Leaving a Bad Relationship: When and Why to End It

A couple contemplating leaving a bad relationship as they argue with each other.

Why is leaving a bad relationship so hard? How do you know it’s time to go? Leaving a bad relationship instead of talking yourself into staying can be difficult, but it can also help you avoid regret. It’s important to recognize when you have mismatched values that can’t be reconciled. Here’s why you should evaluate your relationships early and honestly.

The 2006 Cheongju Curling Iron Case: Explained (Rotten Mango)

A curling iron with a long wire next to scissors.

What was Cheongju’s curling iron incident of 2006? What does the crime say about bullying in South Korean schools? Stephanie Soo’s podcast Rotten Mango dives into the troubling instances of school bullying in South Korea. It’s a critical issue exemplified by the 2006 Cheongju curling iron case, which inspired the popular Netflix series The Glory. Continue reading to learn more about the horrific case and its controversial aftermath.

What Is Deliberate Practice? Working on Specific Weak Points

A woman swimming laps underwater in a public pool.

What is deliberate practice, and how can you use it to get better at something? What can this style of practicing do for your performance? Deliberate practice is a method of identifying your weaknesses and specifically targeting them, instead of generally practicing an entire set of skills. This process focuses your energy on where you need improvement the most. Continue reading to learn how deliberate practice works.

Why Political Predictions Shouldn’t Be Made From Polls

An image of a presidential candidate below "Who will you vote for" on a smartphone.

How useful are political polls if you’re trying to make election predictions? What else can be learned from them? Political polls collect information on how Americans are thinking about political issues and candidates. However, they should be taken with a grain of salt, as results aren’t always accurate. Here’s a look at the usefulness of polls when making political predictions.

Rotten Mango on the Many Juvenile Justice System Problems

A child on their knees pointing at jail bars in prison.

What are the main issues with the juvenile justice system? Do certain cultural standards in South Korea contribute to bullying in schools? While discussing the 2006 Cheongju curling iron case on the Rotten Mango podcast, Stephanie Soo expresses distaste for the juvenile justice system. She says that much of the public’s negative response to the case was due to the school’s and justice system’s mishandling of the case. Check out the juvenile justice system’s problems with this specific case and others.

10,000 Hours to Become an Expert: Why Practice Matters

A silhouette of a pesron writing at a desk with gears and clouds in the sky.

Does it take 10,000 hours to become an expert? What does research say about how much practice you need? The idea that you need 10,000 hours to become an expert is backed by the research of psychologist Anders Ericsson and is famously cited in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers. While there’s some debate around this exact figure, most agree that a lot of practice makes the difference between experts and non-experts. Read on for a look at all sides of the 10,000-hour debate.

Stop Lying to Yourself or You’ll Make Bad Decisions

A guy lying to himself about his health as he sits on the couch with junk food and a soda can in his hand.

Why do you always make bad decisions? And how do you stop lying to yourself about your choices? We all make bad decisions sometimes, and often it’s because we’re telling ourselves lies instead of basing our choices on reality. When we lie to ourselves, it’s easier to make unwise decisions. Here’s how to take control of your life and make better decisions.

The Effects of Bullying: Rotten Mango Shares Survivor Stories

Children pointing at a sad boy who's getting teased on a school bus.

What are the long-term effects of bullying? What does bullying look like among celebrities? The Netflix series The Glory has brought up interesting conversations about the effects of bullying. On the Rotten Mango podcast, Stephanie Soo talks about how bullying in South Korea has increased significantly over the years, hence why she’s calling attention to it. Discover how bad bullying has gotten in recent years and the consequences of it.