Moving into a new office recently reminded me of something that seems to typify life in Seoul. We’re not very neighborly. It’s not that we’re unfriendly people once you get to know us. Quite the opposite. It’s simply that, with neighbors and strangers alike, we tend to keep our distance, engaging only when necessary. For the first few days after the move, the foreigner still living within me, even after all these years, was eager to introduce himself to the people in the offices on either side of mine. It was World Cup season, and I even imagined organizing a little gathering in the two lounge areas on our floor. Admittedly, I was also imagining the occasion — England making the final. It didn’t take long to absorb the building’s unwritten rules. Within a couple of weeks, I found myself doing what everyone else seemed to be doing: avoiding eye contact in the elevator, passing people silently in the corridor and quietly getting on with my day. What accentuates this culture is that this building doesn’t separate offices from residences. Each unit could serve as either. The silence made me w
Why don’t we like our neighbors?
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Lee administration’s reform drive raises concerns over rushed policymaking
The Lee Jae Myung administration is sparking concerns that it is rushing through major reforms without fully assessing their risks, with critics arguing that it is hastily implementing policies and addressing unintended consequences only after they emerge. The concerns have been fueled by a disputed revised law, set to take effect on Oct. 2, that completely strips the prosecution of… Read more: Lee administration’s reform drive raises concerns over rushed policymaking - Why don’t we like our neighbors?Moving into a new office recently reminded me of something that seems to typify life in Seoul. We’re not very neighborly. It’s not that we’re unfriendly people once you get to know us. Quite the opposite. It’s simply that, with neighbors and strangers alike, we tend to keep our distance, engaging only when necessary. For the first few days after… Read more: Why don’t we like our neighbors?
- Korean diagnostics firm Noul signs 1st cervical cancer screening deal in AfricaNoul, a Seoul-based developer of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered blood and cancer diagnostic devices, has signed a supply agreement with a medical device distributor in East Africa to provide its cervical cancer screening and blood analysis solutions to four Indian Ocean island nations: Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Comoros, the company said Thursday. The deal marks the company’s first sale of a… Read more: Korean diagnostics firm Noul signs 1st cervical cancer screening deal in Africa
- How Joseon era Koreans beat the heat without ACLong before air‑conditioned staycations, Koreans in the premodern era escaped the summer heat with scheduled days off, marathon reading sessions and village festivals where farmers washed their hoes and put work on hold, records show. The Korean Studies Institute released records Thursday to illustrate how people in the Silla (57 B.C.–935), Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon (1392–1910) eras took steps to… Read more: How Joseon era Koreans beat the heat without AC
- 15 gov’t bond dealers face sanctions over alleged bid riggingThe antitrust watchdog has moved to sanction 15 primary dealers in the government bond market over alleged bid-rigging and illegal information-sharing in Treasury auctions, a case that could result in fines of over 15 trillion won ($10.5 billion) if the charges are upheld. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday said that its investigation bureau had submitted an examiner’s report… Read more: 15 gov’t bond dealers face sanctions over alleged bid rigging
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
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
