Just by placing a fingertip on a pad, you can create your own virtual city out of the labyrinth of a fingerprint and drive through your “fingerprint city” with a joystick. The interactive work on display at the Museum of Art in Seoul National University, employs the “City Engine” technology by Esri R&D Center-Zurich, a 3-D content developer from Switzerland. Visitors to the museum can also get a glimpse of the ambitious Human Brain Project by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne

The marching band of the historical Kyungbock High School in Seoul, founded in 1921, was disbanded in 1979 after a complaint was filed that the trumpet sound coming from the window might be a disturbance for the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, a few meters from the school. “It was the time when the U.S. President Jimmy Carter was visiting. It was a historical visit,” recalled Kim Hak-myung, 59, one of the former band members. The school reacted to the anonymous complaint by dissolving the

Kim Young-jun was a star stock manager in the 1980s and 1990s when the Korean economy was on the rise, registering strong growth. He gave financial advice on TV and radio, and also wrote two books on stock investments. “I was a celebrity in finance,” said Kim. His advice proved worth heeding most of the time. The rule was, he said, invest when others don’t. Then, suddenly, he realized that all his life was built around the hollow world of the stock market. “I felt like I was a robot chasing mone

‘Hip flask cocktails’ at Park Hyatt SeoulThe Timber House at Park Hyatt Seoul is serving “hip flask cocktails” in the whisky bottles that people put in their pockets to heat them with body temperature during the cold season. The Timber House is presenting the unique experience of enjoying cocktails in these hip flasks. The hip flask cocktails come in five different kinds. “Talking to Myself” has a bittersweet flavor from a blend of rum, Campari liquor and orange essence. “Butterfly Effect” has s

LONDON ― Visitors are greeted by a variety of compelling contemporary artworks that defy the perception of an art fair as an art sales venue. Intriguing performances are held throughout the annual Frieze Art Fair that brings some 160 leading contemporary galleries from around the world to Regent’s Park, London. With the influx of high-spending collectors, Frieze London is also one of the most successful art fairs in the world, and its sales have been increasing. Damien Hirst’s 1993 fish cabinet

LONDON ― From a Western viewpoint, Dansaekhwa paintings may seem confusing. They don’t fit into familiar key art movements in Western art history. First created in the 1960s, Dansaekhwa paintings may be in line with minimalism. But behind their simple imagery is much more complex meaning. They resulted from the suppressed freedom of expression that Korean artists experienced under authoritarian governments of the past. Artist Ha Chong-hyun, 80, recalls his selection of materials, looking at his

CHICAGO (AP) ― Many people use smartphone apps to map their drive to dinner or find a less-congested route to work. But did you know that you can use them for public transit, too? You can even access some maps offline, when you have a spotty connection or are in the subway.Here’s a look at what leading free map apps can do for you, whatever mode of transportation you choose:Bumper to bumper Most major map apps show you current traffic conditions. The best guide you toward a little-known shortcut

Fall trekking around JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul presents a trekking package which invites guests to explore the historic places surrounding the hotel. Guests can choose from three packages: a room-only package, a room and breakfast package and the executive room package. The package, available until Nov. 30, is priced at 299,000 won for the Deluxe Room, 349,000 won for the Deluxe Room with breakfast for two at Tavolo 24 and 369,000 won for the Executi

Somerset Palace Seoul held a special tasting event featuring food and wine from Georgia in its rooftop garden Tuesday with the sponsorship of the Georgian Embassy.Georgia, located on the Black Sea, has been making wine for more than 6,000 years and is thought to have been the world’s first wine producer. In particular, it is known for its unique wine jars, which were buried to harness the same principles as Korea’s kimchi. Georgian Ambassador Nikoloz Apkhazava and more than 100 guests of the Geo

NEW YORK (AP) ― Debbie Harry will perform at the 34th annual John Lennon charity tribute concert in New York City in December.The announcement Wednesday by the nonprofit Theatre Within came a day before what would have been Lennon’s 74th birthday.Other performers include Kate Pierson of the B-52s, Joan Osborne, Marshall Crenshaw and Ben E. King. The event will be held Dec. 5 at Symphony Space.Yoko Ono said in a statement: “I share Theatre Within’s belief that music and the performing arts have a

The Chosun Hotel, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, holds a significant place in the modern history of Korea. It was one of the first modern buildings in Seoul, and served as a temporary residence for presidents, diplomats, businessmen and scholars, who created links between Korea and the outside world after the country opened up in the early 1900s. For Sandra Huet, the hotel has a personal meaning. It’s the place that keeps her memories of her father alive. Huet’s father George

Hundreds of Chinese tourists crammed in front of Korean cosmetics brand counters at Lotte Duty Free Shop in Eulji-ro, Seoul, on Tuesday, the last day of their “Golden Week” of holidays that marks China’s National Day. Leaving little room to walk between the counters, female tourists indulged in the last shopping spree of their vacation. The Chinese National Day holiday, which runs from Oct. 1-7, is a peak time for shops in popular tourist spots such as Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun and Insa-dong. Tens

“Silence is Golden” by Oliver Beer (Fondation d’entreprise Hermes)Perfection may be what artisans seek in their craftsmanship, while uniqueness is what artists pursue in their artistic creations. At the world’s top workshops run by Hermes, artisans and artists have worked together to stimulate each other’s craftsmanship and creativity. Since 2010, their collaborative projects have played a link between the expertise of artisans and the motivation and inspiration of young artists. Hermes has invi

Artist Lee Bul is presenting two gigantic installations in her new exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul. One, titled “Civitas Solis (The City of the Sun),” occupies the largest exhibition hall of the museum. Mirror fragments cover all sides of the room and form corridors to create a labyrinth of mirrors. Viewers experience infinite expansion of space with no edges or borders. Yellow light bulbs spell out “Civitas Solis,” producing reflections and curves in th

An online website offering medical tour packages and information on Korean hospitals and clinics opened on Wednesday. The website “Visit Medical Korea,” launched by the Korea Tourism Organization, invites foreign tourists to browse medical tourism packages and services provided by Korean clinics and hospitals. It focuses on medical centers specializing in cosmetic procedures and surgeries, skin care, health check-ups and traditional Korean medicine ― popular treatments sought by foreign tourists

Gangnam is hosting its annual hallyu festival from Thursday to Sunday, presenting a K-pop concert, fashion shows, a food festival and an international marathon for expats and locals. In its eighth year, the Gangnam Festival celebrates hallyu culture, featuring K-pop group JYJ, top fashion designers and stores from the district’s hip and trendy Garosu-gil street. It also invites expats, foreign tourists and local residents to run together in a charity marathon. In celebration of the festival, dep

The simple rectangular building in Gwanghwamun, which looks identical to the U.S. Embassy building in Seoul, was a symbol of a power shift in the modern history of Korea. Initially built using an aid fund in the 1960s, the building was a center of political power, functioning as the headquarters of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, a military committee led by President Park Chung-hee, who had taken over the South Korean government in a coup d’etat. Governing legislative, administr

PYONGYANG (AP) ― High heels, with sequins. Brightly colored, tight-fitting dresses. Hairstyles and makeup that are almost like what you would expect on streets of Beijing or Seoul. Something is definitely afoot in the style scene of North Korea’s capital. Most North Koreans remain too poor to think much about fashion, and the country in general maintains a deep-rooted resistance to outside influences. But in Pyongyang, where the standard of living is relatively high, clothes and styles have been

NEW YORK (AP) ― Jay Z sounds the call to end world poverty performing before thousands in New York’s Central Park. The rapper headlined Global Citizen Festival on the Great Lawn Saturday, where Beyonce surprised the audience by joining her husband on stage.He told the crowd ― many of whom earned free tickets by volunteering ― to support the Global Citizen Festival’s movement to end poverty by 2030.No Doubt, Sting, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys, Tiesto, fun. and The Roots also performed.The Globa

Every fall, Jejudo invites visitors to take part in a walking festival to explore the island’s fascinating landscape through the popular Olle walking trails.This year’s Jeju Olle Walking Festival, scheduled for Nov. 6-8, takes visitors to oreum (volcanic cones), unique rock formations and a white sand beach dotted along three of the 21 Jeju Olle walking trails. The trails lead to every nook and cranny of the island and reveal unspoiled natural wonders. Visitors witness stunning landscapes formed