[Eye Plus] Cartoon street honors nostalgic comics that inspired K-dramas

 Among central Seoul’s gray concrete buildings, lies a 450-meter road lined with walls plastered with pictures of eccentric comic characters from stories that mesmerized Koreans for decades. 　Painted in vibrant colors, the walls on Zaemiro, meaning fun street, bring life to Korean comic characters that later become inspirations to many K-dramas. 　In the first section, visitors are welcomed by the characters from “The Palace,” a popular teen romance cartoon-turned-drama

Aug. 28, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Yangyang Salmon Festival The Yangyang Salmon Festival is taking place at the Yangyang Namdae Stream in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31. The festival celebrates one of the city‘s famed specialties of the sea. The annual event is held in mid-October when the salmon return to spawn. The festival offers activities including salmon tasting, salmon rubbing and salmon ecology exhibitions. Visitors of all ages are welcome and admission is free. More information can be foun

Aug. 27, 2021

[Eye Plus] Nostalgic walk along Gyeongchun Line Forest Park

Once serving as the first South Korean-made railway, the Gyeongchun Line delivered cargo, people and memories between Seoul and Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, for more than seven decades beginning 1939. The line terminated operations in 2010, but was reborn into a forest park a few years later.  Gyeongchun Line Forest Park is located in Nowon-gu, northern Seoul. The 6-kilometer-long park is divided into three sections. In the first section, visitors are welcomed with eye-catching murals, c

Aug. 21, 2021

KTO sets goal to attract a million visitors to Ulleungdo

With the aim of boosting the presence of Ulleungdo as a global tourist destination for both local and global visitors in the next five years, the Korea Tourism Organization has joined hands with Ulleung County and Kolon Glotech, Inc., the KTO announced Friday. Ulleungdo, an island east of South Korea is 72.86 square kilometers in size, and has a population of about 10,153. The island is known for its well preserved natural environment along the coast and its geographic significance, overlookin

Aug. 20, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival The Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Festival is taking place at the Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, from Sept. 24-27. The festival celebrates Korea’s unique celadon, “buncheongsagi.” Programs promoting buncheongsagi, including cooking with buncheong ceramic pots and pottery making, will be available. 　　　 The event is free to visitors of all ages. More information can be found at festival.buncheong.net. Ro

Aug. 20, 2021

[Eye Plus] Gwanghalluwon, old garden bearing love story of Chunhyang

Well known as the setting of the popular classical Korean love story “Chunhyangjeon,” Gwanghalluwon Garden is a home to beautiful architecture and natural landscape with lake, trees, and an iconic stone bridge. Located in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, the garden was built by Hwang Hui, a famous politician during the reign of King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty.  Hwang Hui first set up a pavilion, which was originally named as Gwangtongnu Pavilion in 1419. Later, in 1444, Gov. Jeong

Aug. 14, 2021

Brave Girls appointed Korea tourism ambassadors

The Brave Girls, a South Korean band that went on to make K-pop history after five years of anonymity, will be promoting Korea as a tourism destination as part of a campaign titled “Level Up Your Rhythm of Korea.” As honorary cultural ambassadors, the band members have made five new promotional videos to attract tourists with an interest in Hallyu, or the Korean wave, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization said Wednesday a press release. In

Aug. 11, 2021

Finding peace in mountains of Pyeongchang

Finding a summer vacation destination amid the prolonged virus crisis and unrelenting heat is not easy. But Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, may provide an answer. Pyeongchang, a three-hour drive east of Seoul, is a highland county. More than 60 percent of its region is situated more than 700 meters above sea level. Though the sun still burns, the wind is cool and inviting. The Winter Olympic city becomes packed with skiers and snowboarders in the colder months, as multiple ski resorts are si

Aug. 10, 2021

[Weekender] Gotjawal: The mysterious forest that keeps dying to survive

South Korea’s Jejudo, an oval shaped island located in the Korea Strait between Korea and Japan, is teeming with life. Formed through an underwater volcanic eruption some 1.8 million years ago, basalt shaped and covered the land, with Hallasan standing at its core. Yet death pays a crucial role to the island’s survival. English writer Virginia Woolf’s observation on life and death in humans also applies to mother nature: “Someone has to die in order that the rest of us s

Aug. 7, 2021

[Photo News] The summer sea of Jeju

Under the beaming sunlight, the coast of Geumneung-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju Island seems to glow a turquoise blue. In the summer, colorful beach parasols dot the beaches of the island as visitors frolic in the cool, clear waters.  On cloudless days, the blue-green sea blends into the horizon, making for a scenic ocean view. (Photos: Yonhap)

Aug. 7, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Yeondong Grape Festival The Yeongdong Grape Fesitval will take place online, due to the extended COVID-19 pandemic, and is scheduled to run for 30 days starting Aug. 17. Originally offering various programs, including picking, eating and stepping on the grapes and making different products, including wine and chocolate, the festival this year will only hold live commerce events selling grapes. Sponsored by Yeongdong in North Chungcheong Province, the festival seeks to promote both Yeongdong g

Aug. 6, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Josun Palace Hotel in Seoul Gangnam offers Bentley rides Josun Palace Hotel in Seoul Gangnam has launched a “Summer in the Royal Palace” package for families and couples with a chance to ride a Bentely and enjoy a private vacation at one of the hotel’s luxury suites. The Bentley cars are randomly chosen from three different models -- Bentayaga, Flying Spur, and Continental GT -- and can be used for up to five hours during the two-night stay. Prices range from 1.6 million to 1

Aug. 6, 2021

[Weekender] A smart, safe plan B for virus-ridden summer: Vacance-at-home

Kang Seol-ah, 31, was supposed to be on Jeju Island for summer vacation this week, but instead, she chose to buy a small tent and decorative light bulbs to set the camping mood at home. The resurgence of the coronavirus has scared her, as it has forced restaurants and tourist sites to close early, even on the southern resort island known as the cleanest region in South Korea. Her plan B was camping at home, lounging on a camping chair and drinking ice cold beer in her new linen dress from H&am

July 31, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Eumseong Pumba Festival The Eumseong Pumba Festival will take place in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, running for four days starting Oct. 21 at Seolseong Park. The origin of the festival is connected to the songs of street singers when strolling around the marketplaces to look out for anything they could get. Performers here do not beg for food and money, but they will sing at the event. The event features various programs, including the Pumba street parade and National Pumba King

July 30, 2021

[Eye Plus] Exotic scenery of white yachts at Jeongokhang Marina Port

Though summer travel abroad has become more difficult with strict travel restrictions and quarantine measures implemented around the world amid the pandemic, Jeongokhang Marina Port, located in Seosin-myeon of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, quenches the thirst of travel bugs, presenting an exotic sunset while white yachts are moored in the port.  The Jeongok port, the first marina in or around the capital area, opened in 2009, and has hosted various international marine sports events, includ

July 24, 2021

[Photo News] Double rainbow shines bright in Seoul

The sky in Seoul was graced by a double rainbow at early night on July 19 in Seoul. This picture was taken from the rooftop of the Korea Meteorological Administration.  The rainbow in the indigo sky mesmerized Seoulites on their way home from work.   People jog against the backdrop of the double rainbow near Mangwon in western Seoul.  The double rainbow is reflected in a puddle in Seoul in the image. The double rainbow arches over two statues called Dol hareubang, at a pa

July 24, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Boryeong Mud Festival The Boryeong Mud Festival takes place at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. With its slogan “On and Off,” the festival will be held both online and offline from July 23 to Aug. 1. The event is one of South Korea’s best-known festivals, attracting the largest number of international visitors to the beach. Visitors can enjoy the hybrid festival through various activities and programs. This year’s festival will feature 62 events on

July 23, 2021

[Eye Plus] Ahyeon-dong still bears traces of ‘Parasite’

An area rich in history and culture, the hill street of Ahyeon-dong has one of 10 walking paths that Seoul’s western district of Mapo is promoting to visitors. The district has set up multiple signposts marking notable sights along the paths.  The course begins at Ahyeon Market, near Ahyeon Station on Subway Line No. 2, Exit No. 4. Since the market opened in 1930, it has embodied a typical Korean traditional street market.  On a corner along the hill street, Doijissal Supermark

July 17, 2021

‘We may be a global brand, but Ananti Hilton Busan thinks locally’

BUSAN – Even as the hospitality industry has suffered from a bruising COVID-19 pandemic, Ananti Hilton Busan at Gijang-gun, Busan, stands ready to offer staycation guests a comfortable, fun and relaxing stay. A scenic view of the ocean by the balcony greets guests. The infinity pool -- one of four different swimming areas at the hotel -- is the largest among five-star hotels in Korea. An open kitchen buffet called Da Moim, meaning “everyone has gathered,” serves fresh seafood

July 17, 2021

[Photo News] Zinnias bloom on Jeju Island

Zinnia blossoms are capturing the hearts of visitors at the historic site in Aewol-eup on Jeju Island where 13th-century Korean resistance fighters struggled as hard as they could against Mongolian invaders. Though they were ultimately defeated, the Koreans never gave up. 　 Zinnia elegans, well known for their colorful red, pink and orange flowers, start blooming between June and October. The Korean name of the plant, “baek-il hong,” refers to red flowers that stay in bloom for 100

July 17, 2021