The Korea Herald

KORAIL offers discounts on Busan-Fukuoka ferry

TravelFeb 22, 2013

The Korea Railroad Corporation announced it is offering a 40 percent discount on the express ferry between Busan and Fukuoka to those who purchase JR Kyushu rail pass at its ticket booths at major train stations in Korea. The KORAIL offers a 7 percent discount on the Kyushu rail pass and a 30 percent discount on KTX tickets for customers who purchase the Japanese rail pass. With the special discounts, tourists can also reduce their travel cost to Japan. In the case of a person planning a trip fr
San Francisco’s other Chinatown ― the real one

TravelFeb 22, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO ― There are two Chinatowns in San Francisco, one where tourists can buy conical straw hats and tacky souvenirs, and a second where the locals live, shop and eat.There are no defined boundaries ― you don’t cross a street and step from Tourist Chinatown to Authentic Chinatown. Rather, the two overlap. A visitor can leave a neon-lit store, loaded down with bamboo back scratchers and plastic Buddhas, and a half-block away turn down a dingy alley dotted with shops and businesses where n
Alaska cruise brings wildlife up close

TravelFeb 22, 2013

FREDERICK SOUND, Alaska ― “There’s a whale right here, next to us!” whispered 15-year-old Will, leaning over the railing and frantically trying to focus his camera on the shiny black hump off the port side bow. “And there’s another one, right there!” he said, pointing at the second giant head that rose up and tipped sideways, fixing a round black eye on the ship.Humpback whales, too many to count, circled the Sea Bird as the 62-passenger vessel, a Lindblad Expedition cruise ship, idled in Alaska
Spring picnic package at Grand Hyatt Seoul

CultureFeb 22, 2013

The hotel launched its “Spring Picnic Packages” in celebration of the arrival of the new season from March 1 to June 30. The package includes Grand Room accommodation, a picnic set including fresh sandwiches for two people from the Deli, specially designed for a spring walk on Namsan Mountain. Guests are also invited to enjoy complimentary use of the hotel’s gym and indoor swimming pool during their stay, along with a 50 percent discount on the sauna. The picnic package is available only on week
Strawberry promotion at The Ritz-Carlton Seoul

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

The hotel’s deli, Ritz Deli will celebrate the strawberry season throughout March. The deli will offer delicious cakes and desserts including “lemon and strawberry tart,” vanilla cream and strawberries on a crispy lemon tart base, “strawberry yogurt mousse cake” made from fresh strawberries and yogurt, “strawberry chocolate tower,” where juicy strawberries top a crunchy mixture of nut brownie, crispy crunch and white chocolate, “black forest cakes” stuffed with pitted dark cherries and cheese ca
Hanwoo sashimi at Millennium Seoul Hilton

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

The hotel’s restaurant Cilantro is introducing beef sashimi to the buffet during March. Diners can experience the most sublime presentations of the nation’s finest grade beef. Served uncooked or lightly seared, beef sashimi is mixed in with a variety of sauces and toppings, offering a sublime tasting experience for visiting guests. The Cilantro buffet, with the Beef Sashimi, is available for lunch and dinner. The lunch buffet is priced at 65,500 won for adults and 39,300 won for children under 1
Spring package at Hyatt Regency Jeju

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

The hotel offers the Spring Cartel Escape from March 1 to April 30. The package includes a one-night stay in a mountain view room, a rental sedan for 24 hours, a strawberry signature box at Island Lounge, complimentary access to the indoor pool, fitness center, and a discount on the sauna. The rental car will allow guests to freely explore Jeju Island as well as attend various Jeju festivals: Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival, Rape Flower International Walking Festival, and more. Trekking equipment a
Spring weekend package at Renaissance Seoul

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

The hotel is offering three special packages for spring from March 1 to June 2. The “Spring Saving Package” is priced at 189,000 won for one night at the hotel’s deluxe room. The “Spring Delight Package,” priced at 235,000 won includes the deluxe room, breakfast for two at Caf Elysee, a bottle of red wine, six praline chocolates, and one free movie. The “Spring Family Package” is priced at 245,000 won and offers a deluxe room, breakfast for two at Caf Elysee (free for 2 children under 12 years o
From New Orleans

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

Riffs off the classic beignet popping up in Seoul
Kimchi kongnamul guk

Food&BeverageFeb 22, 2013

Kimchi kongnamul guk is a variation of kongnamul guk, a soup made with kongnamul (soybean sprouts). Kongnamul is high in B vitamins, vitamin C and protein. This explains why kongnamul guk is a popular home remedy for common colds and hangovers in Korea. The addition of kimchi takes the soup to another level, with a spicy kick that’s strong enough to clear your sinuses. When my kids were growing up, I made this soup for them when they had a cold, just like my mother did when I was growing up. It’
Jang Geun-suk, Big Brother duo Team H to start Asia tour

PeopleFeb 22, 2013

The self-proclaimed “Prince of Asia” Jang Geun-suk and band mate DJ Big Brother are gearing up for a Team H comeback with the upcoming release of their first full album and the group’s first Asia tour. The two members of rock band Team H will begin their debut Asia tour this weekend with the first concerts at the Sun Plaza Hall in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday and Sunday. The tour, titled “Team H Party ― I Just Wanna Have Fun,” will then head off to Kobe, Sapporo and Chiba, before leaving Japan
Texas executes man who lit ex-girlfriend on fire

PeopleFeb 22, 2013

A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend by dousing her with gasoline and setting her on fire was executed in Texas on Thursday after the U.S. Supreme Court refused his final appeal.Carl Blue, 48, was convicted of the September 1994 death of Carmen Richards-Sanders, 38, at her apartment in Bryan, about 160 kilometers northwest of Houston. Blue also tossed gasoline on a man in the apartment, but he survived and testified against Blue, who claimed the attack was a prank gone wrong.In his final
Smog causes surge in heart deaths: study

HealthFeb 21, 2013

PARIS (AFP) ― Exposure to higher levels of fine particulates ― the airborne pollution that is an emerging problem in many Asian cities ― causes a sharp rise in deaths from heart attacks, a study published on Wednesday said.Research published in the European Heart Journal pointed the finger at so-called PM2.5 pollution, which comprises tiny particles measuring 2.5 micrometers across or less.They are mainly generated by burning coal and oil for power stations, and petrol and diesel for transport.A
Uterine myoma

HealthFeb 21, 2013

Many women have been frequently asking me: “I have been told that I have uterine fibroid (myoma). Do I need to have an operation?” I think the reason for this is that with the emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis of cervical cancer, more women are regularly getting checkups for gynecological cancers, leading to findings of even small uterine myomas that would have gone unnoticed in the past.Uterine myoma is a benign tumor of the muscles in the uterus. It is a common gynecological condit
Study: Better TV might improve kids’ behavior

HealthFeb 21, 2013

SEATTLE (AP) ― Teaching parents to switch channels from violent shows to educational TV can improve preschoolers’ behavior, even without getting them to watch less, a study found.The results were modest and faded over time, but may hold promise for finding ways to help young children avoid aggressive, violent behavior, the study authors and other doctors said.“It’s not just about turning off the television. It’s about changing the channel. What children watch is as important as how much they wat