For subscribers

Letter from Seoul

Missile threats, scandals and becoming an accidental TV star: Reflections on 8 years in S. Korea

Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments

The Straits Times South Korea Correspondent Chang May Choon (second from right) seen here with her Korean husband and daughter, planked by TV host Kang Ho-dong (first from right) and actor Yoo Byung-jae. The family appeared in the 86th episode of the popular reality show Let's Eat Dinner Together, aired in June 2018.

ST South Korea correspondent Chang May Choon with her family, who appeared in reality show Let's Eat Dinner Together in 2018, flanked by actor Yoo Byung-jae (left) and TV host Kang Ho-dong.

ST PHOTO: CHANG MAY CHOON

Follow topic:

SEOUL – One recent morning when sirens started wailing and a “wartime alert” popped up on our mobile phones telling us to get ready to evacuate, my daughter jumped out of bed to get dressed while I rushed to the window and stuck my head out.

All was quiet outside at 6.45am, with nary a person on the street.

See more on