The Korea Times

Chanel raises prices again but Koreans still line up for handbags

Chanel's Classic flap bag / Korea Times fileBy Yoon Ja-youngFrench luxury brand Chanel raised its prices again. Now all of the Chanel bags in the “Classic Bag” category each come with a more than 10-million-won ($8,500) price tag.Chanel raised the price of the small size “Chanel Classic Bag” by 17.8 percent to 10.52 million won, the medium size by 15.8 percent to 11.24 million won, and the large size bag by 15.3 percent to 12.1 million won, starting from Nov. 3. Chanel's Classic line is especially popular here as a gift for brides. It is Chanel's third price hike this year, following hikes of between 2 and 5 percent in February and around 12 percent in July. With the hike in July, the price of the large size bag has surpassed the 10 million won mark for the first time, as its price was raised to 10.49 million won from 9.24 million won. Now, all bags in the Classic line cost more than 10 million won, except for the mini size ones, which are about as small as a wallet. As there had already been rumors of a price hike, hundreds of shoppers had been lining up in t

Nov 4, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Chanel raises prices again but Koreans still line up for handbags

Law & Crime

Man jailed for getting tattooed all over to avoid military duty

gettyimagesbankBy Yoon Ja-youngA man was handed down a jail term for getting tattoos all over his body to avoid Korea's compulsory military service.According to the Suwon District Court Wednesday, the man, in his 20s, was sentenced to one year in prison for violating the military service act. The man underwent a physical examination for military conscription in March of 2019 and received a grade of 3, due to the tattoos he already had. In Korea all able-bodied men must serve in the military for 18 to 21 months. While those receiving grades of 1, 2 or 3 must serve in the military, those who receive a grade of 4 are assigned to less physically-demanding, public service positions. After receiving a grade of 3, he got additional tattoos ― from his elbow to his wrist on both arms, on his right calf and on his belly ― in an apparent attempt to avoid serving in the military.Four days after official commencement of service in July 2020, he was asked to return home and be reexamined, in which he was assessed as grade 4 and was assigned to the alternative service. The man claimed that he had g

Nov 4, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Man jailed for getting tattooed all over to avoid military duty

Society

What's behind Sejong City's high birthrate?

In this 2018 March file photo, kids engage in outdoor activities at Sejong City. Korea Times fileIn Sejong, stable jobs, childcare leave encourage couples to have more babiesBy Yoon Ja-youngSEJONG ― It is no news that Korea's birthrate has been falling to a new record low every year. Last year, 272,300 babies were born, a 10 percent drop from the previous year. Korea's total birthrate, or the number of babies a woman chooses to have, recorded 0.84, which is by far the lowest in the world. Korea is the only member of the OECD ― a group of mostly high-income economies with low birthrates ― that has a figure below 1. This year alone, the government has been pouring in 36 trillion won to pull up the rate, but to no avail. Few believe the trend of Koreans having fewer babies will turn around anytime soon.If there is one exception in the country, it would be Sejong. The newly built administrative city centered on central government ministries relocated from Seoul, the capital, recorded a total fertility rate of 1.28 last year, which is twice as high as the 0.64 rate of Seoul. “The to

Nov 4, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

What's behind Sejong City's high birthrate?

Nearly 90 cities, counties in danger of extinction due to population decrease

Economy

Late Samsung chairman's daughter borrows 100 billion won to pay inheritance tax

The late Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee, center, is with his family members at the Consumer Electronics show held in Las Vegas, in this 2010 file photo. To his left is Hotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin, and to his right is Samsung Welfare Foundation chief Lee Seo-hyun. Seen behind him are Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and the late chairman's wife Hong Ra-hee. Courtesy of Samsung GroupBy Yoon Ja-youngHotel Shilla CEO Lee Boo-jin, the eldest daughter of the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, reportedly borrowed 100 billion won ($84.65 million) to pay part of her huge inheritance tax bill.According to a filing with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), Lee borrowed 100 billion won from Hyundai Motor Securities, Oct. 27, providing her 2.532 million shares in Samsung Electronics ― 0.04 percent of the total company stock ― as collateral. The loan is due Jan. 24 next year, and it has an interest rate of 4 percent.Lee Boo-jin and her family have borrowed 1.7 trillion won so far, which is estimated to incur around 5 billion won in monthly interest payments.The l

Nov 3, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Late Samsung chairman's daughter borrows 100 billion won to pay inheritance tax

Health

Obsessive fans are happier: study

gettyimagesbankBy Yoon Ja-youngObsessive fans of K-pop and those who hold a deep interest in another particular area tend to be happier than others, according to a recent study.In a study introduced by the Korea Food Forum, a team led by professor Park Hyun-ju of the College of Nursing at Kangwon National University analyzed the mental health of college students. The research team categorized college students into two groups: “otaku” and “non-otaku.” “Otaku” is a Japanese term for those who are obsessively interested in certain things. A closely related term in Korea is “deokhu” and the activities of such people are called “deokjil.” These people study or collect anything related with their obsession, which could be anything including celebrities, comics, animations, figurines, science fiction and games. Such people previously faced negative prejudices and were seen as lacking social skills, but those perceptions have changed in recent years as they became actively engaged in online communication and offline gatherings such

Nov 3, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Shows & Dramas

Drama fans irked by excessive product placement

A scene from "Jirisan" / Korea Times fileBy Yoon Ja-youngWith production costs soaring each year, the promotion of products through TV shows, or product placement has become ever more common. However, sometimes product placement goes too far and viewers end up complaining that they cannot concentrate on the show because of the distraction.The most recent show that is drawing criticism for this matter is tvN's mystery series “Jirisan.” It premiered amid high expectations, as hallyu star Jun Ji-hyun took the lead role, backed by creative talents including star writer Kim Eun-hee ― known for hits like “Kingdom” and “Signal” ― and director Lee Eung-bok ― who directed the globally popular, “Mr. Sunshine” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.”Viewers were captivated by the overwhelmingly impressive scenery of Jirisan National Park, with the story evolving around forest rangers there, but some complained that they “can't figure out if it is a drama or a commercial for outdoor clothing.” Popular outdoor clothing brand

Nov 2, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Drama fans irked by excessive product placement

Entertainment

Filipino actor in 'Squid Game' reflects on discrimination experienced in Korea

In this screenshot from YouTube channel “Asian Boss,” Christian Lagahit speaks about his career and experiences in Korea. By Yoon Ja-youngA Filipino actor who played the role of a migrant worker in the popular Netflix series, “Squid Game,” talked on the popular YouTube channel, “Asian Boss,” about his experiences of discrimination in Korea.In an interview with Youtube channel “Asian Boss,” Christian Lagahit, who appeared on the original Korean drama as “Player 276,” introduced himself as a marketing consultant and data analyst who works as a part-time actor here. He said that he came to Korea in 2015 at the suggestion of his mother, who was also working in the country. He started working here as an English teacher and also did part-time gigs as an actor in several films, including “Space Sweepers” and “The Negotiation.”Asked whether he has had any experiences of being stereotyped in Korea, Lagahit said that it was closer to discrimination. “I was inside the village

Nov 1, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Filipino actor in 'Squid Game' reflects on discrimination experienced in Korea

Society

Korea's nuclear phase-out plan raises net-zero dilemma

The Shin Hanul Nuclear Plant units 1 and 2 are seen in this photo. Construction of units 3 and 4 was stopped following the Moon administration introducing a nuclear phase-out plan. Korea Times fileSome countries choosing to temporarily increase nuclear energy along path to carbon neutralityBy Yoon Ja-youngWith 24 reactors in operation, Korea ranks as the world's sixth-largest producer of energy from nuclear power. But the country began losing its luster as a leader in the industry after President Moon Jae-in introduced his plan to phase out the energy source when he took office in 2017, citing safety concerns. However, the Moon administration is facing a major dilemma, as the phase-out plan is emerging as a major stumbling block in its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero in carbon emissions. The presidential committee on carbon neutrality recently unveiled a new road map, according to which, Korea, the world's ninth-largest carbon emitter as of 2019, will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero by 2050.To meet the target, coal-fired

Oct 28, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Korea's nuclear phase-out plan raises net-zero dilemma

Companies

Rolex watches, gold bars traded in online secondhand markets

gettyimagesbankBy Yoon Ja-youngOnline secondhand markets were typically places to buy and sell small, miscellaneous items, but they are expanding quickly in terms of the range of products. An increasing number of people in the country are putting luxurious goods and even gold bars up for sale and such transactions are raising suspicion of attempting to avoid taxes. According to Rep. Park Hong-keun of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, luxury watches and gold bars were traded on the secondhand marketplace application, Danggeun Market. There were a number of Rolex watches, priced between 56 million won ($48,000) and 93.5 million won, as well as a 30 million won gold bar up for sale. Recently, a Danggeun Market user in Seocho District, southern Seoul, made headlines after she was found to have posted around 13 billion won ($11.13 million) worth of luxury goods for sale on the app. Among the items she uploaded for sale was a Rolex GMT Master 2 watch with a 165 million won price tag, two Piaget watches costing 89.99 million won and 82 million won, respectively, and a Rolex Day Date wit

Oct 26, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Rolex watches, gold bars traded in online secondhand markets

North Korea

North Korean leader's weight loss leads to diverse speculation

This 2020 Oct. file photo shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, appearing on North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. The Sept. 9 image of him, right, captured from Korean Central Television shows he has lost much weight. YonhapBy Yoon Ja-youngNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who seems to have succeeded in a rigorous diet plan, is facing diverse speculation due to his change in appearance. Following speculation of him being sick, now there are rumors that he was murdered, which South Korea's spy agency rebut.Media outlets here have cited a recent report by Globe, a U.S.-based tabloid magazine, about a coup in North Korea. Globe reported on the front page of its Oct. 23 (local time) edition that Kim's “ruthless kid sister” Yo-jong staged a secret coup between May and June and “murdered him before he could execute her.” Citing U.S. intelligence sources, it reported that Kim Jong-un, who hadn't been seen in public since June, was only seen at a Sept. 9 event marking the 73rd anniversary of the country's founding. The person appearing for the event was a &

Oct 25, 2021By Yoon Ja-young

Yoon Ja-young

Read more

Chanel raises prices again but Koreans still line up for handbags

Man jailed for getting tattooed all over to avoid military duty

What's behind Sejong City's high birthrate?

Late Samsung chairman's daughter borrows 100 billion won to pay inheritance tax

Obsessive fans are happier: study

Drama fans irked by excessive product placement

Filipino actor in 'Squid Game' reflects on discrimination experienced in Korea

Korea's nuclear phase-out plan raises net-zero dilemma

Rolex watches, gold bars traded in online secondhand markets

North Korean leader's weight loss leads to diverse speculation

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