An extensive collection of paintings and drawings on paper by acclaimed modern Korean artists is on view at Gallery Hyundai, shedding light on one of the oldest and most common art mediums ― paper. The showcase of 132 works by 30 artists explores the significance of paper in the history of Korean art. The exhibits were created using diverse media including pencils, inks, watercolors and painting markers throughout modern Korean art. The modern art period in Korea encompasses the Japanese colonia

Performance Feb. 2, 2014

Korea will see a large influx of Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday starting this weekend.According to the Korea Tourism Organization, more than 80,000 Chinese tourists will visit Korea from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, up 12 percent from the holiday period last year, when 71,000 Chinese tourists came to Korea.Throughout last year, about 4 million Chinese travelers visited Korea, making up 35.5 percent of the total foreign tourist arrivals. The state organization anticipates the number wil

Travel Jan. 28, 2014

Mountain photographer Ahn Seung-il has always believed Mount Baekdusan holds the soul of Korean people. The mountain, straddling North Korea and China, is the starting point of the backbone of the Korean mountains. It has been regarded as a sacred place for many Koreans as legends surrounding national foundation originate from the mountain and the surrounding area. Ahn also believes he deserves the rank of best photographer when it comes to the mountain.With many years of experience photographin

Performance Jan. 28, 2014

Korean mulberry paper and everyday products that use it are on view at Paperworld, an international trade fair for paper and stationery, in Frankfurt, Germany. Forty-three kinds of Korean mulberry paper, hand-made by Korean artisans, are on display. Two products using the paper have been selected as the highlights of the trade fair’s Asia Design Excellence exhibition, organized by the German Design Council. Korean mulberry paper, called “hanji” in Korean, was widely used for brushwork calligraph

Arts & Design Jan. 26, 2014

Han Hyun-young, a 29-year-old office worker in Seoul, had a hanbok custom-made for herself when she got married in 2011. But she has worn the traditional Korean clothes only twice ― on her first visit to her in-law’s house after her honeymoon and on her sister-in-law’s wedding day. “I wore it because I had to. I wouldn’t wear it if I didn’t have to,” she said. Han is not the only one feeling reluctant to wear a hanbok on special occasions. As hanbok are no longer a daily outfit for most Koreans,

Culture Jan. 24, 2014

Photographer Lee Jung-jin wanted to cast off fixed concepts about her art discipline. Instead of using photosensitized paper, she tried different printing materials to capture certain images which have inspired her. After experimenting with diverse materials such as fabric, printed paper and even toilet paper, she found the right image on a piece of mulberry paper. “Coincidentally the mulberry paper and the image created a synergy. It even looked like a painting,” she said at Shinsegae Gallery i

Performance Jan. 23, 2014

A 39-year-old housewife surnamed Shin recently decided to apply for a visa to Canada for herself and her children. She plans to stay for up to two years so her kids can go to local schools. She will also have to take on the “father role” as her husband will be staying in Korea to financially support them. “I am taking my kids to Canada for my children to get an English education. I plan to stay in Canada just long enough for my children to master English,” she told The Korea Herald by phone. Stu

Culture Jan. 22, 2014

The number of foreign cruise tourists to Korea has increased over the last six years, emerging as a welcome boost in the inbound travel market. Korea saw the number of foreign cruise passengers stopping at Korean ports grow tenfold from 70,000 in 2008 to 700,000 last year. Last year saw a two-fold increase from the previous year and the number is expected to reach about 900,000 this year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. “We expect the number of cruise tourists to Korea to continue t

Travel Jan. 22, 2014

Oakwood Premier Coex Center is offering a winter accommodation package to guests who wish to relax with family members during the Lunar New Year holidays next week. The package, available from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, consists of a one-night stay, two movie tickets for Megabox and two Coex Aquarium passes. Rates range from 165,000-235,000 won ($154-220) depending on the room type. The Studio Deluxe is available at 165,000 won, the One Bed Deluxe at 195,000 won and the Two Bed Deluxe at 235,000 won. Fo

Travel Jan. 22, 2014

Legendary media artist Nam June Paik’s life and work will be memorialized in an event at Nam June Paik Art Center Saturday. The center will mark the eighth anniversary of his death with a contemporary media art performance and an exhibition tour. The center is a museum dedicated to exhibiting his works and researching his art world, and has previously held memorials with art performances that illustrate his lasting influence. This year’s event will showcase an audiovisual performance by Korean s

Performance Jan. 19, 2014

Internationally acclaimed British-American photographer Michael Kenna appeared in a Korean court Wednesday afternoon.He was there to testify as a witness in the copyright lawsuit filed by his Korean agent Gallery Kong against Korean Air, which used “almost the same” image as his for a TV commercial in 2011.He called Korean Air’s use of the image “bad behavior.”Kenna said he believes Korean Air was aware of his picture, “Pine Trees,” when it used a similar photograph taken at the same location an

Performance Jan. 15, 2014

Men’s bags have become more than a practical means of carrying belongings. They are now much more like accessories, fashion statements or reflections of a man’s identity. In step with changing perceptions about the nature of men’s bags, the Simone Handbag Museum on the trendy Garosu-gil in Seoul recently opened a small exhibition to examine the relationships between men and bags. “Bags have become a style accessory, no longer a practical carrier. I think bags are one of the fashion items with wh

Arts & Design Jan. 12, 2014