KTO sets eyes on 30 million international tourists by 2027

The Korea Tourism Organization seeks to attract 30 million foreign tourists by 2027. The tourism organization proposes to achieve the number through digital tourism platform services and K-content storytelling tour programs. The most recent target figure of 20 million in 2020 could not be met due to the pandemic. "Korea’s tourism has suffered tremendously due to the pandemic and I view it as only half recovered at this point," Kim Jang-sil, president of the Korea Tourism Organi

Dec. 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Street dance meets classical music

Dancer and choreographer Lip J, who rose to stardom in Mnet’s dance survival show “Street Woman Fighter” last year will perform a special collaboration with an orchestra. Lip J will show off a waacking dance performance of Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen” by violinist Cho Jin-joo and Hankyung arte Philharmonic at a year-end concert held at the Lotte Concert Hall in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul, on Dec. 31. “It will be a performance where the beauty of music is e

Dec. 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Overseas heritage foundation head stresses need for consistent support after heritage return

Three months into her term as the chair of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, Kim Jung-hee, 65, seeks to foster interest in repatriated Korean cultural heritage as well as those overseas. "When I was young, overseas cultural heritage was thought of as 'our properties' that had been plundered during Japanese invasions and by other countries who took advantage of our diplomatic vulnerability," said Kim in an interview with The Korea Herald at the foundation

Dec. 13, 2022

167-year-old orchestra with young masters at the fore to perform in Korea

A 167-year-old historic French orchestra is set to perform in Korea this month with two young music masters at the fore. The Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Strasbourg -- a French city on the border with on Germany -- will perform a repertoire that shows the musical connection between France and Russia, its music director Aziz Shokhakimov told reporters on Thursday. The orchestra will perform Bizet’s Carmen Suite No.1, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.2 and Mussorgsky&rsqu

Dec. 13, 2022

Lee Jung-jae, Kim Yuna to receive CICI awards for boosting Korea's image

Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae from Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game” will be honored by the Corea Image Communication Institute for his contribution to building a positive image of Korea at home and overseas. Lee will be presented with the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award at CICI’s annual award ceremony which will take place at the InterContinental Seoul Coex on Jan. 11, marking the institute’s 20th anniversary next year. “Lee won the Emmy Award for h

Dec. 12, 2022

[Subway Stories] Rice shops, tteokbokki and hipsters at Sindang Station

  The following is part of Seoul Subway Stories, a Korea Herald series exploring the subway stations and surrounding areas across the city. -- Ed.   In the ’70s and ’80s, before the proliferation of cafes and clubs in Seoul, the area near Sindang Station led a peculiar youth culture here -- hipsters hanging out at trendy tteokbokki restaurants where DJs play pop music. Nearly half a century later, the Sindang-dong neighborhood’s then-revolutionary tteokbokki scene may

Dec. 12, 2022

NGO publishes English map of Korea and world cultural heritage

The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea has unveiled a world map showing 21 UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage of Korea. Talchum, Korean mask dance-drama which was added to the UNESCO list on Nov. 30, is not show on the map. The cultural heritage map is part of the civic group's "New Hayllu" project, aimed at encouraging some 150 million hallyu fans to expand their interest in Korea beyond Korean pop culture, according to the civic group. "In the midst of Japan's

Dec. 11, 2022

Bowl of hot beef soup to warm your day

While Koreans enjoy many different types of soup at each meal, seolleongtang, a hearty bone broth soup, easily tops the list during the winter months. Seolleongtang is made by simmering ox bones, specifically leg bones, with brisket and other cuts of beef for hours. The density of the smooth, milky soup depends on the quantity and types of the beef cuts that go into the broth making. Those who love this hearty Korean beef soup cannot help but wonder, “What is the difference between seolleo

Dec. 10, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul Launches ‘Joyful Winter Memory at JW’ package JW Marriott Hotel Seoul's new winter package features one night in a JW Marriott guest room offering panoramic views of the Han River and downtown Seoul through floor-to-ceiling windows and a selection of exclusive gifts, from wines to new year diaries, diffusers and more. Package guests also receive one bottle of choice between two varieties of special wine produced in collaboration with Roc de Saint Jean (es

Dec. 10, 2022

[Temple to Table] Temple food staple: Siraegi bokkeum

“Food is important for life! Physical health should be maintained by food first and then by medicine. That’s why we need to prepare food with great sincerity because it gives us life. What are the three components of temple food?” To this question from the Ven. Gyeho, all present became immersed in thought. “They are purity, pliability and accord with the Dharma. Of these three, the foremost is purity. The cook must have a pure mind without the three poisons of greed, hat

Dec. 10, 2022

Pianist, conductor Kim Sun-wook takes baton for injured SPO artistic director

The outgoing music director and conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Osmo Vanska, is unable to lead his last concert as music director due to a fall injury, the orchestra said on Friday. Vanska was originally scheduled to take the stage for the orchestra's year-end repertoire of Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 ‘Choral’ on Dec. 14, 15 and 16. He suffered a fall, rendering him unable to travel, SPO said. It was supposed to be his first and last chance to

Dec. 9, 2022

No passive tourists: Making travel meaningful

Kim Yeon-mee, 35, an office worker from northern Seoul, visits a bookstore specializing in travel and tourism books every other weekend. The bookstore, Trip, Book and Space: Traveling Library, in Seongsu-dong, has some 1,000 titles on all things travel, from essays and photo books to magazines, cartoons and more. "Upon reaching 30, I did not want to travel like I used to, following routes planned by big travel agencies," Kim said. Even as she visited popular sites, Kim felt her travels

Dec. 9, 2022

[Well-curated weekend] Write letters, make art with kids and learn about Almaty

A handwritten letter is always special. There's a certain emotional resonance that digital technology cannot replicate. A climb up the winding alleys and slopes of Haebangchon, near Haebang Church, vegan cafe Nuldam Space offers visitors a unique experience to write a letter to your future self. The letter, which you can also opt to send to friends and family, will be delivered next year at a date of your choice. The 4,000 won letter set includes one postcard, one envelope and three pieces

Dec. 9, 2022

Army retires scout dog Dalgwan famed for finding missing girl in 2019

The Army retired a scout dog, famed for his role in locating a missing teenager in 2019, from surveillance duty due to old age on Thursday, officials said, concluding his storied decadelong career. The armed service held a retirement ceremony for Dalgwan at the 32nd Infantry Division's maneuver battalion unit in Sejong, about 120 km south of Seoul. The 10-year-old German Shepherd rose to national prominence in 2019 when he played a pivotal role in the search mission for then-14-year-old Cho

Dec. 8, 2022

Indonesian Embassy hosts event to promote Korean tourists to North Sulawesi

The Indonesian Embassy held a diplomatic reception Tuesday at the residence of the Indonesian ambassador to Korea in Seoul, showcasing the culture and tourism of North Sulawesi Province. The event titled, "Colorful North Sulawesi in Seoul" presented cultural highlights of the province, such as batik and tenun, traditional dance and music as well as fashion. The reception began with a performance of kolintang, a traditional Minahasan percussion instrument from North Sulawesi, by seven

Dec. 7, 2022

Joseon cosmetics revived with modern touches

Skin moisturizers used by a Joseon princess have been reinterpreted as modern day cosmetic products. Princess Hwahyeop’s Porcelain Edition, a collection of skin care products created through research on the makeup-related relics found in the tomb of Princess Hwahyeop, was unveiled by Korea National University of Cultural Heritage and the National Palace Museum of Korea on Wednesday at the National Palace Museum of Korea. A number of makeup tools and cosmetics used by Princess Hwahyeop, t

Dec. 7, 2022

With new all-Korean crossover album, Sumi Jo shows relentless energy

In releasing an all-Korean crossover album “In Love: Korean Love Poem,” internationally acclaimed soprano Sumi Jo said Tuesday that she hopes that the genre of Korean art songs, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, can be enjoyed more globally like K-pop. “Korean art songs were introduced a century ago, but people still find Korean art songs difficult. I paid a lot of attention to the singing method and arrangement and poured all my passion, soul and time into it

Dec. 6, 2022

Exhibition on Korean food making and sharing opens in Jeonju

A special exhibition on traditional Korean food culture opens Wednesday at the National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. The exhibition runs through May 14, 2023. The exhibition, titled "Eat and Inherit: Korean Traditional Food Culture," takes visitors on a journey to discover the root of Korean cuisine through kimchi, jang (fermented paste), makgeolli (rice wine) and tteok (rice cake). Kimchi and jang making were designated National Intangible Cultural

Dec. 6, 2022

Sumi Jo takes stage to celebrate diversity, comfort underprivileged

Celebrated Korean soprano Jo Sumi took the stage on Sunday to celebrate the 15th anniversary of a charity concert program at The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. On Sunday, Jo along with the Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, Seoul Metropolitan Junior Chorus, haeguem player Nary, tenor Jang Joo-hoon and crossover tenor Chris Young performed for a special audience of 2,500 at the invitation-only concert. Among those invited were multicultural families, the underprivileged and the disabled.

Dec. 5, 2022

[Herald Interview] First vice minister of culture says 'K-culture' now has a strong foundation that secures longevity

As a teenager, Chun Byong-geuk, the first vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, would watch Western movies and listen to classical music as well as trot, which was heavily influenced by Japanese music. Now he, 58, still loves going to classical music concerts but finds himself enjoying more K-dramas and movies. Chun said it is not just because he feels obliged, but because he is genuinely intrigued by the unique storylines and riveting characters. Chun, appointed in May, oversees culture

Dec. 5, 2022