The Korea Tourism Organization’s “46th Korea Tourism Photo Contest” will award a cash prize of 600,000 won ($560) to a winning international entrant.The contest, open to all who are interested, accepts up to five submissions per person. The submitted photos have to be in JPG format with dimension of at least 2,200 by 3,200 RGB pixels. Only the photos taken after January 2015 that have not been published or released elsewhere are eligible.Photos that feature tourists at popular attraction sites w

A painting featuring red dots by celebrated South Korean artist Kim Whan-ki sold for 8.5 billion won ($7.87 million) at Seoul Auction's Hong Kong sale on Sunday, shattering the record for any Korean work of art sold at auction and breaking Kim's own auction record, the auction house said. "3-II-72 #220" (Seoul Auction)An unidentified private collector consigned the painting titled "3-II-72 #220," created by the abstract master (1913-1974) in 1972, to the auction house for sale. With a rare and u

The Chuncheon International Mime Festival wrapped up its seven-day run Sunday. Over 500 artists in 52 teams from 13 countries participated in the festival this year, performing in over 100 shows on six stages throughout Chuncheon, located in Gangwon Province. The festival consists of various mime and movement-related shows featuring themes of water, fire and other elements. The closing ceremony featured a performance titled “Fire City Burning,” involving a huge bonfire and fireworks. The festiva

Koreans and foreigners aged 28 and under can travel to the nation’s islands at a discount rate starting June, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Sunday.In an effort to boost youths’ sea trips the ministry is opening up 77 ocean routes encompassing 51 relevant firms’ 121 ships for 20 percent discount rate during weekends and 50 percent discount rate during weekdays between June and September. Under this scheme, for example, the original ferry from Gangneung to Ulleungdo Island on

Pizzeria specializes in small-batch specials, unconventional and classic pies

South Africa is a “rainbow nation,” where diverse people, cultures, languages and religions exist in harmony. It is also a land of magnificent wildlife, landscapes and vegetation, also a hotbed of thriving urban culture, music, festivity, food and wine.

Ocean view buffet at Hotel Tops 10Hotel Tops 10’s all day dining buffet restaurant Poseidon offers a gourmet experience with quality at a reasonable price. High-end dishes, such as smoked salmon, cream escargot, grilled lamb and barbequed pork rib are prepared, along with children-friendly menus, including pizza and pasta. The buffet runs from 12 to 3 p.m. for lunch and from 6 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Poseidon, with its wide windows overlooking the sea, boasts a scenic view of the ocean. The hotel

The streets of Myeong-dong are once again bustling with Chinese tourists, thanks to a thaw in relations between Seoul and Beijing.Myeong-dong, a shopping district in central Seoul, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Korea. Just walking down the streets is enough to see that it is a foreigner-friendly zone, as you will be stopped by sales staff calling out in different languages. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)The number of Chinese tourists had been falling due to icy re

Barista Lee reveals secret of his success in Seoul via interview

Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival The Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is being held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park from May 26 to June 10. The festival’s programs include the Rose Beauty Class, Rose & Love concert, Rose Magic Show, Rose Photo Exhibition and carpentry activities. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Fridays to Sundays, and on Memorial Day.Admission to the theme garden costs 2,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for teenagers and 1,00

NEW YORK -- Prize-winning children’s author Richard Peck, who drew upon his Illinois roots for such favorites as “A Long Way from Chicago” and “A Year Down Yonder,” has died.Peck died on Wednesday at his home in New York City at age 84. His publisher, Penguin Young Readers, told The Associated Press, that he died after a battle with cancer.A native of Decatur, Illinois, and graduate of DePauw University, he was a prolific author who wrote dozens of books, but didn’t start until his mid-30s when

Namul, which means seasoned vegetables, is an essential part of every Korean meal. Koreans even have an old saying, “The same namul and the same rice,” which means it’s the same thing over and over again. All kinds of “grass” are eaten in Korea, especially in the spring season, when new tender shoots emerge. Nature is brought straight to the kitchen table in various shades of green.(Shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Wild vegetables without names are enjoyed too, as long as they

Over 300 Korea-related errors found in recent foreign media coverage

Changwon Sculpture Biennale this year will attempt to make sculptures more relatable to the audience. Under the title of “The Balance of Non-Sculpting,” Changwon’s sculpture festival features sculptures and installation works by some 70 artists from 13 countries. The biennale runs from Sept. 4 to Oct. 14.“In the past, sculpture parks put a distance between the viewers and sculptures, forcing and obligating viewers to revere the artworks like shrines,” said Youn Bum-mo, artistic director and chai

The advent of social media provided individuals with a platform on which they could showcase their own content. Then came the birth of social media stars, who amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and fans without ever having appeared on television or film. Such online celebrities are increasingly being sought after by brands for their ability to drive huge hikes in sale.Online influencers’ fame may not be on as large a scale as celebrities on traditional media, but their ability to propel