Before Korea became the leading exporter of semiconductors and cellphones, the top money magnet was wigs. Wigs, along with textiles, shoes and plywood, were the pillars of Korea’s exports in the 1960s and ’70s, until cheap-labor countries entered the market.The once-flourishing wig making process is reenacted by contemporary artist Lee Wan for his new exhibition in Seoul. In an 11-minute video, the artist cuts his long hair and asks a wig maker in Namdaemun to make a wig with it. A scene from th

Despite the long history of shamanism in Korea, remaining shamanistic relics and records are considerably few partly due to oppression following the dominance of Confucianism and modernization. Folklorist Kim Tae-gon (1936-1996) was the first scholar who paid attention to the disappearing shamanistic practices in the 1960s when it was considered a “primitive, backward and outdated culture.”The National Folk Museum of Korea sheds light on the lifetime work of folklorist Kim, who collected more th

A dinner with Ven. Hyemin, one of the most influential Buddhist monks in Korea, is up for auction, with a starting price of 3 million won ($2,780).The winning bidder of the online auction may take three of his or her friends to the dinner with the monk, scheduled to be held from 7-9 p.m. on May 15 at Dugaheon restaurant in Samcheong-ro, Seoul. “This is a chance to have dinner with Ven. Hyemin and listen to his good words and donate the proceeds to charity,” said Sohn Yi-cheon of art K Auction, w

PAJU, Gyeonggi Province ― Just a few kilometers south of the Demilitarized Zone runs a long line of barbed wire fences, separating the rice fields in the south and no-man’s land in the north. Imjingang River also crosses the world’s most fortified border between South and North Korea. It is a tense and hostile area, with a man shot to death trying to cross to the Nouth in September 2013. In this area, a white signpost reads “Hello” in Korean on both sides. Looking alien in its surroundings, the

Royal life will unfold at Seoul’s four historic palaces during the first Royal Culture Festival in May. From May 2-10, the Joseon-era palaces ― Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung ― and Jongmyo Shrine invite locals and foreigners to immerse themselves in all things royal. “The Cultural Heritage Administration has held programs that would bring citizens and foreign tourists closer to royal palaces such as the night tour program at Changdeokgung Palace. This festival bring

This is the third installment of a four-part series introducing Korea’s springtime tourist destinations. ― Ed.CHANGWON, South Gyeongsang Province ― Changwon, a southern industrial port city, heralds the arrival of spring on the Korean Peninsula with cherry blossoms. The city’s Jinhae district draws huge crowds of tourists and locals with the famed cherry blossom festival Gunhangje every April. But Changwon is not all about cherry blossoms. A true spring trip comes after the blossoms fall. This i

The 56th Venice Biennale will begin its seven-month run next month, bringing some of the world’s greatest artists and emerging names to the floating city. More than ever before, this year’s biennale will see a large number of Korean artists displaying their works. In the main exhibition, to be curated by Nigerian biennale director Okwui Enwezor, works by three emerging Korean artists will be included ― the first Korean representation in six years.  Artist Moon Kyung-won (left) and Jeon Joon-ho.

A former veteran aid worker has published a compilation of the greatest speeches in history that have inspired him during his overseas missions for 23 years, including a stint in the earthquake-hit Haiti.Titled “History Development and Human Prosperity,” the book compiles 39 speeches of world leaders in religion and politics. They range from ancient figures such as Socrates, Jesus Christ, the founder of the early Korean kingdom Dangun to leaders of the modern time, including U.S. Presidents Fran

When 27-year-old young art dealer Park Myeong-ja opened her gallery in April 1970, the first response she received from people was how fast she would give up and close the shop. It was a time when even the word “gallery” was unfamiliar to most Koreans.  Exhibition view of the Korean abstract painting exhibition that marks the 45th annniversary of Gallery Hyundai. (Gallery Hyundai)“People didn’t know there was such a place where you could view and buy paintings,” Park recalled at a press viewing

The Independence Hall of Korea announced Wednesday the launch of a five-year project that traces the legacies of thousands of Korean independence activists and compiles them into an encyclopedia. “The Who’s Who in the Korean Independence Movement” will feature 16,000 patriots who campaigned against Japanese colonial rule, including well-known heroes Ahn Jung-geun and Yun Bong-gil. The encyclopedia is expected to be published in 2019, the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the foundation of

Posters of a K-pop boy band and a big stuffed bear imply the owner of the room must be a teenage girl. Indeed, sitting at the center of the room is a large portrait of a girl with the typical look of a Korean high school student with short, straight hair. But she hasn’t been home since April 16, 2014. Seventeen-year-old Danwon High School sophomore Han Se-young was one of the 304 who perished when the Sewol ferry sank off the southern coast of Korea. She was on a school trip to Jejudo Island, wi

Korean sophistication, artistry and craftsmanship will be exhibited during Milan Design Week, one of the world’s largest showcases for design and craftworks.A total of 192 craftworks by Korean artisans will go on display under the title, “Constancy and Change,” at the Triennale Design Museum from April 14-19. It is the third straight year that Korea is holding the exhibition during the Milan Design Week, which brings together innovative designs from around the world.  Red dry lacquered bowl by K

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest museum in the western United States, will present broad surveys of Korean art for the next 10 years under the longest corporate sponsorship the museum has ever had, said Michael Govan, director of the museum.“We will be making at least three groundbreaking exhibitions of Korean art that has never been made on this scale before,” said Govan during a press conference in Seoul Tuesday to announce the 10-year partnership with Hyundai Motor Company. 

Korean culture will be on display throughout France starting this September as part of a cultural exchange program to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France next year. The first lineup of 85 Korean cultural programs were announced Tuesday by the Korean committee of the cultural exchange program. Programs range from concerts, performances and exhibitions of major modern and contemporary Korean artists to a retrospective of revered filmmaker Im Kwon-taek.

Fresh off EXO’s massive five-day, sold-out solo concert series in Seoul earlier this month, 10 of the biggest names in K-pop have returned to the airwaves with the release of the group’s second full-length album, “Exodus,” on Monday. “We think that through this new album, you will be able to see a brighter and more evolved side of each of the members,” said EXO leader Suho, during a press conference held at the SMTOWN@coexartium Theater in Gangnam-gu prior to the album’s release. EXO’s highly aw

Lotte Hotel Moscow awarded ‘Best City Hotel in Russia’ Lotte Hotel Moscow has been awarded for “Best City Hotel in Russia” for three consecutive years by the luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Opened in 2011, the hotel is the first overseas chain of the Korean hotel group Lotte Hotel. Located near the Red Square, Kremlin Palace and Bolshoi Theater, it has emerged as a luxury spot in Moscow. “We have committed to providing service of the highest standards to our guests. This award is exc

The full moon is the ruler of the night at the North Pole, casting a yellow glow on the snow-covered surface. What seems like the only moving object is a man kite-skiing through serenity. The stunning photograph was shot by Sebastian Copeland, polar explorer, photographer and environmental advocate. “The full moon at the North Pole means the sun is aligned on the opposite end. You could see the reflection of the sun coming down on the other end. This is one of the greatest and most peaceful mome

Dedicated and personalized service is key to the success of Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort in South Korea, which has been awarded as the country’s leading resort by the World Travel Awards for eight consecutive years, its general manager said. “People are now searching for a lot more information through the various media and this makes them want a more personalized holiday matching their own preference not the travel agents’ preference,” said Jesper Bach Larsen in an interview. “The backbone of

Menswear at Seoul Fashion Week has never been so diverse in styles and ideas as in the 2015 fall and winter collections. Designers presented an interesting mix of styles from streetwear and traditional tailoring to avant-garde while exploring the relationship between social and political issues and fashion during the two-day menswear show on Friday and Saturday. In contrast to previous collections for the chilly season, many collections featured diverse colors that delighted the eyes of fashion

 For many people, the coming of spring brings an urge to renew their home interiors. But decorating can be a daunting challenge for those who have not kept up with the latest trends. Revamping one’s home doesn’t necessarily cost a fortune or require much knowledge about what’s in vogue, according to veteran interior designer Kwon Soon-bok. A new look can start with a simple change. One just needs to think outside the box, she suggests. “Don’t buy furniture first. Use your own furniture first. It