Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Lotte World Busan to open March 31

Lotte World Adventure Busan's rollercoaster Giant Digger / Courtesy of Lotte WorldBy Lee Hae-rinLotte World will open its second adventure theme park in the country's second-largest city of Busan on March 31.The amusement park is located within a tourism complex at Gijang in eastern Busan and is four times the size of Seoul's Lotte World at 158,000 square meters. Themed as a fairy-tale kingdom, the park offers six thematic zones with 17 rides as well as original architecture and parades. Lotte World Busan's most awaited rides include Giant Digger, a rollercoaster with a maximum speed of 105 kilometers per hour, and Giant Splash, the country's first water-coaster which falls 44.6 meters at 100 kilometers per hour.The amusement park also features the Giant Swing, which is 20 percent longer in axis than a similar ride at the park in Seoul, creating a turning radius of 120 meters at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour from a height of 44.8 meters.The park offers several family attractions, including an animal farm and fairytale-themed indoor rides that are available regardless of the

Mar 23, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Miryang embraces Indian culture to promote tourism

Participants of the Holi Hai festival dance to the music, covered up with color powder in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, March 24, 2019. Courtesy of Indians in KoreaBy Lee Hae-rin“Happy Holi Hai!”On March 19, dozens of Indian nationals in Korea with powder of various colors on their faces and bodies and a government employee from the southeastern city of Miryang greeted each other during an online meeting to celebrate the ancient Hindu spring festival. Seen is the poster of the 12th Holi Hai festival, jointly hosted by the Indian community and the Miryang City government on March 19. The event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Courtesy of Indians in KoreaAlso known as the festival of love and colors, the Holi festival, which falls on March 18 this year, marks the start of spring and signifies the triumph of good over evil. It is a day when people cover themselves in multicolored powder and throw water balloons all with lively dance and music to set aside differences in religion, age, and gender and mend broken relationships. “We (the Indian communit

Mar 22, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Miryang embraces Indian culture to promote tourism

'Cherry blossom street' in Yeouido to welcome visitors this year but without festival

A family strolls at the Spring Flower Festival in Yeouido, Seoul, April 5, 2021. Yonhap A popular “cherry blossom street” in Seoul's Yeouido District will be open for visitors during the blossoming season later this month, for the first time in three years following the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Tuesday.The street in Yeongdeungpo, one of the most well-known spots to enjoy the spring flower in Seoul, is where the cherry blossom festival is held every year, but the festival has been canceled for two consecutive years due to the pandemic.This year, the ward office decided not to hold the festival but will open the street to people from March 31 to April 8 in line with a nationwide plan to gradually return to normalcy. Visitors can walk the 1.7-kilometer-long road behind the National Assembly Complex from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. No electric scooters or bicycles will be allowed on the road. "We will return the cherry bloss

Mar 22, 2022

'Cherry blossom street' in Yeouido to welcome visitors this year but without festival

Gyeongbok Palace to resume nighttime tours next month

Gyeongbok Palace at night / Korea Times file Nighttime sightseeing at Gyeongbok Palace, one of the four royal palaces in Seoul, will resume next month, offering visitors amazing night views with spring flowers in full bloom.The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Monday the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) will open from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from April 1 to May 29 for the regular nighttime tour program.Up to 1,300 visitors can be accommodated per day, and online ticket reservations are required for all visitors, excluding foreigners. No tours will be offered Mondays and Tuesdays and from May 11 to 15 due to preparations and cultural performances for the Palace Cultural Festival, a festival held every year at the palace.The CHA will also restart an annual guided tour program of the palace's marquee Gyeonghoeru, a pavilion used for royal banquets and special government functions, such as state occasions to welcome foreign envoys during the Joseon e

Mar 21, 2022

Gyeongbok Palace to resume nighttime tours next month

French chef takes enlightening culinary journey in Seoul

Damien Selme, an executive chef at Andaz Seoul Gangnam, poses in the kitchen of the hotel restaurant in Seoul, March 4. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chulBy Lee Hae-rinWhen Damien Selme first visited Korea in the winter of 2009 as a Michelin chef, he did not see himself cooking for the G20 luncheon or at a five-star hotel in Seoul. Born in Seoul and adopted by French parents to a northeastern village Mancy of France at the age of eight months, Selme planned a short vacation to discover his roots in Korea. “Back then, I didn't understand the Korean culinary culture, to be honest. For me, everything was just too spicy and red-colored and smelled very strong,” Selme said during the interview with The Korea Times at Andaz Seoul Gangnam, March 4. “Eating ice cream in winter, hot soup in summer. As a foreigner, I was shocked, asking myself, 'Where am I?'” To his surprise, the trip opened a whole new chapter in his career and another dimension of gastronomic experience. Traveling across the country by himself to the provincial cities of Busan, Jeonju, and Gyeongju a

Mar 16, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

French chef takes enlightening culinary journey in Seoul

Seoul's iconic cathedral feeding homeless in times of difficulties

Fr. Paik Kwang-jin makes soup to feed homeless people at Myeongdong Cathedral, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rinIn the past, Myeongdong Cathedral provided refuge for pro-democracy protesters; now it serves the neediest with free mealsBy Lee Hae-rinAt the heart of Seoul's bustling downtown core stands a 68-meter high Gothic-style steeple surrounded by skyscrapers. It's the historic Myeongdong Cathedral. As the country's best-known sacral architecture, it is the national cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and a symbol of Catholicism's persecution and survival in Korea. It also tells the story of Korea's turbulent modern history as it once provided refuge for pro-democracy protesters in the 1980s. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now become a place to serve free meals for the homeless and underprivileged. Over 600 to 800 homeless people and senior citizens who live alone visit the place for food. Free meals are served every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.“Myeongdong Bab-jib,” which means “an eatery for home-cooked meals

Mar 2, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Seoul's iconic cathedral feeding homeless in times of difficulties

Capella Hotels and Resorts to plant first flag in Korea in 2024

A rendering of the Capella Yangyang, which is slated to open in 2024 / Courtesy of CapellaBy Lee Hae-rinCapella Hotel and Resorts, one of the world's top luxury resort chains along with Aman and One&Only, will open its first Korean property in 2024 near Songjeon Beach in Yangyang, Gangwon Province. Capella Yangyang will be the brand's ninth resort, following six properties operating in China, Bali, Thailand and Vietnam, and two others that will open in Sydney and the Maldives in 2023 and 2024, respectively.The Singapore-based company chose Yangyang over big cities like Seoul and Busan for its unique combination of landscape, heritage and leisure-focused culture. Located between the East Sea and Mount Seorak, the city is known as a surfers' paradise as well as offering scenic attractions such as Naksan Temple and Hajodae Pavilion.Korean architect Lee Ki-chul and Thierry Boon, who designed One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, will work on Capella Yangyang. Capella Hotel Group is renowned for the wide range of architectural tones and designs of its properties tailored to the geograph

Feb 22, 2022

Capella Hotels and Resorts to plant first flag in Korea in 2024

Celebrating first full moon of lunar calendar amid pandemic

A family takes a picture in front of a giant full moon displayed at the entrance of the National Folk Museum in Jongno District, central Seoul, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rinBy Lee Hae-rinAn old Korean saying goes, “A good Jeongwol makes a good year.” Jeongwol Daeboreum is the day of the first full moon of the Lunar Year, which falls on Feb. 15 of this year's solar calendar. Carrying great importance, along with Lunar New Year and Chuseok, it is a day of wishing to the moon for a prosperous year ahead with a good harvest and well-being for one's family and community. The full moon has long been a symbol of abundance in Korea's traditionally agrarian society. The people in any given village would gather to celebrate the year's first full moon by having a special meal together and playing several games to build a spirit of unity and cooperation.Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has suspended almost all regional festivals related to the holiday, there are several events in Seoul and ways to carry on the history and traditions of Jeongwol Daeboreum to mai

Feb 16, 2022By Lee Hae-rin

Celebrating first full moon of lunar calendar amid pandemic

Air Busan launches Incheon-Vladivostok direct flights

An Air Busan jet / Korea Times fileBy Lee Hae-rinAir Busan initiated direct scheduled flights between Incheon and Vladivostok on Feb. 5, the airline said Feb. 6.The Incheon-to-Vladivostok flight is scheduled to operate every other Saturday. A 180-seat Airbus A320 will depart from Incheon International Airport at 11:15 a.m., arriving in Vladivostok International Airport at 3 p.m. and returning to Incheon at 6 p.m., arriving at 8 p.m.Vladivostok is an administrative center of the Russian Maritime Province and one of the largest geo-economic hubs in the Russian Far East region. Despite the high demand for various flight options, only Russian airlines have served direct flights for over 20,000 passengers last year, hindering exchanges between the two countries.If Gimhae International Airport grants international flights greater access, the airline is likely to offer more diverse flight options connecting Busan and the capital area, which is expected to bring significant benefits to passengers and the local economy.In celebration of the flight launch, Air Busan is offering a promotion to

Feb 8, 2022

Air Busan launches Incheon-Vladivostok direct flights

Over half of holiday-makers seek human interaction in travel experience

Rooftop pool at L7 Hongdae by Lotte Seoul / Courtesy of Hotel.comBy Lee Hae-rinAs the lingering COVID-19 pandemic limits travel plans and human contact, chances for human interaction have emerged as a crucial factor in choosing a hotel or holiday destination for travelers, a recent survey shows.According to the survey taken by Hotels.com from Dec. 15 to 23, 2021, on 500 Koreans over the age of 18 who have traveled before or plan to travel after the pandemic, 44 percent of Korean travelers admitted they have experienced a holiday romance while traveling. Over half of respondents consider “the opportunity to meet new people important when choosing a hotel and/or holiday destination,” while 38 percent aim to meet new people with their travel mate. Twenty-two percent are willing to travel alone to do so, while 9 percent could leave their travel companion to hang out with new people who they met on the trip.In their booking experiences, 34 percent of respondents said they are “more likely to book a hotel based on the social activities, communal areas and group tours avai