my timesThe Korea Times
Lifestyle

Travel & Food

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.

Jeonju: top pick for budget travelers

Korea Times photos by Baek Byung-yeul & Courtesy of Jeonju City GovernmentOvernight visitors flock to JeonjuBy Baek Byung-yeulJEONJU, North Jeolla Province — For many female office workers, Tokyo or Hong Kong are the preferred destinations for weekend trips or overnight getaways during the week. But the city of Jeonju, known for its traditional heritage, is fast becoming the top pick for short trips among young women.Jung Sung-eun, 23, who visited Jeonju with her friends during the Jeonju International Film Festival  (JIFF) period earlier this month, was impressed with the city’s captivating mix of tradition and modernity.She and her friends were led to the city by social media buzz. “While looking for a nice travel destination for the summer holidays, we were mesmerized by numerous postings with beautiful photos of villages and foods on social networks,” the Seoulite said. “Considering that we don’t have a car and are low on budget, Jeonju was a top choice for us.”With the Jeonju city government’s effort to revamp it

May 29, 2014
Jeonju: top pick for budget travelers

My personal journey to the United Kingdom

People watch the guard-changing ceremony at Buckingham Palace. / Courtesy of Choi Yearn-hongBy Choi Yearn-hongMay is the best month in England. This is a well known fact. So I made a trip to UK in May. I still expected gloomy and melancholic weather, London fog, and ever-changing weather. The Heathrow airport was gray in early May morning mist or fog. A couple of days, I stayed in London. Not that bad. Too short to know London in two days.My daughter was a tour guide to London. Famous parks were my first outing: Hyde Park, Green Park, and Kensington Park. Then, I visited the Churchill’s Wartime Museum, in which I learned Winston Churchill’s leadership and diplomacy with US President Franklin Roosevelt. From there, I walked to the Buckingham Palace. In the following morning, I observed the Buckingham Palace’s  guard-changing ceremony. Then, I visited St. Paul’s Cathedral which was always behind the BBC News. From there, I proceeded to the London Tower, the Shakespeare Theater, the Westminster Abbey, and the Parliament. Two days were not enough. I made nort

May 29, 2014By Do Je-hae
My personal journey to the United Kingdom

Incheon emerges as role model for airports

A bird’s eye view of Incheon International AirportAirport officials from 72 nations to gather in Seoul for annual meeting on May 26-28By Lee Hyo-sik Under the slogan of “Airport: Serving the Customer and the Community,” airport administrators, airline executives and other aviation experts from around the world will converge in Seoul early next week to attend an annual gathering. They will discuss a wide range of issues concerning airport management, security and service quality. Choi Hong-yeol, acting president and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corp.Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), which operates Korea’s main gateway to the world, will host the 2014 Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific/World Annual General Assembly at COEX in southern Seoul from May 26 to 28. More than 800 airport officials, corporate executives and scholars from 72 countries are expected to participate in the three-day meetingIn an interview with The Korea Times, IIAC acting president and CEO Choi Hong-yeol said the state-run company has made all

May 22, 2014
Incheon emerges as role model for airports

HOTEL LOBBY

 In the month of the family, Oakwood Premier COEX Center offers the “O My Junior” package until June 30.This includes a one-night stay in the hotel, with two free passes to COEX Aquarium connected to the hotel arcade.For one Bed Superior, the rate is 320,000 won with a complimentary extra bed. For only 20,000 won more, you can have two Bed Superiors.Tax and service charge are included. Breakfast buffet is available for only 16,000 won per person.Reservation is required. Auxiliary areas such as the children’s play area and indoor swimming pool are available for free as well, and the service team also has DVDs free of charge.Reservations and inquiries, call 02-3466-7103.  Imperial Palace Seoul, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is offering a birthday Suite Package until Sept. 30.The package offers customers the choice between a Duplex Suite resembling a European palace and a Corner Suite adorned with mahogany antiques.It also includes a hair care gift certificate for “Cha Hong Ardor,” a tea set designed by Hankook Porcelain and a set of skin

May 15, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
HOTEL LOBBY

View from Hyatt's outdoor compound is secluded urban delight

A view of the tennis court at Grand Hyatt SeoulBy Kim Se-jeongThe “Spring Tennis Carnival” held at Grand Hyatt Seoul’s tennis court will take place between May 23 and 26. The tournament is an annual event open to hotel guests and members of Club Olympus.Although it is too late to register for this, there are other hidden treasures found in the hotel’s compound near the tennis courts worth exploring.If you have not used the tennis facilities before, finding the court can be a bit complicated.First, go to the hotel gym in the basement. After passing through a door next to the gym, you will find an outdoor swimming pool.This is a delightful spot with a rare panoramic view of Seoul.The Han River cuts through the cityscape. It may not be as stunning as views from old castles looking onto orange-roofed Renaissance and Gothic buildings in picturesque Prague, but it is still an interesting view.This is also one of the rare noise free outdoor spots in Seoul.The Hyatt’s outdoor swimming pool offers a unique view of the cityof Seoul. Courtesy of Grand Hyatt SeoulBu

May 15, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
View from Hyatt's outdoor compound is secluded urban delight

Lotte invites ceramic art to dining table

A photo shows the full course of “Elegance of Korean Cuisine” at the Korean restaurant Mugunghwa of Lotte Hotel Seoul. Two ceramic artists Lee Yong-ho and Huh Sang-wook have collaborated in the project with their potteries. / Korea Times photo by Kim Se-jeongBy Kim Se-jeongPresentation counts for much in our contemporary world.How to show something is just as important as its contents. It is all about marketing.This has been the traditional rule of thumb of the food industry.Giving an appealing look to tasty food has been a major challenge for many chefs.Based on this, some food artists were inspired to find a way of decorating and presenting food in a way that appeals to the palates.Imagine a hotdog with hot puppy-shaped buns, with a sausage, cabbage and mustard inside.“Elegance of Korean Cuisine” is the newest attempt by Mugunghwa, a Korean restaurant at Lotte Hotel Seoul, to satisfy the creative presentation demand of dinners.Chun Duk-sang, the restaurant’s chef de cuisine, collaborates with ceramic artists towards this end.Thanks to this collabo

May 15, 2014By Kim Se-jeong
Lotte invites ceramic art to dining table

Modernity and tradition

Festival offers opportunity for growth of choreographers By Do Je-haeStarting with Stuttgart Ballet's principal Kang Sue-jin, a growing number of Koreans have made an impression in the world of international ballet. Young stars of Korean ballet have made strides recently with the world's foremost troupes in Europe, the U.S. and Russia.  The radiant Seo Hee is a first-ever Asian principal at the American Ballet Theater, and Yuhui Choe, a soloist at London's Royal Ballet, is one of the most popular dancers at the British company. Then there is Park Se-eun, who swiftly rose through the ranks to become a soloist at the world's most prestigious company, the Paris Opera Ballet, in March. The press also made a fuss over Kim Ki-min, who recently joined the legendary Mariinsky Ballet, the pride of St. Petersburg, Russia, as a soloist. He is the first Asian male dancer ever to enter the company. Meanwhile, many Koreans continue to win coveted prizes at international ballet competitions.Most of these dancers were initially trained in Korea. It seems rather clear that Korea can train good d

May 15, 2014By Do Je-hae
Modernity and tradition

Experiencing Hainan, self-proclaimed 'Hawaii of Asia'

 Beach at Tianya HaijiaoBy Yun Suh-youngHAINAN, China — Hainan, an island off the southern coast of China, is touted by Chinese tourism officials as the “Hawaii of Asia”— a prestigious moniker to live up to.At 34,000 square-kilometers, Hainan is 18 times larger than Jeju Island and offers stunning tropical scenery. But some tourists who prefer to go shopping, dine out, languish in fancy hotels and sample nightlife entertainment might feel slightly disappointed because much of Hainan’s charm comes from the fact that it is still largely underdeveloped.However, this could all change rapidly — countless construction sites were seen during a 40-minute ride from Sanya Airport to a hotel in Haitang Bay, where most resorts are clustered. Many of the island’s best tourist attractions are near the Li and Miao Village, located on the border between Sanya City and Baoting County.A man climbs up a betel nut tree at the Li and Miao village./ Korea Times photos by Yun Suh-young Li and Miao VillageThe village, also called “Baoting Li and Miao

May 8, 2014
Experiencing Hainan, self-proclaimed 'Hawaii of Asia'

Faking it: college entry forgery

Students turn to writing agencies for college applicationsBy Jung Min-ho, Jung Sung-eunFor some Korean students who want to study abroad, gaining entry to schools they want to attend is more about spending cash than making earnest academic efforts.  In May last year, the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), a standardized test used in college admissions in the United States and other countries, was canceled across Korea for the first time after it was found that many “hagwon,’’ or private cramming institutes, had unlawfully obtained and distributed questions from previous tests.In October last year, The Korea Times also discovered widespread cheating on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), involving instructors at some major English institutes, including the Lee Ik-hoon Language Institute and the Park Jung Language Institute.But it is not just SAT and TOEFL scores that are vulnerable to fraud.Some writing agencies sell ghostwritten essays, statements of purpose, personal history statements and even letters of recommendation to help Korean students ge

May 8, 2014
Faking it: college entry forgery

HOTEL LOBBY

The Grand Hilton Seoul’s Atrium Cafe is presenting a “special menu” promotion throughout the week with a new selection of dishes for each day of the week.On Monday, guests can enjoy an Italian Evening featuring Italian buffet consisting of salads, pastas, pizzas and desserts. On Tuesday, Asian Creations features main dishes from around Asia including mee goreng, pad thai, sizzling teriyaki sirloin, malay beef fendang and more. On Wednesday, the Seafood Special offers the best of the ocean including grilled lobster, salt sea bass and fritto misto. Thursday is Curry Rice Day, with curries from Thailand, Japan and India including katsu with black curry sauce, breaded pork cutlet curry and Thai-style green curry garnished with seasonal salad and dessert. From Friday to Sunday, it is Weekend steak night where diners can enjoy various high quality meat cuts including Australian tenderloin, American rib eye and Korean beef tenderloin.The special menu will continue through June from 6 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. The price ranges from 28,000 won through 95,000 won (including tax

May 1, 2014
HOTEL LOBBY
previous page
241242243244245
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle