Nighttime at a royal palace in Seoul reveals the beauty of Joseon-era architecture and unique contrast between the centuries-old landscape and modern skyscrapers outside the walls. Thanks to the growing number of visitors wishing to be immersed in the magical night view, royal palaces will remain open in the evening more frequently than it did last year. The state-run Cultural Heritage Administration, which manages public programs at royal palaces, announced it would increase the late-night open

Feb. 17, 2016

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak had a front row seat as the personal computer began to reshape society. So it made perfect sense to him to bring a convention meshing technology with pop culture to Silicon Valley. The convergence will occur March 18-20 in San Jose, California, with the debut of Silicon Valley Comic Con. It's a new twist on an idea that has brought together fans of science fiction, fantasy and superheroes at packed shows held around the world for years. Apple

Feb. 11, 2016

The Lunar New Year holiday is a chance for Koreans, expats and tourists to enjoy a variety of traditional Korean activities. The five-day holiday will be full of cultural programs and hands-on experiences, offered at public museums and royal palaces. Here is a guide to various holiday programs in major cities. Palaces and folk games  Visitors participate in the kite-making session at the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul. (The National Folk Museum of Korea)Major royal palaces in Seoul, incl

Feb. 5, 2016

A mass migration is underway this weekend as tens of thousands of Koreans travel home for the Lunar New Year, Seollal. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport estimates that a total of 36 million will be on the move, about 70 percent of the total population. Early in the morning on Monday, Lunar New Year’s Day, families will dress in traditional hanbok for the ancestral rite, charye, during which they will pay respect to their late ancestors. Dozens of dishes will be laid out on the c

Feb. 5, 2016

INCHEON -- On the 12th floor of Grand Hyatt Incheon, guests can get a panoramic view of Incheon International Airport from the lounge and a line of airplanes taking off and landing down on its runway.It is somewhat hard to resist peeking out the window at the Boeing 777s or Airbus A350s coming and going every 5-10 minutes against the beautiful skyline in the background in this quiet and tranquil hotel. It makes you want to disconnect your mobile phone, laptop, and drop everything and just hop on

Feb. 5, 2016

People can now create character figurines via 3-D printing at a new Webtoon Workshop Center on Cartoon Street, or Jaemiro, in Myeong-dong. The center, which aims to promote the webtoon culture, was opened by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday. It also showcases character figurines and posters from Korean webtoon as well as DC Comics and Marvel, such as Batman and Iron Man.  Webtoon Workshop Center on Cartoon Street in Myeong-dong opened to the public on Monday. (Yonhap)　The center will

Feb. 1, 2016

The government is seeking to add the historic Seoul City Wall and Confucian academies of Korea to the UNESCO cultural heritage list this year. In addition, it also hopes to include haenyeo, female divers on the resort island of Jejudo, and Korean traditional wrestling to the intangible heritage list. The state-run Cultural Heritage Administration outlined its plan to submit the applications for inclusion on the UNESCO lists this year at a press conference Tuesday to introduce its plans for the y

Jan. 26, 2016

In Korea’s turbulent path toward independence and nation building, there were foreign nationals who stood steadfastly by the Korean people, although their contributions have been largely overshadowed by those of Korean patriots. The Korea Herald, in partnership with the Independence Hall of Korea, is publishing a series of articles shedding light on these foreigners, their life and legacies here. This is the eighth installment. ― Ed.Stanley H. Martin was a medical missionary dispatched to Korea

Jan. 25, 2016

CAIRO (AFP) - Eight employees of Cairo‘s Egyptian Museum will face a disciplinary hearing over a botched repair of the golden mask of King Tutankhamun, officials said Sunday.　The 3,300-year-old funerary mask of the boy pharaoh was damaged when its beard was knocked off in August 2014 as museum staff removed it from its display case to repair the lighting. The gold mask of King Tutankhamun is seen in a glass case during a press tour, in the Egyptian Museum near Tahrir Square, Cairo. (AP-Yonhap)　I

Jan. 25, 2016

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain (AFP) -- San Sebastian kicked off its year as the European Capital of Culture Saturday with a concert on the beach as the northern Spanish city pushes a banner of peace years after being hit by waves of violence.　The traditional “tamborrada,” a drum festival originating in the early 19th century that is held in the city every January, took place on San Sebastien‘s beach as thousands of men, women and children watched, while an outdoor show created by Cirque du Soleil choreog

Jan. 24, 2016

Savoring traditional Korean soju requires five steps, similar to wine tasting. You have to look at the color, smell the aroma, sip and hold it in the mouth for several seconds before letting it slide down the throat and enjoying the slowly spreading scent inside the nose and throat. “A good soju is soft and makes you smile,” said artisan Kim Taek-sang at his brewing studio at Samcheong-ro in Jongno, central Seoul. Kim, who was named Seoul Intangible Cultural Asset No. 8 in 1990, has carried on t

Jan. 22, 2016