“Way Back into Korea” By Choong Soon Kim(Ilchokak) Cover of “Way Back into Korea” (Ilchokak)　There is always the danger, with introductory books into Asian culture, of stereotyping and the spraying of names, dates and footnotes that seem almost impossible to remember. 　Some of the earlier descriptions of Korea, such as the “hermit nation” and “land of morning calm,” fall short of portraying Korea’s fast-changing here-and-now. On top of that, the love-hate relationship between the flow and inform

With the Chuseok holiday approaching, a growing number of Koreans are opting for an easier, relaxed holiday over centuries-old rituals, reflecting the slowly changing tide of the national holiday customs.  (Korea Herald)More people are choosing to travel abroad during the long holiday. For a holiday gift, some children give their parents a wrinkle reduction surgery or Botox injections. Many women order ready-made food for “jesa,” a memorial service for the family’s departed relatives, through an

Koreat aims to be Korea’s Michelin Guide, Zagat; announces the nation’s 50 best eateries

Herald Design Forum 2014“It’s Design, Stupid!” This is the phrase raised in Thomas Friedman’s 2008 book “Hot, Flat and Crowded” about the role of design in addressing environmental problems. Design is no longer a decoration for products. Design has expanded its primary role and created collaborations with technology, management, psychology, humanity and art. The Herald Design Forum kicks off its fifth edition in November in Seoul with key words such “design,” “creation” and “convergence.” Leadin

A group of Korean students has expanded the second Globald Cup futsal tournament for foreign students after a surprise surge of interest.The six-a-side soccer competition has been increased to include 20 teams from the original 16 planned, but had to stop there due to funding.“We wanted to make it bigger, but we couldn’t manage the funding in such a short time,” said Kyung-ryul Kim, who is part of event organizer Maniac University Sports Town. The winners of last year’s Globald Cup, Chungku Club

A new networking group for entrepreneurs in Seoul called Over Lunch is kicking off its app with a launch party Thursday.Over Lunch, created by local expats Hana Sakuragi and Nathan Hendrix, aims to help English-speaking professionals, from expats to locals and people traveling to Seoul on business, make meaningful connections over lunch. It is both an online and offline community for like-minded people to meet new people and enrich their lives, the founders said.Over Lunch cofounders Nathan Hend

Expat author Mark Russell dug deep into Korean folktales for his new teen fantasy novel “Young-hee and the Pullocho.” The story follows Young-hee, a 13-year-old who moves to Korea and slips “Alice in Wonderland”-style into a fantasy world. There her brother is taken hostage by a goblin, or “dokkaebi,” and she must enlist the help of Sanshin, the mountain spirit, and other characters from Korean tradition to get him back by finding a magical “pullocho” herb.The book cleverly intersperses the main

French art museum Musee d’Orsay has started to offer a Korean-language digital docent service, sponsored by Korean Air. (Korean Air)Hanjin Group chairman Cho Yang-ho attended a ceremony, held at the third-largest museum in Paris on Monday, where Musee d’Orsay President Guy Cogeval, chief executive officers from Skyteam airlines and other major business figures gathered to mark the launch of the audio service.“The ceremony to celebrate the introduction of the Korean audio guide at the Musee d’Ors

Korea and France will kick off their bilateral cultural event with artists and musicians performing Korea’s royal ritual music Jongmyo Jeryeak at the Chaillot National Theater in Paris on Sept. 18.The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports said that the 2015-2016 Korea-France Bilateral Exchange is being organized to commemorate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides next year.The event will have some 150 cultural programs featuring traditional and contemporary Korean mus

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally. Lee Dong-woo, secretary-general of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo. Gyeongju World Culture ExpoTo revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote Eura

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally.To revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote the Eurasian culture, the Gyeongju World Culture Expo has kicked off for a 59-day run with a variety o