Two little brave larvae, Red and Yellow, embark on an adventure out into the world from the sewage drain in which they live.They fly out of the sewer after turning into butterflies, but in the blink of an eye, they lose their wings in an airplane accident, and begin an urban adventure facing a series of dangers in a large metropolitan city. Their tales of everyday survival play out continually in “Larva,” featured on screens in Seoul’s subway and buses. “They make everyone laugh. It doesn’t targ

Aug. 23, 2013

Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, one of the largest nuclear power plant sites in Korea, was the first county in Korea to recognize the need for personal electric vehicles as a way to offer safe and comfortable mobility for the elderly, who make up around 25 percent of the county’s total population. The county also reports frequent accidents involving tractors that are used by many elderly for not just farming, but also for short commutes. In 2011, 4 out of 10 car accidents involved ag

Aug. 22, 2013

The electric personal mobility vehicle ― a one-passenger car that comes in various shapes and sizes ― should break away from traditional automobile design in order for people to adopt the innovative vehicle for the urban lifestyle, according to Lee Keun, dean of the International Design School for Advanced Studies at Hongik University.“It’s a new genre of mobility. The material, design and fuel are completely different from gas-powered cars. The reason people feel hesitant to embrace the electri

Aug. 22, 2013

An international showcase of modern craft trends will be held in the birthplace of the metal crafts, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, next month. The 8th Cheongju International Craft Biennale, the world’s biggest craft festival, aims to focus on the artistic aspect of craftworks as well as their practical uses and purposes, bringing together 6,000 works by 3,000 artists from 60 countries around the world. Under the theme of “Something OLD Something NEW,” the craft biennale will exhibit all

Aug. 20, 2013

This is the first in an eight-part series that examines the social role of design beyond its aesthetic aspect. The weekly series is a precursor to Herald Design Week 2013, Oct. 7-11, which will be organized under the theme of “Re-imagine the World.” ― Ed.Korea is today one of the leading industrial nations with cutting-edge technologies and dynamic design. However, it has not been long that design emerged as a major factor in the manufacturing and lifestyle of Koreans. Considering the country ha

Aug. 15, 2013

Dutch architecture and design have played a leading role in the global scene with their functional yet playful qualities. Dubbed “the world’s largest artificial paradise,” the Netherlands has developed distinctive architectural and design styles in battling floods and other natural disasters as much of its land is below sea level. The key architectural and design qualities of the Netherlands can be seen in Seoul at a new special exhibition put together by the Korea Foundation, the state-funded a

Aug. 13, 2013

MOSCOW (AFP) ― In Soviet days, people queued here to buy Romanian boots or East German bras, but Moscow‘s vast GUM shopping arcade, which turns 120 this year, is now a luxury emporium that plays on Soviet nostalgia.The official 120th birthday celebrations will take place in several months at the Gosudarstvenny Universalny Magazin (GUM), or State Universal Store, whose three cream-walled arcades topped with a 16,000-square meter glass roof opened opposite the Kremlin in the Tsarist era on Dec. 2,

Aug. 7, 2013

New sunscreen products are on store shelves every summer, confusing shoppers about what to pick for their vacations. Sunscreens come in various forms: lotion, spray, balm and stick. To protect every area of your skin from the sizzling sun, more than one type of sunscreen is needed. If you plan to hit the beach, sunscreen spray is useful in applying to areas that you find hard to reach such as the back; stick type for curvy areas; and balm as it provides full coverage on areas that may go unprote

Aug. 2, 2013

As soon as the rainy season ends, sweltering heat blankets the nation, prompting those who haven’t gone on vacation to head to the beaches, go camping or enjoy the quiet, empty city. August is the best time for summer shopping as some summer essential items go on sale. Before getting ready for the long-awaited vacation, some trends are worth keeping in mind. They may help you score some items that will make your holiday a blast. Exotic prints for beach-goersBold prints are in style for this seas

Aug. 2, 2013

MINNEAPOLIS ― Kristine Huson can spot a designer label at Goodwill in seconds. She can zip through the racks of her favorite vintage store even faster.The 42-year-old South St. Paul, Minnesota, woman has joined an ethical fashion movement of consumers striving to be more mindful of their buying habits. These socially conscious style mavens want to know where their clothes came from, who made them and how they got here. For some, that means buying American-made; others sew their own. Shoppers lik

July 31, 2013

The airport is one of the most unlikely places to dress up, as it is a place where people prefer comfortable outfits more suitable for long plane rides. Recently, however, South Korean celebrities have become overly conscious about what to wear at the airport as media and paparazzi quickly spread pictures of them, with the public becoming fashion judges. “I feel so much pressure when I go to the airport,” said Heo Ga-yun, a member of K-pop girl group 4Minute, on a talk show. Her colleague Hyuna

July 25, 2013

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (AP) ― Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday honored fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, the man responsible for a teal, silk pantsuit she wore when she was sworn in as a U.S. senator.The two shared the stage together last month in New York when Clinton, a self-professed pantsuit aficionado, presented de la Renta with the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s highest honor and joked about a fictional “Project Runway’’ spinoff, “Project Pantsuit.’’They met again Monday evenin

July 10, 2013

Seven Korean fashion designers will showcase their collections in world fashion hub New York during New York Fashion Week as part of the state-sponsored project that supports Korean designers in promoting their brands overseas. The selected designers are Kathleen Hanhee Kye (Kye), Kim Seoryong (Kimseoryong homme), Kim Hongbum (Cres E. Dim), Ko Tae-yong (Beyond Closet), Park Youn-soo (Big Park), Lee Suk-tae (Kaal E.Suktae), and Choi Bo Ko (Choiboko).Kathleen Hanhee Kye, Kim Hongbum and Choi Bo Ko

July 9, 2013

PARIS (AP) ― Naomi Campbell not only owns the clothes she wears, but by her sheer magnetic presence commands the entire runway when she walks it. Donatella Versace knows this well, casting the age-defying 43-year-old to start Paris haute couture week with a bang of indomitable energy.It was a hard act to follow.Monday, the first of three full days of collections, showcased a universe of divergent and notable styles: From Dutch wunderkind Iris Van Herpen’s organic musings, the diaphanous display

July 3, 2013

Juun.J, one of the few Korean brands participating in Paris Fashion Week, has rolled out fresh spring and summer looks for 2014. The collection featured a mix of classic tailoring with sporty looks, challenging typical designs of menswear collections. The 38 pieces included variations of oversized sweatshirts with bold numbers emblazoned on them, high-waisted pants and photo-printed graphic sweatshirts. The spring and summer looks were put together under the theme “ununiform,” coined by the desi

July 3, 2013