When Joseon Kings needed a backup office, just in case their main palace was burned down by an angry mob. When it happened in 1592, Changdeokgung was there. It has been the backup palace for the past 600 years. Yi Bang-won, the fifth son of the founding father of Joseon, and the father of King Sejong the Great, built the Changdeokgung complex in 1405 because Gyeongbokgung, the main palace that was used as an administrative court, royal residential court and official audience court, was tainted b

Most travelers seek out popular restaurants while visiting a foreign country. But spontaneous ventures to street vendors can leave a lasting impression, if one finds the right place. From ordering food at crowded outdoor vendors to enjoying small talk with the staff before the menu is served, the unique cultural codes of the city are easily captured through the experience. Gilgeori toast, or Korean street toast, is one of the main street food menus for commuters who want to grab a quick breakfas

The hiring system of Goguryeo is called "sunbae," meaning a man of high character. It enabled people to become government officials regardless of their status or class. It was also the parent to the system of “Hwarang,” or warriors, in the Silla Kingdom. Hwarang cultivated morality with each other through communal life. They enjoyed singing and making music together while walking in the mountains and valleys, fully enjoying nature and training the body as well. It was also

A group of haenyeo, female divers with age-old ocean harvesting skills, marches in a parade to celebrate the 15th Jeju Haenyeo Festival that kicked off on Saturday in Jeju Island. The two-day event has resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandmic. (Yonhap)

Miryang Arirang Festival, the top cultural festival in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, kicked off on Thursday, making its return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The 64th edition of the festival marks the 10th anniversary of the enlisting of Korean folk song "Arirang" on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. There are several variations of "Arirang," usually prefixed by the place of origin. Under the theme “Connecting Miryang Arir

Give in to sweet cravings, sample regional dishes and work it all off in laser survival game

Grand Hyatt Seoul's Paris Bar reopens The Paris Bar, a speakeasy bar located downstairs from the Grand Hyatt Seoul lobby, reopens Friday. The bar offers carefully selected French labels, ranging from a wide assortment of French wines and exceptional natural wines to a limited selection of whiskey and cognac. Alongside original French liquors, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut, an exclusive Champagne only available at Hyatt properties in Korea, can be experienced. Cocktails including classic Fren

The musical version of "Crash Landing On You," based on the 2019 megahit TV series of the same title, was unveiled Friday. The musical features familiar names from both the TV and theater scenes in the iconic lead roles of Ri Jung-hyuk and Yoon Se-ri. Lee Jang-woo, Lee Kyu-hyung and Min Woo-hyuk take the role of Ri, the North Korean officer, while Im Hye-young, Kim Ryeo-won and Na Ha-na portray Yoon, the heiress to a South Korean conglomerate. The actors and the creative team alike s

Evgeni Koroliov, Alim Beisembayev, Andras Schiff, Francois-Frederic Guy, Igor Levit and Eric Lu. These are pianists who are set to perform in South Korea later this year, offering a wide-ranging repertoire by Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, among others. Russian pianist Evgeni Koroliov, known as a specialist in the Bach keyboard repertoire, will take the stage with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday for an all-Bach concert. The program consists of Bach Concerto for 3 Harpsichords in D mino

The Korean National Symphony Orchestra is embarking on a European tour for the first time under its new name. Known as the Korean Symphony Orchestra until March this year, it added "National" to its name to reflect that it is supported by the national budget. The tour will visit three countries in Europe, celebrating the 130th anniversary of the establishment of the Korea-Austria relationship, the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the Korea Culture Center in Poland and newly foun

The National Museum of Korea issued an apology Tuesday evening over the recent controversy surrounding the omission of two ancient Korean kingdoms in a chronology of Korean history at a National Museum of China exhibition in Beijing. "It is our mistake that we trusted the Chinese side (in preparing for the exhibition), and there is no excuse," Yoon Sung-yong, head of the National Museum of Korea, said in a press statement. "As the director of NMK, I will accept any criticism from

Tradition and technology will converge at the 2022 Joseon Royal Tombs Festival, set to kick off Friday. Under the title "New Vision for Joseon Royal Tombs," the third edition of the festival aims to promote the historical significance of the UNESCO-listed royal tombs of the Joseon era, according to the festival’s organizers, the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation. This year's festival will be held across nine royal tomb sites in the g

As Banpo Bridge’s Moonlight Rainbow Fountain spouted streams of water, heads turned at the splashing sound that seemed to signal the start of a long-awaited space-out competition taking place on Jamsu Bridge, right under Banpo Bridge. The Hangang Space-out Competition returned Sunday after a two-year hiatus. About 4,000 people signed up for the 50 spots available -- up to three people were allowed for each spot -- and not a single selected team failed to show up at Jamsu Bridge, which is c

Imagine yourself listening to your favorite classical music pieces in a concert hall filled with candlelight. Entertainment discovery platform Fever is bringing this special experience to the Korean audience with a series of gigs in September and October. Showcasing the music of renowned composers like Vivaldi, Chopin or Beethoven, the concert series aims to bring traditional classical music closer to young listeners by discovering local experiences in their cities with “a mission to democ

Aside from the scenic landscapes, good food enjoyed during tightly packed travel schedules leave lasting impressions on travelers. To know the origins and recipes of a nation's traditional dishes, authentic culinary demonstrations are events not to miss out on while in a foreign country. Since the 15th century, Sri Lanka has offered an exquisite range of spices, exporting some 30,000 metric tons annually, according to a 2020 report by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. No matter how sc