In 1961, the Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the world’s leading museums of art and design, held Europe’s first Korean art exhibition. In 1992, the museum officially opened the first Korean gallery in London dedicated to the country’s arts and crafts. Beth McKillop, a senior research fellow at the V&A and its former deputy director and director of collections, orchestrated the opening of the first Korean gallery in London and the building of the Korean art collection. The V&A’s Korean Gallery

Designer Alexander Wang is, by his own description, a total sneakerhead. He once even designed a whole clothing collection around them, with dresses, tops and handbags emulating his favorite sneaks, like the classic white-and-green Adidas Stan Smith.Now, Wang has taken his sneaker love to a new level, partnering with Adidas for a line of apparel and footwear that seeks, in his words, to “disrupt” the famous Adidas look while still preserving its familiarity. One example: rotating the well-known

Behind the barbed wire, the minivan’s busted windows and crumpled roof hint at its story. But forklifted to this windblown spot on the John F. Kennedy International Airport tarmac, between a decommissioned 727 and an aircraft hangar, it is doubtful passing drivers notice it at all.In the long struggle with the memories of 9/11, though, the van’s solitary presence here marks a small but significant transition point.Tons of wreckage -- twisted steel beams, chunks of concrete smelling of smoke, a c

Pioneering fashion designer Troa Cho who ran successful businesses in Seoul and New York credits talent and hard work for her achievements

Chuseok is usually a time of gluttony. Meals during the Korean Thanksgiving holiday typically include copious amounts of the following: “jeon,” slices of vegetables, fish, or meat thinly coated in batter and grilled; “namul” or seasoned vegetables; “japchae,” vermicelli noodles with assorted vegetables and meat; and songpyeon or a type of traditional rice cake. Overwhelmed with inevitable leftovers, Chuseok observers often let them go to waste by forgetting about them in the fridge, or even wors

Koreans face pressure from all fronts during Chuseok

Chuseok, or the Korean Thanksgiving, is one of the country’s biggest holidays, and traditionally spent at home with family and loved ones. The occasion is widely considered to be about good food and company, but expats without family in Korea are often left with the question of how to spend the break. With Seoul virtually desolate as masses travel to their hometowns, some expats may choose to jet off overseas, too. However, those stuck in the city during this upcoming holiday need not despair, a

Chuseok Package at Park Hyatt SeoulPark Hyatt Seoul will be offering the Chuseok Package for guests staying at the hotel from Sept. 1-18.The main component of the package is the Evening Chill-out promotion, which includes a late 2 p.m. checkout time, a discounted breakfast price of 30,000 per person as well as free access to the hotel’s sauna, pool and fitness studio. There is also happy hour for two from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Timber House, which has a wide selection of drinks and Japanese dis

It was a dark and stormy night when I arrived at Nottoway Plantation, eager to get to my room, unaware of the ghosts.Western Louisiana was flooding. Roads were washed out, hotels in short supply. I had pointed my rented jeep toward one of the few places with a room, a mansion by the Great Mississippi River Road, 48 kilometers south of Baton Rouge that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.It was about 1 a.m. when I finally passed sugar cane fields surrounding the plantation on Ba

Seoul International Fireworks Festival The Seoul International Fireworks Festival is an annual event of extravagant firework displays by firework masters from home and abroad, attracting more than 1 million spectators every year. Celebrating its 16th year, one of the most anticipated autumn festivals in Seoul is taking place outside Yeouinaru Station at the Han River Park.Prior to the firework show, visitors will also be able to enjoy live performances and cultural programs.The 16th annual Seoul

Here’s the thing about cake. It can help make or break a celebration.I say that because earlier this month I threw a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law, and of course I wanted to make the best impression. Special occasions require equally special desserts. But because I was doing all the cooking, I wanted to serve a cake that was relatively easy, and at the same time as beautiful as the woman who captured my son’s heart.I found a winner in this luscious two-layer cake developed by A

Brunch, cooking classes and collaborative events in one space

Myeongri theory is a philosophy that studies fortunetelling that has been passed down from ancient times in the East. Just as tarot card readings in the West, Myeongri theory in the East reads the combination of the Chinese sexagenary cycle and yin and yang with Five Elements. It teaches that the logos of the universe resides in the earth, that of earth in humans and that of humans in their bright mind. Therefore, since long ago, because humans and nature coexist in Eastern philosophy, people se