[Weekender] Massage no longer taboo or luxury

In South Korea, the image of massage services has long been negative, viewed in relation to illicit sexual service providers. Either that, or massages were seen as the prerogative of the elite at posh and luxurious spas.Now, with growing interest in health services amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the consequent branching out of massage to become more affordable and accessible, it has become a common way to relieve stress and pain for many Korean urbanites. In Seoul, you can easily fin

Dec. 6, 2018

Century-old hanok welcomes new souls

Hanok, or traditional Korean buildings, being turned into hip cafes and restaurants are no longer newsworthy, as the touristy areas of Bukchon, Seochon and Samcheong-dong are dotted with these amalgamations of old and new. What is unique about a hanok in Dongdaemun that recently opened as a cafe-lifestyle shop is that it is very old -- more than 100 years old. The J.Hidden House, situated on a backstreet in Dongdaemun -- the fashion hub of Seoul with the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Pla

Dec. 5, 2018

Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I expresses support for Korea’s unification

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, widely considered the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians, expressed support for South Korean President Moon Jae-in‘s efforts to bring reunification of Koreas closer to reality.Visiting Korea to lead a special service commemorating the 50th anniversary of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Seoul, Bartholomew said the Orthodox community around the world is praying for a peaceful reunification of the peninsula. This marks the fourth time he has visi

Dec. 4, 2018

N. Korean paintings show another side of hermit kingdom

In spite of recent efforts to denuclearize North Korea, the image of the communist state remains unfavorable for most people around the world. From the country’s brash threats to its human rights record to the unpredictability of its young leader, dealing with Pyongyang has never been an easy task.However, Teresa Song, a South Korea-born British entrepreneur, says she wants to promote another side of the country through paintings depicting the country’s relatively-untouched nature.  Teresa SongT

Dec. 2, 2018

[Weekender] Finding the Buddha inside through templestay

Buddhist temples are religious places, but temple stays offer participants a chance to look into themselves and find inner peace, regardless of their religion.For a one-day inner journey, I recently headed out to Heungguksa, located on the mountain ridges of Nogosan in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, an hour drive northwest of central Seoul.  Heungguksa (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)Because the trip was rather short, I was not expecting much seclusion. Compared to other temples, Heungguksa is mu

Nov. 29, 2018

[Photo News] With Christmas near, there is magic in the air

Though an indoor amusement park, it snows twice a day at Lotte World Adventure. With the arrival of the winter holiday season, the park has been showing two Christmas-themed parades every day. Around 100 performers, mostly foreigners, turn into characters from Santa’s village, such as Santa, a tree, elf or snowman. Trains with ice-cream and cookie decorations complete the scene.An hour before the parade, the performers appear at ease, idly spending their time in the dressing room. But 10 minutes

Nov. 29, 2018

National Museum holds exhibition on Kazakhstan civilization

The National Museum of Korea is hosting an exhibition with the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighting the civilization of the great plains of Kazakhstan and the cultural heritage of its people.In the exhibition “Kazakhstan-The Cradleland of the ‘Golden Man,’” the National Museum presents more than 450 pieces of relics representing the nomadic civilization’s culture and history spanning prehistoric times to the modern era. Kazakhstan’s iconic “Golden Man” is displayed with full vestment (Yonhap)The

Nov. 29, 2018

USAG Yongsan opens gallery to the public after 114 years

A gallery opens at the US Army Garrison Yongsan on Friday, 114 years after the area was closed off to the public. Opened by Seoul City, the Yongsan Park Gallery is located at the United Service Organization building in the US Army Garrison Yongsan, allowing the public to visit the area for the first time since 1904, when the area was designated for the stationing of Japanese troops. US forces began to use the site after the Korean War broke out. The USO building was constructed in 1908 to serve

Nov. 29, 2018

Exhibition sheds light on US journalist who brought March 1 Movement to outside world

The life and times of Albert Wilder Taylor, the US journalist who broke the news of the March 1 Movement and drew global attention to the plight of the Korean people under Japanese rule, are the subject of the exhibition “Dilkusha and Chain of Amber,” which runs through March 10 at the Seoul Museum of History. Albert Taylor, who was in the gold-mining business as well as being a correspondent for United Press International and the Associated Press, arrived in what was then called Joseon in 1896.

Nov. 28, 2018

Mickey Mouse to make first visit to Seoul

Walt Disney’s iconic Mickey Mouse will be visiting Seoul as part of a yearlong world tour celebrating his 90th birthday.The beloved character’s first trip to the country coincides with the third anniversary of the city’s slogan “I.SEOUL.U,” the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday. Mickey will arrive at Incheon International Airport on Wednesday morning for his four-day trip. The famous mouse will greet the public at locations including Gwanghwamun Square, Yeouido Hangang Park, N Seoul Tow

Nov. 27, 2018

[Photo News] Is this body yours or mine?

The yearslong patent battle between Samsung and Apple over the slide-to-unlock feature was perhaps one of the most explicit cases of how the human body -- human gestures, in particular -- have been privatized or incorporated into capitalism and technological development. Julien Previeux’s first solo exhibition in South Korea comprises works that tackle phenomena in which the contemporary world “buys” the actions of human bodies.An installation view of Julien Previeux’s first solo exhibition, “Pi

Nov. 26, 2018

Ssireum becomes Koreas’ 1st jointly inscribed UNESCO world heritage item

The Korean traditional form of wrestling known as ssireum was officially inscribed onto the UNESCO list of intangible cultural assets on Monday, after South and North Korea made their historic first joint bid.The decision was reached at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Port Louis, Mauritius, which continues through Saturday. Earlier in the day, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to combine their originally separate bids.Ssire

Nov. 26, 2018

Koreas make historic bid for ‘ssireum’ as 1st jointly held UNESCO world heritage item

South and North Korea have officially made a joint bid to inscribe the traditional form of wrestling known as “ssireum” on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural assets. It represents the first joint UNESCO bid in history for the two Koreas.According to the South Korean government, Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to combine their separate bids for the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which takes place Monday through Saturday in

Nov. 26, 2018

Santa's set of points

A group of children enjoy Milennium Seoul Hilton‘s Christmas train display, now on its 23rd run, on Sunday. A 10-meter high Christmas tree has been placed at the lobby along with seasonal decorations. The holiday train will be on display until Jan. 20. (Yonhap)

Nov. 25, 2018

18th-century royal court artwork to be designated national treasure

An 18th-century collection of works that includes a historic painting depicting events at the Joseon Dynasty royal court is slated to become one of South Korea’s national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday.The “Gisa Gyecheop,” or “Album of Paintings of the Gathering of Elders,” is to be promoted to national treasure status after 30 days of deliberation by the Cultural Heritage Committee and feedback from experts. The work is currently Treasure No. 929. 　The 50-pag

Nov. 23, 2018

Enjoying modern life in traditional style

Past the steel-and-glass skyscrapers and stacked apartment complexes, a village of houses built in traditional Korean style can be found in northwestern Seoul. But something about them looks very new. Designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Eunpyeong-gu in 2011 as a housing development site, Eunpyeong Hanok Village aims to encourage those looking to build hanok.Middle-aged couple Park In-ki and Park Eun-jeong live in the village, together with their two sons and the husband’s mother.

Nov. 22, 2018

[Photo News] Chefs awarded for ‘modern’ Korean food creations

Three young Korean cuisine chefs were awarded Monday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, for their innovative dishes using local ingredients. An event the same day invited a panel of judges to taste and evaluate 10 up-and-coming Korean chefs’ new creations at the Korean Cuisine Cultural Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)(Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)The contesting restaurants were selected at the start of this year a

Nov. 19, 2018

[Eye Plus] Comic characters revitalize old neighborhood

Seongnae-dong in Gangdong District of Seoul was run-down and quiet, a neighborhood occupied mostly by the elderly. But with Kang Full, a popular webtoon artist who has been living in the area since he was 2 years old, the old town has turned into a lively and vivid one with his comic characters. Created in 2013, the Kang Full Cartoon Alley in Seongnae-dong is full of his artworks featuring popular characters and images from his comics. Artists and students from Sungsu High School’s art club join

Nov. 15, 2018

[Weekender] Subscription plans bring readers back to books

The rate at which Koreans read books regularly is hitting new lows each year. Only 60 percent of adults read at least one book in 2017, down 5.4 percent from 2015, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The decline in book readers comes as no surprise, as people are drawn to activities with more instant gratification, such as games, social media and video streaming. One hopeful sign for authors, publishers and booksellers is the emergence of new services built upon what is cal

Nov. 15, 2018

[Weekender] Korean startups craft mix of beer and subscriptions

Following the rise of the subscription economy, an increasing number of startups have launched services adopting the new business model. One such startup is Daily Shot, which offers a craft beer or cocktail at a pub for a monthly fee of 9,900 won ($8.70).Daily Shot includes a drink at partner pubs and bars to customers who sign up for the monthly plan. The average price of a craft beer or cocktail is set at about 10,000 won at Daily Shot, but subscription customers can enjoy a daily drink for ju

Nov. 15, 2018