Jan 19, 2020   People

Interviewers outshine star guests on YouTube

The norm of interviewers having limited roles in front of the camera no longer holds true, as more South Korean interviewers are starting to shine on YouTube. Interviewer and producer Lee Eun-jae of variety show “MMTG,” a program that kicked off on SBS’ YouTube platform in February 2018, is one such example. The program, which features interviews with stars in different fields, has a separate YouTube channel with more than 40,900 subscribers as of Sunday. Lee, also known as Jae

Jan 19, 2020   People

[Contribution] What the Korean War Wall of Remembrance means to me

With the world anxiously waiting to see if North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will resume intercontinental ballistic missile testing, to include potentially testing a missile capable of reaching the eastern United States, it is well to remember the conflict that is the root of the current tensions on the Korean Peninsula. On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea. Following the North Korean invasion, the Unite

Jan 17, 2020   Travel

Hongcheon Ice Fishing Festival faces cold shoulder

Winter festival underwhelms tourists amid unseasonably warm weather

Jan 17, 2020   Fashion

Will students wear hanbok school uniforms?

We may be seeing students dressed in hanbok-inspired school uniforms soon. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday its plans to adapt hanbok-inspired school uniforms, at a New Year’s event held at Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences in central Seoul.The Culture Ministry and Ministry of Education last year signed a memorandum of understanding on the school uniform project, with a contest held to come up with school uniform designs based on Korea&rsquo

Jan 17, 2020   Food&Beverage

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Winter afternoon tea at Millennium Hilton SeoulMillennium Hilton Seoul’s Cilantro Deli, located in the main lobby of the hotel, presents afternoon tea with a winter theme. The tea set includes open sandwiches, scones, a gingerbread man and treats shaped like snowmen, Christmas trees and mittens. The deli’s signature Noel Cake, consisting of a red velvet roll, a green tea roll, a chocolate roll and a mocha roll, will be available for sale along with fruit sponge cake, chocolate sponge

Jan 17, 2020   Books

Popular Seoul National University lectures comes to bookstore near you

“Violence and Justice”By Kim Seong-kon and Ahn Kyong-whanViche, Gimmyoung PublishersTwo Seoul National University professors from the humanities and law departments have written a book based on a popular class they taught in 1999 and 2000.“Around 150 students from the law and the humanities departments took our classes (every semester). The lectures were popular among students because they were the first to look into laws in literary and movie texts,” co-author and Englis

Jan 17, 2020   Travel

[Travel Bits] Festivals and sights across Korea

Herb Island Lighting Festival The Herb Island Lighting Festival creates a romantic ambiance with beautiful lighting displays. Visitors can enjoy the pink wish tunnel, sparkling buildings, the Santa Village, a photo zone and other twinkling places.It is open to visitors of all ages, and admission costs 9,000 won. Children, senior citizens, people with disabilities and groups of 20 or more get in for 7,000 won per person. The festival runs through April 30.For more information in Korean, English o

Jan 17, 2020   Arts&Design

[Eye plus] Look into King Jeongjo’s dream city: Hwaseong Fortress

The Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, dates back to the latter part of the Joseon era (1392-1910).Designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in December 1997, the 5.74-kilometer-long fortress wall was constructed from 1794 to 1796, taking two years and nine months. The fortress was intended to display King Jeongjo’s filial piety toward his father and create a new city with its own economic power.Jeong Yak-yong, a prominent Silhak -- practical learning -- scholar, led the

Jan 17, 2020   Culture

Where ordinary moments are turned into special memories

While it has become second nature for many to snap away with cutting-edge smartphones, trying to find a “special moment” among the hundreds of photos stored is never easy.Following are four studios in Seoul offering unique ways to remind patrons of their ordinary yet special moments. Photo Cafe CharLee-GangmoolA cafe from not only the outside but also the inside, Cafe Charlee-Gangmool hides two paparazzi who take pictures of lovers, friends and families relaxing at the tables. Even w

Jan 16, 2020   Arts&Design

Modern masterpieces on show at Seoul Arts Center

The Seoul Arts Center is showcasing impressionist and postimpressionist masterpieces collected by the Israel Museum, Jerusalem as the first exhibition of the year. The exhibition features 106 pieces by masters including Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cezanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Impressionism -- one of South Koreans’ favorite art movements -- originated in late 19th-century France as a rejection of traditional and mainstream artistic styles. Instead, the artists expres

Jan 16, 2020   Culture

[Weekender] Spending Seollal alone may be unorthodox, but there is still plenty to do in Seoul

As Koreans halt operations and leave on an exodus for their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday, travelers and expats alike may find themselves scratching their heads as to how to spend their weekend. This year, Seollal falls on Jan. 24-26, giving South Koreans a three-day weekend to celebrate with their loved ones.Customs, family and food are at the heart of this national holiday. However, in recent times, there has been a shift away from traditional celebrations, meaning more to do for th

Jan 16, 2020   People

Actor Joo Jin-mo apologizes to women mentioned in his hacked text messages

Actor Joo Jin-mo, in trouble after his personal mobile text messages were leaked by hackers, apologized Thursday to his acquaintances and the women mentioned in the messages."Following the incident, I am leading a life in which I can't even breathe. I am sorry to everybody," he said in a message released through his legal representative."I bow deeply and ask for forgiveness from (them) ... but I have never committed the immoral act of taking secret photos of women or circulating t

Jan 15, 2020   People

Popularity of Korean music to go beyond K-pop in next decade: columnist, jazz musician

US-based K-pop columnist Jeff Benjamin and renowned jazz vocalist Nah Youn-sun, the two winners of the Korea Image Awards given by the Corea Image Communication Institute, said Tuesday that global attention to Korean music is expanding beyond K-pop as the country boasts the world’s sixth-largest music industry.“It is really special to think how much Korean music has grown for the 10 years,” said Benjamin during a press event at InterContinental Seoul Coex on the sidelines of CI

Jan 14, 2020   Arts&Design

BTS to hold joint exhibitions with internationally acclaimed artists

The world’s biggest boy band from South Korea has teamed up with internationally acclaimed artists and curators to hold joint exhibitions around the globe. Titled “Connect, BTS,” the band’s latest project involved collaborating with artists and curators to showcase artworks that are in line with the boy band’s philosophy, which stresses on diversity and supports those who are marginalized. A total of 22 international artists have joined the event dire