From a wife’s affair, poverty and hunger to embezzlement by a government official, it seems that everyday life today is not so different compared with the Joseon period.Ancient documents that offer a glimpse into people’s lives during the Joseon era are on display at Chonbuk National University Museum.Since reopening in 2011, the museum has selected “interesting” old papers to exhibit, the museum’s curator Lee Jong-cheol said. Various documents from the Joseon period, including divorce papers an

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Monday that it was leasing three halls of Joseon-period palaces in Seoul for private gatherings through Oct. 31.The three venues are Hamhwadang and Jipgyeongdang, where the king received foreign envoys, in Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gajeongdang, a building the king and his queen used for rest and leisure.“The openings will widen the public’s access to the palaces, our cultural heritage. Since Hamhwadang and Jipgyeongdang and Gajeongdang were used for vario

Hoarder, moneylender, tax dodger _ it's not how we usually think of William Shakespeare.But we should, according to a group of academics who say the Bard was a ruthless businessman who grew wealthy dealing in grain during a time of famine.Researchers from Aberystwyth University in Wales argue that we can't fully understand Shakespeare unless we study his often-overlooked business savvy.“Shakespeare the grain-hoarder has been redacted from history so that Shakespeare the creative genius could be

The Shroud of Turin, the alleged burial shroud of Jesus, may have been made during Jesus’ lifetime, according to a new study by an Italian scholar.Giulio Fanti, a professor of mechanical engineering at Padua University, claimed that the shroud dates from 280 B.C. to A.D. 220, the period when Jesus was alive.The findings were published in Fanti’s new book, “Il Mistero della Sindone (The Mystery of the Shroud).“The latest research contrasts a 1988 study that put the production date of the linen cl

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Wednesday said it was receiving grant applications for hallyu magazines seeking to advance overseas. The publications, to be eligible, should cover the areas of traditional, contemporary or pop culture in Korea. Seven selected magazines will receive up to 2.5 million won a month in subsidies to put toward translation of their content for six months. A total of 30 additional magazines will be supported with a translation stipend for their brochures a

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will offer discounts on local musical performances in order to boost the domestic arts industry, the center’s president Bahg In-bae said on Monday. “The center charges an additional 30 percent fee to events that lease the performing halls for more than 15 days, of which the majority are musicals. However, we will exempt the fee for locally created musicals, which account for 10 percent of all musicals staged in Korea at the moment,” Bahg said at a press