Mountainous Muju now home to world’s largest taekwondo training grounds

Long known for its upscale Deogyusan ski resort, the mountainous and remote countryside of Muju-gun, North Jeolla Province, has now become the new go-to destination for all things taekwondo. About a 2 1/2-hour drive from Seoul stands the Taekwondowon, the world’s largest taekwondo training space. Situated at the foot of Mount Baekunsan, the vast area spans across 2.3 square kilometers and nine valleys and equates to approximately three-quarters of the land mass of New York City’s Central Park. T

TravelMay 23, 2014

Mount Jirisan area reveals rich heritage and culture

Mount Jirisan offers stunning scenery from every peak and ridge, but also holds a trove of unique culture and rich tradition well preserved for centuries. The biggest mountain range in South Korea sprawls across seven cities and counties in the Jeolla region and South Gyeongsang Province. Hikers visit there year-round to appreciate its majestic peaks, the highest of which towers 1,915 meters above sea level, and to tread trails that weave in and out of the foothills of the mountain. The popular

TravelMay 23, 2014

Janchi guksu

Janchi guksu (Korean Bapsang)Janchi guksu, which translates to “banquet/feast noodles,” is a simple warm noodle dish made with thin wheat-flour noodles (somyeon) in a clear anchovy or beef broth. It is typically topped with thin strips of beef, egg and vegetables such as zucchini, carrot and kimchi. The noodles can be served with a spicy soy sauce-based sauce (yangnyeomjang). Or, you can enjoy the clear and refreshing broth without the sauce. Noodles symbolize long and happy life in Korean cultu

FoodMay 23, 2014

Cantonese cuisine in Seoul from Michelin-starred chef

Fu Man Piu, sous chef of The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong’s two Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen, set foot for the first time in South Korea on Tuesday to showcase Cantonese cuisine at the JW Marriott Seoul as part of its second annual Culinary Art Event. Fu is presenting two prix fixe menus that he says he has culled directly from Tin Lung Heen’s famed repertoire, giving diners in Seoul an opportunity to taste the cuisine that helped earn the restaurant two much-coveted stars. While Tin Lung Heen chef

FoodMay 23, 2014

[Weekender] Around the Hotels

Chef of Cantonese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul’s Chinese restaurant Chee Hong is inviting guest chef Ku Chi Fai, the director of Chinese cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Beijing, from June 19-30 to present authentic Cantonese cuisines. Chef Ku will present two special set menus -- priced at 228,000 won and 288,000 won -- consisting of eight traditional Cantonese dishes including grouper balls, lobster balls, baked crab legs, noodles with scallions and mushrooms, and sea cu

TravelMay 23, 2014

Lee Jun-gi, Nam Sang-mi get intimate

Actor Lee Jun-gi and actress Nam Sang-mi showed off their “bond of intimacy” in a photo that was taken at the group script-reading session of TV drama “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday.  Actor Lee Jun-gi and actress Nam Sang-mi (KBS)In “Joseon’s Gunman,” Lee will play the last swordsman of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) who learns how to use a Western rifle and becomes a heroic gunman. The series premiere of “Joseon’s Gunman” will air in June, costarring Lee and Nam. The Wednesday-Thursday drama is

May 23, 2014

Actor Lee Jun-gi posts ‘ramen selfie’

Actor Lee Jun-gi released a picture of himself devouring instant ramen at the mise-en-scene of KBS TV show “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday. In the selfie, Lee is dressed in a hanbok, the traditional costume of the Joseon era, holding a steaming-hot bowl of instant ramen. The picture was posted on Lee’s Twitter page with a short comment: “Yes, Ramen.” Actor Lee Jun-gi eats instant ramen at the mise-en-scene of KBS TV show “Joseon’s Gunman” on Thursday. (KBS)In “Joseon’s Gunman,” Lee will play the l

May 23, 2014

[Beauty] HyunA’s ‘Vampire Makeup’

Girl group 4minute member HyunA’s “Vampire Makeup,” which was shown in “Troublemaker M/V There Is No Tomorrow,” is drawing popularity among young women.This is a tutorial showing how to do HyunA’s Vampire Makeup.Makeup products used in this tutorial:Eyes: Shu Uemura Hard Formula BrownAritaum Style Pop Brown Mascara Ginger CookieChanel Rouge Allure Lipstick #135Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow #7RMK Dusty Bright Eyes Coral BrownMake Up Forever Technique Color Pallette Make Up Forever Aqua Ey

May 23, 2014

[Photo News] SNSD Sooyoung reveals bare face in pajamas

(Instagram)Girls’ Generation member Sooyoung disclosed a selfie on Friday, with the caption: “Good morning, globe. I will be with you for three days.” She greets the camera while in her pajamas, without any makeup on. Girls’ Generation is currently in Japan for the concert “JAPAN 3rd TOUR 2014” that will be held until June 29. (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

May 23, 2014

[Photo News] Super Junior-M poses for camera in tuxedo

(Instagram) Super Junior-M’s Donghae posted a photo of the group giving high-fives and wearing tuxedos on his Instagram on Thursday. “It’s been a while, China. Won an award! Going to Korea tomorrow! Thank you, China! Good night,” Donghae wrote in a caption. Super Junior-M is one of the subunits of K-pop idol boy band Super Junior, formed to appeal to Chinese fans. The group has six members from Super Jun

May 23, 2014

‘Dohee-ya’ to be released in France

Korean movie “Dohee-ya (A Girl at My Door)” will be released in France amid growing interest in Cannes, officials said Friday. French film company Epicentre will distribute the movie no later than this year, the company said. It will be provided to about 60 movie theaters in the country, it added. (OSEN)Dohee-ya has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival as part of the non-competitive section, and been highly praised by film critics. The movie, starring Bae Doo-na and 15-year-old Kim Sae-ron,

FilmMay 23, 2014

miss A‘s Suzy to make screen comeback

(OSEN) K-pop girl group miss A’s Suzy, hailed as Korea’s icon of first love, plans to return to the screen with a Korean film tentatively named “Dorihwaga,” entertainment news outlet OSEN reported Thursday.  The 19-year-old beauty was offered a female lead role in the film about pansori (Korean folk narrative), and Suzy’s agency JYP said it is “positively” considering the suggestion. The film “Dorihwaga

May 23, 2014

Kim Sae-ron posts selfie after visiting Cannes

 Korean actress Kim Sae-ron posted selfies on Twitter Thursday.The 15-year-old posted five pictures of herself on the plane. Along with the pictures, she wrote, “Such nice weather. Feels so good!”Kim starred in filmmaker July Jung’s feature debut “A Girl at My Door,” which was invited to the Un Certain Regard section of this year’s Cannes International Film Festival.Kim visited Cannes to promote the movie and returned to Korea on Wednesday. She is expected to meet her fans in a month with the ne

May 23, 2014

[Herald Interview] Sociopolitical system observed from a breakfast meal

Artist Lee Wan discovered one day that the ingredients of the bread and carrot juice he had for breakfast came from more than 10 countries. The bread was made with flour from the U.S. and cooking oil from Malaysia, baked in China and sent to Korea. For him, the process was incomprehensible and even seemed inefficient. To understand the complex system behind his breakfast, he thought he had to become part of the process. “I decided to become a producer,” Lee said in an interview with The Korea He

PerformanceMay 22, 2014

Sherlock Holmes is focus of London museum show

LONDON (AP) ― The Museum of London is turning its magnifying glass on the most famous Londoner who never lived ― Sherlock Holmes. The museum on Tuesday announced an exhibition devoted to Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian detective, featuring everything from handwritten manuscripts to the coat worn by Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC series “Sherlock.” It’s the first time the history museum has built a show around a fictional character. But Holmes is one of those rare creations who has long outlived

PerformanceMay 22, 2014