The Flow of Time in a Cup of Coffee

Today, cafe′s are not just places to drink coffee. Some people quietly read books, some work, and others have conversations with friends. In this way, caffe′s have become cultural spaces where many people stay for different reasons. However, this didn’t happen in just one day. This article looks for how caffe′s began and how they changed over time, so that readers can understand caffe′s as spaces with history and cu...

The Traditional K-Fireworks, Nakhwanori, Embroidered with History!

A traditional fireworks festival, where thousands of sparks turn a pond red, has recently become popular. It is called ‘Nakhwanori,’ which is one of Korea’s traditional folk games. These are traditonal fireworks where ‘nakhwabong’ are made by putting charcoal powder into hanji(Korean traditional paper) and twisting it around cotton cloth as a wick, which is then strung up and lit. Mainly, nakhwabongs are hung on iro...

Do You Consider Yourself Part of the Perennial Generation?

The time of birth often determines our generation. A society does not simply separate the boundaries of generations, analyze their characteristics, but also compares recurring behaviors. However, this does not create harmony but rather leads to conflicts and biases. Medical treatment and scientific techniques have rapidly developed in the contemporary society. Therefore, the life expectancy of people has increased and a multigenerational society...

Riot Games Universe

Riot Games, a name you might not be familiar with, but you must have heard of League of Legends. In fact, Riot Games is the company that made League of Legends one of the most popular games in the world. Not only that, they also made Valorant, another rising star in the gaming market. In Korean PC Bang (Korean PC cafe), League of Legends is the No. 1 game played, indicating the highest share, which is over 40%, and Valorant followed closely at N...

“PHAROS, Can You Teach Me Japanese?” We said, “はい, はい”

Language has enormous power. Through language, people all around the world can be connected, and also people can share culture and express our own desires, intentions, and thoughts. Every language is worth learning, but this time Pharos will introduce some useful and interesting Japanese slang that our readers can use in real life, from a Japanese international reporter!How Much Do You Know About Japanese ‘Slang’?『Yabai (やばい)...

Manufactured Holidays: How to Enjoy Them

Manufactured holidays, which are holidays created by companies to promote their products, are popular in Korea. The most famous manufactured holiday in Korea is “Pepero Day”. Pepero Day is on November 11th, which looks the same as Pepero, the stick-shaped chocolate snack. In Japan, there is “Pocky Day”. It’s similar to Korea’s Pepero Day. On November 11, Japanese people eat a snack called Pocky, which is a ...

Different Autumn Playlists between Korea and the US! What's the Reason?

What song do you think about when you hear the word ‘autumn’? What are some songs that go well with autumn? Some would think of calm ballads, suitable for the season when the nights start to get longer, and others may think of exciting music suitable for the clear sky and the weather. The difference in autumn music can be seen in the comparison of Korean and United States music charts. Why is there a difference in the image of Korea...

Content in Under 60 Seconds: Am I Addicted to Dopamine?

One anonymous student at Kyonggi University is worried because he is into "short form" these days. Originally he only watched them for a little while before going to bed, but soon the viewing time was up to 2 to 3 hours. He couldn't sleep, his concentration decreased and he had problems with his studies. This may be a common concern among the younger generation, not just for a few anonymous classmates. Short-form content, which refers to vi...

Cheongomabi Is Everywhere!

One of the most typical expressions that symbolizes autumn is cheongomabi (天高馬肥). Cheongomabi shows features of autumn; the ne of the most typical expressions that symbolizes autumn is sky looks high and horses gain weight because there are lots of things to eat. It means a special attraction and an abundance of autumn. The word cheongomabi originated from Chinese history. According to Chinese history, horses, which were used as a means ...

Korea’s Buddhist Culture

May’s most popular holiday, Buddha’s Birthday, is the biggest holiday in Buddhism. Buddhism, along with Islam and Christianity, is a world-class religion and at the same time the oldest one in human history. In Korea, Buddha’s Birthday is designated as a public holiday, so its meaning is more special. The reason why foreigners enjoy temple stays and temple food is that Buddhist culture has had a profound influence on Korean his...