A special exhibition of Emperor Gojong’s diplomatic gifts to Prince Henry of Prussia in 1899 will open at Deokhongjeon Hall inside Deoksugung Palace on June 20. The event commemorates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Germany. Titled, "Gifts for Prince Henry of Prussia in 1899," the exhibition, hosted by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation and sponsored by Porsche Korea, presents three key gifts that Emperor Gojong presented to Prince Henry (1862-1929)

Culture June 8, 2023

The National Gugak Center and the Arumjigi Culture Keepers Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting traditional Korean culture, have collaborated to showcase a unique exhibition featuring the captivating sounds of pansori, court music and traditional folk songs from century-old records. The “House of Records, See the Sound" exhibition, held at the Arumjigi cultural center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, aims to recreate the auditory experience of traditional Korean music fr

Culture June 6, 2023

Before the advent of modern technology, having knowledge of time equaled power. By knowing time, one could control the everyday activities of ordinary people who did not have such resources. Those without access to time telling were entirely dependent on the sun and the ringing of the palace bell to structure their daily lives. "Angbuilgu," a type of hemispherical metal sundial created in 1434 during the reign of King Sejong the Great, did away with such a power dynamic. A sundial tell

Culture June 5, 2023

On a blistering weekday afternoon, delightful cries of "siwonhada," or "that's refreshing," echo outside a bustling noodle establishment in the heart of Seoul. A lengthy queue starts to form at 11:30 a.m. catching the attention of passersby. The noodle restaurant specializes in kongguksu, or noodle in cold soybean soup that is rich and creamy. Kongguksu combines simplicity, nourishment and a unique taste that has captivated the Koreans' taste buds for generations. T

Food June 3, 2023

Unique scent-themed cocktail bar There are various perspectives on what defines a good drink, but before captivating one's palate, a beverage initially captures the eyes and the nose with its visual and olfactory appeal. Bar Geranium, situated in the posh Rodeo Street neighborhood of Apgujeong, is an exceptional cocktail bar that draws inspiration from the world of perfumes. Opened in late 2021, this unique bar skillfully incorporates a wide array of flowers and perfume elements to craft it

Culture June 2, 2023

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome 53,000 Korean visitors in 2023, almost five times the 11,000 visitors recorded last year, aided by direct flight routes, stopover visas and diversified travel packages, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority on Monday. During a tourism roadshow at the Westin Josun Seoul on Monday, the STA introduced a wide range of experiences available to Korean holidaymakers in the kingdom, centered around the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle refers to three major ci

Culture June 1, 2023

BUSAN -- South Korea’s second-largest city, will be covered in the Michelin Guide from next year, the publisher said Thursday during a press conference held at Park Hyatt Busan. Michelin Guide Seoul and Busan 2024 will be released as a single volume in February. "Since 2016, we have been writing amazing culinary stories with Seoul, and I'm happy to announce that this story will now extend to Busan," Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide’s international director said. Th

Food June 1, 2023

Throughout Korean history, there has been a deeply ingrained cultural belief that pursuing a career as a public servant is a prestigious endeavor. This cultural ethos can be traced back to the establishment of the "gwageo" system, or public service examinations. Gwageo was first introduced during the reign of Goryeo's King Gwangjong (925-975) and persisted until 1894 of the late Joseon era. Despite the retirement of gwageo, which was held every three years, the country still adm

Culture May 29, 2023

The National Folk Museum of Korea, located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung in Seoul, is hosting an exhibition that invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich fishing and seafood dining culture of Korea. Titled "Korea's Top 3 Dried Seafood," the special exhibition provides detailed insights into the process of catching, processing, distributing and consuming seafood in the country. It highlights how Koreans have cherished and enjoyed seafood in their meals over the year

Culture May 28, 2023

Marking the first year of the full public opening of Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, on May 10, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History hosted an academic seminar on Thursday, where scholars and field experts discussed the historical meaning and significance of the space. The four-hour seminar “History of Cheong Wa Dae Space” provided a platform for presenting diverse perspectives on Cheong Wa Dae, spanning different periods in Korean history

Culture May 25, 2023

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday that future discussions on the lifting of height restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung and the Joseon royal tombs, should take UNESCO's Heritage Impact Assessments into consideration. UNESCO recommends the use of a structured process called HIA to evaluate any proposed changes in the vicinity of designated heritage sites. The CHA statement was made after a local media report Monday said that S

Culture May 24, 2023

This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the excavation of Cheonmachong, an ancient royal tomb from the Silla Kingdom located at the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The tomb, from which more than 11,000 artifacts, including numerous treasures, were unearthed, tells a story of the ancient burial customs of the Silla Kingdom. One of the seven field researchers behind the Cheonmachong excavation in 1973 was Choi Byung-hyun, a professor emeritus of history at

Culture May 24, 2023

Thirty-two Buddhist relics that were once stolen from temples across the country will finally return to their rightful homes, after some of which had been gone for more than three decades. The 21 Buddhist statues and 11 Buddhist paintings were put on display at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, central Seoul, Tuesday, and a ceremony was held to celebrate their homecoming. The relics, which were taken from 14 different temples between 1988 and 2004, will go to the

Culture May 23, 2023

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome 53,000 Korean visitors in 2023, almost five times the 11,000 visitors recorded last year, aided by direct flight routes, stopover visas and diversified travel packages, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority on Monday. During a tourism roadshow at the Westin Josun Seoul on Monday, the STA introduced a wide range of experiences available to Korean holidaymakers in the kingdom, centered around the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle refers to three major ci

Culture May 22, 2023

When planning a new building, it is challenging to envision its potential collapse or destruction, along with the subsequent rebuilding process. However, a remarkable example of resilience can be found in the 18th-century Hwaseong fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Despite enduring multiple instances of damage, the fortress, situated at the foot of the mountain Paldalsan, still proudly stands as it was built hundreds of years ago. The secret behind its enduring presence lies in its "Hw

Culture May 22, 2023