Noted illustrator and author Maira Kalman‘s thesis statement couldn’t be clearer: “You, reading this book, most likely have, or had, a dog, You certainly know that your dog is, or was, the dearest, funniest, lovingest, loyalest friend you ever had.” "Beloved Dog" by Maira Kalman (Penguin)　Oddly enough, Kalman grew up in a family without dogs, in part because her family feared the way the animals were used against Jewish people in their ancestral Belarus, and in part because her mother, and her g

Whether you’re a dedicated disc chaser or just want to try a new sport, the Republic of Korea Ultimate is seeking your involvement as it recruits players for its spring season.The season includes 15 regular matches of Ultimate, the team sport played with a flying disc, followed by a playoff round scheduled for June. Dante Greeff of the HongSeong Ajumafia makes a catch as his team celebrates against Gyeongnam Feel in ROK-U’s fall season last year. (Ron Genech)ROK-U organizers Tom Capranica and Ge

The Korea International Expat Film Festival is returning for a second run this year and seeking film lovers to help review the submissions. Last year, KIXFF screened 48 films by and about expats from around the world over four days, along with Q&As with directors and other events.The organizers are expecting more submissions this year, and are looking to see how they can make the festival better.People gather for a rooftop screening at last year’s Korea International Expat Film Festival. (Lofbom

K-pop sensation Psy accepted an award from a nonprofit organization as a representative on behalf of the “creativity of hallyu,” Tuesday night. At the Corea Image Communication Institute’s annual awards ceremony, CICI Korea Image Awards 2016, in Seoul, Psy was joined by the cast of the popular cable TV talk show “Non-Summit” and violinist Clara Jumi Kang in accepting awards for spreading Korean culture overseas.Awards recipients pose for press photos with CICI president Choi Jung-wha (third from

LAS VEGAS (AFP) -- Turntables turned heads as a renewed love of old-time vinyl records struck a chord at the famously futuristic Consumer Electronics Show.　Sony, Panasonic, Victrola and Audio-Technica were among the companies showing off turntables boasting digital-age spins such as high-resolution audio or wirelessly connecting to speakers.　Turntable-makers at CES told of vinyl records being all the rage after years of digital tunes dominating the music industry.　Sony Electronics president Mike

Confronting growing problems in the Korean literary landscape, such as a continuing decline in book reading, plagiarism and the unpopularity of novels, Hangilsa Publishing, a Korean publisher based in Paju, Gyeonngi Province, seeks to turn the tide with a new book from Norway.In celebration of its 40th anniversary this year, the company has published the first volume of the Korean translation of autobiographical novel “My Struggle,” by Norwegian writer Karl Ove Knausgard. Hangilsa is known for h

Lotte Hotels & Resorts’ new concept lifestyle hotel L7 Myeongdong seeks to promote itself as “hip, fun and trendy,” targeting mostly young female tourists in their 20s and 30s. Hotel Lotte CEO Song Yong-deok speaks during a press conference at L7 Myeongdong in Seoul on Monday. (Hotel Lotte)“We basically want L7 to run as a non-Lotte brand ― a totally new hotel ― and move away from our existing image,” said Hotel Lotte president & CEO Song Yong-deok at a press conference at L7 Myeongdong on Monda

 In Korea’s turbulent path toward independence and nation building, there were foreign nationals who stood steadfastly by the Korean people, although their contributions have been largely overshadowed by those of Korean patriots. The Korea Herald, in partnership with the Independence Hall of Korea, is publishing a series of articles shedding light on these foreigners, their life and legacies here. This is the 11th installment. ― Ed. The missionaries and their families in the Busan Missionary Uni

The Iranian Embassy has organized an exhibition that sheds light on the country’s literary masterpieces spanning over a thousand years. The event at the Seoul Metropolitan Library ― “For two eyes, for two hands, Persia” ― is a collection of Iran’s finest books, poems and folktales, as well as handicrafts and calligraphy, running until Jan. 24. Organized to mark the 37th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution of January 1978-February 1979, the venue showcases works of Persian Gulf intellectuals: O