Bibimbap, the popular Korean rice dish with vegetable, beef and egg (123rf)Surfing the web, figuring out directions and finding a place to eat -- these essential, day-to-day activities are things that foreign tourists still find difficult to tackle during their stay in Korea, said members of the 5.4 Club, a network devoted to promoting Korean culture abroad, during its regular meeting Thursday night.　Despite the expansion of the tourism industry here, a number of seemingly minor but tangible o

CultureNov. 6, 2015

At Scoff, a tiny bakery located in Seoul’s Buam-dong, one will find classic British baked goods like hot cross and Chelsea buns, spread out in trays and cutting boards for hungry passersby to snatch up by the plateful. 　No skimping is allowed at this sleeper hit of a bakeshop. Buns are almost a handspan wide and cakes are cut into slabs over an inch thick in girth. 　The substantial sizing of Scoff’s treats does not translate to hefty prices. The most expensive baked good on the menu is a wallet-

FoodNov. 6, 2015

Shigeru Ban is no ordinary architect.Unlike conventional architects of this era, Ban does not only use iron or steel as the primary materials to structure houses, museums, community centers or churches.Shigeru BanHe uses paper tubes, cardboard, beer crates, containers and other inexpensive recycled materials to “design and rebuild” places and buildings devastated by natural disasters or conflicts such as earthquakes, tsunamis and civil wars.As he uses those materials so beautifully with an aesth

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

Tommy Li, a branding designer known for his audacious visual designs and black humor, is one of Asia’s few designers with a global presence spanning across Hong Kong, China, Macau, Japan and Italy.The Hong Kong-based designer currently heads the Tommy Li Design Workshop, which was selected among the 10 best branding companies in China by Chinabico.com in 2010.He has received over 580 local and international awards for his innovative design concepts, including the Gold Pencil Award from the One S

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

SHAANXI PROVINCE, China -- Many cities in China epitomize the country’s economic prosperity and rich history. Shanghai’s skyscraper-lined Pudong district displays Western-style modernity, while Gulin’s picturesque mountain villages demonstrate its ancient beauty. But Xian in China’s northwest has withstood the test of time as the juncture where ancient and modern China intersect.Filled with tourist attractions boasting China’s cultural diversity, Xian has arguably withstood the test of time. Its

TravelNov. 6, 2015

Global brand designer Bob van der Lee said South Korea’s public and private sectors have made tremendous progress in design over the years, but not yet in branding.Bob van der Lee (Total Identity)Korean companies are still focusing too much on branding their products around their features and qualities in an effort to boost sales, but not on developing stories behind those products, he said in an interview.They still need to work on creating their own unique identities and legacies that can appe

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

In this digital world, information is becoming increasingly easier to access. But not for all. Such accessibility still falls far short for people with disabilities. Young entrepreneur Kim Ju-yoon has turned to the issue of discrimination in information accessibility and decided to tackle it with the power of technology and design. His belief in the fair distribution of digital benefits led him to create smartwatches for the blind that are light, affordable and as appealing as other smartwatches

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

Doenjang jjigae is a stew made with fermented soybean paste. This recipe is a variation made with an assortment of seafood for a refreshing, flavorful stew. Any type of seafood can be added. The typical additions are clams, mussels, shrimp, squid and oysters. You can use any of these or a combination.　A trick you can use for doenjang jjigae is to use a small amount of vinegar at the end. It will brighten the doenjang taste, making the stew even more delicious. Nothing’s better on a cool day than

FoodNov. 6, 2015

This is the fifth in a series of articles introducing key features at the upcoming Herald Design Forum 2015 to be held in Seoul on Nov. 10. -Ed. 　Design today seems to be the horse that is pulling the cart. No industry can survive without it anymore.From leaning on design as a strategic marketing tool to subtly expressing a company’s signature values, industrial design has been constantly evolving to where it stands now.Contemporary sofa “Platform for Viccarbe” by Arik Levy (Courtesy of the desi

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

Heading to the movies this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide of what's playing on the big screen.Thrill abounds at this weekend's box office in Korea. Crime thriller "The Phone" draws fans in with its fast-paced plot, while "The Fatal Intutition" is riding strong, with Asian heartthrob Joo Won as the main character. New openers include Steven Spielberg's thriller "Bridge of Spies" starring Tom Hanks, and a rare Korean exorcism movie "The Priest," starring Kang Dong-won.  Bridge of Spies (

FilmNov. 6, 2015

Design is about more than aesthetics. Its role has expanded to diverse areas of life, helping people live efficiently, safely and comfortably. It has brought innovations in all aspects of life, from consumption of products, living environment and use of technology to how we work in organizations. “Design impacts everything around us. Design means adding creativity into every aspect of our lives, not just choosing the color and form of a product,” said Janne Kyttanen, a designer and pioneer of 3-

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2015

Sohn Mi-naSohn Mi-na is more excited than ever.The former news anchor and host of Korean network broadcaster KBS’ popular quiz show “Golden Bell” has begun a new chapter in her life.With the launch of The School of Life education institution in Seoul, Sohn now has added another job title to her resume -- teacher-principal -- in addition to being a travel writer, entrepreneur, mentor, freelance broadcaster, podcaster and Huffington Post Korea’s editorial director.Her first class at the school on

CultureNov. 6, 2015

Ride train, hike up Yeongnam AlpsWith the autumn season almost over, KORAIL is recommending tourists to visit Ulsan by train and hike through the beautiful scenery of Yeongnam Alps.Yeongnam Alps, which takes its name after the European Alps, consists of several mountains at over 1,000 meters above sea level stretching over 255 square kilometers.The mountainous region with many peaks reaches Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan. Its best hiking course is Baram-gil, or Wind Trail, surrou

TravelNov. 6, 2015

Hotel Cappuccino opens in SeoulHotel Cappuccino in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, said it has officially opened for business this month. Occupying 18 floors above ground and three below, Hotel Cappuccino is an all-new urban lifestyle destination boasting 141 guest rooms and aspiring to become Korea’s first hotel to embody the concept of “Creating Shared Value.”Based on a simple, modern design concept, Hotel Cappuccino offers 141 guest rooms, three food and beverage outlets -- a cafe, restaurant and bar

FoodNov. 6, 2015

South Korean police nabbed some 90 people and seized hundreds of stolen artifacts in a sweeping, nationwide investigation into the looting, forgery and smuggling of artifacts, the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency said. Not only investigators, but heritage experts and even retired looters joined hands in the search, which ran from August to October.   Looted artifacts seized by police in a recent investigation are on display at a police briefing Wednesday at the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency

CultureNov. 5, 2015

The Busan Climate Action Film Festival is returning for a second year with three films with messages about sustainability, two of them local. The festival begins Friday with a bring-your-own-cup-and-plate “Veggie Fest” party. The opening film is “An Omnivorous Family’s Dilemma,” which follows director Hwang Yun as she befriends a family of pigs on a farm and starts to think about the pigs’ family and her own family in parallel. (BCAFF)The second Korean film, which also closes out the festival, i

FilmNov. 5, 2015

Inarguably one of Korea’s most adorned artistic treasures, ballerina Kang Sue-jin will soon hang up her ballet slippers after her final production of “Onegin” with the Stuttgart Ballet.“This will be my last performance in Korea,” said Kang, 48, in a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.“Following the shows in Korea, I will take the stage again next year to perform ‘Onegin’ once more in Stuttgart and then I will retire,” she added.   Stuttgart Ballet artistic director Reid Anderson (from left t

PerformanceNov. 5, 2015

 “10 Selected Topics from Korean Traditional Culture: Stories, Images and Lyrics”By Kim Suk-hyon(KoreaStory)　In “10 Selected Topics from Korean Traditional Culture: Stories, Images and Lyrics,” Kim Suk-hyon gives an overview of those things that have now become symbolic of Korea’s traditional culture -- the spicy fermented cabbage dish kimchi, the Korean alphabet Hangeul, the martial art taekwondo and the flowing hanbok gown -- explaining snippets of their history, current usage and references i

BooksNov. 5, 2015