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Long-lost royal shrine returned after century in Japan
Gwanwoldang Shrine, thought to be a Joseon-era royal building taken to Japan during the country's coloninal rule of Korea in the early 20th century, has been returned to Korea. The Korea Heritage Service said Tuesday that it has received the parts of the wooden building from the Kotoku-in Buddhist Temple a day before, in accordance with the agreement between the two parties. The building was disassembled for shipping, and the parts are currently stored at the Korea Foundation for the Traditional
June 24, 2025 -
Art is last bastion of humanity: Antony Gormley
British sculptor Antony Gormley has investigated the human body through the language of sculpture. His meditation on the human form that began early in his career has expanded over the past five decades. Gormley appeared Thursday at the newly opened space named “Ground” at the Museum San in Wonju, Gangwon Province, created in collaboration with the Japanese artist and architect Tadao Ando. Reminiscent of a subterranean cave, the opening of "Ground" faces northeast towards the mountains. Seven sc
June 23, 2025 -
Social minorities deserve equal acceptance, respect, says Jogye Order leader
As society advances, social minorities often face greater challenges and hardships than the majority, said a top Buddhist leader, calling for more respect for human life and fairness for those who are marginalized. "There are many types of workers in society, such as foreign workers and delivery workers, who are the backbone of today's society. They are considered essential because everyday services would halt without them," said the Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism,
June 23, 2025 -
From birth to death, exhibiting seasons of life through hanbok
Kumdanje, the renowned hanbok brand founded by Lee Il-soon, is celebrating over 30 years of preserving and promoting Korea's rich cultural heritage through traditional attire. Until July 27, the brand is holding a special exhibition titled "Seasons of Life: From Cradle to Sky" at Chuihantang, Samcheonggak in Seoul. The exhibition, which highlights the milestones in a person’s life through traditional Korean clothing, aims to give visitors a deeper understanding of how attire can serve as a symbo
June 21, 2025 -
K-pop in pixels: Collaborations between K-pop and games grow
From blockbuster franchises to chart-topping idols, gaming and K-pop are increasingly joining forces, as the two converge in a bid to tap into the country's most lucrative entertainment sectors and elevate gaming as a legitimate cultural force. On June 13, Japanese video game company Capcom teased fans with an image titled “aespa X Street Fighter 6,” shared across the official Street Fighter and Capcom channels. While no additional details were released, the announcement follows online leaks and
June 20, 2025 -
Witty paintings encourage us to take another look
The whimsical works of Japanese artist Hiroyuku and Korean artist Moon Seon-mee are brought together in “Second Glance,” an exhibition at Artcube 2R2 in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. Hiroyuki reinterprets western masterpieces — from Leonardo da Vinci to Van Gogh and Magritte — playfully turning their most famous figures into cats. Through familiar yet satirical imagery, the artist invites viewers to take a fresh look at that which they have taken for granted. Moon's humorous female characters with
June 20, 2025 -
We don't need more objects, just better ones: Antonio Citterio
Behind companies that manage to build a legacy and maintain the quality of their products, there are often people carving out the company's identity and helping to write its history. For Italian luxury furniture company Flexform, designer and architect Antonio Citterio is one such person. Flexform was founded in 1959 by the Galimberti brothers in northern Italy, and is renowned for its high-end sofas, armchairs, tables and beds. Last month, the company launched its brand in Seoul with the Infini
June 20, 2025 -
Remnants of Baekje's Ungjin period unearthed
A state-run research center found remnants of artifacts from Baekje Kingdom's Ungjin period (475-538 CE), the Korea Heritage Service said Tuesday, offering a rare glimpse into how the empire engaged in diplomacy and trade even during political instability. "Baekje was the earliest of the three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) that rose to power and was successful. But we had difficulties in tracing the empire's golden age due to a lack of historical documents and artifacts left, often leavi
June 17, 2025 -
Korean student wins 1st-ever Kering Generation Award X Jewelry
The inaugural Kering Generation Award X Jewelry, presented by global luxury group Kering, named its first-ever university category winner Lee Min-seo, a student at Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. Lee's groundbreaking collection, "Rhythm Reborn," reimagines discarded materials from traditional Korean percussion instruments, earning her international recognition for innovation in sustainable design. The competition, a collaboration between Kering, the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO)
June 17, 2025 -
Can Korea's gaming industry win big under new president?
Once a global powerhouse in online and mobile gaming with legacy titles like MapleStory and Lineage, South Korea’s gaming industry has seen its international influence wane in recent years. But with the election of a new president who champions gaming, the industry may be poised for a turnaround. President Lee Jae Myung has positioned himself as a vocal advocate for the country’s game developers and players. His pro-gaming stance has sparked cautious optimism in some corners of the industry, tho
June 17, 2025 -
Meet the splendid and the unassuming Japanese art in Seoul
As part of a cultural exchange program between South Korea and Japan marking the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the National Museum of Korea and the Tokyo National Museum are jointly holding a special exhibition in Seoul for the next two months, shedding light on the aesthetics and subtle depths of Japanese art. Titled "Japanese Art from Four Perspectives," the exhibition invites visitors to trace the beauty of the neighboring country's ancient times from Tuesday until Aug. 10. The e
June 16, 2025 -
How light is revealed: James Turrell, Salvo visit Seoul
American light master James Turrell is familiar to Korean audiences through his monumental installations at Museum San in Wonju, Gangwon Province, where five of his works, created solely with light and space, offer a meditative experience. The exhibition “The Return,” at Pace Gallery in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, shows Turrell’s five recent installations, including the never-before-seen piece “Wedgework,” made specifically for the Seoul exhibition. Turrell’s exhibition, which runs through Sept.
June 15, 2025 -
Visions of paradise in Seoul
A new exhibition in Seoul explores visions of happiness and utopia through a blend of contemporary and traditional art, enhanced by immersive technology. The Korea Craft and Design Foundation is running a special exhibition titled "Our Enchanting Paradise" featuring a wide array of artistic media. The exhibition, which kicked off on Friday, runs through July 27 at Culture Station Seoul 284 near Seoul Station. The exhibition is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Mondays. Admission is free.
June 15, 2025 -
In Seoul, finish line is about style, identity, belonging -- and speed
Running has never been more stylish, especially in Seoul, where a new generation of celebrity runners is turning everyday jogs into curated fashion moments. From athleisure chic to techwear sleek, Korean stars are redefining the aesthetic of movement, and their influence is shaping a growing culture that blends fitness with fashion and community. But these celebrities aren’t just dressing the part — they’re hitting the pavement, signing up for real races and investing in the right gear. Style me
June 14, 2025 -
Culture Communication Forum celebrates Korean culture's global appeal
"Jeong is not flashy, but it lasts. It can't be explained logically, yet it moves hearts," said Cui Meiling during her award-winning presentation at the Corea Image Communication Institute's annual Culture Communication Forum on Thursday. Cui, a Chinese student at Korea University, won first place in the event's Korean-language presentation section, where she singled out "jeong" — the uniquely Korean sense of deep emotional connection — as the most sustainable element of Korean culture. She drew
June 13, 2025