(토요모임) November 30th Saturday Topic

[리사홍]

South Korea’s teens get the least

physical exercise in the world

A longitudinal study conducted by Dr. Juana Willumsen of the World Health Organisation between 2001 and 2016; 

across 146 countries has found that teenagers in South Korea get the least amount of physical

in the world.

The comprehensive study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal also revealed that 78 %

boys and 85 % girls are not meeting the current recommendations of at least one hour of physical activity

per day.

Reacting to the report, a concerned Korean parent in Songdo, Incheon believe technology, specifically the

negative influence of smart phones, social networking sites, screen addiction and Online gaming hold Korean 

teens back from physical activities. According to him, ” young people only care about and stare at their

phones almost all the time!”.

Ghent University Global Campus undergraduate who has requested anonymity said: “Korea’s educational system- 

overly academic and intensively competitive is the single biggest reason why Korean teenagers rank bottom

place on the global table in terms of physical exercise. Teenagers have no breathing space because of academic 

activities.”

Incheon National University graduate student, Kim Boyeong also added that the curriculum in Korean high

schools where most students stay back in class till 10 pm studying for university entrance examination

(Korean Scholastic Aptitude Test (KSAT)) is designed for academic achievement only and not for the

holistic development of an individual.

Several undergraduate students of international universities on Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Songdo

have echoed similar concerns based on their personal experience in high school. A State University of New York

Korea engineering major described Korean high schools as “hell”! Another added, “it is depressing,

boring and too rigorous!”.

Professor of Strategic Communication at the University of Utah Asia Campus in Songdo, Dr Sejin Kim, during 

UAC’s second Open Forum on High School Education Reform in Korea, observed that Korea’s hagwons

 (after-school institutes and private academies) are part of the problem.

According to Dr. Kim, students are driven by fear and insecurity to engage in aggressive academic pursuit

for fear of not-being-left-behind! In the process, they forego physical exercise, sports activities and

outdoor recreation.

The WHO-funded report’s co-author Dr Fiona Bull have recommended that government “policies should

increase all forms of physical activity, including through physical education that develops physical literacy, more 

sports, active play and recreation opportunities. She went on to add that “providing safe environments so young 

people can walk and cycle independently,” is important.

The current administration in Seoul, led by President Moon Jae-In recently introduced wide-ranging reforms geared

towards transparency, accountability and fairness in South Korea’s educational system but many

experts have argued that these reforms are too little and too late.

As at the time of filing this report, The Blue House in Seoul- Korea’s equivalent of America’s White House is yet

to release any official statement regarding the report. How government will react remains to be seen.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD, South Korea is one of

the most literate societies in the world with over 70% of all 24 to 35 year-olds in a nation of over 50 million

inhabitants have completed some level of university education. Ironically, the OECD also ranks the Republic of 

Korea as the least happy society with the highest rate of teenage suicide in the world.

1. How important it is exercising for teenagers?  

2. Do you enjoy working out? How often do you exercise? What do you do (be specific)

3. What do you think about this quote “Korea’s educational system- overly academic and 

intensively competitive”do you agree with it?  

4. Did you exercise/enjoy the sports when you were in school?

5. How long did you stay at school back in high school?

6. What do you think about staying back in class until 10-11 pm studying?

7. Do you think policies should increase all forms of physical activity? (or other subject)

8. Do you feel pity for high school students in Korea? 

9. What should we do to make better environment for our kids?

6 reasons why it’s even more important to

exercise in winter

Winter is here and it’s starting to get cold and when it’s cold it’s really hard to stay motivated about

your health and fitness!!

We tend to take on a “Snuggle up” mentality, we eat more and we do less – human hibernation! But we are not bears, we don’t need layers and layers of fat. And for this reason whilst our overindulgence feels good

it also feeds negativity, too much chocolate, too many roast potatoes… the need for a baggier top,

the avoidance of the mirror it can be a 12 week spiral and then we hate our spring bodies!

Winter brings the cold, illness, the blues and isolation.

So consider the following.

Exercise in winter can provide more benefit than exercise during the rest of the year, because it specifically answers our winter body needs.

Here are the top 6 reasons to keep exercising when the temperature drops.

1. The sun is more of a friend than your heater

There’s a reason it’s called the sunshine vitamin. While there are a limited number of foods that can

provide your body with vitamin D, the easiest source is from exposure of bare skin to sunlight.

During summer a short exposure of 10-15 minutes is plenty, but in winter, sunshine can be harder to come by, especially if you are snuggled up indoors. So that’s why its VERY important to get outside and get

moving and smile at the sun!

Sunshine makes strong bones, and keeps your immune system strong. It can also boost positivity, help

prevent high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

2. Keep warm

Save electricity and an expanding waistline by heating your body up naturally with a workout. The rise in

your body temperature, during a work out, has a soothing, calming effect on your body, not unlike a long

soak in a warm bath or lying in front of the heater.

Yes, its cold when you first step outside, but if you layer up (daggy doesn’t matter) and get moving you

will be hot within no time at all! And we mean HOT!

3. Stay healthy

Research has shown time and again that regular exercise strengthens your immune system so it can fight

off bacterial and viral infections. This becomes particularly important in winter when colds and flu rear their

ugly heads.

When you exercise and get your blood pumping, immune cells circulate through your body more quickly

helping them seek and destroy infections. But this boost only lasts for a few hours, so exercise needs to

be regular for long-term effects. (book into one of our camps now and get down to the park!)

4. Beat the winter blues

Whether it’s the usual winter blues or the more serious SAD (seasonal affective disorder) putting a gloom

over the colder months. A daily workout releases feel-good, de-stress brain chemicals, gives you a

break from the daily grind and helps ease depression. Plus, if you combine exercise with the great outdoors you can cheer yourself up even more!

We know that after exercise, the brain releases the “feel-good” chemicals serotonin and dopamine, which

can help to reduce anxiety and depression while boosting wellbeing,”

45 minutes in the day could change your whole outlook on winter!!

5. Take a deep breath

Being cooped up with nothing but heaters to keep the air moving means fresh air is much harder to come

by in winter! Generally, the air outside is healthier then that inside so going for a walk or run outside gives

your lungs a chance to detox and breathe deeply without concern for breathing in other people’s bugs

(at home or from the office!). Check out our tips on meditation.

6. Avoid winter weight gain

In the colder months it is so easy to turn to comfort food

We hope we have inspired you. Getting up and out and moving with Live Life Get Active is easy. We are

in the park Monday to Friday and we always have fun. So if you are looking for a bit of motivation and a

buddy to push you on in these winter weeks, then register today, book in and say goodbye to the

hibernating bear!!!

1. Do you work out?

2. What kind of exercise - if any - do you do, and how often do you do it? 

    What effects does it have on you?

3. Where is a good place to exercise?
4. Why don't you exercise? do you think workout is necessary for human being?

5. How much interest do you take in the issue of health? Do you buy health-related magazines

6. Do you think that men and women have different ideas about health?

7. How many hours do you sleep at night? Do you think that you sleep too much or not enough?

8. What is the best way to deal with stress?

9. Do you think that going down to the pub is a good way to deal with stress?

10. Many people say that if you become cold you can catch a cold. Do you agree -

 or do you think that you can only catch a cold if you are infected with a virus?

11. If someone has a cold should they struggle in to work or school and infect everybody or should 

 they be lazy and stay at home?

12. What do you think of cosmetic surgery? Do you know anyone who has had cosmetic surgery? Would you ever consider having cosmetic surgery?

Seoul Travel: 12 Things to Do on a Winter Trip to Korea

November 22, 2019

The games might be over, but winter magic and Seoul travel adventures never end! With the city snow-capped and prices – as well as crowds – at all-time lows, any winter is a fitting time to team up with Agoda and plan a winning holiday!

1. EAT, EAT, EAT AND EAT!

Whether you like to eat it with your hands, on a stick or in a bowl, Korean food is designed to warm you up from

the inside out. Experts agree that any of these street food staples are stick-to-your-ribs satisfying and completely “Seoul-warming.” Judge for yourself at Tongin Market or Gwangjang Market, where the competition never

 ends.

Stand-outs in street food categories:

Hand-held: Chi-maek (Korean fried chicken), Tokkebi (fried corn dog), Hotteok (pancake filled with syrup),

Gyeran Bbang (egg muffin)

On a stick: Odeng (fish cake served with dipping broth), Dakkochi (marinated grilled chicken), Tteokgalbi

meatballs (sweet and sour beef rib meatballs)

In a bowl: Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), Tteok-mandu guk (rice cake dumpling soup), Tteokbokki

(rice cakes in spicy sauce)

Check In to Nuri Hanok Guesthouse, Step Out to Tongin Market

Discover more guest houses and hostels in Gwangjang

2. SKINNY DIPPING AT A JJIMJILBANG

All athletes need time to recoup, and visiting one of Seoul’s jjimjilbangs is considered a team event. With sleeping facilities, wide-screen TVs and exercise rooms, Korea’s steaming hot public baths and saunas are the perfect place to rekindle

 your fire. If you’re not much of a team player, go on a weekday because families fill up these hot spots every weekend.

Competing for the gold:

Dragon Hill Spa, 40-712 Hangangno 3(sam)-ga, Yongsan-gu

Spa Lei, 8-22, Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu

Siloam Spa, 49 Jungnim-ro, Jungnim-dong, Jung-gu

Source: @star_light_festival

3. SEE WINTER ILLUMINATION

Rather be a judge than a participant? See if you can find a perfect 10 during a trip outside of Seoul, where you can march

through some of the most fascinating light shows in the nation.

Competing for the gold:

Lighting Festival at The Garden of Morning Calm, Gapyeong

Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival, Korea Tea Culture Park near Yulpo Beach

E-World Starlight Festival, Daegu

Animal & Heart Village Light Festival at Ansan Starlight Photo Land, Ansan

4. GET ON YOUR FEET

Pull up your long socks, and generate your own heat during a winter walking expedition through the city. Whether you

participate as a speed-walker or a chilled-out spectator, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a finish line at any of Seoul’s most

popular venues.

Stand-outs in sightseeing categories:

Art and historical districts: Garosu-gil Road; Bukchon Hanok Village

Markets and shopping: Samseong-dong; Insadong Ssamjigil

Sightseeing: Gyeongbokgung Palace; Cheonggyecheon Stream

Check In to Hotel Aventree Jongo, Step Out to Bukchon Hanok Village

Source: Kang Jenny

5. HIT THE HILLS AND ICE-SKATING RINKS

Ice-skating is both an indoor and outdoor sport in South Korea, and rinks fill up fast during winter months. Likewise, with

dozens of freshly-packed, snow-covered hills to conquer, sledding is a national winter pastime as well!

Stand-outs in winter recreation categories:

Indoor skating rinks: Lotte World Indoor Ice Skating Rink

Outdoor skating rinks: Seoul Plaza Skating Rink; Seoul Arts Center

Sledding and winter activities: Everland Resort; Seoulland Character Park

Check In to Signiel Seoul, Step Out to Lotte World

6. DANCE THE COLD AWAY, GANGNAM STYLE!

If dancing were a winter sport, South Koreans would definitely receive a medal. These K-pop fanatics know

how to heat  up an entire stadium! Dress for success, and bring your A-game if you join a competition because

Gangnam Style  invites some stiff competition.

Stand-outs in nightlife categories:

Younger crowds: NB2; Cocoon; Brown

Gangnam: Octagon Club; Club Arena; Monkey Beach; DSTAR, Glad Live; Club Avenue 535

Cultural vibe: Cakeshop Seoul; Boombar; Monkey Museum

Check In to Glad Live Gangnam, Step Out to Gangnam

7. PLOW DOWN THE SLOPES

There are a thousand reasons why winter is the perfect time to visit Seoul, but the first-class slopes you’ll find

outside the city may be the best one of all! Snowboard or ski down snow-packed trails, designed for rookies

and pros alike, and give yourself a medal because Olympiads competed on the exact same mountains!

Competing for the gold:

Yongpyong Resort

Alpensia Resort

High1 Ski Resort

Konjiam Resort

Vivaldi Park

Muju Deukyusan Resort

Phoenix Snow Park

Check In to Phoenix Park Hotel & Condo, Step Out to Phoenix Snow Park

Discover more resorts and motels in Pyeongchang

8. SOAK UP WINTER SCENES

At the top is where you’ll find trophy views while the city is blanketed in snow. Savor Seoul’s beauty in

an atmosphere that might require a winter hat but is guaranteed to generate loads of warm, fuzzy feelings.

Stand-outs in scenic view categories:

Towers: Seoullo 7017; Gwanghwamun Square; Fortress Wall of Seoul; 63 Building; Lotte World Tower

Natural viewpoints: Nam Mountain (Namsan); Pugakszan Mountain; Maebongsan Mountain; Seokchonhosu Lake;

Haneul Park

Bridges: Banpo Bridge; Seonyudo Park Rainbow Bridge

Check In to Kensington Hotel Yoido (Yeouido), Step Out to Yeouido

Discover more hotels and guest houses in Banpo

Source: @thekoreandreamfr

9. ESCAPE THE CHILLS WHILE CHERISHING THE ARTS

Warm up to Seoul’s rich history and culture by indulging in the vast selection of museums that feature everything

 from ancient history to life in the future, and even … kimchi! Take several victory laps inside each location,

not just because viewing Seoul’s exhibits will make you feel like an award-winner, but also because, baby,

 it’s cold outside!

Stand-outs in museum categories:

History: National Palace Museum of Korea; National Folk Museum of Korea; Ewha Womans University Museum

Art: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP); Seoul Arts Center; National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; ARA

 Modern Art Museum

Weird and wacky: T.um – SK Telecom; Kimchi Field Museum (Museum Kimchikan); LEEUM, Samsung Museum of Art

Check In to Somerset Palace Seoul, Step Out to Jongno

Discover more hotels and hostels near Kimchi Field Museum (Museum Kimchikan)

10. TAKE COVER IN A COZY BED

The sport of curling might not be on your winter games playlist, but curling UP during winter in Seoul is a

serious pastime! Cozy up with the entire family in a traditional, yet luxuriously modern, Korean home, or go for the

gold in a premium suite with a private onsen, sauna and even a heated toilet!

Stand-outs in accommodations categories:

For the whole team: Dormy Inn Premium Seoul Garosugil

Individual participant: Hotel La Casa Garosugil

Traditional: Ihwa Hanok Stay

Check In to Ihwa Hanok Stay, Step Out to Bukchon Hanok Village

Discover more guest houses and serviced apartments in Gangnam

11. SHOP LIKE A CHAMP

Shopping in South Korea is so popular that the country’s tourism committee made it a national event! Experience

 the Korea Grand Sale each January in shopping districts across Seoul and in municipalities throughout the country.

Every major retailer participates by offering free gifts, discounts on products and services, cultural experiences,

and best of all, surroundings.

Stand-outs in shopping categories:

Shopping districts: Ewha Womans University Fashion Street; Dongdaemun Market; Myeong-dong; Hongdae; Gangnam

 Underground Shopping Center; Insa-dong

Shopping malls: COEX Mall; Parnas Mall; Famille Station; IFC; Times Square; AK Plaza, Suwon

Check In to Hotel Skypark Dongdaemun I, Step Out to Dongdaemun Market

Discover more guest houses and apartments in Myeong-dong

12. BOTTOMS UP!

Sip it or shoot it like locals, but don’t leave without tasting Korea’s national drink, soju. Described as a sweet and

mild spirit to vodka, soju is so much a part of Korean culture that some locals perform a ceremony while partaking

and only drink it with specific foods. You don’t have to follow all the rules, but sampling is a must. Warm up your

insides with a pub crawl to discover dozens of varieties of soju as well as Seoul’s other most famous beverage,

makgeolli.

Stand-outs in nightlife categories:

Makgeolli bars: Moon Jar; Mui Mui; Wolhyang; Chin Chin

Soju bars: Vinga; Vinyl; The Timber House; The Flower Shop that Serves Alcohol

Jeontong-ju (traditional Korean alcohol): De Chou; Mingles; Saebal Jajeongeo (Tricycle); Soobul

Unlimited drinks: 401 Lounge; Makgeolli Salon; Hanguk Galbi; Cactus; The A Lounge

Craft beer: Bonny’s Pizza Pub; Magpie Brewing Co.; Craftworks Taphouse; The Springs Tap House

1. Christmas and New Year is coming, 

Please share good places to explore in Seoul during the winter time!

Feel free to share your experiences!