Crystal Tai

Based in Seoul and Hong Kong, Crystal writes about fashion, culture and social issues.

Plastic-surgery advertisements in the Seoul metro. Photo: Crystal Tai

Society

Being ugly hurts: why it’s so hard to say no to K-beauty

14 Oct 2018 - 5:00pm 5

Journalist Shiori Ito sparked the rise of Japan’s #MeToo movement after speaking up about her alleged drugging and rape by a veteran television newsman. Photo: AP

Society

Japan’s peeping toms and voyeurs are finally facing more scrutiny

14 Oct 2018 - 7:30am 18

Villagers in kayaks protesting against the visit of the USS Ronald Reagan to Jeju, South Korea, on October 11, 2018. Photo: Association of Gangjeong Villagers Against the Jeju Navy Base

East Asia

Jeju jittery as US warship visit reopens dark chapter in South Korea’s history

13 Oct 2018 - 8:53pm 9

Women protest hidden-camera pornography in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Crystal Tai

Long Reads

In South Korea, hidden-camera sex crimes uncover rampant gender inequality

13 Oct 2018 - 11:39am 11

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and one of the pungsan puppies gifted to him by North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. Photo: Handout

East Asia

Dogs of North Korea: from valuable pelts to peace offerings

8 Oct 2018 - 10:00pm

Women protesting against hidden camera pornography in Seoul, South Korea, on October 6, 2018. The sign is mosaiced to obscure a word some may find offensive. Photo: SCMP/Crystal Tai

East Asia

South Korean women’s anger about spycam porn ‘reaches limit’

13 Oct 2018 - 6:30pm 1

When boyband BTS spoke to the United Nations General Assembly, it was the logical next step for South Korean soft power – which is taking over the world, one country and one superstar at a time

Lifestyle & Culture

Girls’ Generation to BTS: how K-pop swept the world – and the UN

29 Sep 2018 - 1:32pm 4

South Korean protesters burn a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: AP

Politics

Moon smiles, but Kim is Korea’s ‘comedian with a guillotine’

23 Sep 2018 - 1:18pm 7

Samsung vice-chairman Lee Jae-yong sparked a trend after applying lip balm in court. Photo: EPA

Society

In South Korea, a moment’s lip service is a balm for men

21 Sep 2018 - 7:58pm

Seoul dangles the carrot of investment as business leaders join South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang for third inter-Korean summit with Kim Jong-un

Geopolitics

Samsung, Hyundai in Moon’s plan to wean Kim off nukes with cash

18 Sep 2018 - 8:02am 4

A poll last year found 58 per cent of South Koreans were against same-sex marriage. Photo: AP

Society

Why is South Korea so intolerant of its gay community?

17 Sep 2018 - 1:35pm 8

In a country where nearly everyone owns a smartphone and digital literacy ranks among the world’s highest, life is miserable for the most vulnerable

Society

If South Korea is so hi-tech, what’s with the lack of AC?

12 Aug 2018 - 9:31am 15

Jin from BTS is the oldest member of the band and its “visualist”, meaning the best-looking one.

Music

Jin from BTS: the life and thoughts of the best looking guy in the band

11 Aug 2018 - 8:01pm

The multitalented 25-year-old, who grew up in Seoul, is known for having a baby face as well as a surprisingly deep voice; fans have given him the nickname ‘Wealthy Teeth’ for his bright smile

Music

Meet Chanyeol of K-pop boy band EXO – the multi-instrumental star

5 Aug 2018 - 7:46pm

Lisa from Blackpink speaks four languages.

Music

Meet Lisa from K-pop girl group Blackpink – the multilingual singer

29 Jul 2018 - 8:25pm

J-Hope from BTS is the all-conquering K-pop boy band’s lead rapper.

Music

Who is J-Hope from BTS? Meet K-pop star who’s also a solo artist

23 Jul 2018 - 12:17pm 1

Wanna One will play two concerts at AsiaWorld-Arena in Hong Kong later this month.

Music

Five Wanna One hits to whet fans’ appetite before Hong Kong gigs

20 Jul 2018 - 6:00pm

Born in South Korea, the 22-year-old they call the YG Princess is one of the most popular artists managed by the YG Entertainment label. Her idol is Rihanna, and she often wears statement black outfits on stage

Music

Meet Jennie from K-pop girl group Blackpink – Rihanna is her idol

14 Jul 2018 - 8:04pm

K-pop boy band Monsta X will play Star Hall at Kitec in Kowloon Bay on Tuesday night.

Music

Five hits Monsta X fans will want to hear at their Hong Kong concert

9 Jul 2018 - 6:00pm

Daniel Kang of Wanna One.

Music

Who is Daniel Kang, Wanna One K-pop star and reality TV survivor?

7 Jul 2018 - 8:00pm

V, the second youngest of K-pop megastars BTS, is known as the noisy, fun-loving member of the group. His husky voice adds another dimension to the sound of BTS and he has co-written and co-produced some of their hits

Music

V from BTS – all about the K-pop group’s vocalist and lead dancer

30 Jun 2018 - 8:31pm

Joy from Red Velvet shares her thoughts on image, fame and perfectionism.

Music

K-pop star Joy from Red Velvet: wannabe dog trainer to superstar

23 Jun 2018 - 8:30pm

Four-member girl band Mamamoo made their debut in 2014 and have been on the rise to stardom since, with their main vocalist Solar the quartet’s most influential and popular member

Music

Solar from Mamamoo: all you need to know about the K-pop singer

16 Jun 2018 - 8:33pm 1

Body language experts give their take on the demeanour and actions of both leaders at the historic summit

Diplomacy

Trump and Kim’s body language was a complex display of power and politeness

13 Jun 2018 - 1:11am 17

They look different, speak different, and in terms of technology might as well be living in different centuries. Integration between North and South Koreans in a reunified country would not come easy

Geopolitics

Even if Trump-Kim summit clicks, Koreans might never

10 Jun 2018 - 7:22pm 12

Jungkook, 20, is the youngest member of BTS.

Music

Meet the K-pop star: BTS’ Jungkook – more than just a golden voice

11 Jun 2018 - 9:58am

Irene is the lead singer of K-pop band Red Velvet.

Music

Irene from K-pop band Red Velvet on her career and feminist beliefs

2 Jun 2018 - 8:33pm 1

K-pop sensations Exo have sold out both of their shows in Hong Kong this weekend.

Music

Top K-pop bands coming to Hong Kong this summer

30 May 2018 - 6:48pm

Web users complained that the ‘African mother’ character in the CCTV aired variety show appeared to be an Asian woman in blackface. Image: CCTV via YouTube

Fashion & Beauty

Asian hip hop: racism, cultural appropriation or harmless fun?

28 May 2018 - 8:38pm 3

BTS put on an incendiary performance at the Billboard Music Awards, where they won the award for the best social media artist. We take a look at the life of the K-pop group’s outspoken rapper Suga

Music

The life of BTS’ Suga: from underground rapper to global K-pop star

28 May 2018 - 11:29am

Love Yourself: Tear is the third studio album from K-pop group BTS.

Music

BTS album review: K-pop giants go darker on Love Yourself: Tear

21 May 2018 - 8:31pm 1

Fashion children photographed at the recent Seoul fashion week. Photo: Justin Shin

Fashion & Beauty

How young is too young for make-up? Baby-face trends go full circle

22 May 2018 - 7:09pm 2

Baekhyun is the lead singer of K-pop group EXO.

Music

Meet the K-pop star: Exo’s lead singer Baekhyun finds it hard to cry

24 May 2018 - 4:20pm

K-pop group Red Velvet will perform in Hong Kong on May 20. Photo: AFP

Music

Get ready for Kim Jong-un’s K-pop crushes, Red Velvet in Hong Kong

16 May 2018 - 8:48pm

Twice are one of the most popular Korean girl bands, and the first to top the Billboard world album charts. Quirky Japanese group member Sana talks about her life, work and image and why her Korean hasn’t improved as she’s got older

Music

Sana from K-pop girl band Twice: cute, clumsy and fun-loving

13 May 2018 - 6:29pm

Super Junior are now a seven-piece group.

Music

Ahead of Super Junior’s show in Macau, we revisit their top hits

9 May 2018 - 8:04pm

Jimin of K-pop boy band BTS is a 22-year-old singer and dancer from Busan, South Korea.

Music

Meet the K-pop star: Jimin – BTS’ reserved perfectionist

6 May 2018 - 7:59pm

Jung Ja-eun, head of the inter-Korean cooperation team at the Korean Red Cross, looks at a wall of notes left behind by international visitors and separated families inside the organisation’s video reunion room. Photo: Crystal Tai

Geopolitics

For Korea’s divided families, time for reunions is running out

5 May 2018 - 11:03am 1

Ultherapy, one of a wide range of South Korean anti-ageing treatments, uses ultrasound to lift and tighten the skin naturally without surgery.

Fashion & Beauty

Five minimally invasive anti-ageing treatments from South Korea

29 Apr 2018 - 7:07pm 1

D.O. is one of the lead singers for K-pop band EXO. He is also an actor in South Korea.

Music

Meet the K-pop star: EXO's D.O. – the man behind the soulful ballads

28 Apr 2018 - 8:33pm 1

Livestreaming reveals that the North Korean leader has a unique ‘Swiss-influenced’ accent, a result of his years studying at a German-language boarding school near Bern

Politics

Hang on, what language is Kim Jong-un speaking?

28 Apr 2018 - 6:43pm 11

Music

Momo from Twice, K-pop’s biggest Japanese star – her story so far

21 Apr 2018 - 8:15pm 2

Rap Monster, also known as RM, is one of the most well-known members of the K-pop group BTS.

Music

Meet the K-pop stars: BTS’ RM, formerly known as Rap Monster

9 May 2018 - 7:16pm 1

Kim Ji-hyeon and her boyfriend Park Jong-hyun rock the his-and-hers Burberry look.

Fashion & Beauty

Seoul Fashion Week: nine of the coolest looks from South Korea

28 Mar 2018 - 7:07pm

Miss Gee Collection’s #MeToo-themed show was the talk of South Korean fashion circles after last week’s Seoul Fashion Week, while veteran designer Kim Hye-soon’s creations and Munsoo Kwon’s menswear also caused a stir

Fashion & Beauty

Seoul Fashion Week highlights: #MeToo, street style and top tailoring

29 Mar 2018 - 7:30pm

Music

The seven top Asian stars on Musical.ly, hit Chinese lip-synching app

24 Mar 2018 - 8:03pm

Dami Kwon (left) and Jessica Jung launched Rare Market four years ago after they had both worked in the fashion industry.

Fashion & Beauty

Inside the Seoul fashion boutique co-founded by G-Dragon’s sister

24 Mar 2018 - 8:39pm