In July 2011, a hacking attack on SK Communications, operator of the once-popular social media site Cyworld, resulted in a data leakage involving over 35 million people. It marked the largest theft of personal data in the history of the world’s most wired country. Three years on and some half a dozen cyberattacks later, cybersecurity experts say that virtually any Korean who sign on to a website...

On Wednesday, South Korean consumer rights activists filed a lawsuit at a Seoul court demanding that Google Korea disclose whether the IT behemoth shared its users’ personal data with outside parties. The suit follows a January government fine of 200 million won ($195,000) levied on Google for collecting personal information such as Internet IDs, passwords, and resident registration numbers. Th...

For Jang Mi-na, a 21-year-old college student in Seoul, Facebook used to be an integral part of her life: She used it to record her daily experiences, communicate with her friends and acquaintances, and stay informed about what they were up to. But the social networking service became a source of privacy fears when she found out three years ago that a stalker was frequenting her account to keep ...

Social media is an important digital platform to build social networks and share activities. According to the Korea Internet & Security Agency, around 55 percent of South Koreans used social media in 2013, and the number is expected to rise this year. With more personal information being exposed online, however, experts are voicing concerns about privacy issues. They say digitalized personal inf...

Roaring Currents (Korea) Opening July 30 Action, Drama. Directed by Kim Han-min “Roaring Currents” is a story about Yi Sun-sin, the most revered admiral in Korean history. The film focuses on the historic 1597 Battle of Myeongryang during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), in which Yi, played by veteran actor Choi Min-sik, uses strategy to destroy 133 Japanese warships with only 12 sh...

Peruvian Food Festival at Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul’s signature restaurant The Terrace is inviting guests to a culinary tour of authentic Peruvian cuisine. The Peruvian Food Festival, co-hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Peru, will feature Peruvian and South American dishes cooked by a visiting native chef. To be included in the selection are Ceviche, a lemon-ripened seafood dis...

The scorching heat and humidity signals that it’s time to get away from daily responsibilities and set off for white sand beaches or lush green mountains. But summer vacation in Korea is often another round of stressful days. More than half of the population takes summer vacation during late July and early August. Beaches are crowded with endless stretches of colorful parasols. Added to this are...

Located in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, Gangwon Province is home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the country, on top of scenic beaches and clear water. The region is the most-visited summer destination for Seoulites, beating Jejudo Island and Busan. It is blessed with Gyeongpo Beach, the largest beach on the country’s east coast; the Hantangang River, a popular site for ...

Long-awaited vacations always pass by all too soon, and it seems that to make the most out of that limited time, one simply has to fully savor the pretravel excitement and post-travel reminiscing. Luckily, it has become easier nowadays to find travel-inspired places all over Seoul, where aspiring travelers may obtain travel information and fatigued urbanites may feel a sense of freedom amid thei...

Hoping to see vast rocky mountain ranges, but can’t face hiking? Want to see the crisp blue coast, but avoid the summer crowds? For summer travelers looking to enjoy Korea’s picturesque countryside, KORAIL’s sightseeing trains just might be the answer. The only question is: O, V or S? Early last year, the state-run rail operator launched the O-train and V-Train, with the goal of showcasing som...

Dance “Sleeping Beauty on Ice”: The ice ballet rendition of Sleeping Beauty has captivated audiences for decades since its premiere in St. Petersburg, Russia. Founded in 1967, the Saint-Petersburg State Ballet on Ice will be continuing its long-held tradition by bringing its performance of “Sleeping Beauty on Ice” to Korea. The award-winning cast of ice skaters soar through the air in stunningly...

Kundo: Age of the Rampant (Korea) Opening July 23 Action. Directed by Yoon Jong-bin “Kundo” is set in the 13th year of King Cheoljong’s reign in mid-19th century Joseon, when rampant corruption in the ruling class and its exploitation of the populace pushed the common people over the edge. Dolmuchi (Ha Jung-woo) is a not-so-intelligent but kind-hearted butcher, a typical lower-class job at the...

Opening of Cafe 395 at Millennium Seoul Hilton Millennium Seoul Hilton is opening the doors of its new flagship restaurant Cafe 395 following a three-month-long renovation. Based on the “open kitchen” concept, Cafe 395 brings diners face to face with chefs who prepare dishes for the restaurant’s buffet selection on the spot. From the seafood corner to the grilled station, from Asian specialties ...

Korea’s oldest bookstore in Seoul, Jongno Books, was a landmark in terms of numbers of customers and its symbolic significance as the trove and exchange of knowledge. The five-story bookstore was the only large bookstore in Seoul until Kyobo Book Center opened in the 1980s. It was also a popular meeting spot where people browsed books while waiting. Since the 1980s, two new large bookstores, Ky...