Now that I’m (mostly) recovered from my vacation, it’s time to plug back in and figure out what’s been going on while I was having fun.
- The Park Geun-hye saga: “In South Korea, Confidante of Ousted President Gets 3 Years in Prison” and “Unwanted name for namesakes: Park Geun-hye.”
- “How Moon Jae-in’s Cabinet is shaping up.” He pledged 30% women and hasn’t quite reached it yet.
- “South Korea’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs officially appointed.” But Kang Kyung-hwa got in, despite difficulties.
- “New FTC chairman announces three-stage chaebol reform plan.” Good luck, sir.
- “Memories of June: Death, Democracy, Patriarchy.” A look at the women involved in the 1987 “June Struggles,” who are often overlooked.
- “Expats get away with unpaid phone bills.” *sighs* Come on, guys. Surely you can pay your damned phone bill.
- “Impending Social Care Crisis Facing South Korea.” Trouble is on the horizon for the pension and health funds.
- “Grandmas of Springtime.” This is a lovely character sketch essay, where the author talks about the grandmothers in her town and their unique personalities.
- “Gov’t will adopt ‘blind’ hiring.” I’m surprised but also pleased by this development. Here’s hoping it helps.
- “Seoul’s ‘dark history’ to see the light as tourist attraction.” The tour will open in August 2018 and will focus on the “humility Korea suffered during the colonial period.”
- “Foreign teachers left stranded by crackdown on visa violations.” …note to self: do not work abroad. Yikes.
- “Vicarious Politics: Violence and the Colonial Period in Contemporary South Korean Film.” Is this your thesis? Because it sounds awesome.
- “In South Korea, real business gets done in brothels and karaoke joints.” Yet another factor in the country’s glass ceiling. Though I wonder if/how this has changed since the anti-bribery law went into affect.
- “Seoul apartment price equal to 12 years of full salary.” This makes my apartment search sound like a picnic. Goodness.
- “Fruit prices hit highest mark in 4 years.” That reminds me, I need to finish off my grapes.
- “Indulgence for the Rich: Soongeui Elementary School Violates Act on Preventing Violence in Schools.” I feel like this has been part of every school drama in the last two years.
- “Netflix, Korean cinemas locked in row over release of ‘Okja.'” That escalated quickly.
- “The King Loves” Revealed To Be Written By Song Ji Na, The Writer Of “Healer.’” Well, guess what I’ll be checking out.
- “‘Fight For My Way’ leads early-week TV drama race.” They’ve done pretty good for themselves.
- “Shin Min supports Kim Woo Bin as he undergoes treatment for cancer.” Best wishes for his recovery.
- “Yeon Woo Jin Revealed To Have Sustained Injury While Filming For ‘Queen For 7 Days.'” Owwww.
- “Lee Kwang Soo In Talks To Star In New Drama As Male Lead Opposite Jung Yoo Mi.” Not a development I was anticipating, but I’ve heard this writer is amazing, so.
- “My Sassy Girl’s actress Yoon So Jung suddenly passes away.” Condolences to her family, friends, and fans.
- “Ha Ji Won and Min Hyuk will stage a K-drama comeback in August.” Huh. Okay.
- “JYJ’s Kim Jaejoong And UEE Confirmed As Leads In Upcoming Time Slip Drama.” I do not think this will be the show for me.