Though we have all attended different schools at different times, the schools are likely to be similar in shape and structure. But architect Yoo Hyun-joon challenges this norm, arguing that school architecture should be diversified. Yoo is a professor of architecture at Hongik University and the head architect at Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, widely known to the Korean public for his popular lectures, books and TV appearances.  Yoo Hyun-joon speaks at the Herald Design Forum 2018 at Dongdaemun Design

“Your heart is my art,” designer and installation artist Choi Jeong-hwa said. “Public art is about making memories and experiences for everyone.” At a lecture titled “Life Life” at the Herald Design Forum 2018 on Saturday, Choi explained the inspirations and the thoughts behind his works.  Installation artist Choi Jeong-hwa speaks at the Herald Design Forum 2018 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Saturday. (Lee Sang-sub / The Korea Herald)The artist is widely known as a master of the kitsch. U

YouTube stars are often described as self-made celebrities with bright ideas and irresistible content. They are considered brave pioneers whose outstanding creativity propelled them to success on this unconventional media platform. YouTube creators are now role models for youngsters. Increasing numbers of elementary school students dream of becoming YouTubers. Videography classes and workshops are extremely popular. A content creator shoots a video at Jamong Media Space in southern Seoul. (Media

Taste of Mexico at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s flagship restaurant, Cafe 395, hosts a special promotion featuring Mexican cuisine. Special guest chef Eric Daniel Gonzalez from a traditional Mexican restaurant will helm the kitchen to bring an authentic taste of Mexico’s finest foods, in addition to the regular offerings of Cafe 395’s buffet. Hot, cold appetizers, entrees and desserts -- including ceviche, soft crab stew, pork stew with tequila and beef ribs -- will be prepar

Ananti Namhae was selected as South Korea’s leading resort in the World Travel Awards 2018. While the property located on the southern coast has received the award for 12 consecutive years since its opening in 2007, it was the first time it was recognized as part of the Ananti brand, since terminating a management deal with Hilton earlier this year.  Ananti NamhaeSince the brand shift, the resort has undergone a transformation, tripling its green space. The parking lot in the resort is now a par

E-Land Cruise, a ferry that glides on the Han River across Seoul, has prepared new promotions and packages for autumn. E-Land Cruise glides on the Han River (Eland Cruise)This season’s cruise buffet, titled “Falling in Autumn Cruise,” uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. Around 30 to 50 menu items have been prepared, including new dishes such as butter grilled scallops and beef tartare sushi. Red shrimps and sous-vide steak are the main dish of the buffet station. The steak is cooked for 72 hours s

While the city of Gimpo is mostly known for its airport, its status could change, as Hotel Marinabay Seoul opened last Saturday. The premium hotel, surrounded by the waters of the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, is situated next to the Aramarina Yacht School in Gimpo, a 30-minute drive west of central Seoul.  Hotel Marinabay SeoulWith 825 rooms, making it the fifth-largest hotel in Korea, Hotel Marinabay Seoul has taken on a different strategy from the latest hospitality market trend. While other hotels

Chuseok is just around the corner, packed with gifts. The traditional holiday, which falls on Sept. 24 this year, sees people visiting families in their hometowns -- and they do not show up empty-handed. Preparing gifts is not obligatory, but it is considered good manners to visit a relative’s house with a gift, appreciating the effort that the host made. Also, Korean companies offer gifts to its employees in the season, recognizing the hard work and encouraging them. Businesses exchange gifts a

Say “hello” to yet another sea creature: gaebul. Gaebul refers to the marine spoon worm, also called the fat innkeeper worm, as it creates tunnels in the ocean floor that provide shelter for other creatures and allows them to pass through.The plump pink creature resembles a skin-like sausage. But the texture has a feeling more similar to the softer parts of human flesh. (Video shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Upon being touched, gaebul squirms and puffs up a bit. Then taken fr

As you read this, you are probably sitting on a chair. Indeed, a large portion of our time is spent sitting on chairs. Italian artist and furniture maker Martino Gamper has examined what chairs mean to us and he will share his insights as a speaker at the Herald Design Forum 2018 on Friday. Furniture designer Martino Gamper (Courtesy of Martino Gamper)Gamper’s works are highlighted by deconstruction and reconfiguration. He became widely recognized through his “100 Chairs in 100 Days” project. Co

There was a time when Korea was practically obsessed with architecture. In 2012, the film “Architecture 101” made singer-actress Suzy a household name. Then, last year, there was a resurgence of interest in architecture when Yoo Hyun-joon, a professor of architecture at Hongik University and the head architect at Hyunjoon Yoo Architects, appeared on tvN’s “Trivia.” Yoo immediately rose to stardom. His way of connecting human desires to architecture was fascinating -- not to mention his soft, gen

Major talent agency YG Entertainment and streaming service Netflix announced Monday their co-produced sitcom series “YG Future Strategy Office” is to be released on Oct. 5. The eight-episode series will center on Seungri of Big Bang, who has been in the spotlight alone since all of his bandmates enlisted in the military earlier this year. He has appeared on many entertainment shows lately. “YG Future Strategy Office” (YG Entertainment)Seungri will star as the head of YG’s future strategy office,

The sun beams, river flows and wind blows at an art gallery with neither wall nor ceiling. Hangang Art Park, situated at the Han riverside parks of Ichon and Yeouido, opened Aug. 25 with the aim of bringing art into the everyday.Under the theme of “Hangang: Art in the Flow,” the outdoor art installations reflect four keywords related to the river: lively, relaxed, inspiring and secretive. One of the exhibits has already attracted quite a bit of attention on the internet. “White Bear” by Ji Yong-

Stylist Seo Young-hee has designed a special edition trunk for Louis Vuitton, influenced by Korea’s traditional marriage culture.Seo, who worked as a stylist for Vogue Korea before switching to work as an artistic director of fashion on a project basis, is known combining Korean traditional crafts with modern fashion. She was inspired by the luxury brand’s “Volez Voguez Voyagez” exhibition in Seoul last year.At the exhibition, one of the brand’s signature trunks was decorated like a “hahm” using

Solo Parisian escape during Chuseok holidays French-style boutique hotel L‘Escape invites guests who would like to escape the daily life by themselves. The Singles Holiday package is a single room package, targeting guests who want to vacation alone in a hotel. It offers one-night stay with an elegant afternoon tea set at the hotel’s tea salon, Le Salon by Maison M’O. For a Deluxe Room, there will be room upgrades to Atelier Rooms, on a first-come, first-served basis. The price starts at 250,000

Warning, this is not for the faint of heart.Walking into an average beef tartare eatery in Korea, you will see the word “liver” on the menu board. Here, the word refers to cow’s liver -- served raw.  Raw cow liver and omasum (Im Eun-byel/The Korea Herald)　The raw, chopped liver has a dark red hue. Though some may think fresh liver should have a scarlet or bright red shade, the dark red is a sign of freshness. The surface gleams with moisture, so much so it is almost reflective. It is hard to pic

Korean literature can appeal to a broad audience overseas with the proper investment and support, according to Kim Sa-in, president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. The state-funded institute’s mission is to globalize Korean literature through systematized translation and networking. In other words, it strives to link Korean literature to foreign readership. Kim, who took up the post in March, met The Korea Herald on Tuesday at the institute’s office in southern Seoul.  Kim Sa-i

It is all about the experience. Shin Myoung-sup and Byun Sa-bum of brand marketing design agency Plus X will speak about what brand experience is exactly and how to design it at the upcoming Herald Design Forum.Shin and Byun, who will take the floor at the forum on Sept. 14, are co-founders and co-CEOs of Plus X, which is known for its projects with BTS, YG Entertainment and Hyundai Card, among others. The agency works under the motto of “Plus your brand eXperience.”  Shin Myoung-sup (Courtesy o

Design expert Peter Zec will share his thoughts on the value of good design, centering on the idea of simplicity, at the Herald Design Forum 2018.As a speaker for this year’s Herald Design Forum “Designing Future,” Zec, founder and CEO of the prestigious Red Dot Design Award, will talk about his ideas on what constitutes good design, on Sept 14.  Peter Zec, founder and CEO of Red Dot Design Award (Courtesy of the speaker)“Many products that have become modern design classics have lasting appeal

German drama series “Babylon Berlin” won the grand prize at the 13th Seoul International Drama Awards held at the KBS Hall in Yeouido on Monday. Crime-period drama “Babylon Berlin,” which portrays post-World War I Germany, took the top spot for its well-written storyline and stunning visuals. Moritz Herzogenberg, producer for “Babylon Berlin” (Seoul International Drama Awards)Poster for “Babylon Berlin” (Seoul International Drama Awards)Apart from the grand prize, this year’s competition was div