Most Popular
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[Weekender] Geeks have never been so chic in Korea
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[News Focus] Mystery deepens after hundreds of cat deaths in S. Korea
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NewJeans members submit petitions over court injunction in Hybe-Ador conflict
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N. Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
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[KH Explains] Why Korea's so tough on short selling
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S. Korea's exports of instant noodles surpass $100m for 1st time in April: data
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Actors involved in past controversies return first via streaming service originals
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‘Kim desperately wanted to denuclearize,’ Moon writes in memoirs
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US military commander in S. Korea during Gwangju uprising dies
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[Herald Interview] Byun Yo-han's 'unlikable' character is result of calculated acting
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Colombia to participate in Seoul book fair as guest of honor
Colombia will participate in the 2022 Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) next month as the guest of honor to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and the South American country, the event's organizers said Monday. This year's SIBF, the country's biggest annual book fair, will kick off on June 1 for a five-day run at the Convention and Exhibition Center in southern Seoul under the theme of "One Small Step." The Korean Publishers Associ
May 23, 2022
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Quirks of Korean dating explained (6) Negative views of unmarried cohabitation
They say love is universal, but when it comes to dating culture, Korea has a different love language, according to five international couples that The Korea Herald interviewed. From love ‘confessions’ to matching outfits, here are some dating norms that set Korea apart. –- Ed. In some Western countries, moving in together is considered an important step for a couple trying to take their relationship to the next level. But in Korea, an unmarried couple living together is tab
May 23, 2022
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[Visual History of Korea] Silla nachimban, a true north-pointing compass for navigating the seas
In Korea’s long history of seafaring, ancient seafarers mastered navigating the open seas when they finally deciphered the secrets of the direction of the magnetic north. Conquering the seas has defined great empires in history as seen in the Baekje Empire (18 BC-AD 660)’s prominent presence surrounding the West Sea (officially known as the Yellow Sea) and its sailors’ reach into lands where elephants and monkeys roam. “One of the reasons why Baekje dominated the open s
May 21, 2022
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[Scholars and their Spaces] ‘My heart smote me’
The monument built in 1672 to honor Park Paeng-nyeon (1417-1456) was all but destroyed during the Korean War. Reconstructed by his descendants in 1989, this historic site and the monument had received bad press for poor maintenance just a year before. The entrance was locked with a padlock and the information boards could not be read because of the vehicles that were parked illegally in front of them. Visitors who had come with high expectations of the historic site turned their backs upon
May 21, 2022
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Quirks of Korean dating explained (5) Always connected
They say love is universal, but when it comes to dating culture, Korea has a different love language, according to five international couples that The Korea Herald interviewed. From love ‘confessions’ to matching outfits, here are some dating norms that set Korea apart. – Ed. Whether through phone calls or text messaging, Koreans like to stay connected with their loved ones throughout the day, asking each other where they are, what they’re doing and what they&rs
May 20, 2022
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[Well-curated] Enjoy art-fueled weekend, quiet evening at a book bar
The 2022 Paradise Art Lab Festival will kick off at Paradise City in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on Friday, offering a wide range of cultural activities. Under the theme “Crossing: Awakening a new sense at the crossing of the present and the future,” the third annual PAL festival is presenting a series of artworks that allow the visitors to actively engage with the pieces, rather than simply viewing them. Ten selected works by emerging artists are being showcased. A massive digital artw
May 20, 2022
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International Arts Education Week to be held next week
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Arts & Culture Education Service announced that they will hold the 11th International Arts Education Week next week. Under the theme of “Culture and Arts Education in the Post-Coronavirus Era, Resilience to Transformation,” the one-week event will showcase various programs including a symposium and seminar on culture and arts education, a one-day class program, a UNESCO Expert Meeting on Culture and Arts Education and a pe
May 19, 2022
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Quirks of Korean dating explained (4) Jealous of opposite-sex friends
They say love is universal, but when it comes to dating culture, Korea has a different love language, according to five international couples that The Korea Herald interviewed. From love ‘confessions’ to matching outfits, here are some dating norms that set Korea apart. – Ed. Jealous of opposite-sex friends Some Koreans are particularly sensitive to their partner‘s opposite-sex friends, believing that men and women cannot be true friends and sexual attraction is bound
May 19, 2022
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Join the Korean street parade Gunahaeng with tiger and lions
The first in a series of traditional parade events were held across the market alleys of Jongno-gu Sunday, filling the old neighborhood with a festive mood. Gunahaeng, a traditional “narye” rite, is based on a poem by Goryeo scholar Yi Saek. At the ritual, masked people would appear around the royal courts, government offices and in towns, driving out evil spirits. Developed into a modern street performance, also referred to as “Gunaehaeng Daepannoreum,” it combines va
May 19, 2022
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Korean-style Buddhist temple to open in Buddhism’s holy site in India
Bunhwangsa, a Korean Buddhist temple, will open in Bodh Gaya, India on Saturday with a delegation of 150 Korean Buddhists from the Jogye Order – South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect -- attending the opening ceremony. Bodh Gaya in northeastern India’s Bihar state is one of Buddhism’s four holiest sites. It is where Sakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree according to Buddhist texts. The project to build a Korean-style temple in Bodh Gaya was launched
May 18, 2022
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Quirks of Korean dating explained (3) Crazy for love milestones
They say love is universal, but when it comes to dating culture, Korea has a different love language, according to five international couples that The Korea Herald interviewed. From love ‘confessions’ to matching outfits, here are some dating norms that set Korea apart. – Ed. Crazy for love milestones On KakaoTalk, the almost-ubiquitous messaging app for Koreans, it is not difficult to find users who display the number of days they have been together with someone on
May 18, 2022
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[Land of Squid Game] We’re gganbu!
In one of the episodes of the Netflix series “Squid Game,” an old man hands over his last marble to the lead character, Gi Hun, saying, “We are gganbu. Gganbu always share everything with each other, no matter what.” By handing over his last marble, he lets Gi Hun win. The term “gganbu” in the story means close companions, like blood brothers who share everything without expecting anything in return and who help each other in difficult situations. While g
May 16, 2022
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Classical tunes to echo through Deoksugung
The 2022 Deoksugung Spring Concert will be held at the fountain located in front of Deoksugung’s Seokjojeon at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Deoksugung Palace Management Office and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, the program for the evening includes popular pieces such as Johann Strauss’ “Voices of Spring Waltz,” Johannes Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango,&rdquo
May 16, 2022
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[Visual History of Korea] Roman treasures buried with Silla royals at the end of Silk Road
Korean burial tradition includes burying treasured items of significance with the deceased. Most valued objects in the Korean antiques trade are treasures which were originally buried in ancient tombs. A fifth-century Silla-period phoenix-shaped glass pitcher, dug up in 1975 from Hwangnamdaechong, the largest royal tomb of Silla, has intrigued Koreans for decades about its origin as its aesthetics looked of a foreign nature. It was not until researchers made the connection between some 30 glas
May 14, 2022
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[Scholars and their Spaces] Man of integrity: Maeng Sa-seong
During the 500 years of the Joseon dynasty, only 217 government officials were certified as “men of integrity.” Maeng Sa-seong (360-1438) who led the golden age of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) as the prime minister for eight years was among them. Maeng had not coveted political power and resigned from the office at the age of 76. He died three years later. He was famous for his humble way of life, even as he served in a senior government post. It was a very common scene to see
May 14, 2022
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[Well-curated] Kick back at classical music listening room, bask in warm weather or watch world go by at rooftop cafe
At Music Space Camerata in Hyeri Art Valley, Paju, a city located west of Seoul and close to Panmunjeom, it’s rare to see visitors talking or typing on a laptop. Classical music plays nonstop and it’s not background music -- it’s why you are here. It’s a perfect place for those who are already getting tired of social interaction in the post social-distancing era and for those who want to discover new classical music. At Music Space Camerata, you can lay back in a deep
May 13, 2022
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[Herald Interview] Pianist Kim Sunwook at turning point
South Korean pianist Kim Sunwook is swapping out his usual repertoire of Beethoven and Brahms for the upcoming recitals to play pieces that were formative in his youth. “For this recital, I wanted to take a break from Beethoven and Brahms, which I played numerous time in the 14 years of my career,” the 34-year-old pianist said, adding that he is facing a turning point as a musician. Kim's history with these pieces is highlighted by a performance of Brahms’
May 12, 2022
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Seoul Intl. Book Fair to open next month
This year's Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) will kick off next month to guide book lovers through the latest news and trends in the publishing industry at home and abroad, its organizers said Thursday. The SIBF 2022, the country's biggest annual book fair, is set to run from June 1-5 at the Convention and Exhibition Center in southern Seoul under the theme of "One Small Step," according to the Korean Publishers Association. Colombia will participate in this year's event as the gue
May 12, 2022
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Royal Culture Festival kicks off with modernized rites, music performances
The 2022 Royal Culture Festival’s opening performance was held at Heungnyemun Square in Gyeongbokgung, on Tuesday evening, after having gone virtual for two years due to the pandemic. Jointly hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palace and Tombs Center and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the spring edition of the biannual festival is being held under the theme of “Narye and Yeonhui“ through May 22. The festival centers around royal court ritua
May 11, 2022
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Korea Quiz (2) Squid Man
Test your knowledge of Korea with our weekly quiz on the language, culture, history or anything K-related. Answer: b Netflix’s megahit series “Squid Game” didn’t just happen to have the ocean creature in its name. In South Korea, the invertebrate makes frequent appearances at school cafeterias, pubs and on dinner tables at home as a dish loved by people of all ages. In recent years, people use the word to jokingly describe one’s facial f
May 11, 2022