Three significant historical materials that can help trace the whereabouts of Korean cultural heritage located abroad have been donated to Korea. The donation was made by 97-year-old American collector Robert Mattielli. Among the donated materials is an address book showing foreign clients kept by Samuel W. Lee & Co., an antique art shop in Seoul in operation from the Japanese colonial period through Korean War. Also included are 58 business cards that Mattielli has kept of various art deale

Culture Dec. 20, 2022

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization have unveiled the 100 Must-visit Tourist Spots in Korea list for the years 2023 to 2024. The list is updated every two years, with the aim to introduce and promote Korea's tourism to both Koreans and foreigners. The latest list includes a total of 61 cultural attractions and 39 natural attractions. By region, 24 destinations are located in the greater Seoul area, 10 in Gangwon Province, 13 in Chungcheong provinces, 1

Travel Dec. 17, 2022

In celebration of the upcoming “Year of the Rabbit,” the National Folk Museum of Korea is hosting a special exhibition on rabbits. "Here Comes a Rabbit" exhibition interprets the folkloric symbolism of rabbits through some 70 collections of rabbit-themed art pieces and books. The exhibition explains how rabbits inspired old proverbs, traditional folktales and novels. The fourth of the 12 animals in the zodiac, the rabbit is often depicted in Korean folktales and proverbs a

Culture Dec. 16, 2022

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul offers festive menu for Christmas Flavors, the luxury buffet dining destination at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, greets the Christmas and New Year season with a special festive menu. The buffet features diverse dishes from Korea, China, Japan, India and around the world, as well a selection of traditional Christmas cakes and desserts. Seven live buffet stations serve piping hot oven-roast turkey, a variety of grilled lobster, crab and meat dishes cooked to order, and seafood d

Food Dec. 16, 2022

The Korea Tourism Organization seeks to attract 30 million foreign tourists by 2027. The tourism organization proposes to achieve the number through digital tourism platform services and K-content storytelling tour programs. The most recent target figure of 20 million in 2020 could not be met due to the pandemic. "Korea’s tourism has suffered tremendously due to the pandemic and I view it as only half recovered at this point," Kim Jang-sil, president of the Korea Tourism Organi

Culture Dec. 14, 2022

With one out of every four travelers to Vietnam this year hailing from Korea, Koreans are expected to play a central role in the revitalization of Vietnam's tourism industry. Some 2.95 million foreign travelers visited Vietnam this year through November, with South Koreans accounting for 760,000, followed by Americans (266,087) and Cambodians (172,475), based on data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. One factor in the large number of Koreans heading to Vietnam is a new tourism

Travel Dec. 14, 2022

Three months into her term as the chair of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, Kim Jung-hee, 65, seeks to foster interest in repatriated Korean cultural heritage as well as those overseas. "When I was young, overseas cultural heritage was thought of as 'our properties' that had been plundered during Japanese invasions and by other countries who took advantage of our diplomatic vulnerability," said Kim in an interview with The Korea Herald at the foundation

Culture Dec. 13, 2022

The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea has unveiled a world map showing 21 UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage of Korea. Talchum, Korean mask dance-drama which was added to the UNESCO list on Nov. 30, is not show on the map. The cultural heritage map is part of the civic group's "New Hayllu" project, aimed at encouraging some 150 million hallyu fans to expand their interest in Korea beyond Korean pop culture, according to the civic group. "In the midst of Japan's

Culture Dec. 11, 2022

While Koreans enjoy many different types of soup at each meal, seolleongtang, a hearty bone broth soup, easily tops the list during the winter months. Seolleongtang is made by simmering ox bones, specifically leg bones, with brisket and other cuts of beef for hours. The density of the smooth, milky soup depends on the quantity and types of the beef cuts that go into the broth making. Those who love this hearty Korean beef soup cannot help but wonder, “What is the difference between seolleo

Food Dec. 10, 2022

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Launches ‘Joyful Winter Memory at JW’ package JW Marriott Hotel Seoul's new winter package features one night in a JW Marriott guest room offering panoramic views of the Han River and downtown Seoul through floor-to-ceiling windows and a selection of exclusive gifts, from wines to new year diaries, diffusers and more. Package guests also receive one bottle of choice between two varieties of special wine produced in collaboration with Roc de Saint Jean (es

Food Dec. 10, 2022

“Food is important for life! Physical health should be maintained by food first and then by medicine. That’s why we need to prepare food with great sincerity because it gives us life. What are the three components of temple food?” To this question from the Ven. Gyeho, all present became immersed in thought. “They are purity, pliability and accord with the Dharma. Of these three, the foremost is purity. The cook must have a pure mind without the three poisons of greed, hat

Food Dec. 10, 2022

Kim Yeon-mee, 35, an office worker from northern Seoul, visits a bookstore specializing in travel and tourism books every other weekend. The bookstore, Trip, Book and Space: Traveling Library, in Seongsu-dong, has some 1,000 titles on all things travel, from essays and photo books to magazines, cartoons and more. "Upon reaching 30, I did not want to travel like I used to, following routes planned by big travel agencies," Kim said. Even as she visited popular sites, Kim felt her travels

Travel Dec. 9, 2022

A handwritten letter is always special. There's a certain emotional resonance that digital technology cannot replicate. A climb up the winding alleys and slopes of Haebangchon, near Haebang Church, vegan cafe Nuldam Space offers visitors a unique experience to write a letter to your future self. The letter, which you can also opt to send to friends and family, will be delivered next year at a date of your choice. The 4,000 won letter set includes one postcard, one envelope and three pieces

Culture Dec. 9, 2022

The Indonesian Embassy held a diplomatic reception Tuesday at the residence of the Indonesian ambassador to Korea in Seoul, showcasing the culture and tourism of North Sulawesi Province. The event titled, "Colorful North Sulawesi in Seoul" presented cultural highlights of the province, such as batik and tenun, traditional dance and music as well as fashion. The reception began with a performance of kolintang, a traditional Minahasan percussion instrument from North Sulawesi, by seven

Culture Dec. 7, 2022

Skin moisturizers used by a Joseon princess have been reinterpreted as modern day cosmetic products. Princess Hwahyeop’s Porcelain Edition, a collection of skin care products created through research on the makeup-related relics found in the tomb of Princess Hwahyeop, was unveiled by Korea National University of Cultural Heritage and the National Palace Museum of Korea on Wednesday at the National Palace Museum of Korea. A number of makeup tools and cosmetics used by Princess Hwahyeop, t

Culture Dec. 7, 2022