S2E37: Are South Koreans lonely?

Social isolation is especially acute in the capital city of Seoul—and it’s not just among the elderly. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. In this episode, host and foreign editor Li Xueying speaks to South Korea correspondent Wendy Teo, who has lived in South Korea for six years, as she describes what life in Seoul can be like, and explains why loneliness is a looming epidemic not just for the aged but for young people there as well.  Steps are being taken to address the challenge, with local authorities rolling out measures ranging from cafes where anyone can drop by for a steaming hot bowl of ramyeon to 24-hour call centres.   Highlights (click/tap above): 1:12 All alone in Seoul 4:59 Intense competition in exams and for jobs 6:41 A district in southern Seoul City 11:47 Tackling the problem before depression sets in 15:04 Are mindsets shifting? Read Wendy Teo’s article here: https://str.sg/f4bN Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR  Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x   Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters   Host: Li Xueying ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: [email protected]  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB  Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX  --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.