
Seoul Releases Global Tourism Campaign Featuring Star Chef Edward Lee
Chef Edward Lee gained international acclaim through appearances on the Emmy, James Beard, and Critics' Choice Award-winning series, Bravo's "Top Chef" and recently starred in Netflix's hit culinary series "Culinary Class Wars," solidifying his reputation as a global culinary celebrity.
"Seoul Table for One" highlights Lee's gastronomic journey through Seoul's diverse food scene. From beloved local eateries that have captured Korean hearts for generations to the bustling food stalls at Noryangjin Fish Market and Gwangjang Market, elegant fine-dining restaurants, and vibrant street food carts, Edward Lee introduces the authentic flavors of Seoul to a worldwide audience.
The second installment, "Solo in Seoul," scheduled for release on June 11th, features Edward Lee exploring the city independently, showcasing unique experiences and solo-friendly travel routes. Highlights include riding the tram past Changgyeonggung Palace, hiking Bugaksan Mountain, wandering through Insadong's charming alleyways, taking the Seoul Sky Bridge tour, and enjoying breathtaking views aboard SEOULDAL, a tethered helium balloon attraction at Yeouido park.
The promotional campaign is a collaborative effort between the Seoul Tourism Organization and NBCUniversal. The videos will be distributed through various social media platforms and aired on NBCUniversal platforms, significantly enhancing global reach across North America, Europe, and Asia.
"Through global celebrity chef Edward Lee, we aim to promote Seoul's charm to international travelers, thereby boosting global tourism demand," said an official from the Seoul Tourism Organization.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Korea Herald
an hour ago
- Korea Herald
XPPen Celebrates 20th Anniversary with "Back to Future, Create Now!"
XPPen & PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity LOS ANGELES, Aug. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XPPen, the world's leading digital art innovation brand, marked its dazzling 20th anniversary today. Under the theme "Back to Future, Create Now!", XPPen partners with PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, bridging digital art with gaming communities worldwide, featuring a prize pool of $120,000. The initiative also includes visionary conversations on the future of digital art with leading artists and offers an exclusive anniversary sale. For two decades, XPPen has remained committed to empowering creators worldwide through innovative technology, and this milestone celebration serves as a tribute to the unwavering support of our global creative community. "With a vision to bridge technology and human art, XPPen continues to spark creativity and connect artists worldwide," said Amy Yuan, Brand Director at XPPen. "This year, themed 'Back to Future, Create Now', we encourage users to pursue their dreams and envision the future. While technologies continue to reshape imagination and creativity, the essence of art remains a unique reflection of how individuals observe and contemplate the world. Viewing present through the future, grounded in warmth and humanity, we're moving forward with greater conviction. We are honored to join hands with PUBG MOBILE, a globally renowned mobile game, for the Ultimate Set Design Contest. Through this collaboration, we not only provide a global stage for creators to showcase their talent but also strengthen XPPen's connection with the new generation, enabling gaming enthusiasts to experience the joy of creation." XPPen x PUBG MOBILE Ultimate Set Design Contest: Leading a New Wave of Creativity XPPen partners with the renowned mobile game PUBG MOBILE to launch the Ultimate Set Design Contest, inviting creators worldwide to explore creative frontiers. Ptopia Design Project (PDP) is the first global community-sourced co-creation program for PUBG MOBILE, inspiring players to develop outfits, weapons, accessories and more. This partnership is derived from a shared passion for innovation, open spirit, and creativity, as well as a vision to foster co-creation, cultural exchange, and a global creative platform. The contest runs from August 16 to October 16, 2025, featuring popular themes and an exclusive new theme co-created by XPPen and PUBG MOBILE: "Future Era," encouraging participants to envision the future. Prizes include a $120,000 prize pool, flagship XPPen drawing displays and PUBG MOBILE props, with winning designs potentially featured in-game. Join the contest at A panel of esteemed artists will judge the entries, including Clinton Jones (Pwnisher), acclaimed director and 3D/VFX artist known for curating global 3D challenges; Esteban Diácono, motion designer who has collaborated with leading brands; Ryota-H, renowned Japanese animator and manga artist; along artists Shan Jiang and Giusy Amoroso. "This is a fantastic opportunity. I look forward to seeing participants give their best," says lead judge Clinton Jones. Reshaping the Future of Creative Tools Since 2005, XPPen has been driven by innovation, enabling technology accessible to all. Recent breakthroughs include the Magic Drawing Pad and Magic Note Pad, extending the reach of digital drawing and writing technology to a broader audience while opening new frontiers in mobile creation and business applications. XPPen's product lineup ranges from professional-grade to portable solutions, addressing diverse user needs with versatile creative experiences across scenarios. Looking ahead, XPPen will introduce a new-generation stylus powered by advanced chip technology, offering superior sensitivity, stability, and portability to elevate creation experience. The upcoming Artist Ultra series will strike the perfect balance between professional performance and portable design, redefining the creative tools. Exclusive Anniversary Offers, Up to 50% Off To mark XPPen's 20th anniversary, the official store offers up to 50% off the popular lineup, giving creators a chance to experience the cutting-edge technology at exceptional value. Follow our social media and community for more celebration activities and opportunities to win XPPen products and exclusive anniversary gift sets. Join XPPen's 20th anniversary celebration as we continue to pioneer innovation and inspire creators to reach new heights. Experience the future of digital creativity and be part of our journey. For more information, please visit


Korea Herald
17 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Politeness without pressure: How Korean Gen Zers rewrite drinking norms
In Korea, drinking with elders or seniors, whether at work, school or in other social settings, traditionally comes with some etiquette. Beyond using both hands to pour or receive a drink and turning one's head away while drinking, proper manners include holding your glass lower than a senior's during a toast, promptly refilling their glass when it's empty and reserving the seat farthest from the entrance for the most senior person at the table. For younger Koreans who haven't learned these customs firsthand, YouTube tutorials provide a clear breakdown of proper behavior in drinking settings. These videos often target college freshmen and first-year employees eager to make a good impression. Kim Tae-woon, a 22-year-old university student in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, said he recently watched a video featuring Dex, a TV personality who rose to fame on Netflix's dating show 'Single's Inferno,' sharing tips on traditional Korean drinking etiquette. In the video, Dex introduces customs like turning one's head and lightly pressing the glass to the lips before placing it down when it's difficult to take a full shot poured by an elder, as well as covering the neck of a soju bottle with one hand when pouring for someone else. One of the rules Kim found most memorable was the act of turning his body away when pouring his own drink — a way to avoid drawing attention. Self-pouring, called 'jajak' in Korean, is traditionally discouraged in Korean drinking settings. 'I don't fully understand all the rules, but I make an effort to follow them when I'm drinking with seniors. Even though people say things have changed, I still think it looks good when men show proper manners since hierarchy and seniority tend to play a bigger role in male relationships than in female ones.' 'At first, some seniors thought I was being a bit much with all the etiquette. But later, they actually liked it.' Rules remain, but pressure is easing Korean drinking customs are deeply tied to the country's communal culture, where sharing drinks, or getting drunk together, has traditionally served as a means of bonding and building social cohesion. However, these traditions have also drawn criticism for creating an environment of pressure, especially when participation feels more like an obligation than a choice. While many university students still observe basic etiquette, the era of forcing drinks on others appears to be fading. 'Beolju,' for instance, which translates to 'penalty drink,' is increasingly frowned upon by younger students, who view drinking as a personal choice rather than an obligation. The practice typically involves making the losers of drinking games consume strong, often unpleasant mixes of alcohol. Once seen as a way to break the ice and reinforce social hierarchy, it is now widely considered outdated. Park Yu-ha, a 21-year-old art major at a university in Incheon, said she has never encountered beolju at any student event since entering university. 'If I were ever pressured to drink beolju by senior colleagues at work, I would seriously consider quitting. Drinking should be up to the individual, not something people feel forced into.' Rather than simply drinking less, some students are now embracing entirely alcohol-free gatherings. In May, Yongin University's dance department held a membership training with no alcohol at all. The snack table featured only nonalcoholic beverages, with the organizers explicitly labeling it an 'alcohol-free MT.' Drink like a nerd, or not at all Among Korea's Generation Z, drinking culture is becoming increasingly polarized, either you don't drink at all, or you're deeply into it, says Lee Seung-jun, a 27-year-old university student in Seoul and a member of Wine & Dining, an intercollegiate wine club. 'These days, drinking isn't about everyone getting drunk together. You can have a great time even if one person is drinking heavily and another isn't drinking at all. This kind of vibe has become completely ordinary among my friends and me," he said. Lee, who has been active in the wine club for two years, said more university wine clubs have emerged in recent years, driven by students who approach alcohol with genuine curiosity and interest. 'I enjoy soju and beer too, but unlike them, wine doesn't carry the same image of excessive binge drinking. That's why a lot of Gen Zers who reject old-school drinking norms are turning to wine and joining wine clubs in the process.'

Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
CCTV+: China Up Close: Zhejiang Tour Explores Deqing
BEIJING, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From August 8 to 10, 2025, the "China Up Close Series: Zhejiang Tour" brought a contingent of nearly 70 journalists and editors from South Korea, Spain, Bulgaria, and Iceland to Deqing, a county in Zhejiang province. Alongside CGTN (China Global Television Network), they trained their cameras and notebooks on the area, aiming to capture its landscapes, history and cultural rhythms for audiences abroad.