With the new year signaling the season of migratory birds, the DMZ Migratory Bird Watching Tour offering visits to vantage points in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, will available through the end of February. Cheorwon is a popular sanctuary for migratory birds, such as cranes, wild geese and eagles, owing to the county’s vast plains that are rich in food and water. Along with water reservoirs and the Hantangang River, the region is close to the Demilitarized Zone, which remains relatively un

Travel Jan. 7, 2022

GIMPO -- Twelve years after the Joseon royal tombs Jangneung in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, were made UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2009, it is faced with the possibility of having the designation removed, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration.　 In August, the CHA ordered its committee of experts to review 19 of the 44 apartment buildings undergoing construction by three developers for breach of the cultural property protection law as they were located within 500 meters of the royal

Culture Jan. 5, 2022

The 2022 “Global Seoul Mate” project, jointly initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization, is recruiting members to produce and promote Seoul’s tourism-related digital content, the STO announced Monday. The Global Seoul Mates are a delegation of foreigners living in Seoul who have both expertise and passion in producing digital content and utilizing social media, looking to introduce and promote Seoul’s attractions, festivals and ev

Travel Jan. 3, 2022

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- An hour and thirty minutes from Seoul’s Yongsan Station by KTX train is Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, wrapped in both unaltered traditions and the vibrant future of South Korea. Designated by the Culture Ministry as one of the five “Tourism Hub City Development” project cities in 2020 -- along with Busan, Gangneung, Mokpo and Andong -- the city is stretching its wings to greet global visitors who wish to experience Korea beyond what its densel

Travel Jan. 1, 2022

Five months since the official designation of Korea’s “gaetbeol,” or tidal flats, as a UNESCO world heritage, “tidal flat harvesting” has made its way onto the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the Cultural Heritage Administration said. Four tidal flat areas spanning Seocheon in South Chungcheong Province, Gochang in North Jeolla Province, Sinan, Boseong and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province, were collectively inscribed on the World Heritage List in July

Culture Dec. 31, 2021

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Falling in Love with Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set’ JW Marriott Hotel Seoul’s The Lounge, located on the eighth-floor reception lobby presents “Falling in Love with Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set.” 　 This season’s tea set showcases nine desserts including strawberry mont blanc, crafted from juicy strawberries and almond cream enveloped in rich Chantilly cream; strawberry cheesecake; flamingo almond cake; strawberry macarons; an

Food Dec. 31, 2021

Hidden travel destinations known only to locals residing in the area have become the MZ generation’s most preferred travel routes, a survey data showed Thursday. The Seoul Tourism Organization announced the survey results on the “2021 most-favored online Seoul tourism contents,” conducted on some 9,181 respondents over the month of November via its official website. The survey was carried out in six languages -- Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Malaysian &nda

Travel Dec. 30, 2021

Mayfield Seoul offers ‘Private Party’ package Mayfield Hotel in Seoul is offering an in-room dining package called “Private Party,” for guests to enjoy gatherings in a private space instead of dining out to celebrate the end of the year. The package provides two bottles of wine – one red and one sparkling -- along with a 100,000 won dining voucher that can be used at the hotel’s restaurant, which offers a choice of steak and smoked salmon dishes. Cheese pla

Food Dec. 24, 2021

On an early December afternoon, Kim Ji-young, head chef at Balwoo Gongyang, a restaurant dedicated to temple cuisine operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, was demonstrating how to make root vegetable geotjeori, or a light salad of root vegetables. Unrushed and with a generous smile, the chef hummed a tune as she demonstrated the cooking process, step by step. With 1,700 years of history, some keywords come to mind upon hearing “temple food,” such as vegetarian or slow

Food Dec. 23, 2021

From Thursday, a Christmas market will be set up at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza until the end of the year to celebrate the festive season. Under the theme “The Christmas airport - Travel to Santa’s world,” a total of 40 stalls will be in operation from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m, at Allim Hall 2, located within the plaza. The 2021 Seoul Christmas Market at DDP displays and sells a variety of holiday-related products, including light ornaments and other home decor, as well as accessori

Culture Dec. 22, 2021

The National Museum of Korea launched the special exhibition “Ottchil, the Coated Splendor of Asian Lacquerware” on Tuesday, showcasing some 260 pieces of lacquerware produced in different parts of Asia. Lacquer, called “ottchil” in Korean, is a natural paint that has been used in Asia since ancient times. The water-repellent and insect-repellent aspects of lacquer increases the longevity of the objects, while adding a beautiful luster to them. Lacquer crafts are time

Arts & Design Dec. 21, 2021

As strengthened COVID-19 measures prevent movie theaters from screening after 10 p.m. starting Saturday, the film industry has strongly opposed the move. Five relevant organizations, including the Producers Guild of Korea and Directors Guild of Korea’s board of directors, issued a joint emergency statement Thursday stating that although they support the government’s revised measures, the industry strongly requests reconsideration of the operating hours for theaters. Under the new

Culture Dec. 17, 2021

Expressing a wish for harmony and peace among different religions, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism will light up lanterns in front of the main Buddhist temple of Jogyesa in Jongno, central Seoul, to celebrate Christmas, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday. The lanterns will be illuminated through Dec. 28. “Jesus did not discriminate between those who have and those who do not, those who are learned and those who are not and broke barriers in practicing tolerance. We continue to remember this

Culture Dec. 17, 2021

Singer and entertainer Kim Jong-kook released his doping test results Thursday, in a bid to clear himself of suspicions of steroid use. Kim uploaded an 18-minute video on his YouTube channel on Thursday, showing clips of videos showing himself submitting to doping tests on Nov. 13 and receiving the test results on Dec. 9. The video included his message to the public and to the Canadian bodybuilder Greg Doucette, who had alleged steroid use by Kim. Kim’s doping tests were conducted by th

People Dec. 17, 2021

With stricter COVID-19 social distancing measures kicking in on Saturday, 45 days after the country had adopted a plan for a gradual return to normalcy, theaters and the arts sector are bracing for a difficult year-end -- again. From Saturday through Jan. 2, movie theaters, performing arts theaters and internet cafes nationwide will have to close by 10 p.m., while restaurants, bars and cafes are to close at 9 p.m. The film industry, which had been anticipating a recovery starting in November,

Culture Dec. 17, 2021