Hallyu can help spread Korean: minister

Korean dramas, K-pop and K-films have helped the country successfully promote the Korean language in foreign lands and the global demand to learn the language is growing, Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik said on Monday.“I think the Korean language is the most important cultural product and our K-pop stars, Korean films and dramas have contributed in increasing the global demand for learning the language. Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style,’ (with Korean lyrics) for instance, directly introduced not only his f

Sept. 17, 2012

More women than men sleep with pet: survey

YONKERS, N.Y. (UPI) -- Most men and women have similar attitudes about their pets, except women are much more likely to sleep with their dog or cat, a U.S. survey indicates.A survey by Consumer Reports subscribers who owned a cat or dog, or both, found 70 percent of U.S. women slept with their pet compared with 57 percent of men. Women were also a lot more likely to sign birthday or holiday cards with a pet‘s name or picture, and give holiday gifts to Fido and Fluffy. About one-third of both men

Sept. 16, 2012

Finding serenity in the city’s heart

Bongeunsa and six other Buddhist temples in Seoul  offer exquisite temple  experience for foreigners  and people tired of city lifeThe following is the second in a 10-part series on Templestays and temple food, which give the public insight into the 1,700-year-old cultural history of Korean Buddhism. ― Ed. It is not easy to find a place to rest one’s mind and body in the bustle of busy urban life. Many dream of taking a short trip outside of the city but the heavy traffic that starts early Satur

Sept. 14, 2012

Art fair highlights Latin American art

Latin American art is the highlight of this year’s Korea International Art Fair featuring a large number of Latin American artists and art galleries. The Latin American art exhibition also celebrates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Latin American countries. The fair, being held at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, from Sept. 13-17, features the works of 84 Latin American artists including some big names such as Fernando Botero, Carlos Cruz-Diez and Jesus Rafael S

Sept. 13, 2012

Sleeping beauties await prince‘s kiss in Ukraine

It wasn‘t exactly Prince Charming but one of Ukraine’s “Sleeping Beauties” finally got a kiss on the lips as she dozed on a dais filmed by cameras -- though unlike the fairy tale she never woke up.“I‘m not sure I would marry precisely this girl, I just was curious whether she would open her eyes,” said the young woman who dared the embrace while male visitors shied away.The venue was Ukraine’s National Art Museum and the stakes were -- marriage.Visitors at a wacky performance called “Sleeping Be

Sept. 11, 2012

Southeast Asian regional body for intangible cultural heritage launched

JAKARTA (Yonhap News) ― A regional consultative body to safeguard intangible cultural heritage in 11 Southeast Asian countries was launched in Jakarta Monday under South Korea’s initiative.The launch took place during a sub-regional meeting of the International Information and Networking Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region. The Daejeon-based center, affiliated with South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration, was established in July 2011 as an a “category 2 cent

Sept. 10, 2012

Something old, something new: CCF participants get a feel for Korea

From a special nighttime tour of the UNESCO World Heritage site Changdeokgung Palace to the performance of “Mr. Rabbit and the Dragon King,” a Korean pansori opera, participants at the third Culture Communication Forum were introduced to a wide range of cultural experiences.Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik on Tuesday evening hosted a welcome dinner for the 15 guests representing 14 different countries. Despite the heavy downpour, the minister went ahead with the tour of Changdeokgung Palace, a J

Sept. 6, 2012

Internet-driven globalization, not necessarily a cultural vanguard

Culture Communication Forum tackles issues society-at-large faces todayThe challenge of fostering culture-driven communication was the hotly discussed topic at the third Culture Communication Forum in Seoul, Thursday. Keynote speaker Dominique Wolton ― research director of the French National Centre for Scientific Research ― opened the panel by putting the spotlight on globalization. Rather than praise technological advances as a driving force in the formation of a more tightly-knit global socie

Sept. 6, 2012

Asia’s largest contemporary art festival to open in Gwangju

The Gwangju Biennale, known as the largest contemporary art festival in Asia, will open Thursday to introduce the latest international developments in modern art to South Korea.This year’s event, the 9th, will display works by 92 artists from 40 countries at various venues across the southwestern provincial city of Gwangju, under the theme “Round Table.” The biennale runs through Nov. 11.The theme reflects the festival’s aim to serve as a platform for restoring respect for other countries and sh

Sept. 6, 2012

English lecture series to spotlight Korean culture and tradition

The Korea Foundation is holding a series of lectures in English on Korean culture and tradition. The lecture series focuses primarily on Korea’s modern society, traditional music and food, and Seochon, a hanok-dotted neighborhood west of Gyeongbok Palace. Classes will be held Saturdays from 2-4 p.m. starting Sept. 22 on the 19th floor of Mirae Asset Center One building. Lecturers include renowned experts, including novelist Park Tae-won; Kelly S. Walsh, professor of world literature at Yonsei Un

Sept. 2, 2012

Priest called victims seducers, apologizes

Benedict GroeschelA U.S. Catholic priest has apologized for saying victims of clergy abuse were seducers and says he did not intend to put blame on victims.The Rev. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, in an opinion piece in the National Catholic Register, a conservative publication, said victims of sexual abuse are looking for father figures."People have this picture in the

Sept. 2, 2012

Tomato battle drenches Spanish town in red

BUNOL, Spain (AFP) ― Tens of thousands of revelers hurled 120 tons of squashed tomatoes at each other Wednesday, drenching the streets in red in a gigantic Spanish food fight known as the Tomatina.A sea of more than 40,000 alcohol-soaked men and women packed into the Plaza Mayor square of Bunol, eastern Spain, many with their shirts off and wearing swimming goggles to keep out the stinging juice.Spectators peered over the balconies of surrounding buildings, some also chucking tomatoes on chantin

Aug. 31, 2012