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Rethinking arts at Craft Trend Fair 2024
Crafts can be cool, too Crafts can be more than pottery, knitwear and handmade knickknacks for the house. Ultimately, crafts are expressions of creativity, and take many forms. This idea was on display at the 19th edition of the Craft Trend Fair, held Dec. 12-15 at Coex in southern Seoul, where visitors were encouraged to think outside the box. The four-day event, held under the theme “Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life,” invited visitors to explore the idea that luxury is not limited t
Dec. 23, 2024
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Jang Na-ra, Lee Chan-won take home grand prize at SBS, KBS awards shows
Singer and actor Jang Na-ra and trot singer Lee Chan-won wrapped up the year triumphantly, taking home top honors at drama and entertainment awards ceremonies held over the weekend. Recognized for her portrayal of Cha Eun-kyung, a seasoned divorce lawyer whose husband cheated on her in “Good Partner,” Jang, 43, received the first grand prize in her 24-year acting career Sunday at the 2024 SBS Drama Awards. This year’s grand prize was a tight race between Ahn Bo-hyun (“Flex X Cop”), Hwang Jung-eu
Dec. 22, 2024
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Hanji Forum discusses breathing life into fading craft traditions
How to breathe life into fading craft traditions and incorporate time-honored works into modern-day products that people enjoy and use daily were among the topics discussed at Korea Craft and Design Foundation's first-ever Hanji Froum, held Dec. 13 at Coex in southern Seoul. Referring to "hanji" -- traditional Korean mulberry paper -- as valuable cultural heritage, KCDF President Jang Dong-kwang, explained that the institution has been promoting the beauty of hanji through various projects. "In
Dec. 22, 2024
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'Text hip': From book covers to book tails, accessories make reading cool
Book stands and other reading accessories that hold your book in a comfortable viewing position have long been favorites for many readers. Now, trendy accessories, from the practical to the cozy and cute, are making waves among bibliophiles by making the hobby not only more enjoyable, but also aesthetically pleasing. Among the most popular "dokseotem," a portmanteau of the Korean word for reading and the English word "item," are book covers. Available in a variety of styles
Dec. 18, 2024
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Looking for a Christmas present to wow a Korean friend? Avoid these
Nothing is better than celebrating the holiday season with something to unwrap and enjoy. While finding the perfect gift for that special someone may not be easy, there are some things that should be avoided when giving presents in South Korea. Sharp objects While a beautiful blade seems a sensible gift for for the home cook on your shopping list, giving knives and scissors -- basically, anything that is sharp or used for cutting -- is a no-no. Such gifts risk signaling the cutting off of the
Dec. 17, 2024
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Top musical acts vie for top honors at 9th Korea Musical Awards
Competition at the 9th Korea Musical Awards will be fierce, with musical big-names Kim Jun-su, Jo Jung-suk, Michael Lee, Yoo Jun-sang, Lim Gyu-hyung and Hong Kwang-ho eyeing the award for best male actor. The Korea Musical Theater Association unveiled the nominees for the awards, slated for January next year, during a press conference held at the Artist House in Seoul on Monday. A total of 81 musical productions were considered for the nominations. In the grand prize category are "Gloomy
Dec. 16, 2024
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The short-lived rise and fall of Yoon Suk Yeol
When Yoon Suk Yeol, 63, won South Korea's top job in 2022, some anticipated that he would heed the will of the people, tackle class inequality and build a country that could make everyone proud, as he vowed in his victory speech. Yet, throughout the years, the conservative leader has fallen short. Despite diplomatic initiatives that improved relations with Japan and the US, and bold moves to address the nation's shortage of doctors in key areas, he couldn't stop his approval ratings from sliding
Dec. 14, 2024
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Omakase, bagels, barbecue, 'Culinary Class Wars': Food trends in 2024
Restaurants run by chefs who appeared in Netflix's "Culinary Class War" came into the spotlight this year, while the most popular dining trends were sushi omakase, bagels and Korean barbecue, according to the 2024 gourmet trend report published by restaurant reservation platform Catch Table on Friday. The trend analysis is based on reservations made between January and October to determine customers' dining habits and preferences. Riding the wave of the Netflix cooking battle
Dec. 13, 2024
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Hue for the year ahead? It's Mocha Mousse
The Pantone Color Institute, which has declared a Color of the Year since 2000, has chosen "Mocha Mousse" for 2025 -- a shade that evokes a sense of comfort and warmth. The institute explained that the hue for the year ahead is "an evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires" that could create a comfortable environment for those wanting respite from life's daily demands. The Pantone Color Institute is a US-based consu
Dec. 11, 2024
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Explore 'everyday luxury' at Craft Trend Fair 2024
The 19th edition of the Craft Trend Fair will kick off Thursday at Coex in southern Seoul, shedding light on "everyday luxury," from luxury goods crafted by artisans to items of everyday use. The four-day event, which will be held under the theme "Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life," is organized by Kang Jae-young, the artistic director of the 2023 Cheongju Craft Biennale. Some 280 exhibitors, including international and overseas galleries and related craft institu
Dec. 10, 2024