Cho Jung-goo interprets hanok in contemporary ways, while respecting tradition The following is the final story in a series of articles on the contemporizing of Korean culture ― Ed. The area nestled between Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung to the west and Changdeokgung to the east, known as Bukchon, is a little gem of a place where time seems to stand still. The neighborhood where myriad alleys and “hano...

Minister Choung says hotels without should not be granted ‘five-star’ grade Culture Minister Choung Byoung-gug said on Tuesday local hotels should not be granted a “five-star” rank if they do not have a restaurant specializing in Korean cuisine. Korean hotels are rated differently from those in the West, being rated by the number of mugunghwa, or Rose of Sharon they are awarded. Top hotels in K...

Actor Cho In-sung was discharged from mandatory military service Wednesday after serving for 25 months. Cho was honorably discharged from Pyeongtaek’s Osan Air Base at 10 a.m. The popular actor who joined the Air Force in 2009 has been active as an honorary ambassador for the Military Manpower Administration. His last position as a serviceman was as sergeant in the military band. Cho was award...

Korean actor and singer Jang Geun-suk topped Japan’s Oricon chart in his debut week. His single “Let Me Cry” sold 119,000 copies within a week of its April 27 release. He became the first foreign singer in Japan to rank No. 1 in the major weekly pop chart upon debut. In 2005, Korea’s Ryu Si-won reached No. 2 within a week. Jang’s record was also the first for a male singer since Masahiko Kond...

Korean rock singer Yim Jae-beom is enjoying a new phase in his career with his name topping the most-searched-word list at major Internet portals, thanks to blockbuster TV program “I am a Singer.” Yim was one of two new entrants on Sunday for MBC’s weekly singer survival program and his performance of “Neoreul yuihae (For You)” was so impressive that he ranked first in the audience’s vote. Yim’...

The owner of Suji’s Deli in Itaewon will share her experience of setting up shop in Korea and overseas expansion at the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea SME committee meeting Friday. Suji Park has six restaurants and delicatessens in Korea and two in Japan. She also provides catering services to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and directs publicity for the Korean Olympics Committee. The event st...

This is a series introducing associations and clubs for expats. This week, Expat Living spoke to Seoul City Improv ― Ed. - Name of Club: Seoul City Improv - Location(s): SCI rehearses at the White Box Theatre in Hyochang Park, and performs regularly in the Itaewon area. We have also started touring shows in different cities in Korea (Daegu, Daejeon, and Cheonan), as well as internationally (...

Fifteen acts will converge on Midan, a new city near Incheon International Airport, for the RocKorea festival on June 4 with expat groups taking the lion’s share of the bill. Tributes to rock legends will come from six bands, including Rolling Stones renditions from Sticky Fingers, Led Zeppelin classics from Over The Hills and Far Away and a performance from Leotard Skynrd. Original acts make u...