An app made viral by K-pop's top stars asks people to share what AI can't replace: an unedited glimpse of real life

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Seventeen on-stage at Incheon Asiad stadium.
Seventeen wrapped up their "NEW_" tour in Incheon, South Korea.

Pledis Entertainment

I'm the founder of a soju brand and the chair of the LACMA Art + Film Gala. I work between Seoul and LA and rarely sleep before 3 a.m.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
headshot of Eva Chow
Eva Chow.

Cho Gi Seok

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eva Chow, chair of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art + Film Gala and founder of the soju brand KHEE. She splits her time between Seoul and Los Angeles. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Everyone flocks to the same tourist spots in Seoul. As a frequent visitor, I prefer these 4 lesser-visited areas.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer wearing a striped shirt and standing in front of plants in Haebangchon, Seoul.
I think Haebangchon is one of the coolest parts of Seoul.

Haein Jung

I grew up in the Midwest as a Korean adoptee. Living in Seoul helped me finally feel Korean and American.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A female spider researcher in her lab.
Jillian Kurovski was adopted from South Korea as a baby and grew up in the Midwest.

Provided by Jillian Kurovski.

I moved from the US to Korea, where I planned to stay forever — then I had kids

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Sports
Derek Laan wearing a balzer and posing with autumn trees in the background.
Derek Laan moved to Korea in his 20s, where he built his career and life.

Provided by Derek Laan

I'm 40 and $300,000 in debt after my startup failed. I'm living on $10 a day in South Korea.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Style
stock image of a backview of a man
Kang Gwang-sik, 40, tells Business Insider he has been living on just $10 a day while facing $300,000 in debt.

Plan Shooting 2 / Imazins/Getty Images

A K-pop star turned his years-long work break into a productivity flex

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Hoshi of boy band Seventeen poses for a photocall for Valentino 2025 Fall collection pop-up store opening on June 20, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.
Seventeen's Hoshi is rolling out a whole slate of work that he prepared way before going to serve in the Korean military.

Han Myung-Gu/WireImage

I saw the K-pop mega band Seventeen live 5 times in 7 months — and one stop was the best

Tech Insider : Business
A group shot of the band Seventeen at their Incheon concert.
Seventeen wrapped up their "NEW_" tour two weeks ago and I haven't been the same since.

Pledis Entertainment

The K-pop mega band Seventeen shows how being best friends with coworkers can lead to lasting careers

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Seventeen on-stage at Incheon Asiad stadium.
Seventeen wrapped up their "NEW_" tour in Incheon, South Korea, on Sunday night,

Pledis Entertainment

My family's first trip to South Korea was great, but it would've been even better if I'd avoided these 5 mistakes

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Author Jamie Davis Smith smiling in front of view of trees in distance
Although my family had a great time on our trip to Seoul, there were a few small mistakes I wish we had avoided, plus some itinerary changes that would've made our travels even better.

Jamie Davis Smith

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