Mainstream TV shows are seeking to attract more teenage viewers to survive in the network TV market here, after veering away from that age group in the past few years. TV shows for teenagers had been popular in the early 2000s. Big-name stars such as Go A-ra and Yoo Ah-in debuted on KBS2’s school drama “Sharp” in 2003. The broadcaster’s “School” series was a hit, too, making it to its fourth season in a run that lasted from 1999 to 2002. With the rise of cable channels and over-the-top services

Television Aug. 21, 2018

"It’s like wearing makeup not just around the eyes, but also on the eyes,” said Kim Ji-hye, an office worker in her mid-20s, talking about colored contact lenses. Kim has been wearing colored contacts for more than 10 years. She first tried them on when she was in middle school. Like others of her age at the time, she used to wear cheap contacts and did not care much about hygiene or sanitation.“I was reckless. Now I only wear one-day colored contact lenses just on special days, to highlight my

Arts & Design Aug. 19, 2018

Hyatt Hotels is to add Small Luxury Hotels of the World to its rewards portfolio. Starting from the end of this year, guests who stay at any of more than 500 independent luxury boutique properties under the SLH umbrella, will be able to earn and redeem World of Hyatt points. The exact kickoff date for the service is yet to be set. Guests who make their bookings through Hyatt channels, not directly with the SLH properties or through third-party websites will receive point benefits.“SLH’s high-end

Travel Aug. 16, 2018

Beer galore at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City HotelSheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel will be celebrating its seventh anniversary by hosting the Sheraton Craft Beer Festival in mid-September. Famous breweries such as Goose Island, Art Monster, Craft Roo, The Hand and Malt, Levee Brewing Company and more are participating in the festival. At the event, there will also be German-style side dishes created by the hotel’s new head chef from Germany.The festival will be held over a period from Sept. 14 to 1

Food Aug. 16, 2018

A passion for books is often symbolized by a love of the scent of new books. But it’s not only the scent of fresh ink and paper that excites book-lovers. The musty scent of a used book can be just as much of a turn-on for bibliophiles. Cheonggyecheon Secondhand Book Street in Dongdaemun, central Seoul, is the most widely known spot for secondhand books. Used books are piled up at Cheonggyecheon Secondhand Book Street. (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)Used books are piled up at Cheonggyecheon S

Culture Aug. 16, 2018

Ganjanggejang, meaning soy sauce marinated crab, is called a “rice thief” in Korea. The nickname has two meanings. People eat a lot of rice with ganjanggejang to offset its saltiness. But also, it implies that the dish tastes so good that it is impossible to stop eating.(Video shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo / The Korea Herald)To make ganjanggejang, a possibly “inhumane” process is involved. Fresh, live crabs are pickled in a brine of soy sauce. The brine is strained, boiled and poured over t

Food Aug. 16, 2018

In a weekly web cartoon series popular a few years ago, “Ladies Bathhouse Report,” the cartoonist and public bathhouse devotee showed in detail what Korean women do at public bathhouses.One of the concepts introduced in the series was “dalmogyok” culture, or “monthly bath” culture. The term refers to using monthly vouchers offered at a discounted price. The overall idea is similar to using a gym with a monthly membership. (By Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)(By Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)

Culture Aug. 16, 2018

Public bathhouses used to be part of Korea’s culture. On weekends, sons and fathers, daughters and mothers went to bathhouses together, small plastic baskets filled with toiletries in tow. The lifestyle reflected how difficult it was for an average household to have hot running water or a bathtub in the old days. But with changes in the housing environment, these days people mostly bathe at home and public bathhouses are considered out of date.The jjimjilbang has taken the place of bathhouses, f

Culture Aug. 16, 2018

The Gyeonggi International Cosplay Festival will be held from Wednesday to Sunday in Bucheon, a city west of Seoul. Cosplay involves dressing up like animation, video game or comic book characters.  Cosplayers’ parade (Korea Manhwa Contents Agency)On Saturday, professional cosplayers will parade along a 1.8-kilometer route around the Bucheon City Hall, showcasing their costumes. Music and other performances will entertain visitors. The highlight of the festival is the Gyeonggi International Cosp

Cartoon Aug. 13, 2018

MBC will present a remake of the BBC drama “Luther” this winter. For the Korean adaptation of the drama, actor Shin Ha-kyun will play the main lead character. David Belshaw, an international scripted producer at BBC Studios, recently visited Korea and met with the production team.  David Belshaw (left) and Shin Ha-kyun (MBC)“‘Luther’ is a great drama with a tight plot and interesting characters,” Belshaw said, showing his anticipation for the Korean remake. “Korean viewers will experience an int

Television Aug. 10, 2018

New cosmetic brand Colours presents cosmetic products that are customized for each customer using artificial intelligence. Through the brand’s self-developed Skin Reading program, an individual can receive a diagnosis of one’s skin condition through a smartphone.  (Colours)The AI facial recognition technology diagnoses the person’s skin type and age. The program further analyzes the person’s eating habits, lifestyle and external environment, and predicts an expected aging process. After a thorou

Arts & Design Aug. 10, 2018

It has been almost a month since a heat wave began sweeping across Korea. With temperatures breaking records, the unbearable heat has sapped people’s strength and made them lose their appetites. Here’s where boyangsik steps in. It refers to food that strengthens and replenishes the body. Though the nutritious dishes can be consumed at any time of the year -- such as when recovering from a surgery or after giving birth -- they are often sought after in summer. (123rf)In Korea, there is “sambok,”

Food Aug. 9, 2018

Live in history at Nine Tree HotelNine Tree Hotel recommends guests to take a history tour of Seoul, with its Seoul Cultural Footsteps package. The package includes tickets to four palaces; Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. Tickets for Seodaemun Prison History Hall and Seodaemun Museum of Natural History are also part of the deal. Breakfast for two are included well, along with a free bear doll and a late check-out option at 3 p.m. available.The package will be availa

Food Aug. 9, 2018

Valleys have long been a classic summer vacation spot for Koreans. For those who are used to visiting only beaches and islands, escaping the heat by going to the mountains might sound strange. Why hike to escape the heat? (Yonhap)But the joy of dipping in brain-freezingly cold water after sweating buckets can be thrilling. Under the layers of green shade, one can enjoy a cool swim away from the scorching rays of the sun. Though the valley streams are neither wide nor deep, the excitement is ther

Travel Aug. 9, 2018

Mulhoe, cold raw fish soup, is a summertime delicacy in Korea. The dish could be described as sliced raw fish in cold soup with vegetables, or sliced carpaccio in seasoned broth. Though mulhoe can be consumed throughout the year, it is often enjoyed in summer. The broth, chilled with ice, cools the seasonal heat. Flavored with red chili paste, the broth also awakens a sluggish appetite with its spicy, sour and sweet taste. The harmony of the sweetness of the fish and spiciness of the soup leaves

Food Aug. 9, 2018