PHOTOS: Nationwide Buddhist celebrations are underway SEOUL, April 28 (AJP) - In anticipation of Buddha's Birthday on May 5, South Korea's Buddhist community is immersed in a series of festive observances. Temples throughout the nation are adorned with a profusion of lanterns, casting a luminous glow on the upcoming holiday. Adding to the spectacle, a vibrant lantern parade unfolded in central Seoul on April 26, drawing throngs of participants and onlookers. A glimpse at the nationwide lantern festivities reveals the rich cultural and spiritual significance of this annual celebration. A lantern parade in central Seoul, April 26, 2025/ Yonhap Installations commemorating Buddha's Birthday at Song Sang-hyeon Square in Busan/ Yonhap 2025-04-28 14:51:16

PHOTOS: Historic diplomatic mission to Japan reenacted SEOUL, April 25 (AJP) - To mark the 60th year since the normalization of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Japan, observances are underway to honor the Joseon Tongsinsa, the diplomatic mission dispatched from Korea to Japan during the Joseon Dynasty. On Thursday, a reenactment of the Joseon Tongsinsa procession was staged at Gyeonghuigung Palace in Seoul. Separately, the Seoul Museum of History has mounted a special exhibition dedicated to the Joseon Tongsinsa, which will remain open until June 29. The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, has rebuilt a Joseon Tongsinsa ship, which is slated to depart Busan on April 28 for a voyage to Osaka, Japan. A reconstructed ship representing those used by the Joseon Tongsinsa, Korea's diplomatic mission to Japan during the Joseon era. Yonhap 2025-04-25 14:09:27

PHOTOS: Joseon-era folk paintings on display in Seoul "Chaekgado" 10-panel folding screen depicting bookshelf, painted by Yi Taek-gyun/ AJP Cho Bo-hee SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - An engaging exhibition at the Amorepacific Museum of Art offers a sweeping view of Joseon-era "minhwa," the vibrant and often whimsical folk paintings that flourished from the late 18th through the early 20th centuries. Drawing from 19 institutional and private collections, the show features over 100 works that underscore the distinctiveness of Korean traditional art, a realm where creativity often defied rigid artistic conventions. Among the highlights is the "chaekgado," or bookshelf painting, a genre that initially graced the royal court in the late 1700s, depicting meticulously rendered shelves filled with books, scholarly implements, and treasured antiques. By the 19th century, this style permeated popular culture, evolving into a beloved form of minhwa, or folk painting. A striking "Chaekgeori" 12-panel folding screen from 1918 showcases this transition, its vivid pink palette punctuated by unexpected Western elements like a table clock and a cigarette case bearing English script. The exhibition provides a significant opportunity to appreciate the oeuvre of Yi Taek-gyun, considered a leading exponent of chaekgado. Several of his pieces are featured, offering insights into the era through the depicted objects and fruits. His "Chaekgado" 10-panel folding screen incorporates auspicious flora and fauna, such as daffodils symbolizing a yearning for immortality, apricot blossoms representing academic and professional success, and pomegranates signifying abundant progeny. Adding an intriguing layer to the viewing experience is the subtle presence of hidden seals. Unlike court paintings where artists were prohibited from marking their work, chaekgado painters, and later minhwa artists, ingeniously concealed their seals within the depicted objects. In Yi Taek-gyun’s work, a seal is discreetly placed in the upper right corner. Another notable work is a "Baekseondo" (painting of one hundred fans) folding screen. Its eight panels present a rich tapestry of layered fan illustrations, each adorned with diverse themes ranging from serene landscapes to delicate depictions of flowers and birds. This multi-image format allowed for the simultaneous appreciation of various artistic expressions. The emotionally resonant "Eobyeonseongnyongdo" (painting of fish transforming into a dragon), symbolizing the arduous journey to success in civil service examinations, highlights the cultural significance of these artworks as gifts of encouragement. Beyond their symbolic weight, the minhwa on display are often imbued with a distinctive humor. A "Gosainmuldo" 6-panel folding screen (painting of historical figures and Taoist immortals) reveals whimsical characterizations. Similarly engaging are the depictions of animals, such as a tiger alongside a phoenix and rabbit in a 19th-century "Geumsudo" (painting of birds and animals), and a seemingly frolicking pair of tigers in an early 20th-century "Hojakdo" 4-panel screen depicting magpies and tigers. This eight-panel folding screen depicts the idealized life of a military official. AJP Cho Bo-hee 2025-04-25 10:03:34

PHOTOS: Spring hues sweep South Korea SEOUL, April 24 (AJP) - A vibrant tapestry of spring color is unfolding across South Korea, drawing residents and visitors alike to witness nature's annual spectacle. In Nowon-gu, Seoul, the slopes of Mount Bulam have erupted in a riot of pink as the azalea gardens reach their peak bloom. The expansive display offers a striking vista. Farther south, in Daegu, the Tulip Garden at the E-World amusement park has become a magnet for flower enthusiasts. In Incheon, an innovative approach to horticulture is yielding a different kind of floral abundance. Carnations, destined for Parents' Day bouquets on May 8, are thriving in greenhouses powered by an unlikely energy source: the residual heat generated from waste incineration. The Tulip Garden at the E-World amusement park in Daegu, April 23, 2025/ Yonhap The Tulip Garden at the E-World amusement park in Daegu, April 23, 2025/ Yonhap Azalea gardens in Nowon-gu, Seoul, April 23, 2025/ Yonhap Azalea gardens in Nowon-gu, Seoul, April 23, 2025/ Yonhap Carnations in a greenhouse powered by the residual heat generated from waste incineration, April 23, 2025/ Yonhap 2025-04-24 16:03:55

PHOTOS: Jeju Island's famed native horses SEOUL, April 23 (AJP) - More than a hundred Jeju horses, designated national treasures, thundered across the verdant expanse of the Mabangmokji pasture near Mount Halla on April 19 and 20, marking a vibrant festival celebrating the island's equine heritage. The event showcased "ipmok," a time-honored Jeju tradition that ritually ushers livestock into new grazing lands or signals the commencement of spring pasturing. The festival aimed to underscore the profound cultural and historical significance of these indigenous steeds. Jeju horses running to a pasture/ Courtesy of Jeju municipal government Jeju horses running to a pasture/ Courtesy of Jeju municipal government 2025-04-23 15:17:28

PHOTOS: Jongmyo Shrine's central hall reopens after 5-year restoration work SEOUL, April 21 (AJP) - Jongmyo Jeongjeon, the principal building within the Joseon Dynasty's ancestral shrine, was unveiled on April 20 by the Cultural Heritage Administration after nearly five years of repairs. The extensive undertaking became necessary due to the structure's age, which had led to the deterioration of key components, including major structural elements, roof tiles, and portions of its elevated platform, raising safety concerns. The central hall, which houses the spirit tablets of 49 Joseon kings and queens within its 19 chambers, was designated a National Treasure in 1985 and earned UNESCO World Heritage status as part of the broader Jongmyo site in 1995. The reopening was marked by a traditional Hwanan ceremony, signifying the return of the royal spirit tablets to their rightful place within Jeongjeon. These tablets had been temporarily relocated to the former Seonwonjeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace during the restoration. The Hwanan culminated in a procession that stretched approximately 3.5 kilometers from Gwanghwamun Gate to Jongmyo Shrine. The procession featured 28 palanquins gathered from across the nation, including the sinyeon, the ornate palanquin specifically used to carry the spirit tablet of the king, as well as seven horses. Citizens joined the procession, adding to the historical tableau. Upon the arrival of the spirit tablets at Jongmyo, a "goyuje," a ritual to formally announce their safe return, was conducted, followed by a commemorative ceremony. A ceremony signifying the return of the royal spirit tablets to their original place within Jongmyo Jeongjeon is held in central Seoul, April 20, 2025. Yonhap 2025-04-21 15:02:32

PHOTOS: Spring on Jeju Island SEOUL, April 18 (AJP) - Jeju Island, South Korea's idyllic getaway, transforms into a vibrant hub as peak tourist season kicks off in April. A ferry is docked at Chagwido, an uninhabited island off the coast of Gosan-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, April 15, 2025. Yonhap Chagwido, an uninhabited island off the coast of Gosan-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City/ Yonhap Horses graze in a pasture in Yonggang-dong, Jeju City, April 18, 2025. Yonhap A canola flower field at Hyeopjae Beach in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, April 11, 2025/ Yonhap Hyeopjae Beach in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, April 11, 2025/ Yonhap 2025-04-18 15:24:43

PHOTOS: Kyrgyzstan's special performance 'Color of Asia' SEOUL, April 17 (AJP) - To commemorate the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Republic of Korea and Kyrgyzstan (Ambassador Aida Ismailova), a large-scale classical concert titled Color of Asia was held on the evening of Wednesday, Apr. 16, at Lotte Concert Hall in Jamsil, Seoul. The concert was designed to express Asia’s artistic diversity and harmony through performance. It was produced by ABC Corporation, a company specializing in classical production, and delivered a highly polished stage experience. Professor An Joo-eun of Dankook University’s Department of New Music, a leading figure in South Korean opera production, directed the concert. World-renowned Italian maestro Diego Crovetti conducted the orchestra. The stage featured top-tier vocalists from around the globe, including tenor Alberto Profeta and Cifari Francesco, head of the Sicilia Classica Festival, both based in Italy, as well as Mongolia’s prima donna soprano Enkhunaran Ganbold. They were joined by South Korean vocalists --soprano Shin Seung-ah, mezzo-soprano Kwon Soo-bin, tenor Yoo Hyun-wook, and baritone Park Jung-min -- offering a vibrant showcase of world-class voices. National Dance Company soloist Park Ki-hwan also delivered a boundary-pushing performance that blended music and dance. The program also included a performance by a Kyrgyz folk dance troupe and traditional musical instruments, along with a heartwarming moment featuring children carrying the national flags of both countries. Kyrgyzstan, the only Central Asian country to achieve regime change through a citizen-led democratization movement against dictatorship and corruption, established diplomatic relations with South Korea on January 31, 1992. 2025-04-17 11:03:18

PHOTOS: Cheong Wa Dae SEOUL, April 16 (AJP) - Cheong Wa Dae served as the presidential office and official residence from Aug.15, 1948, to May 9, 2022. With the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who relocated the presidential office to Yongsan, there is growing interest in whether Cheong Wa Dae will be used as the presidential office again. Here are some photos of Cheong Wa Dae. Chunchugwan, which was used as working area for journalists. Yonhap 2025-04-16 15:48:47

PHOTOS: Exhibition of traditional Korean fans SEOUL, April 14 (AJP) - An exhibition of traditional Korean fans has opened at the Kansong Art Museum in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The exhibition, which began on April 9, revisits a custom cherished by Koreans who exchanged calendars in winter and fans during the summer months. Beyond their practical function of offering respite from the heat, fans, particularly during the late Joseon Dynasty, evolved into a popular artistic medium. Calligraphy and intricate paintings adorned these objects, transforming them into portable works of art. The Kansong Art Museum is presenting 54 select pieces from its extensive collection of 133 fan paintings. Notably, 23 of these artworks are being unveiled to the public for the very first time. 2025-04-14 15:42:19