[Temple to Table] Temple food staple: Siraegi bokkeum

“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

Dec. 10, 2022

Pianist, conductor Kim Sun-wook takes baton for injured SPO artistic director

The outgoing music director and conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Osmo Vanska, is unable to lead his last concert as music director due to a fall injury, the orchestra said on Friday. Vanska was originally scheduled to take the stage for the orchestra's year-end repertoire of Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 ‘Choral’ on Dec. 14, 15 and 16. He suffered a fall, rendering him unable to travel, SPO said. It was supposed to be his first and last chance to

Dec. 9, 2022

No passive tourists: Making travel meaningful

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

Dec. 9, 2022

[Well-curated weekend] Write letters, make art with kids and learn about Almaty

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

Dec. 9, 2022

Army retires scout dog Dalgwan famed for finding missing girl in 2019

The Army retired a scout dog, famed for his role in locating a missing teenager in 2019, from surveillance duty due to old age on Thursday, officials said, concluding his storied decadelong career. The armed service held a retirement ceremony for Dalgwan at the 32nd Infantry Division's maneuver battalion unit in Sejong, about 120 km south of Seoul. The 10-year-old German Shepherd rose to national prominence in 2019 when he played a pivotal role in the search mission for then-14-year-old Cho

Dec. 8, 2022

Indonesian Embassy hosts event to promote Korean tourists to North Sulawesi

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

Dec. 7, 2022

Joseon cosmetics revived with modern touches

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

Dec. 7, 2022

With new all-Korean crossover album, Sumi Jo shows relentless energy

In releasing an all-Korean crossover album “In Love: Korean Love Poem,” internationally acclaimed soprano Sumi Jo said Tuesday that she hopes that the genre of Korean art songs, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, can be enjoyed more globally like K-pop. “Korean art songs were introduced a century ago, but people still find Korean art songs difficult. I paid a lot of attention to the singing method and arrangement and poured all my passion, soul and time into it

Dec. 6, 2022

Exhibition on Korean food making and sharing opens in Jeonju

A special exhibition on traditional Korean food culture opens Wednesday at the National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. The exhibition runs through May 14, 2023. The exhibition, titled "Eat and Inherit: Korean Traditional Food Culture," takes visitors on a journey to discover the root of Korean cuisine through kimchi, jang (fermented paste), makgeolli (rice wine) and tteok (rice cake). Kimchi and jang making were designated National Intangible Cultural

Dec. 6, 2022

Sumi Jo takes stage to celebrate diversity, comfort underprivileged

Celebrated Korean soprano Jo Sumi took the stage on Sunday to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a charity concert program at The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. On Sunday, Jo along with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus, haeguem player Nary, tenor Jang Joo-hoon and crossover tenor Chris Young performed for a special audience of 2,500 at the invitation-only concert. Among those invited were multicultural families, the underprivileged and the disabled.

Dec. 5, 2022

[Herald Interview] First vice minister of culture says 'K-culture' now has a strong foundation that secures longevity

As a teenager, Chun Byong-geuk, the first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, would watch Western movies and listen to classical music as well as trot, which was heavily influenced by Japanese music. Now he, 58, still loves going to classical music concerts but finds himself enjoying more K-dramas and movies. Chun said it is not just because he feels obliged, but because he is genuinely intrigued by the unique storylines and riveting characters. Chun, appointed in May, oversees culture

Dec. 5, 2022

[Eye plus] Seonbi's sleeves float again with new 'hanryangmu'

How would "seonbi," Confucian scholars during the Joseon era (1392-1910), have fun, if they lived today? As a response to his curiosity, Hwang Tae-in, 35, created “sansunoleum,” a reinterpretation of “hanryangmu.” The word "hanryang" has had different meanings throughout history, ranging from those who retired from public office to those trying for a military position, but today the word is used to refer to unemployed or carefree people. The hanryangmu

Dec. 3, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents Sweet Memories Afternoon Tea Set The Lounge at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the arrival of seasonal winter strawberries with the Sweet Memories Afternoon Tea Set, available from Dec. 1 to Feb. 28. This season’s tea set features a variety of unique JW Marriott Hotel Seoul desserts crafted by the hotel’s pastry team from strawberries, plus a selection of savory items. Served on a two-tier silver tray by Greggio, the tea set features five strawberr

Dec. 3, 2022

Immersive show of Korean cultural heritage opens at National Museum Bangkok

A Korea gallery utilizing immersive video content has opened at the National Museum Bangkok. The exhibition, titled "A New Encounter: Immersive Gallery of Korean Art," presents Korean cultural heritage reinterpreted by the latest digital media technology. The exhibition is organized jointly by the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum Bangkok. Also on display are two sculptures of Buddha from the two countries that, while hailing from different eras, share rich and long hist

Dec. 2, 2022

KTO creates tour programs inspired by Netflix show 'Korea No.1'

The Korea Tourism Organization has prepared a number of tour products based on the Netflix show, "Korea No.1." "Korea No.1," which premiered last Monday is an eight-episode series featuring a trio of well-known personalities traveling around Korea to meet masters of traditional crafts and apprentice under them. Entertainers Yu Jae-seok and Lee Kwang-soo and volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung are the hosts of the show. The KTO has chosen three themes from the Neflix show -- tradit

Dec. 2, 2022

Vietnam's Hoiana Residences opens for tourists, business travelers

Hoiana Resort & Golf, a beachfront resort in Vietnam, has announced the launch of Hoiana Residences in central Vietnam. To meet the increased travel demand after the prolonged pandemic, Hoiana Residences, a a five-star accommodation, began with a visionary plan to provide a luxurious experience with a touch of home. Hoiana Residences has 270 fully furnished residences that feature contemporary living areas and spacious private terraces overlooking lush gardens and stunning sunsets over the E

Dec. 2, 2022

[Newsmaker] [Interview] Diversification of K-culture gains traction in Spain

  MADRID -- A decade ago, the Korean wave in Spain was almost solely about K-pop, but now it is virtually K-everything, the chief of a state-run cultural institution in Madrid said. “Because of the growing interest in Korean culture here, the Korean Cultural Center in Spain is making efforts to introduce new genres of Korean culture, such as games, magic, children's plays and fashion to the Spanish people,” said Oh Ji-hoon, director of the Korean Cultural Center of Madrid in a r

Dec. 2, 2022

NMK opens remodeled celadon gallery of Goryeo

Along a darkened hallway, delicately aligned celadon pottery glowing in their unique jade hues lead to the National Museum of Korea's permanent celadon ware exhibition. In the newly renovated room, which opened on Nov. 23, NMK presents some 250 pieces of celadon ware of the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), including 12 National Treasures and 12 Treasures. The new celadon room marks the completion of the renovations of the museum's ceramic galleries, following the renovation of buncheong ware

Dec. 1, 2022

Talchum named UNESCO cultural heritage

The Talchum, a traditional form of Korean mask dance drama, was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list Wednesday. The decision was made at the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Rabat, Morocco, which runs through Saturday. The Cultural Heritage Administration applied for the listing of talchum in March 2020. Upon hearing the announcement, Choi Eung-chon, head of the CHA, expressed special gratitude

Nov. 30, 2022

Lim Yun-chan, Gwangju Symphony live recording album sells more than 10,000 in two days

The live recording album of pianist Lim Yun-chan and the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra became a "platinum-selling" album within hours of its release, Universal Music announced Wednesday. “Beethoven, Isang Yun, Barber” sold more than 10,000 copies upon its release Monday, a testimony to Lim’s skyrocketing popularity. A platinum-seller had been expected as presales of the album had reached nearly 10,000, according to an official at Universal Music on Wednesday. In Korea,

Nov. 30, 2022