A special exhibition commemorating the transformation of the former presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, into a cultural complex commenced on Thursday. Titled "The Stories of Our Presidents," the exhibition seeks to illuminate the lesser-known, humane facets of the individuals who once wielded the country's highest political power. Artifacts used by 12 former presidents at Cheong Wa Dae -- where the country’s history was recorded for 74 years until May 9 last year -- are on d

South Korean baritone Kim Tae-han has won the Queen Elisabeth Competition for voice, becoming the first Asian male singer to win the coveted classical music contest held in Belgium. Kim was named the first prize winner during an awards ceremony held in Brussels on Saturday, which was broadcast live online. He is the third South Korean singer to clinch the top prize following sopranos Hong Hae-ran in 2011 and Hwang Sumi in 2014. Established in 1937, the competition named after the late Belgian qu

An exhibition of lotuses is to take place at the Sejong National Arboretum in Sejong City. The Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute announced on Friday its plan to host "Special Exhibition on 700 years of Ara Hongryeon," a showcase of historical Korean lotuses Ara Hongryeon and Beopsu Hongryeon from June 13 to July 31. Ara Hongryeon refers to red lotuses that blossomed from seeds that were discovered during the excavation of Seongsansanseong Fortress in Haman County, South Gyeongsang

Unique scent-themed cocktail bar There are various perspectives on what defines a good drink, but before captivating one's palate, a beverage initially captures the eyes and the nose with its visual and olfactory appeal. Bar Geranium, situated in the posh Rodeo Street neighborhood of Apgujeong, is an exceptional cocktail bar that draws inspiration from the world of perfumes. Opened in late 2021, this unique bar skillfully incorporates a wide array of flowers and perfume elements to craft it

Saudi Arabia is gearing up to welcome 53,000 Korean visitors in 2023, almost five times the 11,000 visitors recorded last year, aided by direct flight routes, stopover visas and diversified travel packages, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority on Monday. During a tourism roadshow at the Westin Josun Seoul on Monday, the STA introduced a wide range of experiences available to Korean holidaymakers in the kingdom, centered around the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle refers to three major ci

The Busan International Dance Festival 2023 will be held in Busan from Friday through Sunday, aiming to promote dance and to support Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. Orchestrated by the BIDF organizing committee and the Busan city government, the 19th BIDF will feature performances by some 40 dance troupes from around the world at various venues around Busan, including Haeundae Beach, Busan Cinema Center and Busan Citizens Park. BIDF 2023 is an international event that partners with

Throughout Korean history, there has been a deeply ingrained cultural belief that pursuing a career as a public servant is a prestigious endeavor. This cultural ethos can be traced back to the establishment of the "gwageo" system, or public service examinations. Gwageo was first introduced during the reign of Goryeo's King Gwangjong (925-975) and persisted until 1894 of the late Joseon era. Despite the retirement of gwageo, which was held every three years, the country still adm

A boy moved to Australia at the age of 8 with his parents. For the first two years, he was a very agreeable boy, not knowing how to disagree with people. Then an “accident” happened -- a teacher asked him to join the debate team. And the boy then known as Bo, not knowing how to say no, had no choice but to join the team. Several years later, he not only can disagree with others, but the man whose full name is Seo Bo-hyeon has also become a master of disagreement by winning not one bu

The National Folk Museum of Korea, located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung in Seoul, is hosting an exhibition that invites visitors to immerse themselves in the rich fishing and seafood dining culture of Korea. Titled "Korea's Top 3 Dried Seafood," the special exhibition provides detailed insights into the process of catching, processing, distributing and consuming seafood in the country. It highlights how Koreans have cherished and enjoyed seafood in their meals over the year

Cho Seong-jin, one of the most sought-after South Korean pianists, is set to embark on a nationwide recital tour, two years after he performed Chopin’s complete Scherzos in 2021. This time, Cho will present a recital featuring Baroque music by Handel, Brahms, Schumann and more from July 4 to 5 at the Seoul Arts Center. After the performances in the capital city, he will visit Daejeon on July 8, Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, on July 9 and Ulsan on July 12. The upcoming performances will be

Explore history of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-shin Two statues stand at Gwanghwamun Square representing two iconic figures of Korean history: Adm. Yi Sun-shin, a national hero who triumphed over Japanese invaders during the Imjin War (1592-1598), and King Sejong, an ingenious ruler who invented Hangeul, the Korean writing system, in 1443. Two permanent exhibitions have been set up underneath these statues, housed in the basements of Gwanghwamun Square and the Sejong Center for the Performing

Marking the first year of the full public opening of Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential office and residence, on May 10, the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History hosted an academic seminar on Thursday, where scholars and field experts discussed the historical meaning and significance of the space. The four-hour seminar “History of Cheong Wa Dae Space” provided a platform for presenting diverse perspectives on Cheong Wa Dae, spanning different periods in Korean history

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday that future discussions on the lifting of height restrictions near UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Jongmyo Shrine, Changdeokgung and the Joseon royal tombs, should take UNESCO's Heritage Impact Assessments into consideration. UNESCO recommends the use of a structured process called HIA to evaluate any proposed changes in the vicinity of designated heritage sites. The CHA statement was made after a local media report Monday said that S

Choi Byung-hyun of the Cheonmachong excavation team recalls uncovering Silla-era Cheonmado

William Shakespeare’s famous play "The Merchant of Venice," will be reborn as "changgeuk," a traditional Korean opera, next month, with a contemporary twist. From June 8 to 11, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea will present the first changgeuk adaption of “The Merchant of Venice,” a highly anticipated production that has brought together renowned theater creators and talented "pansori" performers. “The Changgeuk Company has made numerou