Fortifications of Hanyang from Joseon era seek UNESCO World Heritage status

A network of fortifications built to defend Seoul during the Joseon era (1392–1910) has been formally nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Korea Heritage Service told The Korea Herald on Friday that it had submitted a nomination for “Fortifications of Hanyang” to the UNESCO World Heritage Center earlier in the week, after revising an initial draft filed last year. Hanyang is one of several names previously used for Seoul. The nomination brings together Hanyangdoseong, the main city wa

Jan. 30, 2026

From brunch to brushstrokes: a weekend for the stomach and the eyes

From a cozy all-day brunch spot in Yeonhui-dong to a sprawling illustration fair in Gangnam, this weekend’s picks offer a simple pleasure: good food for the body, and good visuals for the soul. Tucked into Yeonhui-dong — a western Seoul neighborhood known for its quiet streets lined with independent cafés, restaurants and small concept stores — Grain Seoul offers an all-day brunch built around a simple premise: food that is both flavorful and nourishing. The cafe is perfect for those who don’t l

Jan. 30, 2026

A slice of Korean heritage comes to New York

A slice of Korean heritage, the rhythms of the Korean drum and traditional dance will visit the heart of New York City next month. From Feb. 11-14, the Korea Heritage Service, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Agency and the Korean Cultural Center New York, will present "Korea on Stage in New York," a four-day showcase introducing the Korean culture to an international audience. The event is part of the organization's Visit Korean Heritage Campaign launched in 2020 to promote awareness of

Jan. 29, 2026

Why Gwanghwamun? The symbolism behind BTS’ historic comeback stage

BTS' conditional approval to perform at Gwanghwamun Square in March is garnering huge hype, as it will be the group’s first stage as a complete unit since 2022. BTS will also be the first K-pop group to host an exclusive live performance at the historic landmark. While the square sees countless performances and cultural events, it has never been reserved in this manner. The exclusive arrangement highlights the group's massive influence while prompting curiosity about the significance behind its

Jan. 28, 2026

Former Doosan Chairman Park Yong-maan dusts off decades of layered moments

An aged man and woman sit separated on a bench. In the space created between them, a younger couple appears in the background, standing close and embracing. The photograph, brining two generations of couples into a shared frame, triggers thoughts on intimacy, time and life. "When I observe couples with a camera in hand, especially young ones close to each other, I immediately think, 'They will end up embracing,'" said Park Yong-man, a former chairman of Doosan Group, in an interview with The Kor

Jan. 28, 2026

Seoul Museum of Art expands to eight venues with new Seo-Seoul Museum

The Seoul Museum of Art will complete its eight-venue system this year with the opening of the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art in March, a new branch specializing in media art and technology-driven contemporary practices. The launch follows the opening of the Photography Seoul Museum of Art last year, further expanding the city-run museum’s network. “With the completion of its eight-venue system this year, SeMA enters a pivotal phase,” said Choi Eun-ju, director of the museum, on Tuesday. “By leveraging

Jan. 28, 2026

Kim Chang-wan reflects on time, youth and legacy with new single 'Seventy'

Veteran singer-songwriter Kim Chang-wan returned with a new album — his first in a decade under the name of the Kim Chang-wan Band — titled "Seventy" on Tuesday. The release marks yet another milestone for the artist, who approaches the 50th anniversary of his debut next year. "Seventy" includes the titular track alongside "I Love You." In "Seventy," the 71-year-old artist reflects on life with introspection and the lingering regrets that come with age, delivering his thoughts in an unhurried, a

Jan. 28, 2026

[K-Trendsetters] Beyond the pale: How shade diversity put TirTir on the global map

This is an interview series spotlighting creative leaders behind Korea’s most influential brands, exploring how they are shaping the next chapter of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. -- Ed. When K-beauty first began winning over Western consumers, the gateway was skincare. Complexions came before color, and innovation was measured in essences and ampoules rather than foundations and lipsticks. For TirTir, a Seoul-based brand founded in 2019, the bet was different: Makeup could be the frontier wher

Jan. 27, 2026

Tailoring, time travel and return of ceremony at Paris Men’s Fashion Week

Korean fashion asserted its place at the heart of Paris Men’s Fashion Week for fall-winter 2026, with Wooyoungmi and Juun.J anchoring the season through collections that balanced heritage and modernity, while global luxury houses from Hermes to Dior and Louis Vuitton framed a week where tailoring, identity and performance converged. Wooyoungmi presented her show on Sunday at the historic Salle Wagram in the 17th Arrondissement, unveiling a collection that reimagined winter travel as an occasion

Jan. 26, 2026

How does an artist's view of nature differ from a biologist's?

Spanish artist Daniel Steegmann Mangrane dreamed of becoming a biologist as a kid, but chose to explore nature in his own way after discovering he was “bad at mathematics and chemistry.” The 49-year-old artist is currently presenting “Befriending the Mountains,” his first show in South Korea at Atelier Hermes in Seoul. There, Steegmann Mangrane's signature work — the title of which matches that of the exhibition — stands as an embodiment of the artist's philosophy on nature. The curtain of metal

Jan. 25, 2026

Bigo Awards Gala 2026 draws global creators to Seoul

Seoul became a hub for the global livestreaming community for one night as Bigo Live held its annual awards ceremony, Bigo Awards Gala, on Friday, at KBS Hall in Yeouido, western Seoul. The event brought together some 1,500 creators and influencers from 32 countries, with performances, awards and interactive segments livestreamed simultaneously through the Bigo Live platform. Hosted by Bigo Live Singapore Global Headquarters and organized by Korean media content company Starintv, the Seoul editi

Jan. 25, 2026

Too old to dance? Not for 'Dancing Grandmas'

“You are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen,” the famous Abba song goes. But for Jun Jum-re, 78, and Jung Yoo-ok, 76, the lyric needs revision. On stages across the world, they have offered a gentle rebuttal. With hair silvered and bodies marked by time, they became dancing queens well into their 70s — and they are having the time of their lives. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the two women traveled the world, performing to sold-out houses and receiving standing ovations in cities

Jan. 24, 2026

Cookie Run: Kingdom blends Korean art and game IP in Seoul exhibition

One of Korea’s most successful mobile game franchises is stepping beyond the screen with an exhibition in Seoul’s Insa-dong, blending traditional Korean craftsmanship with game IP as part of a broader push to position itself on the global stage. Cookie Run, which has amassed roughly 300 million cumulative users worldwide as of 2026, has spent the past two years hosting art collaborations that pair Cookie Run Kingdom's core characters with Korean artists. Those projects, previously staged separat

Jan. 23, 2026

From Euljiro sashimi table to riverside study retreat

A good weekend in Seoul can move effortlessly from a shared winter meal to a quiet late-night corner with a view. This week’s picks pair the convivial aged sashimi trays of Wooki Sikdang Bada with an unexpectedly serene public study space tucked inside Hotel Naru Seoul — two places that show how the city does everyday pleasures with style and ease. One of the fish Koreans crave most during winter is bang-eo, or yellowtail sashimi. It’s widely available — from neighborhood sashimi restaurants to

Jan. 23, 2026

Packages and promotions

Sheraton Grand Incheon launches Seollal To-Go and festive gift sets Sheraton Grand Incheon offers a festive way to celebrate Seollal at home with its “Seollal To-Go” feast designed for five to six people and priced at 290,000 won. The spread includes Korean holiday classics such as braised short ribs, beef bulgogi, japchae, assorted jeon, abalone jang, grilled croaker and seasonal banchan, with an optional LA galbi add-on (700 grams) for an extra 50,000 won. Pick-up is available Feb. 9-18, with

Jan. 23, 2026