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East Asia
A Free Press for All Nations
On July 19th 2017, at Korea Press Center (Seoul), a joint press conference was held by Journalist Association Korea (JAK) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) under the banner of “Press Freedom and Democracy in the Post-Truth Era”. In attendance as guest speakers were Shirin Ebadi (Honorary Director, Reporters Without Borders…
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East Asia
Tattoo Culture in South Korea: Interview with Tattoo Shy and TK
South Koreans are known for being self-aware of their physical appearance and for a long time, having tattoos was not considered a “good thing”. Oftentimes, one would be thought of as a gangster or someone up to no good if they received a tattoo. This negative perception of tattoos in…
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People
Metrocity: Fashion Forward and Total Fashion Brand
Fashion brand Metrocity was launched in Florence (Firenze), Italy, in 1992 and emphasizes metal decor with simple and minimalist silhouette designs. When Metrocity first came to Korea in 1997, Metrocity’s Jacquard backpack brought a sensational change, dominating the bag market by centering on leather, nylon, and cotton materials. This brought…
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Culture
Kuciia Diamant and the South Korean Drag Community
The drag queen community in South Korea is growing and consists of both Koreans and foreigners. By definition, a drag queen is a male who dresses in exaggerated feminine attire (drag) and acts with exaggerated femininity often as entertainment. Drag queens tend to have extravagant characteristics and bold features created…
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Central Asia
The Kurdish Mother; Life of Hardships
In January 2016, I stayed in Midyat (located 100 km west of Cizre) for a week in order to approach Cizre. Cizre is in the southern region of Turkey, on the border between Syria and Iraq. This is also where an armed conflict between the Turkey government and the Kurdish…
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East Asia
Backpacking around Korea’s Hidden Gem, Jeju
Jeju is, by far, Korea’s most popular tourist destination. The Island had always been crowded with Chinese tourists, but lately, as tensions arose between China and Korea over THAAD, few Chinese have chosen to vacation in Jeju. Instead, travelers from Korea, Southeast Asia, America, and Europe have been increasing each…
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Culture
“Never Let Me Go” and the Search for Humanity
In 1990s Britain, three friends: Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy attend the quaint boarding school, Hailsham. Their lives are eerily normal, with students picking fun at each other across the hallways and anatomy classes during the day. But a few pages in, it is easy to see that all is anything…
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East Asia
Jeju Guide for Backpackers: Rocks, Wind and Haenyo
Jeju is, by far, Korea’s most popular tourist destination. The Island had always been crowded with Chinese tourists, but lately, as tensions arose between China and Korea over THAAD, few Chinese have chosen to vacation in Jeju. Instead, travelers from Korea, Southeast Asia, America, and Europe have been increasing each…
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East Asia
“To Pass Down All that I Have Learned and Gained to Students”
Former UN ambassador Oh Joon is known amongst diplomats as one with good manners, with proficiency in the English language, who can also play the drums, and sends hand-drawn cards for New Year’s greetings. As the writer, I completely agree with such descriptions, but I also have one more thing…
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