Since we started, we have been actively shaping the way our readers access news, information, and jobs in Korea.

For our active readers, we look forward to picking up right where we left off by posting on the most interesting news in teaching, life, and society across Korea. For those of you joining us, we hope you’ll enjoy looking back at some of our popular posts.

In a stunning late play win, Yang Yong-eun, or Y.E. Yang as he is known, became Korea’s first male pro golfer to win a PGA Tournament and is also the first in Asia. What made the win sweeter than the $1.35 million in prize money? Perhaps it was the 3-stroke win over Tiger Woods.

Also consider that the Jeju-do native picked up his first golf club at 19 and is self-taught. It’s very much like the plucky movie, “국가대표,” a true-to-life story about Korea’s first Olympic ski jumping team.

Summer started off with a bang during the 3rd Seoul World DJ Festival in May, and now we’re about to get rocked.

The Jisan Valley Rock Festival starts this weekend with popular acts such as Weezer, Oasis, and the rising ‘indie sensation’ Jang Ki Ha & the Faces 장기하와 얼굴들 on the Big Top Stage.

As if two weeks of rising tensions on the peninsula were not creating enough of a sensation, the North Korean regime has concluded their trial today of two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee.

Both were arrested under unknown circumstances in March at the North Korean border with China.

A group of human rights lawyers plan to file a petition with the Constitutional Court against what they call discriminatory visa rules that require foreign English teachers to take HIV and drug tests.

Chang Suh-yeon, an attorney with the Korean Public Interest Lawyers Group “Gong-Gam,” told The Korea Times Tuesday that her group will take the issue to the court this week or next.

Out of the 70 or so English teachers who were quarantined by public health officials last week, Brian, one of the original three bloggers inside the quarantine, told Ratemyhagwon he was diagnosed with the H1N1 swine influenza on Tuesday. As anticipated, he kind of dropped off the radar. Well, he has just been released Saturday, free and clear of the flu and its symptoms. His most recent posts give us a rare glimpse into how the other half lived. (fascinating details inside…)

It appeared to be quieting down in the interim –from the outbreak of the first few cases in Mexico, the U.S., and Australia till now. Swine flu is roaring back it seems and getting closer to home.

According to the Marmot, SBS News has reported that six English teachers in Korea may have come down with swine flu, also known as Novel influenza A (H1N1).

In one of the most publicized launches in recent memory the mayor of Seoul, Oh Se-hoon, has appeared nearly everywhere in order to introduce us to all things Haechi, the new brand identity to represent the city to the world.

He was showing off new orange haechi taxis, standing next to fluffy mascots, and quashing the competition.

By Naheen Madarbakus

This year’s theme comprises of ‘to dance the night away’ as the DJs listed for the 2009 extravaganza see the decks pumping until dawn.

Returning to familiar straits, the popular Han-River site is a much established one for revelers of the Korean dance festival.

A group of 250 organizers and over 25 DJs from all corners of the globe have brought together a mixture of exhibitions, experiences and performances for this memorable weekend.