Seoul

A long-time friend, the daughter of a cult leader, is accused of undue influence over the president.

Choi Soon-sil is alleged to have pushed businesses to donate millions of dollars to foundations she controlled, helped choose presidential aides, and even picked the president's clothes.

Ms Park apologised on TV on Friday.

Ms Park was close to tears as she addressed the nation, and said the scandal involving her confidante Ms Choi was "all my fault". The president admitted she had let Ms Choi edit her speeches.

No, it's not a scene from the latest Korean summer blockbuster, "Train to Busan," where the living dead take control of a speeding train.

Instead, these are South Korea's smartphone zombies: distracted walkers wandering the city's sidewalks and wide boulevards, seemingly oblivious to everything except the latest text, alert, or notification on their phone. 

And in one of the most wired countries on the planet, where more than 80% of people own a smartphone, you don't have to go far to find them.