Nov 15, 2019   Books

Indie publishers seek synergy at annual book festival

Unlimited Edition 11, the 2019 Seoul Art Book Fair, kicked off Friday at the Seoul Museum of Art, giving indie publishers and small publishers throughout the country a chance to gain exposure at the largest annual book festival for small and indie publishers in South Korea. Unlimited Edition was launched in 2009 and has grown into the largest book fair of its kind in Korea, attracting more than 2,100 visitors last year. A total of 220 teams of writers, book illustrators and local bookstores are

Nov 15, 2019   Books

Essays from Sahara trekking trails

“Walking Through Sahara”By Ju Hyung-won(Nike Books) Not everyone gets a chance to visit the Sahara Desert. But a writer who has done it in an Antoine de Saint-Exupery-inspired expedition of a lifetime, says we may all be crossing our own desert of life. Writer Ju Hyung-won booked an air ticket to Morocco on the spur of the moment, after reading Saint-Exupery’s philosophical memoir “Terre des Hommes” or “Wind, Sand and Stars.” Her latest book, “Walk

Nov 15, 2019   Travel

[Eye Plus] A stroll through Korea’s naval history

Since the early history of the Korean Peninsula, the Han River has served as a strategic waterway and was the center of a power struggle among the Three Kingdoms of Baekje, Silla and Goguryeo.It was also near its banks that Joseon-era kings visited to observe the training of the nation’s Navy.Seoul Battleship Park, located on the river’s northern bank in Mapo-gu, is the first shipbuilding theme park in Seoul, providing an ideal destination for family outings.The 9,952-square-meter ar

Nov 15, 2019   Food&Beverage

Health-conscious brews at Oga Teahouse

Teahouse serves sweeter variation of sipjeondaebo-tang in Daechi-dong

Nov 15, 2019   Food&Beverage

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Winter packages at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul is offering special promotions for winter vacationers as well as those planning year-end gatherings. The “Winter at Park” package offers a 20 percent discount for all food and beverage in the hotel and those who book suites will receive a bottle of red wine and voucher for the sauna. A separate promotion for year-end gatherings is available for events with eight to 60 guests. Prices vary depending on the options. For inquires and re

Nov 15, 2019   Food&Beverage

[Weekender] Busan’s delectable fare

War refugees’ soul foods become city’s most sought-after delicacies

Nov 15, 2019   Travel

[Weekender] Busan beckons

Korea-ASEAN summit host city brims with culture, history and vitality

Nov 15, 2019   Travel

[Travel Bits] Festivals and sights across Korea

Chrysanthemum Exhibition of the Garden of Morning Calm Visitors to the Chrysanthemum Exhibition can enjoy the blazing fall foliage of nearby Chungnyeongsan and the golden waves created by the pine trees, as well as the myriad fully bloomed chrysanthemums covering just about every corner of the 330,000-square-meter outdoor garden. The festival runs through Nov. 24 and is open to visitors of all ages.For more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese, visit www.morningcalm.co.kr.Seoul La

Nov 15, 2019   Travel

Shopping for herring: Marketplaces in Busan

Busan’s vitality is best captured in markets BUSAN -- The port city of Busan has long been a hub for exports and imports. While it relinquished its status as a gateway city to Incheon long ago, it is still a place where one can find a variety of products from in and out of the country. This has given rise to a number of large markets that draw not just merchants and shoppers but tourists too. Here are some of the markets worth visiting in Busan.Jagalchi MarketOne of the most well-known fis

Nov 14, 2019   Culture

[EYE] A treasure house of antique books

On the bustling main street of Insa-dong -- which once symbolized Korean traditional culture, but is now crowded with souvenir shops -- visitors nonchalantly pass by a store that holds centuries-old treasures.Tongmunkwan, the oldest bookstore in South Korea, keeps its door closed most of the time.  Stepping inside, one is instantly overwhelmed by its massive collection of antique books, stacked from floor to ceiling, and the thick smell of old volumes. The oldest here is from the late Gorye

Nov 14, 2019   Food&Beverage

Michelin reveals new starred restaurants in Seoul

Suspicions raised of interference in Michelin Guide Seoul’s selection

Nov 13, 2019   Travel

[Contribution] ‘Seoul awakens your soul’

Once, someone asked me the reason I fell in love with South Korea. Well, falling in love is not something rational, but I do give it a thought. I came to the conclusion that it is both our differences and similarities that attract me to the country. When I first landed at Incheon International Airport, I had two contrasting feelings. While Korea mirrored my expectations I sensed like I was thrown into an alien world. Instantly, I also realized that I am too loud for Korea -- a mountain girl who

Nov 12, 2019   Books

Chinese novelist Yan Lianke to meet local readers with upcoming Korean editions

Chinese novelist Yan Lianke is known for realistically describing Chinese society in his novels, naturally unveiling unpleasant sides the privileged class would prefer to keep in the dark. “Although China has grown to a superpower, becoming one of the ‘G2,’ I want people to have more interest in the lives of the ordinary people in China,“ Yan, 61, said on the recent China-US trade war at a press conference held in Seoul Tuesday. ”China’s economy has improved s

Nov 12, 2019   Culture

[ASEAN-ROK summit] ASEAN Cinema Week 2019 to be hosted in Busan

A film festival showcasing works from Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states will take place in Busan on Friday and Saturday, on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit. The venue for ASEAN Cinema Week 2019 -- ASEAN Cinema NOW! is the Busan Cinema Center, a landmark of the southern port city that is best known for hosting the annual Busan International Film Festival. Ten films will be screened at the ASEAN event, one from each member state. The films are &ldquo