In Seoul’s small but vibrant operatic scene, opera is virtually synonymous with a thrilling drama, spectacle and over-the-top singing. In surveys, “Carmen,” “La Traviata” or “Aida” come out as some of Koreans’ all-time favorites. To add the spice of diversity to the scene, Seoul Arts Center is offering local fans a chance to uncover a hidden gem in the operatic repertory ― one that is loved by fans around the world, but is rarely performed in Korea. For just one night on Dec. 6, it will present

“Bongsunhwa (Garden Balsam)” is not being staged to criticize the Japanese people because they were also victims of the war. It artistically accuses the Japanese government of refusing to offer a heartfelt apology for its imperialistic deeds, says its artistic director Kim Hye-ryun.The play, which deals with the issue of victims of Japan’s wartime sexual slavery, euphemistically called “comfort women,” will be restaged in Korea this month. Premiered here last year, “Bongsunhwa” received wide acc

When Paul Cocksedge, a London-based light designer, entered Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a futuristic Seoul landmark designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, he was in awe of the unusual architecture and its spaciousness. “This building feels really healthy with lots of walking,” said the designer on Friday during the Design Talk, part of Seoul Design Week, which was held from Nov. 26-30.Five designers talked about three topics: the DDP, Korea’s design content and the Seoul Design Spot Tour.

FestivalsThe New Year Festival, Busan: This festival greets the first sunrise of the New Year on Haeundae Beach and at Yongdusan Park, two popular tourist sites. Festival-goers will bid farewell to 2014 at a bell-tolling event at Yongdusan Park from 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2015. The event will resume with the sunrise on Haeundae Beach at 6:40 a.m. Small and large events such as fireworks, concerts and other entertainment will add to the festive mood. For more information, vis

Tucked away from the honking horns and crowded sidewalks of midtown Manhattan sits Greenwich Village, a downtown neighborhood that spans west of Broadway to the Hudson River.Although only a quick subway ride from bustling Grand Central station, Greenwich Village (known simply as “the Village” to locals) seems almost like a different city entirely, its streets lined with ivy-covered houses and candlelit restaurants.While many New York City tourists don’t venture beyond the likes of Times Square a

‘Christmas Delight’ at Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel’s Lobby Lounge.Bar is providing a new afternoon tea set in time for the festive Christmas season. The tea set consists of dessert items arranged on a tiered tray and a choice of cocktails, coffee or tea. Desserts include cinnamon raisin scone, blue cheese macaron, Earl Grey panna cotta, red velvet cupcake and snacks such as turkey bruschetta, salmon tataki with yuzu jam and more. The tea cocktails are non-al

Dak galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) (Korean Bapsang)Dak galbi is very popular all over Korea, especially in Chuncheon, a city in Gangwon Province, where the dish originated in the 1960’s. It is a spicy stir-fried chicken dish made with boneless chicken pieces, rice cakes (tteokbokki tteok), green cabbage, sweet potato and other vegetables. Dak means chicken, and galbi means ribs. But, there are no ribs in this dish. Back in the day, pork ribs (dweji galbi) were too expensive for everyday grilli

NASHUA, New Hampshire (AP) ― It’s one of those haunting food memories I’ve tried ― foolishly ― to escape for nearly 25 years. And it’s ruined me for any facsimile since.I’m speaking of the pizza joint ― for in the days before artisanal, gluten-free crusts and free-range mozzarella, they all were joints ― that formed the backbone of my high school years. Sort of dingy with a smattering of so-not ironic arcade games, Espresso Pizza was the only correct answer to teenage boy pizza cravings in this

Korean farmers’ traditional folk dance and music “nongak” has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the Korean government said Thursday. It is Korea’s 17th item to be inscribed on the international heritage list, following the addition in December last year of “gimjang,” the culture of making and sharing kimchi. Meeting in Paris, representatives of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to add th