Korean restaurant slammed for WBC-related promotions

Korean restaurant slammed for WBC-related promotions

2026-03-12

A marketing stunt gone wrong has put a Korean restaurant in Taiwan on the spotlight for all the wrong reasons among baseball fans. Last week, South Korea faced off against Australia in the World Baseball Classic, and secured a spot in the next round winning the match 7-2. For Taiwan, it was a tough game to watch, because if Korea had scored just one more run, there could’ve been a possibility that the tiebreaker would result in Taiwan progressing in the competition. The Korean restaurant offered a funny apology to fans in Taiwan, offering discounts and joking that their mascot was to blame for helping Team South Korea keep its score low. But fans did not find the stunt funny in the slightest. Let’s hear more.

Baseball fan
Takes baseball seriously
I don’t think it’s OK. They just wanted to get attention from the game, but it’s not a good look.

Baseball fan
Takes baseball seriously
It’s controversial. It’s a sensitive issue, so of course everyone will be upset. I think the issue of intentionally keeping the score down is a very touchy topic.

Voice of staff
Dookki Taiwan
We just wanted to promote our restaurant in a creative way. It wasn’t meant to make fun of the players of any team. The post was out of touch. It will be updated.

The post in question featured the photo of a person holding up a sheet of paper with a handwritten message saying “Sorry, we shouldn’t be trying to keep our score low.” Fans said the move was offensive to fans of both Team Taiwan and Team Korea. The restaurant quickly removed the message after the uproar, bus stated that the promotional offer would continue.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#taiwan #southkorea #basebal #wbc #funny #restaurant

蹭WBC挨轟! 韓式餐廳"兩餐"道歉控分挨轟災難式行銷

2026-03-12

WBC南韓隊，日前以7比2擊敗澳洲，晉級八強。但賽後球迷質疑南韓故意控分，讓台灣隊晉級希望破滅。週三韓式餐廳"兩餐"發文，指稱品牌吉祥物年糕君為了控分而遭三振，老闆為此道歉，祭出優惠折扣，網友砲轟這是在蹭WBC熱度、災難式行銷。

[[球迷]]
“我可能覺得我沒有辦法接受。就可能也想要藉這個(控分)蹭個話題吧，這可能對大眾來說，會有不好的觀感。”

[[球迷]]
“爭議的點是因為說，在那個敏感點當然大家都會不開心，可是我覺得控分這兩個字，對現在台灣的球迷來講，這是一件很敏感的問題。”

[[聲源:兩餐總公司人員]]
“是想要以比較有趣的方式來做行銷。本意不是要來嘲諷哪一邊的球員，沒有拿捏好行銷的尺度，之後的話會再更新新的文章上去。”

這則爭議貼文，放上一人單膝跪地、手拿紙張，上面大大寫著"對不起，我們不應該控分"，被認為影射南韓隊，有網友說一次得罪兩邊球迷，業者緊急下架文案，但也表示活動會持續。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Newlyweds take inspiration from professions to hold CPR competition

A pair of newlyweds in Taichung made sure to have their special day, their very own. Taking inspiration from their respective professions—firefighter and nurse—they prepared a surprise CPR competition plus drinking game for guests at their lunchtime banquet. It may not be a conventional wedding ceremony, but it sure looked like a lot of fun.

Even though it’s only lunchtime, it looks like some people already had too many drinks. Or have they?

- We have people lying down here onstage. Here we have five adorable Little Annies.

Guests at a wedding banquet rush onstage to perform CPR. Not a conventional choice for a wedding, but everyone seems to be having fun.

To makes things more exciting, the CPR competition doubles as a drinking game. Before you say anything, yes, the newlywed couple wanted this.

The bride herself, wearing a white mermaid costume, also joined the competition.

- I honestly still have no idea what kind of event I’m hosting.

The unconventional wedding ceremony was held at the Taichung Folklore Park. The groom is a firefighter, while the bride is a nurse. They wanted to make their big day fun and memorable for guests, so they had the wedding team prepare this surprise event.

‘Mermaid Princess’
Bride
My husband saw this game on Threads. We do have to perform CPR on our jobs sometimes, in cases when the patient needs emergency care, so we thought we’d throw a CPR competition. But everyone deliberately let us win, so my husband and I were first place.

A-chieh
Wedding emcee
They had a traditional Ming Dynasty wedding ceremony. The groom rode on the back of his best man, as if he’s riding a horse, to enter the venue. Then we had the bride, the mermaid princess. We knew that the whole thing would be impressive, but were still absolutely stunned by the footage.

The newlyweds really gave all the guests something to remember, on their most special day.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#wedding #banquet #party #CPR #drinkinggame

2026-03-12

Thieves brazenly raid abandoned Pingtung college for scrap material

The private Yung Ta Institute of Technology and Commerce in Pingtung has been closed for over a decade, its empty campus becoming a paradise for thieves. Nearby residents said that five groups of a dozen or so people come and go from the campus 24-7, carting away metal windows and doors, air-conditioners, and other materials to resell. They don’t seem at all concerned about being caught, making lots of noise as they move things around in the middle of the night.

Vehicles drive by throughout the night, causing dogs to start barking. It’s unusual for a small country road like this to be so busy. Some are pushing carts, and others zip by on motorbikes, hauling piles of stuff.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
After dismantling things, they’ll drop it from upstairs and sort through it on the ground. It’s always at night. They’ll drive motorbikes with carts. This is the path they use.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
They’ll drop stuff at 1 or 2 in the morning. It makes such a loud bang. It happens all the time. The noise is really getting out of hand.

These people live behind the abandoned Yung Ta Institute of Technology and Commerce in Pingtung, which has become a target of thieves. For years, they’ve stripped away nearly all the windows, doors, air-conditioners, and metal frames. They don’t act like there’s anything to fear.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
They’ll drop things, and curse if it wasn’t dropped in the right spot, so brazenly, as though it were their job.

Local resident
Disturbed by thieves
At least five groups of people, about a dozen or so, have been stealing from here for years. The aluminum frames are the best option right now, along with some of the steel and stainless steel items. The ACs are still there, although the main unit is gone.

The college in Pingtung’s Linluo Township has been closed since 2014. The county government planned to buy it back in phases for NT$310 million, but the budget proposal stalled. With no one there to look after it, the campus has become a den of thieves.

Chen Shang-yi
Pingtung education official
The county hasn’t yet acquired property rights to the Yung Ta Institute’s Linluo campus, nor have the property rights been transferred. Therefore, the Yung Ta Institute is still the legal manager of the property.

Shih Wei-hsiang
Linluo Station chief
We have dispatched officers to investigate, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and increased patrol frequency in the vicinity.

The thieves’ brazen attitude has led to sheer anarchy on this abandoned campus. The residents can’t stand the late-night noise any longer and fear it’s become a blind spot for law enforcement. They’re calling on the authorities to take decisive action and swiftly eliminate this den of thieves.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#thieves #abandoned #Pingting #scrapping #scrapmetal #YungTaInstitute #police #noise #distrubingthepeace #publicsafety

2026-03-12

Kinmen Ceramics Factory releases liquor bottle shaped like fire hydrant

As a way of promoting creative marketing along with the ceramic arts, the Kinmen Ceramics Factory collaborated with a liquor company to produce a fire hydrant-shaped bottle, meant to convey that “extinguishing” anger calms the mind. The factory manager said he got the idea because he used to be a firefighter. Not only that, but fire hydrants also have an uninterrupted supply of water. As water symbolizes wealth, it signifies hope for a boundless flow of prosperity.

Bottles of all shapes and sizes stand at attention in display cabinets. But hold on, why is this one here? Fire hydrants are supposed to be outside. This is actually a liquor bottle specially designed by the Kinmen Ceramics Factory.

Lin Wei-shang
Kinmen Ceramics Factory manager
We wanted to make a liquor bottle customized for a profession. Since I used to be a firefighter, we thought about how a firefighter might design a bottle. Fire hydrants play a crucial role in neighborhood safety by ensuring a continuous supply of water.

Looking to promote creative marketing along with the ceramic arts, the Kinmen Ceramics Factory designed this special liquor bottle shaped like a fire hydrant. The manager said the production team hopes that every product can convey a story and a feeling, beyond just functioning as a container. The factory has been producing more creative products in recent years, hoping they will get more use in people’s daily lives to showcase the charm of Kinmen craftsmanship in the home.

Lin Wei-shang
Kinmen Ceramics Factory manager
We plan to release another two products this year. One of them will be a tetrapod. Tetrapods brake waves to keep the shore peaceful. It also has another meaning. Since it resembles a rice dumpling, we plan to release it for Dragon Boat Festival. The other one is for Mid-Autumn Festival. We’ll release a moon cake bottle. We’re still developing both and negotiating with the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor company.

Apart from making uniquely shaped liquor bottles, the factory said it plans to keep pushing creative boundaries by integrating Kinmen’s cultural heritage, lifestyles, and diverse aesthetics to develop ceramics rich in narrative and cultural value.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#ceramics #Kinmen #kaoliang #bottle #firehydrant #liquorbottle #design #firefighter #creative #KinmenCeramicsFactory

2026-03-12

Taiwan shares close down on Section 301 investigations

The US Trade Representative on Wednesday announced the launch of a series of investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The List targets 16 trading partners, including Taiwan. The investigations could put heavy scrutiny over Taiwan’s semiconductor and electronics industries. The announcement has sent ripples through financial markets, sending Taiwan shares tumbling on Thursday after a rebound the day before. Taiwan’s Executive Yuan says it is in close communication with the US to ensure that Taiwan receives the best possible treatment. Let’s hear from a spokesperson.

Michelle Lee
Executive Yuan Spokesperson
The US notified us in advance before announcing the Section 301 investigations. Our government has been aware of and prepared for the relevant developments. Many of the issues that may be included in the investigation have already reached consensus within the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade framework. We believe that after the investigation process, the results will fully reflect the outcomes of previous negotiations and ensure that our country maintains its relative advantages and receives the best possible treatment without any compromise. Finally, the premier also added that past efforts will leave lasting and positive marks. Previous negotiations have already yielded results, and the US has used the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade as a foundation for responding to the upcoming Section 301 investigation.

It wasn’t all losses across the market. Pricy Aspeed shares surged by NT$440 to close at NT$10,495, but even that wasn’t able to save the broader market. Heavyweight stocks such as TSMC, Delta Electronics and Hon Hai all suffered major declines. Memory chip stocks and stocks in the financial and traditional industry also pulled back. The market ended the day closing down 532 points, at 33,581.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#stocks #shares #finance #stockmarket #tsmc #aspeed #301 #us #taiwan #trade

2026-03-12

Inaugural Mailiao Lantern Festival drew 200,000+ to Yunlin township

The seaside town of Mailiao in Yunlin County had a successful township-level lantern festival this year, held at local Social Education Park, which was only opened to the public last year. Over the past month, the inaugural Mailiao Lantern Festival drew more than 200,000 visitors to the township. On Sunday, the festival drew to a close with dazzling fireworks.

Dazzling fireworks by the sea. Adding to the festivity, the township office also held a lucky draw in which participants could take home prizes such as an iPhone 17 or a tablet.

This is Mailiao’s first-ever township-level lantern festival. With two main lanterns and AI-powered skylanterns as highlights, the festival attracted over 200,000 visitors from all over the country and generated over NT$100 million in revenue locally.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township head
In just the first three days of the Lunar New Year alone, almost 200,000 came to Mailiao. The closing ceremony was attended by 5,000. Locals are more than happy to attend a lantern festival held in their township.

Mailiao Township Social Education Park, where the festival took place, was only inaugurated last year, but already, it’s won many international architectural awards. This Lunar New Year, the lantern festival gave locals an opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty of this public infrastructure.

Hsu Chung-fu
Mailiao Township head
There’s culture and there’s also beauty. Mailiao may be the stage of the lantern festival, but the international stage already has a star in our Social Education Park. Everyone brought their best foot forward to combine the beauty of our local architecture with the lantern festival. I believe it’s the best of both worlds.

With a successful start, the township office aims to make the lantern festival a landmark in local branding. For future editions, Mailiao is looking to incorporate innovative digital applications and local cultural references, to firmly put the seaside town on the map.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#taiwan #yunlin #mailiao #lanternfestival #LNY

2026-03-12

Woman fined NT$30,000 for releasing bags of goldfish as prayer

A woman in New Taipei was so intent on wishing her mother good health that she’s taken the advice of a fortuneteller to release bagfuls of Shubunkin goldfish into the wild as prayer. She’s even documented her act—seven counts to be exact—on social media for the world to see. Someone eventually reported her to the local animal protection office, and she was tracked down and fined NT$30,000. New Taipei animal protection also took this instance to remind the public not to release any live animals into the wild.

Sunlight dapples the surface of the lake. It’s a beautiful morning at Bitan. This is also where someone released hundreds upon hundreds of goldfish and got fined.

The woman in a red dress is pictured releasing a large bag of goldfish into the lake. In another picture, she’s doing the same, releasing the bag of fish while standing by the lake. What she did was clearly against the law.

Lee Shih-chen
FTV reporter
At the time, the woman was releasing the fish in a bag into the water. She later posted photos and videos of it online, making for irrefutable evidence of legal violation.

The New Taipei animal protection office was reported of the act. The woman herself was 50-year-old Ms. Hsu. She bought bagfuls of Shubunkin goldfish to release into the lake, believing the act would bless her mother with good health. She also wrote in the caption that it’s her seventh time doing so. Locals say she’s not the only one to partake in the ritual.

Local resident
Xindian, New Taipei
It wouldn’t be here. The fish won’t be released from here, but from upstream, above the dam.

Local resident
Xindian, New Taipei
I’ve seen people release fishes here. Goldfish, koi, carp and the likes. It’s not as common anymore. If I see someone doing it, I might go over and tell them off.

Yang Shu-fang
New Taipei animal protection office
Releasing animals into the wild constitutes abandonment, which is a violation of the Animal Protection Act. Even though the party concerned stated that the act was one of filial piety to bless her mother, she still released animals, which causes harm. She’ll be fined NT$30,000 in accordance with clauses on animal abandonment in the Animal Protection Act.

The woman may have meant well, but her actions still caused harm to the goldfish. The animal protection office took the occasion to remind the public not to release animals into the wild, and to seek assistance from local authorities should they wish to let go of a pet.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#animalwelfare #praying #spellcasting #witchcraft #goldfish

2026-03-12

Running green man gets removed from traffic lights

When you’re crossing the street, and you see the green man running on the traffic light, do you run too? It’s quite a normal reaction, but some think it’s also dangerous. That’s why the animation is soon to be history in Taiwan, as experts believe the running man and the countdown prompt pedestrians to rush across the road. Though the running animation will be gone, the flashing signals on the pedestrian light will remain, to warn people not to cross. In addition, people who cross the street when the light is flashing will no longer face fines.

The countdown is ending and people race across the street like athletes vying for gold in the 100m sprint. Soon, the green man running on the traffic light won’t join the race. According to traffic experts, the sped-up animation pressures pedestrians to hurtle across the street in the last few seconds.

Member of public
Looks at the countdown
I think the best thing is to just look at the countdown. At least that way, as a pedestrian, you can prepare mentally.

Member of public
Is careful crossing the street
Who would think that? It’s just meant as a warning. I look at the green man, and I look to both sides of the street. The flashing warns you that you shouldn’t cross. That’s what we should all tell our elders. I told my mother to not cross when it’s flashing, because at her pace she wouldn’t make it to the other side.

The Transport Ministry is also clarifying the meaning of the flashing pedestrian signal. Now, crossing the road on a flashing light is not prohibited, and fines won’t be issued to those who do. But it is still best to avoid doing so. Does that mean it’s goodbye to the green man?

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
What we will be eliminating is the sped-up walking animation. The flashing light will remain. It’s always been there.

Officials say the green man will no longer run, but it will still flash. But this small change could be hard to implement, as not every traffic light is on the same settings. For instance, here on Taipei’s Bade Road, some of the green men run, while others only flash.

Wu Tung-ling
Transport Ministry official
After we make the necessary arrangements, we will give local governments some time to make the change. We want to get the running green men out as quickly as possible. It might require editing some code, but let’s fix it quickly.

According to the ministry, Yilan County is the place in Taiwan with the highest number of running green men. Until the new regulations are implemented, officials urge pedestrians to not copy the little green man, and avoid running into crossings.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#pedestrian #pedestriansafety #walkable #walkablecities #trafficlight #greenman

2026-03-12

Father offers NT$38,000 to find match for 40-year-old son

People are marrying later in life these days, which can make parents anxious. One father in Tainan, concerned for his 40-year-old son who has never had a long-term partner, posted a marriage advertisement offering NT$38,000 to anyone who finds his son a match. The son said he prefers to go with the flow, but his father is worried about the family line.

A red notice posted on this house says, “My son is 40 and unmarried. Anyone who arranges his marriage will receive NT$38,000.” This was written by Mr. Chen in Tainan out of concern for his unmarried son, offering compensation to anyone who helps him find a partner.

Mr. Chen
Looking to marry son
Young people aren’t worried about this, but as parents, we are. He’s already 40. If he doesn’t get married, the family line will end. His partner should be beautiful and get along well with others. That’s most important: kindness and understanding. She should also be under 35, as there can be fertility issues after 35.

Mr. Chen said he had two sons, but the younger one died in a car crash eight years ago. His older son has a stable job in the automotive industry and likes riding motorbikes. But he has never been in a rush to get married.

Mr. Chen’s son
Looking to marry
It’s my father’s concern. I prefer to go with the flow, so I’m fine. As long as we have similar outlooks, then it’s OK.

Mr. Chen’s wife
Looking to marry son
My husband is worried, but I’m not. It’s all up to fate, really.

Neighbors said they don’t know Mr. Chen’s son that well because he lives in Kaohsiung, so they aren’t sure who would be a good match for him.

Neighbor
Weighing in on marriage
Young people these days tend to date freely. Do they still need matchmakers? I don’t think so. To introduce someone to him, you need to understand his character and all that. If you don’t know him well, how are you supposed to find someone?

Neighbor
Weighing in on marriage
I don’t know him, so how am I supposed to find a match for him, right?

This old-fashioned way of matchmaking has sparked discussion in the neighborhood. Now even more people are hearing about it as it spreads through media online, but who knows if it will actually help Mr. Chen’s son find a partner.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Tainan #parents #father #marriage #son #unmarried #single #looking #matchmaking

2026-03-12