[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Colorful Autumn Garden, Gwangju The Colorful Autumn Garden opened on Oct. 15 and runs through Nov. 13 at Hwadam Botanic Garden in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. Visitors can enjoy the autumn foliage at its peak to the fullest in the eco-friendly arboretum, an hour’s drive from central Seoul. Autumn lovers can stroll down the promenade and feel the fall atmosphere with crisp air and some 4,000 different species of plants and trees. Admission costs 10,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for teen

Oct. 28, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents 'Time to celebrate' with Baccarat The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is celebrating the festive end-of-the-year season with Baccarat,a French fine crystal brand. Limited room packages available for the month of December include a stay in a club room or suite, plus a set of two beautiful Baccarat Beluga tumblers. Other perks include complimentary valet parking plus access to the hotel’s Korean sauna and executive club lounge -- for all-day drinks, after

Oct. 28, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Black Adam (US) Opened Oct. 19 Action Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Khandaq, a country that used to be prosperous, is now run by Intergang, which has oppressed its people for 27 years. Meanwhile, Adrianna (Sarah Shahi) accidentally frees Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson), who was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods -- and imprisoned just as quickly -- 5,000 years ago, from his earthly tomb. He is now ready to unleash his unique form of justice in the modern world. Everything Every

Oct. 28, 2022

Travmedia Summit Asia discusses fresh opportunities as tourism rebounds

SINGAPORE -- The TravMedia Summit Asia 2022 brought together some 150 tourism brands, travel writers, influencers and journalists from across the Asia-Pacific region, to network and develop new insights and ideas on tourism, on Oct. 17, at Swissotel the Stamford, in Singapore. Presented in partnership with Tourism Australia, the summit was held on the first day of the two-day event of International Media Marketplace, a media networking event for the travel industry. "We are proud to bring t

Oct. 27, 2022

New Sejong Center will have classical music-only concert hall, Seoul Mayor Oh says

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon unveiled a plan to remodel the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, turning the cultural complex into a global cultural icon like the Sydney Opera House or New York's Carnegie Hall. The mayor announced the plan, which includes a new concert hall dedicated to the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, during his visit to Philharmonie de Paris, a complex of concert halls in Paris that opened in 2015, Sunday. "Philharmonie de Paris, which has an exceptional exterior desi

Oct. 26, 2022

Lim Yun-chan signs with IMG Artists for Europe, America management

South Korean piano sensation Lim Yun-chan has joined the roster of London-based global performing arts management agency IMG Artists as he expands his activities globally, his Korean management MOC production announced Wednesday. In June, Lim won the gold medal at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the youngest winner ever, and became an instant sensation with his performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3, which has been viewed 8.4 million times on YouTu

Oct. 26, 2022

Habsburg collection of 600 years shown at NMK

An exhibition highlighting art of the Habsburg Empire is currently underway at the National Museum of Korea, presenting 96 works collected by the House of Habsburg from the 15th century to the early 20th century, including Baroque and Renaissance masterpieces. For more than 600 years from Rudolf I’s election as Holy Roman emperor in 1273, until the collapse of the regime of Charles I in 1918, the Habsburg Dynasty was at the heart of European history, ruling over vast portions of Europe. Th

Oct. 26, 2022

Cheong Wa Dae to host classical concerts by top musicians

The former presidential office compound of Cheong Wa Dae will be turned into a classical music chamber in November, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. Korea's four top classical artists will take turns performing in front of 100 people at the former state reception house Yeongbingwan. Kicking off the series, pianist Kim Sun-wook will perform Schubert’s Four Impromptus and Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor on Nov. 1. On Nov. 4, pianist Sunwoo Yewon and the

Oct. 25, 2022

K-Arts, celebrating 30 years, sets out bigger goals

Korea National University of Arts, known as K-Arts, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this week, aims to turn itself into a global institution attracting foreign students, its president, Kim Dae-jin, said Wednesday. “Thirty years ago, K-Arts was established to provide top quality education so that Korean students would not have to go abroad to study -- a goal that not many believed back then,” Kim said. “For the next 30 years, we want to become an institution sought after

Oct. 25, 2022

[Herald Interview] Pianist Andras Schiff to bring 'element of surprise' to Korea

When celebrated pianist Andras Schiff returns to South Korea in November after three years of pandemic-caused delays, the longest gap since he started performing in the country in 2008, the Hungarian-born Austro-British classical pianist said he will bring an "element of surprise." In the past recitals in Korea, he performed a wide range of works by Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms. Departing from his usual repertoire, he will perform "something out of Bach, Haydn

Oct. 24, 2022

Controversies continue over Blue House

Nearly six months since the opening of Cheong Wa Dae to the public on May 1, how the former presidential office site should be used remains highly controversial, with the most recent debate centering around a performance by star singer Rain filmed at the Blue House grounds. The Netflix music reality show "Take 1" aired Oct. 14. Responding to criticism over a commercial use of the space, the Cultural Heritage Administration, in charge of Cheong Wa Dae operations since May 23, said the N

Oct. 24, 2022

Cirque Du Soleil unveils reimagined 'Alegria' in Seoul

"Alegria," a long-running contemporary circus production by Cirque Du Soleil, unveiled its brand-new version on Thursday in Seoul under the Big Top set up at Seoul Sports Complex in Jamsil, eastern Seoul. "Alegria: In a New Light" is the seventh production of Canada-based Cirque Du Soleil to be introduced in South Korea, following "Quidam" in 2007 and 2015, the previous version of "Alegria" in 2008, "Varekai" in 2011, "Michael Jackson: The

Oct. 23, 2022

[Weekender] Mountain temples perfect place to enjoy autumn

As the temperature starts to drop, the heavy jackets come out from the depths of their closets and trees everywhere start to dress up in their seasonal flaming reds, dazzling yellows and brilliant oranges. With autumn in Korea seemingly getting shorter every year, travelers are gearing up and preparing to traverse the country to get the most out of the season at popular destinations for leaf peeping. With the fall foliage expected to be most spectacular from late October through early November,

Oct. 22, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Sogdian traders in Silla, the eastern end of the Silk Road

Today's Korea is a product of Silla's 1,000 year history and its successful unification of Korean kingdoms in the seventh century. The Korean tradition of remembering ancient rulers with elaborate and grand tombs are visible documentations of the history of one of the oldest civilizations in history. The royal tombs of two Silla Kings, King Wonseong, the 38th King who died in 798, and his son King Heungdeok (777–836), the 42nd King of Silla, stand out among the 56 Silla kings

Oct. 22, 2022

Singapore's relaxing getaway, Sentosa Island

SINGAPORE -- A vast urbanscape with skyscrapers and a vibrant melting pot of diverse peoples and cultures, Singapore's tourism industry is fast recovering from the impact of the pandemic. The multicultural spirit that the country embraces allows tourists to spot the familiar in the unfamiliar, and a taste of home. With Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street all located within a short distance, the colorful enclaves of ethnic groups make the country one of the leading tourism hubs in Asia.

Oct. 22, 2022

National Palace Museum highlights archives of Joseon diplomats to US

A special exhibition of records of Korean diplomats dispatched to the US during the Joseon era is underway at the National Palace Museum of Korea, marking the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and the US. The exhibition, "Diplomats in Gat: The Story of the Joseon Legation in Washington, D.C." has on display recordings of diplomatic activities by Pak Chung-yang (1841-1905), the first minister plenipotentiary to the US, and his entourage that went to

Oct. 21, 2022

Three different ways to enjoy nighttime tour at Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung is scheduled to offer three different series of nighttime tours at the palace, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center. For “A Night at Changdeokgung, Huijeongdang and Glass Lanterns With Plum Blossom,” visitors will be guided through the brightly lit pavilion. Glass lanterns with plum blossom seals in gold that decorated both the indoors and the outdoors of the royal palace after the introduction of electricity in 1887 w

Oct. 21, 2022

Almost one-third of requests to revise Korea information successful: lawmaker

Korea Culture Information Service received 13,452 requests to seek revisions to information about Korea on foreign media and websites between September 2016 to August this year. Of them, 3,916 cases have been changed, according to Thae Yong-ho, a ruling People Power Party lawmaker, Friday, citing a Korea Culture Information Service reported submitted to the lawmaker's office. Korean Culture and Information Service's Correction of Misinformation service team receives reports on miswritt

Oct. 21, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Josun Jeju showcases 'Winter Voyage' package Grand Josun Jeju presents winter package that consists of a one-night stay in a room with a balcony, with unlimited use of the hotel’s outdoor heated pool. Guests can choose between rooms facing the Garden Pool side or the Peak Point Pool. Breakfast buffet for two at restaurant Aria is included in the package. A set of complimentary winter signature dishes and alcoholic beverages for two will be served while using the pool. The p

Oct. 21, 2022

[Well-curated] Fall is for LP sounds, Halloween screams and fireworks

After an exhausting day, top star singer Lee Hyo-ri enters a cocktail bar. She orders two drinks: Basil Smash and Cigar in a Glass. While she enjoys her drink, the DJ plays vinyl record of 1980s singer Lee Eun-ha. If you have been wondering about the bar that Lee visited in “Seoul Check-in,” or just want to enjoy some extra special drinks, a cool night vibe and good music as the cold wind starts to blow this weekend, the place for you is Hills & Europa in the Haebangchon neighbor

Oct. 21, 2022