[Weekender] Into the mountains

For many Koreans, there’s one popular, easy way to get out of the country’s nonstop, hypercompetitive society ― hiking. Mountains are everywhere, covering more than two-thirds of Korea. Most are open to the general public all year around. Thanks to the country’s wide-reaching, efficient transport network, particularly in Seoul, Koreans can have easy access to mountain areas on a day trip without having to drive. On weekend mornings, subway trains in Seoul are frequently filled with people dresse

Social AffairsOct. 24, 2014

[Weekender] Korea’s mountain playgrounds

It’s hard to say exactly how many mountains there are in Korea, partly because there are so many of them. Former Korea Herald columnist Gary Rector notes, “There’s no real way to delineate a mountain (here) since they all run together in ranges. Some mountains even have more than one name, depending on where you look at them from.” Most are part of the Taebaek Range, along the east coast, and its many offshoots.The country is so rugged that even the capital city has no fewer than a dozen peaks,

TravelOct. 24, 2014

[Weekender] Hiking popularity boosts outdoor market

Despite falling sales in Korea’s overall fashion market, demand for outdoor clothing has risen steadily.On any day of the week, especially on the weekends, you can see groups of people heading out to hike the nation’s abundant and easily accessible mountains. This trend has contributed to the growth of the outdoor clothing market. However, hiking is no longer considered Korea’s only outdoor activity. An increasing number of people are enjoying camping, mountain biking and rock climbing.Hiking in

IndustryOct. 24, 2014

[Weekender] Activist warns against excessive development

Autumn is the best season for hiking and mountain climbing in Korea with the crisp and mild weather, and colorful leaves. But for environmental activists, it is the season that worries them the most.Maeng Ji-youn, a director of the Seoul-based Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, is one of the outspoken activists who have called on climbers and developers to stop environmentally-unfriendly activities and seek ways to harmoniously coexist with the nature.“Mountains, designated as nation

Social AffairsOct. 24, 2014

[Weekender] Orchestras for all

When the different notes and timbres of as many as 100 instruments combine into a glorious harmony, it is not only those in the audience who feel moved. The musicians and the conductor too feel overwhelmed with the sense of belonging and pride, as well as the spiritual richness of the classical music. This is what the people interviewed by The Korea Herald all said when asked what was it about playing in orchestras that they loved so much. “I have been running my own business. Looking back at al

CultureOct. 17, 2014

[Weekender] Changing lives through music

Nearly four decades ago, Venezuelan economist and musician Jose Antonio Abreu gathered 11 impoverished children in a parking garage in Caracas and started teaching them classical music.His notion was simple: free music education can lift the children out of poverty and crime, which in turn could tackle social problems plaguing the country.The initiative ― “El Sistema” or the System ― became hugely successful, so far affecting nearly 2.5 million youngsters mostly from low-income backgrounds and p

PerformanceOct. 17, 2014

[Weekender] Civic orchestras spread love of music

The marching band of the historical Kyungbock High School in Seoul, founded in 1921, was disbanded in 1979 after a complaint was filed that the trumpet sound coming from the window might be a disturbance for the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, a few meters from the school. “It was the time when the U.S. President Jimmy Carter was visiting. It was a historical visit,” recalled Kim Hak-myung, 59, one of the former band members. The school reacted to the anonymous complaint by dissolving the

PerformanceOct. 17, 2014

[Weekender] Young, ambitious and in a gentleman’s game

If one is asked to picture a classical music conductor, it is safe to say that more often than not, the image which immediately springs to mind is that of an older male in a freshly pressed black-and-white tuxedo gently waving a baton.However, thrashing past these outdated stereotypes is 38-year-old maestro Sung Shi-yeon, who is making waves in the classical music world as a notable upcoming, young female conductor.Although her career has only just taken off, Sung has already received a number o

PerformanceOct. 17, 2014

[Weekender] ‘Real fulfilment comes from being in an orchestra’

As the principal timpanist of the Seoul Philharmonic, Adrien Perruchon stands in the back row, yet provides the orchestra’s heartbeat. The large drums’ deep resonance and gratifying boom plays an essential role in any orchestra. Beethoven loved timpanis for their rich sound and harmonic potential. Asked what attracted the 31-year-old musician to the instrument, he smiled. “You get to play with the orchestra, quite opposite from playing a piano,” he said. “Although the timpani can be played solo

PerformanceOct. 17, 2014

[Weekender] Adorning mini-me

Ahn Hyun-ji, a 34-year-old office worker, recently received an unexpected request from her 3-year-old nephew as his birthday gift ― a BMW. He was referring to the BMW 3 Series convertible kids’ car priced at about 500,000 won ($470) here. “A Pororo toy car was not even on his wish list,” she said. “I first hesitated but decided to invest for the only child of my family.”Now is the so-called era of “eight pockets for one mouth.” Due to a falling birthrate, almost eight people ― parents, grandpare

IndustryOct. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Traditional baby clothes find niche with modern look

Traditional handmade baby clothes with a modern twist are gaining popularity through word-of-mouth in the high-end baby wear market.“One-hundred percent hand-sewn baby clothes using traditional Korean fabric seem to appeal to moms, who look for items offering unique design and comfort to their newborn baby,” said Kang Keum-seong, who runs Viin Baby, a newborn baby wear brand based on the design of the traditional Korean hanbok. Kang, a famous traditional Korean patchwork “jogakbo” designer, debu

IndustryOct. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Children’s luxury market booming

Thirty-one-year-old housewife Kim Jin recently bought her 2-year-old daughter a winter coat from Moncler for just over 1 million won ($930). She knew her daughter would probably wear it for no more than two years because kids grow so quickly, but said she could not resist buying it. “It would make a great match with my Moncler winter jacket. It is kind of a fad among mothers here to wear matching garments with their children,” she said. In her Internet community, Kim said, women gladly share the

IndustryOct. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Affluent parents seek edge in education

Kim Hye-yeon, a 22-year-old student at Sogang University, visits a 3-year-old girl once a week. For two hours, she plays with her and reads to her as part of her “English tutor job.”“I’m not really an ‘English tutor’ per se, more like a glorified babysitter,” she said. Unlike conventional babysitting jobs, Kim’s work comes with a hefty price tag of 30,000 won ($28) per hour. It is not jaw-dropping but is more than most English tutors for high school students, which cost around 20,000 won and dem

Social AffairsOct. 10, 2014

[Weekender] Jeju moves beyond tourism

Jejudo Island has been the country’s most popular vacation spot due to its scenic beauty and peaceful serenity, but beyond the brief respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, more and more people from outside have opted to settle down there.From photographers to businesspeople and patients seeking natural healing, newcomers are enjoying the benefits of residing on the island that boasts clean water, refreshing sea winds, tropical plants and basalt rocks, all of which combine to create th

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Governor envisions balanced development

The head of Jeju’s provincial administration says he will push for the expansion of the island’s crowded airport to allow it to handle the soaring number of tourists, while supporting local businesses and enhancing education infrastructure. “(I will) take Seogwipo area into consideration primarily in terms of balanced growth if a new airport is to be built,” said Gov. Won Hee-ryong, in a recent email interview with The Korea Herald. The central government is choosing whether to build a new airpo

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Celebrities flock to Jejudo in search of peace, inspiration

Nearly three decades ago, Choi Sung-won of South Korea’s legendary rock group Deulgukhwa described the beauty of Jejudo Island in his signature song “The Blue Night on Jeju Island.” Choi suggested in his song that those who feel lonely or bored leave for Jejudo Island to see the blue sky and hear the sea whispering. Today, a growing number of Koreans are settling on the resort island of Jejudo, off the southern coast of South Korea. By July, more than 6,000 Koreans will have moved to the island

Social AffairsSept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Island home to tech firms

Daum Communications’ headquarters on Jejudo IslandA number of tech companies have moved to Jejudo Island on for its pleasant working environment and various tax incentives in recent years. The influx of high-tech companies to the island is transforming it from an agricultural and services-based economy into a center for information technology and manufacturing. Over 100 information and bio technology companies, including Daum Communications, Nexon, ESTsoft and Moneual have already relocated to J

IndustrySept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Natural wonders of Jeju

Every fall, Jejudo invites visitors to take part in a walking festival to explore the island’s fascinating landscape through the popular Olle walking trails.This year’s Jeju Olle Walking Festival, scheduled for Nov. 6-8, takes visitors to oreum (volcanic cones), unique rock formations and a white sand beach dotted along three of the 21 Jeju Olle walking trails. The trails lead to every nook and cranny of the island and reveal unspoiled natural wonders. Visitors witness stunning landscapes formed

TravelSept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Jeju aims for high-tech future

Jejudo Island, a repository of natural heritage loved by both South Koreans and foreign tourists, has been transforming its economic structure into more high-tech economy in recent years. Gov. Won Hee-ryong said early this month that he aims to double the island’s gross regional domestic product to 25 trillion won ($24 billion) within five years from the current 12 trillion won. The provincial government is now pushing ahead with fostering high-tech industries including electric vehicles, bio an

IndustrySept. 26, 2014

[Weekender] Incheon makes global leap

With a population of 2.9 million, Incheon is Korea’s third-largest city and now the third Korean city to host the Asian Games. The city has come a long way since the Joseon era, for most of which it was a relatively small town, and its leaders see a great future for the city. “More than any other city, Incheon has potential for growth, and I think that national development cannot be achieved if Incheon can’t leap forward,” Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok said. “Many plans are being formulated to rea

Social AffairsSept. 12, 2014