Difference and similarity: How to appreciate Korean, Japanese and Chinese gardens
By Seung-yun Kim Similarity: A borrowed scenery The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace, Korea © Seung-yun Kim / the garden in Tenryuji Temple of Kyoto, […]
A First Step Korean Course
By Chris Pemberton A skill that will enhance every aspect of your life in Korea In 2020, during the full lockdown mode on United States […]
Celebrating Chuseok: An Introduction to the mid-autumn harvest festival
In Korea, Chuseok is one of the most important public holidays of the year. Chuseok is often explained to foreigners as Korean Thanksgiving day. The celebration begins the day before, and lasts through the day after Chuseok
Preserving Heritage: Korean Thanksgiving Traditions Through the Lens of My Childhood
As a Korean American who was born and raised in Korea, Korean Thanksgiving holds a significant place in my heart. This holiday is not merely about preparing a lavish meal and gathering with family; it represents a precious opportunity for me to reconnect with my grandmother.
An Interview With Jong Dae Kim on ChungCheongnamdo and the Role of Tourism in Economic Development
Tourism is an engine for economic growth and international relations. Jong Dae Kim understands that correlation and has dedicated himself to the tourism industry. Kim serves as the chairman of the Chungcheongnam-do Tourism Council and the CEO of T And A Korea.
Ballerina Seyun Jeong Shares Her Passion
Jeong’s passion for ballet stems from her study of ballet, exposure to the art form around the world, and her deep love for Korean ballet, which is often centered around traditional Korean stories. In sharing Korean ballet, Jeong is sharing her country’s culture and traditions.
Insook Kim—A Living History of Women in Korea
Insook Kim is a Seoul-based jewelry designer whose pieces have appeared in the pages of National newspapers and magazines, at art shows in Europe and the U.S., and on the wrists and necks of celebrities and foreign dignitaries.
Food & Culture Korea
Have you ever walked into a new place, greeted an unfamiliar face and were met with pure warmth and kindheartedness? That warmth and emanating glow is Ellie. Ellie teaches cooking classes for both amateurs and professionals at the Food & Culture Korea in Seoul
Kojeon Antique: A Warehouse of Treasures
In 1987, I opened my own shop in Itaewon. My small hobby had turned into a business. It was an exciting time to do business in Korea. The 1988 Seoul Olympics ignited Korea’s economy and heralded the arrival of South Korea on the world stage. I had the honor of having customers from all over the world, including the King of Belgium Baudouin, the Queen of Spain, and the President of France.
Building Community Through Art
It all started when the School Nurse Michael Gray observed that the walls in the long hallway leading to his office were plain. He described them as “not very improving on people’s moods.” Close to his office door, he hung some inspirational posters, but for the large space in the hallway, he thought it was the perfect spot for a large work of art that would inspire people and brighten the area.
The Culture of Tea in Korea
Tea was first introduced to Korea when a Buddhist monk brought green tea trees from China. It was originally used in Buddhist rituals and ceremonies and eventually was served to monks and the royal family.
The Korean War, USFK and The Korea Times
The US Army bus that carried international journalists covering the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) meeting between the U.N. Command and North Korean officers at the Panmunjom truce village unloaded us at the Gwanghwamun intersection, the very center of Seoul, one afternoon in February, 1968. Leaving the group, I walked up to the Korea Times building a few blocks away to write a story of the day’s debate in the MAC conference room exchanged by the two adversaries of the Korean War that ended a decade and a half earlier.
The Reach and Impact of Korean Cinema
Since the first public Kinetoscope demonstration took place 130 years ago in 1893, cinema has been an integral part of people’s lives. The pure magic and escapism of film is transcendental, and in other ways universal. People recognize themselves in a well-crafted story. The Korean contribution to cinema has become more pronounced in recent years and there are some amazing movies that have influenced directors and storytellers worldwide.
Han Yong-un: A Monk, Poet & Freedom Fighter Behind the March 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement was a series of protest demonstrations initiated by thirty-three Korean cultural and religious leaders after they published a “Proclamation of Independence.” The leaders were protesting the Japanese occupation of Korea and forced assimilation into the Japanese lifestyle.
An Extraordinary Life
In 1989, my wife received word that her grandmother had passed away on the Korean island of Jeju. I learned then that she had been in the resistance during the Japanese occupation of Korea and became one of the country’s first female physicians. I thought her life would make an interesting story. Three decades later and after four years of research I found out just how extraordinary she really was.