Articles by Lee Si-jin
Lee Si-jin
sj_lee@heraldcorp.com-
[Well-curated] High-end graffiti, LP bar and Gwanghwamun on roller coaster
Cyril Kongo’s first graffiti exhibition in Seoul French-Vietnamese graffiti artist Cyril Kongo’s first solo exhibition in Seoul kicked off March 14 at Museum Wave, bringing together some 45 works from the artist's early days to his collaborations with luxury brands such as Chanel, Hermes and Maserati. The artist became interested in graffiti during his adolescent years in the French Congo and launched his career as a graffiti artist in Paris in 1986. The exhibition, “Graff
Culture March 29, 2024
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[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul offers wellness promotion Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, an urban oasis nestled on the slope of Seoul’s Namsan in central Seoul, presents “Season’s Moment,” a wellness program for those seeking an emotional refuge from a hectic life. The package includes hand cream featuring spring scents like lime, yuzu and lavender and a QR code-printed postcard, allowing guests to enjoy a spring-themed music playlist. Guests can relieve stress in the
Travel March 29, 2024
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Japanese the largest group of inbound travelers to Busan in 2023
While the number of overseas travelers to Busan rebounded to 67.7 percent of pre-pandemic levels last year, Japanese visitors topped the number of inbound travelers to Busan in 2023. A total of 344,537 Japanese tourists visited South Korea's second-largest city, accounting for almost 53 percent of total inbound travelers -- 1,820,057 -- to the city, according to data compiled by the city government and Busan Tourism Organization. On Sunday the city announced that Taiwanese and American trav
Travel March 25, 2024
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Late cold snap leaves blossom festivals without blooms
One of South Korea’s iconic cherry blossom festivals, opened Saturday in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, but the cherry blossoms were still days away from coming into full bloom. According to a Changwon City official, the city moved up the opening date for its cherry blossom festival, Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, believing the mild winter might cause flowers to bloom early. But, the lack of sunny days and a cold snap in early March deterred the cherry blossoms from flowering. The town
Travel March 24, 2024
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[Drama Tour] Relive scenes from ‘Guardian: The Lonely and Great God’ in streets of Jongno
Jongno-gu in Seoul is home to several major tourist attractions, including Insa-dong with its antique shops and traditional cafes, Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon era built in 1395, and Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. With traditional Korean architecture standing among modern, glass-clad skyscrapers, the Jongno district is an exciting destination where old meets new. The small, narrow alleys of Anguk-dong in particular preserve Korea's traditional c
Travel March 23, 2024
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[Herald Interview] Chef Damien Selme keeps dishes simple, authentic
For Damien Selme, offering a stunning gastronomic experience to the guests of Park Hyatt Seoul, is, of course, his highest priority. The newly named executive chef highlighted that such opportunities are not only for the diners, but also for his fellow chefs. French-born Selme, 39, who has built his career as a chef at Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris, Shanghai, Busan and Seoul, did not hesitate in sharing his dream of leaving a legacy. “One of my greatest interests is what will hap
Food March 23, 2024
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[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo offers K-pop class DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is hosting the K-pop Dance Class for guests in March and April. Though the dance program is open to all DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo guests, just 20 participants are permitted on a first-come, first-served basis. The K-pop Dance Class is held at the hotel’s GX Room every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by a parent. For more inf
Travel March 22, 2024
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[Well-curated] Indulge in the classics
LPs from yesteryear Jung-gu, home to Myeong-dong, a popular shopping district with Shinsegae Department Store and Lotte Department Store, is a bustling district filled with tourists and shoppers. Head to Hoehyun Shopping Center, an underground shopping arcade connected to Shinsegae Department Store is a paradise for music buffs. Located at the center of the underground shopping center is Livingsa, one of the several secondhand LP stores at the arcade stocked with a seemingly endless selection
Culture March 22, 2024
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Yeongdeungpo-gu to turn into cherry blossom heaven
Yeongdeungpo-gu, the district in western Seoul, is set to turn into a pink heaven with cherry blossoms, where all flower lovers can enjoy the arrival of spring from March 29 to April 2. The district’s Yunjung-ro in Yeouido, a 1.7-kilometer road filled with almost 1,900 cherry blossom trees, and the street’s nearby areas, are scheduled to become the main stage for this year’s spring flower festival, according to the local government of Yeongdeungpo-gu on Monday. Visitors can enj
Travel March 19, 2024
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[Drama Tour] Springtime stroll around hanok straight out of 'Red Sleeve'
NAMWON, North Jeolla Province -- While South Korea has made a name for itself as a drama powerhouse with sweet rom-com series and heart-pounding zombie thrillers -- think “Crash Landing on You” (2019), “Kingdom” (2019), “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (2021), “All of Us Are Dead” (2019) and more -- another genre fond in the hearts of many viewers is the period drama. In addition to the exciting stories -- often based on historical tales -- the dramatic sett
Travel March 16, 2024
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Seoul Metro expands real-time translation at subway stations
Seoul Metro, one of two major operators of the Seoul Subway, has expanded real-time translation services for overseas travelers to 11 stations in Seoul to improve convenience for foreigners. Artificial intelligence-based translations, which allow foreign travelers and station staff to communicate in their respective languages while facing each other through a transparent OLED screen, was unveiled at Myeong-dong Station on Subway Line No. 4 in December last year for a trial run. After the trial,
Travel March 15, 2024
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Ulsan Buk-gu Office presents digital stamp tour in 2024
Ulsan is set to promote the northern part of the city’s beauty and charm through a new stamp tour featuring 35 tourist destinations. Buk-gu Office, representing the northern district, recently announced that travel spots will include the district’s own seven representative mountains as well as “Buk-gu Shipigyeong,” meaning Buk-gu’s 12 iconic sights, the cherry blossom street, a wellness-themed road and other historical sites. On Ulsan Buk-gu's mountain tour, tr
Travel March 15, 2024
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[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages
Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel brings in spring Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel, located in Incheon’s Songdo-dong, presents the “Blooming Viewcance” package to welcome the spring. The promotion includes a one-night stay in a deluxe or club room, a special wine set and a 50 percent discount on freshly baked goods at the hotel bakery Haute Patisserie. Visitors with young children or dogs can rent the WonderFold wagon from the hotel for free as well. The spring-themed package runs t
Travel March 15, 2024
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[From the Scene] Early birds win at plum blossom festival
GWANGYANG, South Jeolla Province -- If you are considering celebrating the arrival of spring at Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most favored spring flower events, be ready to be at the festival site by 7 a.m. The 10-day flower festival kicked off March 8 at Gwangyang, a county located some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. Early birds will be able to enjoy the beautiful spring flowers to the fullest in a pleasant environment. Visitors exploring different areas of Gwang
Travel March 11, 2024
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Haman Nakhwa Festival taking online reservations
Haman, South Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday announced that online reservations will be required to attend the annual Haman Nakhwa Festival this year. This is the first time online reservations are being taken since the festival's launch in 1985, with reservations available for 16,000 spectators to enjoy the event this year. The county decided to hold two separate Nakhwa Festival events on May 14 and 15, each with 8,000 visitors, in consideration of visitor safety and the size of the venue
Travel March 9, 2024
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