my timesThe Korea Times
skim

Kim Se-jeong

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

I am covering trend, food and fashion. Previously, I covered diplomacy, city, environment and unification.

Go to Email

Read more

Books

5 book cafes in Seoul to celebrate World Book Day

There's no better time to highlight the cozy corners of Seoul where book lovers can escape the city’s bustle for a quiet read than on World Book Day. While bookstores and libraries are classic havens, some readers crave a bit more — serenity paired with a warm latte or a refreshing iced Americano. That’s where book cafes come in: part sanctuary, part café, these spaces blend the joy of literature with the comfort of a good drink. These aren’t just places to grab coffee — they’re immersive environments where the scent of espresso mingles with the rustle of turning pages, offering both refuge and inspiration. We hope you'll enjoy World Book Day! 1. Deosup Chosochaekbang (@deosup_chosochaekbang on Instagram) Tucked away on the side of Mount Inwang, Deosup is set off beautifully by its tranquil location, surrounded by forest and mountain views. The remote setting makes it a bit harder to access than other cafes on this list, but that’s part of the charm. Housed in a former military guard post, it boasts a spacious outdoor area and is highly recommended for readers who enjoy hi

Apr 23, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
5 book cafes in Seoul to celebrate World Book Day
Arts & Theater

ARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event

"Look! The protest is just as peaceful as a K-pop concert," said Choung Byoung-gug, chairperson of the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), recalling how he reassured international officials worried about political unrest in Korea after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. For Choung, the short-lived martial law and the nationwide rallies that followed were not just political headlines — they reflected Korea’s deeply rooted culture of nonviolence and democratic expression. Choung and ARKO are currently preparing to host the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture next month — a major international gathering of arts councils, organizations and policymakers from some 70 countries with around 500 international visitors expected. It is a rare opportunity for ARKO, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dedicated to supporting artists and fostering cultural exchange, to host such a large-scale global event. For Choung, a seasoned politician and expert in arts policy, the pressure is on to ensure everything unfolds seamlessly. “Immediately after Dec

Apr 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
ARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event
Korean Heritage

Jongmyo Shrine reopens main hall with return of ancestral tablets after restoration

After years of restoration, Jongmyo Jeongjeon, the main hall of Jongmyo Shrine, will reopen this Sunday with a ceremonial procession returning the ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens to their original place. Jongmyo Shrine serves as the royal ancestral shrine of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, where ancestral tablets of deceased monarchs were enshrined and honored through annual Confucian rituals. Originally built in 1394 by Joseon's founder King Taejo, the shrine was destroyed during the 1592-98 Japanese invasions of Korea and rebuilt in the early 1600s. In 1995, UNESCO designated Jongmyo Shrine as a World Heritage site in recognition of its preservation as a Confucian royal ancestral shrine, its unique architectural style and the continued performance of "Jongmyo Jerye," a traditional royal ancestral ritual. Restoration of Jongmyo Jeongjeon began in 2021 and during that period, all spirit tablets, known as "sinju" in Korean, were temporarily relocated to nearby Changdeok Palace. Sunday’s homecoming ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the Geumhomun Gate of Changdeok Palace. Around

Apr 17, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Jongmyo Shrine reopens main hall with return of ancestral tablets after restoration
Travel & Food

All you need to know about Korea’s strawberries

Strawberries are the new Seoul souvenir — proven by the crowds of tourists lining up for them at western Seoul's Mangwon Market. Once a hidden gem for street food lovers craving "tteokbokki" and "hotteok" (Korean sweet pancake), the market is now having a berry sweet moment as travelers scoop up bright-red boxes of Korea’s juiciest spring treat. “The love for strawberries is a recent phenomenon,” said a fruit seller. “And most of (the customers) are Asian tourists.” In Korea, strawberries have long been the most coveted fruit in winter and spring, known for their juicy sweetness and delicate texture. But in recent years, their fame has ripened beyond borders. According to Statistics Korea, strawberry exports jumped from $32 million in 2016 to $69 million in 2024, making them the country’s third-most-exported fresh agricultural product, after paprika and pears. Demand is especially strong in Southeast Asia, particularly in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Malaysia. In 2022, one Korean newspaper even reported that chartered flights were used to fly strawberries to

Apr 17, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
All you need to know about Korea’s strawberries
Music

Roberto Abbado to lead Korean National Symphony Orchestra as new music director

The Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) said Tuesday it has appointed Italian conductor Roberto Abbado as its new artistic director. His three-year contract will begin in January 2026. A nephew of the legendary conductor Claudio Abbado (1933–2014), Roberto Abbado has served as artistic director of the Münchner Rundfunkorchester in Munich, Germany, the Verdi Festival in Parma, Italy, and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia, Spain. He is currently the principal conductor of the Filarmonica del Teatro Comunale di Bologna in Italy. "KNSO's musical capabilities and curiosity to explore new paths are its greatest assets," Abbado said in a statement. "I greatly look forward to the music we will create together." Abbado previously collaborated with the KNSO in 2023 on a production of the opera "Norma" by Felice Romani (1788-1865), followed by a subscription concert in March this year featuring Verdi’s Requiem. "His refined technique and compelling leadership, which draw out the essence of each piece with depth and clarity, left a powerful impression on Korean audiences. His

Apr 16, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Roberto Abbado to lead Korean National Symphony Orchestra as new music director
Korean Heritage

Actor Park Bo-gum tapped to promote hanbok abroad

Actor Park Bo-gum, who is enjoying global popularity for his role in the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," has been appointed to promote "hanbok," traditional Korean clothing, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. “The interest in hanbok is rising around the world,” the ministry said in a statement. “Through collaborations with top Korean entertainers and artists who can showcase hanbok's traditional beauty and modern sensibility, we hope to make Korea’s traditional costume and hanbok-themed content more accessible and attractive.” Park first gained recognition for his role in the 2015 series "Reply 1988" and soon rose to international fame with "Love in the Moonlight" in 2016. The “2025 Hanbok Wave” initiative is part of an ongoing project that began in 2020. Since 2021, the ministry, together with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, has appointed celebrity ambassadors annually. Past ambassadors include actor Kim Tae-ri in 2024, actor and singer Suzy in 2023, figure skater Kim Yuna in 2022 and K-pop groups Brave Girls and DKB in 2021.

Apr 15, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Actor Park Bo-gum tapped to promote hanbok abroad
Music

Seoul Spring Festival to celebrate 20th anniversary with special lineup

The Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music returns next week, celebrating its 20th anniversary with a special program. “I am thrilled to announce the 20th edition of the festival. I’m grateful that we’ve come this far despite many challenges,” Kang Dong-suk, the festival’s artistic director and the founder, said Monday during a press conference in Seoul. Founded in 2004 under the leadership of violinist Kang, the festival has become one of the prominent classical music festivals in Korea. It has hosted renowned classical musicians from around the world, as well as promising young Korean artists, including pianist Cho Sung-jin. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve seen audiences enjoy the music and musicians enjoy playing. That makes me happy,” Kang said. “The festival has made a humble contribution to raising awareness of chamber music in Korea, where it still remains relatively unfamiliar. It’s a venue for sharing music and receiving good energy from performers. Even if chamber music is new to you, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it once you hear it. Please come and experience i

Apr 14, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Seoul Spring Festival to celebrate 20th anniversary with special lineup
Others

Actor Han So-hee reflects on life in blog post

Actor Han So-hee shared a message on her blog Friday reflecting on recent challenges in her personal life. “Looking back, there were moments that were quite unimpressive. Since the past shapes the present, I tend to reflect often. And when I do, I realize there were times that lacked luster, and most of the things I was so sure were right turned out not to be. I try not to get too caught up in them," Han wrote in a post quoted by several Korean-language news outlets. Han, who debuted in 2017, is best known for her roles in the TV series "The World of the Married" (2020) and the Netflix series "Gyeongseong Creature" (2024). She continued, “These days, I try to live each day at my own pace and within my own abilities — because we can't always demand the best from ourselves or give our all. I’ve dressed it up in fancy words, but what I’ve really been trying to say is: Even if it’s not all that impressive, let’s live our lives anyway.” Han confirmed in March 2024 she was in a relationship with actor Ryu Jun-yeol, but the couple broke up just two weeks later after she became e

Apr 13, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Actor Han So-hee reflects on life in blog post
Korean Heritage

Jeju April 3 Uprising archive added to UNESCO Memory of the World register

The archive chronicling the Jeju April 3 Uprising has been added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, recognized for its value as a unique archival resource that provides a comprehensive account of ideological confrontations, state-led violence and civilian genocide during the Cold War era. The decision for the inscription of “Revealing Truth: Jeju 4·3 Archives” was made on Thursday (local time) at the 221st session of UNESCO's Executive Board meeting in Paris. “Korea Reforestation Archives: A reforestation model achieved through public-private governance," the archive documenting Korea's afforestation project, was also added to the list. "No words can describe how I feel now," Yang Sung-hong, 78, who lost his father and grandfather to the uprising and subsequent massacre, told The Korea Times. "I was two years old when it happened. I never met my dad. This is a great day." The Jeju April 3 Uprising occurred in the turbulent years following Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. U.S. forces, which took control of the southern part of the peninsula, hired

Apr 11, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Jeju April 3 Uprising archive added to UNESCO Memory of the World register
Korean Heritage

Korean Cultural Centers abroad to focus on traditional culture

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday that its 26 overseas Korean Cultural Centers (KCCs) will host events aimed at raising awareness of traditional Korean culture among local audiences this year. In partnership with organizations such as the National Gugak Center, the Korean Food Promotion Institute and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the initiative will showcase diverse aspects of Korean heritage tailored to reflect the interests and cultural context of each region or country. "We hope the Korean Cultural Centers abroad will serve as the gateways to promote traditional culture," a ministry official said. "The ministry will provide unwavering support so that the global popularity of Korean pop culture can expand into traditional culture." The KCC in Osaka, Japan, is hosting a series of craft exhibitions, featuring moon jars, royal paintings, gold leaf gilding, pottery and quilting, changing the display seasonally. Shanghai centers on "gukak" traditional Korean music, with an exhibition currently underway until June 12, which will be fo

Apr 10, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korean Cultural Centers abroad to focus on traditional culture
previous page
1819202122
next page

Top 5 stories

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.