Large churches in Seoul are continuing with their Sunday services online, as Korea is still in national battle against COVID-19. Like the past weeks, Sarang Church in southern Seoul, one of the several megachurches here, is going online for its Sunday services this week. On Sunday, more than 40,000 people viewed the online stream by the church.   “The decision was voluntarily made by the church community -- not by someone’s order. A church -- a religious community -- shares

People March 13, 2020

Zest of citrus at Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul’s lounge cafe Gallery presents the Citrus of Spring afternoon tea set, full of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. The three-tier tray is filled with 16 types of desserts, ranging from yuzu scones, Jeju Island tangerine curd, hallabong compote, clotted cream, tangerine panna cotta, chocolate mousse with tangerine liquid, to tangerine chocolate tarte and more. Diners can select coffee or tea of their choice to pair with the d

Food March 13, 2020

Just before Thursday’s airing of its final episode, TV Chosun’s hit audition show “Mr. Trot” became embroiled in a controversy over suspected unfair contracts. The TV show, which aired its first episode in January, is a trot singing showdown. Last year, the broadcasting station’s “Miss Trot,” featuring talented female trot singers, was a huge success, with final winner Song Ga-in rising to national stardom through the show.  Buoyed by the succ

Television March 12, 2020

While coronavirus cases continue to climb around the world, the performing arts scene in Korea is turning to a different stage: online platforms. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, managed by the Korea Arts Management Service affiliated with the Culture Ministry, performing arts theaters’ ticket sales in February recorded 20.9 billion won ($18.6 million), nearly down to half of the previous month’s 40.3 billion won. Since mid-February -- when Ko

Performance March 11, 2020

Comedian Johnny Yune, born as Yoon Jong-seung, died in Los Angeles at the age of 84 on Sunday. Born in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, in 1936, Yune graduated from Sungdong High School in central Seoul, before attending Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. He became a US citizen in 1978. Yune made his film debut in 1979’s “Meteor” under the stage name of Jon Yune, and built up his career as a standup comedian in the 1980s. The Korean American star rose to st

Television March 10, 2020

With COVID-19 cases continuing to climb, spring festivals hosted in the southern regions of Korea have taken a major blow, affecting local economies heavily dependent on the festivals. As Korea has implemented a “social distancing” policy to prevent community spread of the novel coronavirus, festivals and events that attract a large number of people have been canceled or postponed indefinitely, threatening the livelihoods of people who make a living on the festival circuit. 

Travel March 10, 2020

As the entire nation struggles with the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the tourism industry -- both inbound and outbound -- has been one of the hardest hit by the virus outbreak. More than 100 countries around the world are restricting the entry of all travelers from Korea, as of Monday, pushing outbound travel agencies to the brink. Hana Tour and Modu Tour, Korea’s top two outbound travel agencies, have reported major losses in sales due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Hana Tour sent 49,000

Travel March 9, 2020

With the court suspending the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism‘s dismissal of the former artistic director Yoon Ho-geun, the Korea National Opera will be led by two heads for now. According to the Seoul Administrative Court’s ruling on Friday, the ministry will have to revoke its dismissal of Yoon, the former artistic director of the national troupe. Yoon was dismissed in May for hiring a staff member who does not meet the qualifications in August 2018.   The ministry

Performance March 8, 2020

Veganism is a growing trend around the world, and the wine scene is no exception. Following the rise of keywords such as natural, organic and biodynamic, the wine scene has also discovered vegan wine -- wine manufactured free of any animal ingredients at any stage of the process. Though some may ask, “Aren’t all wines vegan?” animal-based products are often involved in the winemaking process, notably the wine clarifying process, called “fining.” Animal-based f

Food March 6, 2020

Early spring at L‘Escape Hotel L‘Escape Hotel presents a package deal designed for the spring season. As fine dust can halt some from enjoying outdoor activities in the spring, the French-style boutique hotel has prepared various indoor activities. Guests will be offered a total package for coloring activities upon check-in. For guests who post their coloring activity works to their Instagram accounts with hashtags of “#lescapehotel,” and “#hotelpackage,”

Food March 6, 2020

Garden of Morning Calm Spring Festival The Garden of Morning Calm, situated in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, is one of Korea‘s major botanical gardens. Established to promote the beauty of Korean flowers and plants and to develop the local gardening culture, the botanical site attracts about 700,000 visitors each year. During the Spring Festival period, the Garden of Morning Calm is covered with a rich tapestry of color from thousands of flowers and trees in full bloom. In addition, t

Travel March 6, 2020

The Korean National Ballet is mired in controversy over inappropriate behavior by some of its members while they were under home quarantine for COVID-19. The national ballet company told all members to go into self-quarantine Feb. 24-28, after the performance of “Swan Lake” at the Daegu Opera House from Feb. 14-15.  Though none of them showed signs of COVID-19 infection, the decision was made over concerns about the rapid increase in cases in Daegu and neighboring North Gye

Performance March 5, 2020

This year’s Tongyeong International Music Festival, one of Korea’s biggest classical music events, has been canceled amid the rapid spread of COVID-19. This year, the annual music festival that takes place in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, was to be held from March 27 to April 5 under the theme of “Reality,” featuring 26 main performances and 363 artists from 23 countries.  Although the festival had set off to a robust start with five of its programs sold

Performance March 4, 2020

High-end hotels in Korea are struggling with the COVID-19 outbreak, as guests cancel stays on concerns over possible viral infection. Five-star hotels in Seoul are experiencing a rapid drop in occupancy rate, with locals canceling their staycation plans and foreign business travelers canceling business trips. Various events and meetings held at large-sized hotels are also being canceled or postponed.  Local hotel franchise Lotte Hotels & Resorts -- with properties in Seoul highly po

Culture March 3, 2020

Maestro Chung Myung-whun has canceled performances in Italy after going into home quarantine in France upon returning from a trip to Tokyo. Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, based in the Italian city of Florence, announced that Daniele Gatti, music director of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, would conduct the orchestra’s Saturday concert instead of Chung. Chung was to lead the orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor on Saturday. The orchestra exp

Performance March 3, 2020