David D. Lee (@davddalee) header
David D. Lee (@davddalee) profile picture

Freelance journalist in SeoulšŸ‡°šŸ‡· @AJEnglish, @SCMPNews, @NikkeiAsia, @Billboard, others. DM or šŸ“§[email protected]

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Joined February 2020
Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)Photo by David D. Lee (@davddalee)
Wrote about most-talked about movie in Korea. The Assassin(s) has started a nat'l debate on former prez Park Chung-hee and freedom of speech while protesters boycott the film. Still #1 at box office. Protests even planned in front of an actor's home. scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle…
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The world is fearing AI's accelerated rise, but South Korea is making AI a public utility for everyone. For @SCMPNews, businesses, young jobseekers and students talked about already feeling AI's impact. The "AI for All" will be the newest test case. scmp.com/week-asia/economics…
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I wrote about a night out in Seoul's nightlife areasšŸ» (I live near Hongdae) Quieter streets. More foreigners. Younger Korean crowds. Might not be as notorious as in past, but going out here has become more diverse/creative than ever before. sc.mp/ivkum?utm_source=twitt…
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Much has already been written about K-pop's most-trending group, RESCENE. My latest for @SCMPNews is less about their xtraordinary road to fame and more about pulling off something rare: winning over Korea first when K-pop is increasingly looking abroad. scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle…
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I wrote a long comeback feature on #BTS ahead of their #Arirang album drop and mega free concert this Saturday. Fans gathered outside HYBE HQ for bday of #Suga told me they’re living the time of their lives. sc.mp/qcowt?utm_source=copy-…
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I wrote about discrimination based on university pedigree. Educators are backing bill to block employers asking for applicants’ universities. Many companies have moved on — but society hasn’t. The challenge is breaking the belief that prestige = success. sc.mp/8nxob?utm_source=twitt…
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The article focuses on workplaces, but it's really the public sphere that's extreme on this front. University names come up first in TV shows, interviews, social meetings, etc—turning your uni into a name tag you wear everywhere.
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I talked with numerous foreign residents in Seoul about the hardships of continuing to live in SKorea year after year. This quote from my article sums it up: "No matter how well I adopt to the country and its culture, I will always be a foreigner." scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle…
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Inflow of people moving to Seoul outpaces outflow into other regions, but total number of young adults residing in the capital decreased by 320,000 over a decade. For people who want to move away from the city, it has much to do with what it represents tinyurl.com/a5uuasfp
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From an interview for my story on S.Korea's reaction to Trump tariffs: ā€œIf they used to be a country that was known to be a leader in culture, the economy and the perception of being ā€˜good,’ I feel like the US is now a threat to geopolitical balance.ā€ shorturl.at/rhOmX
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Meanwhile, production lines in the country are reported to have closed temporarily while small companies face employment disputes even before the Aug. 1 deadline for any negotiations on proposed tariffs. More than 40% of S.Korea's GDP comes from exports.
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Latest SKorean defensive countermeasure against NKorea: world’s 1st recombinant anthrax vaccine. Comes after 2001 US anthrax letters terror, 2017 assassination of Kim Jong Nam, and NKorean trash ballons from last year. My latest: scmp.com/week-asia/politics/…
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David D. Lee retweeted
On our in-depth news analysis, South Korea's convenience stores are global hotspots thanks to K-tourism. Tourists customize noodles, film videos and try new snacks. Some stores even offer AI translation! Reporter David Lee @davddalee joins us to talk about it. #ķŽøģ˜ģ 
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Founder of K-pop site Allkpop told me ā€œthere’s so much talent [in K-pop], but fans want to see more unique, creative risks being taken.ā€ In this regard, he thinks New Jeans is crucial to industry. "Their debut felt like an instant cultural moment.ā€ shorturl.at/7dBjZ
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With all five members in indefinite hiatus, pop music critics told me that going to the negotiation table with ADOR may be the only way to bring back New Jeans.
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Like many SKoreans, I didn't know too much about the notorious detention centers that were widespread during authoritative era of 1960s-80s. So, I visited Seon-gam Island, home to only detention center that still has its facilities still intact. aje.io/uuhv2u
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The first place I visited was an excacation site where hundreds of past inmates in their teens are known to have been buried in secret after trying to escape by sea. Chun Jong-soo told me he still remembered carrying the limp bodies from the shores when he was just 12.
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