Bukchon emerges as new shopping hot spot in Seoul for global tourists

Nestled between the historical grandeur of the main palace Gyeongbokgung and the winding alleys of traditional hanok, Bukchon is being transformed from a heritage enclave into one of Seoul’s most dynamic shopping destinations, particularly for international travelers. Once known primarily for its well-preserved architecture and cultural significance, Bukchon is now a growing hub for fashion, beauty and fragrance brands. With an influx of flagship stores, limited-edition product launches and expe

May 28, 2025

Heritage Week to kick off Friday

The annual Heritage Week will kick off Friday, hosting programs engaging the public to raise awareness of Korean heritage. At over 400 locations from Seoul to Jeju Island, municipalities will showcase their cultural items or practices of exclusive historic significance, according to the Korea Heritage Service, the agency that has been organizing the free event since last year. “It’s an immersive experience open to people as young as grade schoolers,” a KHS official said. At the “Building Your Ow

May 28, 2025

N. Korean part of Kumgangsan likely to get UNESCO listing

The northern part of Kumgangsan, a vast mountain range along Korea’s eastern coast spanning North and South Korea, is likely to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The UN body’s advisers — the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) — have asked the World Heritage Committee to greenlight their recommendation at an annual meeting to be held in Paris in July. In the latest update Tuesday, UNESCO disclosed an evaluation

May 27, 2025

Soprano Sumi Jo receives prestigious French cultural honor

Renowned Korean soprano Sumi Jo received France's Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters on Monday in recognition of her contributions to French arts and culture. The 62-year-old soprano was awarded the highest rank of the three-tier honor from the French Ministry of Culture during an award ceremony held at the Opera-Comique in Paris. "Receiving such an honor is beyond anything I could have imagined. It feels like I've reached the pinnacle today," Jo said at the ceremony. "While this honor

May 26, 2025

Bangucheon carvings likely to be named World Heritage Site

Prehistoric carvings located at the Bangu Stream in Ulju, Ulsan, may be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, pending approval at a UN body’s annual committee meeting in July. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which advises the 21-member World Heritage Committee, recommended that the committee name the Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream a UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to the Korea Heritage Service on Monday. “The committee will most likely uphold that

May 26, 2025

Cultural powerhouse vs. cultural equity: Two leading presidential candidates have different priorities

As South Korea now heads down the home stretch in a pivotal election, the early campaign — triggered by the martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024 — pushed cultural policy to the sidelines. Cultural and arts-related issues received scant attention in both the first and second televised debates. With less than a week remaining to the June 3 vote, the official platforms and public remarks of the two leading candidates — Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea and Kim Moon-soo of the People

May 26, 2025

[Photo News] IN MEMORY OF PATRON OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Pianist Son Yeol-eum performs Friday night at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul as part of a special recital commemorating the late Park Seong-yawng, honorary chair of Kumho Asiana Group, who passed away 20 years ago. Park was an important patron of young classical musicians, with Son among the many whose careers he helped nurture. (Kumho Art Hall Yonsei) Son, a piano prodigy, was part of the first cohort of the Kumho Young Artist Concert, a program Park launched after becoming chair of the Kumho C

May 26, 2025

Korea, seeking key meeting, pledges W5b to UNESCO

South Korea will contribute a total of 5 billion won ($3.6 million) to UNESCO’s fund promoting intangible cultural heritage around the world, as it bids to host a meeting of the UN cultural body in the country. The Korea Heritage Service will gift 1 billion won annually over the next five years to help the body set up an online platform that shares the best practices of preserving intangible heritage, according to the state-run agency, which said a formal arrangement has been signed to oversee p

May 26, 2025

'Solo Leveling' sweeps annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards

The Korean web novel-based anime "Solo Leveling" swept this year's Crunchyroll Anime Awards, taking home nine awards including the top prize. This marks the first time a Korean intellectual property has claimed the highest honor at the global streaming platform's annual event. The series dominated Sunday's ceremony in Tokyo, winning anime of the year along with best new series, best action anime, best main character, and best score. It also picked up awards for best ending sequence and multiple

May 26, 2025

'Cuisine reflects traditions, culture'

Food is not just a means of nourishment; it can provide insight into different cultures and broaden one's understanding of society through the traditions, values, practices and heritage hidden in each dish. This idea took center stage during a talk on Thursday on the cultural significance of "jongga." Jonnga food refers to unique practices and specialty dishes passed down through generations through the jongga, or head of a family, who is typically the oldest son of that generation. The session,

May 25, 2025

Sneakers edge out high heels

In 2025, sneakers aren’t just a staple — they’re the main event. From minimalist streetwear to quiet luxury and even formalwear, they’ve become the unshakable foundation of fashion identity. Once ruled by dress shoes, Korea's style landscape is shifting toward comfort and versatility. No longer bound by the old adage that “beauty comes at a price" — often pain — today’s trendsetters are redefining elegance on their own terms. The towering high heels once endorsed by fashion legends have been det

May 24, 2025

S. Korea to donate W5b to support UNESCO's intangible heritage efforts

South Korea will donate 5 billion won ($3.65 million) to support UNESCO's efforts to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage around the world, the country's heritage agency said Saturday. The Korea Heritage Service said it signed a framework arrangement with UNESCO in Paris on Friday to contribute to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Under the agreement, the agency will contribute 1 billion won annually

May 24, 2025

[Photo News] British Embassy Seoul celebrates King Charles III's birthday, highlights soft power

Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to South Korea, hosted Thursday an official birthday celebration for King Charles III at the British Embassy Residence in Jung-gu, Seoul. “The relationship between the UK and Korea is growing deeply and ambitiously. Despite Korea facing an unprecedentedly challenging year, our global strategic partnership is stronger than ever … once the new Korean administration takes office, we look forward to even deeper and more diverse cooperation going forward,” said th

May 23, 2025

Louis Vuitton unveils final chapter of Murakami re-edition collection

French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton released the third and final chapter of its much-anticipated Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection, celebrating its iconic collaboration with contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. Coinciding with the launch, the brand also unveiled the renewed interior of its East Dosan store in Seoul’s Gangnam district. The collaboration pays tribute to Murakami’s vibrant pop-art style fused with Louis Vuitton’s heritage craftsmanship. This third insta

May 23, 2025

Korea’s UNESCO cultural heritage through foreign eyes

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is launching a series of cultural heritage tours designed for foreign national content creators living in Korea. The program, which runs June to November, invites participants to explore Korea’s UNESCO-listed heritage sites through a two- or three-day trip and share their experiences globally through digital content. To raise global awareness of the value and excellence of Korean cultural heritage the MCST launched the program in 2014. This year, the s

May 23, 2025