Why is 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, not Mexico's iconic Estadio Azteca?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, rather than at Mexico's iconic Estadio Azteca, despite the latter's storied history of hosting two previous World Cup finals and being one of football's most intimidating venues with Mexico's impressive 70-17-3 home record there. FIFA's choice of final venue is not based solely on stadium capacity but rather represents the host nation's image and message to the world. The selection of a venue reveals what each World Cup values most, as exemplified by Brazil's use of the Maracanã for two World Cup finals in 1950 and 2014.

Jul 15, 09:07 PM · Source: Korea Times

How to better control blood sugar spikes in sweltering heat

As summer heat intensifies, maintaining health becomes increasingly difficult, particularly for people with high blood sugar or diabetes. Excessive sweating leads to dehydration, which can raise blood sugar levels and trigger health emergencies, while intense heat makes exercise more challenging. Diet management is especially critical, as popular summer cooling foods like ice cream and shaved ice desserts are poor choices for blood sugar control. People with diabetic autonomic neuropathy face additional risks due to reduced ability to regulate body temperature. Based on information from Healthline and other health sources, practical tips for managing blood sugar during hot summer months include being cautious with high-sugar fruits and making mindful dietary choices.

Jul 15, 09:07 PM · Source: Korea Times

Extreme heat exposes daily hardships of Seoul's most vulnerable

As temperatures in Seoul reach 30 degrees Celsius by morning, residents of Huimangchon, a low-income neighborhood in Nowon District, struggle through severe heat without access to cooling centers. Lacking senior centers or adequate cooling facilities, elderly residents have turned a morning ritual of sharing iced coffee into a daily safety check for the community. Residents like 73-year-old Yoon Yi-kyung describe unbearable nighttime conditions, with many unable to afford running even electric fans due to soaring electricity bills, let alone air conditioners. An 87-year-old resident, Lee Geum-soon, resorts to using water from a basin to cope with the extreme temperatures as this summer proves especially challenging for the neighborhood's vulnerable population.

Jul 14, 09:07 PM · Source: Korea Times

Sinchon skate shop hosts Korean punk zine fair

Spin and Grind, a newly opened skate shop in Sinchon, western Seoul, is hosting 'CUT & PASTE: A Korean Punk & Hardcore Zine Fair' this weekend. The event showcases zines documenting Korea's punk and hardcore scene from the early 2000s to present, featuring both vintage and newly released titles. Shop owner Victor Ha aims to inspire zine creation and archive Korea's zine culture. Featured zines include 'Army Life' (2005) by Geeks guitarist Kang Jun-sung, 'Red Flag' (2004-06) by Rux frontman Won Jong-hee, and 'Faithful Youth' (2004-10) by Busan hardcore band All I Have member Lee Geon-hee. The collection includes zines in both Korean and English, with some items presented as photo books such as 'Seoul Punx' (2017) by Jung You-jin and 'The More I See' (2011-15) by Scumraid drummer Lee.

Jul 12, 09:07 PM · Source: Korea Times

AI fortune-tellers dictate newborn destinies in Korea

Some Korean parents are using AI-powered saju (traditional fortune-telling based on birth year, month, day, and time) to select auspicious delivery dates and times for planned C-sections. As Korea's C-section rate tops OECD averages, the ability to schedule births has enabled this practice to spread widely since 2025. However, the practice has created family conflicts, with pregnant women sometimes clashing with parents and in-laws over whether to pursue vaginal delivery or C-section based on fortune-telling preferences, turning the delivery method into a family dispute before labor begins.

Jul 10, 09:07 PM · Source: Korea Times

Child water safety guide: survival swimming, life jackets, constant supervision

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people drown annually in the United States. A child can drown within seconds, making rapid rescue and resuscitation critical to preventing death or permanent disability, according to Dr. Rohit Shenoi, a pediatric emergency physician at Texas Children's Hospital and lead author of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics warning on water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and a leading cause of death for those ages 5 to 14. While some drownings occur in bathtubs, most happen in swimming pools or natural bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. Korea faces similar risks, with children 9 and younger accounting for approximately 30 percent of the country's emergency room visits for water-related injuries—the highest share of any age group, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Government data emphasizes the dangers of negligence in water safety.

Jul 9, 09:12 PM · Source: Korea Times

Can't stop snacking? Eat this first to help prevent binge eating

Many people struggle with uncontrolled snacking, eating entire bags of chips before realizing it. This often happens when appetite spikes due to prolonged hunger or meals lacking protein and fiber, causing rapid blood sugar fluctuations. Under these conditions, people tend to reach for convenient processed foods high in sugar and salt, which further stimulates appetite. A better strategy is to use a "pre-meal approach" by eating foods rich in protein, fiber, and water before main meals. These foods help you feel full faster, making it easier to control portion sizes and prevent overeating. Potatoes and other nutrient-dense foods can be effective in reducing binge eating behavior.

Jul 8, 09:12 PM · Source: Korea Times

Why local Wagnerian production is drawing inspiration from Netflix

Adrien Perruchon, music director of the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, compared Korean film directors to Richard Wagner during a press conference in Seoul on July 8, noting that both serve as complete concept artists who create story, characters, and visual worlds themselves. Perruchon introduced a concert version of highlights from Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen" ("The Ring of the Nibelung"), emphasizing that Wagner's unique creation of music, story, characters, and stage concept is why "The Ring" remains a universal artistic legacy. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the complete premiere of Wagner's four-opera cycle at Germany's Bayreuth Festival, prompting concert performances featuring highlights from all four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung.

Jul 8, 09:12 PM · Source: Korea Times