[Weekender] The life and death of Korean won

South Korean banknotes and coins begin life at a factory in Gyeongsan, just outside Daegu. They are then transported to the Bank of Korea’s vault in Seoul, heavily guarded by armed security officers, to enter the money circulation cycle. In its lifespan as a medium of exchange, the banknotes and coins travel around at varying speeds, with some -- 1,000 won bills in particular -- changing hands numerous times before exiting circulation. However, some coins spend most of their time sitt

EconomyAug. 16, 2019

[Weekender] Finding balance on fast and furious water

Trying to stand on ferociously turbulent water is definitely an effective way to get an adrenaline rush. And indoor facilities allow enthusiasts to experience that all year round, amid the growing popularity of surfing here.  “In South Korea, it is hard to surf. Japan blocks the waves, so beaches do not really pick up swells. Given this, indoor surfing can be a nice option,” said Lee Sang-jun, who manages Flow House Yongin, an indoor surfing facility, at the Lotte Premium Outlet

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

[Weekender] Flying above the water

On a heat-soaked afternoon in Seoul, the placid waters of the Han River suddenly burst with energy. A figure mounted on top of what looks like a futuristic water-propelled jet pack performs energetic and acrobatic feats above the water -- just like the Iron Man. This is flyboarding, the latest water sport to hit the Han River in South Korea. Perfect for thrill-loving adventurers, it is fun, exhilarating and, according to pro rider Park Jin-min, safe and easy. “It is a misunderstanding

More SportsAug. 9, 2019

[Weekender] Come fly with me

Even preteens can enjoy thrill of skydiving within air-blasting tunnel It looked like I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. The ferocious funnel of wind swept me off my feet, out of Seoul, and into Maseong-ri, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where I sat inside Fly Station Korea, waiting to experience what is called indoor skydiving.Fly Station Korea, just a five-minute drive away from Everland theme park, is the only place in South Korea that offers indoor skydiving programs, operated every day from 10 a

CultureAug. 8, 2019

[Weekender] How our ancestors beat the heat

“The arrogant sun.” This is what Koreans called the source of scorching summer heat during the Joseon era (1392-1910). Summer was always sizzling and humid here.Just how did our ancestors cope with the sweltering heat with no air-conditioning and electric fans? Hints can be found at Namsangol Hanok Village. Located near Chungmuro Station in central Seoul, the village is a collection of five traditional houses, or hanok, where foreign tourists visit to experience Korea’s tr

TravelAug. 2, 2019

[Weekender] Peak season

Despite the prolonged wet weather, vacation season is in full swing in South Korea. With nearly half of holidaymakers traveling in late July and early August, life in bustling Seoul slows down. “Proof that it is now peak holiday season -- my neighborhood is quiet,” says Kim Yeon-ju, who lives near a bar-heavy district in Goyang city, Gyeonggi Province. “I see that many bars and shops are closed.”It was quiet Thursday in the Yongsan Electronics Market, a cluster of compute

TravelAug. 2, 2019

[Weekender] Summer on ice

In South Korea, summer isn’t summer without ice. On sizzling hot days, Koreans cool down with refreshing drinks filled with ice cubes. And ice -- finely shaved until it becomes satiny -- takes center stage in the season’s most beloved dessert: bingsu.  It wasn’t always like this in Korea. According to food columnist Yoon Deok-no, the country has a long history of harvesting and storing ice for cooling purposes. But there appears to be hardly any record of people in the pas

FoodJuly 26, 2019

[Weekender] Decadent, minimalist, galactic - Bingsu is anything but boring

Bingsu -- finely shaved ice mixed with red bean, sweet milky sauce and various garnishes -- is an iconic summer dessert for South Koreans. Every year, experimental chefs come up with creative new renditions, and at the vanguard of the traditional treat’s evolution are luxury hotels. Seoul’s Hotel Shilla’s signature apple mango bingsu, introduced in 2011 and now costing 54,000 won ($46), still has fans lining up. Other establishments are trying to duplicate this success, taking

FoodJuly 26, 2019

[Weekender] Cafes, coffee brands roll out seasonal drinks

For many coffee lovers, summer signals a switch to cold brews.At Starbucks, a seasonal offering has been so well received by Korean customers that the company has just weeks ago decided to put it on its regular menu for the whole year round. Launched originally as a summer drink in April, the espresso-based Dolce Cold Brew combines two of the coffee franchise’s bestselling items -- Cold Brew and Dolce Latte. It only uses cold brew that was slow-steeped in cool water for 14 hours. 

IndustryJuly 25, 2019

[Weekender] Palaces, fortress and historic sites at night

Seoul’s royal palaces are beautiful by day but they are even more stunning by night.  On top of the beauty of centuries-old architecture majestically illuminated in darkness, the serene atmosphere in contrast to the modern skyscrapers beyond the palace walls offers a surreal experience. Nighttime visits are only allowed on selected dates and for a limited number of people at some of Seoul’s five palaces from the Joseon era (1392-1910).Gyeongbokgung, the most popular of the five,

TravelJuly 19, 2019

[Weekender] Better at night

With humid weather and blazing heat, summer can get the best of even the most avid outdoorsman. Fortunately, South Korea has many fun things to do at night. Here’s a guide on what to do, from a horror-themed bus tour of night-view spots in Seoul to festivals that blend music, food and a cool summer vibe.  Outdoor concerts Plan a Saturday evening outing to the Seoul Arts Center and the adjacent National Gugak Center at the eastern tip of the capital city for a mix of nature, arts

CultureJuly 19, 2019

[Weekender] What to watch out for at FINA World Championships

The 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships kick off a 17-day run in the southwestern city of Gwangju, Friday, a biennial meet of the world’s swimming and diving stars. Taking place at five different venues in Gwangju and nearby Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, through July 28, this year’s event is the largest ever, with 2,639 athletes from 194 countries participating. Here are some of the interesting storylines to follow.  A prelude to 2020 Tokyo Olympics With a year to go until th

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Expect faster swims at Yeosu open-water races

It is quite a spectacle to watch dozens of athletes jump into the ocean at once and swim to the horizon.   Open-water swimming, the long-distance sport that takes place in outdoor bodies of water, gained recognition as an official Olympic sport in 2008 and will also be one of the six disciplines at the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships. In much-anticipated races, men and women will compete in separate courses of 5, 10 and 25 kilometers, as well as a 5-kilometer mixed team rel

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Old apartments reborn as athletes’ village

Once a run-down housing complex, the athletes’ village in Gwangju’s western district of Gwangsan is now a vivacious mini globe, bustling with thousands of athletes, staff and media members during the FINA World Aquatics Championships. Rebuilt by Gwangju-based constructor Jungheung, the complex comprises 25 apartment buildings with 15 to 25 floors and a host of facilities for its diverse population to mingle and relax, spanning a land area of 94,131 square meters.  With a total o

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] Global stars poised to make a splash in Gwangju

The 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships bring together the world’s top talent in swimming, diving and other water sports for the 17-day sporting event. Over 2,600 athletes from 194 countries will compete for 76 gold medals in six disciplines -- swimming, diving, high diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and water polo. Here are some of the international athletes to watch out for. Katie Ledecky (Swimming, US) At the 2012 London Olympics, then-15-year-old Ledecky won her fi

More SportsJuly 12, 2019

[Weekender] High diving: Plunging 27 meters in 3 seconds

Just the sight of a makeshift diving platform standing 27 meters tall beside a round pool of water is enough to give viewers goose bumps. Imagine athletes performing a death-defying plunge, doing somersaults and twists before hitting the water feet first. No wonder high diving has drawn the most attention from spectators during the 18th FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, selling out 6,500 tickets in total. The organizing committee will add more tickets for high diving, al

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

[Weekender] Gwangju hopes to become ‘city of water sports’ via FINA championships: mayor

GWANGJU -- Gwangju Metropolitan City is well known as the site of the May 1980 Democratization Movement and a “city of gastronomy” for its savory dishes. The southwestern city is now poised to become a “city of water sports” as it hosts the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships.With a record 72,000 people -- professional and amateur athletes, members of the media and related officials -- from 193 countries participating, the 18th biennial championships look set to bolste

More SportsJuly 11, 2019

[Weekender] Behind South Korea’s ‘fatcaron’ sensation

Around 8 o’ clock on a recent Sunday morning, more than 30 people waited in line outside a building in eastern Seoul. At the end of the line stood a sign reading “You will not be able to buy from here on.” Just before 9 a.m., a man came out, opened the door and started clearing the street where people stood in line, as they rushed into a small shop. Inside, there’re no tables, just a stack full of very fat and thick macarons. In less than 50 minutes, the door closed again

FoodJuly 5, 2019

[Weekender] The dessert craze

Beside a coin launderette and a convenience store inside a dowdy, two-story building in a not-so-fancy residential neighborhood in Gayang-dong, Seoul, nestles a small dessert shop specializing in French macarons. Selling the colorful confections for 1,800 ($1.55) to 2,300 won apiece, shop owner and baker Kim Hyun-seo also makes party favor boxes and occasionally hosts macaron-baking classes. “Being a dessert lover myself, I have been baking at home for years and recently decided to open a

FoodJuly 5, 2019

[Weekender] Places for power nap in and around Seoul

Seoul is often described as a city that never sleeps. But for those who wish to sleep, the city has some amazing, extraordinary places for a restful retreat in the middle of the day. In the busy financial district of Yeouido, multiplex cinema chain CGV offers its sofas to dozy office workers during the lunch hour, a win-win for both the cinema and office workers nearby.    The “Siesta Program,” available only in Yeouido, runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through T

Life&CultureJune 28, 2019