[Photo News] Sweet desserts

SWEET DESSERTS -- President Park Geun-hye (right) and actor Song Joong-ki -- Korea‘s tourism ambassador -- make a traditional Korean dessert during the opening ceremony of the K-Style Hub, located at Korea Tourism Organization’s headquarters in central Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap)

April 11, 2016

Wild tiger population on rise

After years of concerted efforts by the international community, the number of wild tigers has increased to 3,890 last year from the 2010 estimate of 3,200, World Wildlife Fund said Monday.The figure compiled by International Union for Conservation of Nature can be attributed to multiple factors including an increase in tiger population in India, Russia, Nepal and Bhutan, and enhanced protection of the endangered animal in countries. (Wild Tiger, India © Joseph Vattakaven / WWF)“For the first ti

April 11, 2016

Starbucks Korea receives award for equal opportunity employment

Lee Seock-koo, head of Starbucks Korea, has received a presidential medal for the coffee chain’s efforts to provide equal workplace opportunities for people with disabilities, the company said Wednesday.The CEO was given the award at an annual convention to promote employment of the disabled. It was organized by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the state-run Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled.Starbucks Korea CEO Lee Seock-koo (right) receives a presidential medal from Labor Ministe

April 6, 2016

Big Bang and CL nominated for ‘Time 100’

K-pop boy band Big Bang and CL of girl group 2NE1 are included in Time magazine’s online reader poll for this year’s 100 most influential people, Time announced Wednesday.　Big Bang and CL are the only Koreans among 127 candidates in the online poll that features U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. K-pop boy band Big Bang (YG Entertainment)　World-famous musicians including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Adele and Ariana Grande

March 25, 2016

[Hallyu power] Pony, trendsetter of K-beauty

Pony -- real name Park Hye-min -- is one of the most popular Korean makeup gurus, with 981,144 subscribers to her YouTube channel. Her makeup tutorials -- in which she demonstrates themed makeup styles, ranging from looks of K-pop female idols and Christmas holiday makeup to everyday makeup for school or work -- have some 700,000-plus views each.　While her makeup videos are mainly based on Korean styles and Korean cosmetics, they are enjoying growing popularity overseas along with the global asc

March 22, 2016

[EYE] Grandma’s lifelong prayer answered

When Korean-American author Helie Lee wrote her first book, “Still Life with Rice,” she had no inkling that it would endanger the lives of her extended family in North Korea.　Having moved to Canada as a 4-year-old and settled in the U.S. a year later, Lee’s life could have been described as that of the typical “1.5 generation” in the U.S. -- one foot here and the other there, the generation that did not feel completely comfortable in either Korea or the U.S. 　“I am (part of the) 1.5 generation,

March 18, 2016

Jacques Attali to speak at Korea-France Leaders Forum

Jacques Attali, one of the world’s greatest scholars, will speak at the Korea-France Leaders Forum on March 24 at The Shilla Seoul hotel.　The forum, which will serve as the opening of a year-long celebration in Korea of the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, aims to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in various fields, including diplomacy, economy, culture and technology.　Attali, a French economist who served as the first presid

March 16, 2016

Connecting cultures: Koreans returning from abroad make waves

For many Koreans, moving overseas helps personal and professional growth. This migration also has a broad impact on Korean society as many of the migrants return to Korea after decades abroad. 　When first-generation migrants left Korea, they could not have predicted the impact they would have upon their return, influencing Korean culture, lifestyle and business practices. 　Overseas ethnic Koreans (known as gyopo), travelers and students have also helped to open Korea to the world, changing the p

March 9, 2016

Gyeongju National Museum director tapped to head National Museum of Korea

President Park Geun-hye tapped Lee Young-hoon, director of Gyeongju National Museum, to head the National Museum of Korea, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.  Director of Gyeongju National Museum Lee Young-hoon (Yonhap)　The veteran archaeology specialist will replace the current NMK chief Kim Young-na, who has served as the director of the state-run museum since 2011. 　Lee began working at the NMK in 1982 as a curator and specialist in archaeology. He has previously served as director at national mus

March 9, 2016

Yoo Ah-in picked to endorse ‘KON’

Actor Yoo Ah-in has been picked to endorse the role-playing game “Knights of Nights,” Netmarble Games announced Tuesday.　The game company released a video interview with Yoo on Monday, where the actor describes “KON” as a stylish dual-action RPG. 　“(The game’s) splendid scenes and stylish action are quite outstanding and it is also interesting to have a dual-action system where two separate characters compete and grow together,” he said.Promotional image of “KON” (Netmarble Games)　“Actor Yoo’s s

March 8, 2016

Actress Kim Gyu-ri becomes honorary labor attorney

Kim Gyu-ri and An Nae-sang were appointed as honorary labor attorneys by the Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association on Saturday. The two actors were given certificates by the president of the association, Chae Ho-il, to both stars during an official conference held at Sejong University convention hall.  Actress Kim Gyu-ri with KCPLAA President Chae Ho-il (Korea Certified Public Labor Attorneys Association)The two stars have both played labor attorneys in past works. Kim played a publ

March 1, 2016

Foreign envoys get lesson in calligraphy

The Corea Image Communication Institute welcomed 60 foreign diplomats and opinion leaders with a calligraphy class Tuesday night, marking the opening of the 21st Korea Culture Quotient Program.　Hosted at the residence of Malaysian Ambassador Rohana Ramli, the meeting gave an opportunity for the participants to welcome the spring program by learning and experiencing the art of calligraphy.　Popular Hangeul calligrapher Kang Byung-in entertained the guests, explaining the art of calligraphy and the

Feb. 24, 2016

[Herald Interview] Um Hong-gil always has a new peak to reach

Stepping into Um Hong-gil's inner office at the Um Hong Gil Human Foundation in Jung-gu, Seoul, one can’t help but be struck by the feeling that everything is small -- the man and the office, both.　Um is of medium stature, and the office is ordinary. But when considered against the feats that constantly tail Um's name, his down-to-earth manner, easy smile and unremarkable office are a bit unsettling at first. It’s difficult to imagine him clinging to the Himalayan slopes, fighting back the numbi

Feb. 12, 2016

Studying is the key to owning your life

Kim Chung-woon, formerly a psychology professor and who now calls himself a “creator,” is perfectly at home in his basement office in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul. It is an entirely appropriate title, he claims, as he now writes and paints. Kim’s office is a veritable man cave, that any man -- or woman, for that matter -- would dream of having: Walls lined with massive bookshelves holding volumes and volumes of books; a long desk from Japan that is crafted out of a very old tree trunk; a little nook wit

Feb. 5, 2016

Hong named Sentinel advisor

Sentinel has appointed Hong Jung-gi, professor at Kookmin University’s College of Physical Education, as its health advisor, the provider of high-functional and intensive crossfit and boot camp training services said. Hong Jung-gi (Emerson K)Hong, who used to be a professional weight lifter, will be providing his expertise in three areas -- educate Sentinel’s crossfit and boot camp coaches; develop and implement new training programs; and offer regular health seminars to members.“My goal is to i

Feb. 5, 2016

KAIST professor heads new futures studies society

The Korea Association of Futures Studies held a launching ceremony Friday and elected Lee Kwang-hyung of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology as its founding president.Lee, currently a dean of KAIST Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy, will head the group devoted to research in the field of future studies, including establishment of state-level strategy, education in the field and hosting conferences. He will lead the group for two years. Lee Kwang-hyungProfessors at colle

Jan. 24, 2016

Activist, author Shin Young-bok dies at 75

Activist and author Shin Young-bok, a professor at Sungkonghoe University best known for writing “Reflections from Prison,” containing his thoughts while imprisoned during the military-backed government, passed away Friday from skin cancer. He was 75.Shin was imprisoned for his pro-democracy ideas in 1968, accused of being part of the Tongil Hyeongmyeongdang (Unification Revolution) party. He remained imprisoned for 20 years until he was released through a special pardon on the Aug. 15 Liberatio

Jan. 17, 2016