BIRTH RATE, K-DRAMAS, AND MORE

Welcome to Press Perspective for this Friday June 27th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sunhee.

It's that time of the week yet again during which we touch upon a host of social headlines that made international headlines.

For more I have Hanna Siemiatycki with French weekly La Tribune Dimanche.

It's a pleasure to have you here.

I also have writer Colin Marshall with the pundit's take on today's topics.

Colin welcome back.

Colin, let's begin with your thoughts on the rising number of newborns and marriages here in South Korea.

Do you believe we're witnessing a tangible shift in trend or is this a temporary phenomenon?

Hanna, Korea has the world's lowest birth rate.

What have been some of your firsthand observations here in the country with regard to this reality?

Colin, the New York Times recently carried an opinion piece that linked Korea's low birth rate to K-dramas.

Do you care to elaborate?

Also, do you agree?

In sharp contrast, Hanna, an earlier article by the Agence France-Presse sheds light on an expert who claims K-dramas may be good for mental health.

Again, do give us some details, and what are your thoughts?

Colin, quite a number of foreign media outlets in recent years have referred to South Korea as a cultural powerhouse.

Do you believe this is a fitting title, or does South Korea need to do more?

Hanna, moving forward, there is much speculation over which Korean food will fuel the next global craze.

What are your guesses?

Hanna, the French media covered South Korea's plan to introduce AI-based evaluation methods across the education system.

Do tell us more about this coverage and the response.

Colin, there has been media coverage about some college students being unhappy that their professors are resorting to ChatGPT for lectures.

Do walk us through the concerns being raised within the academic arena amid the advances in AI.

And what are your thoughts?

All right.