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Gaeseong Unveils Secret Beauty

By Ryu Jin Korea Times Correspondent GAESEONG, North Korea ― Gaeseong, the ancient capital of Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), finally unveiled its long hidden beauty to South Koreans about 60 years after the separation of the Korean Peninsula. Ten large-sized tour buses carrying a total of 332 people left Gwanghwamun and Jamsil in Seoul at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday to cross the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas for a one-day trip to the historic city in the North. Officially launched on Wednesday, the overland tour to Gaeseong, a 90-minute drive from Seoul, is the second cross-border tourism project by Hyundai Asan, a Hyundai Group unit operating various inter-Korean economic projects including the Mt. Geumgang tour project. For ordinary tourists it is a chance to get an unusual glimpse of the reclusive North; for displaced people, mostly in their declining years, it is a rare opportunity to return to their hometown. ``It took 57 years for me to return to my birthplace since the Korean War (1950-53),’’ Kim Yun-gyeong, 87, the oldest of the 332 tourists, said as

Dec 6, 2007

Jaison, Christophe Guillarme Make Korea Debut in PAP Busan

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Pret-a-Porter (PAP) Busan is known as a stepping-stone for international designers to enter the Korean market, such as renowned designers Michiko Koshino, Maria Cornejo, Richard Chai and Doo-ri Chung, along with rising designers Belgian Christian Wijnants and French-Argentian Gaspard Yurkievich. This year, there were no big name designers, but certainly the presence of up-and-coming Paris-based designers Christophe Guillarme and Jaison added excitement to the event. Jaison, a Korean designer who opened his own showroom in Paris in 2005, expressed excitement at having the opportunity to showcase his designs in Korea for the first time. In an interview with The Korea Times, Jaison said he had always dreamt of going to Paris and fulfilling his ambition of becoming a designer in the world's fashion capital. ``I am inspired by Paris, the music and its people. I think Paris is a romantic and fantastic city. … Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and there you can meet buyers not just from France but buyers from all over

Dec 6, 2007

Spring, Summer Fashion Forecast

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter The Korean fashion industry wrapped up its spring and summer 2008 collections last week, although with seemingly less buzz and excitement than before. From late October to November, a flurry of fashion shows hit Korea. The Seoul Collection, Seoul Fashion Artists Association (SFAA) and Pret-a-Porter Busan (PAP Busan), not to mention individual designers and high-profile brands, have given their fashion forecasts for next season. Overall, the main look on Korea's runways was still very romantic, with lots of ruffles, muted tones and soft silhouettes. The color palette featured a lot of blacks, whites and grays, but bursts of neon color added some spice. Minimalist looks, tribal chic and artistic outfits were also spotted. Seoul Fashion Controversy marred the start of the fashion season, as SFAA members decided to split from the Seoul government-sponsored Seoul Collection. Both Seoul Collection and SFAA Collection drew noticeably thinner crowds respectively, as compared to previous years. The Seoul Collection, held be

Dec 6, 2007

Ape With Pipe Brings Mediterranean Flair

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter With a name like Ape with Pipe, who wouldn't be intrigued by this Mediterranean bistro? Ape with Pipe, located near Noksapyeong Station (Line 6), may not be located on Itaewon's main street but it certainly is worth a visit. The menu offers several kinds of quiche, sandwiches, French-style potpies, salads and mussel dishes. For appetizer, we chose hummus with pita bread, which turned out to be slightly disappointing. The pita bread wasn't warm enough, and the hummus didn't have much flavor. Things got more promising when the pumpkin soup arrived. The pumpkin soup was thick and creamy, but not too cloying or sweet like those found in other places. The potato soup was also light and filling. But of course, the highlight of the meal would have to be the salmon and Brie quiche (12,000 won). The cheese melts in your mouth, blending perfectly with the smoked salmon. The quiche was served with a fresh green salad, but there was not enough dressing on it. The Tzatziki chicken sandwich (12,000 won) was also a good choice. The yogurt

Nov 29, 2007

Saint Petersburg: Russias Biggest Beauty

By Oleg Kiriyanov Contributing writer ``The Venice of the North,'' ``The Russian window to Europe,'' ``The Best Masterpiece of Peter the Great,'' ``The City of Museums, Bridges and Theatres,'' ``The City of all Russian Revolutions,'' ``The Russian Cultural Capital.'' ― Saint Petersburg has a lot of unofficial names. Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is quite young compared to other European cities _ Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703. Its existence and the name itself (Petersburg means ``the city of Peter'') can be completely attributed to Tsar Peter the Great who managed in battles with Swedes to obtain access to the Baltic Sea which the Russian empire needed so badly in the 17th century. While Saint Petersburg was originally built as a fortress, the city soon became a kind of personal obsession of Peter the Great who, inspired by the views of Venice and Amsterdam, decided to build one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Peter restricted construction of stone buildings in all of Russia outside of Saint Petersburg, so that

Nov 29, 2007

Seasonal Classics Have Arrived

By Lee Hyo-won Staff Reporter Christmas and New Year are just around the corner ― why not celebrate the merry occasion with something classic? Among a myriad of concerts and performances, here are some you should not miss this season. All ticket reservations are available at www.interpark.co.kr (1544-1555) or www.ticketlink.co.kr (1588-7890). Little Carolers From Europe Les Petits Chanteurs a la Croix de Bois: These ``little angels from Paris'' will carol their way across the country, from Seoul to Busan, singing carols such as Mozart's ``Berceuse,'' religious classics such as Schubert's ``Ave Maria'' and beloved French chansons like ``La Vie en Rose'' and ``Paris Paname.'' Founded in 1907, the a capella boy's choir has built an international reputation since its overseas debut at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1931. The choir has toured in Asia for the past 30 years, with 15 consecutive sell-out concert tours in Korea. The boys, aged 8-15, are much loved for their vibrant voices that blend in perfect harmony with stellar boy soprano soloists. The schedule is: Dec. 7, Po

Nov 29, 2007

Asian Live Offers Variety of Cuisine

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter Its not always easy for office workers looking for a lunch venue to find a place that suits the tastes of all their colleagues. One restaurant is unlikely to be pleasing to all. Asian Live at COEX InterContinental Seoul seems to have come up with a quick and easy answer to this dilemma should you work in the area. The restaurant offers authenticity and variety in its Asian cuisine including Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Indian dishes. ``During lunch time, about 90 percent of our customers are office workers,'' said Yun Chun-won, assistant director of food & beverages at the hotel. ``They come here without needing to worry whether they will be satisfied or not.'' The unique concept of the restaurant allows diners to choose their favorites from among over 150 dishes from the four different countries in one venue _ 40 Korean, 40 Japanese, 50 Chinese and 25 Indian dishes. The restaurant will add cuisine from Thailand next year to offer more choices for guests. The trendy restaurant also focuses on offering a relaxed dining exper

Nov 29, 2007

Hotel Lobby

Seoul Plaza Hotel Seoul Plaza Hotel has opened a new Italian restaurant, Tuscany, which will hold an opening promotion event on Dec. 1 and 2. At the restaurant, traditional Italian cuisine will be offered and all guests during the period will be provided with Italian sparkling wine. A wide selection of courses as well as an la carte menu will be available and the restaurant also has over 300 different wines from all over the world. For more information, call (02) 310-7349, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ramada Hotel & Suites will hold a special event to celebrate its grand opening. In a lottery, the hotel will offer six lucky guests casino chips worth a total of 1,500,000 won. Only foreigners who make a reservation between Nov. 23 and Dec. 20 can participate. The chips can be used at Seven Luck casino. The luckiest participants will receive chips worth of 1,000,000 won with five other guests given 100,00 won each. For more information, call (02) 2119-8000. Lotte Hotel Seoul Lotte Hotel Seoul invites renowned French chef Thierry Marx. He will produ

Nov 29, 2007

Hotel Lobby

Grand Hilton Seoul The Grand Hilton Seoul will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a special buffet dinner for children from a local orphanage on Nov. 30. The ceremony marks the start of the festive season at the hotel with guests, staff and residents gathering for the show of lights, color and holiday cheer. Light refreshments and Christmas goodies will also be served. Children from nearby Songjuk Orphanage and the Ewha Womans University Choir will give a Christmas carol performance. For more information, call at (02) 2287-8270. Seoul Garden Hotel Chinese restaurant Wangfu at Best Western Premier Seoul Garden Hotel is holding a Chinese Sacheon cuisine promotion. Lunch set menus are available from 39,000 won to 46,000 won and diner set menus are ranged from 60,000 won to 72,000 won. For more information, call (02) 710-7286. Lotte Hotel Seoul Lotte Hotel Seoul holds a Thai Cuisine Festival at La Seine from Nov. 26 to Dec. 4 and a Royal Thai Gala Dinner at the Astor Room on Nov. 29. The festival will be held keeping with the theme

Nov 22, 2007

Westin Chosun Reenacts Confucian Family Banquet

By Kim Tae-jong Staff Reporter Confucius (551-479 B.C.) is generally known for being a philosopher and educator, who had a pr influence on Chinese society and neighboring countries right up to the present century. What is less know is the impact he had on cuisine. The Westin Chosun Seoul's Chinese restaurant Ho Kyung Jeon reenacts a typical Confucian family residence banquet with some of representative dishes from the time-honored fest. To offer authentic Chinese dishes at the highest level, the restaurant has invited a specialist in the subject. ``The main feature of the dishes from the banquet is letting quality ingredients maintain their own tastes without spoiling them,'' chef Bingyi Gao said. ``But the manner in which each dish is prepared, served, presented and enjoyed is regarded of paramount importance.'' Chinese cuisine is well known for its many regional variations such as of the Cantonese and Peking variety with different main ingredients of various seafoods and meats. The Confucian banquet dishes geographically belong to Shandong on the eastern edge

Nov 22, 2007
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