Most Popular
-
1
Marine Corps commander summoned by CIO for questioning on alleged influence-peddling case
-
2
Debate rages over ‘overly fatty’ samgyeopsal
-
3
[Weekender] Korean psyche untangled: Musok
-
4
40 flights canceled on Jeju Island due to bad weather
-
5
[Eye Interview] 'If you live to 100, you might as well be happy,' says 88-year-old bestselling essayist
-
6
N. Korea slams US, other countries for seeking alternative to UN sanctions monitoring panel
-
7
Pandemic left Korea more depressed than before: report
-
8
From fake prostitution ring to nonexistent robber, prank calls hamper police
-
9
Missing S. Korean traveler in Paris found safe after 2 weeks
-
10
Defense chiefs of US, Australia, Japan decry NK-Russia military cooperation
-
Seoul city embarks on project to expand Gwanghwamun Square
The Seoul city government and the national heritage agency announced a joint initiative Tuesday to redesign the pedestrian plaza at the heart of the capital as part of urban planning aimed at bolstering public convenience and restoring history.Gwanghwamun Square, located in the middle of the 10-lane Sejongro main street in central Seoul, will be turned into a new space that nearly quadruples the current area, according to the plan unveiled by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Cultural He
April 10, 2018
-
Hangeul exhibition explores Korean script‘s beauty in art form
The latest art exhibition in Seoul will showcase how the writing system of Korea is not only an efficient means of communication, but also admirable for its artistic value.“SoundXHangeul: Variation Of The Korean Alphabet” opened Monday at the Special Exhibition Hall at the National Hangeul Museum where it will run until June 3. It was planned by the state-run NHM as part two of a three-part project demonstrating the excellence of Hangeul. Visitors view “SoundXHangeul: Variation Of The Korean Alp
April 9, 2018
-
[Eye Plus] ‘Pink clouds’ of blooming cherry blossoms
Every spring for the past five years, the song “Cherry Blossom Ending” has topped the local music charts. Released in 2012 by local band Busker Busker, the track is recognized as Korea’s national spring song. People often say, the track will tell our descendants what spring was like for us when the delightful season disappears from severe global warming, as cherry blossoms are a symbol of Korea’s spring. It’s almost an annual ceremony to step outside to enjoy walks under small pinkish-hued flowe
April 6, 2018
-
[Video] Barbershop offers a cultural space for gentlemen
The barbershop has been slowly fading into a place of the past, only rarely shown on TV as a symbol of the bygone era. But there are signs of it being reborn into a hip place for Korean men.(Shot and edited by Park Ju-young / The Korea Herald)The revival of the barbershop is being driven by a set of carefully redefined features and services reserved for male clients. One factor is a pressure-free interaction atmosphere between customers and barbers. “Older barbers in our parents’ time even knew
April 6, 2018
-
[Weekender] Where styles are made
It does not take long to realize that Koreans care a lot about looking good. Just take to the streets of Gangnam, Hongdae or Itaewon to find a parade of the fashionably -- and sometimes scantily -- dressed.Perfectly maintained hair plays a crucial part in style too, to which Koreans have turned to beauty salons, beauty parlors or beauty shops for help.The inside view of Uncle Booth located in Yeongdeungpo(Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)Prior to the 20th century, the Confucianism that dominated t
April 6, 2018
-
Korea Language Village receives $5m donation
Luxury handbag manufacturer Simone Corp. donated $5 million to begin constructing a larger, culturally authentic Korean language village in the US.The company will be supporting constructions for the expansion of the current Korean Language Village at Concordia Language Villages, the world-language and culture education program announced Tuesday.This gift represents the single largest donation in support of Korean language education in North America, Concordia Language Villages said in a stateme
April 5, 2018
-
Showcase of halal products kicks off in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR – The global halal industry’s eyes are on Malaysia, as World Halal Week 2018 takes place in the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.The opening ceremony of World Halal Week 2018 was held Wednesday, stressing the aim of bringing halal brands around the globe together and gather insight, under the concept of “Building for the Future.”Halal, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, refer to what can be permitted in Islam. It can apply to any aspect of life, including food and beverages, finance, co
April 4, 2018
-
[Photo News] Cherry blossom season has arrived
Cherry blossoms are in full bloom near the Yeouido area in Seoul, as of Wednesday. The cherry blossom festival of Yeouido, a popular event in early spring, begins Saturday and runs until April 12. There is a flower-filled road located around Yunjung-ro, near the National Assembly Station on Subway Line No. 9. People usually stroll along the road prior to the festival, amid the flourishing trees. Written by Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com) Photos by Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)
April 4, 2018
-
[Newsmaker] Government launches sexual violence center for culture sector
In response to the #MeToo movement resonating within the country, the Korean government has launched a response center for sexual violence occurring within the culture and entertainment sector. The Korea Creative Content Agency and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism jointly held an opening ceremony for the gender equality center “Bora” on Thursday. Bora’s function includes taking reports of sexual violence cases and providing professional psychological help, therapy and legal counseling
April 1, 2018
-
Less is more for Koreans renting lifestyle products
One of 33-year-old newlywed Nam Ji-hyun’s newfound hobbies of late is to cook roasted meals for herself and her husband after work, using her rented oven. Nam, who lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her husband of one year, rented the Balmuda Toaster oven for one month at 21,900 won ($20.45). The oven retails for over 300,000 won ($277.16). Not an everyday home cook, she found it wasteful to splurge on a full oven, but wanted to try a few simple recipes for two. Renting seemed like the best-
March 30, 2018
-
[Photo News] Anatomy of string instruments
Approaching the violin studio, visitors can smell a mix of scents lingering in the alley. Maple, spruce and the varnish applied to them that fill the air inside of the workshop spill out over into the alley through the front door. Located in central Seoul, the workshop run by master violinmaker Kim Dong-in, offers an unusual atmosphere. Hung on the walls by the necks, the violins wait to be diagnosed by a “geigenbaumeister” -- or master violinmaker -- with notes that include the owners’ names an
March 30, 2018
-
[Herald Interview] ‘Small is beautiful’
It was over a meal with a foreign friend that Yeol Chairwoman Kim Young-M’Young’s interest in conserving Korean culture was sparked. Today, what originated from three friends brainstorming has grown into a non-profit organization with the mission of conserving, developing and promoting Korean cultural heritage with some 620 members. Yeol Chairwoman Kim Young-M’Young poses at the organization‘s headquarters in Bukchon, Seoul, on March 22. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)“We wanted to start small,
March 30, 2018
-
Seoul's royal palaces throw open gates for tours
As blossoming flowers herald the arrival of spring, the Cultural Heritage Administration is running several programs related to the royal palaces in Seoul. Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour, an annual event that kicked off in 2010, will be held from Thursdays through Sundays, from April 5 to the end of May, and from Aug. 23 to Oct. 28. There is no tour on May 6.Nighttime view of Changdeokgung (Cultural Heritage Administration)While visitors can freely roam the palace every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
March 28, 2018
-
Seoul confirms lineup for NK, Psy left off
The South Korean government on Tuesday confirmed the final lineup, size and schedule for its art troupe that will perform in North Korea next month.In a briefing held at the Seoul Government Complex, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially announced the lineup of Cho Yong-pil, Lee Sun-hee, Choi Jin-hee, YB led by Yoon Do-hyun, Baek Ji-young, Jung-in, Seohyun, Ali, girl group Red Velvet, Kang San-ae and jazz pianist Kim Kwang-min.Hwang Seong-woon, the spokesman for the Ministry of
March 27, 2018
-
[Photo News] Abandoned theme park finds ‘second life’ as photo venue
Yongma Land, a closed down theme park in the northern corner of Seoul, has lately seen an influx of visitors coming around to take photos with the battered vintage amusement rides in the background.The place can be eerie on first impression, with deserted rides standing still as if frozen in time. But since the park began to appear in K-pop videos and dramas, it has gained popularity even among foreign travelers. Perhaps the biggest boost the park received was through K-pop group Crayon Pop’s mu
March 23, 2018
-
[Weekender] Portrait photographs imbued with tradition, history
Photographs have the power to bring back memories associated with subjects presented within their four-sided frames. They can also arouse emotional responses in the viewers.Emotions and memories become -- perhaps -- much stronger when photographs deal with individuals with whom the viewers can relate. That may be why many people take photographs of themselves and of others. Portrait photographs, however, sometimes go beyond a mere representation of people, capturing moments and persona that elic
March 23, 2018
-
[Weekender] Reading diseases in Joseon portraits
Gazing at portraits created during the Joseon era, one is struck by the extreme delicacy with which the models’ facial features are depicted, from the fine wrinkle lines to tiny spots and faint scars.Lee Sung-nack, a board member at the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, spotted such sophistication in the centuries-old portrait paintings and suggested that the portraits reflect signs of medical conditions that the subjects may have suffered. A dermatologist and professor who earned a doctoral d
March 23, 2018
-
[Weekender] Perfect selfie requires more than just luck
A decade ago, the word “selfie” did not even exist, but almost everyone with a smartphone takes such photos these days. In Korea, there is even a word for a person who looks very different in selfies in a good way: “selgikkun.” For instance, Yura of Girls’ Day, who takes excellent photos of herself. “Taking a good selfie takes enormous effort,” Yura said multiple times while starring in the MBC show “We Got Married.” She explained how she takes more than a hundred snaps for one perfect photo. Yu
March 23, 2018
-
Coex to operate Korea’s largest outdoor screen to feature K-pop content
K-pop videos will soon be streamed on a billboard four times the size of a basketball court in Seoul.SMTown Media Facade, made of curved screens and installed on the outer walls of the SMTown Coex Artium, will start operation Sunday, according to the Korea International Trade Association.SMTown Coex Artium is part of the Coex Convention and Exhibition Center in Gangnam, southern Seoul. The building offers experiences related to S.M. Entertainment stars and the agency. (Yonhap)The new billboard
March 21, 2018
-
[Newsmaker] K-pop producer-songwriter to lead S. Korean art troupe to NK
K-pop music will form the core of a South Korean art troupe’s repertoire when it performs in Pyongyang in April, with a prominent K-pop producer and songwriter to take the helm. The Ministry of Unification on Sunday named Lee Yun-sang -- a singer-songwriter and producer professionally known as Yun Sang -- as the musical director for the South’s art troupe to Pyongyang. His North Korean counterpart is Hyon Song-wol, the leader of the all-female Moranbong Band. Yun Sang will lead the South Korea
March 19, 2018