Summer calls for dishes that will fortify you against sweltering heat

GANGHWADO, Incheon -- If you are looking for an escape from the scorching weather that’s under the cool shade, and with a fair view of the sea, sansa –- a mountainside Buddhist temple -– may be just the destination. Located deep inside mountains, sansa offer visitors a break from the city and the noise that comes with it. On Ganghwado, an island off the west coast, you will find Jeondeungsa, a temple on Jeongjoksan, a 220-meter mountain. It is about an hour’s drive fro

In May, Ven. Hongseung made a two-week trip to Paris to participate in a “Taste of Paris” event where she introduced Korean temple food. The annual event features pop-up restaurants operated by renowned French chefs and a massive food expo attended by world-class food and beverage industry players. Ven. Hongseung demonstrated how to cook a new temple food dish every day at the “Taste Korea!” booth operated jointly by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism and Korean Cul

Explore stream valleys in and around Seoul, nature’s gift for the sweltered

It was devastating for Kim Jung-hui (1786-1856), a member of the royal family born into the prestigious Gyeongju Kim clan, to be imprisoned inside a shabby house with a thorn fence on a remote island as punishment. Exiled to Moseulpo in the southwestern part of Jeju Island, he suffered from chronic illnesses and loneliness for over eight years. In reading and writing, his sole pleasures, he found the strength to endure his pain. Ironically, his distinctive calligraphy style called “Chusach

Civilizations are judged by the quality of historical knowledge they document and leave behind. For about 3,000 years, “seoye,” the art of calligraphy, has been a visible documentation of East Asian civilizations and culture. The ink used in traditional calligraphy, “meok,” made from burnt carbon, is long-lasting. In traditional calligraphy, each brush stroke carries philosophical thoughts beyond just the literal meaning of the written characters. For example, a dot

For those looking for a unique experience this weekend, how about a quick travel in time to the ’70s? The National Folk Museum of Korea, located inside Gyeongbokgung, is hosting special events outdoors where bustling streets from the 1970s and 1980s have been recreated. Named “Street of Memories,” the neighborhood has its own evening school, a barbers hop, a coffee house, a comic books store, a photo studio and more. At Yaksok Dabang, visitors are offered a complimentary c

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel launches ‘Suite Party’ package Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel is launching a party package with an overnight stay at the hotel‘s Suite and a room party dining set that includes two bottles of wine and a platter of grilled shrimp and lamb chops, with fruits and cheese on the side. A whole cake and seasonal afternoon tea set for four guests are also served at the hotel’s first-floor bakery. The indoor swimming pool and fitness center can be us

Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival The Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival is set to be held at the Donam Tourist Complex in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 5-14. The festival commemorates the Great Battle of Hansan of 1592, the best-known naval battle in Korean history. Visitors can see the reenactment of the battle and experience hands-on programs at Yi Sun-sin Waterpark offered by the city and Great Battle of Hansan Memorial Foundation. Admission is free. People of all ages are wel

Recovering from an illness last year, Korean novelist and essayist Kim Hoon, 74, pondered about the rest of his life. One thing he realized was that he could no longer put off writing about independence activist An Jung-geun (1879-1910), which had been on his mind since his college days. “I was busy making ends meet. And more importantly, I didn’t dare write about him,” Kim told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.   Struck by a desperate feeling of

A forum convening a group of noted scholars and architects for a discussion on how physical space and virtual space impact cultural communication will be held later this month in Seoul. “After the pandemic, ‘space’ is newly emerging as a place for the diverse experience of touch and smell, while a growing number of people are seeking shared spaces,” said the Corea Image Communication Institute Tuesday in announcing the 13th Cultural Communication Forum on Aug. 25 at the

Cartier-Bresson, Gursky exhibitions show transformation of photography at the hands of the two masters

After winning the 19th Hermes Foundation Missulsang last year, Ryu showcases solo exhibition “The Burning Love Song.”

Arirang songs evoke powerful emotions and often lead to spontaneous shoulder dance moves among Koreans, at home or abroad. Arirang is a genre of Korean music featuring heart-wrenching laments of tragedy, hardship, suffering and injustice. Arirang‘s improvisational nature enables anyone to easily weave their own poignant life stories into the song, like modern-day rap. Life has always been tough for ordinary Koreans, especially in remote areas. Poverty, hard labor, and abrupt political ch

   With its rugged granite peaks, leafy forests, streams and walking trails, Bukhansan is an oasis of greenery in the bustling metropolis of Seoul. And it has rightly been receiving attention from foreign residents and visitors. The only drawback is that it is not a leisurely walk but one that requires proper hiking gear.  To address this and support foreigners who want to explore Bukhansan but don‘t have the right shoes or outfits, the Seoul Hiking Tourism Center offers