The Korea Herald

Traditional guard ceremony at Sungnyemun to be restarted in April

TravelMar 27, 2016

The traditional guard ceremony at Sungnyemun will be resumed in April after being discontinued for eight years after a fire destroyed part of the wooden structure of the imposing historic gate, the Seoul city government said Sunday.The watch ceremony with the chief gate keeper, along with other guards dressed in Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) uniforms, will be carried out from 10 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., it said.The municipal authority said it already received permission from the Cultural Heritage Ad
Big Bang and CL nominated for ‘Time 100’

PeopleMar 25, 2016

K-pop boy band Big Bang and CL of girl group 2NE1 are included in Time magazine’s online reader poll for this year’s 100 most influential people, Time announced Wednesday.　Big Bang and CL are the only Koreans among 127 candidates in the online poll that features U.S. President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. K-pop boy band Big Bang (YG Entertainment)　World-famous musicians including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Adele and Ariana Grande
[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

TravelMar 25, 2016

Sheraton Ladies Night Out Package　Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel presents “Ladies Night Out Package” through Dec. 31 for those planning the perfect girls’ night.　The package features a one-night stay at Executive Suite or Honeymoon Suite with one bottle of sparkling wine, finger foods and desserts. Guests will also be provided with complimentary aroma therapy bath amenity and access to Sheraton Fitness and swimming pool.　The package is priced at 345,000 won and 410,000 won, respectively, for t
Fish cake recipe boasts spicy island heat

Food&BeverageMar 25, 2016

Middle of nowhere is a long haul for a fish cake. But apparently that’s the best spot.　I learned so from my husband’s cousin’s wife, who confided she’s from St. Helena. I squinted: Where? Her lush accent didn’t sound like St. Helena, California. Nor St. Helena, South Carolina.　St. Helena Island, I learned, is a volcanic speck in the South Atlantic, a place so remote it served as Napoleon’s prison. Ships navigating the trade winds drop by, which explains the cuisine: ocean bounty, exotic spices a
[The palate] Hong Shin-ae, culinary authority and celebrity chef

Food&BeverageMar 25, 2016

A spirited mind in the kitchen
[Travel bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

TravelMar 25, 2016

Korail-KTX joint railway package to Pohang, Ulleungdo Island　Korail and KTX are launching a joint railway package on March 28 which will operate between Seoul, Pohang and Ulleungdo Island. A train will depart from Seoul Station at 6:50 a.m. daily and arrive at Pohang at 9:26 a.m. A clipper will depart from the Pohang harbor at 10:50 a.m., arriving on Ulleungdo Island at 2:10 p.m. A boat returning to Pohang leaves the island at 3:40 p.m. 　The package will be available at 171,800 won on weekdays a
New Zealand’s hiking trails offer one spectacle after another

TravelMar 25, 2016

The hike had been invigorating — invigorating, as in just this side of grueling. A 6-mile ascent into Mount Aspiring National Park had brought us to an overlook of Routeburn Falls, a thundering multilevel cascade of crystalline water (standard for New Zealand) jumping from the rock face above our heads and rushing into the deep valley below us. There we could see the Routeburn River winding through the high-shouldered Humboldt Mountains on its way to Lake Wakatipu.　　We were breathless not only b
No thanks for the memories: Taiwan confiscates tourists‘ pebbles

TravelMar 25, 2016

TAIPEI (AFP) - Taiwan authorities are confiscating pebbles collected as mementos by tourists and returning the rocks to the island's picturesque beaches as they step up moves to preserve the scenic east coast. 　In the latest geological repatriation, a cache of stones taken from outbound visitors by airport immigration were last week sent back to Taitung county, where rugged seascapes attract tourists, particularly from mainland China. 　The haul of pebbles, collected over two months at Taipei’s m
Ninja-seeking Japanese region inundated with overseas applications

TravelMar 25, 2016

TOKYO (AFP) - Hundreds of aspiring ninjas from abroad have overwhelmed tourism officials in Japan looking to hire six full-time secret assassins, massively outnumbering local applicants.　Central Japan's Aichi prefecture is hiring a troupe of ninjas -- the martial-arts masters and stealth assassins of feudal times immortalized in history books and period dramas -- to promote tourism.　In a job ad published earlier this month, the prefecture said candidates of any nationality were welcome. A week l
Reach Korea’s regional cities via bus

TravelMar 25, 2016

K-Travel Bus to offer foreign tourists easy access to regional cities
A peek into fall fashion

FashionMar 24, 2016

Seoul Fashion Week collections reflect the desire for comfort, ease
[Herald interview] Luxury shopping evolves in digital era

FashionMar 24, 2016

President of mytheresa.com talks about future of luxury shopping for women’s fashion
Has France finally reclaimed Joan of Arc's ring?

CultureMar 24, 2016

ROUEN, France (AFP) - A ring thought to belong to France's most famous historical martyr, Joan of Arc, was unveiled on Sunday at a theme park, even as historians remained sceptical about its authenticity.　The Puy du Fou historical theme park in the western Vendee region spent 376,833 euros ($425,000) to buy the ring, which is thought to have been in Britain for almost six centuries, at a controversial auction last month in London. 　The gold-plated silver ring was dated to the 15th century by an
Stratford Festival to broadcast its ‘Hamlet’ this summer

CultureMar 24, 2016

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Stratford Festival in Canada will this year commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death by broadcasting three more of the Bard's work in HD, including its "Hamlet."　The Ontario-based festival is attempting to broadcast the complete works of Shakespeare around the world over the next 10 years. It will kick off the next block of shows with "Hamlet" starring Jonathan Goad on April 24, "The Adventures of Pericles" beginning May 8 and "The Taming of the Shrew
Fashion king Armani goes fur free

FashionMar 24, 2016

ROME (AFP) - Say goodbye to Mink coats: Italian fashion king Giorgio Armani said Tuesday he would no longer use any real animal fur in his collections, saying there was no excuse to indulge in such “cruel practices.”　The designer and dresser of stars such as singer Beyonce and actress Cate Blanchett said fur would be out from his fall-winter 2016/2017 collection onwards, with artificial pelts taking its place.　“I am pleased to announce that the Armani Group has made a firm commitment to abolish