Historic sites in Seoul connected with the Joseon era (1392-1910) during last week’s four-day Lunar New Year holiday saw more than twice the number of visitors the previous year, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday. Seoul’s four main royal palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung -- and the royal tombs as well as the Jongmyo Shrine drew a total of 534,347 guests, up from 246,022 recorded in the four days from Jan. 21-24 in 2023. C

Culture Minister Yu In-chon kick-started a four-day meeting Monday with chiefs from the ministry’s overseas cultural centers to discuss interagency coordination on promoting South Korea. Thirty-five cultural center heads and officials from seven promotional centers across 34 countries took part in the in-person gathering in Seoul. The event follows an announcement by the Culture Ministry two weeks ago on the launch of an office to replace the previous cultural agency, which was criticized

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will hold an exhibition on Hallyu from March 24 to July 28, showcasing around 250 objects connected to Korean popular culture, including outfits worn by K-pop stars. Titled “Hallyu! The Korean Wave,” the exhibition will explore South Korea’s “meteoric rise to the world stage” in terms of its cultural reach and impact, according to the US museum. The exhibit will cover contemporary works, including pieces by designer Park So-hee, head

Visual appeal of adorable desserts makes irresistible trend among young female customers

Located on the Han River, Yeouido is the country’s main financial district, filled with brokers and bankers in suits. The area's dining options run the gamut, from fancy restaurants for business meetings to decades-old cheap grub spots for busy office workers. What is not well known is that Yeouido has a vibrant brunch scene with several chic and cozy brunch spots to choose from. Besides Yeouido’s already famous Skyfarm Brunch cafe located on the 50th floor of FKI Tower, here ar

With South Korea hosting the annual global esports event League of Legends World Championship for the third time in the event's 13-year history, the year 2023 was truly a feast for esports, or League of Legends, fans in Korea. Celebrating one of the most popular competitive multiplayer video gaming events around the world, Seoul was filled with events, activities and attractions aiming to capture the hearts of esports enthusiasts. Though unique esports stamp tours, pop-up stores, live conce

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yu in-chon, on Saturday visited the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, which is undergoing reconstruction. The reconstruction of Sajik Baseball Stadium is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026, to be completed in the second half of 2028. In 2021, the city of Busan adopted a joint declaration with the Lotte Giants on the reconstruction and conducted a study to carry out the reconstruction. “This year, we plan to hold discussions with Lotte Grou

Tapas Entertainment, a North America-based web novel and webtoon platform, announced 15 winners of its romance web novel contest, its parent company Kakao Entertainment said Friday. The “True Love on Tapas” competition ran for approximately two months starting from October last year, with 15 entries selected out of a total of 264 submissions. It took place as part of Kakao Entertainment's strategy to strengthen its web novel expansion in North America this year. Despite being in

Hong Kong -- Tai Kwun Contemporary, the non-profit visual art program of Tai Kwun, stands in an interesting place - a former prion complex that has now become a landmark in Hong Kong. Tai Kwun is an arts complex that is home to 16 revitalized heritage buildings, including the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison. Since its establishment in 2018, Tai Kwun Contemporary, located in a building designed by world-renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron,

Busan on Friday announced that it updated the annual food-themed guidebook "2024 Taste of Busan." The food guide map, created by 10 food-related experts, including a city official in the hygiene department, a university professor, a columnist, a food influencer and more, recommends Busan's 144 must-visit restaurants. "2024 Taste of Busan" not only offers the restaurant's location, menu and prices, but also presents some of their recipes and renowned Busan-based chef

The Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most favored spring flower events, will not be offered for free this year, opting instead to charge admission for the first time since its launch in 1997, the Gwangyang City Government, which organizes the event, said Thursday. According to the city in South Jeolla Province, admission for the upcoming festival now in its 23rd edition, will be 5,000 won for adults and 4,000 won for teenagers under 19 years old. The decision was made

Two of South Korea’s best-known pianists, Cho Jeong-jin and Lim Yun-chan are to return to Carnegie Hall next year. As part of Carnegie Hall’s Great Artists series, Cho, the first prize winner of the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland, will celebrate the 150th birthday of Ravel by performing the composer’s complete solo piano works on Feb. 5, 2025. It will mark the pianist’s fourth performance at the hall since his debut there in 2022, stepping

A cup of coffee and music If you find yourself walking the Namsan trail to enjoy the last few weeks of winter, you may come across a small, serene cafe full of music and the aroma of coffee. With the motto "All you need is music and more coffee," Illuso Coffee has a selection of LP albums, turntables and music-related props. The cafe is located in a narrow building, so the space is not large, but if you climb the narrow stairs, there is seating space available up to the third floor. T

WE Hotel offers special discounts for wellness programs WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, began offering wellness programs with special discounts at its wellness center in February. A therapy session is offered at 100,000 won ($75) with a 67 percent discount. The hotel’s hydro program -- a signature wellness program using the natural volcanic bedrock water -- costs 100,000 won with a 44 percent discount as well. Meanwhile, WE hotel’s beauty

‘Royal taste’ at Korea House Through February, Korea House in central Seoul is offering a “royal desserts” special. The traditional snacks associated with the Joseon era (1392-1910) include rice cakes and jeonggwa -- dessert prepared by boiling dried fruits like apples or edible plants like ginseng in honey. Citron stuffed with jujubes or pomegranates, also braised with honey, is also part of the assortment of royal desserts that are served with mandarin orange tea. A