Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Andaz's Jogakbo relaunches with 3 unique interactive zones

By Jun Ji-hyeJogakbo restaurant, located on the second floor of the Andaz Seoul Gangnam, will unveil its new menu on March 1 for its three unique interactive dining zones ― Seafood Grill, Meat & Co. and Bites & Wine.Each interactive kitchen offers a menu prepared by specialist chefs with distinctive cooking techniques and styles, inviting diners to view the gourmet ingredients of the day that each zone features. The hotel said each zone of the relaunched Jogakbo offers a creative way to enjoy intimate occasions or casual social gatherings by catering to diners seeking quality experiences in an engaging and energetic atmosphere. To celebrate its relaunch, Jogakbo will offer diners 30 percent discounts on the menus at Seafood Grill and Meat & Co. in March. This offer is available through Andaz Seoul Gangnam's KakaoTalk channel. Seafood Grill features fireside-cooking cuisine with pan-Asian flavors. Live seafood from the markets and a selection of the day's fresh catch will be grilled on skewers over charcoal. Jogakbo restaurant features fireside-cooking cuisine with pan-Asi

Feb 24, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Andaz's Jogakbo relaunches with 3 unique interactive zones

Fairmont hotel brings grandeur of modern Seoul to Yeouido

The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul opened on Seoul's Yeouido, Wednesday. Courtesy of Fairmont Ambassador SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeFairmont Hotels & Resorts opened the brand's first hotel in Korea ― the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul ― at the Parc. 1 Complex on Feb. 24 to become a new landmark of Seoul's Yeouido financial district near the Han River. The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul offers an extraordinary setting to host world leaders, business travelers, families and vacationers.The new hotel is connected to the Yeouido subway station on lines 5 and 9 and Hyundai Department Store. The hotel said its guests can enjoy both riverfront access and glamorous rooftop experiences combined with panoramic views of nearby skyscrapers and the capital's iconic waterway. Designed by world-renowned architect Richard Rogers, the Parc. 1 Complex immerses guests in a combination of Korean aesthetics and contemporary style, seamlessly harmonizing tradition and modernity. “We're delighted to open a bold new chapter for the Fairmont collection, here in Seoul,” said Garth Simmons, Accor CEO of Southeast Asia

Feb 24, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Fairmont hotel brings grandeur of modern Seoul to Yeouido

'Hong Kong Super Fans' to boost city's tourism recovery

Kim Yoon-sun, left, a Korean living in Hong Kong and one of the “Hong Kong Super Fans” selected by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), appear in traditional snack store Yiu Fung during a virtual tour organized on Feb. 9 by the HKTB for other Super Fans around the world. Kim shared her favorite ways to spend Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. / Courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism BoardBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched its first global fan-engagement program, dubbed “Hong Kong Super Fans,” to accelerate its promotional efforts as part of the post-COVID-19 tourism recovery plans.The HKTB has been recruiting Super Fans ― people with social influence and a heartfelt connection to Hong Kong ― after receiving recommendations from the HKTB's worldwide offices in 20 key markets in Asia, Australasia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. About 220 Super Fans, including YouTubers and Instagrammers, were selected from around the world, including 20 from Korea.The HKTB said the role of these Super Fans would be similar to that of honorary ambas

Feb 17, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

'Hong Kong Super Fans' to boost city's tourism recovery

5 accommodations that can bring the movies to life

By Jun Ji-hyeBecoming a character in a movie ― be it a romantic film that gives you butterflies in your stomach or an action flick that makes your palms sweat ― is something nearly everyone has dreamed of at one time or another. One way to live this fantasy is to visit a location featured in one of your favorite films!Here are five movies with well-constructed plots and five special accommodations where you can immerse yourself in a movie, recommended by Booking.com, one of the big-name online travel services.“Casino Royale”: Grandhotel PuppThe Grandhotel Pupp, located in Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic / Courtesy of Booking.com“Casino Royale,” one of the most popular James Bond movies, was the first film to star Daniel Craig as James Bond and a mega hit that featured great acting and intense fight scenes.The Grandhotel Pupp, located in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, serves as the glamorous hotel where James Bond checks in to play poker at the casino. The hotel is also where James Bond later dines with Vesper with whom he falls in love. Rooms in this hot

Feb 17, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

5 accommodations that can bring the movies to life

Pandemic gathering ban changes Lunar New Year cooking

Meal kit products of traditional foods are popular ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which falls on Feb. 11 to 14, as many people plan to prepare small amounts of food following a ban on large family gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Korea Times fileBy Bahk Eun-jiIt is a tradition for people to visit their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday and cook lots of food to offer ancestral rites and share with relatives.But fear of COVID-19 and the government's ban on gatherings of groups of five or more people have forced many to cancel visits to their hometowns, and this has made people seek smaller amounts of food for their own immediate family and choose easier ways to prepare it while staying at home.Jo Yong-soon, a 58-year-old homemaker living in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, said she didn't invite relatives over for this holiday, but plans to prepare some food for her family.“I usually become so busy two or three days before Lunar New Year or Chuseok as I have to prepare a lot of food for about a dozen relatives. But this time, I will cook two to three kinds of fo

Feb 10, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji

Pandemic gathering ban changes Lunar New Year cooking

PHOTOS On way to grandmother for Lunar New Year holiday

'Little Haenyeo' exhibition sheds light on female divers, artists and writers

Installation view of the haenyeo exhibition at Little Haenyeo on Jeju Island, featuring Kim Jae-yi's "Magazine" on the left / Courtesy of Little HaenyeoBy Kwon Mee-yooLittle Haenyeo, a guesthouse on Jeju Island, is holding an exhibition introducing art and literature inspired by the culture of haenyeo, female divers of the island who have been designated as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.Kim Jae-yi, who moved to Jeju in 2011, portrays young and confident haenyeo on her canvas, defying the typical notion of the divers as elderly. The illustrator-turned-artist also presented her haenyeo paintings at a solo exhibition in the U.S. in 2017, garnering positive reviews for being sensual and bold. Na Gang works with various mediums to portray the life of haenyeo and images of Jeju in her art. From her paintings of the sea to sculptural works using shells and the haenyeo's taewak buoy, Na captures the energy and spirituality of the island and the female divers who became its symbol.An installation at a haenyeo exhibition, featuring haenyeo-related books, at Little Haenyeo on Jeju Islan

Feb 4, 2021By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Little Haenyeo' exhibition sheds light on female divers, artists and writers

Rovaniemi of Finland offers a 'true' winter holiday

Tourists enjoy their winter holiday around a campfire in Rovaniemi, Finland. / Courtesy of Visit RovaniemiBy Jun Ji-hyeRovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in northern Finland, provides travelers with quality time with their loved ones, delicious Lapland food and magical nights under the auroras. Visit Rovaniemi said the city offers a “true” winter holiday as visitors can celebrate Christmas all year round, with snowy landscapes surrounding them all the way until April.Surrounded by a winter wonderland, Rovaniemi is close to Santa Claus Village, where people can meet Santa Claus. Visitors can take part in an “elf school,” helping elves make Christmas preparations in the Santa Claus Secret Forest.Marveling at the beauty of the northern lights can be another new experience.Tourists marvel at the northern lights in Rovaniemi, Finland. / Courtesy of Visit RovaniemiIt is also recommended to try various winter activities such as snowshoeing, winter biking or ice fishing, where you can snap some of the most Instagrammable shots of your life.Other activities include ice

Jan 28, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Rovaniemi of Finland offers a 'true' winter holiday

Soowoon by Haevichi Hotels & Resorts unveils premium lunchbox

Korean cuisine restaurant Soowoon run by Haevichi Hotels & Resorts offers the premium lunchbox. / Courtesy of Haevichi Hotels & ResortsBy Jun Ji-hyeKorean cuisine restaurant Soowoon located in central Seoul has launched the “Premium Woon Lunchbox,” a unique takeaway-only meal featuring ingredients such as pine mushrooms, eel and abalone. The upscale restaurant is run by Haevichi Hotels & Resorts that owns and operates hotels and resorts on Jeju Island.The premium lunchbox features a special selection of main and side dishes, evoking the “sura,” traditionally served to kings in Korea's royal palace, and is accompanied by rice prepared with natural pine mushrooms for a conveniently portable yet refined dining experience. Menu items include grilled gochujang (red pepper paste) eel, renowned for its immune system-boosting and re-energizing properties; abalone with noodles in vinegar dressing, made from abalone caught in the waters off Wan Island; and roast chicken, marinated in Jeju green soy sauce.Others include Soowon signature dish braised short rib

Jan 21, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Soowoon by Haevichi Hotels & Resorts unveils premium lunchbox

Korea Grand Sale: culture and shopping benefits expanded

A screenshot of a video promoting Korea Grand Sale 2021. Hallyu star Eric Nam is acting as a guide to tell stories about the culture and tourism festival for travelers around the world. / Courtesy of Visit Korea Committee Annual culture & tourism festival for foreign tourists taking place online By Jun Ji-hyeThe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with Visit Korea Committee (VKC), is hosting Korea Grand Sale 2021, a culture and tourism festival for travelers from around the world, until Feb. 28.The Korea Grand Sale, which kicked off Jan. 14 with an online concert of K-pop group Oh My Girl, provides both shows and shopping benefits to attract more tourists from abroad during winter, which is the off-season for the tourism industry. This year's event is taking place online due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.The festival offers a variety of programs, including online cultural tours around Korea where people can experience and purchase Korean cultural

Jan 20, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Korea Grand Sale: culture and shopping benefits expanded

Academic activist puts kimchi ad in NYT

A newspaper ad of Kimchi released in The New York Times, Jan. 18 (local time) / Courtesy of Seo Kyoung-duk's FacebookBy Park Han-solAmid the recently reignited debate over China's attempt to appropriate traditional Korean kimchi, academic activist Seo Kyoung-duk announced that a newspaper advertisement promoting the dish has been printed in The New York Times' U.S. and international editions, Jan. 18 (local time).The controversy over the fermented cabbage dish rose recently when the Chinese state-run tabloid Global Times claimed that the development of an international standard for the kimchi industry had been “led by China” in November last year.What further exacerbated the spat between the two countries earlier this month were a photo of Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun holding up kimchi posted on his Twitter account as well as a kimchi-making video uploaded by Chinese YouTuber Li Ziqi with the hashtag #ChineseFood. Li's account currently has more than 14 million followers.In Seo's ad, which has been printed on the fifth page of both editions of the ne

Jan 20, 2021By Park Han-sol

Travel & Food