Korea and France will kick off their bilateral cultural event with artists and musicians performing Korea’s royal ritual music Jongmyo Jeryeak at the Chaillot National Theater in Paris on Sept. 18.The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports said that the 2015-2016 Korea-France Bilateral Exchange is being organized to commemorate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides next year.The event will have some 150 cultural programs featuring traditional and contemporary Korean mus

Culture Sept. 15, 2015

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally.To revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote the Eurasian culture, the Gyeongju World Culture Expo has kicked off for a 59-day run with a variety o

Culture Sept. 14, 2015

While K-pop is quickly rising as a key cultural symbol in Asia, it remains much on the sidelines of the U.S. and European music industries, international experts said at a forum discussing the prospects of K-pop abroad. “The success of K-pop in the world is somewhat different from how it is perceived in Korea,” said Rob Schwartz, the Tokyo bureau chief of American music magazine Billboard, at the Seoul Music Forum, held from Sept. 11-12. A handful of industry insiders were present to discuss the

Performance Sept. 13, 2015

The Korean animation industry poses a mixed picture. Despite the popularity of children’s animations with such hits as “Pororo,” “Robocar Poli” and “Tayo” in the local and global market, many local animation studios still suffer losses. They are trapped in a vicious cycle. Animation studios face mounting losses as they continue to create sequels to their series. Securing a spot on TV doesn’t solve the problem. The fees they receive airing their series on TV doesn’t even cover half the production

Culture Sept. 4, 2015

Walt Disney once said, “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.”It is a versatile art that takes years of capital and hard work from a variety of people with great imagination.Drawing inspirations from the lives of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation and environment, animations and their characters can reach the hearts of many diverse people regardless of class, color or sex.They can move you, make you laugh and cry, and make you escape to a fantasy world away from

Culture Sept. 4, 2015

Share your Haerang travel stories Korail Tourism Development will hold a travel story contest on its flagship rail cruise Haerang to celebrate its seventh anniversary.Participants can submit their stories and experience riding the Haerang from Sept. 3-13, and the rail tour operator will announce the winners on Sept. 18.The winners will be offered the chance to ride the “hotel train” for two days starting in October, and see Korea’s beautiful landscapes and seascapes.The Haerang, launched in Nove

Travel Sept. 4, 2015

FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon urged the global soccer governing body’s electoral and ethics committees to investigate officials and regional soccer associations for violation of election rules in order to sway votes in favor of his European rival. Chung Mong-joon, the FIFA presidential candidate, speaks at a news conference in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)In a press conference in Seoul on Thursday, the Korean candidate accused Salman Bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, president of the Asian Foo

Soccer Sept. 3, 2015

Once beloved and called Korea’s representative online multiplayer racing game, “Kartrider” seeks to further go full throttle with enhanced user interfaces and a few new surprises to regain the former glory of its nascent years.It has been 11 years since the country’s first racing game with cute characters was launched and created a stir and loyal fan base.Kartrider’s main character Dao (Nexon Korea)Cho Jae-yun, Nexon Korea’s point man in charge of Kartrider, said it owes a debt of gratitude to t

Culture Sept. 3, 2015

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it would partially open the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju to the public this Friday. A nighttime view of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, which is slated for partial opening this week. (Yonhap)The complex’s facilities such as the ACC Archive & Research, ACC Creation, ACC Theatre and ACC Children centers will hold cultural programs everyday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They will also invite people to tour the facilities three times a day. Th

Culture Sept. 1, 2015

PYEONGCHANG, Gwangwon Province -- The morning light reflects off the surface of the Pyeongchanggang River glittering with the sound of the flowing water echoing in the quiet atmosphere.As the county’s main event -- a buckwheat blossom festival commemorating the 1930s writer Lee Hyo-seok -- is about to kick off this week attracting visitors to its vast field of white flowers, this river and its water valleys will also be filled with avid fly fishers.Fly fishing in Pyeongchang River (Park Hyong-ki

Travel Aug. 31, 2015

On the 28th floor of Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel in Guro-gu, southwest Seoul, there is nothing much to see from the window of its fitness center but a panoramic view of the area that includes apartment complexes near Shindorim Station.But after a hearty meal at the hotel’s signature Feast buffet restaurant serving a variety of Asian cuisines ranging from Korean and Chinese to Japanese and Thai, visitors will feel the urge to burn some calories at its 24-hour gym.Once you press the start but

Culture Aug. 26, 2015

Until a few weeks ago, dessert fiends who wanted to taste Mont St. Clair’s famous cakes could only find them at the Japanese brand’s first overseas outpost in Seoul’s Banyan Tree Club and Spa. Now, one can find them at two more locations in Korea. Mont St. Clair’s two new Korean outlets sell around 100 varieties of desserts, pastries and bread. (Mont St. Clair Korea)Mont St. Clair’s second overseas boutique launched on Aug. 11 at Hyundai Department Store’s Coex branch, and the third outlet opene

Food Aug. 21, 2015

It’s hot, it’s humid and you find yourself too tired after work to even head out to the gym and run a few laps on a treadmill to refresh your mind and body.When lacking self-motivation and self-esteem in the summer, maybe it is time to try exercising with a professional to guide and push you, and help you regain your confidence.Working out with a personal trainer is obviously more expensive than doing it yourself at a fitness center in your neighborhood. But trainers can not only provide health

Culture Aug. 19, 2015

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday that it would create multipurpose cultural centers in Seoul in an effort to rediscover Korea’s traditional arts and culture and spur the development of Korean content.In partnership with Hanjin Group, the government will build a high-tech facility called “K-Experience” next to Gyeongbokgung Palace to allow tourists to experience the country’s traditional and modern arts and culture.The center, which will be built by 2017 on the former site

Culture Aug. 18, 2015