Ticket scalping has long been a problem in the entertainment industry, but the issue became particularly apparent following the 2026 release of The Odyssey. As demand for screenings at Seoul’s Yongsan IMAX theater surged, tickets appeared on online resale platforms for prices several times higher than their original value. However, the problem extends far beyond a single movie. Concerts and sporting events have also struggled with ticket scalping. In the past, regulations largely focused on the use of macros. Yet scalpers found alternatives, such as proxy ticketing and account transfers. This

Korea has a highly competitive automobile market where domestic and foreign manufacturers compete for consumers. Among them, domestic brands such as Hyundai and Kia have been the most popular choices for Korean customers because of their affordable prices and accessible service networks. Therefore, the title of Korea’s best-selling car has traditionally belonged to domestic carmakers. However, in May, Tesla Model Y became the first foreign vehicle in Korean car market history to rank as the country’s best-selling car of the month. It ranked second in June, then reclaimed the top spot in July a

You’re probably familiar with the novel If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light by KIM Cho-yeop. However, the work I’d like to introduce today is a science fiction play of the same name, based on the novel, performed at the Pohang Culture & Arts Center on Sept. 11 and 12.The play and novel essentially share the same approach: the implicit “promise” made to the audience and the reader. It is the promise that this space is not the Main Auditorium of Pohang Culture & Arts Center, but rather an old space station abandoned on the edge of the universe. The production cleverly brings the isolated stati

Toys are no longer just for children. It is now common to see young adults squeezing squishies for their soothing texture or repeatedly pressing decorative keycaps. Despite Korea’s declining child population, the toy market has continued to grow, largely driven by adult consumers. This does not necessarily mean that a completely new culture has emerged. Rather, it shows how the meaning and function of toys in adult life have gradually changed.The term “kidult,” a combination of “kid” and “adult,” refers to adults who enjoy childhood-inspired hobbies such as collecting toys, character merchandi

The shock of South Korea’s failure to advance to the round of 32 at the World Cup has predictably ignited a major public outrage, with the primary targets of this fury being head coach HONG Myung-bo and the Korea Football Association (KFA). However, while Hong must undoubtedly take his share of the blame, putting the scope over him too much offers an overly individual critique that ignores a bigger picture: the South Korean football “industry” is actively failing. This premature World Cup exit is not just a tactical failure on the pitch, but a symptom of decline from administrative decay, econ

Thousands of years ago, a hero ended a war and set out for home. Yet victory did not mean an easy return. Homer’s Odyssey follows Odysseus through a ten-year journey filled with monsters, divine wrath, loss, and the consequences of his choices. Director Christopher NOLAN brings this ancient myth to the screen once again, portraying Odysseus not simply as a hero, but as a man burdened by guilt and memory. Why has Nolan chosen this ancient epic, and what makes his Odysseus different?The film chronicles Odysseus, the brilliant strategist who led the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War, in his str

If you ask a Postechian if they have been to Jukdo Market or Yeongildae Beach, chances are they will say yes. However, if you ask if they have been to Guryongpo or Homigot, the answer is sometimes a “no,” with complaints about expensive taxi fares or the difficulty of public transportation. Fortunately, the new Pohang Tourism City tour offers a convenient workaround: it includes all the well-visited locations while it also unlocks Guryongpo and Homigot, providing an accessible, budget-friendly getaway to the Southeast coast of Pohang.This May, Pohang City launched a “Pohang-Pohang course” as p

In July 2025, World Health Organization (WHO) launched the “3 by 35” initiative, calling for a minimum 50% real price increase on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks, with the introduction of “health taxes” by 2035. The name “3 by 35” refers to the goal of raising taxes on these three products to generate 1 trillion USD globally by 2035. A health tax is a policy that imposes levies on industries associated with harmful behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and unhealthy foods. The goal is to hold these industries accountable for the damage they cause to public health.For instance, Colombia has

Shortly after the biographical drama Michael arrived in theaters, audiences were already split. Before even buying a ticket, moviegoers may notice a sharp divide in the reviews: a low 39% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, sitting right next to a massive 97% verified audience score. After watching the film, it is quite clear to see why the reviews are polarized.At its heart, Michael tells a strong, engaging story. The plot follows Michael JACKSON’s difficult path to independence and creative freedom, chronicling his early days enduring grueling, abusive rehearsals in the Jackson 5 to his

How do you express gratitude to your loved ones? Do you feel comfortable doing it? Even when you know how much they mean to you and how much you care about them, it is not always easy to share such emotions. Perhaps this is what the “family month” is about: it offers us an opportunity to spend time with your close family and friends and to share your gratitude. It gives you an excuse to visit and catch up with people that you care about but do not get to see often.As its name suggests, the “family month” is full of such celebrations. Starting with Children’s Day on the fifth, the celebration c

As International Director of The Michelin Guide, Gwendal POULLUNNEC recently remarked, “Over the past decade, Korea’s dining landscape has grown in breadth and depth as Seoul has matured into a highly polished gastronomic capital achieving a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, while Busan has rapidly emerged as a dynamic hub shaped by its local character and culinary creativity.” This statement highlights the rapid expansion of Korean fine dining and the sophisticated reinterpretation of Korean traditions, where the “beauty of space” and “minimalism” are plated into every dish.A

Note: This article includes spoilers of Project Hail Mary.Imagine waking up from sleep in an unfamiliar place, not even remembering who you are, where you are, or why you are here. Then you discover you are on a spaceship, 12 light-years from Earth. Alone. And slowly, as your memory returns, you realize something far more terrifying, that you were sent here to save humanity. And you never agreed to it. If this sounds like a nightmare, you may begin to feel what the protagonist, Ryland GRACE, felt. To complicate matters further, another spaceship approaches, which is evidently not a human thing

“Buying and selling a home is a personal freedom, but the government determines whether it results in profit or loss.” This statement, posted on X by Korean president LEE Jae-myung on March 1, implies a strong commitment to reforming the real estate market. By utilizing taxes, finance, and regulations, the government aims to make speculation in real estate difficult. Furthermore, the government has been emphasizing the normalization of the real estate market. Key measures include the decision to end the grace period for heavy capital gains taxes for multi-house owners on May 9 and reducing ben

Scroll through any short-form video platform, and we can see the same patterns: A young person, barely out of adolescence, leans against a rented sports car in front of a beachside villa. The captions are amongst the line of “30,000 USD a month, work from anywhere.”What appears on the surface to be aspirational lifestyle content is the front end of a sophisticated exploitation machine. Behind the curated sunsets and laptop-on-the-beach aesthetics lies a troubling ecosystem of hollow online courses and pyramid-like income structures that prey most heavily on those least equipped to recognize th

The King’s Warden, a movie based on a historical story from the Joseon dynasty, became a national sensation, stirring the frozen film industry. After its screening on Feb. 4, it has reached a cumulative audience of 10 million for the first time in two years, recorded as the 34th domestic movie to reach such a milestone. It is reported that audiences, who were deeply impressed by the movie, are even visiting historical sites in Yeongwol, the film’s setting.The movie unfolds the tragic story of Danjong, a young king who was dethroned by his own uncle. In 1453, Grand Prince Suyang, who later beca

Food and drink are more than just a way to satisfy your appetite. They are part of our lives, spirits, and cultures. They create cultural experiences an individual encounters in both everyday life and on special occasions.As in many countries, in Korea, drinking is more than just the act itself. It is deeply associated with social gatherings such as Hoesik (team dinner with colleagues) in college and work. People often go out for a drink with their friends, and drinking is sometimes even regarded as a way to cope with stressful situations. This shows that drinking culture is deeply immersed in

Beginning this March, South Korean classrooms will be digital-free. The congress has passed a law banning the use of smartphones and other electronic devices during class, a mandate that will be applied to all students from elementary school to high school. The legislation aims to combat phone addiction and create a better atmosphere for learning.According to a survey by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, 213,243 students in the 4th, 7th, and 11th grade were classified in the danger territory for “highly dependent on smartphones.” While the ban is nationwide, exceptions will be made f

The title of this book is intriguing from the very beginning: The Happiness of Adulthood s quiet. The idea that happiness can be “quiet” is strangely appealing. When we look around, truly happy people are often not those who shine the brightest, but those who quietly take good care of their own lives. I picked up this book hoping to learn how I might become one of them.Happiness is always personal, and its definition changes from one person to another. For me, it is spending joyful moments with people I care about. However, this book presents a broader perspective on happiness. Rather than tre

“Dujjonku,” short for “Dubai jjondeuk cookie” (Dubai chewy cookie), is currently the undisputed dessert protagonist in Korea. Whether lining up in freezing temperatures or attempting “Dukketing” (Dubai + Ticketing), people are enthusiastic to try the tiny pistachio-and-kadayif-filled chewy cookie. Initially, many believed that the “Dubai dessert” craze would be short-lived, destined to follow the same rise-and-fall trajectory as tanghulu and the Taiwanese castella. Yet the Dubai dessert trend has proven remarkably resilient two years later.The “Dubai dessert” trend originated in the United Ara

Metamorphosis is a biological process of abrupt physical transformation after birth, typically a transformation into a completely different form, commonly seen in insects. It is also the title of a 1915 novel written by Czech-Jewish writer Franz KAFKA.The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung) tells the story of salesman Gregor Samsa, who wakes to find himself inexplicably transformed into a huge insec—ta “monstrous vermin”—and struggles to adjust to this condition, as does his family. Prior to the “metamorphosis”, Gregor was a loved son to his parents and a loved brother to his younger sister, and t