The Guardian
Meet the magical creatures inspired by shamanism, folklore … and an old Ikea bag 1 September 2026 at 17:16

Meet the magical creatures inspired by shamanism, folklore … and an old Ikea bag

1 September 2026 at 17:16

From ceramic goblin feet to furry disembodied legs, Korean-Chinese artist Woo Jin Joo is using London junk to inject the art world with a spirit of playfulness

Woo Jin Joo’s studio is full of magic. Ceramic green goblin feet line the windowsill, disembodied furry legs jut out of one white wall and, on the table behind where the Korean-Chinese artist sits drinking tea, a headless being dressed in a black coat squats, arms aloft in warning.

There are also neat racks of colourful thread next to a freehand embroidery machine, the source of this supernatural hoard. This is where Joo creates much of her art – surface embroideries and sculptural 3D creatures inspired by Korean myth, philosophy and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

World news | The Guardian
Weather tracker: Warm Yellow Sea strengthens storms in South Korea 31 August 2026 at 10:57

Weather tracker: Warm Yellow Sea strengthens storms in South Korea

World news | The Guardian

By: Morgan Thomas for MetDesk

31 August 2026 at 10:57

More than 200mm of rain forecast in parts of South Korea, while parts of southern Europe to be 10C above average

South Korea’s prime minister, Han Seong-sook, met officials to prepare for heavy rain expected this week, with rainfall totals across central and northern parts of the country forecast to exceed 200mm in some areas.

South Korea was battered by heavy rainfall earlier this month and some areas were particularly hard hit. Over the weekend further thunderstorms pushed into the region and these are expected to cause disruption through Monday. This heavy rain is caused by a series of severe thunderstorms that developed over the Yellow Sea, on the western side of South Korea, and will slowly push eastwards on Monday before easing on Tuesday. These storms have been strengthened by the very warm Yellow Sea, which now has a surface temperature of 29C, 4C above the climatological average.

The Guardian
Meet the gen Zers finding job opportunities teaching English abroad 30 August 2026 at 14:00

Meet the gen Zers finding job opportunities teaching English abroad

The Guardian

By: Jenna Zaza

30 August 2026 at 14:00

Some young people are teaching in countries like South Korea as education funding is gutted and recent grads face a tough job market in their own countries

A year ago, Arianna Marie, 25, was struggling to control the students in her Florida elementary school classroom.

She was living with her parents to save on rent and quickly feeling her passion for teaching dry up, even though it was her first job since graduation.

The Guardian
In South Korea, it is illegal to travel to dangerous countries. Journalists say it’s making their work impossible 29 August 2026 at 03:00

In South Korea, it is illegal to travel to dangerous countries. Journalists say it’s making their work impossible

The Guardian

By: Raphael Rashid in Seoul

29 August 2026 at 03:00

Penalties for travel to blacklisted countries have recently risen, while aid workers and activists say they have also been caught up in the law

Shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, freelance photographer Jang Jinyoung crossed from Poland into Lviv and travelled on to Kyiv, where he spent a fortnight documenting the war.

South Korea’s foreign ministry had designated Ukraine off-limits days earlier, making unauthorised visits a criminal offence. He knew he was breaking the law but went anyway, as no Korean journalist had yet reported from inside the country.