GWACHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- An increasingly common evening sight at Seoul's Han River parks is groups of runners wearing glowing wrist bands. While some people choose to exercise alone, many Korean runners run together by joining “donghohoe,” a Korean term similar to club, whose members share similar interests and goals. Most of these running crews are area-based, gathering runners from nearby districts and running a fixed course. However, Seoul Ddimbak, a running crew formed

With South Korea’s daytime temperature rising to 33 Celsius or higher, the country's sandy beaches and open ocean are scheduled to greet summer vacationers with various festivals and water-themed activities. Gyeongpo Beach, the biggest beach along the east coast that attracts an average of 6.5 million tourists each summer, already kicked off its summer season with the Gangneung Beach Beer Festival on Saturday. Located in eastern Gangneung, Gangwon Province, the beach was visited by al

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul unveils summer delicacies Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, an urban oasis nestled on the slope of Seoul’s Namsan in central Seoul, presents the “Granum Cherry House” promotion with a menu overflowing with cherries to celebrate summer at Granum. The food promotion includes cherries with corn, cherries and burrata cheese, lamb ribs and cherry salsa, cherries with chicken tortillas and much more. Guests can enjoy a main dish – bone-in stripl

Jose Cuervo pop-up store If you are with friends and family at Lotte World Tower in Songpa-gu, southwest Seoul, this weekend, stop by the shopping complex’s latest pop-up store, featuring tequila brand Jose Cuervo. Located on the first floor of Lotte World Tower, the Jose Cuervo pop-up store offers a gastronomic experience for visitors to take a sneak peek into Mexican culture and its famous tequila. The pop-up store invites visitors on a tour of the world’s oldest tequila distiller

YANGJU, Gyeonggi Province -- One popular way to create an interesting plotline in Korean drama series is by depicting the changes and growth of a lead character since their countryside move to Seoul. Ranging from “When the Camellia Blooms” (2019), a hit drama set in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, to “Welcome to Samdal-ri,” (2023) which heavily features Jeju Island, Korean dramas offer a great window of opportunity for provincial governments to promote their cities and

Caribbean Bay water park at Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, announced it will fully open in June, running all its iconic water attractions three weeks earlier than expected. According to the resort division of Samsung C&T which runs Everland and Caribbean Bay, the decision was made after recognizing the recent early heat and a sharp rise in attendance. While the water park’s Adventure Pool -- a beloved attraction where the guests can enjoy the outpour of 2.4 metric to

Park Hyatt Seoul, located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, looks to attract prominent cocktail lovers with a one-time guest bartender invitation event at the hotel’s premium vinyl music bar, The Timber House, on June 26. The upcoming event invites renowned bartender Choi Won-woo -- a 2019 bartender competition World Class Korea champion -- to showcase three of his special cocktails. While “miracle morning” presents pure American aloe scent with spiciness, “after sweating&rdquo

Rolling Hills Hotel launches Haribo-themed promotion Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, collaborates once again with the fruit gummy brand Haribo to present a unique hotel experience to its guests. The promotion offers a chance to have a one-night stay in Haribo-themed room, a free gift set featuring Haribo tumbler, a reusable bag and jelly candies. It includes free access to the fitness center, swimming pool and breakfast for two guests. There is a 50-percent discount for a chi

ILSAN, Gyeonggi Province -- Hamggehagae is a club of dog shelter volunteers who have come together to care for abandoned dogs. Some are dog owners, some have no experience with dogs. Moon Seung-bae, 40, who has been leading some 300 club members since 2020, shared that the group wishes to be of even the smallest help to the dogs, which deserve to be loved and happy. “Hamggehagae has been doing different kinds of work related to abandoned dogs, ranging from building and maintaining dog shel

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province -- Suwon has been one of the country’s iconic travel destinations, beckoning both local and overseas travelers with a unique charm by blending old and new. As soon as tourists step foot in Suwon, they can spot the Hwaseong Fortress -- one of the country's UNESCO World Heritage sites -- from almost anywhere in the city. Looking at high-rise, glass-covered buildings from the centuries-old stone walls is one of the many spectacular aspects the fortress has to off

Moxy Seoul Myeongdong presents new summer package ‘Summer Vibes’ Moxy Seoul Myeongdong, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, offers “Summer Vibes” for its guests’ delightful stay filled with great benefits. This promotion includes a one-night stay in a queen (or double) bed, free welcome drinks, a breakfast buffet for two guests and South Korea’s popular “chimaek,” a combination of “chicken” and maekju (beer). Relaxing on picnic mats with

South Korean inbound tourism service platform Creatrip has launched the “Seongsu Pass” online voucher for foreign travelers eager to explore the trendy area of Seongsu-dong in eastern Seoul. Seongsu-dong is one of the three beloved travel destinations in the capital among travelers, behind only shopping district Myeong-dong and nightlife district Hongdae, according to the Korea Tourism Organization. The Seongsu Pass, launched earlier this month, offers foreign tourists the opportunit

YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- Hoping for some respite from urban life, many Seoulites choose to spend their precious weekends relaxing with their families and friends a little way from the city. Many cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, especially, have long been popular weekend getaway spots for their ease of access from the capital, and the serene atmosphere created by the countryside. Yangpyeong, among many others, beckons travelers, cyclists, runners and sports lovers with its cycle

South Korean esports legend Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, an undisputed superstar in the world of competitive gaming, etched his name as the first-ever inductee to the Hall of Legends at The Shilla Seoul in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Thursday. “With his mastery of League of Legends, Faker inspired millions of esports fans across the globe and brought numerous contributions to the sport. We sincerely congratulate Faker for this stunning achievement and hope for great performances in the

Donghae, a popular summer getaway spot and seaside city in Gangwon Province, is scheduled to hold its annual lavender flower festival at Mureung Byeolyucheonji starting this Saturday to June 23. Mureung Byeolyucheonji, a large natural area on the site of an abandoned mine, has turned into a popular local tourist destination, beckoning travelers with the country’s first-ever sky glider, alpine coaster and walking trail along the artificial Blue Lake, among others. The 21,000-square-meter ou