Lifestyle

Kang Sue-jin delivers message of hope for International Dance Day

World Dance Alliance Korea Director Kim Geung-soo, from left, Korean National Ballet Artistic Director Kang Sue-jin, International Theater Institute Honorary President Kim Jeong-ok and International Theater Institute International Dance Committee Vice President Jeon Hong-jo pose at this year's International Dance Day celebration held at Seoul Cyber University, April 29. Courtesy of Seoul Cyber University By Lee Hae-rinKang Sue-jin, artistic director of Korean National Ballet, delivered a message of hope for pandemic-weary people in a speech celebrating 2022 International Dance Day (IDD) during an event held at Seoul Cyber University on April 29. “Dance is made of ephemeral moments, which destines dancers to be on the move forever. Yet, COVID-19 has restricted and even blocked the art of dance in its original form,” she said. “As dancers, we believe that the flapping of our wings gives hope to the hearts of those who love the art of dance and gives them the courage t

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 04, 2022

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 03, 2022

Colombian authors to take center stage at Seoul book fair

Visitors to the Bogota International Book Fair check Korean books at the Korean Pavilion at Corferias in Bogota, Colombia, last week. Korea was invited to the second-largest book fair in Latin America as a guest of honor and Colombia will present its literature as a guest of honor at the Seoul International Book Fair in June in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Courtesy of Bogota International Book FairBy Kwon Mee-yooKorea and Colombia are strengthening ties through literature as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Seoul was the first to dispatch a group of authors to the 2022 Bogota International Book Fair, which ran from April 19 to May 2, and Colombian writers will attend the Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) from June 1 to 5 as guests of honor.Colombian Ambassador to Korea Juan Carlos Caiza said the two countries' relations began in the 1950-53 Korean War, but have since expanded to culture and innovation during a press conference announcing the two countries' book fairs. "It is a

Instant noodle makers roll out novelty products to attract foodies

Caguri, a curry edition of Nongshim's Neoguri spicy noodles / Captured from Nongshim's InstagramBy Park Han-solWhen it comes to packaged Korean instant noodle products, it becomes almost impossible to discuss how they taste without the word “spicy” ― whether it be noodles soaked in red beef broth or served stir-fried with hot chicken flavor.However, in recent months, some of Korea's leading instant noodles makers have been infusing their products with novelty flavors ― such as curry and “doenjang jjigae,” or Korean soybean paste stew ― to cater to the niche market of foodies.One such player is Nongshim. In October 2021, the company released the special cup noodle edition of its signature product Neoguri, replacing the standard spicy soup base with a curry-flavored one.Caguri, a portmanteau of the Korean pronunciation for “curry” and Neoguri, is inspired by a recipe which was originally concocted in many 24-hour internet cafes.At these cafes, where a variety of instant foods and snacks are made available to order right off one's screen, users began

DAILY FORTUNE - MAY 02, 2022

In-person springtime festivals return nationwide amid eased social distancing

The Lotus Lantern Festival's iconic parade takes place in downtown Seoul, Saturday, after a two-year hiatus, as participants march from Heunginjimun Gate to Jogye Temple to celebrate Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8. Yonhap By Park Han-solWith Korea's social distancing measures mostly eased and the outdoor mask mandate to be lifted effective on Monday, in-person religious and cultural festivals are making their return nationwide to celebrate spring.One of the highlights of this weekend was marked by the iconic Lotus Lantern Parade in Seoul on Saturday evening, held after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the annual festivities ahead of Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 8 this year.More than 35,000 Buddhists and non-Buddhists were estimated to have taken part in the centuries-old march, illuminating downtown Seoul from Heunginjimun Gate all the way to Jogye Temple with lanterns of various hues, shapes and sizes, according to its or

Budget carriers reopen, expand Guam routes amid eased COVID-19 entry curbs

Jeju Air / Korea Times fileJeju Air, Korea's biggest low-cost carrier, said Sunday it will offer more flights to Guam starting this month to meet the growing travel demand amid relaxed COVID-19 entry restrictions. Jeju Air will run four flights a week for the Incheon-Guam route, from the current two, the company said in a release. It plans to add more flights to the Incheon-Saipan route that currently operates two flights a week. Air Busan, a budget carrier unit of Asiana Airlines, also said it has resumed the Busan-Guam route with two flights a week.Air Busan had reopened the Guam route in November last year but had to shut it down over the spread of the Omicron variant.The flight resumption came as Korea lifted the mandatory quarantine for fully vaccinated international travelers from late March. Starting in June, inbound travelers will be required to hand in a negative COVID-19 result only once upon their arrival. Seoul plans to gradually lift the quarantine requirement for unvaccinated travelers as well amid a slowing virus trend. (Yonhap)

Pre-entry PCR testing obligation to be maintained

Passengers wait in line to check in before departure at Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport, April 19. NewsisBy Lee Hae-rinThe pre-entry COVID-19 test requirement for arriving travelers will remain in place despite a low incidence of inbound cases and growing calls to replace PCR testing with Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) due to the economic burden of the former. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced during a briefing, Thursday that the government will maintain its requirement on international arrivals to present negative PCR test results to monitor new variants or possible recombination of the coronavirus in the country.Under current regulations, all inbound passengers need to present a negative PCR test result conducted or issued within 48 hours before departure and then must undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival before finally conducting a RAT within 6 to 7 days.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) spokesperson said pre-entry PCR tests are effective in preventing an influx of COVID-19 cases from other countries, as they

DAILY FORTUNE - APRIL 29, 2022