More Korean words make it into Oxford English Dictionary

Thanks to the soaring popularity of Korean culture, 26 words and phrases of Korean origin have been included in the latest update to the Oxford English Dictionary. The dictionary was first published in 1884, and the word “Korean” was first added in a 1933 supplement. Food features prominently in the recent update: Banchan are small side dishes served along with rice as part of a typical Korean meal. Bulgogi is a dish consisting of thin slices of beef or pork, which are marinated a

Oct. 8, 2021

[Well-Curated] Arrival of fall calls for quiet, long walks

Autumn is here. And the best way to enjoy the glorious colors of trees and scent of pine while learning about Korean history is to visit forest trails inside Joseon royal tomb compounds which will stay open through Nov. 30. For those who want to enjoy trails in the city, there are two trails in Seoul — a trail at royal tombs Taeneung and Gangneung and a trail at Mount Cheonjang near Euineung. The trail between Taeneung and Gangneung is around 1,800 meters long and the trail near Euineu

Oct. 7, 2021

Princess Deokon font to commemorate Hangeul Day

To celebrate Hangeul Day, the newly created Princess Deokon Font, will be released free of charge on Friday, according to the National Hangeul Museum. The font is based on Princess Deokon’s handwritten Hangeul translation of “Jagyeongjeonki,” a book originally written by King Sunjo in Chinese characters. Princess Deokon (1822-1844) was the last princess of Joseon and the youngest daughter of King Sunjo -- the 23rd king of Joseon -- and Queen Sunwon. It is said that Queen Su

Oct. 6, 2021

CHA head responds to controversy over apartments near UNESCO-listed royal tomb in Gimpo in parliamentary hearing

Kim Hyun-mo, head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, answered lawmakers‘ questions about the controversy surrounding apartments near an UNESCO-listed royal tomb in Gimpo during the parliamentary inspection Tuesday. The Joseon-era royal tomb Jangneung in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, houses the parents of King Injo, the 16th ruler of Joseon, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, along with several other Joseon royal tombs around the country. According to the CHA, it

Oct. 5, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] Gakgung, the Korean composite bow which saved Koreans throughout history

To say that Korea wouldn’t be here today without Korean Gakgung Bow would be an understatement! Since ancient times, Gakgung, which means “bow made with animal horn,” was the weapon of choice for hunting and for protection of Koreans from invaders. The fact that the majority of Korean land is mountainous makes the bow and arrow a perfect weapon to defend fortresses from invaders. Koreans have always been known to be excellent archers. Neighboring kingdoms were even afraid to

Oct. 2, 2021

Hanbok-clad Chinese game characters spark controversy

A Chinese game featuring a female character dressed in traditional Korean costume hanbok has sparked controversy over plagiarism and intellectual property theft in South Korea.  According to industry sources Thursday, Blooming Moonlight, a game serviced in Korea by Chinese game developer Zishi Technology, showcases a character wearing a hanbok outfit with the exact same design as that of Baekoaksoo, a renowned Seoul-based hanbok company, which previously designed the outfits featured in th

Sept. 30, 2021

[Well-curated] Walk around Seoul City Wall for a weekend break

For Seoulites, this weekend is a great chance to hike a somewhat challenging historical path in the northern part of Seoul. The 9th Hanyang Doseong Culture Festival under the theme “Sungseong: Embracing the Wishes” will be held both on and offline, including on-site participation for visitors. The festival begins Oct. 1 and continues for 10 days. Hanyang Doseong, also known as the Seoul City Wall, follows the ridges of Bugaksan (Baekaksan), Naksan (Naktasan), Namsan (Mongmyeoks

Sept. 30, 2021

Controversy brews over nominee for Sejong Center head

The local culture scene has continued to protest the nomination of Ahn Ho-sang as the new head of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Some artists and art groups held a protest Thursday in front of the art center in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, calling for Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon to withdraw the nomination of Ahn as the new CEO of the city-funded art center, citing the blacklist scandal.　 “Ahn is deeply involved in the blacklist scandal. The investigation shows that he is an assail

Sept. 30, 2021

18th Odaesan Mountain Culture Festival to sing for hope through musical

Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Tuesday announced that it will hold the 18th Odaesan Mountain Culture Festival, an annual celebration to provide visitors a chance to experience Korean Buddhist culture, from Oct. 8 to 10. The festival will mainly take place in Woljeongsa, a temple on Odaesan in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. “After becoming head Buddhist monks of Woljeongsa, I have been trying to combine various cultures of Odaesan that developed over 1,400 years with modern culture t

Sept. 30, 2021

Controversy surrounds apartments near UNESCO-listed royal tomb in Gimpo

The Joseon-era royal tomb Jangneung in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, had many visitors on Sunday as families traveled there to enjoy the lush forest trail. The tomb houses the parents of King Injo, the 16th ruler of Joseon, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009 along with several other Joseon royal tombs around the country. While children and parents posed for photos in front of Jangneung, which like most royal tombs stands at the foot of a mountain ridge -- its location was dec

Sept. 27, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] The Mungyeongsaejae mountain pass and all that it has seen

An ancient mountain pass called Mungyeongsaejae separates the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula from the middle-region, where the capital city is located. Mungyeongsaejae, which literally means a mountain top so high that even birds have difficulty flying over it, cuts over the Baekdudaegan, the mountain range which runs through entire length of the Korean Peninsula. Since the 10th century, in order to take imperial examinations, equivalent to civil service exams today, those from sout

Sept. 25, 2021

[Well-curated] Korea’s coasts, DMZ, Busan featured in shows

American artist Mark Dion -- who doubles as an amateur ecologist, archaeologist and naturalist -- showcased his first solo exhibition in South Korea at Barakat Contemporary in central Seoul after going through thorough on-site research in South Korea’s western and southern coastlines. Dion’s solo exhibition “The Sea Life of South Korea and Other Curious Tales” includes his new large-scale installations “Cabinet of Marine Debris” and “Sea Life of South

Sept. 23, 2021

Body profile pictures: Worth it or not?

After COVID-19 emerged last year, taking body profile photos quickly became a new trend. “My company started working from home and we couldn’t have hoesik (nighttime drinking gatherings). So I thought it was a great opportunity for me to work out more and eat healthier for a body profile photo,” said Han Ji-sung, 28. He added that the studio where he had his photos taken was fully booked for a month in June last year, reflecting the popularity of body profile shots. About a y

Sept. 22, 2021

Timeline Index lists Jikji as oldest printed book with metal types on civic group's campaign

Not-for-profit civic organization Voluntary Agency Network of Korea said Sunday its campaign to petition a website to recognize Jikji Simche Yojeol as the oldest book with movable metal type in the world has borne fruit. Timeline Index, a Netherlands-based project to collect and disclose information about historic assets, has recently recognized the Buddhist doctrinal book as the oldest book printed using movable metal type, upon VANK’s request for correction, according to VANK. Printed

Sept. 19, 2021

[Eye Plus] A warm breeze heralds the start of autumn

The weather seems to be getting cooler a little late this year. Hot air still arrives at the peak of the day, and air conditioning is still running on high in most of Seoul’s packed buildings. But rest assured, Chuseok, the traditional Korean harvest holiday, is less than a week away. This is when the temperature drops and we say a sure goodbye to summer. On the outskirts of the capital city, nature is already colored in shades of autumn. Some 60 kilometers west of Seoul on Incheon&rsq

Sept. 18, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] Cheomseongdae observatory: A witness to 1,400 years of celestial phenomena

Reading the celestial skies and understanding mandates of heaven has always been the exclusive domain of kings and emperors. When Queen Seondeok of Silla became the first female ruler in Korean history, not everyone welcomed her. In fact, her 15-year reign was riddled with rebellions and wars which undermined her rule. Queen Seondeok’s father, King Jinpyeong was the last of the Seonggol, the top aristocratic rank in Silla’s caste system. King Jinpyeong, who held the longest reign

Sept. 18, 2021

[Well-Curated] Too much time, not much to do over the Chuseok holiday?

For those who want to get into the Chuseok holiday spirit, the National Folk Museum of Korea is offering diverse events, which started Tuesday and will run until Sept. 26. In the lobby of the National Folk Museum of Korea, there is a special photo zone decorated with a Chuseok theme. Since some families cannot spend the holiday together due to COVID-19, the museum has also placed “banbogi” postcards in the lobby so visitors can write to their families. Banbogi refers to the tradit

Sept. 18, 2021

DMZ Docs wraps up with message of peace

The 13th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival wrapped up after an eight-day run on Thursday at Megabox Baekseok branch in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. “Though I am thankful and satisfied with the safe ending of the festival, I wish more people were able to enjoy and learn about the outstanding works from many documentary directors,” festival director Jung Sang-jin said during the closing ceremony. “Since we are slowly entering the era of living with COVID-19, the organiz

Sept. 17, 2021

Restored Goryeo Kingdom art showcased before returning to Belgium

The National Palace Museum of Korea, an affiliate of the Cultural Heritage Administration, is holding an exhibition titled “In Pursuit of the Aesthetic Legacy of the Goryeo Era” through Oct. 17. The museum is showcasing eight works of art from the Goryeo Kingdom, which are part of a collection at the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels. It is the first time the six celadon vessels and two metal items are being shown to the public since undergoing conservation and restora

Sept. 15, 2021

[Newsmaker] Founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church Rev. Cho Yong-gi dies at 85

Pastor Cho Yong-gi, the founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, died at the age of 85 at Seoul National University Hospital on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized since July 2020 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. The pastor emeritus of Yoido Full Gospel Church is known for establishing and developing Yoido Full Gospel Church as the world‘s largest church. Cho started a church in Bulgwang-dong, western Seoul, on May 18, 1958, with the late Rev. Choi Ja-sil, who died on Nov. 9, 1989. Throug

Sept. 14, 2021