You may notice quite a few homeless people around Seoul Station. A lot of visitors ask me, “Why are there so many homeless people here?” One of the biggest reasons goes back to 1997, during the Asian Financial Crisis. In Korea, we usually call it the IMF Crisis . A lot of companies went bankrupt, unemployment rose very quickly, and many people suddenly lost their jobs and income. Some people eventually lost their homes as well. And many of them came to Seoul Station . Why here? Because this was one of the main places to find day labor and temporary jobs , and it was also the main railway station if they wanted to go back to their hometowns. But some had no money left and nowhere else to go, so they stayed around the station. That is one reason Seoul Station became one of the main gathering places for homeless people after the 1997 crisis. Then another thing happened. Once many homeless people were here, churches, charities, NGOs, and the government started providing help here. Th...
Let’s talk about one of Korea’s most famous and beloved foods—Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)! If you’ve been to a Korean BBQ restaurant, you’ve probably had it. But do you know the history behind it? Let’s dive into it while making your mouth water 🔥 What is Samgyeopsal? The name 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) literally means “three-layered pork belly” in Korean. It refers to the thick, juicy slices of pork belly that are grilled to perfection at the table. The meat has three visible layers—lean meat, fat, and another layer of lean meat—which gives it its signature texture and flavor. Unlike Western-style bacon, which is thinly sliced and often cured, samgyeopsal is fresh, thick-cut, and grilled without seasoning. The idea is to enjoy the natural taste of the pork first and then dip it in various sauces for extra flavor. 📜 History: How Did Samgyeopsal Become Korea’s Favorite BBQ? Surprisingly, samgyeopsal was not always a popular dish in Korea. Post-Korean War (1950s-60s) – Back then, bee...