Coin karaoke’s surging popularity reflects importance of autonomy among 20- and 30-somethings　

The beauty of Joseon-era architecture and modern skyscrapers in Seoul can be seen all at once -- if one visits major royal palaces at night this summer. On the Changgyeonggung nighttime tour, people are now allowed to stroll around the palace under the moonlight, surrounded by its beauty and nature that surrounds the palace buildings.According to the Korea Tourism Organization, Changgyeonggung is an ideal destinations for anyone who is interested in seeing Korean palaces in Seoul. Designated as

Instead of their favorite coffee, Starbucks-goers on Franklin Avenue were welcomed by a notice reading “we’ll see you tomorrow,” footage from Brooklyn in New York City showed, on Tuesday.　Starbucks closed over 8,000 stores in the United States on Tuesday afternoon, so that 175,000 employees could undergo anti-racial bias training, in response to protests and boycotts amid allegations of racist incidents caused by staff at the coffeeshop.　The protests followed an incident at a Starbucks store in

Writers Kim Ae-ran and Han Kang have been shortlisted for a literary award given by a German organization that promotes work from Asia, Africa and South America.Litprom recently commenced online voting for its Liberaturpreis prize, an annual award given to a female writer from the aforementioned continents. Its candidates consist of female writers whose works have been included in the quarterly recommendation by the organization.  The cover for ““My Palpitating Life” (Literature Translation Inst

K-pop star-wannabes around the world will get a chance to learn from people on the scene as the government on Monday launched a program on the global phenomenon.“K-pop Academy Project” plans to deploy musicians to Korean Cultural Centers in 25 regions outside Korea, starting with one based in India. The program will run for the next eight months, running classes in singing and dancing.While the Korea Culture and Information Service has been operating singing classes for the past three years, but

As Seoul continues to evolve into an epicurean city dotted with popular eateries, customers are seeking increasingly exclusive dining experiences.Trending these days are small-scale, one-chef restaurants that often only seat three to four tables. At Rawpie Table, chef Lee Hae-chang wears multiple hats. He’s the cook, the server, the cashier, the kitchen assistant, and even the interior designer at the Italian diner that opened last November in Seoul’s Huam-dong. It’s not an easy task. In charge

The Chuncheon International Mime Festival wrapped up its seven-day run Sunday. Over 500 artists in 52 teams from 13 countries participated in the festival this year, performing in over 100 shows on six stages throughout Chuncheon, located in Gangwon Province. The festival consists of various mime and movement-related shows featuring themes of water, fire and other elements. The closing ceremony featured a performance titled “Fire City Burning,” involving a huge bonfire and fireworks. The festiva

Over 300 Korea-related errors found in recent foreign media coverage

The advent of social media provided individuals with a platform on which they could showcase their own content. Then came the birth of social media stars, who amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and fans without ever having appeared on television or film. Such online celebrities are increasingly being sought after by brands for their ability to drive huge hikes in sale.Online influencers’ fame may not be on as large a scale as celebrities on traditional media, but their ability to propel

Actor Yoo Ah-in cautions against ‘men vs. women’ debate on feminism A star of critically acclaimed film “Burning,” Yoo Ah-in recently talked about being branded “anti-feminist” by the public. He is among a growing line of Korean celebrities who -- upon being labeled “feminist,” or “anti-feminist” -- get thrown into the line of fire by the public. In a recent interview with BBC News Korea, the actor expressed concerns over feminism-related discussions in Korea degenerating into a battle of the se

Brightly colored lanterns hang in the air at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul. Seoul citizens flocked to the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, a national holiday here that falls on May 22.People joined their hands in prayer, wishing for good fortune and blessings in the future, along with family members’ health and peace on the peninsula.Thousands of Buddhist followers and citizens attended the morning ceremony, according to Jogyesa Temple. Childre

Czech musical “Mephisto” will headline the annual Daegu International Musical Festival this year, which this time features a lineup of 24 musicals from around the world. The 12th DIMF will be held from June 22 to July 9 at major theaters across the city. The opening ceremony will be at 9:50 p.m. at Daegu Opera House, just after the curtain-raiser “Mephisto” makes its first performance at the same venue.The hit musical from Czechoslovakia is an interpretation of the classic “Doctor Faustus” by Go

Buddhist temples in Korea were seen adorned with countless colorful lanterns on Wednesday, in preparation for the countdown to the Buddha’s Birthday early next week.The Buddhist belief says lanterns are lights of wisdom that drive out darkness, anguish and ignorance.Vibrantly colored lotus-lanterns can offer an exquisite sight to both Koreans and foreigners. On this day, visitors to the Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, were busy taking photographs to capture the exotic scene. Jogyesa Temple i

Following last week’s report on two past administrations’ blacklisting of cultural figures, the Culture Ministry on Wednesday issued the Moon Jae-in administration’s first official apology over the matter. It also pledged to modify the current system to ensure that such blacklisting would not reoccur.In a press conference announcing “Culture Vision 2030” -- the government’s plans for the culture sector through 2030 -- Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan officially apologized on

Flowers have been a symbolic agent for the expression of love through time and space. For Koreans who have attributed special meanings to the 14th day of each month, May presents “Rose Day,” when lovers are encouraged to convey the contents of their hearts in a bouquet of roses.(Yonhap)Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) on this day urged the general population to alleviate overcast sentiments in the local flower market by gifting roses to a special someone.To help consumers make