[Photo News] Louis Vuitton turns Jamsu Bridge into runway

Models walk on Jamsu Bridge over the Han River in Seoul, which was turned into a runway for the Louis Vuitton pre-fall fashion show on Saturday. The occasion marked the French luxury powerhouse’s first-ever fashion show for its pre-fall collection, designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere. Traffic was halted for 24 hours on the lower level of the bridge which was used as the runway. Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of Netflix's hit drama “Squid Game," participated in the show's scenogr

Arts & DesignApril 30, 2023

K-Royal Culture Festival returns with spring edition

The spring edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival offers a range of programs that can be enjoyed at Seoul's royal palaces through May 7. The biannual festival showcases a variety of cultural heritage events and artistic performances that take place across five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung. Jongmyo, a royal shrine housing the ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens, and Sajikdan, a Joseon altar used for

CultureApril 30, 2023

'Young Korean Artists' explores museum as space at MMCA in Gwacheon

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has brought South Korea’s emerging artists to the fore at exhibitions dedicated to young artists since the state museum was founded in 1986. “Young Korean Artists” is the museum's longest-running program that aims to discover young artists. Thirteen emerging artists and collectives recommended by the state museum's curators and art experts are participating in this year's exhibition titled “Young K

Arts & DesignApril 29, 2023

[One with Nature] Immerse yourself in the verdant greens of Boseong

BOSEONG, South Jeolla Province -- Although there are pockets of greenery in bustling cities, most of them are full of concrete buildings, dark windows and mostly black-and-white cars. Relieve your stress and take emotional refuge in rolling green tea plantations and a unique pine forest in a city famed for its green tea. Daehan Dawon Located in the southwestern part of the peninsula, Daehan Dawon, also known as Daehan Tea Garden or Boseong Green Tea Plantation, is one of the five major t

TravelApril 29, 2023

Say 'cheese' the way you like it

There has been a longstanding perception that Koreans are not so much into dairy products. But since the early 2000s, Koreans have been adding cheese to a variety of popular Korean dishes, such as gimbap, dakgalbi and ramyeon. This trend, along with the growing number of people traveling abroad, has made Koreans fall in love with cheese. Today, restaurants and shops that specialize in cheese are crowded with guests, proving the popularity of what was once disdained here as something stinky.

FoodApril 29, 2023

Are joint couple bank accounts the best way to share dating expenses?

"Am I the one who has to pay this time?" is a question that often troubles many South Korean couples whenever they are about to pay the bill at a restaurant. Traditionally, people believed that men should pay most of the dating expenses, but such rigid gender norms no longer hold water as more couples have started to value fairness. Indeed, a staggering 83.2 percent of those with dating experiences reported having argued with their partner over “how to split bills,” accor

CultureApril 29, 2023

[New in Korean] Painful memories reconciled in taking care of runaway kid

“A World Without Gyeong-wu” (working title) By Baek Ohn-yu Changbi Publishers In-soo sees ghosts floating like shadows in the corner of his room and every time he sees them, a bone-chilling cold seems to cling to his skin, even though it’s midsummer. He is still suffering from hallucinations and nightmares caused by “the accident” that happened with his gang when he ran away from home 12 years ago. One day, In-soo meets a boy named Yi-ho who extorts money from drive

BooksApril 29, 2023

Park Eun-bin, "Decision to Leave" win top honors at Baeksang Arts Awards

Park Chan-wook's romantic thriller movie "Decision to Leave" and Park Eun-bin, who starred in the drama series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," have taken top honors at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards. "Decision to Leave" won the grand prize in the movie category at the 59th awards ceremony on Friday night. Park Chan-wook clinched best director and Chinese actress Tang Wei received best actress for her role in the movie. The period thriller "The Night O

FilmApril 29, 2023

[Photo News] Yoo Ji-an's moon jar series on display at Lotte Hotel Seoul

A total of 20 craft works by contemporary mother-of-pearl artist Yoo Ji-an are on display at Lotte Hotel in Seoul. Yoo has created sculptures inspired by Korea’s traditional craftsmanship, pioneering the genre of contemporary mother-of-pearl art. The exhibition “On the Path of Time” features the artist’s “The Moon” series at the hotel’s lobby and lounge “Le Salon” on the 16th floor. One of Yoo’s moon jars created with mother-of-pearl, p

Arts & DesignApril 28, 2023

Beauty of Korean craftsmanship to be celebrated in London

South Korea’s contemporary craftsmanship will be introduced in London to coincide with London Craft Week, bringing together 11 Korean craft masters and artists at the exhibition “Light of Weaving: Labour-Hand-Hours” from May 11 to June 30. The exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre UK will feature works by successful Korean craft masters and unique work inspired by traditional Korean craftwork. Among the artists is Jeong Da-hye, winner of the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize

Arts & DesignApril 28, 2023

Five films including ‘Decision to Leave’ and ‘Hunt’ to vie for Baeksang Arts Awards

South Korean hit films including the Cannes-winning “Decision to Leave” and star actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut film, “Hunt,” will vie for the best film award at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards to be held on Friday. Along with the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Daejong International Film Awards, the Baeksang Awards is one of the most prestigious ceremonies here honoring the past year’s films, TV dramas and plays. This year’s award will be led by act

FilmApril 28, 2023

[Photo News] Foreign students celebrate cultural diversity

On a warm spring day, foreign exchange students at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies gathered in their traditional costumes and held up their respective country flags to introduce their cultures during the 17th Culture Expo event hosted by the Korean Language and Culture Education Institute at HUFS in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on Friday. Students operated booths introducing regional cultures, and conducted traditional music and dance performances.

CultureApril 28, 2023

Yoon's meeting with US media giants highlights growing interest in Korean content

In a meeting that highlights a growing interest in the Korean content industry, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met major players in the US entertainment industry on Thursday before leaving Washington. Yoon attended the Global Video Content Leadership Forum, organized by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA) held at its headquarters. The forum brought together media giants such as Paramount, Warner Brothers, Discovery, NBC, Universal, Sony Pictures, The Walt Disney Company and Net

CultureApril 28, 2023

24th Jeonju IFF kicks off for 10 days of indie films

One of South Korea's main indie film events, the Jeonju International Film Festival, officially kicked off Thursday evening with a star-studded list of actors and directors visiting the city for the red carpet event and opening ceremony prior to the 10-day film festival. Actors Park Hae-il, Lee Dong-hui, Lee Soo-hyuk, Shin Hyeon-joon, Ok Ja-yeon and some 170 other actors and directors appeared on the red carpet, meeting with fans. Actors Jin Goo and Gong Seung-yeon were the hosts of the ope

FilmApril 28, 2023

[Video] How this 16-year-old became an iconic YouTuber in Korea

“If I uploaded a video, I could get 5 more toys”, recalls Choi Lynn, a 16-year-old content creator who is more popularly known as “Mylynn.” In 2015, at the age of 8, Choi attended the YouTube Google Kids Day, and since then, he has been documenting his life on YouTube, becoming Korea’s first elementary student YouTuber to reach 1 million subscribers. Find out how Mylynn became an iconic YouTuber and how he balances it all with his busy high school schedule. Lim

PeopleApril 28, 2023

[Video] How Hari Won became a celebrity in Vietnam

Asia 101 visited Ho Chi Minh City to meet Hari Won, a singer and actor in Vietnam with more than 8 million followers across social media platforms. Born to a South Korean mother and a Vietnamese father, identity and diversity are close to her heart. We sat down with Hari and learned about how she became a celebrity in Vietnam. Lee Ji-min and Park Ju-min contributed to this report.

PerformanceApril 28, 2023

[Video] Park Hae-soo on life after "Squid Game"

One of the most familiar faces from a Netflix Korean original, Park Hae-soo spoke with Asia 101 about his life after "Squid Game," his journey from being a small theater actor to getting nominated for an Emmy and more. Watch until the end for an impromptu dance performance! Park Seo-hee and Park Ju-min contributed to this report.

FilmApril 28, 2023

[New in Korean] 'Aoi Garden' still thrills readers 18 years later

“Aoi Garden” By Pyun Hye-young Moonji Publishing Pyun Hye-young, who went on to win the 2017 Shirley Jackson Award for her psychological thriller “The Hole,” has returned to her very first novel, “Aoi Garden.” She has revised her debut collection of nine short stories, which she published 18 years ago in 2005, and invites readers on a literary journey back to where she began. The title piece, “Aoi Garden,” evokes a more intense sense of horror as i

BooksApril 28, 2023

Culture ministry signs first MOU with Smithsonian to expand cultural exchanges

South Korea's culture ministry has signed its first memorandum of understanding with the Smithsonian Institution of the United States to enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two organizations, the ministry said Friday. The signing ceremony was held at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC, on Thursday on the sidelines of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the US Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Part Bo-gyoon and Meroe Park,

CultureApril 28, 2023

[New in Korean] Novel on measurement offers insights into life

“You Can't Measure a Meter” By Yang Jee-ye Munhakdongne Publishing The Munhakdongne New Writer Award, a prestigious platform for outstanding new writers’ first full-length novels, released its 28th winning novel in late March. Past winners have included the International Booker shortlisted “Whale” by Cheon Myeong-kwan. The judges described the winning title “You Can't Measure a Meter” by Yang Jee-ye as “overwhelmingly interesting and inno

BooksApril 28, 2023