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2nd delivery: new level of motherhood

By Jane HanThe past six days went by like a blur.In between my second C-section, which was incomparably more painful than the first, and days of heavy narcotics, Baby C came into this world at 2.9 kilograms, healthy and well. Now we’re just hours away from being sent home from the hospital.I checked in as part of a family of four, and I’m leaving as a family of five.My second delivery experience: oh, where to begin?First of all, now I know why women prefer vaginal delivery over a C-section.I’ve heard people say that C-sections get more painful the more you do it while vaginal delivery gets easier. So true.With vaginal delivery, I can’t speak from experience, but it’s recovery time is much faster; I know that from seeing women walking around the hospital the day after delivery like nothing ever happened. They look like they could go run a marathon.For me, it took a good three days after surgery to walk 10 measly steps out in the hallway.Unlike my first C-section 18 months ago, this one is really kicking my butt.Although I knew what to expect this time aro

Jan 25, 2015
2nd delivery: new level of motherhood

Renewed W

Starting from the New Year, W has added a regular photo column called "The Darkroom" which showcases the works of Korea Times' photojournalists. It has also added a monthly trend column called "Trend Watch" which will introduce trends in various industries such as travel, fashion and art.W will also cover travel regularly, introducing both domestic and international go-to destinations for leisure.The layout of the magazine has been revamped with new fonts and a simpler design.

Jan 21, 2015

The Darkroom

1/500 sec; f/10; ISO 800Good bye, Mr. Horse!The year of the horse has passed and the year of the sheep has arrived.At the end of every year, photo journalists are busy coming up with a front page photo for the New Year’s Day publication.New Year’s photos are usually planned ahead to impart special meaning about the upcoming year. It probably goes hand in hand with the belief held by members of the newsroom that if the front page photo comes out well, that year will go smoothly for the newspaper as well.In Korea, one of most common themes for the New Year’s edition is the representative animal of that year from the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.Having published a photo of a sheep in our regular newspaper for the New Year’s edition, I also wanted to share the photo with our magazine readers for the first edition of W this year.Wishing the best of the year to everyone!Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province. Photo by Shim Hyun-chul (shim@koreatimes.co.kr)

Jan 21, 2015By Shim Hyun-chul

2015 Travel & Leisure Trend

By Victoria KimHere are some newest trends in the travel and accommodation industry. © KLM[ VEHICLE HOTEL ]Sponsored by KLM airlines, Airbnb hosted a contest offering the chance to win a weekend stay at an outfitted aircraft loft, furnished by Dutch design company, Tank.The “airplane apartment” offered everything a flying aficionado requires - from Wifi, to a TV, a stacked library, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and eight bathrooms. The aircraft is now stationed at the runway of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. It had flown 3,675 times around the globe and was recently used as part of Airbnb’s social campaign, “A Night At.”We’ve so far been introduced to a variety of unique lodging spaces such as tree houses, tiny homes purposefully designed for eco-friendly living, and vehicles converted into trendy getaway destinations or eccentric sanctuaries.Where there is originality, there is hype. It’s all the more reason to launch an advertising or social media campaign if the place is creative.A trailblazer in the hospitality industry, Airbnb

Jan 21, 2015

Top hot springs to visit in winter

By Jeong Ji-suIf staying warm is your ideal way of spending winter, how about making your way to hot springs for relaxation and a nice treatment for your body? Here are five personal recommendations for the best hot springs in Korea. [ Paradise Spa Dogo ] © Paradise Spa DogoLocated in the heart of Korea’s No.1 hot spring town Asan, Paradise Spa Dogo is a family-style multi-purpose resort boasting leisure facilities suitable for both children and adults alike. There are 15 spa baths ― both indoor and outdoor ― with special outdoor spas comprising of Acanthopanax, ginger and mandarin peel in winter. Paradise Spa Dogo in cooperation with Daejeon University’s Oriental Medicine Hospital provides special baths for treatment purposes. No wonder it is designated as one of the recuperation hot springs (boyangoncheon) for its outstanding physical and mental health benefits.Address: 176, Dogo spa-ro, Dogo-myeon, Asan, South Chungcheong ProvincePhone number: (041) 537-7100 [ Seorak Waterpia ] © Seorak Waterpia Nestled near Mount Seorak, Se

Jan 21, 2015

Embracing the cold

A view from outside the Santa’s Celebration House at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in LaplandHow to enjoy the best of LaplandBy Yun Suh-youngThe pain in my shoulders lasted throughout my trip to the northernmost part of Finland, after a bumpy ride called a husky safari, where six enthusiastic huskies pulled me on a sled.The huskies run at 15-20 km/h for about 10 kilometers. All you do as a driver is hold on tight to the steering and keep one foot on the brake to prepare to stop. It takes a little over an hour for a round trip and two people can ride, each taking turns driving.The ride was the most memorable experience during my trip to Lapland, which is within the Arctic Circle.From beginning to end, the scenery during the sleigh ride was like a scene from a Christmas card.More striking was the look of the participants after the ride. The sweat on our brows, with our eyelashes and hair frozen white, made us look as if we had aged during our outing.The reindeer safari rideThe average temperature in the Inari and Saariselka regions, where we rode the huskies and did other activitie

Jan 21, 2015

Topping off your winter look

By Todd SampleWhen it comes to winter outerwear, pricey down parkas have been all the rage for the past several years. These bulky anoraks, many of which can cost what amounts to half a month’s salary for many people, are usually adorned with brightly colored brand logos and topped off with a fur-lined hood. For a casual day out in the cold or when headed to the ski slopes, few garments can compete with duck or goose down winter parkas for warmth.But what should be worn on cold days when we need to look more formal? For certain, the correct answer is not a down parka. That said, there are several options which can keep us looking stylishly formal while staying warm at the same time.Let’s start with the overcoat and its slightly lighter cousin, the topcoat, both of which are usually made from wool, a wool/cashmere blend, or 100 percent cashmere for extra warmth. Although overcoat styles change with the times, one can’t go wrong with a single or double breasted coat that reaches down to just above the knees. Size-wise, as is true with a jacket, getting the width of th

Jan 21, 2015
Topping off your winter look

White winter, white spirits

By Jun Kyoung-wooThere’s a season for drinks.The white spirits, which are pure as snow and clear and cold as ice, are just the type for winter.Among the transparent spirits are soju, baekju, Bacardi rum, gin and countless others but none matches vodka.The increase in the volume of imports of vodka to Korea goes hand in hand with the cocktail fervor. Vodka is the main ingredient of the “Cosmopolitan,” one of the most popular cocktails in Korea and the one Carrie Bradshaw from the American TV series “Sex and the City” enjoyed drinking. Vodka is the perfect base for cocktails.When observing the people with vodka at bars in Itaewon, Hannam-dong, Sinsa-dong, Cheongdam-dong, Hongdae and Sinchon areas, you’ll find that the majority of people mix cranberry juice and carbonated water to vodka. The next type is those who enjoy flavored vodka with ice. People who are used to vodka drink frozen vodka in shot glasses and throw it down their throats.The Korean vodka market is dominated by Absolut Vodka followed by Smirnoff, but as people searching for special vo

Jan 21, 2015
White winter, white spirits

Disc disruption causes chronic pain

Internal Disc Disruption (IDD) is a disease that causes pain due to the disorganization of structures within the disc space.When IDD occurs, the pain is greater when sitting down than walking, and when leaning forward than leaning backward. Unlike a spinal disc problem where the pain is caused by pressure against the spinal nerve root, IDD does not cause numbness in the legs or decreased leg muscle strength.The symptoms of IDD are similar to those of a spinal disc problem, but IDD is clearly different. A spinal disc problem causes pain as the spinal disc is herniated due to degeneration or external force. 

Jan 18, 2015
Disc disruption causes chronic pain

Hygiene obsession bad for atopy

By Lee Sung-hunHere in Korea, where winter is always cold and dry, it becomes difficult to keep atopic dermatitis under control.Atopy — the word originates from a Greek word meaning “out of place” or “unusual” — refers to certain hereditary allergic hypersensitivity to food or airborne particles. Allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis can also be classified as a type of atopic syndrome.Generally known as a childhood illness, atopic syndrome displays symptoms in patients around the age of five and most symptoms dissipate by the age of 12 or 13. But in recent years, adult onset atopic syndrome is increasing. Although such adult patients have usually had atopy as children, it is possible for adults to suffer from the illness for the first time.Adult onset can be attributed to overwork and stress — irregular life patterns that cause a drop in the vital organs’ functionality and immunity.Symptoms differ for adult onset and typical childhood cases. Childhood atopic symptoms generally include reddish dermatological blots or inflammations

Jan 18, 2015
Hygiene obsession bad for atopy
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