Kim In-sook’s new novel talks of hope in extreme despair Author Kim In-sook started her writing career early. She made her literary debut when she was barely a university student, at the age of 20. Now 48, she has won Korea’s three major literary awards ― Yi Sang, Dong-in, and Daesan ― with more than 30 books published. But Kim says she still longs to write something different, something new. ...

Three spots near Gangnam Station dole out wallet-friendly, tasty grub Gangnam ― as in the area near its namesake subway station ― is not necessarily the first place that springs to mind when a foodie is out looking for a gastronomic treat. More known for its “pojang machas” (street food stalls), karaoke and clubs, this is a spot famed for attracting night owls eager to socialize, de-stress and ...

Gujeolpan is the name of a nine sectioned platter in which eight different vegetables and meats are placed in each compartment and wheat flour pancakes in the center. Gujeolpan was originally the name of the platter but it later became the name of the food. Gujeolpan is a good dish for travel or a picnic because it can serve several foods at the same time. Gujeolpan (Institute of Traditional Kor...

Dumplings and extra-chewy noodles called jjolmyeon, the favorite after-school snacks of Korean students are given grown-up treatment at Mito in Samseong-dong. The restaurant run by the 40-year-old Sinpori Mandu company plays up its heritage, serving up sophisticated variations of basic dumplings and noodles. Interior of Mito in Samseong-dong (Mito) There are several interesting interpretations...

LOS ANGELES ― After two years of sluggish wine sales, consumers are starting to reach for ― and spend more on ― their favorite vintages. U.S. domestic wine retail sales grew 7 percent in 2010 over the previous year, according to the Wine Institute in San Francisco. And the country’s wine exports also jumped to a record $1.14 billion in 2010, up nearly 26 percent from 2009. Customer Jennifer Mur...

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system ― which is designed to protect our health by attacking foreign cells such as viruses and bacteria ― instead attacks the body’s own tissues, specifically the joints. As a result, fluid buildup causes pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disea...

PARIS (AP) ― Writer and politician Jorge Semprun, who chronicled his own experiences in the Nazis’ Buchenwald death camp, struggled against dictatorship in his native Spain and later became that country’s culture minister, has died, the French and Spanish governments said Wednesday. He was 87. Semprun died Tuesday in Paris, where he spent most of his life, the French capital’s mayor, Bertrand De...

Korea’s Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization have appointed Zhang Jingchu, an award-winning actress, as a goodwill ambassador for promoting Korea’s cultural tourism. The proportion of Chinese visitors to Korea has risen sharply in recent years. Zhang is widely known for her talent in acting out elegant characters, as well as for her bamboo-slender physique. Zhang Jingchu Having ...

A Busan man arrived back Tuesday after completing an epic trip around the globe alone. Yoon Tae-geun took 20-months to complete the round-the-world journey and sailed into Busan port where he had begun the trip. The 49-year-old yachtsman left for his high seas adventure in October 2009 and sailed about 57,400 kilometers to fulfill his dream. Yoon is the first Korean solo circumnavigator to beg...

Koreana, a quarterly on Korean culture and arts published by the Korea Foundation, has gone through a major editorial and design revamp this year, with a more visual and story-focused concept. Its 2011 summer edition, its first issue with the newly-designed layout and stories, was published in late May. The revamped edition is bigger in size so the all-color magazine can effectively mix photogr...

The Traffic Broadcasting System, which operates the all-English radio station TBS eFM here, celebrates its 21st anniversary on Friday. The broadcaster’s chief said the media company will keep its identity, which is to put public interest before ratings. The Seoul City-run media company operates five channels ― TBS at 95.1 FM in Korean, TBS eFM on 101.3 FM in English, Chinese and Japanese broadca...