More people are preparing early for postretirement through various savings programs

There is a saying, “Money does not grow on trees.” One has to work really hard to earn it.But making an honest buck in this age of low interest rates and low growth has become harder than ever.It is not as if Koreans do not work hard. In fact, Koreans work the longest hours after Mexicans in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Koreans worked 2,124 hours in 2014, according to the latest data.Working long hours does not necessarily mean that they work hard. But still, averag

Festival culture in Korea is quickly evolving, with creative ideas taking shape in the hands of the young and wild. With the Korean summer bringing sweltering heat, many are opting for water-based outdoor events, among many others.One of the prime locations for such festivals is Sinchon, the area next to Yonsei University, Sogang University, Ewha Womans University and Hongik University. Sinchon stands out among popular cultural venues because of the high number of young people and because vehicl

Explosive sing-alongs by Korean fans at concert arenas are nothing new to global pop musicians, as they have begun evolving into more articulately planned events.A slew of world-famous musicians have been elevated by the sight of Korean fans singing along to their hooks, songs and, at times, their signature guitar riffs. “They were singing all of it (‘Live Forever’), word for word, for their own amusement,” British singer-songwriter Noel Gallagher said in an interview with CBC Radio’s talk show

Looking for places to go during summer vacation? The Korea Herald has compiled a list of interesting festivals across the peninsula for visitors to see, taste and enjoy the summer fun. Boryeong Mud FestivalBoryeong Mud FestivalSince it began in 1998, the annual Boryeong Mud Festival has been perhaps the premiere event for those from abroad, attracting around 300,000 foreign visitors each year to the country’s western coast for a week filled with muddy fun. The upcoming 19th festival kicks off on

Korea’s festivals have evolved in both variety and scale over the years, attracting tourists and expats to join in the fun. According to data released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of tourists revisiting Korea jumped to 46.1 percent in 2015, compared to 34.9 percent in 2014. The government and local festival committees are doing everything in their capacity to maintain the increase. The Seoul Tourism Association even recently launched mobile education centers for tou

Summer brings boundless celebrations of music, food and culture

The season of festivities has come around once again, with a host of festivals lined up for music lovers. The summer lineup brims with choices, ranging from electronic dance music to rock.Heating up the summer with EDMThe night sky lights up with fireworks as the highlight of Ultra Korea. (Ultra Music Festival Korea)The Ultra Music Festival -- one of the leading EDM festivals worldwide -- has landed in Korea once again, celebrating its fifth anniversary with an exclusive three-day concert instea

Seo Jin-kyung, 33, frequently visits Seoul Library’s Sky Yard, a rooftop garden located by the cafe on the fifth floor, where the panoramic view of the country’s capital city refreshes her.　Upon opening the glass door at one side of the cafe, a green space filled with various types of hibiscus syriacus – the national flower of South Korea –- and wooden benches under a blue sky welcome visitors. 　“I tend to relax with a cup of tea or talk on the phone here when I study at Seoul Library. I think i

As a major urban city, Seoul’s dense quarters leave little space for those with green thumbs to enjoy the relaxing pleasures of gardening within the confines of one’s home. However, one of the latest trends in combating Seoul’s lack of space is to utilize one’s rooftop. There are an increasing number of private homes independently creating their own rooftop Gardens of Eden, separate from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s “Rooftop Greening Project” that seeks to revitalize public and private ro

Social enterprise Urban Bees Seoul sees the city through the eyes of honey bees

Urban farmers on the rise, with more city dwellers seek healthy food and comfort in farming

Move over Colonel Sanders, because KFC is starting to take on a whole new meaning -- Korean Fried Chicken. Korea’s popular pairing of fried chicken with ice-cold draft beer -- or what locals refer to as “chi-maek” -- has spun a culture of its own across the peninsula and international borders. Korean fried chicken is slowly emerging as staple food here along with the likes of kimchi and bibimbap.Scene from last year‘s annual Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival, which attracted nearly one million vis

Although “chi-maek” -- a word play referring to fried chicken and beer -- continues to be one of the most popular snacks among Koreans, some health experts have been warning on its harmful health effects.It is not the ingredient but the way it is cooked that can damage one’s body in different ways. (123RF)According to a long-term study by the Harvard School of Public Health, which examined more than 100,000 men and women over 25 years, people who ate fried food at least once per week had a great

Just the sound of it makes one’s mouth water. In every bite -- from the crisp chicken skin to the juicy meat inside -- come plenty of reasons for its nationwide popularity, regardless of age and gender.   Either marinated or covered in batter, golden-brown fried chicken accompanied with cool beer, or “chi-maek,” is always well-suited for a picnic at the Hangang Park -- where you can get it delivered -- or an after-work get-together.  (123RF)It is not difficult to spot chicken restaurants full of