[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Published on 2017/01/28

Hear how K-pop is enjoyed over the DMZ from a defector, Han Kang's latest novel "Human Acts" gets released, check out these eight Hollywood celebrities who love K-pop, and is Korea's work culture as hectic as Japan's?

"Ask a North Korean: Pop culture and young love in North Korea"

NK News is running series of articles where each week they interview a North Korean defector. Called "Ask a North Korean", the series offers defectors a change to share some of their experiences about life over the DMZ. This week they spoke to Ji-min, a regular on NK News, about the times he spent watching Korean dramas with friends: "If a CD or DVD is found stuck in your player, you're in deep trouble".

...READ ON NK NEWS

"Korean novelist evokes horrors of Gwangju massacre"

South Korean writer Han Kang won the Man Booker International Prize last year for her novel "The Vegetarian" (Adapted to the movie "Vegetarian") a book that also helped shine the light on modern Korean literature. Her new book, "Human Acts", is a short novel the focuses on a tragic and violent part of South Korea's history: the Gwangju massacre. The novel includes "seven interwoven vignettes featuring characters who either died in Gwangju in 1980 or are now struggling to make sense of what it means to be alive in its aftermath". The book was official released January 17.

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"South Korea's Impossible Work Culture is Just as Bad as Japan's"

Japan's working culture is infamous, but is South Korea's work ethic any better? Carl Samson, writing for Next Shark, says no: "As it turns out, the work culture in South Korea is not so different. There, spending overtime hours means you're hardworking. Getting tired is the day's reward - a well-deserved badge of honor". Do you think South Korea's work culture is too hectic? Let us know in the comment section below...

...READ ON NEXT SHARK

"8 Hollywood celebs who love K-Pop and Korean culture"

Here's short and sweet post on Asia Starz listing Hollywood celebrities who share your love for all things K-pop; stars like Emma Stone, Liam Neeson and Chloe Moretz. As the writer notes, "The Hallyu Wave is gaining interest not just in Asia but the rest of the world". What other celebrities do you know enjoy and support K-pop?

...READ ON ASIA STARZ