A number of Buddhist monks have come to the defense of President Moon Jae-in after the president and first lady Kim Jung-sook came under fire for sitting on the cornerstones of a Buddhist temple during a hiking event last week. “I speak (of the incident) as a Jogye Order monk,” Ven. Yeongdam, director of the Youngdam Hanji Museum in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province wrote on Facebook, Friday. “If you happen to come across a cornerstone at a vacant temple, you can sit down a

Culture April 11, 2022

Two weeks into opening, Oul, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul’s late-night concept bar with Korean bar bites and beverages, has already become a must-go place on social media. Themed “Journey through Seoul’s evolution in drinks,” the name Oul takes the last three letters from “Seoul.” It also captures the spirit of the capital as a destination for night owls with a vibrant nightlife scene centered around drinking. 　 While most hotel cocktail bars are designed with

Food April 9, 2022

Naver Webtoon announced Friday that it has expanded its partnership with DC Comics to release three new DC originals as webtoon series -- “Vixen: NYC,” “Red Hood: Outlaws” and “Zatanna & The Ripper,” starting next month. The two companies launched “The Batman: Wayne Family’s Adventure” project series last September, which follows the DC universe and its characters. The project has garnered over 942,612 subscribers and was rated 9.76 poi

Books April 8, 2022

Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday released a photo of President Moon Jae-in putting his palms together and bowing in front of a Buddha statue located behind the presidential office, after the Buddhist community criticized the president and first lady for sitting on cornerstones of the presumed site of the temple Beopheungsa, during a hike Tuesday. The hike was organized to commemorate the opening of the southern side of Bukaksan to the public. “President Moon appeared to be at a loss after receiv

Culture April 8, 2022

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul offers spring season’s signature menu The Margaux Grill at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul will offer a new signature menu starting April 15. The new menu features a variety of wood fire-grilled steaks, served with a selection of appetizers, salads and seafood dishes. The Margaux Grill’s central open kitchen serves handpicked beef cuts including strip loin, rib eye and tenderloin of Woorungchan Hanwoo (Korea’s highest grade of beef), prime US beef porterhou

Food April 8, 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, watching videos on YouTube, cooking and regularly washing hands became part of a new routine to Koreans and foreigners alike, according to a recent survey by the Corea Image Communication Institute. The CICI’s survey titled “Effects of COVID in our daily lives” involved 417 participants -- 214 Koreans and 203 foreigners who have visited or resided in Korea, with more than 57 percent of the participants in their 30s. On the question of newly deve

Culture April 7, 2022

As flowers herald the arrival of spring, palaces and royal tombs are hosting special events that highlight the beauty of the space and their history. At Changdeokgung, a Joseon palace that is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, Nakseonjae is open to public viewing through Wednesday. A special tour will be held daily at 10:20 a.m., taking visitors through the royal quarters that was built by King Heonjong in 1847. Its last inhabitant was Lee Bang-ja, also known as Masako, the Japan

Travel April 3, 2022

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul announces ‘2022 Garden Wine Fair’ JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents the 2022 Wine Fair with more than 220 different wines from outstanding wineries in 11 countries — including France, the United States, Italy and Australia. The fair runs for three days from April 6, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Margaux Grill’s seventh-floor outdoor garden. Wines reserved in advance from a selection of 220 labels between March 26 and 30 will be available to pick

Food April 1, 2022

Conceptualizing and categorizing food when filming a food documentary series is the strategy behind documentary producer-turned CEO Lee Wook-jung’s 30-year career. Lee pulls everything together at the end of the show, emphasizing the overarching theme that all food connects. Speaking with The Korea Herald on his first day out of quarantine following a business trip to Argentina where he went to capture the country’s distinctive pizza, Lee seemed thrilled and rather impatient to unve

Food March 26, 2022

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul offers new signature menu Cafe One at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul celebrates the arrival of spring with a new signature menu combining existing favorites ideal for pairing with coffee or beer. Highlights include the ricotta salad, made with ricotta crafted by Cafe One’s own chefs and tangy lemon juice; croque madame with Italian cotto ham and a soft bechamel sauce, topped with a sunny fried egg; and the chicken sandwich with thickly sliced chicken breast cooked sous-v

Food March 25, 2022

Joseon royal palace Gyeongbokgung will be open for nighttime viewing from April 1 to May 29, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Monday. The night view of Gyeongbokgung in spring is noted for its beautiful blossoms, including the weeping cherry blossoms and bright azaleas that light up the night. Up to 1,300 visitors will be admitted per evening and reservations are required through the 11Street website. Online reservations will open Thursday morning, with each person limited to two tick

Travel March 21, 2022

Jung Ho-yeon, 28, the rising actor from Netflix’s global sensation “Squid Game,” is officially on board to star in “Disclaimer,” a new Apple TV+ series by Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuaron, according to US entertainment magazine Variety on Friday. The upcoming series is based on the thriller novel “Disclaimer” by Renee Knight, published in 2015. Cate Blanchett plays Catherine Ravenscroft, a popular television documentary journalist who uncovers wr

Television March 20, 2022

As the saying “The March winds are the morning yawn” goes, a fresh spring breeze not only awakens our souls, but imbues renewed energy in nature. During this season, one of the side dishes almost always present on Korean dining tables is namul, or seasoned vegetables and herbs. Although now available year round, many wild plants, herbs and vegetables are in their best condition during the spring season. Most namul varieties are bathed in shades of green, but not all have to be

Food March 19, 2022

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul showcases Fairmont Yeoui Blossom tea set Fairmont Ambassador Seoul is offering a spring-inspired afternoon tea set served at the hotel’s first-floor Atrium Lounge. This season’s high tea set features a collection of cherry blossom-themed desserts and beverages, complemented by a menu of irresistible savory items. The selection of seven desserts is served on an elegant three-tier tray, and is accompanied by various savory items. Guests choosing the packa

Food March 18, 2022

In hopes of sending out a message of peace across the globe for Ukrainian war refugees, a special evening concert will be held at the Seoul Arts Center’s concert hall on March 23. Co-hosted by The Korea Herald and the Seoul Arts Center, the “2022 Special Concert for World Peace,” will be led by the Seoul Pops Orchestra’s director and conductor Ha Sung-ho. Musicians onstage include 73-year old veteran vocal maestro Jang Sa-ik, 2022 Korea Opera Awards’ gold-winning

Culture March 15, 2022