Latest news with #KoreaHeritageAgency
Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korea heritage institutions to offer special palace programs for marginalized groups this fall
Some 980 individuals will have the opportunity to experience royal court cuisine, nighttour at Gyeongbokgung The Korea Heritage Service's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, in collaboration with the Korea Heritage Agency, will invite socially underserved groups to experience special programs at Korea's royal palaces in the latter half of this year, offering them an opportunity to explore the nation's royal heritage. The special event will offer some 980 individuals the opportunity to participate in a nighttime palace tour and a program featuring traditional herbal tea at Gyeongbokgung, one of Seoul's five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces, in central Seoul. Applications for the event will open from Tuesday until July 30 through the KHA's website. The final list of selected participants will be announced on Aug. 14 and notified individually. The program is open to people with disabilities, people from multicultural families or low-income households, residents of rural or fishing communities and veterans — individuals who may have limited access to cultural experiences, according to the two institutions. The tea program, titled "Taste of Suragan," is an immersive cultural event that offers participants a hands-on experience of royal court cuisine, centered around the theme 'see, eat, enjoy and be moved by the royal court culture." A total of 700 individuals will be invited to participate in the program, which will run from Sept. 10 to 14. Gyeongbokgung's Starlight Night Tour is a special cultural event held at the royal palace, where visitors can enjoy a traditional Korean meal at Sojubang, the royal kitchen, and a traditional Korean music performance, accompanied by expert commentary. It will invite some 250 people and run through Oct. 13 to Nov. 3.
Korea Herald
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Incheon airport offers hands-on class in 'norigae' making
One-day workshop runs through July 31, inspired bynod to Korean tradition in 'KPop Demon Hunters' Incheon International Airport is offering travelers a unique opportunity to engage with Korean culture through a one-day norigae-making class, inspired in part by the hit animated film, KPop Demon Hunters. Norigae are traditional Korean pendant accessories worn with hanbok for beauty, good fortune and spiritual protection. Organized by the Korea Heritage Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Incheon International Airport Corporation, the program will run from Monday through July 31. Participants can learn to craft their own norigae. The free class takes place at Korean Culture Street, located on the fourth floor of the general area in Terminal 1. Sessions are held four times a day at 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., with each limited to 12 participants. On-site registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Norigae recently captured renewed attention after being featured in "KPop Demon Hunters," where each Huntrix character wears a modernized version of the accessory. In the film, the norigae are integrated into their stage outfits and weapons to help them fight demons. Titled 'Playing with norigae,' the program is designed to give both international travelers and domestic tourists a hands-on experience with Korea's traditional aesthetics and cultural heritage. "'KPop Demon Hunters' surge in popularity has sparked interest in traditional Korean culture, such as the gat — a traditional Korean hat that features a wide brim and a cylindrical crown, norigae and dopo — a long traditional robe. We hope this program will give travelers a closer and more personal experience with Korea's unique style and heritage," Ahn Hye-min, who heads the Airport Project Team at the KHA, said in a press release.
Korea Herald
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Dive into charms of Gyeongbokgung
'Contemplation of Gyeongbokgung Palace' exhibition held at the Joseon palace aims to help visitors reflect on the beauty, meaning of South Korea's cultural heritage While Gyeongbokgung is a popular photo spot for tourists,the palace, one of Seoul's five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces, contains a deep and rich history as well as traditional and cultural values. In an effort to help visitors reflect on the beauty and meaning of South Korea's cultural heritage, the K-Heritage channel — run by the Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency — is holding an exhibition titled "Contemplation of Gyeongbokgung Palace" from Wednesday throughMonday. The six-day exhibition is led by art director Choi In-seon and produced by the creative team Our Labour who have created art installations called "dongsimwon," or concentric circle designs, at five key locations in the palace: Geunjeongjeon, the main hall of the palace; Gyeonghoeru, a two-story pavilion structure; Hyangwonjeong, a pavilion located in the rear garden of the palace; Gyotaejeon, the queen's sleeping chamber; and Yeongjegyo, a stone bridge within the palace. The installation at Yeongjegyo highlights the symbolic significance of Bugaksan and Inwangsan that surround the palace. At Geunjeongjeon, an installation work reflects the core values of Joseon, such as propriety and law. The Gyeonghoeru installation tells stories of royal banquets and diplomacy, while the piece on display near Hyangwonjeong captures the contrast between tradition and modernity in Seoul's landscape. The Gyotaejeon installation symbolizes the mystery and wonder of birth. "The exhibition is not just about seeing the palace but about feeling, thinking and connecting with its deeper cultural and historical significance. It offers a chance to delve into the spirit and aesthetics of Joseon and uncover the narratives and meanings hidden in the palace," Lee Gwi-young, who heads the KHS, told reporters during a press tour of the exhibition. Choi, the exhibition curator, expressed hope that visitors would broaden their perspective and deepen their understanding of the rich and emotional history that took place within the palace walls. "I recently found out that it has been 630 years since the palace was built. So, rather than presenting an exhibition that reminds people of the past in a traditional way, I tried to bring a new perspective and invite people to explore, experience and understand the palace, not just as something old, but as a living heritage," she said. Yesung of boy band Super Junior has recorded the audio guide for the exhibition, which is available on the K-Heritage channel's official YouTube channel, allowing visitors to stroll around the palace with the K-pop star as their guide.
Korea Herald
01-07-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Korea House to get overhaul for first time in 44 years
Cultural center in central Seoul dedicated to promoting Korean traditional culture to reopen in March 2026 Korea House in Jung-gu, central Seoul -- a cultural center dedicated to promoting Korean traditional culture by holding performances and dining experiences -- will undergo renovation for the first time since opening in 1981. The renovation began Tuesday, and its reopening is scheduled for March next year, according to the Korea Heritage Agency, which operates Korea House. The renovation will focus on remodeling the main hanok building and its annex, improving the garden through landscaping, upgrading convenience facilities, and making the space more modern and accessible for visitors. During the renovation period, traditional Korean wedding ceremonies and dining experiences will not be available. However, the Korean Cuisine Academy -- a cooking class led by chefs -- will remain open. The classes will take place at Chwiseongwan, a modern building next to Korea House. The KHA explained that the overhaul is part of a broader plan to elevate Korean heritage and cuisine by offering visitors a richer cultural and culinary experience.
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
At heart of K-music, pansori aims to strike global chord
Performance marking 60th anniversary of pansori's designation as National Intangible Cultural Heritage to be held later this month Marking the 60th anniversary of pansori's designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage this year, 12 Intangible Cultural Heritage holders in pansori will come together to deliver a performance of pansori, a form of narrative singing of epic stories and folklore. The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency are jointly organizing a performance titled "Deukeumjiseol," which translates as "the art of gaining the true sound and knowing how to tell it," June 26-28 and July 3-4 at the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Training Center in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. Admission is free and registration can be made through Naver starting Thursday at 9 a.m. The five-day event is part of a cultural program aimed at recognizing the holders of National Intangible Cultural Heritage in pansori and promoting the country's cultural heritage by making it more accessible for the public. It will also be a rare chance for the public to see five stories of pansori: "Chunhyangga," a love tale between the daughter of a courtesan and the son of a magistrate; "Heungbuga," a tale of humor and family; "Sugungga," a story about a sea turtle that tricks a rabbit to get its liver to cure the sea king; "Simcheongga," a tale of filial piety; and "Jeokbyeokga," which is an epic from China's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." While pansori is often regarded as difficult to approach, Korea's first million-selling author, Kim Hong-shin, who will host the upcoming performance, underscored that pansori has become an essential element of Korean culture and music. "The performance will be a great opportunity to convey the sound of our country's traditional tune and the beauty behind it. I hope many people will join us in sharing this joyful experience," he said during Wednesday's press conference at the Korea House in central Seoul. Kim Hye-Jeong, president of the Pansori Society, struck a similar chord, noting that pansori's unique charm connects the audience and singer to the story. Pansori master Kim Il-Koo, who was recognized as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage holder of "Jeokbyeokga" in 2020, expressed hopes that pansori would reach a wider audience through the performance. "Performing abroad and receiving enthusiastic applause makes me proud, especially when a foreign audience says 'bravo' after seeing my performance. I hope more people in and outside the country will show support and interest in pansori."
