Amid the growing trend toward drinking less but better, traditional Korean liquor makers are churning out trendier drinking options. Traditional booze, long overshadowed by soju and beer, is evolving to cater to a new group of alcohol consumers, who rather than binge drinking, savor each sip. Premium rice wine in the house The drinking less but better trend is reflected in the neologism “mak-pagne,” a compound word made up of makgeolli and champagne, referring to champagne-like traditional rice

Learning from history is important, we say. For Pyo Jae-du, the word “history” here is not limited to major historical events. It includes our forebears’ attitude toward life. Pyo, a former reporter of The Korea Herald, released a book titled “Historical Stories from Forebears” (unofficial translation) in March.  “Historical Stories from Forbearers” Writer Pyo Jae-duIn the 302-page book, Pyo looks into life of our forbears from Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) to Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Rather than

A Korean-American chef, charged with adventurous energy, has made his way back home.Michelin-starred chef Akira Back (whose Korean name is Back Seung-wook), 45, running his own namesake restaurant brand across the world, added one more Seoul eatery to his impressive portfolio, recently opening a new Akira Back restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. Chef Akira Back speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald at his new namesake restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on March 7. (Park Hyun-k

Novelist Hwang Sok-yong, one of the most acclaimed writers in South Korea today, has been long-listed for the 2019 Man Booker International Prize for “At Dusk.”On Wednesday, the Man Booker International Prize released the list of contenders for 2019. This year, a panel of five judges considered 108 novels and selected 12.  Novelist Hwang Sok-yong (Yonhap)Originally published in Korean in 2015, “At Dusk” centers on a successful Korean architect looking back on his life and a young theater actor w

On March 21, chefs from around the world will work to create a French-style dinner for the Gout de France/Good France celebration. The event, now in its fifth edition, aims to promote French gastronomy to the world. Launched in 2015 by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, French Embassies all over the world organize the event in their respective residing nations.  High school students sit down to a traditional French dinner at Le Cordon Bleu-Sookmyung Academy. (L

Cellist Mun Tae-guk has recently released new album, paying his respect to legendary Spanish cellist Pablo Casals. The album, released under Warner Classics, is titled, “Songs of the Cello: Homage to Pablo Casals.” According to the label, it is the first time in 23 years for a Korean cellist to release an internationally distributed album under a major label.“I thank Casals so much. Through him, I met a greater world,” Mun said at a press event held Tuesday at an art hall in central Seoul.  Cell

In recent years, the South Korean entertainment scene has been seeing a new trend of domestic supernatural thrillers stepping into the limelight like never before, ranging from dramas to films.For instance, Korea had been mostly impregnable for local zombie stories, although foreign zombie productions, including the famed “Walking Dead” series, were popular here. But after the success of hit film “Train to Busan” in 2016, a zombie action thriller which sold more than 11 million tickets to become

Rice is under attack like it has never been before. With growing health worries about the intake of refined carbohydrates and gluten, Koreans are eating less and less rice. But at the same time, there is a growing number of rice lovers seeking out better taste, texture and nutrition. Catering to the positive trend, a rice-only shop opened at Hyundai Department Store’s branch in Pangyo, in the southern suburbs of Seoul, in December. The shop, one of four to open at the department store’s branches

Weekday dining at JW Marriott DongdaemunJW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul offers benefits for diners who visit the hotel’s restaurants on weekdays. BLT Steak provides truffle-flavored french fries and a glass of rose wine to guests who order dry-aged steak during the week. All-day dining restaurant Tavolo 24 has corkage-free days from Monday through Wednesday, for up to one bottle of wine per table. For more information or reservations, call BLT Steak at (02) 2276-3330 or Tavolo 24 at (02) 227

TV personality Jun Hyun-moo and fashion model Han Hye-jin have broken up, announcing they will temporarily leave reality show “I Live Alone.”Jun and Han met each other through the MBC reality TV show. They confirmed their relationship in February last year, following a report from a local media outlet. On Wednesday the two stars announced the breakup through their respective agencies.  Jun Hyun-moo (left) and Han Hye-jin (MBC)According to the announcements, the two will be leaving “I Live Alone”

Poet Kim Sa-in, head of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, has expressed worries about division of the literary works of North and South Korea. His comments came as LTI Korea, a state-funded institute that aims to link Korean literature to foreign readership, announced its plans for this year, including events to promote the expansion of the boundaries of Korean literature. Kim Sa-in, head of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, speaks during a press event in central Seoul

Following recitals of Beethoven’s piano sonatas in 2017, pianist Paik Kun-woo has taken up a new challenge this year -- studying the world of Chopin through his nocturnes. On Tuesday, Paik released a complete recording of Chopin’s 21 nocturnes, under the Deutsche Grammophon label.“The nocturnes all suddenly seemed so new to me,” Paik said during a press conference at Mapo Art Center in western Seoul on Tuesday.  Pianist Paik Kun-woo speaks during a press conference at Mapo Art Center on Tuesday.

Spanish theater troupe La Fura dels Baus’ innovative production of Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation,” which ran at Art Center Incheon on Friday and Saturday, was a feast for the eyes and ears.The iconic oratorio work from 1798 depicts the biblical story of creation. While the original composition, intended for a religious presentation, does not include interactions between characters, the experimental theater troupe adapted the work by adding visual art installations. Friday’s production highlight

With the idea of traveling with pets (companion animals) is becoming the norm, travel-related industries are welcoming pet owners and their pets by launching related services.The number of service animals on flights has been increasing significantly in recent years. (123rf)According to the Ministry of Land and Transportation, in 2017, 41,343 pets were carried on planes, marking a 46.7 percent increase from 28,182 of 2015. Compared with 33,437 of 2016, it is a 23.6 percent increase. Reflecting th

Many of us have played the piano, the violin or the flute at some point in our lives. But how many of us have played the organ? The organ is an exquisite instrument, one that not many people get a chance to experience. As grand as a house, its complex structure puts it beyond comparisons with other musical instruments. As of now, there is only one functional grand pipe organ for classical music in Korea -- at the Lotte Concert Hall. A second, at the Sejong Art Center, is currently under repair.

Welcoming spring at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul’s restaurant The Lounge is welcoming spring with a new set menu. The four-course meal features spring vegetables in every dish, starting with soup followed by steamed fish, grilled beef, bibimbap and dessert. 　It is available from March 6 to April 19 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. It costs 90,000 won per person and can be paired with two glasses of wine for an additional charge of 30,000 won.For more information, call The Lounge at (02) 2016-1205.Celebra

Gwanghwamun, Jongno, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Seoul Station: These are all places in central Seoul, frequented by thousands of locals and foreigners every day.Some of them are destinations, others fall on the way to their final destination. Nonetheless, they are some of the busiest spots in the city, always packed with people. Exactly 100 years ago on this day, these streets were also busy. On March 1 1919, the places mentioned above were swarming with crowds. Though the people were in di

When conductor Vladimir Jurowski leads the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance at the Seoul Arts Center on March 7, it will likely be his last appearance here as the principal conductor of the orchestra founded in 1932. Jurowski, who has led the London Philharmonic Orchestra since 2007, will be stepping down at the end of the 2020/21 season, heading to the Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich where he will take up the post of music director. In a recent email interview, he described his

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a concert at the Sejong Arts Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, paying homage to Korea’s independence movement with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica.” A poster for Friday’s performance (SPO)The program is in honor of those who dedicated themselves to the March 1 Independence Movement of 1919, which saw nationwide protest in Korea against Japan’s colonial rule. The symphony is a dramatic piece celebrating the memory of a

The DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2019 will be held from June 5 to 9, taking place across Seoul and near the Demilitarized Zone in Gangwon Province.On the first two days, events such as a showcase, seminar and conference will be held at culture complex Platform Changdong 61 in Dobong-gu, northern Seoul.  DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2019 (DMZ Peace Train Music Festival)The rest of the festival, including the main concerts, will be held for three days near Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, not far f