South Korea - The Korea Times

Costly hair-loss drug may get cheaper as Korea expands insurance to alopecia areata

The government is moving to apply national health insurance coverage to severe cases of alopecia areata, a condition often misperceived as a cosmetic issue. Patients with hair loss affecting more than 50 percent of the scalp would be eligible, according to the National Health Insurance Service and medical experts on Thursday. If approved, the measure would make expensive new treatments for alopecia areata subject to reimbursement, allowing patients to pay only about 10 percent of the current cost. At present, a daily pill of a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor — considered highly effective against severe forms of the disease — costs 25,000 won ($18), creating a significant financial burden. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. Despite being distinct from cosmetic hair loss, it has often been treated as such, leaving patients without clear medical criteria for severity or insurance coverage. That began to change in July, when the National Statistical Office revised the Korean Standard Classification of Diseases to categorize a

Sep 12, 2025By Hankookilbo

Costly hair-loss drug may get cheaper as Korea expands insurance to alopecia areata

More Koreans follow the ‘2 liters of water a day’ rule — but is it really necessary?

Water is essential for survival. While humans can live for up to three months without food, we cannot survive more than two to three days without water. That is because water in the body is continuously lost through various processes — roughly 1.6 liters a day through urine and feces, 0.6 liters through sweat and 0.4 liters through breathing. Given these losses, how much water should we drink daily? Some experts argue that we must drink at least 2 liters of water daily. However, others say there is no strong evidence that drinking this much water provides significant health benefits. A U.S. study published in 2002 tracked healthy adults aged 38 to 100 over six years. Participants who drank at least five cups of water daily (about 1.25 liters) had a 54 percent lower risk of heart disease among men and a 41 percent lower risk among women compared with those who consumed fewer than two cups (about 500 milliliters) per day. However, more recent research contradicts those findings. A U.S. study that followed adults over the age of 25 for an average of 11.4 years compared two groups: those

Sep 11, 2025By Hankookilbo

More Koreans follow the ‘2 liters of water a day’ rule — but is it really necessary?

TWICE’s Momo reveals abs secret

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. TWICE member Momo has once again drawn attention for her toned physique and impressive abdominal muscles. Momo recently shared several photos on her personal social media, posing in a leopard-print bra top and matching hot pants, which appeared to be part of her stage outfit. Her healthy figure and sharply defined abs immediately captivated fans, prompting comments such as “Her abs are insane” and “She radiates strength and health.” Momo’s secret: twist planks and core-focused workouts Momo previously revealed the secret behind her consistently toned abs during a past appearance on a variety show. She demonstrated a workout routine involving twist planks, advising viewers to perform “50 reps, three times a day” for best results. She also showcased her stamina by completing 33 sit-ups in a single minute. The twist plank starts from the standard plank position, adding a side-to-side hip twist. This move not only strengthens the rectus abdominis but also engages the oblique muscles, helping to sculpt a slimmer waistline. It can also

Sep 10, 2025By Kormedi.com

Fall hiking safety tips for people with chronic conditions

As summer heat subsides and temperature swings widen, more people are heading to the mountains for hikes. But without proper preparation, the risk of accidents and medical emergencies rises — especially for those with hypertension or diabetes. Diabetic hikers should carry light snacks, water, and electrolyte drinks to prevent hypoglycemia. If fasting blood glucose is not well-controlled and exceeds 300 mg/dL, hiking should be avoided. For people with high blood pressure, strenuous climbs are discouraged if systolic pressure is above 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure above 100 mmHg; a light walk is safer in such cases. Layered clothing made of breathable, moisture-wicking fabric helps the body adjust to temperature changes. As temperatures drop, blood vessels constrict, making it harder to regulate body heat and placing strain on the heart. Those over 65 are particularly vulnerable and should take extra care. People with cardiovascular disease or who smoke are advised to choose short, low-intensity routes and hike with companions rather than alone. Warning signs to stop immediately Chest pain

Sep 8, 2025By Hankookilbo

Fall hiking safety tips for people with chronic conditions

IVE member Jang Won-young’s eating habits decoded — how she stays at 48kg, but is it healthy?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. IVE member Jang Won-young has opened up about her eating habits and approach to maintaining her figure. In a video titled “Not me but Jang Won-young’s vlog” uploaded to Kang Min-kyung’s YouTube channel on Sept. 1, Jang visited her favorite restaurant with the singer to celebrate her birthday on Aug. 31. When Kang asked if she was currently dieting, Jang said, “I eat a lot when I want to, but when I’m working or stressed, I tend to lose my appetite, so I don’t eat much during busy periods.” Asked how she was feeling that day, Jang replied, “Right now, I’m in the mood to eat.” “I think you’ll relate to this,” Jang told Kang. “Even if I eat just one meal, I choose something delicious or I’d rather skip it altogether. I don’t want to eat something I don’t like.” She also shared that on her days off, her favorite activity is “visiting famous restaurants,” underscoring her love of good food. At 173 cm tall and weighing about 48 kg, Jang is known for her “mannequin-like” figure. Her eating habits reveal a

Sep 6, 2025By Kormedi.com

IVE member Jang Won-young’s eating habits decoded — how she stays at 48kg, but is it healthy?

BTS’ V and Jungkook start night runs by the Han River before comeback

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. BTS member V revealed that he has started running regularly to burn body fat and manage his weight ahead of the group’s upcoming full-member comeback. During a Weverse live broadcast Aug. 29, V said he began running along the Han River with fellow member Jungkook. Returning to Korea after throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the LA Dodgers game Aug. 27, he said he ran for two days in a row and shared a humorous story. “I ran with Jungkook, but his stamina is incredible. I was drooling and almost collapsed. If I ran a little more, I would’ve foamed at the mouth,” he said. V said that maintaining a heart rate of 120 to 130 beats per minute during cardio workouts is a scientifically proven method to burn body fat effectively. He plans to run three times a week along the Han River. Jungkook added, “We ran around 8 or 9 p.m. yesterday. If ARMY find out, they’ll come looking for us like playing Pokemon Go,” joking that fans might try to join them. V laughed and responded, “ARMY can join us, but there are rules — no talking, no gre

Sep 6, 2025By Kormedi.com

BTS’ V and Jungkook start night runs by the Han River before comeback

Gov't, ruling party agree to pass bills on improving essential health care

The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Thursday they will push to pass two bills aimed at strengthening essential medical care and narrowing regional discrepancies, after a monthslong medical standoff underscored the urgency of addressing doctor shortages in essential fields. The meeting, attended by officials of the health ministry, the presidential office and the DPK at the National Assembly, was held to discuss the legislative tasks to be dealt with under the Lee Jae Myung government during the ongoing regular session. The officials agreed to move forward with the special act on essential and regional health care, and the regional doctor training act, to address key points of medical reform. Under the regional doctor training act, medical schools will be required to admit a certain proportion of students through a special track designated for regional doctors. The students would receive full tuition but will be required to work at public health institutions for a certain period after obtaining their medical license. Speaking to reporters after the meeting,

Sep 4, 2025By Yonhap

Gov't, ruling party agree to pass bills on improving essential health care

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sparks warning amid dangerous vocal challenges

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” is dominating global charts, amassing 236 million cumulative views as of Aug. 27, according to the streaming platform. It now ranks No. 1 among Netflix films and No. 3 overall, sparking speculation that it could surpass the record held by “Squid Game” at 265.2 million views. Alongside the film’s success, its theme song “Golden” has sparked a viral wave of covers from top K-pop vocalists, including IVE’s Ahn Yu-jin, Apink’s Jung Eun-ji, NMIXX’s Lily and MAMAMOO’s Solar, as well as renowned soloists like Kwon Jin-ah, Davichi’s Lee Hae-ri, Bada, Park Ki-young and Ailee. The ‘Golden’ challenge and vocal strain risks “Golden” is known for its high-pitched notes, peaking at an A5 in the third octave — a level considered challenging even for trained singers. In the movie, the protagonist Rumi struggles to reach the note during rehearsal but chooses to continue performing anyway, ultimately leading to a disastrous on-stage moment. But would real-life idols take the same ri

Sep 3, 2025By Kormedi.com

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ sparks warning amid dangerous vocal challenges

Koreans’ unusual belief that alcohol promotes weight loss sparks warning from health officials

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A growing number of social media posts claiming that drinking alcohol can help with weight loss have prompted South Korean health authorities to issue a strong rebuttal, warning the public against misleading health information. The Korea Health Promotion Institute (KHPI) said Friday that several viral posts had misinterpreted a Harvard University study, gaining more than 3,600 likes online and being widely reshared. These posts suggested that moderate drinking aids weight loss, but KHPI clarified that the claims are scientifically inaccurate. According to the institute, the original Harvard study observed a trend where “good” cholesterol levels increased and “bad” cholesterol levels decreased among participants after they started drinking moderately. However, the research made no direct reference to weight loss. On the contrary, the study’s authors explicitly warned that excessive drinking still poses significant health risks. Professor Lee Hae-jung from the Department of Food and Nutrition at Gachon University also dismissed the vir

Aug 30, 2025By Kormedi.com

Koreans’ unusual belief that alcohol promotes weight loss sparks warning from health officials

Alert over new ramen 'challenge': Deadly risks emerge after teen’s sudden death

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A 13-year-old boy in Cairo, Egypt, died after reportedly eating three packs of uncooked instant ramen in a row, raising concerns over a dangerous social media trend encouraging people to eat ramen without cooking it. According to local reports from Al Arabiya and Ynetnews, the boy began experiencing severe abdominal pain, vomiting and profuse sweating within 30 minutes of eating the ramen. His condition quickly deteriorated and he later died. Authorities initially investigated the possibility of contamination and questioned the seller, but toxicology tests and an autopsy found no traces of poisonous substances. Experts believe the cause of death was likely acute gastrointestinal illness or intestinal obstruction triggered by consuming a large quantity of dry noodles. Intestinal obstructions occur when food or foreign material block the intestines, preventing normal digestion. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and constipation, and in severe cases, it can cut off blood flow to the intestines and lead to tissue necrosis. Accord

Aug 27, 2025By Kormedi.com

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