Sometimes, the best picnics happen on the spur of the moment. And South Korea’s thriving picnic rental services, conveniently clustered near popular destinations, make last-minute outings a breeze. You can have a perfect day out in the sun, without the early-morning packing hassle that exhausts you even before setting off or shelling out on fancy picnic gear you may only use once or twice a year. Rent the shade Camping has become commonplace in Seoul, especially in parks along the Han River that

Film makeup artist Cho Tae-hee shares stories on his work, ambition to shake up the industry Being a makeup artist for movies takes on a multitude of challenges -- one has to create the perfect look that reflects a character’s personal traits, yet does not leave any impression. “I have to make sure that (the audience) is not aware of the makeup. If the makeup, a costume or a scar lingers in their memories, I feel like I’ve caused trouble for the film. The best makeup is one that is absorbed by t

SUNCHEON, South Jeolla Province -- Stepping off the KTX, I was welcomed by light drizzle and clouded skies in Suncheon, a city on the southwestern coast of the peninsula. It was perhaps a befiting first impression of a city that holds the record, set in 1998, for the most rainfall in one hour -- a whopping 145 millimeters.Then again, the wet was what created the beautiful natural environment that makes the South Jeolla Province city such a worthwhile place to visit: from the botanical life and t

Spring on Spoon festival in EverlandHappy May in Coex Aquarium Coex Aquarium is holding themed events in May, including a photo event, face painting and other activities for children.Throughout the month, a photo event with characters from the popular children’s TV series “The Octonauts” is being held from noon to 4 p.m. On Children’s Day, May 5, special booklets on the adventures of Octonauts will be provided to the first 100 children to visit the aquarium.A face painting event is being held at

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries that specialize in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Gongdeok-dong, situated in western Seoul, is a neighborhood where diverse groups mix -- office workers, residents and foreign tourists too.It also is home to the nearly century-old Gongdeok Market, where a wide variety of products from grocer

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail will be provided for each person. The meal costs 140,000 won per person an

Group show takes close look at how technologies have us under constant watch

　The number of foreigners who arrived in South Korea jumped by 12.4 percent in March from a year earlier due to higher numbers of Chinese and Japanese tourists on incentive tours, the local tourism promotion agency said.　A total of 1.54 million foreigners arrived here last month, compared with 1.36 million a year ago, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.　The number of Chinese tourists shot up 20.9 percent last month from a year earlier to some 488,000, due to an increase in both independ

Seoul Arts Center’s new head Yoo In-taek pledges to raise state subsidy for the arts complex

Blue Bottle Coffee will officially debut in Seoul later this week, a South Korean affiliate of the upscale US coffee chain operator said Tuesday.   The new cafe will open in Seoul's eastern Seongsu neighborhood -- a trendy hangout spot where young artists and designers renovated existing buildings into art spaces, fine restaurants and cafes to woo customers -- on Friday, Blue Bottle Coffee Korea, Ltd. said in a press release.  (Yonhap)The location will house a roastery and a training center for

 Royal azaleas are in full bloom at the Gunpo Cheoljjuk Festival, in Gunpo, Gyeonggi province. The azaleas, known as “cheoljjuk” in Korean, are native to Korea and go into full bloom at the end of April.  (Yonhap)

The Seoul metropolitan government said Tuesday it will open to the public the country's first botanical park this week after about six months of its pilot operation. The Seoul Botanic Park in the South Korean capital's Gangseo Ward, which has been tentatively accessible since Oct. 11, is set to open Wednesday. During the pilot operation, 2.5 million people visited the park built on a site of 504,000 square meters. (Yonhap)Out of the entire space, the botanical garden accounts for 21 percent, wit

The Grand Hyatt Seoul has completed the renovation of its suites. Australian design firm Bar Studio, which was in charge of the interior spaces within the Park Hyatt Shanghai, Park Hyatt Sydney and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, led the recent renovation of the hotel’s 53 suites. The rooms have undergone a significant upgrade while embracing the original design of famed interior architect John Morford, with subtle references to Korean culture.Three premium-level suites -- the Diplomatic, Ambassador and

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s grill restaurant The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail drink will also be provided for each person. The meal cos

The annual festival commemorating Buddha’s Birthday, a national holiday in Korea, will be held in Jongno and at the temple Jogyesa in central Seoul on May 3-5.The Lotus Lantern Festival, or Yeon Deung Hoe in Korean, unofficially kicked off with the lighting of lanterns on April 17 at Gwanghwamun Plaza, which saw lighting of a special lantern modeled after the national treasure Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda. (Yeon Deung Hoe Preservation Committee) (Yeon Deung Hoe Preservation Committee)Designated Korea