Lifestyle - The Korea Times

10 reasons to eat more strawberries

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Strawberries are a must-have fruit from spring through summer. Not only are they delicious, but they also offer excellent health benefits. They are low in calories, making them effective for weight management, and rich in vitamin C, providing strong antioxidant effects. Here’s a summary of the various health benefits of strawberries. 1. Improved insulin sensitivity Not only are strawberries themselves low in sugar, but they may also help support overall glucose metabolism. The polyphenols in strawberries can improve insulin sensitivity in adults without diabetes. 2. Prevention of skin aging One of the main causes of wrinkles is the breakdown of skin collagen and inflammation triggered by ultraviolet rays. Ellagic acid in strawberries helps block this process. Studies have shown that people who applied ellagic acid experienced reduced collagen breakdown and inflammatory responses, both key contributors to skin aging. 3. Osteoarthritis management A study found that the anti-inflammatory effects of strawberries may help protect parts of the body,

Apr 13, 2026By Kormedi.com

Singer Sung Si-kyung to bridge Korea-Japan tourism

Sung Si-kyung, a veteran singer known for his smooth voice and fluent Japanese, has been appointed as an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), leading the way in attracting more Japanese visitors. The KTO said Monday that the appointment took place during the K-Tourism Road Show event in Tokyo, Saturday. The move comes as the KTO seeks a relatable and culturally connected face to encourage Japanese travelers to keep coming back to Korea. The 46-year-old singer famously taught himself Japanese, achieving a level of fluency that allows him to appear on Japanese variety shows without an interpreter. Sung has garnered attention for co-hosting the Netflix show “K-foodie Meets J-foodie” with Japanese entertainers and has been actively sharing covers of Japanese songs on his YouTube channel, which boasts millions of subscribers. During the KTO event held at Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills Arena, Sung introduced Korea’s regional hidden gems to attendees with his fluent Japanese. The Tokyo festival, which drew over 30,000 visitors over two days, was part of

Apr 13, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Singer Sung Si-kyung to bridge Korea-Japan tourism

In South Jeolla, a destination for tasting Korean-grown coffee beans

Ethiopia, Kenya, Peru and El Salvador all have one thing in common: They are coffee-growing regions. There is another place that belongs on that list as well — Goheung. One of only a handful of places in Korea where coffee beans are grown, Goheung County in South Jeolla Province is a rare domestic coffee-producing region. Koreans are known for their exceptional love of coffee, sometimes even surpassing people in countries famous for their coffee culture. Yet few Koreans have ever seen coffee cherries hanging from trees or coffee blossoms in bloom, largely because most coffee-growing regions are far from typical Korean travel destinations. But in Goheung, Koreans can experience all of this without boarding a flight. Visitors can hold fresh coffee cherries in their hands and take in the fragrance of coffee flowers simply by traveling there. Coffee farms in Goheung not only cultivate coffee trees, but also study different microbial strains and experiment with fermentation methods. That is why coffee is something no traveler to Goheung should miss. Among the many coffee farms in Goheung,

Apr 11, 2026By Hankookilbo

In South Jeolla, a destination for tasting Korean-grown coffee beans

K-food guide: What to add to kimchi stew when watching your blood sugar

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Kimchi stew is one of the most common dishes on Korean tables. But for people with high blood sugar or on a diet, ingredients and seasonings used can be tricky. Increasing low–glycemic index (GI) ingredients like onions and tofu and minimizing gochujang (red chili paste), can help. It’s also better to eat more of the solid ingredients than the broth and take a 10–30 minute walk after eating to reduce blood sugar spikes. The effect of kimchi stew on blood sugar depends heavily on what you add to it. Common ingredients and seasonings in kimchi stew — such as green onion, garlic, and onion — can produce quite different post-meal blood sugar responses. Green onion is a commonly preferred ingredient, deeply rooted in Korean cooking as a basic flavor enhancer. Many people feel kimchi stew tastes incomplete without it. Garlic, even in small amounts, greatly enhances flavor and is considered essential in most households, though some dislike its strong smell. Onion helps soften the sourness of kimchi stew and adds sweetness, but this very quali

Apr 10, 2026By Kormedi.com

K-food guide: What to add to kimchi stew when watching your blood sugar

Lotte World brings MapleStory to life with new themed zone

Cherry blossoms in full bloom along Seokchon Lake on one side, purple roller coasters rising on the other. The outdoor grounds of Lotte World Adventure in Jamsil, southern Seoul, looked noticeably different Tuesday, filled with orange mushrooms, green slime and red snails that fans of Nexon’s popular online game MapleStory would instantly recognize. On April 3, "Maple Island Zone" opened in Magic Island, the outdoor area of Lotte World Adventure. A roughly 1,980-square-meter area built in collaboration with Nexon, the new themed zone brought the online game's fantasy worlds into physical space. MapleStory, a 2D side-scrolling game first released in 2003, has maintained popularity for over two decades, building a loyal following that spans generations. At the center of the zone are three new rides built around the game's signature worlds. Stone Express is a roller coaster themed around the game's forest world of Arcana, Arcana Ride takes visitors along a rail circling a spirit tree, and Eos Tower is a drop ride set in the toy kingdom of Ludibrium. The existing Gyro Spin ride also changed

Apr 9, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Lotte World brings MapleStory to life with new themed zone

Young Koreans drive growing obsession with Chinese cuisine

On a recent Tuesday evening, the Myeong-dong branch of Bantianyao Kaoyu, a Chinese restaurant specializing in whole simmered fish dishes, was already filling up well before the dinner rush. Inside, large trays of whole simmered fish arrived one after another, each landing in a bath of deep red chili-laced broth, sending up a cloud of steam over the tables. Despite having arrived at 5:30 p.m., early enough to avoid the usual queue of hungry commuters, most seats had already been claimed by small groups of young diners leaning in close, adjusting burners, reaching for chopsticks and talking. What stood out was not just the food, but the sound. Orders were called out in Mandarin, replies came back in Korean and conversations moved fluidly between the two. The overlap was constant, creating a unique atmosphere that felt increasingly familiar in parts of Seoul where Chinese restaurants cluster. Scenes like this would have been rare outside a handful of neighborhoods just a few years ago. Today, they are part of a shift in how younger Koreans eat and where they choose to spend their evenings. A

Apr 9, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min

Young Koreans drive growing obsession with Chinese cuisine

Hopes grow among travelers for lower fuel surcharges

Petru Oancea, a Romanian resident of Seoul with two children, is planning to travel with his two daughters to visit his father back home for the summer in July and August but could not find affordable tickets. "I usually fly with LOT Polish Airlines for less than 3 million won ($2,040) for three," Petru said Wednesday. "But since the Iran crisis, the price jumped almost triple. I needed to buy the tickets soon, but could not find any affordable tickets. Fuel surcharges have gone up so much." Asked if he is more hopeful with the announcement on Wednesday that a ceasefire might reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Petru expressed relief. "With the news, I am getting hopeful that I might be able to travel this summer," he said. "I almost gave up the plan because the prices were crazy. I am really hoping that the ceasefire will lead to the end of war. Then, the fuel surcharge will go down also. I have not looked it up yet, but will have a look later in the day." Oancea is not alone in his optimism. Hope for cheaper fuel surcharges is growing among travelers, as Iran's blockade on the Strait of Hormu

Apr 8, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Hopes grow among travelers for lower fuel surcharges

Korea opens door wider to Chinese travelers, but will they come?

HONG KONG — Repeat short-haul visits by Chinese travelers to Korea are expected to rise after Seoul eased multiple-entry visa rules, but analysts say the immediate impact may be limited because of growing competition from Southeast Asia and higher airfares linked to the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran. The Korean embassy in Beijing announced that Chinese nationals who had previously visited Korea would now be eligible for a five-year multiple-entry visa. Those holding residency status in 14 major cities — including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou — could also apply for 10-year multiple-entry visas, the embassy said this week. Employees of Chinese companies that have invested at least $1 million in Korea were also eligible for 10-year multiple-entry visas. The measures come amid improving bilateral ties, as Beijing and Seoul continue to ease travel barriers. Korea has granted visa waivers to Chinese tour groups of three or more people since September, while China has allowed visa-free entry for Koreans since November 2024. “The new measure is seen as a driving force that could significan

Apr 8, 2026By Lee Yeon-woo

Korea opens door wider to Chinese travelers, but will they come?

How to eat Greek yogurt for best health benefits

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Greek yogurt is widely considered a healthy food due to its high protein content and strong sense of satiety. However, depending on what you add to it, it can either support your diet or work against it. Healthy and diet-friendly pairings Nuts are rich in unsaturated fats and protein, which help you feel full for longer and support cardiovascular health. However, since they are high in calories, it’s best to limit your intake to a small handful. Berries are high in antioxidants and dietary fiber, which benefit gut health and overall nutrition. They are also relatively low in sugar, making them a good choice for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. A small amount of honey can provide a quick source of energy. However, excessive intake can lead to too much sugar consumption, so it’s best to limit it to about one teaspoon. Pairings to avoid Although often perceived as healthy, these can be high in sugar and calories, which may undermine weight-loss efforts. Adding jam or chocolate syrup turns Greek yogurt from a healthy food into more of a dess

Apr 8, 2026By Kormedi.com

How to eat Greek yogurt for best health benefits

K-food guide: How to overcome spring fatigue with seasonal seafood

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Many people feel unusually tired in early spring and wake up feeling sluggish even after a full night’s sleep. During early spring, the body’s basal metabolic rate increases, which leads to greater consumption of vitamins and minerals. If these nutrients are not sufficiently replenished, symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness and reduced concentration can appear. April is also the spawning season for many types of seafood, meaning their nutritional value is at its peak. These foods are rich in protein, taurine, iron and other nutrients involved in fatigue recovery and overall vitality. Webfoot octopus: Rich in taurine, reduces fatigue and restores energy Webfoot octopus contains high levels of taurine, which supports liver function and helps regulate metabolic activity. Taurine also plays a role in reducing the buildup of fatigue-related substances, making it beneficial during periods of low energy. It is also a low-fat, high-protein food, making it a good option for boosting protein intake. Lightly blanching or quickly stir-frying helps prese