After a recent fashion photo shoot by Vogue Korea on Cheong Wa Dae grounds sparked widespread public criticism, the Cultural Heritage Administration called off luxury brand Gucci’s fashion show in Gyeongbokgung, scheduled for Nov. 1, the CHA confirmed Monday. According to CHA meeting minutes from Aug. 16, Gucci Korea had applied for the use of the Geunjeongjeon, the main hall of the Joseon royal...

Traditional Korean tombs had various stone burial chambers made with granite stones. Some royal burial chambers used up to 50 or more metric tons of large stone tablets, an expensive and labor-intensive burial tradition. During the Joseon period, large stone burial chambers were replaced with quicklime called “hoegyeok.” Once hardened, hoegyeok -- a mix of lime, fine sand and loess in the ratio...

Prior reservation is required to participate in each program, as dates and prices may vary. Check out the Expo’s Instagram for more details. A special exhibition of the hanbok collection inspired by folk tales of Madam Suro of the Silla Dynasty is on display at Booth E1. Ten designers recreated the stories through hanbok pieces made in deep indigo blue. Other booths showcase hanbok uniforms and...

'For fans, by fans,' comic book lovers thrilled by even a small gesture from Spider-Man cosplayer

However, not all residents of Dongbu Village welcome the natural monument designation. According to the Cultural Heritage Protection Act, a maximum radius of 500 meters from the tree’s location will be marked off as a conservation area once the tree is designated as a natural monument. This means that development and construction permits will be highly restricted and limit people‘s exercise of p...

Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon era located in downtown Seoul, will stay open in evening hours for nighttime viewing from Sept. 1 to Nov. 6. The palace will offer nighttime viewings from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, with last admission at 8:30 p.m. Over the Chuseok holiday of Sept. 10-12, the palace will offer nighttime viewing on Monday as well. The palace will...

The top three contestants will be selected based on heart rate data, measured every 15 minutes, and a vote by spectators at the site. Those who are maintaining a stable heart rate or showing a gradual downward curve will receive extra points. A total of 50 teams will be chosen for the competition, with a maximum of three participants per team. Contestants will be selected based on their motivati...

In May 1982, Jeon Yong-sul (1929-1988), owner of Yonghwasa, a small Buddhist temple in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, had a dream. “Buddha appeared in his dream and told him to go to Donghwasa in Daegu and receive beopdang, the main worship temple building,” said Jeon’s widow, Seo Bok-su, 87. When Jeon went to Donghwasa, he was asked, “What took you so long to get here?” A monk at Bohy...

As an educator, activist and fighter, Yun thought deeply and acted decisively. Thirty-five years of colonial rule was long enough to weaken many Koreans’ will for independence. While some people conformed to Japanese colonial rule and gave up resisting its injustices, Yun made a different choice. Yun left his hometown in order to support the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Sha...

Movie version of musical ‘Turandot’ The hit musical “Turandot” is heading to silver screens across the nation. Directed by Kim Si-woo, the film is based on the Korean-language musical “Turandot.” Having premiered in 2011, the musical was re-created based on Giacomo Puccini’s three-act Italian opera by Daegu International Musical Festival and the city of Daegu. After growing its fan base her...

A cultural agency took legal action against the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province for its poor management of an ancient historic site. The Cultural Heritage Administration filed a report on Wednesday against Gimhae for violations of the nation’s law on buried cultural heritage protection, based on its expert inspection of the Gusan-dong Dolmen. Earlier in August, Gimhae was under fire...

South Korea’s first dance management company, Zinhipz Entertainment, is launching a world dance competition titled “Chumsaeng.” The label is home to Heady, the winner of JTBC’s dance survival program “Showdown,” Comet, Zooty Zoot, Teenie, Ogong, Starry and Javeline. Under the slogan “dance is life,” Chumsaeng is a dance show with a difference. Instead of vying for the top spot, participants wil...

Hurdles There is an industry joke that the only ones who make money in musicals are foreign license holders and popular actors who get hefty paychecks. Won and Kim said that Korea’s musical industry has a myriad of challenges in utilizing the potential that rich K-content can offer. The huge difference in paychecks amount between lead actors and ensemble should be adjusted for the long-term gr...

The CHA also announced that the main building of the former Chondogyo Central Church Headquarters, which has been a major venue for independence movement and social enlightenment activities since 1921, is also expected to be listed as cultural heritage. In 1969, the church had been on the verge of demolition, due to an urban development project, but is was safely moved next to Chondogyo Bonghwan...

Museums outside of Korea have also shown great interest in the Lee Kun-hee collection over the past year, according to Yoon Sang-deok, head manager of the NMK’s exhibition division. “The US’ Art Institute of Chicago is preparing to exhibit (Lee Kun-hee’s collection) on a large scale around early 2026. An exhibition is also being planned, on a relatively smaller scale, at the Metropolitan Museum o...