[Video] Flavor chemistry behind cocoa gastronomy

The mouth-watering sweetness that originated from cocoa serves as the main component of chocolate in the modern confectionery industry. The unique bounties of rare flavors coming from the deep brown beans are undoubtedly the magic hands behind the juicy touch. Many chocolate lovers agree -- a bite of fine chocolate can be as exquisite as a fancy truffle risotto, conveying the pleasure of tasting something truly delectable. On Jan. 10, the world’s largest chocolate festival, “Salon du

Jan. 22, 2020

Korean Cultural Centers introduce country's Lunar New Year traditions

Diverse cultural events will be held at Korean Cultural Centers located in countries that mark the Lunar New Year’s holiday, introducing Korea’s own Lunar New Year traditions and customs.Eighteen Korean Cultural Centers in 15 countries will organize Lunar New Year’s events, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korean Culture and Information Service announced Tuesday. The centers are operated by the Korean government. “To celebrate the Lunar New Year, Korean Cul

Jan. 21, 2020

Get out of house this Lunar New Year’s holiday and enjoy traditional events

Although it is tempting to stay in bed late during the long Lunar New Year’s holiday, there will be diverse traditional cultural events and opportunities that people should not miss. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Monday that four Joseon-era palaces in Seoul -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung -- will keep their doors open throughout the four-day holiday this year.The four palaces will offer cultural experience programs for visitors. On Saturd

Jan. 21, 2020

Where ordinary moments are turned into special memories

While it has become second nature for many to snap away with cutting-edge smartphones, trying to find a “special moment” among the hundreds of photos stored is never easy.Following are four studios in Seoul offering unique ways to remind patrons of their ordinary yet special moments. Photo Cafe CharLee-GangmoolA cafe from not only the outside but also the inside, Cafe Charlee-Gangmool hides two paparazzi who take pictures of lovers, friends and families relaxing at the tables. Even w

Jan. 17, 2020

[Weekender] Spending Seollal alone may be unorthodox, but there is still plenty to do in Seoul

As Koreans halt operations and leave on an exodus for their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday, travelers and expats alike may find themselves scratching their heads as to how to spend their weekend. This year, Seollal falls on Jan. 24-26, giving South Koreans a three-day weekend to celebrate with their loved ones.Customs, family and food are at the heart of this national holiday. However, in recent times, there has been a shift away from traditional celebrations, meaning more to do for th

Jan. 16, 2020

[Feature] Private museums face difficulties in managing national treasures

Baik In-san, chief curator of the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, felt a sense of relief when the organization decided to build a new storage facility with government funds worth 4.4 billion won ($3.78 million) for its artifacts, including 12 national treasures. However, concerns lingered about how the private museum could preserve the artifacts well. “The government funds were like rain in a drought because we had some financial difficulties with artifacts management,” Baik said

Jan. 12, 2020

Pengsoo fans irked by stricter YouTube rules

Fans of Pengsoo have reacted angrily after comments were blocked on YouTube videos starring the EBS penguin character, after the streaming sites enforcement of stricter children’s content rules starting Tuesday. The strengthened regulations came into effect after the US’ Federal Trade Commission last September announced that it was fining Google $170 million for violating children’s privacy law in the US. “We do understand that fans are upset about not being able to leave

Jan. 10, 2020

[Eye Plus] Seoul lights the way for ‘Year of White Mouse’

At the turn of each year, Korean people buzz about the new animal of the year based upon the Chinese zodiac and everything it stands for.The deep-rooted culture, which goes all the way back to ancient totemism, has been transfigured in modern society into a wish-making slogan or marketing keyword.Following the year 2019, which marked the year of the “Golden Pig,” this is the year of “White Mouse,” a symbol of wealth, fortune and prosperity. While the mouse is the first an

Jan. 3, 2020

‘Fansumers’ emerge as social media power brokers

In a KakaoTalk group chat gathering 300 fans of Pengsoo, users vented their anger when the character appeared at a promotional event for a movie on Dec. 16. Some of them insisted they should send emails of protest to the production team at Educational Broadcasting System and ask them to refrain from commercial uses of Pengsoo -- a costumed live-action penguin character that has quickly gained popularity in Korea for its straight-talking wit.  “We can’t stand Pengsoo’s imag

Dec. 31, 2019

Watch a show, have a drink, too

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul took a step this week to make year-end concerts more festive and fun, allowing people to bring drinks, including alcohol, into the shows.On Tuesday, before the start of “Introduction to Indie Music” at the Sejong Center’s S Theater, several people stood around the lobby with plastic cups of beer in their hands. A temporary bar was set up in one corner of the lobby where patrons could grab a cup at 8,000 won ($6.90) apiece.

Dec. 26, 2019

[Video] The magic and romance of Christmas

The magical morning of Dec. 25 is a time of great excitement and anticipation, as you get to spend time with your beloved family and make more memories to cherish. One of the essential parts of celebrating Christmas is exchanging good vibes and spreading the holiday’s goodwill. It’s exactly around that time of year where the whole world turns boisterous and people are drawn to the festive spirit. The noise of bells jingling, colorful seasonal decorations and Christmas trees embellish

Dec. 24, 2019

US museum acquires 14th century Goryeo Buddhist painting

The Cleveland Museum of Art recently acquired a rare Buddhist painting from the Goryeo Kingdom period in the 14th century, depicting the afterlife.“The Fourth King of Hell” is from a series of paintings depicting the 10 Buddhist kings of hell, according to the museum’s press release dated Dec. 19. The practice of painting the 10 kings of hell developed in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907) and this practice was subsequently adopted in Korea and perfected during the Goryeo

Dec. 24, 2019

Coex Aquarium announces new rare penguin

Coex Aquarium announced this week the birth of a baby Humboldt penguin, marking the first time a Korean facility has succeeded in natural breeding for a fourth straight generation.The newly born bird was the fourth generation from 20 Humboldt penguins the aquarium acquired in 2008, and was revealed to the public for the first time Wednesday.Officials at the aquarium noted that natural breeding of the species is extremely difficult, as the process is very sensitive to surroundings such as the tem

Dec. 20, 2019

[Eye plus] Preserving memories of Seoul

The history of Seoul dates back nearly 2,000 years, but citizens and visitors alike find it difficult to imagine what life here must have been like just half a century ago. From the 1950s to the present, the city has undergone the most dramatic transformation in its history, one that is almost unparalleled from a global perspective as well. Rising from the ashes of war to attain economic prosperity, the city has abandoned the remnants of its impoverished past and embraced futuristic skyscrapers,

Dec. 20, 2019

'Mermaid of Asia' named second vice culture-sports minister

Choi Yoon-hee, a former South Korean female swimming star, was appointed as new second vice minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in a reshuffle of four vice minister-level officials conducted by President Moon Jae-in on Thursday.The president named 52-year-old Choi to succeed Roh Tae-kang as the No. 2 official at the culture and sports ministry, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.Choi, who gained fame in the 1980s after winning five Asian Games gold medals in swimming,

Dec. 19, 2019

Colorful light show to illuminate Seoul's winter night

A nighttime light show will take place in central Seoul for about two weeks to celebrate the end of this year and the beginning of next year, municipal officials said Wednesday. The light show, dubbed "Seoul Light," will be staged at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, or DDP, from Friday to Jan. 3, according to officials at the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Design Foundation.The show featuring a mix of colorful light and visuals and music will be held every hour from 7 p.m. to

Dec. 18, 2019

Se-dol over HanDol: S. Korean Go master Lee beats AI player

In the first match of his retirement series, South Korean Go master Lee Se-dol defeated home-developed artificial intelligence program HanDol on Wednesday.Lee secured the victory after 92 stones thanks to an early blunder by HanDol, a program developed by South Korea's NHN Entertainment Corp.Lee announced his retirement from Go, or baduk in Korean, last month, saying he felt he could no longer beat AI programs. Lee famously defeated AlphaGo of Google's DeepMind in 2016 in one match of a five-mat

Dec. 18, 2019

K-pop, K-culture driving themes of 2020 Korea Grand Sale

Music, aesthetics and other aspects of Korean culture will be the main features of the 10th Korea Grand Sale, its organizers said Tuesday. The Visit Korea Committee announced the details of the annual event, which runs Jan. 16 through Feb. 29 and offers benefits and cultural opportunities to foreign visitors.The focal point of next year’s event will be the special five-point promotion of “K-pop, K-beauty, K-food, K-heritage and K-winter.”Organizers are holding a lucky draw for

Dec. 17, 2019

[Photo News] Partnering for a better world

Togo’s Deputy Minister Victor G. Yawotse Vovor shakes hands with the founder of the International Youth Fellowship, Park Ock-soo (right), during an event for a joint agreement, in Lomo on Saturday. The two sides agreed to implement the “2018-2020 National Development Plan” to foster the country’s fundamentals, technology and youths. Established in 2001, the IYF seeks to provide education programs for the younger generation in developing countries like Africa. (IYF)

Dec. 17, 2019

[Eye plus] Making art out of straw

A giant eagle and gorilla recently took up residence by an outdoor pool in Jungnang-gu in northeastern Seoul. They -- along with smaller animals, scarecrows and other figures arranged on the pool grounds during the offseason -- are all made of straw from this year’s rice harvest. The sculptures are the works of artist Lee Chun-su and the people of Buan County in North Jeolla Province. About 30 works are on display as part of the rural county’s efforts to showcase what it calls &

Dec. 13, 2019