What comes to mind when you think of knitting? Perhaps an image of your grandmother sitting in a rocking chair with needles and wool in hand. But this perception is quickly evolving. Once considered an outdated culture, knitting has become a widely embraced hobby among the younger generation in Korea today. From knitting cafes to cinemas, there are many places now where knitters can gather, share their projects, and enjoy their craft. What has sparked this change?The rise of knitting in Korea is closely related to the COVID-19 pandemic. With quarantines and other restrictions in place, people were forced to spend extended periods alone at home. In consequence, activities that required social interaction or travel declined in popularity, while “home hobbies” became the new norm. In this context, many, especially younger generations, developed an interest in handmade crafts. People sought ways to relieve their stress during such uncertain times, and crafting provided a calming, focused escape. Completing a project brought about a feeling of satisfaction and pride, while also being an outlet for creativity and self-expression. Knitting is one of these hobbies. Later on, as restrictions were lifted, the influence of the pandemic on people’s lives gradually decreased. Many returned to their lives before COVID, which naturally led them to quit their “home hobbies. ” However, unlike other hobbies, knitting has endured and grown even further in popularity. There are several explanations for this phenomenon. I think the most important factor is the role of social media and influencers. YouTube, in particular, has become a popular space for knitting-themed at-home vlogs, where people share their knitting projects and tutorials. Learning and honing one’s skills in the craft is more accessible than ever before. Moreover, hashtags like #knitting and #DIYhobby have helped build a strong online community where people can post their knitting projects, give advice and compliments, and share ideas. One prominent influencer in Korea’s knitting sphere is Daeri Kim, the daughter of the owner of BanulStory, a well-known brand among Korean knitters. Originally, mostly focused on the offline market, BanulStory has now expanded its reach online with Daeri Kim taking charge of its marketing. Through her social media presence, Kim attracts a younger customer base with beginner-friendly tutorials on simple designs. She not only teaches knitting but also shares more spontaneous content—knitting in different countries, making friends through knitting, interviewing other knitters, and telling fun anecdotes. The authenticity of Kim’s content highlights her warmth and humanity,  leading people to feel more connected to her and fostering the growth of an engaged online community of knitters.  However, what makes knitting culture particularly unique in Korea is the way that it has expanded to offline spaces. For example, there are many knitting cafes all around the country. Knitting cafes, true to their name, are spaces that combine the traditional cafe concept with knitting. Alongside coffee, tea, and desserts, visitors can also purchase yarns and knitting tools. Then, just like at any other cafe, people settle in comfortably and chat with friends—only they also knit while doing so. The presence of other knitters encourages everyone to talk freely with each other and share their current projects.  One of the better-known knitting cafes in Korea is the BanulStory knitting cafe. The first floor sells yarns and tutorial DIY kits and also hosts classes for beginners. On the second floor, visitors can order food and beverages to knit in groups. A popular dessert there is button-shaped bread.  There are also knitting cinemas in Korea where people can watch movies while knitting. In January 2025, CGV held a one-time knitting screening event. However, due to its immense popularity, CGV has decided to expand the event to be hosted every month in about 10 cinemas in Korea. Starting February 27, 2025, knitting screenings will take place on the final Thursday of each month. One participant reflected, “The fun has doubled with the creation of a space where people who share the same hobby can gather. ”As a knitter myself, I still remember the days when I was the only one among my peers who enjoyed the craft. Now, knitting cafes have become spaces where I can freely knit and connect with other knitters. During a visit to the  BanulStory knitting cafe, I spent hours working on my projects while having tea and enjoying their signature button-shaped dessert. It was a joy to watch other knitters, each deeply immersed in their unique projects. Lately, even some of my friends have taken an interest and ask me for projects to start on as a beginner. Knitting is truly experiencing a revival as an ever-growing hobby among the younger generation. Thanks to social media, influencers, and offline spaces like cafes and cinemas, I’m excited to see it quickly become a meaningful part of contemporary culture and community.

A warm yellow desk lamp, Lofi Girl on the screen. Ambient lofi beats in the background. Her presence is familiar to those who often study with music. For many, she has become a companion—a source of comfort in an oversaturated, overstimulating world. Yet, the fact that this peace we feel by being with her is curated and consumed digitally raises important questions. How does the digitization of peace reshape our understanding of it? What does it say about us when the calm we now seek is one that is carefully constructed rather than found in nature?  Is it comfort that we truly want or control?To understand this digitized shift, we must first look back. The desire for quietude is not a modern phenomenon. Long before our digital age, humans sought tranquility in the natural world—the sound of falling rain, the rustle of leaves, the warmth of sunlight. Indeed, this human inclination spans across centuries and cultures. From Eastern ink-and-wash painting of the 8th century to the natural world in Western Romantic poetry of the 19th century, nature has always been instinctively and aesthetically associated with peace and calm. This longing for solace can also be seen in other meditative practices such as incense burning, which has been known for its therapeutic effects, or the design of Zen gardens, which are intentionally crafted for quiet reflection. Without a doubt, the desire for serenity has always been universal and deeply human. However, what distinguishes our search for quietude today from the efforts of the past is the presence and role of technology. We no longer seek peace solely in the unpredictable world of nature. Now, we turn to digital spaces that can shape it to our exact preferences, with the touch of a screen or the click of some keys. We create playlists of nature sounds and lofi beats. We play long videos of cozy bedrooms with soft crackling fire. Using pixels and sound waves, we now construct our individual visions of calm. I felt this digitized shift acutely when I spent an entire afternoon without my headphones. As I strolled through the streets, I suddenly became aware of how loud everything was. I could hear the sound of people chattering, the roar of buses and car engines, and the blare of advertisements from loudspeakers. And it was not because the streets had changed; it was that I had grown used to filtering out the noise. Without my headphones, I was confronted with an overload of sounds. Just as I use headphones to block out the noisy streets, our turn towards digital tranquility is not only a change in tools, but a response to our current condition. In an age of digital overstimulation, our desire for peace is stronger than ever. Think about how often we talk about the importance of slowing down and staying grounded. What cannot be ignored, however, is the fact that the very technology that overwhelms us is also the medium through which we actively construct our spaces of calm. The devices and the platforms that contribute to sensory overload are what we actively turn to for healing and relaxation. It is quite paradoxical—we seek refuge in a system never designed for stillness. Moreover, there are now no limits to when and where we can curate calm. Even while being out, we can and often do escape into our inner worlds, a sign of a modern cultural tendency toward withdrawal. This distancing from reality reflects a deep human desire for control. In our digitized reality, we prefer aestheticized, tailored peace over the rawness of the real, shaping not just our surroundings but our emotional states within them. Thus, this makes one wonder—does our ability to slip away into our curated spaces offer a healthy refuge, or does it disconnect us from the richness of the present moment? In the end, though the digital calm we create may not be perfect, it reflects an intrinsic need within us for control and stillness. This form of peace allows for introspection, even though its digitized nature is inherently different from the tranquility found in the natural world. Perhaps that is the point: streaming our silence is an attempt to be still amidst chaos—to feel, if only for a moment, truly at peace in a world that rarely offers such reprieve.  

One day, you pass by a cafe decorated with eye-catching banners and posters of a K-pop idol. Due to curiosity or perhaps because you’re craving an Americano, you decide to step inside. The interior of the cafe has even more items related to the idol on display—photocards, hand crafts, balloons, and autographed memorabilia. Huge screens play close-up shots of the idol in various performances, as their hit songs echo throughout the space. You’re not sure why, but these elements pique your interest. At the counter, you proceed to make your order, which comes in a set with a drink in a themed paper cup, some snacks with the idol’s photo cards, and stickers. Looking around, you see a group of customers arranging all these items on their table to take pictures, another walking around viewing what’s on display, and a third discussing the idol’s comeback album. This cafe is what’s known as a birthday cafe or saeng-ka (생카, abbreviated from 생일 카페). Unique to Korean fandom culture, such cafes are rented by individual fans or entire fan communities to celebrate the birthdays of their favorite K-pop idols. While there is no traceable record for the origin of birthday cafes, they have undoubtedly become an indispensable part of the fan experience over the years. During a popular idol’s birthday month, maps on fandom applications like Offmate are filled with birthday cafe listings from all over Korea, highlighting their popularity. These cafes feature idol-specific merchandise and run interactive activities, such as lucky draws. Visitors also typically receive merchandise when they order from a designated menu, with different sets offering different items. Extensive preparation goes into organizing a birthday cafe event. Fans collect merchandise, decorate venues, and negotiate with cafe owners purely out of a passion for their favorite idols. This is an undoubtedly costly process, but it can be spiritually rewarding. According to ChosunBiz, preparations for a single birthday cafe can take up to two months and cost more than one million won. Nonetheless, despite the cost, the birthday cafe phenomenon continues to grow in popularity and has even expanded to involve characters outside of the entertainment industry. Jesus, King Sejong, Isaac Newton, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin are just a few notable examples. One such birthday cafe event, organized in honor of the famous physicist Isaac Newton, featured academic talks by scholars. These cases illustrate how birthday cafe culture is becoming much more diverse and engaging. They also have the potential to attract the attention of a broader public, introducing the culture to those who are not familiar with K-entertainment. At the same time, birthday cafe culture provides significant economic benefits for many small and medium-sized business owners. According to an article by MoneyS, the daily sales of a cafe that specializes in event organization can reach up to 2. 9 million per birthday cafe event. This huge potential profit is enjoyed by the owners of several different businesses, providing them with more sources of income. In terms of the provision of services, cafe owners often supply the venue and beverages, confectionery production businesses create food items such as cookies with edible prints, and customized products manufacturers contribute merchandise and other idol-related items, based on the request of fans or cafe owners. Following the global spread of the K-wave, birthday cafe culture has also now arrived in countries abroad. There, the “idols” celebrated are no longer limited to Korean artists but also include local celebrities. This fusion of Korean fandom culture and the cafe experience is both unique and incredibly profitable, driving its steady growth. On top of being a successful business model, birthday cafes also provide an accessible platform where fans can express their admiration for their favorite idols. Given the strong impetus of the birthday cafe phenomenon and its expansion to include characters outside of K-entertainment, we can expect the culture to continue diversifying into the future.

On March 2nd 2023, more than 2000 people stood in front of the Everland theme park—not to get into the park itself, but to bid farewell to the most beloved panda in Korea, Fu Bao, who was about to embark on her journey back to China. Pandas had initially been given out to other countries as gifts by China since the period of the Second World War, becoming a way to break the ice with the Western world after the establishment of the communist regime. This was later changed into a leasing policy due to the panda species becoming endangered, but the policy’s diplomatic and political purposes remained. Following this policy, should the leased pandas produce offspring, the offspring were to be returned to China eventually to maintain conservation efforts, and the leased pandas themselves must also return after 10 years. Yet, the ulterior motive of this “panda diplomacy” is not only to help protect the species, but also to maintain positive relations between China and the recipient countries, as pandas often bring tremendous economic gain such as in the case of Korea’s Fu Bao. Although these practices may appear as beneficial in all regards, including the conservation of pandas and the maintenance of their biodiversity, there are legitimate concerns about the commercialisation of pandas and the purity of China’s panda conservation efforts. Recipient entities like zoos must afford an annual leasing fee up to 1 million US dollars, while any cubs born in the foreign zoos can cost up to 400,000 US dollars to lease, making the leasing of pandas a huge money maker for China. When pandas are sent out under diplomatic action, they are inevitably treated as a tool for political gain, forced to become the so-called ‘Panda Diplomats,’ and then be relocated to an unfamiliar environment and thereby causing them immense stress. Furthermore, once the lease term ends, they will need to be uprooted once more from their habitat. The treatment they receive under the leasing terms is also questionable, potentially violating animal rights. The effectiveness of China’s panda leasing policy in helping conservation efforts is also debatable. According to an investigation done by the New York Times, there are more pandas being captured from the wild by the Chinese government compared to the number of pandas being released. Meanwhile, cubs born in the US and European zoos were never released into the wild. The investigation results revealed that pandas that were sent to the US have done little to help biodiversity, as China usually sends out pandas with genes that have been well represented in the population, which does not help much in  panda population gene diversity. Based on an expert who has been working in the Chengdu breeding center under affiliation of a US zoo, she has witnessed the excessive use of the anesthesia on the pandas. The anesthesia is part of the process of the artificial insemination. Combining these with accusations regarding the inhumane treatment of the pandas, especially during artificial breeding, the original goal of promoting biodiversity and conserving the panda seems heavily distorted. Although it is impossible to remove the political aspect of ‘panda leasing’, its current state of over-commercialisation is undoubtedly unethical. The practice should be returned to its original purpose—conservation and the promotion of biodiversity—with the leased pandas acting not as Chinese or economic diplomats but as diplomats for the conservation effort and raising awareness for their species. Recipient countries and establishments that keep the pandas should focus on raising public awareness and educating people rather than investing heavily in commercial activities. The Chinese government should also take care to ensure the safety of their ‘panda diplomats’, correcting any errors and making corrective statements regarding rumors that can cause public concerns.

Dieting and weight loss has long been a hot topic in popular media—but now, more than ever, these topics are gaining immense traction. Social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are saturated with content promoting thin bodies and offering detailed instructions for achieving and maintaining them. Whether it is through restrictive diet plans or intensive workout routines, this obsession over thinness is accompanied by celebrities and influencers whose images dominate our feeds, significantly impacting the public’s body image. These influencers are always pushing trendy diet plans and workout routines, which consistently garner massive amounts of engagement. While such content might seem harmless—after all, what is wrong with admiring a fit body?—the impact runs deeper. Body image is not formed in isolation, nor is it a one-way street. It is a product of an interactive relationship between those displayed in the media and the audience consuming it, producing a vicious cycle.  The issue is especially visible in Korea and its prominent media industry. K-Pop idols with their unrealistically thin bodies are propped up as the standard, and they often share extreme dieting tips and workout regimens. Yet, these same celebrities are also seen promoting high-calorie and unhealthy junk foods like fried chicken and pizza through advertisements. These advertisements send mixed messages: on one hand, they glamorize such indulgent foods by associating them with celebrities. On the other hand, they imply that maintaining a slim figure is unrelated to one’s diet, suggesting that thinness is only a matter of self-discipline, exercise, or even genetics. Thus, they confuse the public, encouraging people to feel shame for both not having the self-discipline to maintain a skinny body and not being born “naturally thin”. Thinness is a highly idolized bodily trait not only in Korea but also globally, with the media playing a crucial role in cementing this obsession. Obesity, on the contrary, is subjected to hate and considered a public health crisis. Although morbid obesity can be detrimental to one’s health, so can extreme thinness. Yet only one end of the spectrum has this widespread negative perception.  However, even this perception of obesity is less than a century old. For much of human history, plumpness symbolized wealth, fertility, and health. In times of scarcity, a well-fed body was a sign of success and the corpulence and increased flesh were desirable, as reflected in art, literature, and medical opinion of the times.  This shift is not just about health. Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of distinction explains how body weight became a marker of class and morality. In this framework, thinness signifies self-control, discipline, and access to resources like gym membership and organic foods, while obesity is often unfairly associated with laziness, poverty, and poor habits. These opposing traits are directly reflected in how the media portrays people and reproduces this stereotype. Anthropologist Anne Becker's 1998 study in Fiji proves this trend. The study, conducted in a rural town which had only recently been introduced to television, found that the rates of body dissatisfaction amongst adolescent females increased strikingly compared to before western media influence. In addition, the obsession with body image often intersects with gender and generational dynamics. Viral trends like the “girl dinner” meme—where tiny portions of low-calorie foods are presented as a complete meal—highlight the disproportionate pressure on women to eat sparingly. This meme, which started out as a joke about not having the energy to prepare a full meal and thus scraping together whatever leftovers are in the fridge to satiate one’s hunger, evolved into what portrays a hegemonic expectation women keep being pushed into. Contrast this with older generations, where grandmothers and mothers often encourage larger portions with phrases like “Eat more!” This generational divide reflects broader societal changes. While older generations view food abundance as a marker of prosperity, modern media glorifies controlled, minimalist eating as a sign of sophistication and beauty.  The glorification of thinness, while often marketed as a pursuit of health, has deeper consequences. It perpetuates narrow definitions of beauty, stigmatizes alternative body types, and fosters an environment where people feel pressured to conform. To break free from this cycle, we must critically examine the media we consume. Who benefits from these ideals? How can we create a culture that celebrates diverse body types instead of idolizing one narrow standard? Thinness may be “in”, but at what cost? 

As high school graduation looms near, every student faces that inevitable period of uncertainty, when the weight of a seemingly life-defining decision hangs over them: What career path should I choose? For most, it's a daunting but normal part of growing up, and this decision is often not an ultimatum. However, for most student-athletes, this decision is much more difficult, proving both promising and risky—and more impactful due to its binding nature. For athletes like Lim Se-Eun who have familial support, these decisions come easier. At just 18, Lim had already achieved remarkable milestones, including a bronze medal in the Asian Games. Her dedication earned her an  athletics scholarship, allowing her to major in Physical Education at university. Balancing the dual demands of academics and competition, she represented both her university and the national team for a year. However, the pressure became unsustainable, forcing her to retire from elite sports. Lim then redirected her focus toward academics and began exploring opportunities beyond athletics. Lim’s story highlights a systemic issue in Korea's approach to sports education. In the pursuit of excellence, the system prioritizes athletic development over academic growth, leaving many athletes ill-prepared for life after sports. Lim's decision to step away from her athletic career reflects the strain of this imbalance. Despite these challenges, Korea has achieved remarkable success in international sports, showcasing its commitment to elite athlete development. Yet, this raises an important question: Must academic growth be sacrificed for competitive excellence?A comparison with the United States offers valuable insight. American universities, under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), prioritize balancing sports and education. Athletes receive scholarships to compete while pursuing diverse academic majors. Universities provide tutors, mental health resources, and structured support to help student-athletes effectively manage their dual roles. Beyond competition, the NCAA offers over $10 million in annual scholarships for graduate studies, emphasizing the importance of preparing athletes for life after sports. These strategies, along with policy changes over the years, have established a solid system in which Division I student-athletes in the United States have achieved a record-high 91% on NCAA Graduation Success Rate. This showcases long-term improvements across all sports and the success of academic reforms and support initiatives. Furthermore, the American collegiate athletic system has significantly contributed to Team USA’s Olympic success; according to the U. S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, 75% of the olympians competing in Paris 2024 have collegiate experience across all NCAA divisions, junior colleges, NAIA school, and club programs. Such support systems are largely absent in Korea, limiting opportunities for student-athletes like Lim and others. Lee Joon-Hyuk, a former rugby athlete, echoes these concerns. After being admitted to Seoul National University’s Physical Education program, Lee chose to keep rugby as a hobby, fulfilling his childhood dream of representing the university. Looking ahead, he is exploring a potential career in marketing. Reflecting on his journey, he shares:“As a student-athlete, I had diverse experiences. From teamwork to mental resilience, my training shaped me. However, the intense focus on athletics made transitioning to other fields challenging. ”While Lee acknowledges the systemic challenges, he offers advice to aspiring athletes: “Do what you want, and once you decide, go for it with no regrets!” Lim, who briefly studied in the U. S. , has a broader perspective. “When I went to the United States, I realized being an athlete was just one chapter of my life. Study hard, because sports aren’t your entire life. Believe in yourself—there are so many fields you can pursue. ” She emphasizes the need for Korea to adopt reforms like career counseling and tutoring for athletes. Every country has its priorities and limitations. While Korea excels in preparing athletes for international competitions, it must strive to balance athletic and academic development. Student-athletes deserve access to quality education, ensuring a solid foundation for life beyond sports. Both Lim and Lee reflect on their journeys with no regrets. Lim concludes:"I’d make the same choices again. Those experiences shaped me, allowing me to dream bigger and embrace life beyond sports. " Lee shares a similar sentiment: "I’d still choose rugby—it’s what brought me here and remains a part of who I am. " Their stories highlight the resilience of student-athletes, but also underscore the importance of a system that allows them to thrive both on and off the field.

In recent years, there has been a revived interest in nuclear energy: countries around the world have started to develop ambitious nuclear energy plans or expand their existing fleets of nuclear reactors. Korea is no exception to this trend; new reactor plans have been approved, and Korean nuclear technology exportation is being vigorously promoted by the government for foreign income. This is largely attributed to the surging demand in electricity—especially from facilities that are always in need of large quantities of energy, such as manufacturing industries and the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In particular, the advancement of the AI industry plays a major role in driving up the rate of consumption in electricity. This is due to the data centers that process and analyze massive quantities of data, a necessary procedure in AI development. The sheer scale of energy consumption is best exemplified by the fact that a single ChatGPT query consumes around 10 times more electricity than one standard Google search, according to an article published by the Goldman Sachs. Thus, as AI develops, it is undoubtedly to further increase the electricity demand, and nuclear energy can be a potential candidate to fill up this gap.  Despite the public’s doubts about nuclear energy due to its various challenges and past traumas, the impetus of the nuclear renaissance seems unstoppable. Although the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident had stunted the development of nuclear energy for several years, it has recently been proposed as one of the most promising energy alternatives to cope with the surging electricity demand, whilst complying with the global carbon targets, which have been set to mitigate climate change. This is largely because it is both carbon-free and more stable than other contemporary carbon-free energy sources. There is no direct carbon produced in nuclear fission reactions, and each reaction can still produce a huge amount of energy. In addition, compared to other renewable energy alternatives such as solar or wind energy—which are susceptible to unpredictable weather conditions—nuclear energy can, in theory, work around the clock. Hence, nuclear energy has gained attention as an attractive solution to meet energy demands without the concerns regarding existing energy options. Many major tech firms have already embraced nuclear power for AI development, already moving into the action stage from the conception stage. In September of 2024, Microsoft signed a deal with the energy company Constellation, to revive the reactor in the Three Mile Island site, home to one of the most disastrous nuclear power accidents in history. In October, Google reached an agreement with Kairos Power to realize a new advanced reactor design to support AI progress. Moves taken by these firms have largely swept away the mystifying haze around nuclear energy and have fuelled support for the energy source with confidence. Despite this, one may argue that the safety of nuclear energy is still questionable. There have undeniably been tragic nuclear accidents in the past, such as the ones in Chernobyl and Fukushima. However, the figures from the Our World in Data website shows that coal—the current largest electricity source—has a mortality rate of 24. 6 deaths per terawatt-hour of electricity produced, making it the deadliest. Meanwhile, nuclear and other renewable sources like wind and solar energy have mortality rates of 0. 03, 0. 04, and 0. 02 respectively. This shows that nuclear energy is indeed safe, with fatal accidents being comparatively rare. The unresolved issues regarding nuclear waste management is a dilemma that continues to plague the industry; still, there are solutions in the works. Nuclear energy may not be the ultimate solution for every country, but it is the only energy option that is stable, sustainable, and easily scalable. With rapid research and development on new nuclear technologies like safer designs and solutions in managing the spent nuclear fuel, nuclear energy should continue to be considered to tackle the demand from AI development. As AI development continues to soar, the revival and prosperity of nuclear power is to be expected. We should be open to all possible solutions to the energy problem, judging based on scientific justification rather than only political preferences or populistic claims.

I was a bit late to jump on the Netflix trend. When I finally did, I found it odd that many of the globally popular Netflix series leaned toward bizarre, dark, and thrilling genres: such examples include Orange is the New Black, Money Heist, Stranger Things, and Squid Game. It struck me as unusual that calm and soothing works were rarely at the top of the recommendation lists. Instead, highly stimulating and dark shows consistently rank among the most popular series. Through these popular titles, I caught a glimpse of the dopamine-driven tendencies embedded in the mainstream taste. Indeed, over the past decade, there has been a staggering increase in the demand for dopamine, referring to a desire for instant gratification and short-term stimulation in Korean society. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that signals pleasure to the brain and plays a crucial role in motivation, reward, and enjoyment. When engaging in enjoyable activities such as watching interesting media, gaming, or eating, dopamine is released from the brain’s ventral tegmental area, reinforcing reward-seeking behavior. Social media platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok intensify such dopamine culture in Korea. Users passively scroll through short videos to experience rapid bursts of pleasure. In fact, the average daily views of YouTube Shorts in Korea as of July 2023 increased by over 90% compared to the same month the previous year. During the same period, the number of daily viewers logged into YouTube Shorts in Korea also rose by more than 40% year-on-year, according to YouTube.  Short-deu—a combination of the words “short” and “drama”—are a genre of drama recaps edited to showcase the highlights of each episode and provide a quick summary, and exemplify such a trend in Korea. This trend contributed to the rise of “brain rot”: a condition of mental fogginess, lethargy, low attention span, and an overall cognitive decline that results from excessive screen engagement. Not only does the dopamine trend shorten people’s attention spans, but it also amplifies the intensity of the content people consume, leading to emotional fatigue and desensitization. A striking example is the recent Korean Netflix drama The 8 Show, which has faced criticism for its extreme violence and overstimulation. Ironically, the show critiques modern society’s addiction to dopamine-driven entertainment. Initially hailed as the next Squid Game, The 8 Show quickly drew backlash for its excessive scenes of brutality, including depictions of punishment, torture, and bodily harm, leaving many viewers feeling overwhelmed.   Drama critic Oh Soo-Kyung has observed a growing fatigue among audiences, with one viewer commenting, “I don’t understand the need to show such long scenes of violence and torture. ” Oh further remarked, “Netflix’s violent content seems to have peaked with The 8 Show. It’s time to question whether gaining attention via excessive sensationalism is ethically justified. ” This reflects a larger cultural reckoning with the ethical limits of entertainment in an age of dopamine saturation.  One of the primary reasons why Korean society is seeking more and more dopamine lies in a lack of disposable time. Disposable time, which are moments reserved for personal enjoyment and self-care after fulfilling work and family obligations, is alarmingly scarce in Korean society. Overwhelmed by long working hours, grueling commutes, and senseless urban competition, many Koreans turn to instant gratification as a coping mechanism, much like using painkillers to mask an underlying issue without addressing its root cause.   This issue is further compounded by a cultural expectation to actively participate in family events and company gatherings(hoesik) which, while rooted in fostering connection, often adds to the stress of an already busy schedule. These obligations demand significant time and energy, leaving individuals with even fewer opportunities to focus on themselves.  In turn, people are numbing themselves with quick fixes not only through highly stimulating shows, but also trendy, sugary desserts. Food trends such as croffles, tanghulu, Yonsei cream buns, Yoajung(Yogurt Ice Cream), and Fix Chocolate have surged and vanished rapidly in Korea, offering fleeting bursts of sweetness that perfectly embody Korea’s dopamine-driven consumption habits. These trends are amplified by social media platforms, where viral mukbangs and trendy food posts make indulgence both aspirational and accessible. COVID-19 further cemented this culture, with the rise of delivery services allowing for instant access to popular desserts and snacks.  This phenomenon has certainly been enabled by Korea’s high Internet and smartphone penetration rate and fast-paced lifestyle. However, the fundamental reason lies in the lack of “headspace” to pause and reflect. This pervasive quick-fix mentality perpetuates the problem, leaving people further disconnected from practices that truly promote long-term well-being and happiness.  Dopamine, while often seen in a negative light, is a two-sided concept. The chemical itself is not harmful; rather, it is the pursuit of effortless pleasure that leads to addiction. Activities like exercise and cooking release dopamine in ways that support mental and emotional well-being. As awareness of dopamine’s effects grows, the idea of a “dopamine detox” has gained attention in Korean society. Practices like the “screen time challenge”, which encourages people to limit their smartphone and short-form content consumption, are becoming increasingly popular. Businesses are also tapping into this trend: a book café in Gangnam, Seoul, has banned cell phones and laptops, offering visitors a chance to experience "healing through digital detox. "Awareness of dopamine addiction serves as a catalyst for confronting the structures that trap individuals in cycles of dependency. This growing recognition sheds light on previously overlooked aspects of overstimulation, emphasizing that balance, self-control, and even discomfort are essential for a meaningful life. By confronting the concept of "dopamine addiction," people are learning the importance of moderation, inspiring self-reflection, and fostering healthier habits. One of the most troubling aspects of dopamine culture is its impact on human connection. The pervasive use of SNS has weakened social bonds, reducing interactions to superficial or transactional exchanges. Many online interactions prioritize instant gratification—likes, comments, and quick responses—over deeper connections. In response, a counter-trend is emerging: a growing number of people are actively seeking offline, genuine conversations to fulfill their innate desire for connection and belonging. Ultimately, healthy and fulfilling relationships are fundamental to happiness. Addressing the root problems of dopamine culture requires a societal shift that values patience, focus, and authenticity over instant gratification. Each individual can contribute to this change by reflecting on their habits and making conscious efforts to foster deeper connections with people to engage in long-term and meaningful pursuits.  

Student-athletes are often driven by a combination of personal passion, external influences, and a desire to challenge themselves. The balance between sports and academics demands both resilience and sacrifices as they navigate societal expectations and personal aspirations. For Lim Se-Eun, television played a major influence in her decision to become an athlete. Initially, she was drawn by professional rhythmic gymnasts’ beautiful clothes and  movements. However, ultimately, it wasn’t just about the glamor—it was the joy and thrill of the sport that motivated her. She explained, “At that time I was doing it for fun, and my friend who was learning with me wanted to be a professional athlete, so I decided to become one too. I was so attracted to sports [for the above reasons], that’s why I decided to become an athlete. ” Thanks to her parents' support, Lim was able to transfer to a school with a rhythmic gymnastics team, allowing her to focus on her training. Her parent’s investment and encouragement fueled her drive to succeed, but they also added pressure. She didn’t want all of her parents' efforts to be in vain, she admitted, pushing herself to practice harder and achieve better results. “It was my decision, so I just thought I had to overcome the difficulties. ” Lim said, reflecting on her journey. Despite practicing six days a week for long hours, she never lost sight of her goal. “I believe that at the end of the day I will achieve my dream and all of this work will be worth it,” Her resilience enabled her to overcome moments of doubt and fatigue. While Lim’s story is one of triumph in sports, other student-athletes take a different route, focusing on academics as a more secure path. Lee Gisoo is one such example. He started rugby at age 15, but quickly realized that his chances of becoming a professional athlete were slim. “I did my best in every situation, but I was very fast to recognize I wasn’t that talented to become a professional athlete,” he admitted. Instead, he decided to prioritize academics while continuing to train, hoping to enter Seoul National University (SNU), as he desired to attend a renowned university. Rugby would only provide an edge over other applicants if he got accepted into a national team; this would not be the case for him, thus leading him to focus on his academics over his passion. Lee’s initial motivation for playing rugby came from his grandfather, a former track athlete. “My grandfather asked me to play rugby, because he graduated from the same middle school as me. ” Lee explains. His grandfather incentivized him to be an athlete to share the good experiences he lived, and hoped that it would be beneficial for his grandson. Although he never aimed to become an elite athlete, Lee remained dedicated to rugby out of respect for his grandfather, who supported him financially. Balancing rugby with his demanding studies required immense discipline. His daily schedule was packed: school from 8 a. m. , rugby practice starting at 2 p. m. until 10 p. m. , and then studying late into the night, only to go to bed at 2 a. m. When asked why he pushed himself so hard, Lee responded confidently, “I should do something more than others, that’s why I chose to study. Sacrifices were very necessary to achieve good academic results. So I tried my best to maintain the balance between sports and academics. ”The motivations driving athletes to pursue careers in sports are as diverse as the athletes themselves. For some, like Lim, it’s a burning passion for the sport. For others, like Lee, it’s about balancing the love for the game with the practical need to secure a stable future. Both athletes highlight the importance of external influences on the journeys, whether it be familial support or societal expectations. Their families provide a foundation for their growth, but societal expectations and pressures to excel in studies or sports create additional challenges. Despite their motivation to pursue their athletic careers and the support they received, both Lim and Lee eventually shifted their focus to more sustainable career paths. This is attributed to the lacking social support system in Korea, which will be explored further in the last article of this series, delving deeper into the sports industry by comparing the support structures for student-athletes in the U. S. and South Korea and examining how these systems shape the paths of young athletes, and their opportunities for success.

On September 2024, the U. S. Department of Commerce proposed a ban, which will be effective from 2027, on key Chinese software in ‘connected vehicles’—a legal term used to describe vehicles that are equipped with extraneous technology such as the Internet and external devices—in the United States to address national security concerns. This regulation also includes a hardware ban taking effect in 2030.  This initiative is intended to prevent Chinese intelligence agencies from monitoring and collecting information on American drivers from their connected personal devices. “When foreign adversaries build software to make a vehicle that means it can be used for surveillance, can be remotely controlled, which threatens the privacy and safety of Americans on the road,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. Depending on the strictness of these regulations, Korean car manufacturers will have to work out a strategy accordingly, as they rely heavily on exports to the U. S. In fact, the U. S. is the largest automobile export destination for Korea, making up 42. 9% of their global automobile exports according to KIET (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade). Therefore, the Korean automotive industry has a vested interest in the U. S. ’s new prohibition plan. In fact, this measure could have severe consequences for the Korean automotive industry, posing a significant dilemma to Korean automakers. The first issue related to such a prohibition is that the definition of connected vehicles is excessively broad, which makes it difficult to discern the potential effects on manufacturers. Currently, the U. S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security proposes to define the ‘connected vehicle’ as an on-road vehicle that “integrates onboard networked hardware with automotive software systems to communicate via dedicated short-range communication, cellular telecommunication connectivity, satellite communication, or other wireless spectrum connectivity with any other network or device. ” Thus, regulations could potentially include even smaller Chinese parts such as bolts. In this case, most of the recently released vehicles would become subject to U. S. export regulations. Hence, in late April, the Korean government expressed the Korean automotive industry’s concerns over the U. S. ’s envisioned rule on connected vehicles and called for a “precise definition” of the term ‘connected vehicles’. Moreover, such initiatives take a toll on price competitiveness for Korean automakers, as China has long been a cost efficient source for auto parts. Regardless of the exact scope of the regulations, as long as the ban is in effect, automakers will have to localize and diversify the supply chain for auto parts outside of China, resulting in an inevitable loss of price competitiveness as well as an uptick in related costs.  The dilemma is clear: adhering to the ban could strain Korea's trade relations with China, yet ignoring it may result in losing critical benefits from the U. S. , whether it be security or economic benefits. There are observations that the U. S. ’s actions may block Chinese automotive competitors from entering the U. S. market, which could be beneficial in the long term; however, the issue seems to result in a net loss for Korea for now. The U. S. -China trade conflict is not a bipartite issue, but a multilateral issue affecting an array of interrelated countries especially in terms of economic interests and political relations. This case in particular highlights how interconnected global markets have become ever since free trade has gained presence worldwide. South Korea has not been immune from it: it is caught in the middle, forced to balance its economic interests and political alliances. For Korea, solutions may lie in continued behind-the-scenes negotiations to secure more precise regulations, and minimize disruption to the auto industry.