Guess what sector of the Korean economy expanded at the fastest pace in the past four years? It wasn’t automobiles or memory chips. According to a report released Sunday, it was pharmaceuticals, with front-runner Hanmi Pharmaceutical making some big strides this year into a global industry long considered an exclusive league of richer and more advanced economies. The combined market cap of bio and health care companies on Korea’s main bourse KOSPI came in at 28.53 trillion won ($24.57 billion) a

(Millennium Seoul Hilton)Children joined Santa Claus, the Millennium Seoul Hilton mascot and hotel employees to see a Christmas train, now in its 20th year of operation, in the hotel’s lobby on Sunday. Over 80 local and international businesses sponsored the Christmas train this year, and all proceeds have been donated to local orphanages and charities. The Christmas tree and train display will be available for viewing until Jan. 17.   　

BTS performs their concert “The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage” at the SK Handball Gymnasium in Seoul. (Big Hit Entertainment)The arena at boy band BTS’ concert “BTS Live: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage” was lit more brightly than most K-pop concerts, and it was clear why.At their first concert in Korea in 11 months, the members of BTS gleefully ran around the main stage and the protruding T-shaped stage as well as the aisles between the audience floors, making it impossible

Hyosung Group, a South Korean industrial conglomerate specializing in textiles, industrial materials and chemicals, has been transforming itself as one of the largest imported car dealers in Korea since it took over Forza Motors Korea, the importer and distributor of Ferrari and Maserati cars, last March. The conglomerate, which has already run dealership businesses for Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Lexus cars, inked 605.9 billion won ($523.6 million) in sales from the business last year. Maserati G

Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt and the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra are combing forces once again in performance of the musician’s new visually revamped 16-movement symphony “Ad Vitam Aeternam” in January. 　Canadian pianist and composer Steve Barakatt poses during an interview with The Korea Herald at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald)Barakatt’s upcoming concert follows the pianist’s previous concert in March, in which he celebrated 20 years since his debut

The snowy scenery of Buyongji viewed from Yeonghwadang in Changdeokgung Palace by Bae Bein-u (Leeum)A step inside Changdeokgung Palace at the heart of Seoul after sunset and the city of skyscrapers just seems to disappear. Moonlight illuminates Joseon era royal buildings standing harmoniously with the surrounding green and natural formations of gardens that reflect its original terrain. Subtle rays from lamps inside the buildings reveal details in geometric window bar patterns and the balanced b

Kimchi, a spicy, fermented cabbage dish, is served at almost every Korean meal. (Korea Tourism Organization)Trucks loaded with piles of napa cabbages carry the season’s fresh produce to grocery stores. Makers of red rubber gloves go all out to ensure sufficient supply, while the nation’s weather agency releases a special forecast, predicting the ideal dates for kimchi-making. All for the love of Korea’s national side dish. From mid-November till early December, before the cold fully sets in, Kor

Hilton Namhae Golf & Spa ResortHilton Namhae Golf & Spa Resort said it has won two recognitions at the prestigious World Golf Awards.The luxury resort won in the categories of Asia’s Best Golf Hotel and South Korea’s Best Golf Hotel.The World Golf Awards is an annual award event that rewards hotels, golf courses and tour operators for their excellence in golf tourism. The World Golf Awards is part of the World Travel Awards, which is considered “the Oscars of Travel.”“I am honored and sincerely

Headed to the box office? The Korea Herald offers a weekend guide to what's in theaters. Inside Men (Korea)Opened Nov. 19Crime drama. Directed by Woo Min-hoThe stink of corruption is everywhere in “Inside Men,” where top players in politics, media, and the criminal world intertwine their fates together through mutual support. Together, they are unstoppable, but when one side turns traitor the house of cards comes tumbling down.Citizenfour (U.S.)Opened Nov. 19Documentary. Directed by Laura Poitra

Cho Seong-jin's piano album (Universal Music)The first solo album of pianist Cho Seong-jin continued to fly off shelves Wednesday, reflecting Koreans’ feverish interest in the 21-year-old who won one of the classical music world’s greatest piano contests. According to Universal Music Korea, over 40,000 of the album‘s initial 50,000 copies pressed were sold in Korea in just four days following the album’s Nov. 6 release, prompting the company to place a second order for another 50,000. Locally, a

Shigeru Ban is no ordinary architect.Unlike conventional architects of this era, Ban does not only use iron or steel as the primary materials to structure houses, museums, community centers or churches.Shigeru BanHe uses paper tubes, cardboard, beer crates, containers and other inexpensive recycled materials to “design and rebuild” places and buildings devastated by natural disasters or conflicts such as earthquakes, tsunamis and civil wars.As he uses those materials so beautifully with an aesth

Global brand designer Bob van der Lee said South Korea’s public and private sectors have made tremendous progress in design over the years, but not yet in branding.Bob van der Lee (Total Identity)Korean companies are still focusing too much on branding their products around their features and qualities in an effort to boost sales, but not on developing stories behind those products, he said in an interview.They still need to work on creating their own unique identities and legacies that can appe

In this digital world, information is becoming increasingly easier to access. But not for all. Such accessibility still falls far short for people with disabilities. Young entrepreneur Kim Ju-yoon has turned to the issue of discrimination in information accessibility and decided to tackle it with the power of technology and design. His belief in the fair distribution of digital benefits led him to create smartwatches for the blind that are light, affordable and as appealing as other smartwatches

Heading to the movies this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide of what's playing on the big screen.Thrill abounds at this weekend's box office in Korea. Crime thriller "The Phone" draws fans in with its fast-paced plot, while "The Fatal Intutition" is riding strong, with Asian heartthrob Joo Won as the main character. New openers include Steven Spielberg's thriller "Bridge of Spies" starring Tom Hanks, and a rare Korean exorcism movie "The Priest," starring Kang Dong-won.  Bridge of Spies (