Summer at SeoulArts, hosted by the Seoul Institute of Arts, the most prominent art institute in Korea, will be held this summer for international college students interested in learning more about Korean culture. All classes are to be held online in English and will feature two courses that incorporate K-pop and Korean film. The first course, “The Kpop Phenomenon,” instructed by professor Woody Pak, will cover the history, development, processes, cultural impact and globalization

The ASEAN-Korea Center is set to launch a second season of its own YouTube interview series, “ASEAN Issue,” on Friday. The interview series, aimed at promoting Southeast Asian cultures as well as ASEAN-Korean partnerships, started last year and featured diverse perspectives of the regions. The new season of the interview series will also feature a wide range of topics from culture, history, economies and industries of ASEAN-Korea relations. The first episode, scheduled to be rele

Private companies are facing difficulties expanding business overseas as the trend for global railway markets is shifting in favor of a comprehensive set of investments that combine design, construction, finance and operations. On behalf of the government, Korea National Railway is acting as a platform to avidly engage in international cooperation and sales activities, helping Korea’s railway industry increase business worldwide. First, they established a consortium with private companie

With the international community keen to achieve carbon neutrality, every business sector confronts a set of restrictions involving carbon emissions. For South Korea, dependent heavily on exports, such an issue should be approached with more care. Aware of the gravity of the issue, the current government is sparing no effort in supporting eco-friendly businesses as well as drawing up policies to reduce carbon emissions. With railways widely perceived as one of the best transportation networks

As summer approaches, more people are turning to outdoor activities to fully enjoy the warm weather. A beach in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, is full of tourists enjoying a recent day off.  Public parks are also packed with those looking for some outside time. Some spend their day with family and friends, while others take a relaxing yoga class. Water activities are also gaining popularity as the weather warms up. From canoes to sky bridges, people are taking time to enjoy some clear blue wat

With the sun shining bright and temperatures soaring up to 30 degrees Celsius, South Korea is experiencing an early dose of summer this week.  A man takes off his jacket and rolls up his sleeves as he walks down the street in an effort to cool down amide the early summer temperatures.  Seoulites rest in the shade as daytime temperature in the capital rises well past 25 C.  With summer almost here, customers head to electronic stores to look for fans to help cope with the sizzli

Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, will be seen in McDonald’s in its outlets across the world starting this month. McDonald’s, the fast food restaurant chain, is teaming up with BTS to release a new celebrity meal on May 26. The meal will be sold in a total of 49 countries for a month. During this time, employees will wear a uniform with Hangeul designs to go along with the collaboration. SAINTS, a global fashion media brand, released the uniform design on Thursday. The crew T-shirts,

Global dating site Ashley Madison announced that despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, interest and desire for married people to find new relationships grew over the last year. In addition, the dating site plans to strengthen customer service in Korea with a goal of achieving 1.2 million domestic users by the end of 2022. According to the company‘s 2020 Membership Report, 5.5 million new members joined the service last year. In Korea, an average of 512 new members joined each month. In

Henkel Homecare Korea, the manufacturer of the No.1 insecticides for home use brand, Home Keeper & Home Mat, will join together with Korean Red Cross to host ”Zero Mosquito Campaign,“ the company said. The campaign, held until August, aims to prevent mosquito infections for the well-being of the people and will focus on global warming as well as the possibility of more pests and infectious diseases as a consequence, company officials said. The campaign plans to deliver informa

Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, is a city with 222,632 households and a population of 551,136. It is developing as a global city with nine sister cities in six countries, including Hampton, Virgina, and Garden Grove, California, in the United States, Tokorozawa and Komaki in Japan, Weifang and Anyang in China, Ulan-Ude in Russia, Sorocaba in Brazil and Naucalpan, Mexico. Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho has been called the “Iron Man mayor.” Nineteen of his policies have been national firsts. The

Following Japan’s announcement that it will release contaminated wastewater in the Pacific Ocean, civic groups all around the nation expressed strong concern on the decision, denouncing the action as a threat. Weeks after the initial announcement, civic groups are still acting strongly to portray their rage in petitions.  Concerns are especially high on Jeju Island, as it is the first province to be affected by the released water. In front of the Consulate General of Japan on Jeju, r

Korea Forest Service and the World Bank joined together for a workshop in honor of the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund’s (KGGTF) Korean Green Innovation Day (KGID) last Friday. The workshop was held for the first anniversary of the joint cooperation between the two organizations, aimed to invigorate cooperation through sharing Korea’s success and experience and to promote Korea’s KGGTF project to the World Bank. The Forest Service drew interest from the World bank by introduci

 Youn Yuh-jung and Han Ye-ri arrive at the 93rd Academy Awards, at Union Station, in Los Angeles, US, Sunday.  Youn Yuh-jung, winner of the award for best actress in a supporting role for "Minari," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, at Union Station in Los Angeles.  Actress Youn Yuh-jung in her early days. Youn Yuh-jung's debut flim, 'Women of Fire.' By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com) (Photos: Yonhap)

Warm weather has finally arrived in South Korea, putting an official end to a spring cold spell. Tired from being inside amid the pandemic, Seoulites went out in the sun on the weekend to brighten their lives. People enjoy the view under a clear blue sky at the top of Inwangsan in Seoul.  People take advantage of the warm, sunny weather to gather for a picnic in Han River Park on their day off. By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com) (Photos: Yonhap)

With the Tokyo Olympics kicking off in less than 100 days, athletes are buckling down for intense training at the Jincheon National Training Center in North Chungcheong Province, in the hopes of winning medals.  According to Gracenote, a US sports data analysis company, South Korea is projected to finish 10th overall at the upcoming Olympics with nine gold medals. To reach this goal, athletes from various disciplines are making their best efforts despite the uncertainties of COVID-19. 

Seven years ago, more than 300 lives were lost as the Sewol ferry sank deep into the sea. Most were teenagers attending high school. Seven years after the disaster, the nation still mourns that day as if it were yesterday. People all over the nation observed a moment of silence to remember the victims. At a memorial space in Gwanghwamun Square, a citizen can be seen paying his respects.  The bereaved families grieve their loss as they throw flowers into the sea at a ceremony commemorating

With the by-elections in Seoul and Busan over, workers get busy cleaning up the remains of the election campaigns.  Thousands of campaign banners and posters were installed throughout both cities during the campaign. After the results are announced, public workers get ready to take them down, signaling an end to the by-elections. Two public servants are hard at work removing campaign banners on the streets near Jamsilsaenae Station and Ihwa-dong in Seoul for disposal. By Gha Hee-sun (li

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, located in South Gyeongsang Province, is known as one of the most beautiful places in Korea for its captivating scenery.  Along the trail, the ocean water shines like an emerald and various small islands scattered all around are visible to the naked eye.　 Hikers, relieved to finally reach the top of Mount Geumsan, admire the beauty of the South Sea from afar. Vibrant colors fill the scene as the sun sets, making the landscape look even more like a pai

Spring has finally arrived in South Korea, bringing in a new wave of hope amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. After a gloomy year of the pandemic, the city of Seoul is joining efforts to bring comfort to the people by decorating colorful scenery with flowers all throughout the city.  As the spring weather warms up the nation, workers plant flowers with aspirations for a better, brighter season.  Exhausted from being cooped up inside during strong quarantine measures, residents peek

With the cold winter almost gone, wild flowers bloom bright and yellow, signaling that spring has finally arrived in Korea. As spring nears, frogs, too, make their appearance after a long winter nap. A frog from a research center in Gyeonggi Province rests on flowers. Flowers begin to fill universities after a new semester. Students enjoy the start of spring as they walk around a blooming campus in Daegu.  (Photos: Yonhap) By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com)