The Korea Herald

Late Nobel-winning poet Heaney captured essence of Irish experience

BooksSept 1, 2013

DUBLIN (AP) ― To all lovers of the perfectly weighed word, Seamus Heaney offered hope on this side of the grave.Heaney, 74, died Friday in a Dublin hospital some 18 years after he won the Nobel Prize in literature and gained global recognition as Ireland’s greatest poet since William Butler Yeats. He left behind a half-century’s body of work that sought to capture the essence of his experience: the sour smells and barren beauty of Irish landscapes, the haunting loss of loved ones and of memory i
Busan to hold international population conference

HealthSept 1, 2013

More than 2,500 scholars and experts from around the world will gather in Busan on Aug. 26 to share ideas and visions for the changing population and its subsequent impact on societies and economies.The event hosted by the Paris-based International Union for the Scientific Study of Population will take place at BEXCO for six days, according to organizers. More than 1,000 studies and research on emerging population issues will be presented through various sessions.“This conference is expected to
Mirror, mirror on the wall: Using the face to read one’s fate

CultureAug 30, 2013

Some people turn to psychics or crystal balls to learn their future, but many Koreans believe that all they need to see what lies in store is a mirror. Fortune-telling has a longstanding history in Asia dating back thousands of years, yet it is not necessarily perceived as a pastime practice or mere hocus pocus folklore. Many methods of fortune-telling such as tarot card and palm reading are still a common practice in Korea ― not only among the elderly, but among young people as well. However, a
Calendar

CultureAug 30, 2013

Classical music“Paik Kun-woo Piano Recital”: Paris-based pianist Paik Kun-woo is performing Schubert’s Impromptu Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4; Moments musicaux Nos. 2, 4 and 6; and Klavierstucke Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on Sept. 14 at Seoul Arts Center. Making his international debut at age 10, Paik has performed with numerous internationally acclaimed orchestras such as the London Symphony, Berlin Symphony and BBC Symphony. Tickets are priced between 50,000 won and 130,000 won. For more information call (02) 599-
Airbnb launches Neighborhoods Sydney

TravelAug 30, 2013

Airbnb, a community marketplace that allows users to discover, list and book unique accommodations around the world announced the launch of Airbnb Neighborhoods Sydney on Aug. 26. This feature will allow guests to search more easily for accommodation in Sydney by filtering neighborhood attributes and get access to neighborhood maps, details on public transportation, tips from the community, and more. Neighborhoods provides users with information for a much more authentic, local experience while
Vivaldi Park Ski World begins early promotion sales

TravelAug 30, 2013

Daemyung Vivaldi Park’s Ski World has opened early exclusive sales for affordable season passes for the upcoming winter. Sales opened on Aug. 26 on the Vivaldi Park official homepage for the price of 230,000 won and will continue for a short period of time before passes are sold at regular prices. Starting in September prices for season passes will rise in stages and will range from 350,000 won to 410,000 won. Early purchasers of season passes will be given a variety of benefits including free e
Fly with Air Busan to Japan’s Kansai region

TravelAug 30, 2013

This autumn Air Busan is offering a variety of promotional events for travelers planning to go to the Kansai region in Japan, which includes Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Write out a personal travel plan and itinerary for the Kansai region and post it on Air Busan’s official website at airbusan.com with photographs for a chance to be one of the randomly chosen lucky three to win a free travel package to the region. The package will include round-trip tickets from Busan to Osaka, Hankyu tourist passes f
Busan to kick off biggest annual sale in September and October

TravelAug 30, 2013

Shoppers will be given up to 70 percent off during Busan Grand Sale
Tramway planned for Machu Picchu’s ‘sister city’

TravelAug 30, 2013

LIMA (AP) ― The former mountaintop refuge of Incan royalty has elegant halls and plazas much like those of fabled Macchu Picchu just 50 kilometers away. Yet only a handful of tourists visit the ruins each day, those willing to make a two-day hike to reach its majestic solitude.That is about to change: The national government has approved what would be Peru’s first aerial tramway. Bridging the deep canyon of the Apurimac River, it is expected to make Choquequirao reachable in just 15 minutes from
L.A. galbi gui (grilled L.A.-style short ribs)

Food&BeverageAug 30, 2013

Beef short ribs (galbi) come in two different cuts ― flanken cut (ribs are cut thin across the bones) and English cut (ribs are separated and cut into short lengths). Koreans call the flanken cut “L.A. galbi,” supposedly named after the city where early Korean immigrants started to use this cut to make galbi. L.A. galbi is increasingly popular both in America and Korea. Short ribs are a tough cut of meat that needs to be tenderized for grilling. Traditionally, grated Korean pear is used as a ten
Around the Hotels

Food&BeverageAug 30, 2013

W Seoul-Walkerhill celebrates 9th anniversary Commemorating its ninth anniversary, W Seoul-Walkerhill is providing a variety of exclusive events and promotions. On Sept. 7 WooBar will throw a WOW Party including performances by popular Italian DJ B-Sharry. Party tickets will be available by reservation for 30,000 won, or 40,000 won per person at the door. Ninth Anniversary Celebration Packages will be available from Sept. 2 to Oct. 31 for 305,000 won and up. The packages will include one night’s
Brotchen and bretzels at Ach So!

Food&BeverageAug 30, 2013

For Ach So! owner-baker Heo Sang-hoi, making authentic German bread and serving it properly is important. The tradition of eating bread is deeply ingrained in the fabric of day-to-day life in Germany, according to Heo, who equates the role bread plays in the German diet to the role that rice plays in the Korean diet. “Germans do not eat bread plain, just as Koreans do not eat rice without banchan (side dishes),” Heo, 45, said.Heo’s goal, since he first started selling German bread in Korea in 20
NHIS readies war on tobacco firms

HealthAug 29, 2013

South Korean health authorities are set to flex their legal muscles against tobacco firms to recoup rising health costs from smoking-related diseases.The state-run National Health Insurance Service said Tuesday it would use “every possible means” including “filing massive lawsuits” against cigarette makers.There have been a number of individuals filing lawsuits against tobacco firms in Korea. But this is the first time a public office has considered suing both Korean and foreign cigarette makers
Skin problems and swimming

HealthAug 29, 2013

Swimming pools and similar environments with high temperature and humidity allow for the presence of various fungi, bacteria and viruses.These include fungi that cause athlete’s foot, bacteria that cause impetigo, and viruses that cause warts. These diseases can be spread through contaminated water in pools, or via objects that are shared between people, or from the infected person. Infection sets in faster if the skin is broken. On the other hand, people who have dry or itchy skin may experienc
British designer Gary Card talks about creative journey

Arts&DesignAug 29, 2013

The Korea Herald is publishing an interview series on some of the world’s most creative minds who are invited to Korea to share their design philosophies and vision during the Herald Design Week 2013, Oct. 7-11. ― Ed. By Lee Woo-young London-based designer Gary Card has explored areas between design and art with a diverse mix of work such as sculptural props, illustrations and set designs. Although it’s hard to give him a label, he has fallen under such names as prop-maker, illustrator and set d