[Weekender] Comic book cafes: Korea's nostalgic escape for all ages

Comic book cafes in Korea hold a cherished spot in many hearts, offering a nostalgic escape to the imaginative simplicity of childhood and a retreat from the stresses of adult life. Until the 1990s, before the advent of smartphones, comic book cafes were a haven for teenagers seeking entertainment and stress relief. While attention has shifted to multimedia on mobile devices, these cafes remain a haven for many and have evolved to cater to diverse interests. For some, comic book cafes offer esca

weekenderNov. 30, 2024

[Well-curated] Red-hot jazz bar, LoL fanfest and Christmas market at Lotte

Live Jazz Bar in Cheongdam Enjoy a live performance with some of the city's best food at Chungdam Nine, a jazz bar located in Cheongdam, Seoul. Chungdam Nine is a fancy jazz bar that recently reopened after a renewal that turned it into a venue straight out of the musicals "Chicago" or "Moulin Rouge." The red curtains, crystal chandeliers, marble tables and red dining sofas create a feeling of decadent luxury. Formal attire is not required, but most guests do wear formal

weekenderNov. 29, 2024

[What to Play] Cozy songs to warm you up

As winter's chill sets in, cozy up with the soothing sounds of Zion. T's "Snow," a smooth and soulful track that perfectly captures the serene beauty of the season. For a more upbeat yet equally cozy vibe, NewJeans' "Ditto" brings a warm, dreamy atmosphere that pairs wonderfully with a hot drink by the fireplace. Lee Mujin’s "When It Snows" offers a soft, heartfelt melody that perfectly complements the peacefulness of a snowy day. These songs wi

weekenderNov. 23, 2024

[Weekender] Korea's traditional sauce culture gains global recognition

South Korea's traditional culture of making "jang," a culinary practice encompassing knowledge and techniques related to the production of fermented soybean condiments, is poised to gain global recognition, as UNESCO considers adding it to the list of intangible cultural assets. On Nov. 5, an evaluation body under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recommended Korea’s “Knowledge, beliefs, and practices relate

weekenderNov. 23, 2024

[Weekender] AI is silently changing our work: 7 professionals share how

It may not be immediately visible, but artificial intelligence is quietly changing Korean workplaces. Since ChatGPT was first unveiled in late 2022, followed by an expanding array of AI tools, nearly 20 million South Koreans have downloaded five major generative AI apps as of July this year. The number of active monthly users stood at 7 million. The Korea Herald interviewed seven individuals across a wide range of professions, including a journalist, web designer, lawyer, translator, music p

weekenderNov. 9, 2024

[Weekender] Welcome to S. Korea’s first ‘vegan village’

INJE, Gangwon Province -- In the village of Sinwol-ri, nestled between the mountains of Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, sits “New Moon Village,” now home for five rescued cows that are driving up hopes to rejuvenate a remote village suffering from population decline. Dubbed the “Flower Cows,” the male Holstein cows had been raised as livestock for beef, and were discovered at an unlicensed dog farm in Incheon in late 2020. As the farm was forced to shut down the same year, th

Social AffairsNov. 2, 2024

[Weekender] Walk around Korea to really get to know the country

With its last course -- an 11.4-kilometer trail connecting Unification Security Park in Goseong, Gangwon Province and Goseong Unification Observatory in Goseong, Gangwon Province – having opened Sept. 23, the entire 4,500-kilometer-long Korea Dulle Trail that traces the perimeters of South Korea along the eastern, southern, western coasts and the border area of the Demilitarized Zone in the north is now open. The trail is a great way to discover and experience the country with your feet fi

TravelOct. 26, 2024

[Weekender] From underdogs to culinary stars: How 'Culinary Class Wars' brings chefs into spotlight

On the second floor of a modest building in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, a hidden gem of a Chinese restaurant awaits: Jokwang 201. Previously known among food lovers for its bold dishes like marasyanggwo, maratang and soy sauce-braised pork belly, also known as dongpayuk, the restaurant has recently attracted broader attention after its owner, Jo Kwang-ho, appeared on Netflix’s "Culinary Class Wars" as a chef on the black team, referred to in Korea as "the black spoons." Th

weekenderOct. 19, 2024

[Weekender] 'Funsumerism': Buying should be fun.

Purchasing behavior is a complex decision-making process, but for some consumers, one factor plays a crucial role -- fun. These individuals, known as "funsumers" in Korea, prioritize enjoyable and engaging experiences in all aspects of brand interaction, from buying products and attending events to social media consumption. The long-term viability of this trend is questionable. Yet one thing seems certain: brands are constantly innovating to keep consumers entertained and, consequently

Hashtag KoreaOct. 12, 2024

[What to attend] October is opera season in Korea. Here's what not to miss

October brings a flurry of opera productions and opera buffs can look forward to a array of performances, including outdoor productions, in Seoul and beyond. The lineup is impressively diverse, ranging from Puccini’s “Turandot,” Vivaldi’s “Orlando Furioso,” Bizet’s “Carmen” and Wagner’s “Tannhauser,” each captivating for its own reasons. "Turandot" : Grandiose Arena di Vernoa version This month's "Turan

CultureOct. 10, 2024

[Weekender] Make way for running crews?

They now seem to be everywhere, moving in groups, their presence felt on every corner of Seoul. "Running crews" -- groups of people that meet to run together at a specific time and place, otherwise known as run clubs -- have taken over Seoul's streets, parks and riverside tracks, reflecting the country’s growing obsession with one of the oldest and most basic human activities. "There are tons of them now," said Patrick Hong, 26, a frequent runner on the trails arou

Hashtag KoreaOct. 5, 2024

[EYE] With Hangeul-shaped cookies, duo hopes to bring fun to the table

Tyler Rasch and Nidhi Agrawal, who have called South Korea home for years, are no strangers to wearing many hats. Rasch is a well-known TV personality renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Asian history and culture. He's also an author, translator, social media influencer and climate activist. Agrawal, who moved to Korea in 2016 keen on bridging the Indian and Korean markets, has a background across the IT industry and has juggled numerous TV and lecture appointments. The two public pe

Hashtag KoreaOct. 3, 2024

[Weekender] How Seongsu, once an industrial zone, has become ‘Seoul’s Brooklyn’

The streets around Seongsu Station in Seongdong-gu, eastern Seoul, have recently become a popular destination for young adults and foreign tourists, especially those interested in fashion and beauty products. The increasing popularity in this area is due to the growing number of fashion brand select shops, along with beauty and drugstores, strategically located along the street to target the rising number of visitors -- creating a virtuous cycle that continues to boost its reputation. On Sept. 1

weekenderSept. 28, 2024

[Weekender] Young Koreans more open to Japanese cultural products

Japanese songs playing on South Korean TV and radio stations and giant posters of Japanese anime hung outside cinemas -- unimaginable just over two decades ago -- are no longer surprising. This year marks 20 years since Korea fully opened its doors to Japanese pop culture products. Following liberation from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Korea had banned Japanese cultural products from reaching its shores, only gradually opening the market to Japanese cultural products in 1998. The

CultureSept. 21, 2024

[What to Stream] Get ready for sweater weather with these fall films

As the heat fades and breezes turn chilly, throw yourself into some well-crafted content perfectly suited to sweater weather. Stay cozy with these films and shows that stir sentimentality and reflection while setting the ideal mood for fall's arrival. "Late Autumn" on Coupang Play "Late Autumn," starring Tang Wei and Hyun Bin, captures the fleeting beauty of an intercultural romance, making it an ideal film to usher in autumn's reflective atmosphere. The film tel

weekenderSept. 19, 2024

[Weekender] Goodbye Gyeongbokgung, hello hair salon

Twenty-eight-year-old Janell Ng from New Zealand, who is visiting Korea with her family, knows her priority. Their first stop is a hair salon in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where each family member hopes to experience a trendy Korean-style makeover. "It's our first time visiting Korea. We are here for a week, and the first thing on the itinerary is to get our hair done at a Korean hair salon," she said while having her hair permed at Suin Style Hair and Spa in Samseongdong, southern Seoul. The

weekenderSept. 14, 2024

[What to Play] Timeless songs to share with family on long Chuseok drives

With Chuseok beginning this weekend, long hours of driving in heavy traffic to visit family in people's hometowns await. Here are some timeless songs to listen to in the car that bridge generation gaps between parents and children. Lee Moon-sae’s “Sunset Glow” Released in 1988, this ballad by Lee Moon-sae, a Korean pop icon since his debut in 1978, remains a favorite. The song's enduring appeal is evident as it was also covered by legendary K-pop boy group Big Bang

weekenderSept. 14, 2024