Gaya Tumuli recommended for UNESCO listing

The Gaya Tumuli, seven tomb clusters of Korea's ancient Gaya Kingdom (42-562), have been recommend for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday. The decision was made during a meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a cultural heritage evaluation advisory organization under UNESCO, according to the CHA. The World Heritage Committee's final decision will be made during its 45th session, scheduled to be held

May 11, 2023

Project launched to monitor use of foreign languages in public spaces

Incorrect English signs have been a bugbear for public offices for a long time, but a language center in the Southeast of the country is taking aim at signs in foreign languages and characters that are difficult for the general public to understand. For example, in a public parking lot at a traditional market in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, information is provided in English in large black letters while the Korean is provided as a supplement, printed on paper and posted on the wall. To

May 11, 2023

Gaya Tumuli recommended for inclusion on UNESCO World Heritage list

The Gaya Tumuli, seven tomb clusters from Korea's ancient Gaya confederacy, has been recommend for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list by an international advisory body, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Thursday. The Gaya Tumuli was recommended for inscription during a meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a cultural heritage evaluation advisory organization under UNESCO, according to CHA. The World Heritage Committee will make a final decision based

May 11, 2023

[Herald Review] 'Sejong 1446' offers majestic musical experience at Gyeongbokgung

Sitting outside in a cold and windy night on an uncomfortable plastic chair for 100 minutes might be challenging, but witnessing a musical centered on King Sejong the Great with the majestic hall, Geunjeongjeon, National Treasure No. 233, as the backdrop at Gyeongbokgung truly felt like a privilege. At 7:30 p.m. on May 2, night had already fallen and the show began by illuminating a spotlight on a pansori performer who introduced the historical background of the story. As pansori singer Lee Bong

May 10, 2023

Korean Heritage Campaign highlights 10 heritage routes

The 2023 Visit Korean Heritage Campaign, which aims to help people discover the country's cultural heritage and natural attractions, kicked off Tuesday. Marking the campaign's fourth year, the Cultural Heritage Administration and Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation jointly unveiled 10 routes that go through 76 destinations in Korea during a press conference held in Seoul, Tuesday. The destinations include UNESCO World Heritage sites and those listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hu

May 10, 2023

[Herald Interview] For young people today, life is ‘Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster’

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province – "Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster" is a "film about unhappy people, but not in a dark way," Turkish director Umut Subasi told the audience at its Asian premiere at the Jeonju International Film Festival in North Jeolla Province on April 28. The festival had described it as a “depression comedy.” "Humor is a survival tool," Subasi explained. Set in Istanbul, "Almost Entirely a Slight Disaster" revolves arou

May 9, 2023

Stockholm and Vienna join Europe's expanding K-culture centers

Two new Korean Cultural Centers opened in Sweden and Austria on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, further expanding the presence of Korean culture in Europe. These new centers bring the total number of KCCs in Europe to 13, the highest of any region. They also mark the 34th and 35th locations, respectively, around the world. KCC Sweden opened Monday in Stockholm with an opening ceremony attended by officials from Korea and Sweden, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Korean Cultural Center Swe

May 9, 2023

First lady's comments revive hopes of Goryeo artifact's repatriation

During a state visit to the US with President Yoon Suk Yeol, first lady Kim Keon Hee visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on April 28. After touring the Korean and European galleries, Kim asked Matthew Teitelbaum, director of the MFA Boston, to resume discussion for the return of the silver-gilt lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary from the 13th-century Goryeo era, one of the Korean artifacts on display in the museum's Korean Gallery. The museum official said that they would look in

May 9, 2023

[Stories of Artifacts] 14th century pagoda bears witness to Korea's history

There are different ways of feeling the passage of time -- looking at the leaves changing colors to seeing fine wrinkles around a loved one's eyes. The 10-story stone pagoda in the center of the first floor of the National Museum of Korea, one can feel the country's history embodied in the stone structure. Towering 13.5 meters high, the pagoda was built at a temple called Gyeongcheonsa in 1348, during the reign of King Chungmok of the Goryeo Kingdom, according to the inscription on

May 8, 2023

[Weekender] Laser skin treatments, full course meals: luxury life of pets in Korea

Treating oneself to a full course meal and a laser skin treatment at a high-end dermatologist sounds like something out of the life of the superrich. In South Korea, it’s a reality for some of the country's luckiest pets. Luxury laser treatments La Peau Claire, a skin clinic located in Seoul’s affluent Cheongdam-dong, provides laser treatment services for cats and dogs. The clinic, which opened last month, is a trailblazer in Korea’s pet dermatology industry. It’

May 6, 2023

T1 to open new cultural complex for esports fans

T1, South Korea’s one of the most popular esports organization, is scheduled to launch a new cultural complex T1 Base Camp in Seoul’s bustling Hongdae district. T1 made a name for itself as the most successful esports organization after winning League of Legends World Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Korean League of Legends virtuoso "Faker" plays as a midlaner for T1 as well. Unlike regular PC bang -- internet cafes often used to play PC games -- T1 Base Camp also has

May 5, 2023

Will Jeju Island remain top destination even with 'entry fee?'

Traveling to experience Jeju Island's natural wonders as a non-resident may soon require paying a daily entry fee of approximately 8,000 won ($6). A decade-long debate over an "environmental fee" or "entry fee" has been reignited after the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on April 16 that the island is discussing legislation which mandates visitors to pay tourism fees to support environmental preservation. Specific plans on the collection method of such payments

May 5, 2023

Silla heavenly horse painting opens for public viewing

"Jangni Cheonmado," the heavenly horse painting on a Silla-era (57 B.C. to 935 A.D.) saddle strap from the Cheonmachong Tomb, a National Treasure, is now on public display for the first time in nine years at the Gyeongju National Museum's Special Exhibition Hall. Titled, "Return of Cheonma," the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Cheonmachong Tomb in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, alongside various artifacts unearthed from the Silla royal

May 5, 2023

[Well-curated] Drone light show, Museum of Innocence, Myeongdong Festival

This weekend, along with the arrival of Children's Day and warmer weather, there are a variety of options on offer. Among the many choices, this week's "Well-curated Weekend" introduces a drone light show at the Han River, the "Museum of Innocence" and the Myeongdong Festival. 500 drone light show over Han River Seoul is set to light up the night sky with a spectacular drone show featuring over 500 drones this week. As part of the “Seoul Festa 2023” ce

May 5, 2023

[Photo News] Myeongdong Street Artistry

A striking street mural by the Korean graphic art guru Grafflex transforms Myeongdong Street in Jung-gu, Seoul. The artwork was displayed as a part of the Myeongdong Festival 2023, which takes place between April 30-May 7. This collaboration with Lotte Department Store stretches 200 meters from the store's Young Plaza to the Myeongdong Arts Theater.

May 4, 2023

Korea Museum Week kicks off, brings sustainability, well-being together

Korea Museum Week kicked off Wednesday with 280 museums and art galleries nationwide participating in the event that runs through May 28. "Korea has hosted Museum Week since 2012 in celebration of International Museum Day, May 18," said Kim Yong-sam, CEO of the National Museum Foundation of Korea, at a press conference held at Whanki Museum in Seoul, Tuesday. More than 600 events and festivals have been prepared for this year's edition, which Kim noted as a major accomplishment

May 3, 2023

Free admission to Buddhist temples begins Thursday

Sixty-five Buddhist temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, will waive admission fees to the general public from Thursday. However, temples managed by cities or provincial governments, such as the Bomunsa Temple in Incheon and the Goransa Temple in South Chungcheong Province, will continue to charge admission fees. The final decision was made on Monday through a memorandum of understanding signed between the Cultural Heritage Administration and th

May 2, 2023

[Stories of Artifacts] Beauty meets function: Goryeo celadon

The evolution of Korean ceramics reflects the evolution of society itself, having developed through three main historical periods, each with its own unique characteristics. From the humble earthenware of the Three Kingdoms period to the Goryeo era's celadon and the refined white porcelain of the Joseon era, Korean ceramics have captivated art historians and art enthusiasts alike. The late William Bowyer Honey, a renowned ceramics specialist, noted in his book, "The Ceramic Art of Chi

May 1, 2023

K-Royal Culture Festival returns with spring edition

The spring edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival offers a range of programs that can be enjoyed at Seoul's royal palaces through May 7. The biannual festival showcases a variety of cultural heritage events and artistic performances that take place across five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung. Jongmyo, a royal shrine housing the ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens, and Sajikdan, a Joseon altar used for

April 30, 2023

Are joint couple bank accounts the best way to share dating expenses?

"Am I the one who has to pay this time?" is a question that often troubles many South Korean couples whenever they are about to pay the bill at a restaurant. Traditionally, people believed that men should pay most of the dating expenses, but such rigid gender norms no longer hold water as more couples have started to value fairness. Indeed, a staggering 83.2 percent of those with dating experiences reported having argued with their partner over “how to split bills,” accor

April 29, 2023