The Corea Image Communication Institute will be honoring the Korean language, YouTubers Josh & Ollie and ballet dancer Park Sae-eun with CICI Korea Image Awards. Since 2005, CICI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Korea’s image abroad, annually honors cultural figures, organizations or objects that have contributed to spreading a positive image of Korea.  Graphics depict “Hunminjeongeum Haerye,” an instruction book on Hangeul (CICI)The Korea Image Stepping Stone Award will be award

Hotel Tops 10, located in the east coast city of Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is inviting locals and tourists to enjoy a relaxing getaway on the occasion of its first anniversary. Geumjin Hot SpringsOn Friday, the hotel will open up its Geumjin Hot Springs to the public for free. After a warm bath, visitors will be offered a free bowl of “janchiguksu,” or “banquet noodles,” a dish served on special occasions. The hot spring facility opened in September, reflecting the property’s former use. Loca

Each year Literature Translation Institute of Korea recognizes translators who have worked on promoting Korean literature to international readers through quality translations. This year, Masuo Omura’s Japanese translation of Lee Gi-yeong’s “Hometown” was recognized as the best translation among 167 works in 29 languages published last year and submitted for consideration. Recipients of LTI Korea Translation Awards speak during a press conference held Monday at Koreana Hotel in central Seoul. (L

Music audition programs continue to thrive on the small screen, seemingly giving fair opportunities to everyone and playing to viewers’ desire to see the heroic story of a talented individual becoming a star after overcoming insurmountable odds. The programs’ winners are basically the 21st century version of Greek heroes in the eyes of viewers.Many of the beloved shows in the genre have given birth to numerous stars in music, drama and on the big screen, and continue to entertain viewers with fr

Though Shanghai is known as the pearl of China, not much is known about eastern China beyond the megapolis. The cosmopolitan port city is actually part of Jiangsu province, a province itself as large as South Korea. Not only in size, the province also boasts rich cultural traditions and economical infrastructure, inviting tourists and business seekers. It is also one of the richest parts of mainland China.Though many international tourists do not have the opportunity to explore past Shanghai, Ji

Christmas at Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences presents new packages for the holiday season. The Dear My Santa! package includes a night’s stay at the hotel, a Bouche de Noel Christmas cake and a do-it-yourself Christmas tree set. It will be offered from Dec. 21 to 25, with prices ranging from 249,000 won to 299,000 won. The All About Christmas! package adds extra perks, such as breakfast for two, in-room dining service and late checkout. It wil

Hanok, or traditional Korean buildings, being turned into hip cafes and restaurants are no longer newsworthy, as the touristy areas of Bukchon, Seochon and Samcheong-dong are dotted with these amalgamations of old and new. What is unique about a hanok in Dongdaemun that recently opened as a cafe-lifestyle shop is that it is very old -- more than 100 years old. The J.Hidden House, situated on a backstreet in Dongdaemun -- the fashion hub of Seoul with the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Pla

Along with the staycation boom, lifestyle boutique hotel brand Lacasa Hotel hopes to be a big player in the hospitality market with new and renewed properties. Lacasa Hotel Seoul, located in Sinsa-dong of southern Seoul, recently renewed its penthouse floor and restaurant. After the renovation, the top floor now houses two rooms: the Loft House and Garden House.  Lacasa Hotel Seoul Lacasa Hotel SeoulThe rooms, with separate bedroom and living room spaces, are designed to accommodate brand events

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White once said, “Cooking is a philosophy, not a recipe.”Chinese chefs in Korea would wholeheartedly agree, divided as they are into different schools somewhat like early philosophers who were divided into stoicism, Epicureanism and more. Cho Nae-sung, also known as Tiao Nai Hsing, recently joined Millennium Seoul Hilton’s Chinese restaurant Taipan. Though the new appointment may look nothing out of the ordinary, it was a big move for Cho, as he was joining the very h

Buddhist temples are religious places, but temple stays offer participants a chance to look into themselves and find inner peace, regardless of their religion.For a one-day inner journey, I recently headed out to Heungguksa, located on the mountain ridges of Nogosan in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, an hour drive northwest of central Seoul.  Heungguksa (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)Because the trip was rather short, I was not expecting much seclusion. Compared to other temples, Heungguksa is mu

Though an indoor amusement park, it snows twice a day at Lotte World Adventure. With the arrival of the winter holiday season, the park has been showing two Christmas-themed parades every day. Around 100 performers, mostly foreigners, turn into characters from Santa’s village, such as Santa, a tree, elf or snowman. Trains with ice-cream and cookie decorations complete the scene.An hour before the parade, the performers appear at ease, idly spending their time in the dressing room. But 10 minutes

Christmas dining at Grand Hilton SeoulGrand Hilton Seoul’s all-day dining restaurant Atrium will host a gala dinner on Christmas Eve.The menu includes fresh oysters, lobster soup, smoked duck, king prawns, tenderloin steak, bass roast and Christmas dessert. The set course costs 150,000 won per person. On Christmas Day, Atrium will offer a special brunch that features an unlimited fresh salad bar, king prawns and steaks, seasonal fruits and detox juices. This will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p

Though she’s a fictional character, Kim Ji-young is a symbolic figure in Korea. It seems her status will be even more elevated as novel “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” recently became a million seller. The novel, written by Cho Nam-joo in 2016, has sold more than 1 million copies, publisher Minumsa announced Tuesday. It is now the first million-selling Korean novel since Shin Kyung-sook’s “Please Look After Mom” in 2009. Writer Cho Nam-joo (Minumsa)Since its publication, “Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” has

After rapper Microdot came under fire over a fraud scandal involving his parents, celebrities -- including rapper Dok2 and singer-actor Rain -- have found themselves embroiled in similar allegations.  From left: Rapper Dok2 (Illionaire Records)and singer-actor Rain (Yonhap)A media outlet reported on Monday that Dok2’s mother borrowed around 10 million won ($8,854) from a friend in the late 1990s and failed to pay it back. Though the debtor took the matter to the court and won, Dok2’s mother did

A group of children enjoy Milennium Seoul Hilton‘s Christmas train display, now on its 23rd run, on Sunday. A 10-meter high Christmas tree has been placed at the lobby along with seasonal decorations. The holiday train will be on display until Jan. 20. (Yonhap)