The K Ajumma

Life with a Jindo Mix: Understanding Korea's Native Dog Last January, our family started fostering Gunbam – a 3-year-old male Jindo mix who'd been rescued from a sewer, returned by a previous adopter, and was shaking with fear when we first met him at the park. From that trembling first day, our real story with Gunbam began. Korea's Native Dogs: More Than Just Pets Jindo dog, Sapsaree and Pungsan dog made by AI Korea has several native dog breeds designated as Natural Monuments. The most famous is the Jindo dog – named after Jindo Island in Jeollanam-do province in the southwest. Jindo dogs were designated as Natural Monument No. 53 in 1962. They're known for their strong loyalty to owners, intelligence, and independent personality. There are even legendary stories about Jindo dogs finding their way home from hundreds of kilometers away! Another native breed is the Sapsaree from the Gyeongsan area in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Sapsarees have long hair covering their eyes, and pe...

Last January, things at home were tough. My teenage son and I were clashing a lot, and the atmosphere in our house felt heavy most days. A friend suggested something unexpected: "Why don't you foster a dog? It might brighten things up at home." I wasn't confident at all. Taking care of someone - even my own children - already felt overwhelming to me. A dog? Who would take care of it?! Instagram's Algorithm Knows Too Much Still, Instagram's algorithm did its job well. Posts from "Band for Animal," a local rescue shelter, kept showing up endlessly on my feed. "URGENT: Foster needed!" "Euthanasia scheduled this week if no one comes." I learned things I hadn't known before. In South Korea's animal shelters, dogs can stay for only about 10 days. Because shelter space is so limited, after that they're euthanized by injection. The posts showing euthanized dogs were shocking and heartbreaking. My heart felt disturbed. There ar...

< A simple one-day backpacking & bike ride with my son - November 13, 2025 > I didn’t expect this random Thursday in mid-November to become one of my favorite days of the year. But sometimes the small trips - even if I didn't expect to be with my son - ends up with great memories.

Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by my blog.  As an AI Literacy instructor here in South Korea, and as a daughter who really worries about my father's YouTube addict, let me talk about the news I heard just the other day.  The headline hit me hard: " South Korean Seniors (Ages 60+) Face High Risk of Short-Form/YouTube Over-Addiction ." Over 83% of seniors are online. But when I look at my own father, phone in hand, I realize this isn't a statistic about digital success. It’s a raw symptom of a much deeper, painful loneliness in our society. Honestly, seeing it made me feel a mix of sadness and deep concern.  Why are the parents who once sacrificed everything for their families now seeking comfort in endless video streams? 

Hey, I am an AI literacy instructor here in the South Korea. Let me talk about the single most stressful day in a Korean student’s life: the Suneung, officially the College Scholastic Ability Test. The 2026 exam just happened(November 13th, 2025), and it was quite a monster.   The 2026 Suneung: A Test of Endurance   The general buzz is that Korean Language, Math, and Social Studies were brutal. The pressure was so intense that some students were actually witnessed leaving the exam hall even in the first class, unable to cope with the stress and difficulty. Whew!    Giving students choco late or other sweets is a common pre-Suneung tradition in Korea to wish them success and cheer them on. Suneung, Is Your Entire Future? It does not just matter – it is regarded to determine a student’s lifelong trajectory. Korea is the most educated country in the world. 71% of young adults (aged 25-34) hold a tertiary education degree – the highest rate among OECD nations. The d...

  Looking for a unique way to explore Seoul's hidden history? The Donuimun Museum Village offers a free docent tour , taking you on a journey through a beautifully preserved traditional hanok village and Korea’s modern history. Although the tour is conducted in Korean, foreign visitors can still enjoy the experience with English reservation options and informational signs throughout the village. Whether you’re a history lover, a cultural explorer, or just looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, this tour is a must-visit! What is Donuimun Museum Village? The Donuimun Museum Village is a historical and cultural site that recreates the past century of Seoul’s urban life. Unlike traditional folk villages, which mainly showcase the Joseon Dynasty, this village presents a blend of hanok (traditional Korean houses) and modern buildings , offering a rare glimpse into Seoul’s transformation from the 20th century to the present day. 📍 Location : 35-54 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul ...

 Seoul, a city where tradition and modernity coexist, is home to a diverse array of museums that showcase Korea’s rich history, art, and culture. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply looking for a meaningful experience, the city's museums offer something for everyone. To help visitors navigate Seoul’s vast cultural landscape, here’s a guide to some of the best museums categorized by region—East, West, South, and North. 1. Eastern Seoul (Gwangjin-gu, Seongdong-gu, Gangdong-gu, Songpa-gu, etc.) ✅ Seoul Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site Museum Highlights : This museum provides a glimpse into the Neolithic era with excavated artifacts and interactive exhibitions. The site itself is one of Korea’s most significant prehistoric remains. Address : 875 Olympic-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul Website : http://museum.gangdong.go.kr ✅ Lotte World Folk Museum Highlights : Located within Lotte World Adventure, this museum showcases Korea's traditional culture through l...