Deoksu Palace throne halls to open to public next week

A special program to allow the general public to see the interior of four throne halls of Deoksu Palace in central Seoul will kick off from March 29 through April 3, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday. 　One of Seoul’s five grand palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Deoksugung, meaning “Palace of Virtuous Longevity,” became a palace in 1593 when King Seonjo moved in after all of Seoul’s other palaces were destroyed during the Japanese invasion.　Visitors taking part

March 22, 2016

‘Mockingbird’ tickets selling quickly after author’s death

MONROEVILLE, Alabama (AP) -- The death of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee hasn’t hurt ticket sales for a dramatic version of her novel staged each year in her Alabama hometown.　A statement issued by play organizers Monday says only a few hundred tickets remain for the 16 performances, which begin next month in Monroeville.　This is the first year the play will be produced by a nonprofit organization formed last year in Lee’s name. The production was previously overseen by a museum locat

March 22, 2016

Japanese professor says private sector should lead Korean food promotion

Koreans share warmth and affection through food, and this tradition could bolster bilateral relations between South Korea and Japan, a Japanese professor who has dedicated much of his career to culinary exchange said Wednesday."Korean and Japanese food culture is similar in that both countries have rice as their staple. But Koreans are more generous with their food. A guest is served with a heaping bowl of rice with many banchan (side dishes). You can feel 'jeong' from a Korean dining table."Asa

March 16, 2016

Korea unveils unified gov't emblem

South Korea unveiled a unified emblem for its government Tuesday in an effort to save costs and help people easily recognize government organizations. A dynamic, open-ended "taegeuk" mark will be used as the new government symbol, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. The new design is based on the taegeuk, a symbol that is most prominently displayed on the country's national flag.South Korean government ministries and state-run agencies have been using different symbols to represent

March 15, 2016

Asia Culture Center offers rich spring events

No more staying indoors, cowering from the cold. Spring is just around the corner and along with it comes various fun and vibrant cultural activities around the country.The Asia Culture Center (ACC), a state-run arts and concert venue in the southwestern city of Gwangju, is planning to hold various events in the coming month.Every Saturday from March 26 until April 30 the center will stage the "ACC Spring Festival" with a slew of dance and music performances, art shows and participatory events l

March 11, 2016

First Korean cultural center opens in Middle East

South Korea will open a state-run facility for promoting Korean culture in Abu Dhabi Thursday, the first in the Middle East, the government said.The new Korean Cultural Center, which sits near Khalifa Park, the biggest park in Abu Dhabi, is also the 29th of its kind worldwide.It has sections providing a first-hand experience of traditional Korean culture and showcasing the Korean cultural industry. South Korea's government-designated "quality" cultural products and Halal food are displayed on th

March 10, 2016

Korea, Britain agree to promote cooperation in culture industry

South Korea and Britain agreed Monday to positively enhance cooperation and exchanges in the creative culture industry during a forum held in London.Culture ministers from the two countries adopted a joint statement which called for continuous efforts to cultivate the media industries and cultural content on the public and private levels.The agreement was made at the day-long U.K.-Korea Creative Industries Forum. The forum, the second of its kind, was presided over by South Korean Minister of Cu

March 8, 2016

Shakespeare‘s curse-protected grave gets radar survey

LONDON (AFP) - Documentary film makers have radar scanned William Shakespeare's grave this year as Britain celebrates the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, Channel 4 said and the Daily Telegraph reported Monday.　The grave in the Holy Trinity Church in Shakespeare's birthplace of Stratford upon Avon is a place of pilgrimage for fans and has an inscription on it with a curse against anyone planning to tamper with it.　“Bleste be the man that spares these stones, And curst be he that moves my b

March 8, 2016

Saint’s treasure sparks battle between Naples and Church

NAPLES (AFP) - Thousands of protesters demonstrated in Naples on Saturday in a bid to prevent the Catholic Church gaining any control over the treasure of a local saint that is reputedly worth more than British crown jewels.　“We're protecting a centuries-old institution, we will not stand for interference from either the Church or the government,” Paolo Jorio, director of the San Gennaro museum where the jewels are kept, told AFP.　The protest was sparked by a decree issued by Interior Minister A

March 6, 2016

Choi shines as Korean-American adoptee in musical

A young Korean-American adoptee returns home for the first time in desperate search for his birth-mother. For musical director, conductor and actress Kolleen Park, the plot of her latest musical production “Airport Baby” may seem like an all-too-familiar tale. But add local musical actor Choi Jae-rim to the mix and the result is an unexpectedly moving portrayal of a troubled young soul. Following her role as a mother struggling with bipolar disorder in the Korean rendition of the off-Broadway mu

March 3, 2016

Ha Jung-woo puts new painting up for auction

Actor and film director Ha Jung-woo has put up his painting “Keep Silence” for auction, art auctioneer I Auction announced Wednesday.The auctioneer described Ha’s works as an outlandish and humorous depiction of the conflict between oneself and the character he or she plays, adding that it evokes pop art and expressionism.The auctioneer estimated the value of Ha’s work to range from 13 million won ($ 10,647) to 25 million won. Ha’s career as an artist started as a hobby in 2007, when he was a co

March 3, 2016