YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- Gardens are a place of serenity. The Gardens of Medongaule -- formally “Les Jardins de Medongaule,” a garden complex scheduled for full opening next year -- are no exception. Even more, the sheer size of the gardens will leave you awestruck. The compound of Medongaule, meaning a valley (gaule) of bindweed (medon), spans some 200,000 square meters. That’s roughly the size of Ttukseom Hangang Park in Seoul. Medongaule is divided into two main gard

Travel Nov. 2, 2024

The Korean Gallery at the Art Institute of Chicago is reopening Friday, US time, three times larger and showing more than its previous offering of ceramics. “The gallery will feature several themes including Buddhist Art, Celadon and Tea Culture, Symbolism in Motifs, Buncheong ware, Confucianism and White Porcelain and Treasures of Scholars,” an official from the art museum told The Korea Herald. “The new Korean Gallery will provide an opportunity for visitors to see 60 objects

Arts & Design Nov. 1, 2024

Coffee, just drink? Coffee is a drink South Koreans cannot live without; it’s what they grab in the morning to wake up, in the afternoon for a quick pick-me-up and later to stay alert and work overtime. “What A Brew-tiful Day!” is a special exhibition at the National Folk Museum of Korea that sheds light on how coffee has become an intrinsic part of Korean life. “Koreans on average consume 405 cups of coffee in a year, more than twice the global average. Koreans’ se

Arts & Design Nov. 1, 2024

Geoje Island Flower Festival The free flower festival will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday at the Geoje Agricultural Development Institute, which also serves as a theme park in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province. Over 100 different types of chrysanthemums and 250 kinds of camellias will be showcased. Artworks like paintings and photos shedding light on the region will be on exhibit as well. Check out the latest at geoje.go.kr. Pink Muhly Festival Admire the shining pink muhly g

Travel Nov. 1, 2024

글로벌 패션 브랜드 MCM이 빠르면 다음 주 7일 롯데 메타버스 플랫폼 ‘칼리버스’와 가상 플래그십 스토어를 연다. 브랜드 첫 메타버스 스토어로 지난 8월 칼리버스가 공개된 지 두 달 만이다. 칼리버스는 롯데이노베이트 자회사로 롯데그룹에서 소프트웨어를 개발한다. 김동규 롯데 칼리버스 대표는 31일 본지와의 인터뷰에서 “이르면 7일 런칭을 한다”며 늦더라도 “11월 상반기는 벗어나지 않는다”고 했다. 다만 칼리버스에서 당장 직접 구매는 불가능하다. 플랫폼과 연동된 MCM 공식 홈페이지 등으로 연결된다는 뜻이다. 김 대표는 “이미 존재하고 있는 웹사이트에 연동되는 게 1차고 거기서 많은 사용자들이 우리 사이트 안에서도 쇼핑이라는 행위를 하는 게 확인이 돼야 한다”며 새 시장이 형성됐다고 판단할 만한 충분한 데이터가 필요하다는 입장이다. 앞으로 다양한 글로벌 명품 브랜드와의 협업도 전개된다. 김 대표

한국어판 Oct. 31, 2024

Luxury fashion and leather goods company MCM plans to launch its metaverse flagship store on a platform powered by Lotte Innovate as early as Nov. 7, joining global luxury brands tapping into the virtual world with a digital second life. MCM products can be purchased directly on the platform Caliverse once a market develops, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter. “Initially, we will link users interested in buying to the official MCM website. We’ll see how that pan

Arts & Design Oct. 31, 2024

It was almost 2 p.m., churchgoers descended on Seoul Plaza and the crowds were growing by the minute. A buoyant mood took over as a pastor announced the start of the Sunday service in the plaza, part of planned worship gatherings spanning from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul Station, as well as around Yeouido Park. The rallies across the capital were organized by conservative Protestant groups led by the Communion of Churches in Korea, one of Korea’s four biggest ecumenical Protestant groups.

Culture Oct. 29, 2024

An annual exhibition of traditional Korean crafts by select master artisans will take place from Tuesday to Nov. 10 at Deoksugung, one of the five palaces of the Joseon era (1392-1910) in Seoul. The exhibition entitled “Brilliance” will showcase 24 pieces by four artisans: Park Seon-hee, a “maedeupjang,” or decorative knots master; Ahn Yoo-jin, a “dancheongjang,” or decorative painting mater; Yoon Soon-il, a “somokjang,” or master carpenter; and Le

Arts & Design Oct. 28, 2024

Fall colors at Beartree Park Hiking trails and a scenic route that meanders through Beartree Park in Sejong City will be rewarding for those seeking fall foliage. Jazz performances will take place at the Autumn Festival, which will run through Nov. 10 at the park from 9 a.m. to sunset. Admission for adults is 13,000 won ($9.43). Pets and food are banned. For more information, visit beartreepark.com. Iksan in blossom Through Sunday, the Iksan Ten Million Blossom of Chrysanthemum Festiva

Travel Oct. 25, 2024

A photo exhibition of prominent South Korean artists opened Tuesday as part of the inaugural Gucci Cultural Month, a campaign launched by the Italian fashion house to promote the diversity and creativity of Korean culture. “Dual Narratives: Honoring the Visionaries,” running for eight days through Tuesday, explores fresh angles to look at film director Park Chan-wook, pianist Cho Seong-jin, conceptual artist Kim Soo-ja and contemporary dancer Ahn Eun-me. Master photographer Kim Yong-

Arts & Design Oct. 23, 2024

At first glance, wooden figurines on display in glass cases appear inviting -- some look like a souvenir at a gift shop -- until you take a closer look. “I wasn’t actually aware that the exhibition is about death,” said Erwin Nieto, 35, a tourist from the Philippines who happened to drop by the exhibition “Kokdu” at the National Folk Museum of Korea on Tuesday. “But you know, reading the documents, the copies, it actually tells you there’s comfort in dea

Arts & Design Oct. 22, 2024

An exhibition of digital artworks exploring Korea’s Joseon-era (1392-1910) gardens will run through Oct. 27 at Saatchi Gallery in London as part of a Korean government project to showcase Korean content using the latest technologies. The Byeolseo gardens were where retired Joseon officials, looking for a life with nature, ruminated on beauty and life while surrounded by scenic landscapes. Four representations modeled after the extant Byeolseo gardens in South Jeolla Province will be showca

Arts & Design Oct. 18, 2024

Hangang River Festival Outdoor enthusiasts should check out the Hangang River Festival, running through Sunday at Yeouido, Banpo and Ttukseom Hangang Parks. Kayaking and river cruises as well as fireworks are some of the highlights, in addition to music performances. For more information, go to festival.seoul.go.kr/hangang. Gyeonggi Ceramic Biennale Mark your calendar for the 2024 Gyeonggi Ceramic Biennale in Icheon, a city in Gyeonggi Province known for ceramics. Through Sunday, 26 ar

Travel Oct. 18, 2024

Korean craft is making inroads in Germany. The Berlin Craft-expansion Fair is the latest highlight for Cheyul, a Korean luxury handcraft brand invited to participate with a collection that is definitively Korean in origin but deeply universal in aesthetic appeal. The inaugural fair was held from Wednesday to Saturday. Cheyul’s 25-piece collection ranging from lacquered furniture to a black porcelain moon jar -- alongside 20 pieces from nine Korean craftspeople -- made up close to half of t

Arts & Design Oct. 15, 2024

세계적인 프랑스 명품 브랜드 루이비통이 이달 23일부터 내달 1일까지 제주도에서 국내 VIP 대상으로 일대일 맞춤형 ‘프라이빗 쇼핑’ 행사를 연다. 13일 명품 업계에 따르면, 루이비통은 100~500명의 VIP들을 서귀포시 5성급 호텔인 JW 메리어트 제주 리조트 & 스파로 초청한다. 항공·숙박비는 루이비통의 부담이고 VIP의 상품 구매는 필수다. 올해 선보인 ‘2025 봄·여름(SS) 컬렉션’을 비롯한 신상품 등이 대상이다. 앞서 이번 비공개 행사가 이틀간 VIP는 물론 연예인 등 유명인과 언론인과도 함께 진행될 것이라는 관측은 사실과 다른 것으로 파악됐다. 다만 행사에 참석하는 정확한 VIP 인원은 확인되지 않았다. 루이비통은 자사 VIP 선정기준을 구체적으로 공개한 적이 없다. 루이비통이 제주에서 대규모로 비공개 행사를 개최하는 건 이번이 처음이다. 가장 최근 행사로는 작년 4월 서울 잠수교 &ls

한국어판 Oct. 13, 2024