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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.

Marriott's Le Meridien aims to transform Seoul's nightlife

Le Meridien Sinchon is the Marriott International brand's first hotel in Korea. / Courtesy of Sinchon DevelopmentBy Ko Dong-hwanPeter GassnerMarriott International’s Asia-Pacific head Peter Gassner says he will transform one of Seoul’s hottest nightlife districts with Korea’s first Le Meridien hotel.Le Meridien is one of the Washington, D.C.-based multinational hospitality company’s 30 brands that has 100 hotels worldwide. The latest addition will be in Sinchon, a universities-clustered area in northwestern Seoul. The Austrian hotel developer said he chose the area because he has seen “a big transformation” there.“For the past five years, I have visited the district including the great Hongdae University neighborhood day and night,” Gassner told The Korea Times at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square, Seoul, on May 17, where he inked a management deal with Sinchon Development for the hotel scheduled for completion in three years.“If I was asked to build a five-star hotel here five years ago, I would have said ‘not yet.’

May 21, 2017
Marriott's Le Meridien aims to transform Seoul's nightlife

'Seonbi can be Korea's cultural icon'

Yeongju Mayor Jang Wook-hyeon speaks during a recent interview. / Courtesy of Yeongju City GovernmentBy Jung Min-hoYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province ― Like Buddhism thrived in other parts of the world beyond India where it originated, Korea is often referred to as a more Confucian society than China or any other country in the world.Christianity, now the religion of nearly 30 percent of people living in Korea, has affected the country greatly in terms of its belief system over the past century, but Confucianism remains strong in the way people live their daily lives.“Seonbi,” the term used to indicate a Confucian scholar, is now used for any intellectual who is also ethical. Mayor Jang Wook-hyeon reckons this is a unique Korean cultural product that deserves greater attention.“Like the Japanese have Bushido (the samurai way of life), Koreans have the seonbi spirit,” he said. “A seonbi is an intellectual who continues to learn and has a great sense of responsibility for society, which is exactly the sort of intellectual our age needs.”Over the past

May 18, 2017
'Seonbi can be Korea's cultural icon'

Rediscovering the 'seonbi spirit'

Participants dressed up as seonbi scholars gather at Seonbichon Village during last year’s Seonbi Culture Festival. / Courtesy of Yeongju City GovernmentYeongju City to host Seonbi Culture Festival May 26-29By Jung Min-hoYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province ― There is no doubt that the ideas of Chinese scholar Confucius have had a profound influence on East Asia. But how the ideas were adopted and practiced in Korea are, in many ways, uniquely Korean.A good example is the character of “seonbi,” which refers to a virtuous scholar who pursued a simple and graceful lifestyle during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).The term was initially used for Confucian scholars, but its meaning later expanded to include people who followed a strict code of conduct ― with or without a government post ― to lead society in the right direction. The spirit of seonbi still lives on, affecting a big part of Korean culture.The Seonbi Culture Festival, which is scheduled to be held at Seonbichon from May 26 to 29, will offer a glimpse into what it was like to live as a seonbi hundreds

May 18, 2017
Rediscovering the 'seonbi spirit'

Chef Sung Park offers NY's rare French-Korean cuisine

By Yun Suh-young Chef Sung ParkNew York is a place with a myriad of choices. On the food scene, that means it offers a diverse range of cuisines for foodies, and for chefs, plenty of opportunities to experiment with the market.Many of the Korean chefs who are active in New York are second or third generation Korean-Americans and they pursue Korean cuisine cooked fusion-style to cater to the American market. Only a handful of Korean chefs cook other types of cuisine _ such as French.Chef Sung Park, who has a small restaurant in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the few exceptions. His restaurant, Bistro Petit, is a tiny place which can be easily overlooked when walking down the street. At the 14-seat restaurant, Park cooks his own unique French-Korean cuisine, which is mostly French with touches of Korean elements."It's basically French cuisine. The reason people say it's French-Korean is because of the Korean touches I add to the dishes. But visibly, the Korean element is minimal," said Park."Yet, the dishes are inspired by my Korean background. All of my dishes have a story. Each o

May 16, 2017
Chef Sung Park offers NY's rare French-Korean cuisine

Four reasons to go to Wando

An aerial view of Wando Tower / Courtesy of Wando County OfficeBy Jung Min-hoWANDO, South Jeolla Province ― Few travelers have heard of it, and the locals are not passionate about promoting it, yet Wando is home to beautiful natural wonders and exotic, tasty food.Wando is the shining crown of southern Korea. The island has gorgeous mountains to climb, islands to hop, beaches to relax on and plenty of Jeolla-style cuisine, which is regarded the best in Korea. But the place has surprisingly few tourists, which makes it even more attractive for those who are tired of bustling areas like Daecheon or Haeundae beaches.The “Wan” in Wando means “to smile broadly” and “do” means “island” in Korean. Tourists may find it a perfect name for the place, which is full of super-friendly people.Juicy abalone breadHeaven for abalone loversYou can find other places for hiking, swimming and relaxing, but Wando is Korea’s ― perhaps the world’s ― only place where you can find “abalone bread.”Wando is considered heaven for pe

May 11, 2017
Four reasons to go to Wando

Hot air balloon service launched in Jeju

A hot air balloon in the Jeju sky / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoThere is nothing quite like looking down at the natural landscape of Jeju Island from the sky.The “dream ride” is no longer just a dream after Oreum Balloons, a hot air balloon operator, began the service earlier this month for the first time in Korea, following approval from the Jeju Regional Office of Aviation (JROA).The balloon lifts off with passengers at Songdang-ri at sunrise. The journey offers gorgeous views of Jeju from 2,000 feet above the ground for about one hour.After arriving at its destination, one of the 10 selected spots, the passengers and pilot uncork a bottle of champagne to enjoy the repose and take photos together.Kim Jong-kook, the vice president of the Korea Balloon Association and a veteran pilot, is the company’s CEO. He has been piloting balloons for 30 years in 30 different countries.Kim Jong-kook, CEO of Oreum Balloons, takes a selfie with passengers on the ride. / Yonhap“The landscape of Jeju is more beautiful than that of many other famous spots I have flown over,&rdquo

May 11, 2017
Hot air balloon service launched in Jeju

Things to do at hotels during golden holiday

The Conrad Seoul’s buffet restaurant, Zest, is a good place to dine with the family./Courtesy of Conrad SeoulBy Kim Se-jeong Are you enjoying your “golden holidays” this week?For those who are staying in the city, The Korea Times is sharing fun things to do at hotels in town for the remaining holidays which will end May 9. Conrad SeoulThe Conrad Seoul’s buffet restaurant, Zest, is a good place to dine with the family. It is conveniently located on Yeouido in Seoul and the restaurant’s window seats offer a stunning look of the Han River. Zest offers a variety of cuisine, ranging from Korean dishes to pizza, steak, sushi, sashimi, Beijing duck and various poultry dishes.  The “Saturday Market” for children features menus loved by children from May 5 till 7.Meals cost from 80,000 won. The Children’s Day Saturday Market costs 98,000 won. For reservations or inquiries, call (02) 6137-7100/7120 or visit www.conradseoul.com. JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square SeoulIf you have a child, the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square’s &l

May 4, 2017
Things to do at hotels during golden holiday

hotel brief

The Sheraton Seoul D Cube City hotel is presenting a Chinese cuisine promotion until May 16 at its signature restaurant Feast.Guest chefs from Le Meridien Zhengzhou in China will prepare rice congee with preserved eggs and pork, Shanghai style deep-fried shrimp with spicy salt, Cantonese style baked chicken with shallots and ginger, classic Xinjiang lamb skewer, Sichuan spicy tofu pudding with squid, Macao style stir-fried pork with pineapples in sweet and sour sauce, Hangzhou style pan-fried beef spare rib with eggplant, and Wok-fried mixed seafood with Hunan style spicy sour chili sauce.The promotion is available for lunch and dinner and costs 63,000 won, including tax. For more information and reservations, call (02) 2211-1710/1711. The Sheraton Grand Incheon is presenting a “Have It All Package” for 225,000 won all year around.The package includes a one-night stay in a Club City View room, breakfast for two, evening cocktail happy hour at the Club Lounge and complimentary access to the indoor swimming pool and fitness center. Guests can enjoy savory snacks and dr

May 4, 2017
hotel brief

Renovated Vista Walkerhill offers tranquility in Seoul

The Vista Walkerhill Seoul opened last month after renovation./Courtesy of Vista Walkerhill SeoulBy Jennifer FlinnThe newest addition to Seoul’s hotel scene is not so much new, but rather the rebranded and renewed Vista Walkerhill Seoul. Formerly the W Seoul-Walkerhill, the newly christened Vista continues with the boutique concept, focusing on creating a unique, restful, and sustainable hotel. The hotel’s location on Mount Acha in eastern Seoul makes for an ideal location for a restful staycation or for the traveler looking for something with an urban vibe but not the urban noise.Vista Deluxe RoomRooms offer views of either the mountainside or the Han River, lending a sense of getting away from it all. The restful setting is enhanced by the minimalist, sleek grey and white interiors that feel both modern and natural. Within the suites, features include a host of technological enhancements, with iPads to explore with, state-of-the-art TV screens, a soothing and zen customizable lighting scheme and remote control of the curtains via touchscreen, and even NUGU, a voice

May 4, 2017
Renovated Vista Walkerhill offers tranquility in Seoul

Gyeongju tourism industry recuperates from last year's earthquake

The tourism industry is picking up in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, after being shaken by earthquakes last September.The number of visitors increased over 90 percent from a year earlier, reaching 3.5 million as of late April.More than 70 percent of the growth came in April, thanks to cherry blossom festivals there. The city’s industry has also benefited from the many holidays in early May, as people rushed to reserve spots in hotels and condos, most of which had been fully booked weeks ahead.Hotels, restaurants and major attractions have drawn throngs of people with big sale events, which will continue until May 14.For the industry that has almost seen a full recovery from last year’s shock, one task still remains: bringing back school field trips. The number of school trips plunged, with some schools even canceling prearranged visits, as more than 600 mild quakes have occurred since. Only 30 schools have visited or are planning to bring their students to the ancient city of Silla Kingdom, previously a popular field trip destination.One city government official com

May 4, 2017
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