Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Global envoys rediscover earthy elegance of buncheong stoneware

Deep within the historic enclave that houses the official portraits of Joseon Dynasty kings, a group of global diplomats is set to swap their briefing papers for handfuls of wet clay. On Thursday afternoon, the K-Heritage International Center will host a congregation of ambassadors and senior envoys from 18 nations — among them Greece, New Zealand, Lithuania and Lebanon — for an immersion into the rustic, improvisational elegance of buncheong ceramics. The setting, Seonwonjeon at Deoksu Palace, provides an atmospheric backdrop for the meeting: a place where the venerated history of the royal portrait halls meets the tactile, unpretentious beauty of Korea’s 15th century stoneware. The event, titled "K-Heritage Day," is organized by Korea National University of Cultural Heritage to showcase the distinct aesthetic of Korea’s national legacy to the international community. While the translucent perfection of white porcelain and the jade hues of celadon often dominate global conversations about Korean pottery, this year’s focus turns to buncheong. It is a style celebrated for its

May 13, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Global envoys rediscover earthy elegance of buncheong stoneware

Rites, performances honor King Sejong, architect of Korean alphabet

More than six centuries after his birth, the monarch regarded as the architect of the Korean enlightenment is still drawing crowds to the quiet pine groves of Gyeonggi Province. Korea will mark the 629th anniversary of King Sejong's birth on Thursday, a celebration of a ruler who transformed a feudal society into a center of scientific and linguistic innovation. While his reign from 1418 to 1450 saw the development of rain gauges and celestial globes, it was his gift of literacy to the common people — the creation of the Hangeul alphabet — that cemented his status as the nation’s most revered historic figure. The Korea Heritage Service announced Tuesday that the annual memorial rite, or Sungmoje, will be held at Yeongneung, the meticulously preserved royal tomb where the king lies alongside Queen Soheon. The ceremony is a masterclass in Joseon Dynasty protocol: a sequence of ritual offerings and the chanting of memorial prayers, all performed to the solemn, resonant sounds of court music. Attendees will witness "Yeominrak," a royal composition that reflects the king’s governing

May 12, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

Rites, performances honor King Sejong, architect of Korean alphabet

Gold treasures from ancient Korean kingdom to go on show in Paris exhibition

A major exhibition showcasing the golden heritage of an ancient Korean kingdom will open in Paris this month, bringing together rare artifacts that span a millennium of history, organizers said Monday. Titled "Silla: Gold and the Sacred. Royal Treasures of Korea (57 BCE-935 CE)," the exhibition will be held at the Guimet National Museum of Asian Arts from May 20 to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. It marks the first exhibition in Europe dedicated exclusively to Silla and the largest of its kind ever held overseas, according to officials at the Gyeongju National Museum, which co-organized the exhibit with Guimet. The show features 148 artifacts from the kingdom that ruled about two-thirds of the Korean Peninsula at its height. Among the highlights are a gold crown and a gold belt excavated from the Geumgwanchong tomb, relics that first drew global attention to Silla's craftsmanship more than a century ago. From the rise to the fall of the kingdom, the exhibition unfolds in five thematic sections that trace the history, artistic expressions and memory

May 11, 2026By Yonhap

Gold treasures from ancient Korean kingdom to go on show in Paris exhibition

Seoul's 'Handeulhandeul' rest space wins Red Dot Design Award 2026

A hammock-inspired public rest installation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government has won the Main Prize in the Urban Design category at the Red Dot Design Award 2026, one of the world's three most prestigious design honors alongside Germany's iF Design Award and the U.S. IDEA Design Award. The installation, named Handeulhandeul — evoking the Korean expression for something swaying gently in the breeze — was first introduced at Seoul Plaza in 2025 as part of the city's "Fun Design" public space initiative. Judges cited its creative design, citizen-centered public utility and exceptional use of space. Handeulhandeul features soft curved forms and hammock-style materials that suggest movement in the wind, and comes in three configurations. One model allows users to lie back and look up at the sky, while another rotates gently to offer a 360-degree view of the surroundings. The design draws inspiration from lotus flowers and leaves, and uses nature-friendly colors to blend into plazas, parks and other outdoor environments. Its modular, portable structure also allows it to be relocated

May 7, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seoul's 'Handeulhandeul' rest space wins Red Dot Design Award 2026

4 iconic hanok K-drama fans must visit in May

As May ushers in the full bloom of spring, there is no better time to rediscover hanok, Korea’s traditional architecture. At the heart of these structures lies the profound philosophy of "chagyeong" — the art of "borrowing" the surrounding scenery to be in perfect harmony with the natural world. In a hanok, windows and doors are more than mere openings — they serve as living frames that capture the poetic transition of the seasons, inviting the mountains, wind and light to become part of home. Transcending their roles as backdrops for Korea’s most celebrated films and dramas, these four estates serve as tranquil sanctuaries for the soul. They invite visitors to step beyond the screen, offering a rare opportunity to pause, breathe and rediscover the enduring grace of Korean heritage. 1. Seonungak: Regal elegance at foot of Mount Bukhan Nestled deep in the valleys of Ui-dong, Seonungak is a grand estate where the rugged peaks of Bukhansan National Park serve as a breathtaking natural backdrop. Originally built in 1967 as an exclusive social club by Hyundai founder Chung Ju-young, i

May 5, 2026By Park Jin-hai

4 iconic hanok K-drama fans must visit in May

UNESCO inspects preparations for World Heritage Committee session in Busan

UNESCO officials visited Korea last week to review preparations for an upcoming meeting of the World Heritage Committee in the southeastern port city of Busan, the heritage authority said Monday. A four-member team conducted the inspection from Monday through Thursday to inspect Busan's BEXCO convention center and nearby accommodations, according to the Korea Heritage Service (KHS). As part of the visit, officials discussed safety risk factors and reviewed visa issuance, transportation and other support measures for participants. The inspection, the second such review following the initial inspection in January, comes ahead of the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, an intergovernmental body that reviews the nominations and conservation of World Heritage sites, which will take place from July 19-29 in Busan. It marks the first time Korea will host such a meeting since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988. Last month, the KHS unveiled the official emblem for the event, incorporating the tiled roof of the main hall of the Jongmyo Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Se

May 4, 2026By Yonhap

UNESCO inspects preparations for World Heritage Committee session in Busan

Korea Heritage Service to transform Joseon royal tombs into vibrant public landscapes

Seeking to transform the solemn air of royal burial grounds into a vibrant cultural experience, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) will launch a months-long series of public programs across five Joseon Dynasty tomb sites in Seoul. Beginning May 16, the initiative will feature guided tours and traditional performances at the UNESCO World Heritage sites, part of a broader effort to reimagine these centuries-old landscapes as accessible public assets. The program series, titled "Exploring Joseon Royal Tombs," is organized by the Central District Office of the Palace and Tomb Management Division and covers Taegangneung, Uireung, Seonjeongneung, Heonineung and Jeongneung. The schedule opens May 16 at Taegangneung with a forest trail walk centered on the story of Queen Munjeong and King Myeongjong, paired with a royal genealogy card-making activity. On June 20, the Uireung tomb site will host a guided exploration of the lives of King Gyeongjong and Queen Seonui, culminating in a participatory performance that blurs the line between history and theater. In a nod toward social equity, the KHS has

Apr 28, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Korea Heritage Service to transform Joseon royal tombs into vibrant public landscapes

Gov't plans events for 150th anniversary of Kim Koo’s birth

The government has finalized a slate of events marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of independence activist Kim Koo, which UNESCO has designated as a commemorative anniversary year for 2026, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok announced Monday. The prime minister presided over the first meeting of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s National Patriots and Veterans Affairs Committee at Government Complex Seoul Tuesday, where officials approved a plan organized around three pillars: “Reilluminating Values,” “Integration and Solidarity,” and “Memory and Succession.” The slogan “My Wish, Culture of Peace” — drawn from Kim Koo’s writings — will be applied uniformly across the commemorative events. Planned events include an international academic conference scheduled for July or August, a joint symposium between the Kim Koo Museum & Library and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in October, a Gwanghwamun cultural week in August and a Baekbeom Award ceremony also in August. The government said it will launch a comprehensive veterans and patriotism culture po

Apr 28, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Gov't plans events for 150th anniversary of Kim Koo’s birth

Ancient bronze bell gains National Treasure status

A towering bronze bell cast for a king’s prayers more than five centuries ago has been elevated to Korea’s highest cultural status, officials said Thursday, in a move that underscores renewed efforts to safeguard the nation’s artistic legacy. The Korea Heritage Service said the "Bronze Bell of Bongseonsa Temple in Namyangju," long designated as a treasure since 1963, has now been upgraded to National Treasure status. The bell was commissioned by King Yejong, the eighth monarch of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, in honor of his father and has remained at its original site since its creation. The heritage service said the bell represents the culmination of early Joseon Dynasty design, blending elements of Chinese bell forms with distinctly Korean decorative patterns. Its inscription, composed by Kang Huimaeng and written by Jeong Nanjong, details its origins, artisans and purpose. Also designated as treasures are a 13th-century celadon work, the "Celadon Inlaid Dish with Twin Dragons and Chrysanthemum Design,” and the “Portrait of Yu Hyo-geol and Chest,” a Joseon-era painting li

Apr 23, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

Ancient bronze bell gains National Treasure status

Korea Times opens photo contest of heritage sites across country

The Korea Times, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Service, is hosting the Discover Korea's World Heritage photo contest, ahead of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be held in Busan from July 19 to 29. To commemorate the prestigious international gathering, The Korea Times invites non-Korean nationals from around the world to share their special moments captured at Korea's magnificent heritage sites. Participants are required to choose a photograph of one of Korea's 17 designated UNESCO World Heritage sites or one of the 12 sites on the Tentative List currently being promoted by the Korean government for future inscription. New photos are not a must and participants are welcome to submit existing photos from their gallery or collection, as long as it is an original photo taken by the person submitting it. Along with the photo taken at a heritage site, the participants are required to include a short story about their visit to the site. They need to upload the photo on their public social media account with the following hashtags — #thekoreatimes #korea

Apr 20, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul

Korean Heritage