Korea Explained is an ongoing series of long-form cultural essays exploring Korean society through distance, observation, and lived experience.
04 – Between Rudeness and Kindness: The Lubrication of Words and the Shape of Silence
2025-12-15
What reads as coldness at first glance may follow a different logic altogether. In Korea’s cities, distance often moves in step with pace.
02 – Common Misunderstandings About Korean Culture
2025-12-13
Korean culture is often misunderstood through partial impressions. Misunderstandings arise when visible behavior is judged without social context.
01 – Korea Explained: From a Distance
2025-12-12
Before leaving Korea, I believed I understood it. Distance unsettled that certainty. What once felt natural began to ask questions. These essays do not explain or defend Korea. They simply observe— from a position slightly to the side.