Latest news with #Hanok
Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Mercedes-Benz opens world's first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul
Korea surpasses 10,000 Maybach units sold — trailing only US, China Mercedes-Benz has opened the world's first Maybach Brand Center in Seoul as the German luxury automaker emphasizes the importance of the Korean market for its top-end brand. 'With the opening of the world's first Maybach Brand Center, we are taking the next step in redefining customer experience at the highest level,' said Mathias Geisen, Mercedes-Benz board member in charge of marketing and sales, during the opening ceremony of the new facility on Monday. 'Korea is not only one of our key markets — it is also a place where the spirit of modern luxury is deeply appreciated and constantly evolving. This new space is our response: a place where exclusivity, craftsmanship and personal connection come together in a way only Mercedes-Maybach can offer.' The five-story, 2,795-square-meter Maybach-only building is located in Apgujeong in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This premium retail district is home to major high-end global brands, as well as the Galleria Luxury Hall East and West department stores featuring luxury fashion brands. According to Mercedes-Benz, the exterior of the Maybach Brand Center sought to reinterpret the country's traditional design heritage to create a contemporary and timeless architectural language. Its pleated surface and curved roofline drew inspiration from Korea's traditional clothing and housing, Hanbok and Hanok. Inside the building, a cathedral-type interior with a high ceiling gives the first floor a feeling of grandness. To celebrate the center's opening, Mercedes-Benz launched three Korea-only limited edition models of the Mercedes-Maybach Silver Lining -- 10 units of the S-Class, a GLS and an EQS SUV. The all-new Mercedes-Maybach SL, an ultra-luxurious two-seater convertible, was also showcased for the first time in the country. According to Mercedes-Benz Korea, the Maybach Brand Center will operate on a reservation-only basis, with each customer welcomed by a dedicated sales consultant and product expert upon arrival. The new facility will offer exclusive membership services, professional valet parking, signature food and beverages, and a variety of personalized programs tailored specifically for Mercedes-Maybach owners. 'Since its official debut in 2004 in Korea, Mercedes-Maybach has become the preferred choice for Korea's distinguished leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, and cultural icons -- those who seek impeccable quality and profound expression of success and dignity,' said Mathias Vaitl, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Korea. 'We are privileged that more than 10,000 customers have chosen Mercedes-Maybach, marking Korea as one of the most important Maybach markets globally. We are confident that the new Maybach Brand Center will exceed the expectations of our valued customers.' Despite its relatively smaller market size, Korea was the third best-selling market for Maybach last year behind the US and China as it sold 1,363 units. Since its launch in 2004, Mercedes-Benz Korea logged a record-high of 2,596 Maybach vehicles sold in the country in 2023. The high-end brand announced in November 2024 that Maybach sales had surpassed the 10,000 milestone. Although Mercedes-Benz operates Maybach Atelier, the first brand concept center and showroom established in 2022, in Shanghai, China, Mercedes-Benz Korea noted that the newly opened center is unique worldwide as the brand's only showroom in which an entire building has been dedicated solely to the Maybach brand.
New Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Seoulful Delights at Hanok
Adding a refreshing and authentic new flavour to Hyderabad's global culinary landscape, Hanok, a new Korean restaurant, promises an immersive journey into the heart of Korea, right from the scenic lanes of Filmnagar. Housed in a charming villa, the 120-seater space lives up to its name 'Hanok', which refers to a traditional Korean house offering both indoor and outdoor seating with a beautifully landscaped garden. The interiors, adorned with terracotta décor and lush planters, exude a warm, homely charm. Conceptualised by Priya Vasireddy, Hanok is her ode to Korean cuisine in all its glory. She is also the force behind the successful Cravery Cafes. Our meal began on a refreshing note with a Korean Hazelnut Iced Coffee, perfect for a hot day. This was followed by the Silken Tofu with Stir-Fried Kimchi, pure comfort in a bowl. The Chewy Potato Balls captured the rustic essence of Korean street food with their mildly spiced, addictive flavour. A standout favourite was the Buchimgae, a Korean savoury pancake, crispy on the outside and soft inside, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. The Prawn Tempura, with its golden crispy coating and succulent prawns inside, was another delightful bite.
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Defining ‘hanok' right opens up possibilities
Seoul City hanok director proposes 'K-living' in hanok to rival apartment life Roh Kyung-rae, director of the Hanok Heritage Preservation Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald on May 1. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald) Koreans have long taken pride in the traditional Korean house, the 'hanok,' for its embrace of a lifestyle seeking harmony with nature. However, what truly makes hanok the kind of house that embodies such ideals is still debated — a discussion now in need of a conclusion, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's director of hanok preservation. 'Hanok has survived generations, meaning its adaptations today are varied, catering to the needs of many contemporary architects and homeowners,' said Roh Kyung-rae, director of the Hanok Heritage Preservation Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The priority for the city government, Roh added, is to come up with an agreement or a framework laying out characteristics that define hanok. A hanok classroom at Seoul Jungsu Elementary School in Seongbuk-gu (Seoul Metropolitan Government) 'To make hanok universally appreciated, we need that coherency more than ever. That way we could start building on numerous talents — domestic and foreign — looking to see their different hanok interpretations materialize,' Roh said, noting hanok now is a theme picked up by not only local architects but those with a global presence. This year an annual hanok symposium organized by the city in October will bring together hanok practitioners worldwide and their proposals to deepen discussion over crafting the hanok identity. According to Roh, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is best positioned to work to that end, drawing on its vast resources compiled and expertise honed over the last 25 years. 'Our hanok preservation project took off in 2000 and has been evolving over decades,' Roh said, referring to how that first step has had a global impact with the emergence of Bukchon Hanok Village. One of the must-see travel destinations adjacent to Seoul's signature palace, Gyeongbokgung, in Jongno-gu, Bukchon Hanok Village was visited by some 6.6 million tourists last year. About 70 percent of the visitors were foreign arrivals, according to the Jongno-gu Office. Hanok: 'K-living' The Seoul Metropolitan Government could not stay complacent because, according to Roh, 'a hanok isn't something to be looked at from afar like objects on exhibition.' Such concerns led the city government to adopt a new hanok policy in 2023, when Roh's office was tasked with rendering hanok 'fit to live in.' 'That's where the future of hanok lies,' Roh said, suggesting his new mission could ride waves of the momentum increasingly putting the country in the spotlight. Korean cultural exports from K-pop to films and television shows have recently emerged as a new sources of revenue, prompting dedicated policies at the highest level. 'Next in line would be K-living,' Roh said of an umbrella term encompassing everything associated with building hanok. The public reception to the latest city push is more than encouraging, Roh added, referring to a survey by the state-run AURI National Hanok Center in 2021. The latest data found 68 percent of 1,200 Koreans aged between 30 and 65 willing to live in a hanok residence, an 11 percent jump from 2013. Eighty-four percent held a favorable view of hanok. Sirijae in Jongno-gu, Seoul (Seoul Metropolitan Government) The respondents cited 'open spaces, eco-friendly and therapeutic nature and an air of emotional stability' of hanok, the survey noted. The target audience for hanok living, Roh said, can be much wider. 'We plan to reach out to Gen Z and the silver generation as well,' Roh said of a cohort born after 1995 and those aged 60 and above, respectively. According to an internal study by Roh's team in 2023, the favorable view of hanok is on the rise, especially among the two age groups. The study interviewed residents living in some 8,900 hanok units in the capital. Taking on apartments? The biggest threat the study flagged was the higher cost of building a hanok residence compared to buying a similarly sized apartment unit, a popular residential option for Koreans, according to Roh. His office is aggressively addressing the issue, he said. 'If need be, I'm not against multistory hanok buildings. They look unconventional, unorthodox and hanok traditionalists used to belittle them as unwarranted tweaks. Times have changed,' Roh said. Eunpyeong Hanok Village in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul (Eunpyeong-gu Office) The hanok director was emphatic that hanok buildings should take advantage of a full range of technological advances available to render hanok residences as readily accessible and enjoyable as possible. Roh believes such a shift in the way Koreans live could, in the long term, help the country map out a future where hanok housing is an option worth a thought before blindly settling on an apartment unit. Yueojae in Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Seoul Metropolitan Government) 'Is hanok an alternative to that? I think it definitely could be. We can't just keep building apartments to the point they flood the entire country,' Roh said. For hanok to count as a viable option for potential residents and hanok practitioners eager to preserve the Korean-style housing, defining hanok and its intrinsic elements is a priority, Roh noted. 'We have to keep the definitive hanok spirit along the way,' Roh said. Roh Kyung-rae, director of the Hanok Heritage Preservation Division at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, poses for a photo before an interview with The Korea Herald on May 1. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald) Renewed interest in 'hanok,' or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed. siyoungchoi@
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-pop, K-drama ― and K-housing?
Hanok can be advanced by moving beyond strict traditions, blending spirit with modern architecture Hanok, Korea's traditional architectural style deeply influenced by Joseon-era (1392-1910) Confucianism and geomancy, may have the potential to become a competitive cultural asset akin to K-pop and Korean drama series, hanok experts contend. However, in order to fully harness hanok's potential, those building hanoks must modernize their approach — not by merely replicating traditional designs or rigidly following old construction methods, but by flexibly incorporating modern construction procedure while embracing the philosophy that underpins hanok, experts say. Kim Yong-mi, a renowned architect and CEO of GS Architects & Associates, is at the forefront of this modernization movement. An advocate for blending tradition with innovation, Kim has pioneered unique adaptations of hanok, such as the Heung-cheon Nursery, a space where children are nurtured within a traditional hanok environment. She has also received the Presidential Award at the Korean Architecture Culture Awards in 2009 and 2011 for designs including the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater, which integrates a modern underground cultural facility with a traditional hanok structure above ground, and the Gosan Yun Seon-do Artifact Museum. Despite hanok's deep cultural significance as a traditional Korean architectural style with a history spanning centuries, few architects focus professionally on this style, as most are drawn to Western-inspired architecture. Even architecture curriculums tend to emphasize Western methods, leaving traditional Korean architecture underexplored. Kim said she, too, had not seen hanok as a central focus during her academic years. However, her perspective changed when she was tasked with designing the Hanok Experience Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. That project, she says, revealed the unique advantages of hanok compared to Western buildings. 'For the first time, I combined the traditional wooden construction method with Western-style light wood frame construction, which allowed us to proceed quickly,' Kim explained during an interview with The Korea Herald on April 22. 'That's when I realized — hanok can actually be highly modular. Since hanok is built with identical sections (or units), construction can be carried out simultaneously in multiple areas. It's well-suited for industrialization.' Kim's admiration for hanok grew as she explored its underlying philosophy, rooted in Confucianism and geomancy. The layout of hanok mirrors both social hierarchy and energy dynamics, blending interior and exterior spaces in ways that are rare in Western architecture. "When you enter hanok, you can have a variety of experiences. The interior and exterior are blended together. When you look from the front, your view extends all the way through the opening to the courtyard. You're not just looking at one thing — it's a layered view, one space leading into another, and then even further into the space beyond," she said. "Hanok brings the visitor to a journey, where spaces unfold one after another through frames. This is a unique feature of hanok not typically found in Western architecture." However, Kim acknowledges that while hanok offers vast potential, it faces significant obstacles in greater adoption — most notably, the high cost of construction. Timber is far more expensive than concrete, making hanok projects financially prohibitive for many. Additionally, traditional construction methods are labor-intensive, and can be seen as resistant to change. 'The people building hanok are from the old generation, which makes things difficult. We need to use new construction methods, but the old techniques are still mixed in, and since the craftsmen are from the past, the industry itself remains stuck in the past,' Kim said. "For example, if we used machines, we could premake the walls and simply assemble them on site — but that approach isn't being applied." Another hurdle is the perception of hanok among the public. Many Koreans resist deviations from the traditional aesthetic, such as omitting the giwa roof, a hallmark of hanok. "People are already too deeply conditioned to associate the concept of hanok with tiled roofs," Kim said. "That kind of thinking needs to be broken." One possible way to advance hanok in today's world, Kim suggests, lies in adapting the philosophy of hanok to modern architecture. Her project Bambu Seongsu, for example, integrates hanok's spirit without adhering to traditional, expensive design details such as tiled roofs. In Bambu Seongsu, each floor features a terrace that connects the interior to the exterior, continuing the harmonious relationship between the inside and the outside that is central to hanok philosophy. "The spirit of hanok should be continued throughout time. Bambu Seongsu is one of the series of architecture I'm planning to build that carries the spirit of hanok," she explained. Government support, Kim believes, could also play a crucial role in overcoming the financial challenges of hanok construction. She recalled a proposal from the Korea Land & Housing Corp. for hanok-inspired apartment buildings, where construction costs rose due to the inclusion of traditional hanok features like raised wooden floors. "Generally, hanok construction costs are high, so it's difficult for individuals to undertake unless it's a government-supported project," Kim said. Kim suggests that, similar to Korean drama series and K-pop, hanok could become a valuable cultural asset for Korea. She believes the country may be missing an opportunity to promote its culture by not fully embracing the potential of hanok. "When you're in Gwanghwamun, where can you find something truly Korean? There's no place that shows, 'This is really Korean land,'" she lamented. "Of course, we have places like Sungnyemun, Gwanghwamun and the palaces. But Sungnyemun isn't a space; it's just an object. And Gwanghwamun, now standing alone, is a place you pay to enter for a limited amount of time — it's not a space for life. It's just a sightseeing spot. Within our living spaces, we can't really find a truly Korean space." "Hanok is a point of pride for Koreans." Kim emphasized. "We need to figure out a way to carry Korean architecture to the future." Renewed interest in hanok, or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed. yoonseo.3348@
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
K-pop, K-drama ― and K-house?
Hanok can be advanced by moving beyond strict traditions, blending spirit with modern architecture Hanok, Korea's traditional architectural style deeply influenced by Confucianism and geomancy, may have the potential to become a competitive cultural asset akin to K-pop and Korean drama series, hanok experts contend. However, in order to fully harness hanok's potential, those building hanoks must modernize their approach — not by merely replicating traditional designs or rigidly following old construction methods, but by flexibly incorporating modern construction procedure while embracing the philosophy that underpins hanok, experts say. Kim Yong-mi, a renowned architect and CEO of GS Architects & Associates, is at the forefront of this modernization movement. An advocate for blending tradition with innovation, Kim has pioneered unique adaptations of hanok, such as the Heung-cheon Nursery, a space where children are nurtured within a traditional hanok environment. She has also received the Presidential Award at the Korean Architecture Culture Awards in 2009 and 2011 for designs including the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theater, which integrates a modern underground cultural facility with a traditional hanok structure above ground, and the Gosan Yun Seon-do Artifact Museum. Despite hanok's deep cultural significance as a traditional Korean architectural style with a history spanning centuries, few architects focus professionally on this style, as most are drawn to Western-inspired architecture. Even architecture curriculums tend to emphasize Western methods, leaving traditional Korean architecture underexplored. Kim said she, too, had not seen hanok as a central focus during her academic years. However, her perspective changed when she was tasked with designing the Hanok Experience Center in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. That project, she says, revealed the unique advantages of hanok compared to Western buildings. 'For the first time, I combined the traditional wooden construction method with Western-style light wood frame construction, which allowed us to proceed quickly,' Kim explained during an interview with The Korea Herald on April 22. 'That's when I realized — hanok can actually be highly modular. Since hanok is built with identical sections (or units), construction can be carried out simultaneously in multiple areas. It's well-suited for industrialization.' Kim's admiration for hanok grew as she explored its underlying philosophy, rooted in Confucianism and geomancy. The layout of hanok mirrors both social hierarchy and energy dynamics, blending interior and exterior spaces in ways that are rare in Western architecture. "When you enter hanok, you can have a variety of experiences. The interior and exterior are blended together. When you look from the front, your view extends all the way through the opening to the courtyard. You're not just looking at one thing — it's a layered view, one space leading into another, and then even further into the space beyond," she said. "Hanok brings the visitor to a journey, where spaces unfold one after another through frames. This is a unique feature of hanok not typically found in Western architecture." However, Kim acknowledges that while hanok offers vast potential, it faces significant obstacles in greater adoption — most notably, the high cost of construction. Timber is far more expensive than concrete, making hanok projects financially prohibitive for many. Additionally, traditional construction methods are labor-intensive, and can be seen as resistant to change. 'The people building hanok are from the old generation, which makes things difficult. We need to use new construction methods, but the old techniques are still mixed in, and since the craftsmen are from the past, the industry itself remains stuck in the past,' Kim said. "For example, if we used machines, we could premake the walls and simply assemble them on site — but that approach isn't being applied." Another hurdle is the perception of hanok among the public. Many Koreans resist deviations from the traditional aesthetic, such as omitting the giwa roof, a hallmark of hanok. "People are already too deeply conditioned to associate the concept of hanok with tiled roofs," Kim said. "That kind of thinking needs to be broken." One possible way to advance hanok in today's world, Kim suggests, lies in adapting the philosophy of hanok to modern architecture. Her project Bambu Seongsu, for example, integrates hanok's spirit without adhering to traditional, expensive design details such as tiled roofs. In Bambu Seongsu, each floor features a terrace that connects the interior to the exterior, continuing the harmonious relationship between the inside and the outside that is central to hanok philosophy. "The spirit of hanok should be continued throughout time. Bambu Seongsu is one of the series of architecture I'm planning to build that carries the spirit of hanok," she explained. Government support, Kim believes, could also play a crucial role in overcoming the financial challenges of hanok construction. She recalled a proposal from the Korea Land & Housing Corp. for hanok-inspired apartment buildings, where construction costs rose due to the inclusion of traditional hanok features like raised wooden floors. "Generally, hanok construction costs are high, so it's difficult for individuals to undertake unless it's a government-supported project," Kim said. Kim suggests that, similar to Korean drama series and K-pop, hanok could become a valuable cultural asset for Korea. She believes the country may be missing an opportunity to promote its culture by not fully embracing the potential of hanok. "When you're in Gwanghwamun, where can you find something truly Korean? There's no place that shows, 'This is really Korean land,'" she lamented. "Of course, we have places like Sungnyemun, Gwanghwamun and the palaces. But Sungnyemun isn't a space; it's just an object. And Gwanghwamun, now standing alone, is a place you pay to enter for a limited amount of time — it's not a space for life. It's just a sightseeing spot. Within our living spaces, we can't really find a truly Korean space." "Hanok is a point of pride for Koreans." Kim emphasized. "We need to figure out a way to carry Korean architecture to the future." Renewed interest in hanok, or traditional Korean houses, is palpable today, demonstrated by the growing number of hanok cultural facilities, cafes, accommodations and homes. While some new hanok architecture espouses the traditional form dating from the Joseon era, hanok buildings that have been adapted to contemporary conditions and lifestyles are also gaining ground. In this series, entitled 'Evolving Hanok,' The Korea Herald explores how hanok continue to evolve to stay relevant to current milieus. — Ed. yoonseo.3348@
