INTERVIEW: As pet culture evolves, a startup reshapes animal funeral care

SEOUL, November 8 (AJP) - At Four Paws Hwaseong, rows of small cabinets display photos capturing cherished moments of deceased pets. These once-beloved family members now rest peacefully, surrounded by flowers, toys, snacks and mementos from their lives. Through dignified funerals conducted by professional morticians, Petdoc seeks to support pets throughout their lifetimes, even beyond death, in a manner similar to human services. Founded in late 2016, the company launched its fl

November 8, 2024

INTERVIEW: AI startup creates interactive memorial avatars

SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - A single photo and a brief voice recording are all it takes for DeepBrain AI to create lifelike avatars of deceased loved ones. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the Korean start-up allows families to reconnect with their departed through a virtual, interactive memorial service called Re;memory. The company launched it in 2022, initially involving the creation of digital replicas of individuals to preserve their legacies. "We began Re;memory 1

November 5, 2024

'Small gestures can make difference': Social entrepreneur helps isolated youth reconnect

SEOUL, November 1 (AJP) - When hundreds of young Korean women were rushed to emergency rooms for suicide attempts in 2020, Lee Eun-ae knew she had to act. The social entrepreneur saw it as a desperate cry for help from a generation losing hope. "Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, numerous small businesses were forced to close. This particularly affected young women in their 20s who relied on part-time jobs for income, leaving them uncertain about their future," sa

November 1, 2024

Seek wisdom from elders to weather crisis, seasoned boffin advises

SEOUL, October 29 (AJP) - It is an old custom in South Korea for elderly politicians and scholars to be consulted for their wisdom whenever the country faces a crisis. "Through our combined knowledge and expertise across diverse areas, we can provide a clearer vision and guidance for the country's future," said Oh Myung, the chair of the Korea National Council of Senior Leaders in an interview with Aju Business daily last Friday. Currently led by Oh, the council is

October 29, 2024

INTERVIEW: Folk song artist says tradition must evolve to survive

SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) - A never-before-seen performance at NPR's Tiny Desk Concert, a prestigious music series showcasing global musicians, captivated music enthusiasts in 2016. A trio, comprising of one female and two male singers, performed songs that echoed the sound of shamanic hymns, backed by Western instruments. The group, Ssing Ssing, fused traditional Korean folk songs with modern Western sounds, presenting a captivating blend of past and present. The male perfo

October 17, 2024

INTERVIEW: Globetrotting YouTuber strives to document vanishing indigenous cultures

SEOUL, October 11 (AJP) - In a world where cultural diversity faces increasing threats, Jang Jun-ho, a Korean YouTuber, is on a mission to document the vanishing lifestyles of indigenous tribes across the globe. Jang, who runs the YouTube travel channel Yeokmasal Road, has recently garnered attention for his exploration of the Hadza, a hunter-gatherer tribe in Tanzania. "The decline of indigenous cultures and communities is heartbreaking. The Hadza, for instance, are dwindling

October 11, 2024

INTERVIEW: Now is prime time to promote Hangeul amid K-pop's global popularity, scholar says

SEOUL, October 8 (AJP) - Koreans are celebrating Hangeul Day on Wednesday, marking the 578th anniversary of the proclamation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Invented by King Sejong the Great in 1443 and propagated three years later, Hangeul is a highly logical and scientific writing system, making it easy to learn and contributing to Korea's status as one of the world's most literate countries. "Now is the best time to promote Hangeul, which is gaining traction worldw

October 8, 2024

INTERVIEW: Female business leader urges women entrepreneurs to tap global markets

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - The chief of the Korean Women Entrepreneurs Association (KWEA) called for greater efforts to encourage women-owned businesses to venture into international markets, emphasizing overseas expansion is crucial for their long-term growth and survival. Lee Jeong-han, president of the nation's leading female business lobby, observed many women entrepreneurs remain focused on domestic markets, with only a small fraction expanding abroad. "As of 2022,

September 20, 2024

INTERVIEW: Seoul City will boost walkability with new initiative

SEOUL, September 20 (AJP) - Seoul is expected to become a more walkable and livelier city with neighborhoods offering a variety of amenities within a short walking distance, according to plans envisioned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This will allow Seoulites to easily walk to work, dine, shop, and enjoy leisure activities within a 30-minute radius of their homes. The key aspects of the plans in the offing focus on enhancing accessibility and connectivity within the city to

September 20, 2024