By Honorary Reporter Jana Raiza Magno from Philippines

Photo = Korea.net Flickr

The sunset in the Jeongseojin area of Incheon is a leading tourist attraction. (Korea.net Flickr)

2020 saw most headlines dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing changes to life both in Korea and abroad. Korea used this occasion to show its resolve in tackling the crisis, earning global accolades for its containment of the coronavirus through cooperation between the government and the public.

The following is my look at last year's major events in Korea.

Health and environment

Korea was one of the first countries other than China to see a massive coronavirus outbreak in the first half of the year. By March, stricter protocols on contact tracing, mass testing and quarantine facilitating were introduced as Korea was second only to China in the number of infections.

The government's response earned acclaim abroad for its openness and transparency with the public as well as listening to the people's criticism and demands.

A temporary walk-in facility for COVID-19 testing at Seoul Station allowed anyone to get a free test. (Korea.net Flickr)

Politics

Despite the pandemic, the country's general elections held on April 15 saw the highest voter turnout in 28 years. The ruling Democratic Party won 180 of the National Assembly's 300 seats, and the election was conducted with strict health protocols like regular disinfection of polling booths.

In diplomacy, tension with Japan rose again over the latter's historical revisionism and claim to Korea's Dokdo Island. Adding fuel to the fire were Tokyo's denial of compensation and lack of atonement for war crimes such as the use of forced Korean laborers and sex slaves before and during World War II.

Sports

Both Korea's pro leagues for baseball and soccer started play in May under strict guidelines, earning interest from many worldwide who were curious if their countries could do the same. Both leagues, however, had to play with no or a limited number of fans in the stands depending on the pandemic.

The Korea Baseball Organization drew international attention when it started play in May despite the pandemic. (Korea.net Flickr)

Entertainment

"Parasite" made history in February when it won the Oscar for Best Picture, a first for a film whose language was not English, earning four Oscars including Best Director for Bong Joon-ho. The film also won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

The cast and crew of "Parasite" on Feb. 9 pose for a group photo at their news conference in Los Angeles. (Korea.net Flickr)

With many people worldwide forced to stay at home due to the pandemic, Netflix featured several hit Korean dramas to woo new fans including "The World of the Married," "Crash Landing On You," and "The King: Eternal Monarch."

BTS in 2020 emerged as a global phenomenon transcending nationality, race, language and a host of other factors. (Big Heat Entertainment)

In music, BTS shone the brightest among K-pop acts. The group's first song in English, "Dynamite," became its first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. The boy band made history again after earning its first major Grammy nomination and went viral as Time magazine's "Entertainer of the Year."

BLACKPINK also broke records when the music video for its hit "How You Like That" attracted the most views in 24 hours in YouTube history and reached 100 million views in 32 hours. The girl group also had the second-most subscribers for an artist on YouTube after Justin Bieber.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.