For my first Seollal Lunar New Year's as a married woman, I didn’t really know what to expect from one of the biggest traditional holidays of the year. In order to get an understanding of that for which I might be in store, I asked my friends and students about what happens during the Lunar Seollal New Year's holiday....
Awakened by the freezing temperatures on the bus, I slowly opened my tired eyes just to be greeted by Jack Frost peeping in the window. I didn't know how long I had been sleeping, but based on the coldness, I thought we were somewhere in Gangwon-do Province. I was right, because a few moments later our tour guide announced...
A visitor enjoys an interactive exhibit at the traditional cultural center at Incheon International Airport, located by the west wing transfer lounge on fourth floor.
One of Incheon International Airport's cultural experience centers recently got a makeover and reopened its doors on Jan. 23.
The center, located by the fourth floor west wing transfer lounge, now features two exhibit spaces themed...
The National Museum of Korea has many things to offer throughout 2017.
On Jan. 23, museum director Lee Young-hoon released a list of six special exhibitions that will entertain museum-goers this year as he briefed the press on the museum’s main projects for the new year.
“Arabia’s Path -- History and Culture of Saudi Arabia" (아라비아 길 -- 사우디아라비아의 역사 문화)...
In every examination period, we, as students, have a lot of stress, but if people who appreciate us cheer us up and help us to keep a positive mind and to give the best to us, we can do great things. Imagine if they gave us a little present and how that could improve our mood. When I was...
Visitors wearing Hanbok play the yunnori board game (윷놀이) at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Seollal Lunar New Year’s, one of the biggest holidays in Korea, is just around the corner.
Visiting a palace or a national museum and enjoying the nation's traditional activities would be a wonderful way to spend the holidays with family and friends during the upcoming four-day vacation spanning Friday,...
Our history begins in 2008 with the first visit to Korea by the Colombian journalist and writer Andres Felipe Solano. He met Yi Soojeong, who later became his wife and with whom he would return to Korean in 2012 to live there.
Solano not only had to adapt to a new society and language, but also to labor challenges, to...
Have you ever wondered what the average Indonesian thought about Korea before the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, came to Indonesian shores? If you think that we used to know a lot about Korea, you're wrong. We all know that Korea is a country in Northeast Asia, but that’s all. Don’t expect many of us to know that Seoul is...
Donggwanwangmyo Shrine (동관왕묘) is dedicated to the Chinese general Guan Yu (관우, 關羽) (d. 220), who played a major role in establishing the 3rd century Chinese state of Shu Han during China's Three Kingdoms period. A statue of the late general (pictured) watches over his tomb to this day. In 1902, Joseon's Emperor Gojong (1852-1919) elevated the status of...
Visitors to the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace enjoy the snowy scenery while listening to a tour guide’s comments about the Juhamnu Pavillion.
Changdeokgung Palace, an officially-registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, has changed into its white winter clothes.
On Dec. 20, snow began falling across Seoul just before daybreak, turning the capital into a wintry metropolis and decorating the palace rooftops...
The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival along the riverside in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do Province, takes place from Jan. 14 to Feb. 5. The Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival was chosen by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as one of Korea’s major winter festivals. Over 1.5 million people attend this festival every year.
My wife Lilia and I went to this grand...
Jjinbbang, or steamed buns filled with a sweet bean paste, are the ideal snack for the wintertime. These pocket-sized buns, served fresh from the steamer, also warm up your hands in the blistering cold.
Walking outside during winter's coldest months, it's hard not to notice the steamy roadside snacks that beckon you to stop for a bite and warm your...
In the just-ended four-day chocolate exhibition that was held at the COEX convention center in Hall D on Jan. 12-15, I was lucky to receive free tickets from a friend who knew how much I loved chocolate and anything else made with cocoa. I therefore invited my friend to go check it out with me on Thursday the 12th,...
Non-Korean broadcasters and journalists listen to PyeongChang Organizing Committee President Lee Hee-beom as he outlines how the preparations are going for the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, during a press conference at the Foreign Press Center Korea in Seoul on Jan. 19.
“The Olympic Games have, literally, gotten off to a start.”
With the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and...
Korea has now shared its agricultural know-how about harvesting tomatoes with 15 African governments.
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced on Jan. 18 that it has published “Postharvest Handling of Tomatoes in Africa,” a technical manual that outlines the skills and processes needed to handle harvested tomatoes. The manual is being distributed in Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria,...
The Korea Grand Sale, a nation-wide series of discounts combined with a tourism promotional campaign, takes place from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28. Tourists are offered discounts and prizes at shopping malls, transportation hubs, hotels, makeup stores, restaurants, cafes and other tourist sites.
The Korea Grand Sale, a nation-wide series of discounts and sales combined with a tourism promotional campaign,...
Free classical music performances will be held on the last Wednesday of every month from now until June, in the Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul.
The Seokjojeon Hall, a relatively modern building amid the history of Deoksugung Palace, is to host a classical music concert on the last Wednesday of every month. Up to 100 music lovers will...
The National Folk Museum of Korea will begin its Seollal Lunar New Year holiday program with a performance of some nongak farmer’s music. Museum visitors can join in and have fun during the performance.
Tteokguk rice cake, the deep sebae bow down to your hands and knees, colorful Hanbok traditional attire, the yunnori board game and flying the yeonnaligi kite.
These...
The Korea Institute for Healthcare Accreditation uses 129 criteria to evaluate hospitals and medical institutions across the country, and grants its seal of approval to those that meet certain standards.
Patients from both home and abroad will now be able to select their Korean hospital or clinic more easily. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced that it will...
Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn asks diplomats and security officials to work hard at carrying out the government's foreign affairs and security policies, especially in times such as these when diplomacy and security are of the utmost importance. He presides over the meeting at the Government Complex-Seoul on Jan. 16.
A meeting was held at the Government Complex-Seoul on Jan. 16...