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Spectator
39 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Admit it: no one really likes eating fish
As I sit under the sole tree on a Spanish beach, watching my fellow Brits shudder at the writhing horror show contained in the restaurant's seafood display, it strikes me the middle classes don't actually much like the dead-eyed edibles under the waves – we're just conditioned to pretend to because eating them is supposedly chic. Sure, we extol fish as a sustainable and sophisticated source of high-quality protein, vitamin D and what sounds like K-pop's next girlband, omega-3. It's the well-informed, thinking man's dinner, akin to choosing a Tesla before Elon Musk's meltdown phase. But let's be honest: the glassy stare (I'm still talking about the fish), the slimy skin (still fish) and the teeth that could make a dentist cry (fish) do not scream yum. 'We love seafood in Spain,' my Spanish friend Pablo says, happily confirming my suspicions with no prompting. 'But I find it mind-boggling that you guys live on an island and hate it. Japan is the exact opposite.' Is it a deep-rooted fear of the unknown that we don't like? Or a deep-rooted yet ultimately warped infantilism that means we prefer eating things with cute faces, after the cute faces have been removed? Or are we simply more squeamish than other nations? Perhaps the truth lurks somewhere in the depths of our culture: 'That smells fishy to me,' a detective might say in a cop show – our mistrust right there in the vernacular. From films all the way back to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, when Captain Nemo challenged Ned Land to an underwater bushtucker trial, to Bill Murray's blowfish in Charlie's Angels, we instinctively understand that seafood is nothing more than an endurance test – and that, somewhere along the way, it's morphed into a middle-class pretension, designed to set us apart from the, er, shoal we swim in. Of course, some people have made entire careers out of our supposed love of fish, transforming towns into one-man industries and providing the BBC with hours of what looks like quite reasonably priced telly. I ask Rick Stein what he thinks. 'The idea that no one really likes fish has oppressed me since I started cooking,' he says. 'But I am conscious of people not sharing my enthusiasm; a builder who worked for me in the early days asked if I cooked real food or just fish.' For Rick, it was the 'wonderful oysters and crabs' of childhood holidays on the Cornish coast that ignited his passion, which was compounded by the catches coming in off the local boats in Padstow. As he points out: 'The Seafood Restaurant has been open for 50 years this year so one or two other people might disagree with you.' Fine – but why is it considered classy to like gross things? I remain unconvinced that an oyster is any different, in both taste and consistency, to a sorry day out with the team at Thames Water. Frogs' legs weren't eaten out of choice, they were eaten because French monks got bored of Lent. There's a reason snails are drenched in garlic. Is there an element of Brit grit – a kind of officer-class, stiff-upper-lipness – the middle-class psyche aspires to? A facet of semi-conscious social coding whereby swallowing a repulsive organism sets you apart as a leader, a visionary, maybe even a bit of a sexy masochist? (A truly posh person would simply eat whatever they want, whenever they want it, beaked things for breakfast and tailed for tea, but that's another story.) Which brings us back to Pablo, who's warming up to his theme. He reckons 'the only fish most people will eat in the UK has to be deep-fried or processed beyond recognition'. And the facts support his statement: there are 10,500 chippies in the UK, as according to the National Federation of Fish Friers, whereas SeafoodSource counts just 1,000 fishmongers. It helps explain why the furthest most of us will go in the supermarket is a block of salmon – which retailers instinctively understand must be presented in non-fishy chunks the way Americans cut all meat, to avoid any indication that it used to breathe, and drenched in an Asian-inspired sauce that's surely the precursor to how our lab-grown slabs will be sold in 2050. A similarly confused approach is there on the lunchtime high street too: how else to account for the success of Itsu, a chain that twists its offerings into such childish contortions a Japanese tourist could fairly assume it was a kids' restaurant, or a practical joke in an elaborate gameshow (I once shared a lift with a brain behind Itsu, who didn't see the funny side). Perhaps it's time for us to admit to who we really are, to do away with the knackering middle-class curse that has us constantly striving to stand out from the crowd, and order something that we'll enjoy eating because it's tasty and not because we're supposed to like it. All of which brings me back to that beach in Spain and the honest holidaymaker's one true meal – the classic Benidorm full English.
Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Illit teams up with Care Bears for first Japanese single
K-pop girl group's first single in Japanese to drop in September Illit is set to unveil a major collaboration with the globally adored Care Bears. According to their agency, Belift Lab, on Friday, Illit will release a Care Bears limited-edition Japanese debut single titled "Toki Yo Tomare," meaning 'Let Time Stop.' The digital single and music video will be released on Sept. 1, while the limited edition physical album will be released on Sept. 3. A newly revealed teaser image shows the five members dressed in all-white outfits, radiating a dreamy aura alongside custom Care Bears modeled after each of the five members. The Care Bears, originally created by American Greetings, have drawn love from fans across the globe through their animated TV series, films and a wide array of merchandise. This year, the franchise is celebrating its 43rd anniversary. The Care Bears team commented, 'Illit delivers positive energy through the unique colors and synergy of each member. Similarly, the Care Bears are a group of distinct characters who spread joy and hope. We believe this collaboration, rooted in those shared values, will be something truly special.' In addition to the limited-edition single, exclusive merchandise such as dolls and keyrings co-designed by Illit and Care Bears will be available. These items will be sold at a Care Bears pop-up store running from Sept. 9 to 24 at Laforet Harajuku in Tokyo. Illit's debut Japanese single "Toki Yo Tomare" features four tracks in total, with contributions from Japanese singer-songwriters Murasaki Ima and Noa.
Asia News Network
an hour ago
- Business
- Asia News Network
Take down hurdles: The Korea Herald
August 1, 2025 SEOUL – The global success of 'KPop Demon Hunters,' an animated film released on Netflix in June, has provided an unexpected boost to Korea's soft power. The film, in which a fictional K-pop girl group battles demons with music-infused powers, has topped streaming charts in over 30 countries and propelled its soundtrack to second place on the Billboard 200. But perhaps more telling than the film's entertainment value is what it revealed about Korea's export potential and its limitations. While fans from Singapore to the Netherlands eagerly bought Korean goods tied to the movie's characters — from folk-art-inspired souvenirs to traditional accessories — the process of buying those products was anything but smooth. Korean cultural products may now command a powerful emotional pull globally, but the infrastructure for overseas consumers to access Korean products, especially through e-commerce, remains strikingly inadequate. According to the Bank of Korea, South Korea's cross-border e-commerce exports to individual consumers overseas — often referred to in Korea as 'reverse direct purchases' or 'yeok-jikgu' in Korean — totaled 1.6 trillion won ($1.1 billion) last year. It was just one-fifth the volume of inbound direct purchases by Korean consumers from overseas retailers. The data shows that Korea's e-commerce platforms have failed to capitalize on foreign demand despite the surging popularity of Korean entertainment, beauty and food. Much of the problem lies in unnecessary procedural bottlenecks. Most domestic platforms still require identity verification through a Korea-registered mobile number, even though no legal obligation mandates this. International consumers, even if motivated to purchase, are routinely blocked during the sign-up process. Those who clear that hurdle often encounter another at checkout, where many Korean sites do not accept international payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal or Alipay. The result is a highly restrictive system that effectively turns away willing customers. By contrast, major platforms like Amazon, AliExpress and Temu allow foreign users to register and pay with minimal friction. These companies conduct their own verification using standard card information or global e-wallets, lowering entry barriers while managing fraud risks internally. Chinese e-commerce platforms operating in South Korea have even integrated domestic systems such as Naver Pay to localize their offerings. Yet Korean platforms have been reluctant to reciprocate even as global demand for Korean goods rises. This hesitation reflects both rigid regulatory constraints and an outdated culture of risk aversion, especially around identity theft, fraud and payment disputes. But technological solutions already exist. Viable steps Korean retailers can take include integrating payment systems that are popular in target markets, adopting user-friendly authentication procedures and expanding their overseas fulfillment capabilities. The Korean government and regulators have a critical role to play. The Bank of Korea's recent recommendation — to simplify account verification, provide legal clarity around non-Korean sign-ups and actively embrace global payment tools — is a necessary starting point. More broadly, failure to liberalize South Korea's e-commerce model may deepen the structural imbalance in digital trade. As global commerce increasingly revolves around platforms rather than physical intermediaries, the country cannot afford to remain digitally insular. Ironically, the very appeal of 'KPop Demon Hunters' — its seamless fusion of traditional Korean motifs with contemporary music and lively animation — highlights what the country does best: Marrying heritage and innovation in ways that resonate globally. But turning cultural capital into economic return will require an equally imaginative overhaul of Korea's digital marketplace. Nearly a decade after the so-called 'Cheon Song-yi coat' moment, when a Korean drama ignited global fashion interest and prompted calls for easier reverse purchases, progress has been woefully limited. The nation's major platforms still operate largely as if their only customers are local. That must change. With global attention now fixed on Korean products, the least the country can do is avoid shutting the door on K-culture's global rise.
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Legoland Korea opens new water attraction ‘Marina Jets Bay'
Legoland Korea, a theme park opened in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in 2022, is diving into summer with the official launch of 'Marina Jets Bay,' a new water play attraction unveiled Friday. Spanning over 100 square meters, the interactive floor fountain was built with a 1.7 billion won ($1.2 million) investment and can accommodate up to 200 visitors at once. Located in the park's recently expanded City zone between the popular Wave Racers and Coast Guard Academy rides, Marina Jets Bay is the latest in a string of seasonal upgrades aimed at enhancing the summer experience. Featuring 150 nozzles that shoot water up to two meters high, the expansive splash zone promises fun for all ages, according to the company. The fountain operates in 10-minute intervals for nearly an hour each day during the summer season, and remains open until 9 p.m. during Legoland's extended night hours. Adding to the festive atmosphere, daily live DJ sets kick off at 2:30 p.m. The show features a high-energy soundtrack of Lego theme music and K-pop hits, accompanied by dancers and synchronized water jets. 'Marina Jets Bay is unlike any other water attraction we've hosted. It's designed to be a safe, dynamic and visually spectacular addition for families visiting during the summer months," a Legoland Korea spokesperson said. In addition to Marina Jets Bay, Legoland Korea is rolling out extended evening programming through Aug. 16. Every Saturday night, fireworks light up the skies at 8:30 p.m., with the park staying open an hour later to accommodate nighttime guests. To complement the night offerings, Legoland has introduced an 'Evening Ticket' priced at 35,000 won, available through October on Saturdays and select holidays, including National Liberation Day and Chuseok. The ticket allows guests to enjoy the park's attractions, night views and entertainment at a reduced rate. Legoland Korea said it plans to continue expanding its seasonal attractions to offer guests special and fun experiences throughout the year.
News18
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Why Did Jin Apologise To BTS Star J-Hope After Solo Show In Newark?
At his show in Newark, Jin failed to recognise his fellow band member J-Hope during a fun segment that he played with the crowd. BTS star Kim Seokjin, aka Jin, is currently on his first one-of-a-kind worldwide tour, RunSeokjin Ep. Tour. He has garnered attention for his unique show openings, which typically feature a fun segment called 'I Challenge", where he plays games with the crowd. One of the most popular parts of the segment was the charades game, where fans acted out BTS songs or words related to Jin written on the screen, and the idol had to guess them. At his Newark show on Wednesday, July 30, the segment began as usual, and it took a hilarious turn when Jin failed to recognise his fellow band member J-Hope. Fans in the crowd gave it their all, from showing the hook step of his hit Killin' It Girl to even pretending to be shirtless. Unfortunately, a very confused Jin couldn't comprehend what the fans were trying to enact. And when he was told that it was his teammate, he was embarrassed not to have recognised him. He sorry j hopeeee #RUNSEOKJIN_epTOUR_NEWARK — (@becauseofhobi) July 31, 2025 Later that day, when Jin started a livestream on Weverse, J-Hope commented on it, asking why he looked so tired. 'Hahaha, why do you look so exhausted, Jin?" he asked. After spotting the message, Jin replied to him, 'J-Hope bro. Today, the keyword to guess at Run Jin was J-Hope, and I failed. Sorry, my bro! What's that thing you do every day? I'm sorry for my fault, I'm J-Hope something, yeah, that." Will Jin Hire BTS Members As His Backup Dancers? After all the fun at the show, Jin continued to have a good time with his fans on the livestream. At one point, a fan playfully questioned the K-pop idol if he would ever consider keeping his BTS members as his backup dancers for his shows. Jin hilariously quipped, 'Have the BTS members as back dancers for my tour? Wow, it'll cost us so much money to hire them." He further added, 'Would they do it for free?" Jin was live on Weverse What's Next For BTS's Jin? The eldest member of the K-pop supergroup embarked on his RunSeokjin Ep Tour on June 28 in Goyang, South Korea. This is his first solo tour in support of his albums Happy and Echo. After touring nine cities across the globe, Jin will conclude the tour in Amsterdam on August 10. Following this, he will join his bandmates to work on BTS's brand-new album, which is scheduled to be released sometime in 2026. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
