The Korea Herald

HBC Fest returns bigger than ever

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

HBC Fest is set to open in the Haebangchon area of Seoul’s Itaewon on May 16-18, with its biggest lineup yet.Now in its ninth year, the festival has added a number of venues in Gyeongnidan, a nearby neighborhood with an increasing number of popular bars and restaurants.Festival organizer Lance Reegan-Diehl said that after a few bars from the area asked about joining, interest snowballed ― 12 new venues have been added to the festival in both areas, more than doubling the festival’s size.“In most
Renting and deposit protection in Korea

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

If you’ve been in Korea long enough to rent housing, then you will have encountered the very sizeable deposits that accompany leases. Whereas in the U.S. a typical rental deposit is one to three months’ rent, a deposit for a wolse lease in Korea ― one that requires monthly rental payments ― can easily run tens of millions of won, the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars. The other form of lease, jeonse, does not require monthly payments but involves an upfront payment of hundreds of millio
Comedian Tom Rhodes returns to Seoul

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

Tom RhodesU.S. comedian Tom Rhodes will return to Seoul this month for two shows hosted by Stand Up Seoul.Rhodes, who performed in Korea in 2012, combines his profession with world travel, even making documentaries about his experience. He has had television shows in Europe and the U.S., including showcases on Comedy Central, as well as three comedy audio releases.The shows will be on May 23 and 24 and start at 10 p.m. Tickets are 25,000 won before May 22 and 30,000 won thereafter. To reserve, c
KISSA is after your Korean ‘secrets’

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

Korea International Students’ Support Association is holding a competition to find the top cultural spots that are off the beaten track. The “Hidden Secret Korea” competition is open to international students in Korea, and requires a 300-word description and short video introducing an interesting cultural or historical spot in Korea that deserves more attention.There will be cash prizes of 1 million won, 500,000 won and 300,000 won for the top three entries, which will be judged based on uniquen
GIC Culture Tour to explore Gurye

Expat LivingMay 13, 2014

Gwangju International Center will run a GIC Culture Tour to Gurye, South Jeolla Province, on May 24.The first stop on the tour will be Saseongam Hermitage, a spectacular Buddhist site perched on a cliff on Mount Osan.This will be followed by a lunch of river crab soup, with marinated crab and clam broth.After lunch, the group will visit an 18th-century yangban house that has been lived in by the same family for more than two centuries. Finally they will head on to the Seomjingang River for a raf
Art Basel puts spotlight on Hong Kong

CultureMay 12, 2014

HONG KONG (AFP) ― Hong Kong’s tallest building will transform into a glowing art installation this week, a beacon showing off the city’s ambition to be recognized as a major cultural hub with its second Art Basel fair. With its knack for bringing in a global mix of wealthy buyers, artists, gallerists, VIPs and celebrities, the five-day show is the catalyst to a champagne-soaked itinerary of art fairs, exhibitions and happenings. German artist Carsten Nicolai was commissioned by Art Basel to turn
Nintendo apologizes for lack of virtual equality

CultureMay 11, 2014

Nintendo is apologizing and pledging to be more inclusive after being criticized for not recognizing same-sex relationships in English editions of a life-simulator video game. The publisher said that while it was too late to change the current game, it was committed to building virtual equality into future versions if they’re produced. Nintendo came under fire from fans and gay rights organizations this past week after refusing to add same-sex relationship options to the game “Tomodachi Life.” “
Seo Se-won booked for assaulting wife

PeopleMay 11, 2014

Comedian-turned-clergyman Seo Se-won has been booked without physical detention for allegedly assaulting his wife Seo Jung-hee, police said Sunday. According to officials at Gangnam Police Station, the husband is accused of pushing the wife, a former actress, to the ground during an altercation on Saturday evening at a building in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul. The building’s security personnel called the police at the request of the wife. Seo was arrested at the scene but was later released, a
Calendar

CultureMay 9, 2014

Pop musicSeoul Jazz Festival 2014: Every year the annual two-day Seoul Jazz Festival features a wide variety of musical acts, from legendary jazz musicians to popular contemporary figures. This year’s headline artists include Irish singer-songwriter Damien Rice, jazz-pop musician Jamie Cullum, jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri, the Jack DeJohnette Trio and R&B soloist Eric Benet as well as local bands Jang Kiha and the Faces and Urban Zakapa. The 2014 Seoul Jazz Festival will be held at Seoul Olympic
Jumping into Normandy, 70 years after D-Day

TravelMay 9, 2014

COMMES, France (AP) ― Weather conditions over Normandy had been iffy for days. Showers and wind in the morning gave way to glorious spring sunshine in the afternoon, then electric green lightning storms over the sea at night. We watched the sky and waited for the go sign ― the signal that meant it was time to jump. With a brief window of only a few hours in which it would be possible, I began to doubt our chances. Finally the message my companions and I had been waiting for arrived: The jump was
Changdeokgung Palace unveiled beneath a full moon

CultureMay 9, 2014

One has not witnessed the true beauty of Changdeokgung Palace until seeing it unveiled under a full moon, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation claims. And it is beautiful with the full moon rising above Buyongji Pond and brushing through the royal court of Nakseonjae and the Secret Garden. Prior to the foundation’s launch of the “2014 Moonlight Tour at Changdeokgung Palace,” all visitors had to exit this UNESCO world heritage site by 6 p.m. without exception. But thanks to the monthly special
Brioche and coffee at Mill

Food&BeverageMay 9, 2014

Artisanal bakery sets up shop in Seoul's Seochon
Around the Hotels

Food&BeverageMay 9, 2014

‘The Wine Club’ event at Grand Hyatt SeoulGrand Hyatt Seoul’s Paris Bar is offering “The Wine Club” event, in which guests can enjoy a selection of tapas-style canapes with premium Italian wines. Held under the theme “Italian Stallions,” the event offers guests a chance to sample a variety of wines from Italy and enjoy unlimited canapes ranging from cheese, steak brochette and more. Wine experts will be present at each table to introduce the wines and pair the most suitable selections according
Gimbap

Food&BeverageMay 9, 2014

Gimbap (Korean Bapsang)Gimbap is a must for school field trips and outdoor activities as well as family outings. Whether it’s the anticipation the night before or watching the early morning preparation by mom to pack these rolls in lunch boxes, there is no other dish that takes me back to my childhood like gimbap. Today, gimbap is the most popular on-the-go meal in Korea.Traditionally, the rice is lightly seasoned with sesame oil and salt. The fillings are individually seasoned and cooked, yield
How Mormonism affected 2 U.S. towns

BooksMay 8, 2014

American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon ChurchBy Alex Beam (PublicAffairs)It didn’t last long, but for a short time in the 1840s the Mississippi River town of Nauvoo was the largest city in Illinois. While most municipalities thrived on trade, Nauvoo’s propelling force was something much less tangible: faith. And that would also be the city’s downfall.Before the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ― the Mormons ― made Salt Lake City the cente