The Korea Herald

Holi fest to brighten up Busan beach

Expat LivingMar 11, 2015

Busan’s Haeundae Beach is set to get an early splash of color this month as thousands of revelers descend on the city in celebration of the Indian festival of Holi.The Holi celebrations at Haeundae have been running for five years, with a varied crowd of about 1,500 participants last year. Holi is a traditional Indian festival marking the end of winter and is celebrated by throwing colored powders and dyes on each other. The official date this year was March 8 but the Busan event organizers have
‘Almost, Maine’ creates microcosm of romance

Expat LivingMar 11, 2015

Daegu Theater Troup seeks to win the hearts of local theatergoers as it kicks of the year with a performance of “Almost, Maine.”The play by John Cariani is made of nine short plays that look at different aspects of love, all based in the fictional town in the title.“We wanted to start the 2015 season off with an all-inclusive play. There are a lot of talented actors in Daegu, and many more that are newly arrived,” said Victoria Anderson, one of the play’s directors. “‘Almost, Maine’ was a perfec
Seoul cultural center offers music classes

Expat LivingMar 11, 2015

Seoul Global Cultural Center is offering the chance to learn “samulnori,” a type of music for a traditional percussion quartet, in free weekly lessons.The lessons will run from 3-5 p.m. from March 26 to May 14, ahead of a performance on May 20 at the National Folk Museum of Korea.Lessons will be at the center, but there will be an orientation at the folk museum on March 19. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.For more information, visit www.seoulculturalcenter.com.(
Gwangju center to run tour to Haenam

Expat LivingMar 11, 2015

Gwangju International Center will be running a GIC culture tour to Haenam on the south coast this month.The area is famous for dinosaur fossils and in particular for fossilized footprints, and the first stop on the tour will be to Uhangri Dinosaur Museum.The group will stop for a “chicken course” lunch featuring fresh sushi, grilled marinated chicken, boiled chicken and chicken porridge, followed by a visit to the house of Yun Seon-do, a Joseon-era scholar and master of the “sijo” form of classi
Young adult author to hold Itaewon book reading

Expat LivingMar 11, 2015

Young adult author Christina Farley will hold a book signing and reading in Itaewon this weekend.Farley, who lived and worked in Seoul for eight years, is the author of the “Gilded” series of fantasy novels, based on a Korean-American teenager who moves to Seoul.She will be reading from “Gilded” and “Silvern,” the first two books in the series, at the event. A third book is set to be released in September. Those who buy a book will be entered into a prize giveaway with the chance to win a kindle
S. Korean violinist wins Italian concours

CultureMar 10, 2015

A rising South Korean violinist has won the first prize of the Paganini international competition, a local culture foundation sponsoring the artist said Tuesday.Yang In-mo received the top prize along with three special awards at the 54th Premio Paganini international violin competition that closed in Genova, Italy, on Sunday, the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation said.This marks the first time that a Korean has secured the first prize in the competition.The prize entitles him to a one-year spons
China on brink of heart disease 'epidemic': study

HealthMar 10, 2015

Unhealthy eating, smoking and obesity are threatening a heart disease epidemic in China, where three out of four people are in poor cardiovascular shape, said a study on Monday.The findings published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology are based on data from 96,000 men and women in the general Chinese population.Health was classified as ideal, intermediate or poor according to seven behaviors and lifestyle factors set out by the American Heart Association: smoking status, body m
[Markets & Merchants] A taste of the sea at Noryangjin fish market

TravelMar 9, 2015

Although Dongdaemun and Namdaemun tend to dominate many lists of “must-see markets” in Seoul, small-scale markets that are equally full of history and character are scattered across the city. This is the second installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.The sheer chaos, yet utterly delectable sights and sounds of catcalling, haggling, crowds and occasional Dungeness crab or live octopus attempting its escape is merely a fleeting descriptive taste of Seoul’s largest tradi
Korean musical creators aim big

CultureMar 8, 2015

Slew of original Korean shows to debut in coming months
Around the Hotels

Food&BeverageMar 6, 2015

White Day package at The Ritz-Carlton, SeoulIn celebration of White Day, The Ritz-Carlton, Seoul is presenting a romantic overnight package for couples. The “Berry Sweet” package includes a one-night stay in a Premier Suite and admission for two to the Club Lounge. The lounge will serve premium cuisine and a variety of beverages from breakfast and afternoon tea to a selection of evening drinks. Also provided are a bottle of sparkling wine and a dessert plate of fresh strawberries and chocolate s
New journal explores Korea’s modern history

CultureMar 5, 2015

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History has launched a new English-language academic journal to spotlight research and foster the exchange of ideas on contemporary Korean history. The biannual Journal of Contemporary Korean Studies features articles not only on Korean politics and economy but also on contemporary Korean social affairs, culture and the arts. It includes an essay section where contributors offer reflections on their personal experiences of Korean contemporary history, a
St. Patrick’s Day puts music to the fore

Expat LivingMar 4, 2015

Spring may still be around the bend, but one corner of Seoul will be awash with green next weekend in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.The Irish Association of Korea will celebrate its St. Patrick’s Day festival on March 14 at D-Cube City in Sindorim, Seoul.“St. Patrick’s Day is a global festival that celebrates Irish culture. It is an opportunity to experience the music, dance and arts from Ireland,” said Shauna Browne, chairperson of the IAK, which organizes the event. The organizers have put
Soccer teams brace for entry into Ulsan Cup

Expat LivingMar 4, 2015

Teams are being sought for the Ulsan Cup, an annual tournament for expat teams from across Korea.The cup will be held May 23-24, with 16 expatriate teams battling through a total of 46 matches to claim the title of Korea’s top expat soccer team.The tournament is run by Won Shot Wanderers FC, an expatriate team in the city, the Ulsan League, an amateur league in the city, and with support from the Ulsan city government. Philip Heo, chairman of Won Shot Wanderers said the tournament was the most c
Gwangju center runs group hike

Expat LivingMar 4, 2015

Gwangju International Center is hosting a guided hike to Chungjangsa, a Joseon shrine near the city.Hikers will take the cable car from Jisan Recreational Area and hike from the top to the temple, stopping on the way at some Joseon-era tombs and at Pyeongdume Village, which is home to the picturesque Chungminsa Temple.The last stop will be Chunjangsa Shrine, which is dedicated to Kim Deok-ryeong, a general who led volunteer troops against the Japanese invasions of the 16th century.The hike is ab
Stand Up Seoul founder returns for anniversary show

Expat LivingMar 4, 2015

Stand Up Seoul will be celebrating its sixth anniversary Friday with a special show featuring a headline set by Canada-based comic and former Seoul expat Bryan Aylward.Aylward founded Stand Up Seoul, which has been a key part of Korea’s comedy scene, giving performance time to amateur expat comics and hosting professional North American comics in Korea including Tom Rhodes, Glenn Wool and Kyle Kinane.Aylward is returning to Korea for his Spicy Cabbage Comedy Tour, which will begin Friday and fea