World Cup Park in Seoul opens family-friendly water park

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Thursday that the city is opening a water park to entertain children and families at World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, from Friday to Sunday. The three-day water park event offers a destination for Seoul-based families who wish to cool down in the thick of the summer heat without traveling far afield. During the day, children can enjoy the water park's two slides and two large swimming pools. The city government also offers cool-off mist t

TravelAug. 2, 2024

Futura Seoul in Bukchon to open with inaugural Refik Anadol exhibition

A large-scale exhibition space in Seoul's Bukchon neighborhood is set to open early September with the inaugural solo exhibition of Turkish-American media artist Refik Anadol, whose work pioneers the aesthetics of machine intelligence. As exemplified by Anadol's exhibition, his largest held in Asia, the 1,200-square-meter space will function as an art space accommodating a variety of exhibitions and art events. The building, comprising exhibition spaces on the first and second floors

Arts & DesignAug. 2, 2024

LG Display picks CSOT as preferred bidder for Chinese LCD plant

LG Display said Friday it picked its Chinese rival CSOT as a preferred bidder for its liquid crystal display plant in Guangzhou, China. CSOT, a display-making subsidiary of China appliance giant TCL, is the world's second-largest LCD maker following its crosstown rival BOE. LG said it plans to continue talks with CSOT on more detailed deal conditions. The company did not elaborate on the deal size, but industry sources estimate the sale could be worth about 2 trillion won ($1.45 billion). T

IndustryAug. 2, 2024

FT Island to launch Asia tour

FT Island is gearing up for a tour of Asia, FNC Entertainment announced Friday. The tour, under the banner of "Pulse in Asia," kicks off in the Philippines' capital Manila on Sept. 14, followed by performances in Hong Kong on Sept. 28, Kaohsiung in Taiwan on Oct. 26 and Macao on Nov. 10. As implied by the tour's name, FT Island plans to deliver live performances filled with intense musical energy, reminiscent of a beating heart. The band recently held a concert in Seoul, also

PerformanceAug. 2, 2024

G-Dragon secures trademark rights ahead of comeback

K-pop icon G-Dragon is preparing for a long-awaited comeback after securing the trademark rights to his stage name from his former agency, YG Entertainment. G-Dragon has taken a significant step towards his future activities by acquiring the trademark rights to his name. His former agency extended a favor by transferring the rights to “G-Dragon” and “GD” to his current agency, Galaxy Corporation, without any compensation. “Thanks to the generosity of Chief Executive

K-popAug. 2, 2024

[Photo News] Nonjinmul, Jeju’s unique natural beach

One of the unique beaches on South Korea’s southern island of Jeju is Nonjinmul, a natural beach created by spring water flowing into the sea. In the Jeju dialect, "nonjinmul," means “water being thrown away,” referring to how the Hallasan spring water cannot be used for drinking or farming due to its proximity to the sea. Located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, Nonjinmul has turned into a natural swimming pool with large embankments, beckoning holidaymakers wishin

TravelAug. 2, 2024

Seoul's unlimited transit pass extended to Guri

Seoul is expanding its Climate Card program to Guri, Gyeonggi Province, just east of the capital, in the latest move to make the eco-friendly monthly transit pass more accessible across the Greater Seoul area. Officials from the two cities signed off on the decision in a virtual meeting attended by Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Guri Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun on Friday, according to the Seoul city government. Starting Aug. 10, Guri residents can use the pass at 24 subway stops on lines connecting to the

Social AffairsAug. 2, 2024

Top contestants of 'Magic Star' to begin national tour

SBS series "The Magic Star" kicks off its national tour Friday, featuring performances by the six contestants. "The Magic Star" is a reality competition where magicians from around the world showcase their magical prowess. The show is hosted by TV personality Jun Hyun-moo and star magician Lee Eun-gyeol, with a panel of judges that includes film director Jang Hang-jun, actor Jin Sun-kyu, Portuguese magician Luis de Matos, actor Han Hye-jin, TV personality Kim Jong-min and ann

TelevisionAug. 2, 2024

Woman stabbed to death in central Seoul, suspect caught

A woman in her 60s was stabbed to death in an underpass near Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, Friday morning, police said. Police have detained a male suspect, who is accused of assaulting the victim at 5:10 a.m. and fleeing the scene, according to reports. He was nabbed at around 8:50 a.m. by police who searched for the attacker by surveying security footage in the area. The suspect was hiding in a residential neighborhood in Dongja-dong, Yongsan, about 1 kilometer from the scene, the reports said

Social AffairsAug. 2, 2024

‘I was actually scared’: Im Ae-ji overcomes fear to secure boxing bronze

Im Ae-ji secured a thrilling 3-2 split decision victory against Yeni Arias of Colombia in the women's 54-kilogram quarterfinal bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday night in the French capital. This achievement means South Korea will have its first Olympic boxing medal in 12 years, following the London Games where silver was won by Han Soon-chul, who is on hand at the Paris Games as Im's coach. As there is no match for third place in boxing, getting to the semifinals guarantees

More SportsAug. 2, 2024

[김대균의 영어산책] 최근 토익기출 단어. sustainable에 이런 의미가 있다니! 보기엔 쉽지만 어려운 단어들 정리!

1. sustainable - (adj.) (지속 가능한, 환경 친화적인) sustainable cleaning products(친환경적인 세제  = eco-friendly cleaning products) ★★★★ • sustainable은 본래 '지속 가능한' 의미로, 환경을 해치지 않으며 자원을 보존하고 오염을 줄이는 방식을 지향하는 단어이다. 이단어가 최근에 토익에 자주 들리고 보인다. sustainable을 이 의미로 Korea Herald 독자들에게 최초로 공개한다! (ex) The company focuses on developing sustainable cleaning products to protect the environment. (그 회사는 환경을 보호하기 위해 친환경 청소 제품을 개발하는 데 중점을 둔다.)  cf. sustainable - (adj.) (생존 가능한) sustainable population (생존 가능한 인구

English EyeAug. 2, 2024

S. Korea's consumer prices rise 2.6% in July

South Korea's inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. It was the first time in six months that the price growth accelerated. In January, inflation slowed to 2.8 percent, dropping below 3

EconomyAug. 2, 2024

S. Korea's inflation picks up in July on high fruit, oil prices

South Korea's inflation picked up pace in July on high prices of fruits and petroleum products, though it stayed below 3 percent for the fourth consecutive month, data showed Friday. Consumer prices, a key gauge of inflation, rose 2.6 percent on-year last month, compared with a 2.4 percent increase a month earlier, according to the data from Statistics Korea. It was the first time in six months that the price growth accelerated. In January, inflation slowed to 2.8 percent, dropping below 3

EconomyAug. 2, 2024

Seoul stocks open sharply lower on US losses amid slowdown woes

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, as disappointing US economic data raised concerns over an economic slowdown despite the Fed's rate-cut signals. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 68.48 points, or 2.47 percent, to 2,709.20 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US data showed unemployment claims hit the highest in almost a year and manufacturing shrank. The monthly employment data is set to be released Friday. The Fed signale

MarketAug. 2, 2024

State Dept. decries NK trash balloons as 'reckless,' 'destabilizing'

A State Department spokesperson on Thursday criticized North Korea's sending of trash-carrying balloons to South Korea as a "reckless" and "destabilizing" act amid growing concerns about their impact on public safety in the South. Vedant Patel, the department's deputy spokesperson, made the comment as the North's balloons have been found in more than 3,300 locations in the South in recent months, including the presidential office in Seoul and Incheon Internatio

Foreign AffairsAug. 2, 2024

Im Ae-ji secures S. Korea's 1st medal in women's boxing

Im Ae-ji has secured South Korea's first Olympic boxing medal in 12 years. Im defeated Yeni Arias of Colombia in a 3-2 decision in the quarterfinals of the women's 54-kilogram boxing event at the Paris Olympics on Thursday at North Paris Arena. By advancing to the semifinals, Im has assured herself of at least a bronze medal. There will be no third-place bout in boxing, and the two losers of the semifinals will each receive a bronze medal. It will be South Korea's first boxing med

More SportsAug. 2, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong launches wine promotion ‘Sparkling Hour’ Le Meridien Seoul Myeongdong in central Seoul presents a new wine promotion, “Sparkling Hour,” at its lobby lounge and bar Lumiere. The promotion offers a chance for guests to quench their thirst and whet their appetite with sparkling wine. Offered along with the wine, is a special platter featuring grilled lobster, shrimp, abalone, beef strip loin steak and more. Guests can taste both red and white win

TravelAug. 2, 2024

[Well-curated] Suwon galbi, alcohol olympics and whisky bar

Kabojung If you've visited Seoul multiple times and are eager to look beyond the capital for an epicurean adventure, Kabojung, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, is a great place to try the local beef specialty. Suwon is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress, but it is also famous for its delectable regional dish, galbi, or grilled beef ribs. Suwon’s reputation for high-quality beef dates back to the mid-20th century, when a thriving cattle market in the area made t

CultureAug. 2, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Pilot” (South Korea) Opened July 31 Comedy Directed by Kim Han-gyeol Han Jung-woo (Jo Jung-suk) who, after getting fired from his job and divorced by his wife, is now searching for a new job. Out of desperation, he disguises himself as a woman to get a position at Han Air, a company seeking a female pilot. “Deadpool & Wolverine” (US) Opened July 24 Action/Comedy Directed by Shawn Levy A retired Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds), who lives an ordinary life as a car dealer, s

FilmAug. 2, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Boryeong Mud Festival Time’s running out for mud wrestling and sliding at the annual mud festival in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, that runs through this Sunday. At Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, the festival has two separate zones: one for adults and teenagers and another for families with children between ages 3 and 14. The mud zones are open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and open three hours earlier on weekends. For more details and ticket pricing, visit mudfestival.or.kr.

TravelAug. 2, 2024