Latest news with #Confucian
Korea Herald
13 hours ago
- Science
- Korea Herald
A Journey into Confucian Wisdom at Nishan
QUFU, China, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Qilu Evening News•Qilu Yidian On April 19th, 11 international students from Jining University visited Nishan Sacred Land in Qufu, Shandong Province, the birthplace of Confucius. This cultural theme park is designed for experiencing Confucian culture and serves as a base for international cultural exchange. During their visit, the students explored the fusion of traditional culture and modern civilization, witnessing how ancient wisdom harmonizes with cutting-edge technology. Through interactive exhibits and philosophical explorations, they discovered the significance of Confucian ideals in today's world.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Korea Herald
Baby's first haircut can go a little extreme in S. Korea
A baby's first hair naturally falls out over time, but some parents in South Korea choose to shave it early. Why? The practice stems from a long-held belief, though less common today, that shaving encourages hair to grow back thicker and fuller. As in many cultures, lush, full hair is highly valued in Korea, often regarded as a symbol of health and youth. The shaved hair is often kept as a memento, stored in decorative keepsake boxes or framed for display. Some even have it crafted into a brush, following a tradition once practiced by ancestors, as a symbolic gesture of hope for the child's future. During the Joseon era (1392–1910), many Confucian scholars shaved their children's first batch of hair and turned it into a brush known as taemopil, which was believed to bring academic success. Unlike the coarse and oily hair of adults, a newborn's first hair is exceptionally soft and fine, making it ideal for crafting delicate calligraphy brushes. Making a brush from a baby's first hair is a tradition not unique to Korea; it is also practiced in countries like China and Japan. Shaving in hopes of achieving fuller hair, however, has no scientific basis. According to local medical experts, while newly grown hair may appear fuller compared to before, this is merely an optical illusion. When hair is shaved, the blunt tips of the regrowing strands can make the hair look thicker and coarser. In reality, shaving does not alter hair's structure, density or growth rate. The experts also caution that a baby's scalp is highly sensitive, and shaving might cause unnecessary irritation. Although not as extreme as shaving, a baby's first haircut is often remembered as a small yet meaningful rite of passage, a tender milestone that parents cherish among the many 'firsts.' Is it time for your baby's first haircut? What will you do with those tiny strands?
Int'l Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Beyond Borders: Richard Shearer's Vision for Culturally Intelligent Finance
For Dickie Shearer, culture isn't a footnote in business. It is fundamental to business itself. After almost two decades of working across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, at times advising governments, ruling families and sovereign funds Shearer has come to a clear understanding: the prevailing Western frameworks of business and the financial infrastructure that supports them are not fit for purpose, meaning the Global South lags behind; not due to lack of smarts or effort, but because of a fundamental cultural cacophony. "The world is trying to solve 2020's Global South problems with 1990s Western solutions," Shearer says. "New problems need new solutions. It's a matter of building solutions that fit the culture, economy, and values of each place and not attempting a one-size-fits-all solution." It's a worldview that's shaped both Shearer's personal journey and his ambitious ventures. As the founder of the Tintra brand almost 20 years ago, Shearer has worked in these markets as they have evolved, most recently in exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to reshape the way that capital is utilized and risk is viewed in these markets. But Shearer's vision goes far beyond fintech. His philanthropic work supports a broader vision that includes working with indigenous tribes to document, understand, and empower these communities and peoples. Whilst two seemingly separate threads, these missions work in tandem with each other with one mantra: inclusion isn't just about access; it's about understanding. "There's so much more that connects us than separates us," Shearer says. "From indigenous wisdom to AI, from ancient texts to blockchain, all of these are expressions of the same human search for meaning. My work at its base is about translating between those languages: economically, culturally, philosophically." Having spent much of his life in Asia, Shearer's background is anything but conventional. He recalls reading the Greek classics and mid-century philosophers as a teenager and seeking out spiritual experiences long before they became Western wellness trends. That introspective streak would later fuse with his work in emerging markets, shaping a thinker who views finance through a deeply human lens. "I'm ultimately a culture guy," Shearer says. "Everything I do externally is a reflection of the way I contemplate things internally. The idea that logic and reason alone can solve human problems is, to me, a software glitch. The societal 'apps', we take for granted every day work well when they run on our Western Socratic operating system. When we try running them on Confucian, Rumi, or Ubuntu OS, we find cultural dissonance and then wonder why. What's missing to my mind is the cultural API that allows our social systems to talk to each other equally." The idea that building systems that account for cultural differences rather than override them is what Shearer advocates for. Technologies and societies at large would benefit from understanding individual realities rather than seeing the world through a lens of preconceived bias. Shearer advocates that many of the Global South's challenges can be met by moving away from these preconceptions into a more culturally nuanced worldview. "In Europe, a local person is assumed to be a good credit risk until they prove otherwise. The same person from an emerging economy, or a certain cultural background, is assumed to be a risk until that person jumps through unending hoops. It's in this risk perception arbitrage that the ability to change lives exists," says Shearer. Finance and indigenous cultures seem a world apart but it is with this in mind that Shearer's interests and work converge "It is easy to forget in today's world of podcasts and never ending self help books that some of the deepest human wisdom often comes from the cultures and peoples that live the most simply." Shearer says. "They live as what I think of as pre-software humans. They haven't overlaid logic, capitalism, Socratic thinking or democracy in the way the West has and everyone I meet from these backgrounds seems content and complete in their lives. I really believe that if we want to understand ourselves, others, and the world we live in, we have to understand these peoples that have lived in harmony with - not against - the natural world for thousands of years." This isn't just abstract philosophy; it's the blueprint for a different kind of global economy. One where risk is priced fairly, capital flows freely, and cultural differences are not flattened and homogenized but celebrated. "Yes, technological evolution is making the world smaller," Shearer says. "But it's up to us to at the same time make it better. And that starts by recognizing that we need to move away from the prevailing paradigm of right and wrong and into one where we respect, understand and adapt to the fact that whilst we are all equal, we are not the same. And that is something that should be celebrated, not feared." Truly, in a world chasing efficiency, Dickie Shearer is chasing understanding. And through that, he might just show how we might build a future that thinks more about those things that we all share and less about the ones that divide us.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Sokgunghap': How early should sex factor into finding a partner?
In a society steeped in Confucian values, having sex before becoming a couple as a test of compatibility is emerging as part of new dating culture in South Korea For a long time in South Korea, sexual intimacy was a matter reserved for after marriage, with a strong emphasis on commitment. But things are changing. Many young people place a greater emphasis on sexual compatibility as an essential component of romance, and sometimes sexual activity even precedes the start of a romantic relationship. Many traditional views on sex in Korean society stem from Neo-Confucianism, which established distinct standards of sexual morality based on gender and regarded sex solely as a means of procreation. However, beginning in the late 1990s, the feminist movement and the push for sexual liberation here led to a gradual decline in the influence of these beliefs, resulting in more relaxed attitudes towards premarital sex, according to a Statista report. A term that encapsulates this shift is "sokgunghap." "Gunghap" refers to traditional measures of marital compatibility predicted by fortunetellers based on two individuals' birth details, including the year, month, date and time. "Sokgunghap" puts an intimate twist on this traditional outlook, referring to sexual compatibility — whether partners have shared or similar sexual needs, including preferences, turn-ons and desired frequency. Once a topic reserved for married couples, sokgunghap has now even become a crucial factor for young Koreans in deciding whether to start dating. This trend was highlighted two years ago by a candid comment from a female Korean singer who emphasized sokgunghap as her top ideal partner condition. Jamie, a singer born in 1997, appeared on the YouTube channel "Ssulply," hosted by married singer Lee Seok-hoon, born in 1984. When asked what she considered most important in a relationship, Jamie confidently stated, "I think sexual compatibility is the most important thing." Despite Lee's surprise and his repeated questioning, Jamie reaffirmed, "Sokgunghap. It's important, isn't it?" Lee, representing the older generation and unfamiliar with such open discussions, could only sip his coffee uncomfortably. This moment highlighted a generation gap, with the younger generation openly prioritizing sex, while the older generation finds such openness unsettling. Pre-relationship sex According to a survey conducted by Statista in December 2022, around 57.6 percent of South Koreans now consider premarital sex acceptable, showing a steady increase over the years from just 20.2 percent in 1996. Additionally, a survey conducted by Statista in 2023 found that 57.6 percent of men and 40.8 percent of women aged 25 to 39 said they would start having sex within the first month of a relationship, although the average was 5.1 months, indicating much longer periods for some. This survey included 1,000 singles aged 25 to 39 and revealed that, on average, they believed 5.1 months was an appropriate time to begin engaging in sexual activities after entering a relationship. The emergence of the term "seon-seg-hu-sa," meaning "sex before dating," further illustrates this evolving trend in modern relationships. Kim, a 32-year-old finance professional living in Seoul, shared her personal experience with this trend. "I have initiated all my relationships after first becoming physically intimate with my partners," she explained. "Engaging physically helps foster quick intimacy, which seems to deepen the relationship more effectively. I notice that many people around me also engage in 'seon-seg-hu-sa,' suggesting it's becoming quite the norm." As a result, sex has come to be regarded as one of the most crucial aspects of modern romantic relationships. Dr. Hong Sung-woo, a urologist in Korea and a YouTuber, previously commented on this phenomenon. When asked how important sex is in contemporary romantic relationships, he remarked, "In my view, it accounts for almost 100 percent." One-night stand Among the growing number of sokgunghap adherents trend is Lee, a writer in her 30s. 'I prefer to sleep with a guy to see if they could be a perfect match in bed before finally deciding on whether the relationship will progress further or not,' she said. Lee attributes this approach to her past experiences. "I was brought up with the belief that women should be chaste and modest, and I internalized the longstanding social notion — rooted in Korea's Confucian values — that delaying sex would lead to healthier, longer-lasting relationships," she explained. "However, about 10 years ago, after entering a relationship and waiting several months to have intercourse for the first time, I realized that my then-boyfriend and I were not sexually compatible." This approach, she noted, sometimes led to one-night stands. "After that experience, I decided to always have sex first and then decide if I wanted to continue dating. As a result, if I wasn't satisfied in bed, it wouldn't lead to a relationship, and I found myself frequently engaging in one-night stands." Lee is not alone. A survey conducted in 2018 by the matchmaking company Baroyeon revealed that 47.1 percent of 2,113 unmarried men and women had experienced a one-night stand. Of those individuals, 36.1 percent reported meeting the same partner again. These encounters primarily took place in spontaneous settings such as bars and clubs. A separate survey in 2018 by the South Korean local media outlet Edaily explored the thoughts and experiences of 380 individuals in their 20s and 30s related to sex. The survey found that 56.7 percent of one-night stands started in places like bars and clubs, where immediate connections are easy to forge. This was followed by meetings through arranged settings, such as blind dates and social gatherings at 16.7 percent, and online options, including apps, at 10 percent. When asked why they engaged in one-night stands, 58.9 percent of respondents cited the absence of a partner and the desire to enjoy adult freedoms. "Young people today tend to avoid engaging in relationships that require a lot of time and effort. Due to challenges such as employment, workplace demands, and economic issues, they themselves do not feel at ease, thus hesitating to form deep connections," said Kwak Keum-joo, a professor of psychology at Seoul National University, offering insights into these statistics. Although one-night stands have become more prevalent, not everyone is pleased with this trend. Hwang, a 33-year-old office worker who recently married, expressed his concerns, stating, "Sex is an intimate act that involves sharing one's vulnerabilities and is a token of love. Doing it randomly is concerning and far from ideal. There are also worries about sexually transmitted diseases. In the past, I discovered my ex-girlfriend had a one-night stand before we dated, and it was a deal-breaker for me." Hwang is not alone in his views. The surfing hotspot of Yangyang in Gangwon Province has acquired the nickname "one-night stand city" in recent years. The area became popular among young surfing enthusiasts seeking fun during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this came with a nightlife culture that included spontaneous meetups. But as its reputation for hookups grew, tourist numbers fell. According to KT's big data analysis, tourist visits — including international and domestic visitors — to Yangyang fell nearly 6 percent last year. Local media speculates that the perception of Yangyang as a hub for youth nightlife and casual encounters, especially one-night stands, may have fueled the decline; however, factors such as changing trends and an increase in overseas travel could also have contributed. This reputation led to negative reputations circulating online forums, with posts titled "Why You Shouldn't Visit Yangyang," and "Avoid Yangyang Post-Visit" gaining traction. The stigma has become so pronounced that travelers now hesitate to share photos from Yangyang on social media, according to local reports. While the trend is moving toward greater sexual liberation, the backlash that still surrounds things like one-night stands shows that it has yet to become a dominant social norm. Lee Myung-gil, who has worked for roughly 20 years as a professional dating coach and previously as a manager at the local matchmaking firm Duo, commented: "Over the past few decades, women in our country have become more confident, both sexually and economically. There's no denying that they are cooler and more assertive now. The number of people engaging in 'pre-relational sex' is on the rise; however, it is still not mainstream, especially among women." "Conceptually, there has been significant liberalization, but practical safety concerns still prevent full openness. Recently, due to growing concerns about crimes related to drugs and murder, women are becoming more cautious about engaging in one-night stands with strangers," Lee added. Lee advises women to be extra cautious about one-night stands: "When meeting someone through bars or apps for a one-night stand, the worst-case scenarios differ by gender. Men might risk losing some money, whereas women could be exposed to severe dangers, including murder. Therefore, caution is always necessary.'
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
'Sokgunghap': Is it wrong to prioritize sex in romantic relationships?
In a society steeped in Confucian values, having sex before becoming a couple as a test of compatibility is emerging as part of new dating culture in South Korea For a long time in South Korea, sexual intimacy was a matter reserved for after marriage, with a strong emphasis on commitment. But things are changing. Many young people place a greater emphasis on sexual compatibility as an essential component of romance, and sometimes sexual activity even precedes the start of a romantic relationship. Many traditional views on sex in Korean society stem from Neo-Confucianism, which established distinct standards of sexual morality based on gender and regarded sex solely as a means of procreation. However, beginning in the late 1990s, the feminist movement and the push for sexual liberation here led to a gradual decline in the influence of these beliefs, resulting in more relaxed attitudes towards premarital sex, according to a Statista report. A term that encapsulates this shift is "sokgunghap." "Gunghap" refers to traditional measures of marital compatibility predicted by fortunetellers based on two individuals' birth details, including the year, month, date and time. "Sokgunghap" puts an intimate twist on this traditional outlook, referring to sexual compatibility — whether partners have shared or similar sexual needs, including preferences, turn-ons and desired frequency. Once a topic reserved for married couples, sokgunghap has now even become a crucial factor for young Koreans in deciding whether to start dating. This trend was highlighted two years ago by a candid comment from a female Korean singer who emphasized sokgunghap as her top ideal partner condition. Jamie, a singer born in 1997, appeared on the YouTube channel "Ssulply," hosted by married singer Lee Seok-hoon, born in 1984. When asked what she considered most important in a relationship, Jamie confidently stated, "I think sexual compatibility is the most important thing." Despite Lee's surprise and his repeated questioning, Jamie reaffirmed, "Sokgunghap. It's important, isn't it?" Lee, representing the older generation and unfamiliar with such open discussions, could only sip his coffee uncomfortably. This moment highlighted a generation gap, with the younger generation openly prioritizing sex, while the older generation finds such openness unsettling. Pre-relationship sex According to a survey conducted by Statista in December 2022, around 57.6 percent of South Koreans now consider premarital sex acceptable, showing a steady increase over the years from just 20.2 percent in 1996. Additionally, a survey conducted by Statista in 2023 found that 57.6 percent of men and 40.8 percent of women aged 25 to 39 said they would start having sex within the first month of a relationship, although the average was 5.1 months, indicating much longer periods for some. This survey included 1,000 singles aged 25 to 39 and revealed that, on average, they believed 5.1 months was an appropriate time to begin engaging in sexual activities after entering a relationship. The emergence of the term "seon-seg-hu-sa," meaning "sex before dating," further illustrates this evolving trend in modern relationships. Kim, a 32-year-old finance professional living in Seoul, shared her personal experience with this trend. "I have initiated all my relationships after first becoming physically intimate with my partners," she explained. "Engaging physically helps foster quick intimacy, which seems to deepen the relationship more effectively. I notice that many people around me also engage in 'seon-seg-hu-sa,' suggesting it's becoming quite the norm." As a result, sex has come to be regarded as one of the most crucial aspects of modern romantic relationships. Dr. Hong Sung-woo, a urologist in Korea and a YouTuber, previously commented on this phenomenon. When asked how important sex is in contemporary romantic relationships, he remarked, "In my view, it accounts for almost 100 percent." One-night stand Among the growing number of sokgunghap adherents trend is Lee, a writer in her 30s. 'I prefer to sleep with a guy to see if they could be a perfect match in bed before finally deciding on whether the relationship will progress further or not,' she said. Lee attributes this approach to her past experiences. "I was brought up with the belief that women should be chaste and modest, and I internalized the longstanding social notion — rooted in Korea's Confucian values — that delaying sex would lead to healthier, longer-lasting relationships," she explained. "However, about 10 years ago, after entering a relationship and waiting several months to have intercourse for the first time, I realized that my then-boyfriend and I were not sexually compatible." This approach, she noted, sometimes led to one-night stands. "After that experience, I decided to always have sex first and then decide if I wanted to continue dating. As a result, if I wasn't satisfied in bed, it wouldn't lead to a relationship, and I found myself frequently engaging in one-night stands." Lee is not alone. A survey conducted in 2018 by the matchmaking company Baroyeon revealed that 47.1 percent of 2,113 unmarried men and women had experienced a one-night stand. Of those individuals, 36.1 percent reported meeting the same partner again. These encounters primarily took place in spontaneous settings such as bars and clubs. A separate survey in 2018 by the South Korean local media outlet Edaily explored the thoughts and experiences of 380 individuals in their 20s and 30s related to sex. The survey found that 56.7 percent of one-night stands started in places like bars and clubs, where immediate connections are easy to forge. This was followed by meetings through arranged settings, such as blind dates and social gatherings at 16.7 percent, and online options, including apps, at 10 percent. When asked why they engaged in one-night stands, 58.9 percent of respondents cited the absence of a partner and the desire to enjoy adult freedoms. "Young people today tend to avoid engaging in relationships that require a lot of time and effort. Due to challenges such as employment, workplace demands, and economic issues, they themselves do not feel at ease, thus hesitating to form deep connections," said Kwak Keum-joo, a professor of psychology at Seoul National University, offering insights into these statistics. Although one-night stands have become more prevalent, not everyone is pleased with this trend. Hwang, a 33-year-old office worker who recently married, expressed his concerns, stating, "Sex is an intimate act that involves sharing one's vulnerabilities and is a token of love. Doing it randomly is concerning and far from ideal. There are also worries about sexually transmitted diseases. In the past, I discovered my ex-girlfriend had a one-night stand before we dated, and it was a deal-breaker for me." Hwang is not alone in his views. The surfing hotspot of Yangyang in Gangwon Province has acquired the nickname "one-night stand city" in recent years. The area became popular among young surfing enthusiasts seeking fun during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this came with a nightlife culture that included spontaneous meetups. But as its reputation for hookups grew, tourist numbers fell. According to KT's big data analysis, tourist visits — including international and domestic visitors — to Yangyang fell nearly 6 percent last year. Local media speculates that the perception of Yangyang as a hub for youth nightlife and casual encounters, especially one-night stands, may have fueled the decline; however, factors such as changing trends and an increase in overseas travel could also have contributed. This reputation led to negative reputations circulating online forums, with posts titled "Why You Shouldn't Visit Yangyang," and "Avoid Yangyang Post-Visit" gaining traction. The stigma has become so pronounced that travelers now hesitate to share photos from Yangyang on social media, according to local reports. While the trend is moving toward greater sexual liberation, the backlash that still surrounds things like one-night stands shows that it has yet to become a dominant social norm. Lee Myung-gil, who has worked for roughly 20 years as a professional dating coach and previously as a manager at the local matchmaking firm Duo, commented: "Over the past few decades, women in our country have become more confident, both sexually and economically. There's no denying that they are cooler and more assertive now. The number of people engaging in 'pre-relational sex' is on the rise; however, it is still not mainstream, especially among women." "Conceptually, there has been significant liberalization, but practical safety concerns still prevent full openness. Recently, due to growing concerns about crimes related to drugs and murder, women are becoming more cautious about engaging in one-night stands with strangers," Lee added. Lee advises women to be extra cautious about one-night stands: "When meeting someone through bars or apps for a one-night stand, the worst-case scenarios differ by gender. Men might risk losing some money, whereas women could be exposed to severe dangers, including murder. Therefore, caution is always necessary.'
