For esports fans, more activities await beyond LoL matches

Seoul beckons local and global esports fans with esports-friendly attractions during the annual League of Legends World Championship, which began its 41-day run on Tuesday. While 22 teams have begun the journey to the Summoner’s Cup, LoL enthusiasts can enjoy esports experiences not limited to just watching the matches. League of Legends, or LoL, is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena games. Held at Korean tourism publicity center HiKR Ground in Jung-gu, central Seoul,

Oct. 10, 2023

[Our Museums] Explore cinematic treasures at Korean Film Museum

South Korea's film industry has garnered international acclaim for its unique storytelling, often achieved with only a fraction of a typical Hollywood film's budget. The Korean Film Museum in Sangam-dong, northern Seoul, offers a sweeping overview of Korea's cinematic history and a comprehensive exploration of Korean filmmaking. While the permanent exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Korean film history and a concise background of the early days of cinema, the special

Oct. 10, 2023

Performing Arts Market to link local artists to world

The annual Performing Arts Market in Seoul, this year together with Journey to Korean Music, will offer a platform where local performing artists can present their productions to potential overseas buyers. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Arts Council Korea and Korea Arts Management Support Center, the 19th edition of PAMS will take place Oct. 11-14 at various venues including the National Theater of Korea, JCC Art Center and Namsan Gugakdang. This year, PAMS joins for

Oct. 7, 2023

[Weekender] Waiting on the North: Unified Korean dictionary project's long journey

How long does it take to create a dictionary? The first comprehensive German dictionary, compiled by the Brothers Grimm in 1838, took more than 120 years to complete. In 1911, during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula, the quest to create the first-ever Korean dictionary began. The dictionary was published in 1947, two years after Korea's liberation in 1945. Another quest to create an extensive and comprehensive Korean dictionary called "Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon” has bee

Oct. 7, 2023

Gwanghwamun's Joseon-era stage to be unveiled Oct. 15

A grand stage, called woldae, in front of Gwanghwamun will be unveiled on Oct. 15 after a six-month-long restoration project, the Cultural Heritage Administration told The Korea Herald on Friday. The government agency announced its restoration plan for the stage in April and closed the area in front of Gwanghwamun on Sept. 4. Gwanghwamun's woldae was destroyed during the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial period and tram tracks were installed in its place. The tram service ran from 1917 to 1966. W

Oct. 6, 2023

K-Royal Culture Festival's fall edition returns with performances, lectures

The fall edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival is set to take place from Oct. 13 to 18. Under the theme, "Meet the Palaces Today," the fall edition of the biannual festival will take place at four royal palaces in Seoul -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung -- offering diverse programs and cultural experiences. At Gyeongbokgung Palace's Heungbokjeon Hall, creative pansori performances will be staged on Oct. 13 and 14. The performance, showcasing the res

Oct. 6, 2023

‘Art in Series’ embraces autumn delights

Every Saturday in October, the "Art in Series" presents a variety of themed events such as a plant market, book market, farmer's market and mask dance workshops, in the outdoor plaza in front of the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Grand Theater. This Saturday's event, "Art in Garden," is a plant market where visitors can browse through a variety of flowers, rare plants and gardening supplies. Gardening classes will provide tips and insights into growing an

Oct. 6, 2023

[Well-curated] DIY accessories at Dongdaemun, special Fellini screenings and Austin Lee exhibition

DIY accessories at Dongdaemun Shopping Complex The Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, a six-story wholesale shopping center where you'll find everything you need for jewelry- and craft making, is enjoying new-found fame among young people. The shops on the fifth floor specialize in beading and jewelry-making supplies, from wires, plastic chains, gems, buttons to plush balls and even cartoon character keyrings. The price is the mall's main draw. With a single 10,000 won bill, you can buy all

Oct. 6, 2023

Seminal texts on Hangeul reproduced right down to hanji pages

When King Sejong the Great promulgated Hangeul in 1446 -- after creating the writing system in 1443 -- the announcement was accompanied by the publication of "Hunminjeongeum Haerye," a book written by the king and eight scholars involved in the creation of Hangeul that explains the creation of Hangeul and the principles behind its letters and the writing system. The book was written in Hanja, or Chinese characters. Later, during King Sejo's reign, "Hunminjeongeum Haerye&quo

Oct. 5, 2023

Jeonju International Sori Festival comes to a close with global push

The Jeonju International Sori Festival ended on Sept. 24, with the organizers adding global and cross-cultural elements to this year's event as part of their aim to elevate the Korean traditional music festival on the global stage. The festival, one of the leading cultural events held in North Jeolla Province, ran from Sept. 15 to 24 around Jeonju Hanok Village and 14 other cities and districts of the province. Launched in 2001, this year’s festival was held under the theme of “

Oct. 5, 2023

Live music festival Block Party to return to Haebangchon

“Tiger is Coming” band Leenalchi will join more than 100 performers in Haebangchon this weekend as 10 venues in the area open for a cultural festival. Showcase music festival Block Party will return for a second year Saturday and Sunday with more stages and a wider variety of performances. Music will still be at the heart of the event, with alternative pop band Leenalchi being joined Saturday by the hard rock sounds of Galaxy Express and Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, as well as Ja

Oct. 3, 2023

[Our Museums] Journey to the Paleolithic era at Jeongok Prehistory Museum

YEONCHEON, Gyeonggi Province --- Situated on a prehistoric site of Jeongok-ri in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, the Jeongok Prehistory Museum stands as a testament to the prehistoric heritage of Korea, inviting visitors on a journey through time. The museum officially opened to the public in April 2011 on the wider Jeongok-ri site, which was designated Historic Site No. 268 in 1979. The site first became known to the world in 1978, when Greg Bowen, a US airman stationed in South Korea, accidental

Oct. 3, 2023

[Eye Plus]Geomungo, a beloved ancient instrument, still captivates

“The geomungo has been called ‘baekakjijang,’ which means the ultimate instrument,” Park Chae-won said, introducing her instrument. Park is a Korean music major specializing in the geomungo at Seoul National University. The geomungo is an ancient Korean instrument with a hollow wooden body and six silk strings. It is played with a pencil-sized bamboo stick called a suldae. Since being invented by Wang San-ak, a prime minister during Korea’s Goguryeo kingdom (37 B.C.

Oct. 2, 2023

Seoul launches annual pet festival

Seoul City has announced that it will host the 2023 Seoul Pet Festival at the Pyeonghwa Plaza in the World Cup Park on Oct. 8. The festival, the first of its kind in Seoul, will feature a variety of programs, including experiences and lectures. One of the notable events at the festival is the Fashion Run, which starts at 10 a.m. after a warm-up exercise at 9:30 a.m. It is a walking competition where participants, accompanied by their pets, wear matching outfits or accessories and complete a cour

Oct. 1, 2023

2023 LoL World Championship to entertain esports fans

The annual League of Legends World Championship will begin its 41-day run at LoL Park, the stadium for LoL Champions Korea, in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. A total of eight esports teams -- including PSG Talon of Taiwan, GAM Esports of Vietnam, Detonation FocusMe of Japan, Loud of Brazil and more, will compete in a double elimination tournament at the Play-In Stage. Sixteen teams -- two qualifying teams from the Play-In Stage and 14 prequalified teams -- join the Swiss Stage, a noneliminating tou

Oct. 1, 2023

Same day, different holiday: Mid-autumn festivals across East Asia

People staring at screens to book tickets to home, jammed highways and families enjoying festive foods are typical scenes associated with Chuseok, one of South Korea's biggest traditional holidays. Along with Seollal, Chuseok is one of two holidays that span three consecutive days. The origins of Chuseok are unclear, but similar holidays are celebrated across East Asia on the same date -- Aug. 15 on the lunar calendar -- though some have come to mark Aug. 15 on the solar calendar as well.

Sept. 29, 2023

Explore the culture of Joseon during Chuseok

In celebration of Chuseok, a traditional Korean holiday, major cultural tourist attractions such as palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and Joseon Royal Tombs will be open to the public for free. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, four major palaces (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace) of Joseon, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs of Joseon will all be open to the public for free from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3. While Jongmyo Shrine usually ope

Sept. 28, 2023

Intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, performances head overseas

Korea's intangible cultural heritage is to be showcased overseas in special events being held in France, Vietnam, India and Guam from late September to November. The series of exhibitions and performances will kick off at Cernuschi Museum in Paris, Sept. 29. Kim Jeong-ok, the Intangible Cultural Heritage title holder for the craft of pottery, also known as a sagijang, will demonstrate his expertise in traditional Korean earthenware live onstage. Meanwhile, an exhibition of his works has bee

Sept. 27, 2023

[Our Museums] Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum shows artistic essence of ceramics throughout history

GWANGJU, Gyeonggi Province -- Korea's ceramic heritage dates back 8,000 years, with a lineage of artisans refining their craft across generations. At the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, visitors have the opportunity to follow the evolution of Korean ceramics from ancient times to the present day. During the Joseon era, Gwangju emerged as an important ceramics supplier to the court as its rich soil and abundant firewood that were conducive to making high-quality cerami

Sept. 26, 2023

[Photo News] PM Han at Dondeokjeon opening

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (second from right) and US Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg (second from left) participate in a brushwork painting performance at the opening ceremony of Dondeokjeon in Seoul on Monday. Dondeokjeon, a Western-style building at Deoksugung, opened to the public Tuesday following a six-year restoration. The building was once used as a royal guesthouse and venue for diplomatic events during the Korean Empire (1897-1910). The two-story structure, built between 1902 and

Sept. 25, 2023