Voters across several states and cities chose candidates who emphasized stability and practical solutions over partisan conflict, reflecting deep fatigue with political turmoil. Zohran Mamdani’s election as New York’s first Muslim mayor became the night’s defining moment. By emphasizing affordability and inclusion, he tapped into the frustration of urban voters who feel priced out and politically alienated. For Democrats, it was both a symbolic and strategic victory that helped restore energy after months of

Nov 6, 2025By Jane Han

Jane Han

Read more

Less clicking as Koreans rethink US Black Friday

Kimchi for Thanksgiving? More American cooks are giving it a try

No US trip needed: Dollar-priced menus are hitting Koreans at home

Actor Lee Soon-jae, loved by all ages, dies at 91

Korean bathhouse in US told to open women’s nude area to trans guests

Shoppers in US give Costco hot dogs a Korean twist with ‘Costco kimchi’

Foreign content creators, be careful what you post about Korea

Obese or diabetic? Getting US visa may become harder

Shutdown leaves Korean families in US scrambling for groceries

Democrats win surprisingly big in early test of Trump’s second term

Top 5 stories