South Korean politicians use ‘mukbang,’ YouTube livestreaming to engage with voters
This culture of connecting with fans through casual livestreaming is a staple of the K-pop industry, but has now seeped into the realm of politics.
‘Smile at me’: Cancer-fighting South Korean senior influencer inspires with strength, grace
Before the diagnosis, her videos mostly focused on living a productive and inspirational life. But the topic of her posts changed after her diagnosis to show the entire journey…
When YouTube replaces TV, news and politics: what South Korea learned the hard way in 20 years
More than just entertainment, YouTube has become the dominant stage for news, activism, disinformation and cultural exports, reshaping South Korea’s digital life more profoundly…
In Thailand, Ayutthaya Police’s loft-style room Facebook post goes viral
It was an innovative idea to warn against law-breaking, where police at the Wang Noi Police Station offer a 31-square-metre one-bedroom unit with free breakfast — all at no…
Viewpoint: Do the Chinese TikToks ‘exposing’ designer brands spell the end of luxury?
The enthusiastic comments in the videos expose something deeper: a growing preference for buying fake and, consequently, a declining appreciation for luxury brands.
Virtual romance, real money: Why some Singaporeans spend 4 figures for love in ‘Deepspace’
In the game, players adopt the female lead’s perspective in its sci-fi fantasy story, and can battle monsters and go on dates with any of the five virtual eligible bachelors who…
ChatGPT hits 1.2m daily users in Korea amid Ghibli-style AI-generated image trend
The AI chatbot recorded a record 1,252,925 daily active users in South Korea on Thursday, a sharp increase from 799,571 on March 1.
Ghibli style cricket? Cricketers and fans jump on the AI bandwagon
Cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Rinku Kumar are joining the AI-generated Ghibli art trend, with fans creating animated versions of their favorite players in the iconic style.
The AI Studio Ghibli trend is an insult to art and artists
Artists spend years refining their artistic expression and skill, only for all that work to be appropriated by a single prompt on an AI tool.
Ajeo-chic? How middle-age became cool in the eyes of South Korean youth
Typically used for middle-aged men, often married with children, the Korean term carries a connotation of being outdated and uncool — essentially the opposite of an eligible…