MetaCity Story

  **How to Recreate the Cozy Living Room BBQ From Your Favorite K-Dramas** If you are a fan of Korean pop culture, you have probably spent hours watching characters gather around a sizzling grill right in the middle of a sleek apartment, enjoying what is known as Samgyeopsal Night. In South Korea, pork belly BBQ is more than just dinner. It is the ultimate social ritual for catching up with friends, wrapping up a long workweek, or spending a cozy evening with family.  To understand this indoor BBQ phenomenon, it helps to know that over sixty percent of Koreans live in modern, high-rise apartments, which are vertical communities similar to urban condos in the United States. The nationwide obsession with pork belly began during the rapid economic boom of the 1970s. Back then, it was an affordable, nutrient-rich protein that hard-working citizens could enjoy without a heavy financial burden. As people grilled this specific cut, they fell madly in love with its unique texture, whi...

  Why Korea’s Memorial Day Feels Familiar Yet So Different From America’s Every country has a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. For countries that have endured colonial rule, war, or national tragedy, these days carry an especially deep emotional weight. South Korea is one of those countries. Korea emerged from 36 years of Japanese colonial rule, only to face the devastating Korean War just a few years later. It was not simply a war between two armies. It was a brutal conflict between people who shared the same language, history, and blood. The war left millions dead, wounded, displaced, or separated from their families. Cities were destroyed. Homes disappeared. Entire families were broken. Thanks to the military support of the United States and other UN allies, South Korea survived communist aggression. From the ashes of war, Korea eventually became the developed nation it is today. That is why Memorial Day in Korea is not just a holiday. It is a...

  Why Are South Korea’s Playgrounds Empty Even for 5-Year-Olds? A 5-Year-Old’s Busy Routine in Seoul Meet Lee Hyewon. She is a typical 5-year-old girl living in Seoul. Like most kids her age, she always wants to play; she is a non-stop bundle of energy. In South Korea, early childhood education is deeply woven into the fabric of daily life. Children aged 2 to 4 typically attend daycare centers (Eorinijip), while those aged 5 attend kindergartens (Yuchiwon). To support families, the Korean government generously covers the full cost of this early schooling, including tuition and meals. The Early Start of Fierce Competition While this public system is optional, it serves as the launching pad for something else that is virtually mandatory in Korean society: a fierce, early-stage competition in private education. Long before they ever step into a formal elementary school classroom, Korean children are introduced to a structured world of learning driven by their parents' intense aspirati...

 Why Do Koreans Look 10 Years Younger Than Americans Their Age? A 91-Year-Old Korean Mother Who Still Looks Young Take a look at this photo. How old do you think she looks? The woman in this story is my 91-year-old mother. After graduating from college, she worked as a middle school teacher for 16 years before becoming a homemaker in Seoul. Later, after my father retired, they moved to the countryside and managed a huge apple orchard together. Even now, at 91, my mother spends her days actively socializing at a local senior community center. She dances, exercises, laughs with friends, and enjoys playing Hwatu, a traditional Korean card game filled with colorful flower illustrations. Most importantly, she still has a bright, youthful spirit and a sharp mind. Watching my mother age has taught me something important: Aging is not controlled by genetics alone. The way people age is deeply connected to their lifestyle, diet, healthcare, stress levels, exercise habits, sleep, and daily s...

  “Don’t Look, I’m a Young Lady Too” — A Funny and Heartwarming Story About a Korean 5-Year-Old Girl In Korea, a child’s day often does not end when kindergarten is over. This is the story of a little 5-year-old girl named Hye-won. Her family often calls her “Pretty Hye-won,” and she loves that nickname more than her real name.  When someone calls her “Pretty Hye-won,” she answers right away, as if the word “pretty” belongs only to her. She goes to kindergarten in the morning and comes home in the afternoon. But after a short snack, her second round of the day begins. In Korea, many children attend private academies after kindergarten.  These academies are almost like a second school.   ( In Korea, these are often called 'Hagwons.'  While some focus on academics, many for young children are designed as safe and fun places for physical activity and creative play.)  Hye-won goes to ballet, swimming, soccer, art, and science classes once a week. One day, Hye-w...

  3 Things About Korean Apartments That Would Make Americans Jealous I’ve lived in Korea for a long time, and there are some things about Korean apartments that still feel like they are from the year 2050. If you are used to physical keys, open parking lots, and noisy air heaters in the United States, some features of Korean apartment life may feel almost futuristic. South Korea has a population of about 51.6 million people, and according to 2024 housing statistics, 53.9% of households live in apartments. In the U.S., an "apartment" is often seen as a temporary rental. In Korea, however, high-rise apartments are premium real estate, more akin to luxury American condominiums. While a villa may sound more luxurious in English, in Korea, the meaning is almost the opposite. A modern apartment represents middle-class family life, convenience, security, and social status. 1. Korean Apartments Have Almost No Physical Keys The apartment complex where I live is called Ellif Apartment...

  What Kinds of Stores Exist Inside Korean Commercial Buildings? The Unique Floor Structure of Korean Commercial Buildings In Korea, the first floor of a commercial building is considered the most important floor. The rent for the first floor is usually the most expensive. Because of this, the businesses that attract the most customers almost always occupy the first floor. There is one store that exists in almost every Korean commercial building without exception: coffee shops. Some coffee shops are large, while others are tiny delivery-focused cafés smaller than 350 square feet (about 10 pyeong). The coffee shop directly in front of my apartment is very small, yet there are three separate commercial buildings nearby, and every single one has a coffee franchise on the first floor. A typical first floor in Korea may include: • A bakery • A coffee shop • A pharmacy • A porridge restaurant • A general restaurant • A rice cake shop The second floor often contains: • Hair salons • Engli...

Why Korea Has Hospitals Everywhere Near Apartment Buildings Why Korea Has Hospitals Everywhere Near Apartment Buildings One of the biggest culture shocks for foreigners visiting South Korea is how many hospitals and clinics exist inside ordinary neighborhood shopping buildings. In many Korean cities, people only need to walk about 330 to 980 feet (100–300 meters) from their apartment to find a commercial building filled with medical clinics. And these are not just small walk-in offices. Many Korean neighborhood buildings contain internal medicine clinics, dental clinics, pediatric clinics, ENT clinics, orthopedic clinics, pain clinics, radiology centers, dermatology clinics, plastic surgery clinics, and kidney specialists. In fact, many Koreans say that almost every department found in a university hospital can also be found somewhere inside local neighborhood clinics. Hospitals Above the First Floor Most Korean clinics are located on the second floor or higher inside shopping building...