While the latest achievements by BTS appear to be in headlines nearly every day, it is not just the K-pop boy band enjoying unprecedented success in the global entertainment industry. More Korean actors have come into the limelight, starring in major productions created for international audiences. 　Before, it was not easy to see an Asian lead actor in Hollywood productions. Asian actors usually landed small, supporting roles. Typecasting was common, too, as many were hired to reflect stereotype

Lobster dining at Vista Walkerhill SeoulVista Walkerhill Seoul‘s Italian restaurant Del Vino launches Aragosta di Mare promotion, introducing various lobster dishes.The five-course meal starts with lobster avocado salad, followed by lobster soup and lobster oil pasta. Grilled lobster and beef tenderloin steak will be prepared as the main dish. For dessert, vanilla gelato and raspberry cake will be served.Along with the course meal, a glass of extra dry sparkling wine will be offered. The price o

For foreigners here looking for a chance to experience Buddhist culture, the Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation is running “Templestay Weeks for Foreigners” from Nov. 5-30.Korean Buddhist temples are known to be peaceful and quiet, as most of them are located in mountainous regions. Templestay programs offer participants a glimpse into Buddhist temple life. Poster image for Templestay Weeks for Foreigners (Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation)During the promotional period, 39 temples across Kore

Vault Steakhouse is offering a special promotion to mark its inclusion in the Plate category of Michelin Guide Seoul 2019 for the third consecutive year. The list of Michelin-star restaurants was revealed at an awards ceremony held last Thursday. Vault Steakhouse, located in southern Seoul, made it to the The Plate category, which recognizes restaurants that serve quality food prepared with fresh ingredients.  Dry-aged porterhouse (Vault Steakhouse)Celebrating the recognition, Vault Steakhouse h

Pop singer Ed Sheeran has confirmed that his first concert here will take place in April. The star will perform at the Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, an hour’s drive west of central Seoul, at 6 p.m. on April 21.  Poster for Ed Sheeran’s April concert (Private Curve)The artist will be visiting Seoul as a part of his Asian tour next spring. He will also be performing in Singapore and Thailand. A more detailed schedule of the tour has yet to be released. Tickets for his concert cost 110,000 ($97)

2019 Spring-Summer Hera Seoul Fashion Week wrapped up its six-day run Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, where fashion ruled both inside and outside the venue.A total of 42 established fashion brands and 24 rookie designer brands showcased their creations for the upcoming spring-summer season, through the Seoul Collection and Generation Next, respectively. Meanwhile, fashion enthusiasts gathered to show off their own unique, stylish looks. A model presents a creation by Ti:bae

Korea is a mountainous country with mountains taking up 70 to 80 percent of the land mass. Though downtown areas may barely hint at the presence of mountains amid the skyscrapers and traffic, there are some visual reminders that Korea is a nation of mountains: middle-aged people dressed in mountaineering clothing without a hiking plan on their mind. The “athleisure” look of wearing clothes for athletic activities in everyday life has settled itself as more than a passing trend in the fashion sce

Halloween fun at Millennium Seoul Hilton The Oak Room, the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s traditional English-style bar, will host a Halloween party on Oct. 27. The bar will be decorated with jack-o’-lanterns, staff will be dressed in costumes and a live trio will be singing. A face painting artist will be on hand to decorate guests’ faces with Halloween-inspired designs. Entrance is free, and those who arrive in costume will be given a free welcome drink.Cafe 395, the hotel’s all-day dining restaura

Much awaited news for foodies and food connoisseurs, the third edition of the Michelin Guide Seoul has been released. An awards ceremony revealing the latest list of star chefs in Seoul was held at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul on Thursday. This year’s ceremony was held under the theme “Journey to Passion.” Korea’s Michelin star recipients pose at the “Michelin Guide Seoul 2019” award event held at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in southern Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap

Dongdaemun Design Plaza has been swarming with crowds of “fashion people,” as the 2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week kicked off Monday. Fashionable visitors have been showing up in bold outfits, ready to show off their unique styles. According to the Seoul Design Foundation -- the state-funded institution in charge of running the event -- around 60,000 people visited the venue Monday and Tuesday.  A model presents creation by Youser during the 2019 Spring-Summer Hera Seoul Fashion Week fashion sho

After spending a hard day at work or school, many hit YouTube in search for pet-related videos. In Korea, these furry creatures can be referred to as “LAN cable pets,” or “online pets.” Those who want to live with a furry companion but who are not in a situation to do so have recently turned to YouTube to meet their dream pets online. In recent years, pets have become heavyweight players on the online platform. According to YouTube, total hits on dog-related videos from January to July increased

For fashion enthusiasts and luxury goods lovers, an exhibition of fashion illustrator Megan Hess’ work is soon to open in Seoul. The Australian illustrator is known across the world for her work with luxury fashion houses and celebrities. She became a big figure in the fashion scene after drawing the cover illustration for the “Sex and the City” book after the series became a hit.  Fashion illustrator Megan Hess speaks during a press event held Tuesday at The Seouliteum in eastern Seoul. (Yonhap

2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week, a major fashion event for fashion insiders and outsiders, is set to begin its six-day run on Monday.The biennial event, hosted by the Seoul Design Foundation to cement the city’s status as Asia’s main fashion hub, is to take place at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul through Saturday. The exterior of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul Design Foundation) Poster image for 2019 S/S Hera Seoul Fashion Week (Seoul Design Foundation)Menswear designer Woo Yo

While art galleries and museums are usually associated with a refined atmosphere, Museum San distinguishes itself by fully embracing nature as a frame.Designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, the museum defines itself with three words: space, art and nature. It is located next to the Oak Valley, a resort complex of golf courses and ski slopes, less than two hours’ drive from central Seoul. An outdoor view of Museum San (Museum San)To enter the museum, visitors must walk through natural scenery

JW Marriott Seoul announced Wednesday that it is now fully ready for business with a new sports complex and two penthouse rooms.The hotel located next to the Express Bus Terminal reopened in August after an extensive eight-month renovation, but some of the hotel’s key facilities and rooms were not ready at the time. Radu Cernia, general manager of JW Marriott Seoul, speaks during a media briefing Wednesday. (JW Marriott Seoul)“Traditionally, a (hotel) renovation is not done by closing down the w

Halloween fun at Millennium Seoul Hilton The Oak Room, the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s traditional English-style bar, will host a Halloween party on Oct. 27. The bar will be decorated with jack-o’-lanterns, staff will be dressed in costumes and a live trio will be singing. A face painting artist will be on hand to decorate guests’ faces with Halloween-inspired designs. Entrance is free, and those who arrive in costume will be given a free welcome drink.Cafe 395, the hotel’s all-day dining restaura

When thinking of politicians on the small screen, images of fiery verbal showdowns in black suits come immediately to mind. But imagine a man with uncombed hair who has just woken up. In his pajamas, vacant-mindedly making breakfast for his wife.Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, returning from a seven-year hiatus from the public eye, stars on TV Chosun reality show “Flavor of Wife.” He and his wife are special guests of the show for October.  Screenshot of former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon with his wif

Local and foreign writers are set to gather in Seoul to discuss literature later this month, when the Literature Translation Institute of Korea hosts the Seoul International Writers’ Festival. The biennial event, which started in 2006, is in its seventh edition this year. This year’s festival, which runs Oct. 21 to 28, will tackle the theme “Nowhere / Now Here.” Poster image for 2018 Seoul International Writers’ Festival (LTI Korea)“As (the institution) focuses on introducing Korean literature t

Two couples learn the true meaning of love by going through a divorce in KBS2’s upcoming rom-com drama series “The Best Divorce.”The Monday-Tuesday series is an adaptation of a popular Japanese drama that made a splash on Fuji TV in 2013. In it, two more or less average couples start divorce proceedings just because they can’t get along.  Actors Cha Tae-hyun and Bae Doo-na pose for photos at a media event held Friday at Times Square, a shopping center in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul. (Yonhap)“The drama i

Autumn stay for ladies at Seoul Shilla Hotel Seoul Shilla Hotel presents the Urban Ladies package for female guests who want to enjoy a city getaway. The package includes a one-night stay at the Business Deluxe Room. The room can hold three guests, and the guests will have access to the Executive Lounge. The guests can also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool complex, Urban Island. The sunbeds are equipped with warmers and the pool is maintained at a warm temperature. The pool is open from 10 a.m. t