Most Popular
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Korea enters full election mode
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Seoul bus drivers go on general strike, cause morning rush hour delays
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Immigrant woman stabbed to death by Korean husband
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Official campaigning kicks off for April 10 elections
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Lee Jong-sup resigns as envoy to Australia
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Yellow dust engulfs S. Korea, advisory alert issued
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S. Korea to boost support for single-parent families
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Court upholds jail term for man who attempted to murder ex-girlfriend
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Kia EV9 wins world car of year
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Korea misses out on global bond index boost
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[Weekender] Holiday getaway near metropolis
The long holiday is an opportune time to take leave of the mundane city life for an exciting getaway. The problem is that everyone else thinks so too, and getting transportation or accommodation for a trip can be near impossible. Majority of the Korean population is expected to move during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, which will be 10 days long including the weekends, and nobody likes being stuck in traffic for 10 hours.For those residing in Seoul, finding things to do within a stone’s throw fr
Sept. 29, 2017
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[Weekender] Alone on Chuseok holiday?
Koreans this year will enjoy the longest Chuseok holiday ever, stretching from Sept. 30 until Oct. 9 for many people. And many young Koreans are opting to spend at least a portion of the mini-vacation alone, surveys show. Six out of 10 twenty-somethings said they will be spending the holiday alone, according a survey of 1,190 people conducted by part-time job listing portal site Alba Chunkuk Tuesday. The reasons behind the solo-holiday were part-time jobs at 27.2 percent and the stress of relati
Sept. 29, 2017
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Oldest recorded Arirang to be on display in Seoul
“Arirang” is the most well-known and beloved folk song in Korea, and a festival next month will feature the oldest recorded version of the song dating back to the 19th century.Among the highlights of the fifth annual Seoul Arirang Festival, which will be held at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul from Oct. 13-15, will be an exhibition of 60 pieces of recording devices and cylinder recordings of various versions of “Arirang.” The phonograph, a device that uses cylinders to record and reproduce sounds, is
Sept. 27, 2017
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‘Korean agencies need to adopt US business style’
When in the United States, do as the Americans do: James Minor, a music manager of the South by Southwest festival, believes that Korean agencies should adjust to how the local people do business in order to succeed in the US terrain. Having served as a general manager of the Austin-based international music festival for six years, Minor said there are major differences between the business styles of Korea and the US, with the key for those Korean agencies’ success in the US being “overcoming th
Sept. 26, 2017
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[Graphic News] United States leads global music industry
According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2016, the United States’ music industry generated $4.9 trillion in 2015, ranking top in the world. Japan’s music industry generated $2.63 trillion in 2015, ranking second behind the US. Meanwhile, South Korea’s music industry generated $266 billion in the same year. The following are the 10 largest music industries in the world, according to data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
Sept. 26, 2017
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1,000-year-old flushing toilet found in Silla remains
Archaeological remains of a bathroom equipped with a flushing toilet used during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC to 935) have been discovered, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The state-run body has been conducting a dig since 2007 at the remains of Donggung and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, which was home to key government buildings of the ancient kingdom.Among the relics revealed Tuesday were toilets and a plumbing system. The toilets were tilted so that excretio
Sept. 26, 2017
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Artists lambast blacklist as ‘cultural savagery’
Novelist Hwang Sok-yong and comedian Kim Mi-hwa on Monday formally requested official investigation into the blacklisting of cultural figures under former President Lee Myung-bak, as the scandal snowballed to engulf two previous conservative administrations.Prior to submitting the request, Hwang and Kim held a press conference at the headquarters of the joint civilian-government investigative committee looking into the blacklist scandal in Seoul, criticizing the Lee and Park Geun-hye administrat
Sept. 25, 2017
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Free entry to cultural heritage sites during 10-day Chuseok holiday
For the 10-day-long holiday starting this Saturday, major cultural heritage sites have announced festivities ranging from free admission to special event offerings. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Monday that major royal palaces and tombs across the country will stay open during the 10-day holiday, free of admission fees. Junghwajeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace (Cultural Heritage Administration)The promotion will take place at the royal palaces of Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changd
Sept. 25, 2017
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[Eye Plus] Take in the autumn breeze at Sangam Sky Park
There have been many big incidents in South Korea this year.But let bygones be bygones. It is right time to enjoy the scenic beauty because autumn is the most beautiful season of the year.And there are places where you can find its special charms, even in the middle of the city.One such recommendation is the Sky Park in Sangam-dong, Seoul.Visitors can appreciate tall metasequoia trees while hiking to the park, located 98 meters above sea level.It is the highest neighborhood park Seoul, where vis
Sept. 22, 2017
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[Herald Interview] ‘The hands that raised candles should now hold books’
[Eye] Located smack in the middle of downtown Seoul, Sunhwadongcheon is an oasis offering respite from the hustle and bustle of life in a megalopolis.Finding it is not easy -- it is situated in a residential apartment complex and there are no easily discernable signs pointing to it. But once inside, you will appreciate the quiet of the book cafe, William Morris prints on display at the gallery space as well as the bookstore selling Hangilsa Publishing’s publications from over the years.It also a
Sept. 22, 2017
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7 out of 10 Korean stars putting off military duties
Serving in the military is a duty that falls upon every able-bodied Korean male, but 73.9 percent of entertainers here have delayed enlistment, according to a local lawmaker.Of the 794 male entertainers due for enlistment, 587 have yet to enlist, according to a statement released by Rep. Kim Hack-yong of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party Thursday.The percentage of those putting off enlistment among entertainers was far higher than those in other fields of work. The figure was 43.3 percent
Sept. 21, 2017
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Unorthodox ensemble to bring ‘L’Appartement’ to life on stage
Theater director Ko Sun-woong is a man predicted to be unpredictable; it is not often you see a re-creation of a classic morality tale featuring aliens, like in Ko’s version of “Heungbuga.”For the theatrical remake of 1996 film “L’Appartement (The Apartment),” Ko chose film and TV actor Oh Ji-ho and ballerina Kim Joo-won to play lead characters Max and Lisa. Kim Joo-won (left), Ko Sun-woong (center) and Oh Ji-ho pose for a photo after a press conference at LG Arts Center in Seoul last Tuesday. (
Sept. 20, 2017
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New edition of ‘My Straw’ sweeping social media
The new edition of “My Straw” generated a buzz on social media after Binggrae rolled out a specially designed straw in the online market Monday. (Binggrae)According to the company, the “S.O.S. Straw” was added to the list of the “My Straw” editions with a price of 8,900 won ($8). The 10,000 available are currently on sale via Gmarket.The straw, which features a distinctive fire extinguisher-shaped design, helps consumers cool down a burning mouth by spraying the drink directly on the tongue.The
Sept. 19, 2017
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[Photo News] Cosmos in full bloom
Visitors take in the view of a cosmos field in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday prior to the local festival’s opening. A yearly celebration of the season’s blooms, “Guri Cosmos Festival 2017” will take place for a three-day run from Friday.By Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)
Sept. 19, 2017
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Civilian-government committee to target all culture blacklists
The joint civilian-government committee investigating the Park Geun-hye administration’s blacklist of cultural figures said Monday it will expand its activities to probe the blacklist that precedes the Park administration.Lawyer Cho Young-sun, the head of investigative subcommittee of the group, said that documents indicate that the blacklisting of controversial figures has been going on since at least 2008, when former President Lee Myung-bak was in office. Former politician and actor Moon Sung
Sept. 18, 2017
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Short stories by winners of ‘Canada 150: Creative Writing Contest for Youth’
A collection of 30 short stories written by Korean students have been recently published to mark Canada Day.The collection of short stories is the result of “Canada 150: Creative Writing Contest for Youth” organized by the Embassy of Canada in Korea and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. In commemoration of the 150th Canada Day, South Korean students participated in the writing contest by turning in their short stories on the topic of “150” in English or F
Sept. 18, 2017
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Live cinema performance of ‘2001’ to land in Seoul
Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey” is a sci-fi classic that seems fresh even in 2017 -- particularly as we celebrate the Cassini spacecraft’s plunge into the Saturn last week, ending its 13-year exploration of the ringed planet and its moons. The groundbreaking film has had a lasting influence on popular culture and its discussion of mankind’s place in the universe, particularly with its philosophical outlook.And any mention of the film would be incomplete without reference to t
Sept. 17, 2017
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Han Kang wins Italian literary award for 'Human Acts'
South Korean writer Han Kang has been chosen to win this year's Malaparte Prize, Italy's most-authoritative literary award, for her latest work, the prize's organizer said. Korean author Han Kang, who wrote the three-part novella "The Vegetarian." (Yonhap)Han was chosen Thursday for her 2014 novel "Human Acts" that tells the story of a young boy named Dong-ho who is killed in the military's bloody crackdown on the Gwangju citizens' pro-democracy uprising of May 1980.The book was published Thursd
Sept. 15, 2017
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Celebs build safety net in cafe, restaurant business
Cao Lu,of popular K-pop girl group Fiestar, recently said in a TV show that she hopes to one day open her own store as a side business, confessing even celebrities suffer from financial difficulties and uncertainties. Many celebrities in Korea recently have talked about their struggles with fluctuating income and unsteady employment, even referring to themselves as “nonregular workers.”Whether as an investment for the future or out of pure interest in the business, celebrities are venturing into
Sept. 14, 2017
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Bongeunsa to offer Korean culture program for Chuseok
Bongeunsa Temple plans to hold a tea ceremony celebrating the Chuseok holiday, offering separate sessions for children and adults. The ceremony will take place on Sept. 28, Oct. 5, 6, 12 and 19 for two hours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fee for each session is 20,000 won ($18) for both children and adults. (Bongeunsa Temple)For the children sessions, up to 10 Korean or foreign children aged between 6 and 8 can apply on a first-come, first-served basis. The children should be accompanied by guardia
Sept. 14, 2017