S. Korea secures 5th consecutive term on UNESCO executive board

South Korea has been elected to the executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for a four-year term from 2023 to 2027, the Foreign Ministry announced Thursday. The country's election to the 58-member body for the 2023-2027 term took place during the 42nd session of the general conference held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Wednesday. South Korea joined UNESCO in 1950 and has served as an executive board member nine times since its firs

Nov. 17, 2023

[Well-curated] English tea, sticky rice treats and yes, you can strike the bell at Bosingak

Cozy, warm tearoom in Huam-dong For imbibers of among the oldest aromatic beverages, a cozy and quiet place to enjoy afternoon tea time can be found in Huam-dong in Yongsan, central Seoul. TeaRoom Rossetti is a small, friendly place where the owner offers freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Try the afternoon tea set that includes hand-made sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and madeleines served for at least two people. If you plan to visit alone, the tearoom has an

Nov. 17, 2023

National Changgeuk Company's endeavor to foster pansori composers continues

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea’s project to bolster the renewed popularity of changgeuk, which is akin to a traditional Korean version of opera, continues for the second year with four selected participants set to unveil their works next month. During a press conference on Tuesday, the project participants gave a sneak preview of the creations they have been working on for the last 10 years as part of the Pansori Composer Project. Lee Youn-joo, Lee Bong-geun, Kang Na-hyun and Sh

Nov. 15, 2023

[Our Museums] Seek hidden tales of Korean masks at Hahoe Mask Museum

ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province -- At the heart of Korea's dynamic performance culture is the captivating tradition of "tal" and "talchum" -- masks and mask dancing. This form of masked performance art unveils a hidden world of storytelling and symbolism, enchanting audiences. Since the period of the Three Kingdoms, talchum has been more than entertainment. Masks have the power to empower individuals to air secrets, stir up deep emotions and recount age-old tales, crea

Nov. 14, 2023

Enjoy League of Legends World Championship at Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul will become the stage for four days of festivities starting Friday in anticipation of the final round of the 2023 League of Legends World Championship on Sunday. South Korea's T1 made its way to the final round after defeating China's JDG Intel Esports Club on Nov. 12. T1 is set to compete against China's Weibo Gaming at the Gocheok Sky Dome in southern Seoul. For those who couldn't secure tickets for the final round, the Seoul Metropolitan Gover

Nov. 13, 2023

Rising star pianists of three Asian countries join force for peace concert

Pianists from three Asian countries are set to join forces for a special concert series called “3 Peace Concert” next month in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From Dec. 5-7, pianists from Korea, Taiwan and Japan will have their recital at Mapo Arts Center in Daeheung. The series will kick off with Kim Do-hyun, who won the second prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of contemporary piano music at the Ferruccio Busoni Competition 2021. Kim, the inaugural Artist of the Year for Mapo

Nov. 13, 2023

[Eye Plus]Bipa, an instrument pulled out of decades of oblivion

The "bipa," a guitar-shaped Korean traditional instrument widely loved for over a thousand years, has almost been completely lost to history. Kim Ju-yeong, one of fewer than 10 bipa players left in Korea, has worked hard to preserve tradition and connect modern people with the instrument. “I began to play the bipa following my aunt’s recommendation. As a child, I had trouble focusing, but I could concentrate well when I played the bipa,” Kim said. “The sound o

Nov. 11, 2023

Jeju female divers 'haenyeo' listed as FAO agricultural heritage system

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has designated a unique fishing style of female divers on South Korea's southern island of Jeju who dive without oxygen masks as one of its world agricultural heritage systems, officials said Friday. The decision to list the Jeju Haenyeo Fisheries System on the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems was made during a three-day General Assembly session at the FAO headquarters in Rome, according to Jeju City. "Haenyeo," some in thei

Nov. 10, 2023

[Photo News] Universe of light

Nov. 10, 2023

[Well-curated] LP listening pleasure, Pokemon pop-up and Korean traditional archery

Groove to LP sounds at Music Complex Seoul The Music Complex Seoul, located inside the Anyoung Insadong shopping center in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, offers the special experience of listening to music in an old-fashioned yet captivating way -- via records on turntables. Adorned with retro red wallpaper and neon lights, the Music Complex Seoul boasts a music library with over 20,000 vinyl LPs. Choose a record from the shelves and bring it to your table to play it on one of the many turntables and

Nov. 10, 2023

National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty to open in Pyeongchang

PYEONGCHANG, Gangwon Province -- The National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province is gearing up to open its doors to the public this Sunday to offer important documents that show the history of the dynasty (1392-1910) year-round. "Due to the delicate nature of paper book preservation, museums have previously limited the exhibition duration of these artifacts," a senior researcher commented during a press conference organized by the Cultural Herit

Nov. 9, 2023

Bass Youn Kwang-chul explores 'Koreanness,' identity in Korean art song album

Youn Kwang-chul, a renowned South Korean bass opera singer who has performed on the world's major opera stages, has recently released an album dedicated to gagok, or Korean art songs. “I debuted in Europe almost 30 years ago and for those 30 years overseas, I made a tremendous effort to live alongside their works, music and culture, interpreting them and making efforts to inspire them with their music. At the same time, however, there have been moments of confusion about my own identi

Nov. 9, 2023

[From the scene] Jazz music livens up Seoul's streets

On Tuesday afternoon, a special performance took place on the streets of Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, sending cheerful messages to passersby, mostly office workers at nearby buildings. Ma Hak-jeong, 36, who started her musical career as a vocalist in a jazz orchestra but now performs as a soloist, began her performance with IU's "My Old Story." Ma considered quitting her work as a vocalist during the COVID-19 pandemic when strict social distancing measures meant there were

Nov. 8, 2023

Back to square one on return of Goryeo relics from Boston museum

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, once again agreed to return only the sarira from the 13th century silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary to Korea, according to Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and the leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to repatriating cultural heritage, Wednesday. The decision comes more than a decade after previous talks fell through, after the same offer was made in 2009. The civic group announced Wednesday that it had met with Julia McCarthy, interim he

Nov. 8, 2023

[Our Museums] Explore plaintive and joyful melodies of Korea at Arirang Museum

JEONGSEON, Gangwon Province -- "Arirang Arirang Arario ..." The melancholic yet oddly comforting melody resonates deeply in the hearts of Koreans. While the song's exact origins remain unclear, historical records suggest that Arirang became popular in the late Joseon era, cementing its position as one of the most beloved Korean folksongs, evoking a sense of home to many. In December 2012, Arirang, the lyrical folk song of the Republic of Korea, was named UNESCO Intangible Cultur

Nov. 7, 2023

Talks on Goryeo artifact's repatriation resume a decade later

Discussions on the return to Korea of the silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped sarira reliquary dating back to the 13th century in the Goryeo era, which is currently on exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are set to resume, 10 years after the previous talks fell through. Hyemun, a former Buddhist monk and the leader of a non-profit civic group dedicated to repatriating cultural heritage, emphasized the need to restart discussions and focus on bringing the sarira back to Korea, in a p

Nov. 7, 2023

[Herald Review] Music Festival Pohang stands strong without conductor or chairs

POHANG, North Gyeongsang Province -- When the Music Festival Pohang was launched in 2020, the timing could not have been worse. The world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the majority of music festivals -- both old and new -- were canceled. The music festival, which aims to promote classical music, continues to stand strong as it returns for its third year, taking place in the port city known for its steel industry. The festival's opening concert took place Friday evening at the Pohang

Nov. 6, 2023

NewJeans, Heartsteel to open 2023 LoL World Championship Finals

K-pop stars NewJeans and virtual boy band Heartsteel are set to perform at the opening ceremony of the League of Legends World Championship Final at the Gocheok Sky Dome in southwestern Seoul on Nov. 19, according to the Riot Games. The LoL World Championship, one of the most popular competitive multiplayer video gaming tournaments, annually showcases live performances by a star-studded lineup of artists who sing the tournament’s anthem in the opening ceremony of the final. Beloved artists

Nov. 6, 2023

Mayplace Hotel marks ninth anniversary with room promotions

The Mayplace Hotel, situated in the heart of Seoul in Jongno-gu, has announced a special promotional event for November in celebration of its ninth anniversary. Having opened in 2014 as a sub brand of the five-star hotel Mayfield Seoul, Mayplace Hotel caters to business travelers as well as tourists exploring Seoul's historical and cultural sites. The special promotion offers a nine percent discount on all room types, available on both weekdays and weekends for November reservations. A

Nov. 5, 2023

Pianist Chung Kyu-bin wins Isangyun Competition 2023

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- A weeklong competition for young pianists ended in Tongyeong Saturday evening with five winners. At Isangyun Competition 2023, Chung Kyu-bin was announced the first prize winner, beating four other finalists who each performed a piano concerto with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra led by conductor Samuel Lee. Chung received 30 million won ($23,000) in prize money. Chung was the second to perform and grace the stage with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.

Nov. 5, 2023