Maps show more than geography

For many people, maps are simply a way of finding things, but the “Cartographic Achievement of Joseon” at the Seoul Museum of History shows how they were historically used to shape values and control information. The exhibition, running until Feb. 28, features the changes in the production and use of maps in the Joseon period (1392-1910) and thereafter through more than 50 pieces donated by two scholars, Lee Chan and Hur Young-hwan. From ruling to sharingMaps in the early Joseon period rarely co

Dec. 16, 2012

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Pop music“Bobby Kim & Kim Tae-woo Two Man Show”: Bobby Kim is known for being the first artist to introduce reggae music to Korea, while Kim Tae-woo first gained fame as the lead singer of group g.o.d. The two soulful singers will present their two-man show on Christmas Day at COEX Hall D in Seoul, at 4 and 8 p.m. Tickets range from 66,000 won to 121,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3141-3488 or visit www.interpark.com.“K.Will Megahits Concert”: The soulful ballad singer, vocal coach, da

Dec. 14, 2012

Exhibition journeys into Asian marriage customs

Marriage has always been an important rite of passage for mankind. In Asia, where family ties and conservative culture have been dominant forces for centuries, marriage is seen as a stepping stone to becoming an adult, and an official member of a society. The wedding ceremony was considered one of the four most important family affairs in Korea alongside building a social career, funerals, and memorial services for deceased ancestors. The National Folk Museum of Korea’s “Wedding Ritual” at the S

Dec. 13, 2012

Nam June Paik exhibition to light up the Smithsonian

A tribute exhibition to the late Nam June Paik (1932-2006) will be held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from Dec. 13 through Aug. 11, 2013, the Korea Foundation, sponsor of the event, said Wednesday. The first show since the museum acquired the Nam June Paik archive in 2009 will focus on introducing the accomplishments of the artist who is dubbed the father of video art for transforming video into an art medium through sculptures, installations, video tapes and TV projects.A total of 67 a

Dec. 13, 2012

Meditation at the Seon Center

A small boy realized that he had lost his cow. He looked for the animal everywhere, before finding it and putting a rope around its neck so he could lead it wherever he went. But soon after, he became confident ― he didn’t need the cow around him all the time. He could tie it to a stump and fetch it whenever he pleased. This is an analogy for finding one’s inner self. The boy is the person, the cow the missing inner self. Once you realize you have lost your inner self, you are desperate to find

Dec. 12, 2012

Turkish village becomes shelter for doomsday believers

Believers of the Mayan calendar prediction that the world will end on December 21 have flooded into a small village in western Turkey, near the ancient Greek city of Ephesus.Some New Age spiritualists are convinced of a December 21 "doomsday" foretold by Mayan hieroglyphs -- at least according to some interpretations.Sirince, a village of around 600 inhabitants, has a positive energy according to the doomsday cultists, who say that it is close to an area where Christians believe the Virgin Mary

Dec. 12, 2012

You’ve got a friend in me

Following is part of a series exploring unique museums, collections and the passionate collectors behind them. ― Ed.The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of a “toy” is, “Something for a child to play with.” The popular perception is that toys are merely for the enjoyment and entertainment of children. However, there is a select population of people in the world that would disagree. The Cheongnyangni Lotte Department Store is currently hosting an exhibition of around 1,000 art toys ― ranging

Dec. 11, 2012

Exhibition shows tragic life of Princess Deokhye

Life of Deokhye (1912-1989), the last princess of the Joseon (1392-1910) Kingdom, was stranger and more dramatic than most fiction. Born the youngest daughter of King Gojong (1852-1919,) she lost her beloved family at an early age. She began her struggle with premature dementia at the age of 18 and was forced to marry a Japanese aristocrat, which must have been a humiliation for the annexed royalty. She was then sent to a facility for the mental disorder; her daughter ran away leaving a suicide

Dec. 11, 2012

Psy, Samsung push ‘brand Korea’ in 2012

A breakthrough year for “brand Korea” -- led by the rapper Psy and electronics giant Samsung -- has boosted efforts to promote a country that still feels overshadowed, under-appreciated and misunderstood.While some may question the benefit of a chubby thirty-something and his horse-riding dance becoming your best-known cultural export, the phenomenal success of Psy‘s “Gangnam Style” undoubtedly raised the national profile.Name-checked and imitated by everyone from US President Barack Obama, to C

Dec. 10, 2012

’Dom Pedro’, largest piece of aquamarine in the world

People view the Dom Pedro aquamarine, currently considered the largest single piece of cut gem aquamarine in the world, after its unveiling at the Smithsonian‘s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. (AFP)　<관련 한글 기사>세계에서 가장 큰 아쿠아마린　아쿠아마린 ’돔 페드로(Dom Pedro)’는 현존하는 가장 큰 아쿠아마린으로 추정된다. 워싱턴DC에 있는 스미스소니안(Smithsonian) 국립 자연사 박물관에 전시되어 있다. (코리아헤럴드)

Dec. 9, 2012

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 Dance“Spring Days Go By”: Korea’s veteran traditional dancer and choreographer Kim Mae-ja is having a special performance celebrating her 60-year career. Kim, who founded Changmu Arts Center in 1976, is considered a key figure in Korea’s traditional dance scene. She is noted for her creative works that successfully combined the country’s traditional dance with modern touches and techniques. The upcoming show features Kim and 30 of her student dancers, and explores the theme of light ― which has

Dec. 7, 2012

Sakamoto Ryuichi to show ‘mature’ side of music

Among music fans, Sakamoto Ryuichi’s Sunday concert is one of the most anticipated events of the year. The master musician whose repertoire ranges from classical to very contemporary music including hip pop and electronica will be introducing his work at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts twice on Sunday, at 4 and 8 p.m. Sakamoto will join cellist Jacques Morelenbaum and violinist Judy Kang to feature some of the best-known scores of all time plus those from his latest album, “Three.”“There i

Dec. 7, 2012

Herald Donga TV Lifestyle Awards presented

The Herald-Donga TV Lifestyle Awards named actress Kim Nam-joo and actor Lee Jong-hyuk best dressed and awarded Samsung Electronics the grand prize for leading a paradigm change in technology and life. Kim received huge popularity for her role in the recent KBS weekend drama “My Husband Got a Family,” and Lee became a style icon for his role in the SBS drama “A Gentleman’s Dignity.”The awards ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday also presented numerous awards to celebrities, socia

Dec. 6, 2012

Arirang listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Iconic Korean folk song Arirang was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list on Thursday. The listing will allow Korea to pave the way for promotion and conservation as well as protection of the song that has been sung across the nation in different versions for over 2,000 years. The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage made the decision at the UNESCO general assembly held on Dec. 3-7 in Paris, upholding a subsidiary body’s

Dec. 6, 2012

'Arirang' makes UNESCO's intangible heritage list

Korea’s traditional folk song “Arirang” was added to UNESCO‘s intangible cultural heritage list on Thursday.The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to inscribe the song on the heritage list during its seventh meeting Wednesday, Paris time, at UNESCO headquarters, the U.N. cultural agency said.“Arirang” is not just one song but a variety of local versions handed down generation after generation in Korea. It is often dubbed a “second nationa

Dec. 6, 2012

Tea expert blends passion with Jane Austen

MINNEAPOLIS ― “The kettle is never turned off at this house,” said Julia Matson as she set her dining-room table with Wedgwood Blue Willow cups and saucers, perfectly round scones, strawberry-rhubarb jam and clotted cream.The aroma wafting in from the kitchen of her house in Plymouth was from her own blend of tea ― Indian, Sri Lankan and Kenyan _ brewing for precisely 4 minutes at 205 degrees. Four cups filled with loose tea leaves of different colors, shapes and textures sat at the ready for la

Dec. 5, 2012

Da Sol named Kumho Art Hall’s first artist-in-residence

Kumho Art Hall, the home of the Korean Mecenat Program, has appointed 23-year-old pianist Da Sol as its first artist-in-residence on Tuesday. The appointment will allow Kim to explore the world of music without financial concerns for a year and present his musicianship to the audience on a regular basis. The young star performed at the concert hall in 2011 as a Kumho Asiana Soloists member. “I realized that throughout the year there are so many things that a young artist can show to the world to

Dec. 5, 2012