Mark Russell
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markrussell.bsky.social
Mark Russell
@markrussell.bsky.social
320 followers 90 following 1.5K posts
Former journalist. Sometimes writer. Usually in Korea
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Reposted by Mark Russell
billamend.bsky.social
So awesome! Plus his posture echos (inspired?) the animation of the Peanuts kids dancing!
February 13, 2026 at 2:47 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Choi Ga-on wins Korea’s first gold medal this Olympics.

After that scary wipeout on her first run, I wonder if we’re going to get a bunch of Pak Seri-style ads. Inspirational stuff.
February 13, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Reposted by Mark Russell
oisinmcgann.bsky.social
Hopefully the rest of Europe will follow suit.
eddwilson.bsky.social Ed Wilson @eddwilson.bsky.social · 2d
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"

www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...

#R4Today
Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase
Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag
www.newscase.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:22 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Great to see South Korea starting to relax its ridiculous restrictions on North Korean media/propaganda. The idea that South Koreans could possibly be fooled by North in 2026 is just silly.

koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-02...
Easing of censorship allows South Koreans a firsthand look at North’s propaganda
For the first time, South Korea has eased restrictions on access to the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party. A close reading shows how it glorifies the regime and shapes ...
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:50 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
To be fair, the Canadian NHL teams have done an excellent job at eliminating the Stanley Cup from Canada all on their own…
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d
Trump, in the middle of his latest unhinged Truth Social screed, claims that if Canada makes a trade deal with China, "the first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup."
As everyone knows, the Country of Canada has treated the United States very unfairly for decades. Now, things are turning around for the U.S.A., and FAST! But imagine, Canada is building a massive bridge between Ontario and Michigan. They own both the Canada and the United States side and, of course, built it with virtually no U.S. content. President Barack Hussein Obama stupidly gave them a waiver so they could get around the BUY AMERICAN Act, and not use any American products, including our Steel. Now, the Canadian Government expects me, as President of the United States, to PERMIT them to just “take advantage of America!” What does the United States of America get — Absolutely NOTHING! Ontario won't even put U.S. spirits, beverages, and other alcoholic products, on their shelves, they are absolutely prohibited from doing so and now, on top of everything else, Prime Minister Carney wants to make a deal with China — which will eat Canada alive. We’ll just get the leftovers! I don't think so. The first thing China will do is terminate ALL Ice Hockey being played in Canada, and permanently eliminate The Stanley Cup. The Tariffs Canada charges us for our Dairy products have, for many years, been unacceptable, putting our Farmers at great financial risk. I will not allow this bridge to open until the United States is fully compensated for everything we have given them, and also, importantly, Canada treats the United States with the Fairness and Respect that we deserve. We will start negotiations, IMMEDIATELY. With all that we have given them, we should own, perhaps, at least one half of this asset. The revenues generated because of the U.S. Market will be astronomical. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
February 9, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Mark Russell
theonion.com
Study: Majority Of Humans Happiest When Rest Of Family Still Asleep https://theonion.com/study-majority-of-humans-happiest-when-rest-of-family-1819579602/
Study: Majority Of Humans Happiest When Rest Of Family Still Asleep
February 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
markrussell.bsky.social
If you thought Iron Lung being the No. 1 movie in America last weekend was surprising… K-pop power, going strong~
February 8, 2026 at 4:27 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Showing my age here, but the whole WaPo mess really reminds me of WKRP in Cincinnati.

If you recall, changing to a rock radio format caused the station’s ratings to climb and become successful. Which got WKRP in trouble with the owner, who actually wanted it suck and to lose money.
marisakabas.bsky.social Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 5d
Breaking — Will Lewis out at the Washington Post. He just sent this email to staff (shared with me by staffer):
All - after two years of transformation at The Washington Post, now is the right time for me to step aside. I want to thank Jeff Bezos for his support and leadership throughout my tenure as CEO and Publisher. The institution could not have a better owner. During my tenure, difficult decisions have been taken in order to ensure the sustainable future of The Post so it can for many years ahead publish high-quality nonpartisan news to millions of customers each day. With gratitude, Will
February 8, 2026 at 4:17 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Damn. The latest A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS is really kick ass. What a rousing climax.
February 7, 2026 at 1:39 PM
markrussell.bsky.social
Olympics alpine skiing is so much more interesting to watch now that drones can follow the skiers. Really engrossing.
February 7, 2026 at 10:46 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
I just found out that Zach Bryan name-dropped my favorite Philly dive bar, McGlinchey’s, in a song. What a fun surprise ~

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJO0...
Zach Bryan - 28
YouTube video by Zach Bryan
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Reposted by Mark Russell
bloomberg.com
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced
Canadian Province New Brunswick to Quit Using Elon Musk’s X
New Brunswick, an east coast Canadian province of about 900,000 people, will no longer use billionaire Elon Musk’s social media platform X for routine government communications, its leader announced Thursday.
bloom.bg
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Mark Russell
sarahjeong.bsky.social
sure the us is sliding into authoritarianism but on the other hand, south korea is completely paralyzed by dubai chocolate fever. in a couple of weeks they went from dubai chocolate chewy cookie to dubai chocolate raw amberjack fish to dubai chocolate grilled short ribs
February 5, 2026 at 5:01 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
As part of the massive job cuts at the Washington Post, it looks like they’ve shut down their young and dynamic Seoul office. Very sad … it was great having that kind of international news presence in Korea.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/b...
Washington Post Lays Off More Than 300 Journalists
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Mark Russell
deakat.bsky.social
#ShareGoodNewsToo
"A vaccine called GBP511 has begun clinical testing in Australia. Pioneered by UW Medicine researchers, it is intended to protect against COVID-19 and related coronaviruses — including some that haven’t yet jumped to humans. www.ipd.uw.edu/2026/02/gbp5...
First vaccine targeting SARS virus family enters human trials – Institute for Protein Design
The computer-designed vaccine aims to protect against coronaviruses that haven't yet emerged, including pandemic threats
www.ipd.uw.edu
February 3, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Mark Russell
starshine.bsky.social
Sickos guy meme but he’s French wearing a perverts shirt saying OUI...HON HON HON. ..OUI!
February 3, 2026 at 11:43 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Huh. The YouTube star Markiplier is half-Korean. I wonder if the Korean media will take an interest. Or if his movie IRON LUNG will make it to theaters here.
February 3, 2026 at 4:39 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Finally finished WONDER MAN. Not high art, but it was the kind of show that, when it finished left me feeling really good. Which is a pretty rare thing.
February 2, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Mark Russell
hankyoreh.bsky.social
Martial law failed in Korea in late 2024 not because the military was weak, but because the public’s ability to record and disseminate information was strong. This is where the paths of Korea and the US diverge.

english.hani.co.kr/arti/english...
[Column] American democracy is dying, and masked agents are killing it
Anonymity is a tool for skirting accountability from the public
english.hani.co.kr
January 31, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Reposted by Mark Russell
princess-vimentin.bsky.social
🧪 Case in point:

www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
HHS wasn't worried about South Carolina's measles outbreak. It's now enormous.
“CDC is not currently concerned that this will develop into a large, long-running outbreak," the agency said in December.
www.motherjones.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by Mark Russell
propublica.org
A note from our editors:
Note from the editors: ProPublica is publishing the names of the two federal immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Minnesota protester Alex Pretti. We believe there are few investigations that deserve more sunlight and public scrutiny than this one, in which two masked agents fired 10 shots at Pretti as he lay on the ground after being pepper-sprayed. The Department of Justice said it is investigating the incident, but the names of the two agents have been withheld from Congress and from state and local law enforcement. The policy of shielding officers’ identities, particularly after a public shooting, is a stark departure from standard law enforcement protocols, according to lawmakers, state attorneys general and former federal officials. Such secrecy, in our view, deprives the public of the most fundamental tool for accountability.
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
markrussell.bsky.social
I just found out about the Korean singer Effie. So 짬뽕. Reminds me of the groups I loved when I first came to Korea. Really makes me wish I was still writing about Korean indie music.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=tIvA...
Effie - down (Official MacBook Video)
YouTube video by Effie
m.youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
I assume, if GRRM passes, the fanfic community will just write hundreds of their own books and we’ll vote on our favorites to end the series. “The Wounds of Whittler” or something like that.
ign.com IGN @ign.com · 26d
George R.R. Martin has said that if he never completes Game of Thrones sequel Winds of Winter (or the book after that), there's no plan for anyone else to step in. Instead, his Song of Ice and Fire series simply "won't be finished."
Game of Thrones Writer George R.R. Martin Says There's No Plan if He Dies Before Completing Winds of Winter, and the Series Simply 'Won't Be Finished'
bit.ly
January 29, 2026 at 11:44 PM
markrussell.bsky.social
At last! Bundang is getting garbage cans!!

One of the stranger gaps in Korean life is apparently getting fixed. Or at least improved. Yay.
January 28, 2026 at 10:16 AM
markrussell.bsky.social
Korea’s former First Lady Kim Kun Hee, guilty of accepting bribes. 20 months imprisonment.

www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR2026...
[1보] 법원, '통일교 금품수수' 김건희에 징역 1년 8개월 선고 | 연합뉴스
(
www.yna.co.kr
January 28, 2026 at 5:53 AM