Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Discounted temple stay program for foreigners returns

Looking for a serene weekend getaway for less? Or curious to try a temple stay during a visit to Korea? The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism (CCKB) is offering a special temple stay promotion for 1,500 foreigners living in or visiting Korea for 30,000 won ($22) until Oct. 31, discounted from the usual minimum price of 50,000 won per night. The program, offered on a first-come, first-served basis, allows participants to enjoy a temple stay at 21 sites nationwide. The list includes some of the most popular temple stay destinations among foreign visitors: Jogye Temple in Seoul; Golgul Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province; and Naksan and Woljeong temples in Gangwon Province. Other participating sites include Myogak and Hwagye temples in Seoul; Donghwa Temple in Daegu; Beomeo Temple in Busan; Jeondeung Temple in Incheon; Jikji Temple in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province; and Magok Temple in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province. New additions this year are Daeheung Temple in Haenam, South Jeolla Province and Sudeok Temple in Yesan, South Chungcheong Province. “We have all the famous

Aug 11, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Discounted temple stay program for foreigners returns

Family vacation or emotional minefield? Traveling with parents decoded

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. With summer vacation in full swing, many are planning trips with their elderly parents — a chance to show appreciation while getting some rest. But what starts as a heartwarming getaway can quickly spiral into frustration when expectations don’t align. “I’m never going on a trip with my parents again,” some say after a trip filled with endless complaints and chilly responses to carefully chosen destinations. In truth, most parents enjoy spending time with their children. But for parents unaccustomed to traveling, unfamiliar places can feel overwhelming or exhausting. Often, underlying health issues go unspoken. A parent who seems disinterested in sightseeing may simply be in pain — for instance, complaining that there’s “nothing to see” could be a way of masking knee discomfort. To avoid misunderstandings and ensure a smoother experience, experts recommend preparing a thorough health checklist before and after traveling with aging parents. Check health status before departure For parents over 60, it’s likely they are managing

Aug 9, 2025By Kormedi.com

Family vacation or emotional minefield? Traveling with parents decoded

Korea Beauty Festival draws record 145,000 international visitors

The Korea Beauty Festival attracted a record 145,000 visitors from 151 countries during its month of events, according to the Visit Korea Committee (VKC) Tuesday. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the VKC and the Korea Tourism Organization, the monthlong event concluded on July 18, reflecting growing international interest in Korean hair care and makeup, fashion, health and wellness. This year’s turnout marks a 30 percent increase in attendance compared to last year, underscoring Korea’s growing status as a worldwide beauty and lifestyle leader. A total of 527 companies took part — 128 more than 2024 — signaling broad industry engagement across beauty, travel and shopping sectors, the committee said. The festival launched on June 19 with an opening ceremony at Dongdaemun Design Plaza’s K-Beauty Town and rolled out a series of immersive events at key Seoul destinations, including Myeong-dong, Hongdae, Seongsu, Dongdaemun, Cheonggye Stream and Gangnam. Attractions ranged from one-on-one business consultations and hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) experi

Aug 5, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Korea Beauty Festival draws record 145,000 international visitors

Bibimbap, Korea’s iconic rice bowl, may help with weight and blood sugar — if you avoid one common mistake

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. Bibimbap, made with a variety of greens and drizzled with perilla oil, is a representative Korean health food. Among its many variations, sanchae bibimbap — or wild vegetable bibimbap — is especially gaining popularity for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavors. In addition to common ingredients such as radish greens (siraegi), sweet potato stems, green chili peppers, dried zucchini slices, dried gourd and radish strips, wild vegetable bibimbap includes foraged mountain greens like mushrooms, bracken, royal fern, deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolate), bellflower root and gondre (wild thistle). These ingredients are often seasoned and served as side dishes or mixed into the rice bowl. But how healthy is this dish? Experts say it can help regulate blood sugar, support bone health and manage weight — as long as you know how to eat it properly. Siraegi boosts fiber intake and supports blood sugar control Siraegi, or dried radish greens, contains three to four times more dietary fiber than fresh radish leaves, offering improved nutrit

Aug 2, 2025By Kormedi.com

Bibimbap, Korea’s iconic rice bowl, may help with weight and blood sugar — if you avoid one common mistake

Incheon airport launches real-time departure hall wait time service

Incheon International Airport, Korea’s largest and busiest air hub, has unveiled a new real-time service that provides departing passengers with estimated processing times for each departure hall, the airport operator announced Friday. The newly introduced feature gives travelers to-the-minute predictions on how long the entire departure process will take — from entering the terminal’s departure hall, to getting through security screening and finishing with immigration inspection. The data is continuously updated using big data sensors installed throughout the airport, which track the actual flow of passengers through the terminal. Passengers can now compare estimated waiting times for each departure area before entering based on the LED electronic boards displaying real-time information above the departure entrances. This allows travelers to choose a less crowded hall, potentially reducing waiting and processing times. Additionally, the airport has upgraded its existing flight information display system (FIDS) to further assist passengers after they clear immigration. The monitors

Aug 1, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Incheon airport launches real-time departure hall wait time service

3 easy Korean salmon recipes to try at home

Despite its many health benefits, salmon, known as "yeoneo" in Korean, has been considered a premium ingredient for many in Korea, largely due to its high cost. But that barrier seems to be coming down as prices for raw salmon in Korea — mostly imported from Norway — have dropped noticeably, by as much as 40 percent from last year. To help home chefs take advantage of the price drop, The Korea Times has compiled three easy salmon recipes that are popular among Korean households. 1. Yeoneo gimbap (salmon seaweed rice roll) Ingredients: 300g sliced salmon 1/4 chopped onion 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice Salt and pepper 3 eggs 1 sheet of seaweed 2 leaves of lettuce Yeoneo gimbap, a popular Korean seaweed roll featuring salmon, stands out from the usual versions by incorporating a creamy sauce. Start by mixing chopped onions with mayonnaise, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Set the sauce aside. For the filling, you only need scrambled eggs and lettuce. Scramble the eggs into a thin layer, roll them while still slightly runny, let cool, then slice into thick s

Aug 1, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

3 easy Korean salmon recipes to try at home

5 Korean snacks K-pop stars love

In a scene from the hit Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," Zoey, a member of a fictional — but chart-topping in real-life — K-pop group Huntrix, hungrily gobbles down a bag of snacks. Though simply labeled potato chips in the film, any Korean viewer would instantly recognize the twisted sticks as Saeukkang, the beloved shrimp crackers from Korean food company Nongshim. K-pop artists, whether real or fictional, are helping to fuel global interest in Korea’s food products, driving both buzz and sales. To celebrate the trend, The Korea Times has compiled a list of Korean snacks that frequently appear in K-pop content and fan conversations around the world. 1. Saeukkang Also known as Shrimp Crackers, Saeukkang is a classic Korean snack that has been around since 1971 and remains one of Nongshim’s most beloved global exports. The idea behind the product was to capture the savory salt-grilled shrimp flavor that Koreans love. While "KPop Demon Hunters" recently boosted its profile, Mingi from ATEEZ is also a known fan of this snack. On First We Feast, a popular YouTube food chan

Jul 30, 2025By Kim Se-jeong

Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat

As Korea endures one of its hottest summers on record, major hotels nationwide are rolling out special summer stamina menus — a seasonal tradition designed to help patrons restore energy during the sweltering heat. Koreans traditionally favor steaming, protein-rich dishes believed to replenish depleted energy during the dog days of summer over chilled dishes. Korea has a tradition of "boknal," supposedly the three hottest days of summer between mid-July and mid-August, according to the lunar calendar. This year, those days fall on July 20, July 30 and Aug. 9. Throughout the season, Koreans traditionally gather with friends and family to eat dishes to improve stamina, believing that “fighting heat with heat” helps the body persevere through high temperatures. While some older customs, such as eating dog meat, have grown less common and are often debated, the prevailing tradition is focused more on restoring energy and celebrating with hearty, nutritious meals and outings to the countryside or mountains to escape the heat. Blending culinary heritage with modern flair, hotels are putti

Jul 30, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum leads campaign to boost Korea’s appeal to travelers

Actor Park Bo-gum was officially named the honorary ambassador for Korean tourism on Tuesday at a ceremony in Seoul, a role aimed at highlighting the country’s vibrant culture and regional attractions. The announcement marks the latest chapter in the country’s tradition of partnering with Korea’s most influential stars — following in the footsteps of BTS, Lee Jung-jae and NewJeans — to boost its appeal as a top travel destination. “It is an honor to share Korea’s charm with the world. I am grateful to be invited to this meaningful role,” he said. The actor highlighted the nation’s deep history and modern energy, along with the distinctive warmth — known as “jeong” — that characterizes Korean hospitality. He also urged visitors to discover both metropolitan and coastal treasures, recommending a bike ride along the Han River — his own favorite route — and a tour of Busan’s vibrant coastline, recently showcased in a drama series in which he starred. Central to the campaign launch were two new films featuring Park: a short film and a music video. Notably, Park

Jul 29, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Heartthrob Park Bo-gum leads campaign to boost Korea’s appeal to travelers

Soaked in summer: Korea's hottest festivals to cool off, snap photos, dive headfirst into season

As the unforgiving monsoon rains fade and summer heat takes hold, Korea is transforming into a vibrant playground of culture, nature and celebration. From bustling city plazas to tranquil riversides and scenic mountains, the country’s summer festivals bring together locals and travelers in search of joy, beauty and, most importantly, relief from rising temperatures. Whether you want to dive into a giant mud pit, wander through endless flower fields or dance beneath the stars, there's always a festival to match your vibe. The Korea Times curated Korea's best summer events into three categories: water festivals, photo-friendly escapes and hands-on adventures. Pack your waterproof gadgets, charge your camera and prepare for a Korean summer you'll never forget. Dive head-first into summer When it comes to escaping the sweltering sun, nothing beats a full-body plunge into water. Across Korea, a wave of water-themed festivals is giving locals and tourists alike a reason to get wet, dance and escape the heat. From the heart of Seoul to the coastal charm of South Jeolla Province, here are some

Jul 26, 2025By Pyo Kyung-min

Travel & Food