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Did you know that Koreans in the Joseon Dynasty had a way to keep ice from melting during hot summers? They built underground stone chambers called Seokbinggo (literally “stone ice storage”). These structures were partly underground, with thick stone walls and vaulted ceilings designed to keep the inside cool. Interior View of the Seokbinggo The entrance usually faced north to avoid direct sunlight, and the airflow system helped maintain low temperatures. Ice collected in winter was stored inside, layered with straw or sawdust for insulation. The most famous example is the Gyeongju Seokbinggo, which is now designated as a National Treasure in Korea. This was essentially an ancient refrigerator, showing how people adapted technology to survive the climate long before electricity. It’s a fascinating example of traditional engineering solving everyday problems centuries ago. submitted by /u/Sufficient_Rich_2553 |
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Latest News from Korea
- SK Hynix to ramp up 1c DRAM production 8-fold in 2026
SK Hynix’s DRAM plant in Icheon SK Hynix Inc., a crucial supplier of high-bandwidth memory to Nvidia Corp.’s artificial-intelligence processors, is set to boost output of its sixth-generation 10-nanometer DRAM, known as 1c DRAM, by roughly eightfold next year, as the AI industry’s center of gravity moves beyond training and toward large-scale inferencing. According to industry sources on Thursday, the… Read more: SK Hynix to ramp up 1c DRAM production 8-fold in 2026 - Yen’s slide pushes Korean won to a 7-month low amid worries over Japan’s fiscal plan(Courtesy of Yonap) The Korean won fell to its weakest level in seven months on Thursday, weighed down by a sharp decline in the Japanese yen following reports of Japan’s massive spending plan. The won briefly weakened past 1,470 to the dollar in afternoon trade, before closing at 1,467.90, up 2.3 won from the previous day. That marked its weakest… Read more: Yen’s slide pushes Korean won to a 7-month low amid worries over Japan’s fiscal plan
- S.Korea’s NPS gets $7.8 mn in refund after Sweden grants long-sought tax-exempt statusThe National Pension Service is South Korea’s largest institutional investor The National Pension Service (NPS), South Korea’s state-run pension fund and the country’s largest institutional investor, has secured a landmark victory in Sweden, winning recognition that it is exempt from withholding tax on dividends from Swedish listed equities. The decision will return about 11.5 billion won ($7.8 million) to the fund… Read more: S.Korea’s NPS gets $7.8 mn in refund after Sweden grants long-sought tax-exempt status
- Samsung Heavy lands nearly $1.4 bn box-ship deal, boosting sharesOne of container ships built by Samsung Heavy Industries (Courtesy of Samsung Heavy) Samsung Heavy Industries Co., one of South Korea’s top three shipbuilders, has secured a landmark order for seven container carriers worth nearly 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion), giving the yard one of its largest single contracts and sending its shares higher on Thursday. The company said in… Read more: Samsung Heavy lands nearly $1.4 bn box-ship deal, boosting shares
- Samsung Display prevails in OLED patent battle with China’s BOE(Courtesy of Samsung Display) Samsung Display Co., the panel-making arm of Samsung Electronics Co., has won in a years-long patent fight with China’s BOE Technology Group, clearing the way for the South Korean display maker to collect sizable royalty income and reinforce its position in the global organic light-emitting diode (OLED) supply chain. The US International Trade Commission announced on… Read more: Samsung Display prevails in OLED patent battle with China’s BOE
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- Taeyeon’s “Panorama: The Best of TAEYEON” – A Cinematic Fashion Edit celebrating a Decade of ArtistryPhoto Credits: SM Entertainment Taeyeon, the iconic main vocalist of Girls’ Generation, graces the stage of her illustrious solo career with the release of “Panorama: The Best of TAEYEON,” a compilation album marking ten years of her artistry. The concept and teaser photos for this album aren’t just promotional shots—they are a meticulously curated fashion editorial capturing the essence of… Read more: Taeyeon’s “Panorama: The Best of TAEYEON” – A Cinematic Fashion Edit celebrating a Decade of Artistry
- Short Stuff 78 : Godarxk, Gongun, MIRAERO, Jang si woo, The Mows, TOOTHLESS GARDENGodarxk : Headlight Godarxk describes themselves as a singer-songwriter. But “Headlight” is an R&B-fueled single that’s directed by MangoTone. I listened to a couple of Godarxk’s other tracks and this is a nice diversion. Instagram | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music Gongun : mirrored steps “mirrored steps” is an interesting debut single. It’s got pieces of musical theater,… Read more: Short Stuff 78 : Godarxk, Gongun, MIRAERO, Jang si woo, The Mows, TOOTHLESS GARDEN
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- LE SSERAFIM’s Chaewon Transforms into a Crystal Goddess in Marie Claire Korea x Swarovski December 2025 Pictorial PreviewPhoto Credits: Marie Claire Korea Swarovski Source Music At the zenith of contemporary K-pop artistry and high fashion, LE SSERAFIM’s Kim Chaewon redefines elegance and modern glamour in the much-anticipated December 2025 issue of Marie Claire Korea. This season, the rising icon embodies the luminous spirit of Swarovski’s masterful crystal creations, captured in an ethereal pictorial that blurs the line… Read more: LE SSERAFIM’s Chaewon Transforms into a Crystal Goddess in Marie Claire Korea x Swarovski December 2025 Pictorial Preview
- WOODZ Commands the December 2025 @Style Magazine Cover with Contemporary Elegance and Artful Fashion Narratives in Striking PictorialsIn the December 2025 issue of @Style Magazine, WOODZ emerges as a profound embodiment of contemporary elegance and conceptual sophistication, marking a pinnacle in the artist’s evolving visual narrative. The cover and accompanying pictorials transcend traditional K-pop aesthetics, venturing instead into a realm where modern minimalism meets artful storytelling, reflecting WOODZ’s multifaceted identity as both a musician and style icon.… Read more: WOODZ Commands the December 2025 @Style Magazine Cover with Contemporary Elegance and Artful Fashion Narratives in Striking Pictorials
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
