The “culture belt” in Seoul envisioned by the government will enable start-ups to create “killer content” for not only the local market but also overseas, the Culture Ministry said Wednesday.Consisting of a creative convergence center in Sangam-dong, an academy and a creative venture center, the culture belt is designed to create an ecosystem with a virtuous circle in which start-ups with creative ideas can work with each other as well as with the financial sector to create global content beyond

This is the last installment in a three-part series featuring athletes who help people transform their lives. ― Ed.Jung A-reum (Jung Areum)Beauty must be gained through hard work and perseverance, said Jung A-reum, a celebrity lifestyle and fitness trainer and former Miss Korea beauty contest winner.Those in pursuit of it must first learn how sports or regular exercise can help improve their physical and mental beauty.“The problem in Korea today is that people take sports or exercise too lightly

The National Library of Korea is hosting an exhibition of award-winning content, including webtoons, photography and videos, at its digital library until Dec. 23, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Culture and Information Service. The National Library of Korea holds the “Hello, Korea” exhibition featuring award-winning content through Dec. 23 in Seoul. (KOCIS)KOCIS held two competitions ― “Talk Talk Korea” and “Peace Flag Campaign” ― last May to mark the 70th Libe

Controversy over the authenticity of the late artist Chun Kyung-ja’s “Beautiful Woman” has been reignited with family members of the late artist issuing an ultimatum to the state-run National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which is in possession of the painting.  Artist Chun Kyung-ja (Yonhap)This time, Sumita Kim, the third of Chun’s four children, and Chun’s son-in-law Muhn B.G. said they would take legal actions if the museum does not formally apologize and correct its past wrongdoings

The 52nd Daejong Film Awards on Friday were not quite a star-studded affair as the nominees for top prizes, including Best Actor and Actress, skipped the annual ceremony. Although many nominees who did not attend gave reasons such as scheduling conflicts, others openly boycotted the awards, criticizing the organizing committee for poor management and lack of independence from the government.The 52nd Daejong Film Awards were held in Seoul on Friday despite nine nominees for best actor and actress

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea inked an agreement Wednesday with the state-run Korean Culture and Information Service to collaborate in promoting Korea through cultural content. From left: Lee Chang-sup, president and publisher of The Korea Times; Lee Young-man, CEO of Herald Corp., publisher of The Korea Herald and chair of the Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea; Park Young-goog, director of the Korean Culture and Information Service; and Y.K. Abraham Kwak, C

Upcoming fashion events are set to turn the capital city of Seoul into a style destination. Celebrities and models will present creations of talented Korean designers during Seoul Fashion Week as fashionistas and photographers take to the streets of Seoul to keep the festive mood. Buyers from leading stores around the world will be on a hunt to discover young emerging talents in Korea.  Models present creations during a previous Seoul Fashion Week. (SFW)Seoul Fashion Week, one of the biggest fas

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally. Lee Dong-woo, secretary-general of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo. Gyeongju World Culture ExpoTo revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote Eura

Visit Korea’s first lighthousePalmido Lighthouse on Palmido Island in Jung-gu, Incheon, is Korea’s first lighthouse built in April 1903. It officially lit up for commercial ships in June 1903. Korea built the lighthouse due to pressure from Japan to open trade to the country.It takes about 45 minutes by ferry to Palmido Island from Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal, and another 10 minutes to walk from the island’s dock to the top of the lighthouse.Behind the original lighthouse, whic

Ride bikes in ChuncheonThe Korea Tourism Organization will be expanding its bicycle riding tour program in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in an effort to boost tourism in the region in the aftermath of the Middle East respiratory syndrome outbreak.It recently launched a pilot program enabling tourists to travel to Chuncheon from Yongsan Station via train and ride their bikes on a 30-kilometer course, and visit various attractions such as an animation museum.Some 70 people participated in the bikin

South Korea has achieved many great feats over the last seven decades in political and socioeconomic areas since it gained independence.Its economy, with per capita income much smaller than that of African countries such as Ghana and Gabon in the aftermath of the inter-Korean conflict, was able to grow rapidly through policies that promoted technology, manufacturing and exports, in order to develop from farming and fishing.Once a poor country that relied on development aid, Korea emerged from it

By Won Ho-jungChoi Dong-hoon, the director of “Assassination,” is no stranger to big box-office success.The 44-year-old film auteur, who has become this year’s first Korean director to attract over 10 million viewers with the historical action flick, already topped the 10 million mark once before in 2012 with the caper film “The Thieves.” Crimes and schemes have been Choi’s trademark and forte since his 2004 directorial debut with “The Big Swindle,” which brought him almost every major award for

International humanitarian assistant Han Bi-ya carries many names.She is called a saint or angel who helps people whenever and wherever in need without conditions.She is often referred to as the Korean Mother Teresa.Han Bi-yaA traveler at heart and a passionate relief worker who has been to over 100 countries -- she is most widely known as “baram-eui ddal” or “daughter of the wind” in Korea.But Han now wants to translate the Korean word “baram” to hope, and become the Daughter of Hope to spread

Mikkeller Bar Seoul serves a whopping 30 draft beers -- primarily Mikkeller -- on continual rotation. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)　Craft, cult, genius ― these are words often used to describe the brews originating from Mikkeller, a much-buzzed-about Danish “gypsy” brewery that recently launched its second Asian bar in Seoul. Now, as of late June, beer aficionados in Korea can taste a diverse range of Mikkeller’s famed beer straight from the keg and deem for themselves whether or not these ex

Musical festival to celebrate 70th Liberation DayThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold a musical festival in Seoul to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the country’s liberation from Japan’s imperial rule.The festival, to held Aug. 14 from 7:30-9 p.m. at Seoul Plaza, will stage musical performances from Korean stars including Lee Seung-cheol, Sistar and Insooni.Renowned art director Yoon Ki-churl will direct the live cultural festival, themed “Grand Journey and New Takeoff.”Yoon s

Every summer, Koreans are faced with relatively few options to beat the scorching heat.Some hop on a plane and travel overseas for sightseeing and shopping, while others stay in the country and drive long hours to beaches like Haeundae to enjoy a splash of ocean waves and a suntan.And there are those who would rather work in their air-conditioned office and save their vacation for later, rather than travel and rub shoulders with the crowd.A fresh option is beginning to gain attention ― hotels.No

In Paju, near the Book City in Gyeonggi Province northwest of Seoul, a building stands alone next to a construction site in a vast barren area. It looks like a ghost town, with very few people around, except for construction workers. Shim Jae-myung (Myung Films)But the building of Korea’s renowned production company Myung Films ― which has a cafe, film theatre, art center, lecture rooms and student dormitory ― offers visitors a glimpse into the future of this town.Stepping into a new white confe

Nuribi ― the official mascot of the 28th Universiade Gwangju 2015 ― is the angel of light and messenger of hope.Its Korean name means “fly for the world,” deriving from the name of the host city, Gwangju, which translates to “the town of light.” With its blue and red hair shaped like the games’ emblem, the Wings of Light, Nuribi was introduced in 2013 as a symbol of hope and dreams in line with the games’ vision of “Eco, Peace, IT and Culture” and slogan of “Light Up Tomorrow.“The Gwangju Univer

Universiade Gwangju 2015 pursues four visions: eco, peace, information technology and culture. Organizers have named the 2015 Universiade Ecoversiade, Peaceversiade, ITversiade and Cultureversiade, summing them up with the acronym EPIC.Guided by the vision of Ecoversiade, Gwangju has tried to preserve the environment by using as many existing sports facilities as possible. The host city has refurbished 97 percent of the 73 competition venues, while constructing a swimming pool and a few other fa

Bangsan Market in Jung-gu, Seoul ― just 6-7 minutes walk west from the renowned Dongdaemun Market ― may look like another traditional Korean market that sells all sorts of food and household accessories and products from the outset.But as visitors walk toward the entrance of Bangsan Market, they will immediately feel and notice a difference on the street as they pass by specialty stores that sell faucets, wallpaper and lighting equipment mostly for businesses.Walk a little more and step inside B