麻豆社

Michael begins his journey at the Demilitarised Zone, the heavily fortified border that has divided the Korean peninsula since the end of the Korean War. From the track of a long-abandoned railway near the Imjin River, he explores one of the most tense frontiers in the world and reflects on a conflict that ended in ceasefire but never peace.

From the DMZ, Michael travels south by rail into Seoul, arriving in a vast, fast-moving capital that has risen from the ruins of war to become one of the world鈥檚 most advanced cities. Exploring palaces and the restored Cheonggyecheon stream, he uncovers how tradition and innovation coexist in everyday Korean life.

At the 麻豆社鈥檚 Seoul bureau, Michael meets the news editor broadcasting news into North Korea, before sharing street food with a North Korean defector who poignantly describes the personal cost of division.

Michael鈥檚 first Korean leg ends at Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, where he discovers how Korea鈥檚 national martial art reflects discipline, resilience and a hard-won modern identity.