The Korea Herald

Remote villages visited by Hangeul creator revamped

CultureFeb 25, 2015

Four remote villages where King Sejong, the creator of the Korean alphabet, went to cure an eye infection and put the finishing touches on his unique writing system, have been renovated to attract modern visitors, officials in the central city said Wednesday. Housed within this city, some 137 kilometers south of Seoul, the villages -- Jeogok, Usan, Sangdangsanseong and Hyeongdong -- are part of the Sejong 100 project being pushed by the municipal government. Hangeul, one of the world's simple
Hiking S. Koreans' favorite pastime: survey

HealthFeb 25, 2015

Hiking is South Koreans' favorite pastime, with dogs chosen as their most beloved pet, a poll showed Wednesday. According to the survey of 1,700 South Koreans aged 13 and older, taken by Gallup Korea, 14 percent of the respondents said their favorite hobby is hiking. Listening to music is the second most popular pastime activity at 8 percent, followed by exercise and video games tied at 5 percent. By age group, those in their 40s preferred hiking most, while teenagers and 20-somethings were
Chojeong Mineral Spring that helped King Sejong's creation of Hangeul

CultureFeb 24, 2015

A mineral spring in the central region is well known as a place where King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the inventor of the Korean alphabet, stayed for months to treat his eye infection at the last stage of the creation. Located approximately 16 kilometers northeast of Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, the Chojeong Mineral Spring is known to have provided a perfect environment for the king to refresh his heart and mind and devote himself to the invention of Hangeul with its b
[Markets & Merchants] Tongin Market reinvents itself with old-fashioned street food

TravelFeb 23, 2015

Although the Dongdaemun and Namdaemun markets 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 first installment of a series introducing traditional local markets. ― Ed.Tongin Market in downtown Seoul was originally established in 1941 during Japan’s colonial rule of Korea, after food vendors began springing up in the then-growing neighborhood of Tongin-dong.Over the decades a
Highbrow arts take to the screen

CultureFeb 17, 2015

Great news for local Benedict Cumberbatch fans: The 2011 British National Theatre production of “Frankenstein,” in which the “Sherlock Holmes” star played the titular role of a hideous creature, is currently playing here. The original production never came to Korea, but instead will appear on the silver screen. As part of National Theater Live series, The National Theater of Korea is screening the award-winning play ― written by British playwright Nick Dear and produced by Academy Award-winning
Kim Seong-kon gets 2nd term as LTI Korea head

CultureFeb 17, 2015

Kim Seong-kon, the incumbent president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, has been tapped to serve a second term at the state-run institution, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. The ministry endorsed Kim, 66, for his efforts to spread Korean literature abroad through publishing Korean literature in translation in many countries and expanding the curriculum at LTI Korea Translation Academy to nurture native-speaker translators. “I hope Kim will spearhead the
[Graphic News] Chinese toruists strong buying force in Korea

TravelFeb 16, 2015

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, Korea is preparing for another influx of Chinese travelers over the holiday. The Korea Tourism Organization projects the number of Chinese arrivals in 2015 to reach a new record of 7.2 million, up from 6.1 million last year.Chinese tourists are also boosting the Korean economy. With an average Chinese spending 3 million won ($2800) per visit, the combined impact on the local economy was estimated at 18.6 trillion won last year, which equals the export
Park Hyo-shin to star as Phantom

CultureFeb 16, 2015

Singer Park Hyo-shin will star as the Phantom, a mysterious, disfigured musical genius living in the dark cellars of a Paris opera house, in an upcoming production of a musical based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel “Phantom of the Opera.” A Seoul-based EMK Musical Company production, the American musical “Phantom” will premiere in Korea on April 28, with Park sharing the lead role with veteran musical actor Ryu Jung-han and pop-opera singer and musical actor KAI. Park became one of the most sought
Korea leads world in hotel Wi-Fi: study

CultureFeb 15, 2015

South Korea has the highest percentage of hotels that offer quality wireless Internet, according to a study released last month by Hotel Wi-Fi Test, a company that collects and analyzes hotel Wi-Fi data from around the world. With 92 percent in Wi-Fi quality, South Korea topped the list by a healthy margin of 7.1 percentage points. Japan came in second with 84.9 percent. In third and fourth places were Ukraine and Switzerland, with 82.1 percent and 79.8 percent, respectively. The study assessed
Hotels woo locals with lavish weddings and parties

TravelFeb 15, 2015

Weddings and first birthday parties emerge as lucrative business for luxury hotels
[Weekender] Get in the mood for Seollal

CultureFeb 13, 2015

While locals ring in Year of Sheep with Confucian traditions, opportunities for fun abound for expats
[Weekender] Celebrating holiday with tradition

CultureFeb 13, 2015

The Lunar New Year holiday is a great opportunity for locals and expats to experience traditional Korean activities. For those who are at a loss for how to spend these five days off, we suggest you take advantage of the various holiday promotions being offered at cultural sites around Korea. The National Gugak Center’s folk music group giving a “pangut” percussion performance (National Gugak Center)Palaces, tombs and games On Feb. 19, Lunar New Year’s Day, the Cultural Heritage Administration wi
[Weekender] Record number of Chinese tourists to visit Korea

TravelFeb 13, 2015

As Koreans empty the usually bustling streets of Seoul, spending the Lunar New Year holiday with parents and relatives, their travel-loving neighbors from China will surge in.This year, an unprecedented number of Chinese tourists are expected to arrive. The country hopes to greet some 126,000 Chinese visitors for the Lunar New Year holiday starting next week, up by 30 percent from the previous year, according to the state-run Korea Tourism Organization. A Lotte duty-free shop in Seoul is crowded
‘The top person must want change’

CultureFeb 13, 2015

Leadership and communications coach Kim Hoh talks about effective apologies, management
Highlights: Theatre, Dance, Exhibition, Pop Music, Festivals

CultureFeb 13, 2015

Theater“Heavy Metal Girls”: Joo-young, Eun-joo, Jung-min and Boo-jin are all 40-year-old women working at the same small company. When they all face a possibility of layoff, they decide to learn heavy metal, to impress their new boss who is a heavy metal fanatic. “Heavy Metal Girls” runs through March 1 at Yegreen Theatre in Daehangno, Seoul. Tickets are priced at 20,000 won and 30,000 won. For more information, call (02) 744-7090.“The Best in Tragedy”: The play centers on the playwright and Nob