South Korea

still from film of a man holding a hammer

Korean revenge film 'Oldboy' returns to theaters for its 20th anniversary

In 2020, the Korean film "Parasite" made history at the Oscars when it became the first non-English language film to win best picture. But before "Parasite," there was a different Korean film occupying the international cinematic landscape: a 2003 movie called "Oldboy." It's being rereleased in theaters on Wednesday for its 20th anniversary.

Korean revenge film 'Oldboy' returns to theaters for its 20th anniversary
Seon Joo Oh cooks beef bulgogi during a recent cooking class in Hamilton High School's culinary room.

Hundreds of Milwaukeeans have learned Korean cooking from this woman

Hundreds of Milwaukeeans have learned Korean cooking from this woman
"Timeless," by Tiger JK, feat RM.

‘Planet Hip Hop:’ The evolution of Korean rap

‘Planet Hip Hop:’ The evolution of Korean rap
Pakistanis shops in a weekly pet market in Lahore, Pakistan, Nov. 13, 2022.

As Earth surpasses 8 billion people, 'the planet can feed and sustain billions more,' demographer says

As Earth surpasses 8 billion people, 'the planet can feed and sustain billions more,' demographer says
Multicolored displays of Korean marinated salads are a mainstay at Almaty’s Green Bazaar.

In Kazakhstan, timeless Korean recipes are loved and maintained

In Kazakhstan, timeless Korean recipes are loved and maintained
Peter Møller, attorney and co-head of the Danish Korean Rights Group, holds documents at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022.

Danish Korean adoptees seek truth about their adoption circumstances

“We have reason to suspect that a lot of the information about us, at least the information we know, is incorrect," said Peter Knudsen, who is one of 50 cosigners on an application filed to South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission last week to clarify their origins.

Danish Korean adoptees seek truth about their adoption circumstances
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol waves a national flag during a ceremony to celebrate Korean Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, at the presidential office square in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Aug. 15, 2022. 

Imagining empire: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter, takes a deep dive this week into the ways in which memorialization in South Korea is an act of present politics.

Imagining empire: Part II
People watch a TV showing a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 7, 2022.

Japan gears up for evacuation drills amid spate of North Korean missile tests

The recent spate of North Korean missile tests is déjà vu for people in Japan.

Japan gears up for evacuation drills amid spate of North Korean missile tests
A Uniper energy company coal-fired power plant and a BP refinery are seen beside a wind generator in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Jan. 16, 2020. 

Did the world 'build back better' since the start of the pandemic? Not so much. 

Two years into the pandemic, stimulus money around the world has largely fallen short in transforming the energy economy. 

Did the world 'build back better' since the start of the pandemic? Not so much. 
One of Joanne Lee Molinaro's recipes from The Korean Vegan

The Korean Vegan reflects on food, family and life

Food blogger Joanne Lee Molinaro speaks with The World's host Marco Werman about her cooking, social media success and the personal stories behind the experience.

The Korean Vegan reflects on food, family and life
A National Park Service boat navigates the waters in Biscayne National Park, Florida, July 8, 2014. Federal officials are seeking to ban commercial fishing in the park which is offshore from suburban Miami. Officials say cutting off commercial fishing wil

How governments finance the ruin of our oceans 

The World’s Southeast Asia correspondent Patrick Winn spoke with marine bioloigst Dr. Daniel Pauly, asking him what can be done to reverse the crisis around overfishing and creating "dead zones" in the oceans.

How governments finance the ruin of our oceans 
Efforts to reduce tensions between the Koreas, like the 2018 inter-Korean summit, are frequently the target of disinformation campaigns in South Korea.

Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Korea

Disinformation is being privatized around the world. This new industry is built on a dangerous combination of cheap labor, high-tech algorithms and emotional national narratives.

Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Korea
Members of the South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions wearing masks and costumes inspired by the Netflix original Korean series "Squid Game" attend a rally demanding job security in Seoul, South Korea

Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’ exposes the growing resentment between rich and poor, psychiatrist says

The new Netflix psychological thriller series "Squid Game" is intense and brutal — but it's also fiction. Why does it have such far-reaching impact around the world? Psychiatrist Jean Kim discusses the history of the Koreas and how it affects today's popular culture with The World's host Marco Werman.

Netflix hit ‘Squid Game’ exposes the growing resentment between rich and poor, psychiatrist says
A women is shown in the nearground carrying large sacks over her back and walking with a man in the distance carrying a large blue crate.

Ethiopia expels UN officials, accusing them of 'meddling' in the country's internal affairs

Top of The World: Global pressure and criticism have been growing on the Ethiopian government over its blockade of the country’s northern Tigray region, which has reduced aid deliveries to 10% of what is needed. And, North Korea has launched its fourth weapon in recent weeks, test-firing a new anti-aircraft missile. Also, Australia plans to gradually reopen all its borders by November, after 18 months of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Ethiopia expels UN officials, accusing them of 'meddling' in the country's internal affairs
Students hold up a banners during a rally in front of the parliament in Athens, Greece

The Big Fix special edition newsletter

Explore how individuals and organizations around the planet are tackling the climate crisis.

The Big Fix special edition newsletter