From YouTube to the catwalk, seniors find new platforms for later-life success

Riding a bike in Seoul has never been easy. With spider web-like tangles of roads teeming with traffic, and pedestrian areas packed with people milling about, talking and running at different speeds, the metropolitan city is still a tough place for a bike ride. Under the city of Seoul’s green transport vision, however, two-wheelers are an increasingly common sight -- and not just as last-mile mobility, but also for recreational use. At unmanned rental hubs located at subway stations a

The government said Wednesday it will establish 13 new state-run King Sejong Institutes in 11 countries for foreigners wanting to learn the Korean language and culture.With the additions, the number of King Sejong Institutes, a public institution run by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to promote Korean language education and the distribution of Korean culture abroad, has increased to 180 in 60 countries worldwide, according to the ministry. The 13 new institutes were chosen from amon

While the image of South Korean director Bong Joon-ho posing triumphantly with his Palme d’Or trophy at this year’s Cannes Film Festival is the most popular recent image of Korea on the world stage, the country’s cinema is not as well-known among foreigners as one might expect.When asked, “What Korean films have you watched?” over half the foreign respondents to a recent survey -- 51.7 percent -- said they had never seen a Korean movie. The survey, conducted between

Three rising K-pop stars and their agencies have recently gotten into trouble following revelations that the stars bullied classmates in their school years.They are Yoo Young-hyun, member of the popular indie band Jannabi, singer Hyolyn from the now-disbanded girl group Sistar and Yoon Seo-bin, once the front-runner of the popular idol competition show "Produce 101."Behind the globally flourishing K-pop scene often characterized by electronic music, indie band Jannabi has quietly but s

　The Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, was awarded Saturday to “Parasite,” a social satire and critical favorite from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho. It is the first time a Korean director has received the coveted award in the festival’s 72-year history.　The Cannes Film Festival is an annual event held in France. It previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. 

CANNES, France (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Bong Joon-ho grabbed the highest honor at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his black comedy movie "Parasite." Bong became the first South Korean director to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Before him, Park Chan-wook was awarded the Grand Prix, the second-highest prize at the festival, for his thriller "Old Boy" in 2004.   His achievement marks the sixth time that a Korean film has received one of

Kim Sung-woo’s project at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale calls for a thoughtful approach to the Sewoon Sangga redevelopment plans

Once a run-down factory in Jeonju, gallery now aspires to landmark status JEONJU, NORTH JEOLLA PROVINCE -- Driving north of Jeonju City Hall, past Jeonju University and onto the industrial complex grounds, you will find a group of run-down factory buildings. Just as you start wondering if you took a wrong turn on your way to the art gallery, what appears to be a rusty old structure with the words “Factory of Contemporary Arts in Palbok” lets you know you are in the right place.The venue, which o

Nine of South Korea’s Confucian academies have been recommended by a UNESCO council to be inscribed on its World Heritage List, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The CHA said it has been notified by UNESCO’s International Council on Monuments and Sites of the recommendation made on “Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.” The application for World Heritage inscription had been under deliberation since January 2018.Seowon were educational facilities of the Joseon period (1392-191

Feel like you’re missing out on the evolution of makgeolli? Don’t worry. The following are some of the hottest brews now for you to catch up with the ongoing revival of South Korea’s oldest booze. The selection is based on recommendations from industry insiders as well as sales tallies from traditional liquor shops. Premium line 1. Haechang Made from freshly harvested rice, glutinous rice and nuruk (a fermentation starter) from Haenam, South Jeolla Province, this premium makgeolli took the No. 1

Hallyu continues to have a positive impact on the economy with related exports rising 9.1 percent in 2018, according to a recent Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange report.The report looked into Hallyu’s direct and indirect impact on the economy, particularly in exports. It estimates that Hallyu exports accounted for $9.48 billion in 2018. Of the total Hallyu exports, cultural contents such as games, music and films accounted for $4.42 billion.In 2018, the total value of Hallyu

Picnic-perfect spots in the city

In South Korea, spring outings are a grand, communal affair that bring people together. Schools, churches, companies and various social clubs and communities start planning way before spring arrives. It is one of the biggest annual events. The culture of grand picnicking can be traced back to “hwajeon nori” during the Joseon era (1392-1910) -- a picnic enjoyed mostly by women on the third day of the third lunar month. “Young Joseon wives would travel to an attractive outdoor site and pitch a ten

Sometimes, the best picnics happen on the spur of the moment. And South Korea’s thriving picnic rental services, conveniently clustered near popular destinations, make last-minute outings a breeze. You can have a perfect day out in the sun, without the early-morning packing hassle that exhausts you even before setting off or shelling out on fancy picnic gear you may only use once or twice a year. Rent the shade Camping has become commonplace in Seoul, especially in parks along the Han River that