[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

10 Magazine takes an in-depth look at Korea's troubling suicide statistics, Korea Exposé catches up with two plus-sized models who are breaking the K-beauty mould, hip new barbershops are seeing a revival, and are black dogs discriminated against in Korean culture?

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"THE SOUTH KOREAN SUICIDE EPIDEMIC EXTENDS BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE COUNTRY"

Neil Wilson takes an in-depth look at Korea's "dominating presence" among OECD countries with regards to its suicide statistics, both at home and aboard. In this probing piece on 10 Magazine, Neil, a traveller and novelist who has spent six years in Korea, lays out some of the statistics and tries to get a grasp on some of the key causes. He concludes it "is time to realize that that same mentality [the excessive "need to succeed"] is also largely responsible for thousands of deaths every year. When an entire nation faces a suicide epidemic, it's time to shift our focus from economic success to mental health".

...READ ON 10 MAGAZINE

"South Korea's Plus-Size Women: Break the 48kg Myth"

The hard-hitting Korea Exposé features two plus-size women in Korea who are taking on the country's "pervasive culture of fat-shaming". In this short video insert, the two models reveal their experience when buying clothes, dating, and discuss how the Korean media general portrays women's bodies. "If you weigh over 50, how can talk openly about your weight?"

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE

"[Weekender] Barbershop offers a cultural space for gentlemen"

South Korea is experiencing somewhat of a revival of hip new barbershops that offer clients a "pressure-free" atmosphere. In this feature on the Korea Herald, journalist Ahn Sang-yool interviews the CEO of Uncle Booth, Jin Min-joon about the kind of spaces he's creating and the type of service his clients are attracted to. "Barbers were the friends to openly talk to about anything, and we try to recreate the same experience at our shop", said Jin.

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"Animal Activists Fight Prejudice Against Dark Dogs"

South Korea's dog-eating culture was put firmly in the spotlight during this year's Winter Olympics. The country's activists have stepped up their efforts to raise consciousness in this regard, but one obstacle they face is the apparent discrimination facing black dogs. According to a recent campaign video by the animal activist group CARE (Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth), the "Black Dog Campaign", darker canines are treated significantly worse than their lighter counterparts. "The Black Dog Campaign has so far been backed by a number of celebrities, including actress Ra Mi-ran and photographer Kim Yong-ho, who is holding a black dog-themed photography exhibition". You can watch the four-and-a-half minute video on Korea Bizwire...

...READ ON THE KOREA BIZWIRE