Ride train, hike up Yeongnam AlpsWith the autumn season almost over, KORAIL is recommending tourists to visit Ulsan by train and hike through the beautiful scenery of Yeongnam Alps.Yeongnam Alps, which takes its name after the European Alps, consists of several mountains at over 1,000 meters above sea level stretching over 255 square kilometers.The mountainous region with many peaks reaches Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province and Ulsan. Its best hiking course is Baram-gil, or Wind Trail, surrou

Hotel Cappuccino opens in SeoulHotel Cappuccino in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, said it has officially opened for business this month. Occupying 18 floors above ground and three below, Hotel Cappuccino is an all-new urban lifestyle destination boasting 141 guest rooms and aspiring to become Korea’s first hotel to embody the concept of “Creating Shared Value.”Based on a simple, modern design concept, Hotel Cappuccino offers 141 guest rooms, three food and beverage outlets -- a cafe, restaurant and bar

Pianist Cho Seong-jin (EPA-Yonhap)Cho Seong-jin, the winner of the Chopin piano competition, is a new classical music icon in Korea, setting recording history even before the release of his first solo album. The 21-year-old pianist’s upcoming album – a live recording of his performances at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Poland – was the top seller across all music genres at Kyobo Bookstore, the country’s largest book seller, as of 3 p.m. Tuesday -- a feat that no oth

In Korea’s turbulent path toward independence and nation building, there were foreign nationals who stood steadfastly by the Korean people, although their contributions have been largely overshadowed by those of Korean patriots. The Korea Herald, in partnership with the Independence Hall of Korea, is publishing a series of articles shedding light on these foreigners, their life and legacies here. This is the seventh installment. ― Ed.   Horace G. Underwood with his wifeOn the grounds of Yonsei U

If you’re reading a novel from Korea’s best-seller lists now, chances are that it’s not written by a local author. In this country, with a rising global cultural profile and an ambition to rise even further, fiction, the ultimate art of storytelling, is fading. Or more precisely, the serious, high-caliber, literary fiction that Koreans refer to as “pure” literature is fading.Local readers’ appetite for homegrown novels is dwindling amid a fundamental decline in an interest in books, while writer

Spa Package at Grand AmbassadorGrand Ambassador Seoul is offering the “My Spa Package,” providing a comfortable guest room with Prestige Day Spa OCELAS Massage and a brunch set that can be enjoyed through room service.Prestige Day Spa OCELAS Massage comes in two kinds: foot massage and soleus massage. Foot massage is provided for about 30 minutes, promoting blood circulation and helping the body realize the balance of endocrine glands to release tension. The soleus massage is provided for about

With increasingly colder months ahead, popular sweet shops throughout the city are releasing seasonal treats that run the gauntlet from ruby red apple pies and tarts to burnt orange pumpkin pies.  La Pomme’s tarte Tatin is made-to-order and arrives piping hot, with layers of butter puff pastry, custard cream and warm, spiced apples (La Pomme)　Pumpkin and its similar-hued cousins are classic fall ingredients for these colder months and it has practically become tradition for prominent shops like

A 21-year-old Korean pianist won Poland’s Chopin competition Tuesday -- one of the most prestigious contests in the piano world and considered a launch pad for an international career. Cho Seong-jin beat 77 other young pianists from 20 countries to take home the gold medal and prize of 30,000 euros ($33,500) at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, held every five years in the Polish capital Warsaw and named after the 19th century pianist and composer.  Cho Seong-jin (AFP-Yon

Lee Joon-gi with Milla Jovovich (Instagram)Korean actor Lee Joon-gi is currently shooting the final installment of the “Resident Evil” franchise to mark his Hollywood debut, his Korean agency confirmed Saturday. “Lee is shooting (the film) in South Africa,” Namoo Actors said. The firm, however, refused to give more details about Lee’s role in “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.”The confirmation came after “Resident Evil” star Milla Jovovich on Friday posted a photo with Lee to her Instagram, reve

After five decades of high growth and the rags-to-riches transformation, Korea’s economy is finally slowing. Although it might look quite natural to outsiders, particularly in this global era of the “new normal” -- slower but more sustainable growth -- the ongoing economic slowdown worries many in Korea to a great extent. They fear Korea’s half-century stride toward prosperity may be coming to a full stop at the threshold of the much-coveted “advanced economy” status. “Time of Accumulation” arri

　Seventeen　“Boys Be”　(Loen Entertainment)　Seventeen, the 13-member rookie group that debuted this year after going through a grueling training process broadcast on the air, has come out with a catchy second EP called “Boys Be.”　Despite its name, Seventeen has 13 members, split up into three units -- the hip-hop unit, the vocal unit and the performance unit. Like its first EP “17 Carat,” “Boys Be” features one track from each of the three units. The lead track “Mansae” and the track “Rock” have a

　　G.Soul　“Dirty”　(KT Music)　“Dirty” could probably pass for a DJ set at a house music lounge. With DJ and composer Frants (who also worked on the Wonder Girls’ ‘Reboot’ album), JYP’s G.Soul toned down the emotion of his first EP “Coming Home” from January, and turned up the beat to create a quality album combining jazz and soul with house music.Although the EP is called “Dirty” and the word repeats itself countlessly in the songs, the album exudes a romantic vibe thanks to G.Soul’s tone and his

The Korea Herald offers a guide to what's playing in theaters this weekend.For those seeking a thriller, check out "Deep Trap," or "Office." For some more light-hearted fun, "Ant-Man" provides a dose of superhero action, while "Straight Outta Compton” will take you to the 1983 Comptom, a U.S. town where the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A. was born. The much-anticipated Korean historical drama "The Throne" opens on Sept. 16. The Throne (Korea)Opening Sept. 16　Historical drama. Directed by Lee Joon

Major Korean broadcaster MBC will open a new hallyu theme park on Sept. 5, complete with hologram K-pop concerts, virtual reality drama sets and photo booths.A set of the traditional Korean court has been recreated to allow visitors to experience what it is like to appear in Korean period dramas and “be transported back in time,” said MBC in a press release. (MBC)Located at MBC headquarters in Sangam-dong, northern Seoul, “MBC World” aims to offer an entertaining attraction to tourists visiting

Singer-turned-musical actress Ock Joo-hyun will play the 1900s exotic dancer and female spy Mata Hari in an upcoming musical production, the show’s production company in Seoul said Tuesday.  Ock Joo-hyunAccording to EMK Musical, the show, “Mata Hari,” will premiere in March next year with Ock in the lead role. Ock, who debuted in 1998 as a member of the now-disbanded girl group Fin K.L. is one of the most sought-after musical actresses in Korea. Her previous roles have included such coveted char