Mention the Winter Olympics or figure skating to any South Korean this week and they’ll likely respond with a scowl or a shake of the head. After an almost completely flawless performance at Sochi, 23-year-old figure skater and darling of South Korea Yuna Kim looked sure to claim the gold, but when the judges presented their scores for her performance, which came to a total of 219.11, the stadium erupted with cheers from Russian spectators who knew that the top medal would instead go to their own Adelina Sotnikova, who scored just five points more.
But the official scores don’t seem to matter much in Yuna Kim’s native South Korea, since one broadcaster pretty much just awarded her a gold medal anyway.
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Studio Ghibli releases new action figures featuring Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind characters
Studio Ghibli glasses cases let anime characters keep an eye on your spectacles
Katsudon vs. tonkatsu vs. katsu sandwich – What’s the best way to eat pork cutlet in Japan?
The host who lived? Stabbed host in Shinjuku miraculously recovers from life-threatening injury
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Toddler Evangelion Rody rompers now come in more colors
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
More foreign tourists than ever before in history visited Japan last month
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
All-you-can-drink Starbucks and amazing views part of Tokyo’s new 170 meter-high sky lounge
Starbucks reopens at Shibuya Scramble Crossing with new look and design concept
Beautiful new Final Fantasy T-shirt collection on the way from Uniqlo【Photos】
Is the new Shinkansen Train Desk ticket worth it?
Foreign English teachers in Japan pick their favorite Japanese-language phrases【Survey】
Studio Ghibli releases Kiki’s Delivery Service chocolate cake pouches in Japan
Japan’s bone-breaking and record-breaking roller coaster is permanently shutting down
New definition of “Japanese whiskey” goes into effect to prevent fakes from fooling overseas buyers
Our Japanese reporter visits Costco in the U.S., finds super American and very Japanese things
Studio Ghibli unveils Mother’s Day gift set that captures the love in My Neighbour Totoro
Domino’s Japan now sells…pizza ears?
New Japanese KitKat flavour stars Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty
One of Tokyo’s most famous meeting-spot landmarks is closing for good
Kyoto creates new for-tourist buses to address overtourism with higher prices, faster rides
Sales of Japan’s most convenient train ticket/shopping payment cards suspended indefinitely
Sold-out Studio Ghibli desktop humidifiers are back so Totoro can help you through the dry season
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
One Piece characters’ nationalities revealed, but fans have mixed opinions
We asked a Uniqlo employee what four things we should buy and their suggestions didn’t disappoint
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Beautiful Sailor Moon manhole cover coasters being given out for free by Tokyo tourist center
Toddler Evangelion Rody rompers now come in more colors
“25 Potential Culture Shocks from around the World” infographic offers tidbits of travel wisdom
What happens to Cup Noodle Mystery Meat when you cook it in a rice cooker?
Taste-testing Japan’s three biggest convenience stores store-brand cup ramen【Taste test】
Giant Clodsire Pokémon plushie comes with up to 32 Woopers in super size, super cute set【Pics】
Disney princesses get official manga makeovers for Manga Princess Cafe opening in Tokyo
We could all learn something from this Korean grade school music class’ Daft Punk cover【Video】
Is Oni Koroshi sake in a drink box wino fuel or a hidden gem?
Is Japan’s massive Shizuoka steak sandwich really as delicious as it looks in promo photos?
Edible culture shock: Our Japanese reporter tries American barbecue for first time【Taste test】
Awesome website allows you to make your own Dragon Ball character, battle other fighters
Explosions in the kitchen: This is why you don’t heat canned coffee directly on the stove…