GONGJU, South Chungcheong Province -- Templestay programs are usually light on message, focusing instead on enabling participants to experience Buddhist routines like prostrations and early morning chants. The latest templestay program held from Saturday to Sunday capped an eight-week teaching by the Ven. Jinwoo on practicing seon meditation. The president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect here, rallied participants to not only follow the Jogye style of meditation,

Culture Aug. 27, 2024

For Ddoddunam, a creator who runs an eponymous YouTube channel, his first career in marketing was something he entered by accident, but which, in hindsight, readied him for a more fulfilling life as a creator. “I never thought I would end up as a marketer in the credit card business, fresh out of college. I was thinking more retail,” said the video creator, who shares travel tips with about 512,000 subscribers on his channel. The 37-year-old quit Shinhan Card in April after nine year

People Aug. 26, 2024

An interactive program where participants can experience what it was like at celebrations hosted by Joseon-era (1392-1910) heirs to the throne will be open to the public during the Chuseok holiday at Changgyeonggung. The Changgyeonggung Nighttime Feast, an annual event in its fourth year, will accept 90 people a day to take part in the feast as ranking officials in traditional attire, prepared by the Joseon-era palace in Seoul. Royal music performances and food will follow. Tickets purchases in

Arts & Design Aug. 23, 2024

Busking in Sillim-dong Check out street music, a flea market and restaurants all in one venue right next to Sillim Station Exits No. 3 and 4, a vibrant commercial neighborhood in Gwanak-gu’s Sillim-dong. The Sinsary Festival will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays until Nov. 9. Interactive activities like terrarium-making are planned. Check out the festival’s official Instagram @sinsary100. Seoul Fringe Festival Don’t miss out

Travel Aug. 23, 2024

An exhibition of Korean artifacts and contemporary artworks from clothing to window wallpaper will take place Sept. 3-8 at Nakseonjae in Changdeokgung, one of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces in Seoul. Around 50 intangible cultural heritage title holders and contemporary artists will show some 80 pieces at the “Korean Heritage Art Exhibition.” Clothing made using the “nubi,” or quilting, known for distinctive, tightly spaced rows of stitches, and celadon will be on

Arts & Design Aug. 21, 2024

A bowler-turned-blacksmith, Jeong Hyeong-goo finds it surreal to hear people call him an artisan, a description he says he will probably get used to by the time the two-month exhibition of his metal works ends in October. “The Craft of Temperature and Sound: A Guide to the Four Seasons,” which opens Thursday at the Yeol Korean Heritage Preservation Society showroom, is this year’s annual showcase of works by the Yeol artisan of the year and Yeol young craftsperson of the year,

Arts & Design Aug. 20, 2024

Ordained Asia’s first-ever deaf Catholic priest in July 2007 at the age of 39, Father Park Min-seo is a trailblazer. Park reached another milestone in May, earning a doctor of ministry with a dissertation on how the Korean Catholic Church could better serve deaf Catholics. He worked on his dissertation while serving a three-year term as a chaplain at St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Church in Maryland. The Archdiocese of Washington had asked the Archdiocese of Seoul to dispatch Park, who is prof

People Aug. 19, 2024

Night Stroll around Jinjuseong A nighttime walk around the storied Jinjuseong in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, is one way to relax as the fortress lights up between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. through Aug. 25. Installations set up around the fortress make for the best spots for photos, while the lights alone render the night nostalgic enough for repeat visits. Heat shelters are open nearby although without air-conditioning. There is no admission fee. For more information go to mediaartjinju.com.

Travel Aug. 16, 2024

Documents, books and a plaque shedding light on Korean independence activists who fought against Japan’s 1910-45 colonial occupation were disclosed Wednesday, a day before National Liberation Day. Thirteen documents written between 1851 and 1909 show how independence fighters organized a militia and how Japanese police cracked down on them. It’s the first time the 13 original documents have been made public, the Korea Heritage Service said, noting they were repatriated from Japan las

Culture Aug. 14, 2024

A unique chance to experience the garden of Changdeokgung in the quiet calm of morning will be available Aug. 22-25. The Joseon-period palace garden will open at 7:30 a.m. for four days, allowing visitors to explore the naturally landscaped garden for 90 minutes before general admissions begin. To take part, a 10,000 won ticket should be purchased through the booking website Interpark. Each session is limited to 25 persons on a first come, first served basis. Ticket holders will be briefed on th

Travel Aug. 13, 2024

A report containing photos taken by German missionaries that show what Korea looked like in the early 20th century has been made public, according to the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. The announcement Monday came two years after the conclusion of a joint project by the state-run group and a local research institute on Korean church history to retrieve the 1,874 photos showing Korean people or landscapes held by St. Ottilien Archabbey, a Benedictine monastery in southern Germany.

Arts & Design Aug. 13, 2024

YANGYANG, Gangwon Province -- Camera crews quickly swarmed a woman, zooming in on her pick for a dinner date from 10 men in photos at a temple run by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the country’s largest sect that since last year has been pushing hard with an unlikely project -- matchmaking. “I haven’t really had time to chat with this guy and we have only one dinner,” said the woman, identified as Woman 10, referring to her choice as she hurriedly left the room cro

Culture Aug. 12, 2024

The Old Korean Legation building in Washington, DC is expected to be registered in the US as a historic place worthy of preservation as early as mid-September. According to a US Federal Register notice Wednesday, the National Park Service plans to gather public input on whether to recognize officially the 19th-century building on the National Register of Historic Places -- the US government list of buildings, sites and structures known for their historic or artistic value. The process will run t

Culture Aug. 9, 2024

Hongcheon Beer Festival Beer and barbecue combine for the ultimate summer cookout, one available with a choice of accommodations, either a “hanok,” the traditional Korean house, during the Hongcheon Beer Festival organized by Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province. Book a room in advance to enjoy not only beer and barbecue but also kayaking, a separately charged activity that will be available depending on weather conditions. Stays are possible from Friday to Saturday until Aug. 18.

Travel Aug. 9, 2024

Fluffy happiness In the bustling streets of the Hongdae area, there is a must-visit spot for dog lovers. At the special cafe named Winter’s Village, visitors can meet 11 Samoyeds and one Malamute spread across two floors, all enjoying their free time. While animal welfare is a common concern with pet-related businesses, this cafe is run by the owner who personally raises all the dogs. They limit the number of customers to prevent overcrowding and provide regular breaks for the dogs. To dis

Culture Aug. 9, 2024