Or, the persistence of nostalgia.
I lived in South Korea for four years. During that time, I traveled throughout the country and was able to travel to other countries between work contracts. A month in France, a week in Hong Kong. Travel was a huge part of my life.
And then my life changed. I…
Simon and Martina were beloved as entertainers and cultural ambassadors, but now, their community is divided.
When I moved to South Korea in 2013, nearly every foreigner in the country and plenty of locals knew about Eat Your Kimchi. This couple from Canada moved to Korea to teach English and…
Is it toxic for mental health or a useful post-pandemic coping mechanism?
A recent trend on YouTube and TikTok is the idea of “becoming the main character” or “romanticizing your life.” Looking at your life as a narrative isn’t a new idea. Throughout history, diarists have written about their life sometimes with the intention of it being published. …
The media we consume can have a big impact on our mental health, so let’s choose healing.
TV is a companion for many people. Especially throughout the pandemic, our favorite streaming services have started to fill a vital social role in our lives. …
While K-Beauty has proven to be more than a brief trend in the west, there are still deeper issues.
If you have any interest in beauty, personal care, or pop culture trends, you’ve probably heard about K-Beauty. …
When you’ve spent your whole life trying to get away from someone, it’s terrifying to see them in the mirror.
Learning to love, or at least accept, yourself is essential for a happy and functional adult life. After all, negative body image can be linked to anxiety and depression: conditions that erode your physical and mental health. …
When class and societal roles are more fluid than in eras past, there are new ways to identify the have and the have-nots.
As a professional beauty and lifestyle writer, I have researched many fashion brands. Something becomes clear as I look at boutique indie brands, higher-end luxury, and sustainable brands: these brands are typically only for thin women.
I remember rolling my eyes harder than is probably recommended when I read one…
After living in Korea and traveling around East Asia for years, I came back to America to realize how little Americans know about the region.
I grew up in small-town America, adjacent to some bigger cities, but in a community that still had agricultural roots. Returning there after traveling the world and living abroad was bound to be a case for reverse culture shock.
Even after moving to a more diverse part of the states…
Men often desire tenderness most of all.
Something I’ve learned in almost 5 years of marriage is that for men in a long-term relationship it isn’t about having someone for sex on-demand or having someone to help make sure they are taken care of and eat regular meals. …
As trends toward animal-free products gain popularity, it’s clear that there must be one exception: wool.
I remember the first time I saw Peta’s anti-wool campaign. Images of bloody and battered lambs as the apparent result of the violence of sheep-shearing were shocking to me. Not because they opened my…
