Breeze in Busan

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Maru Kim

Maru Kim

Maru Kim, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher, is dedicated to providing insightful and captivating stories that resonate with both local and global audiences.

Designed to Be Seen: How Busan’s Urban Identity Became a Campaign

Designed to Be Seen: How Busan’s Urban Identity Became a Campaign

Busan has rebranded itself as a global, good-looking city—complete with AI-generated images, sleek slogans, and media-friendly urban design. But behind the aesthetics lies a growing silence. In its pursuit of visibility, is the city losing its voice?

New Sinkhole Disrupts Busan Subway Project, Raising Safety Concerns

New Sinkhole Disrupts Busan Subway Project, Raising Safety Concerns

A growing number of sinkholes near the Hadan–Sasang subway construction site are raising concerns about Busan’s broader underground transit strategy. As new projects like the Hadan–Noksan line and BuTX move forward, questions mount.

The Cost of Never Pausing: Attention, AI, and the Human Mind

The Cost of Never Pausing: Attention, AI, and the Human Mind

A five-part inquiry into the fate of human reflection in a world designed for speed, prediction, and interruption.

Busan Isn’t Balancing Its Growth. It’s Avoiding Its History.

Busan Isn’t Balancing Its Growth. It’s Avoiding Its History.

In its rush to modernize, Busan has developed a habit of building not toward its past, but around it. From Haeundae in the 1990s to Gangseo today, the city has preferred expansion over reinvestment—choosing new land over old neighborhoods, and visibility over inclusion.

What Are Koreans Really Drinking? Soju, Solitude, and a Culture of Escape

What Are Koreans Really Drinking? Soju, Solitude, and a Culture of Escape

South Korea has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in Asia, but its drinking problem doesn’t look like chaos—it looks like composure. Soju, once a communal spirit, has evolved into a quiet, everyday anesthetic, deeply woven into food, media, and workplace culture.

Funding Without Philosophy: The Limits of Busan’s RISE Program

Funding Without Philosophy: The Limits of Busan’s RISE Program

Busan’s RISE program ambitiously seeks to revitalize regional universities, but with 20 institutions and 122 projects under one banner, the initiative risks scattering limited resources across a fragmented landscape.

Hyperloop or Hype? The High-Speed Trap in South Korea’s Transport Vision

Hyperloop or Hype? The High-Speed Trap in South Korea’s Transport Vision

South Korea’s plan to shrink the country with a 1,200 km/h train promises speed, sustainability, and regional revival. But if history is any guide, faster trains may only bring faster inequality.