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Culture
First Black K-pop singer Reid writing ‘against-all-odds’ memoir on idol life
SEOUL: From BLACKPINK and NCT 127 to GOT7, the K-pop industry as of late has seen a noticeable boost in diversity in respect to members’ nationalities and racial backgrounds. But still, the ethnic and regional makeup of international K-pop talents today is largely oriented towards East and Southeast Asia. All…
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Politics
Malaysia to table sexual harassment, social work bills by year-end
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia’s Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development is expected to table the proposed bills on sexual harassment and recognition of social work as a profession by the end of this year. Improvements have been made to the two bills and they will be handed over to the Attorney-General’s…
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Culture
South Korea: Once viewed as old-fashioned, coffee delivery gains traction amid contactless trend
SEOUL: Coffee delivery services are not an unfamiliar concept in South Korea. Serving persons at tea houses, or “dabang” in Korean, used to deliver cups of coffee filled with sugar and cream on foot. Big-name coffee chains such as Starbucks and small independent cafes replaced such tea houses by offering…
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Society
Korea: How leggings evolved from suggestive athletic wear to casual staple
SEOUL: When Kim Ga-in, a Seoul resident, climbed a mountain on Sunday, the 27-year-old woman did not wear hiking pants or shorts or other traditional trekking clothes. Instead, she went with a more comfortable option that would have been unheard of among hikers a generation ago: leggings. Her sister, Do-hee,…
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Society
Three in 10 Koreans think having kids unnecessary: survey
SEOUL: More than three out of every 10 South Koreans believe it is unnecessary to have kids even after marriage, while parents spend nearly $300 a month on private education for each student in grades 12 or below, a report from the statistics office showed Thursday. According to the report,…
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Society
Even amid virus fears, Koreans choose to dine together, separately
SEOUL: After Yi Si-woo got off work last Friday, he hurried home to start preparing for a company dinner, cooking seafood risotto with fresh salad on the side. An hour later, the 24-year-old was joined by a dozen others in his studio with barely enough space for a smaller group,…
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Society
BTS fans raise $1 million in Black Lives Matter donations
SEOUL: International fans of K-pop giants BTS have raised over $1 million in donations for the Black Lives Matter cause in the United States, matching the amount donated earlier by their idols toward the human rights movement, according to a fan charity project Monday. One In An ARMY, an organization…
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Society
Upholding ethical responsibility, religious services adapt to social-distancing guidelines
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: As countries are easing restrictions imposed to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, places of worships are also slowly opening up, but with precautions. Mosques, churches, synagogues and temples, with large open space that accommodates hundreds and even thousands of people, have been thinking of ways…
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Business
Coronavirus robs Bahrainis of Eid joy, festivities
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: “I am not taking any risks, so I told my daughters and their children to come late for the family lunch, spend a short time with us, then go home,” Fareed said when asked about his plans ahead for the day. “I love my extended family,…
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Politics
40 years later, Gwangju’s heroic movement remains deeply entrenched in South Korea’s collective memory
By Habib Toumi During my first visit to South Korea in 2019, I had the chance to discover several beautiful cities, amazing edifices, attractive sites and breathtaking landscapes. From mountains to seas, from simple temples to complex structures, from sophisticated areas to natural attractions, the country presented a multitude of…
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