Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAIT
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor's of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master's of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn't in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
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PC Bangs: A Guide for Non-Gamers
Wondering what’s happening behind the doors of the PC Bangs in Korea? Wondering if you should go inside? Let’s take a look at how PC Bangs are part of life, even when you aren’t a gamer. My History with Internet Cafes Before I came to Korea, I used to use Internet Cafes all across the world to communicate with my family. During my extended trips, I’d find an internet cafe every 3-5 days to let my family know my location in the world, tell a few stories that wouldn’t scare…
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Overview of June in Korea
Want to know about life in Korea during June? Below is a quick overview of things you need to know along with links to additional information. South of Seoul June Guide First of all, SOS volunteers know finding a new rhythm for life after relocating may feel overwhelming. That’s why we organize information into scaffolded chunks. Sorting information by Season, Month, and Residency Types can help new arrivals in Korea process information more smoothly. You can read even more articles for June here. For now, let’s dig into an overview…
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August in South Korea, July in South Korea, June in South Korea, Public Health, SOS South Korean Seasonal Guide: Summer
Preparing for Heat Waves in Korea
Have you seen Korean heat wave advisories on your phone or in the media? Heat waves should be taken as seriously as typhoons and monsoons while living in South Korea. Let’s talk about what why heat waves are a serious topic in Korea and how you can be prepared to live your best life and stay safe. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we…
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June K-Drama: My Love From the Star
Interested in romantic fantasy dramas with a touch of comedy and an otherworldly twist, “My Love From the Star” is perfect for your next K-drama binge. This is the story of an extraterrestrial alien who arrives on Earth in 1609 during the Joseon dynasty. After living here for 400 years, he meets and falls in love with a top Korean actress. Let’s learn more about this K-drama and find out why it was so popular. Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge If you have been following our K-Drama series, feel free…
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May K-Drama: Reply 1988
The South of Seoul K-drama for May is a popular one. “Reply 1988” was highly popular when it aired in South Korea and internationally on streaming platforms. The drama is known for the realistic portrayal of life in the 1980s. It was praised for being relatable and having heartwarming storylines. Let’s dig into this K-drama and expand your social knowledge. Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge If you have been following our K-Drama series, feel free to skip this section to get straight into the drama. When you watch a K-drama…
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April in South Korea, Home & Living, Home Life & Maintenance Tips, May in South Korea, October in South Korea, September in South Korea
Home in Korea: Caring for Windows
Caring for your windows and screens in Korea can greatly increase your quality of life. Maintaining your window systems throughout the year may limit many common areas of discomfort experienced by new international residents. A little extra housework such as this goes a long way to improve your mental health while living abroad. Listen to the BlogCast Don’t want to read? Listen to the South of Seoul BlogCast which provides accessible content through the use of AI technology. We don’t have time to read each article but we do our best to…
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Korean Cycling Hand Signals
Bike safety is always important. Understanding the cycling (biking) hand traffic signals helps you communicate with drivers on the roads. Hand signals change from country to country, so we have a post all about Korean hand signals. Importance of Using Cycling Signals When Riding Casual and professional bikers and cyclers in Korea need to use the local cycling hand signals for the country they live in. This is true if you are visiting Korea as a tourist or living here as an immigrant. It’s important for your safety and the…
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Spring Cleaning in Korea
With the arrival of spring comes spring cleaning! The chance to prepare your home for ultimate summer fun and comfort. This post talks about specific cleaning tasks that help you get into the flow of life in Korea and makes managing your home a little easier. If you don’t do the following things, life may feel hard and gross pretty fast. Clorox Warning WARNING: The following combinations can cause death Since many people moving to Korea may be living on their own for the first time, we want to begin…
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April K-Drama: The Heirs
The South of Seoul featured K-drama for April is a popular series that aired in 2013, “The Heirs.” The drama’s compelling characters, complex relationships, and dramatic plot twists have kept viewers riveted from beginning to end. Therefore, this is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good coming-of-age story or romantic drama. Breaking Down the Cultural Knowledge When you watch a K-drama when living in Korea or plan to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the…
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SOS Book Club Pick: Korean Folk Tales
Korean Folk Tales: Imps, Ghosts, and Fairies is a book of Korean folk tales translated in 1913 when Japan ruled Korea. Under that rule, Japan worked to eradicate Korean culture by destroying historical places, outlawing traditions, and much more. The telling and translation of Korean stories during that time feels especially significant. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2)…
