PHOTOS: Seokpajeong, Seoul's hidden gem where royal history meets tranquil beauty SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Seokpajeong, an ancient pavilion with detached traditional residence buildings and gardens in central Seoul, is more than just a historical site, as it serves as a hidden oasis offering a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. Located in the tranquil district of Buam-dong on the slopes of Mt. Inwangsan, the pavilion is awash in vibrant autumn leaves at this time of year, welcoming visitors with its seasonal beauty. Once used by Gojong, the last king of the Joseon Dynasty, as a secluded royal residence, Seokpajeong, which literally means a "pavilion on a rocky hill," was designated a tangible cultural asset in 1974 and has been preserved as a museum ever since. According to historical records and folklore, Seokpajeong originally belonged to a high-ranking official and the site's breathtaking landscape caught the eye of Heungseon Daewongun, Gojong's father and the period's most powerful political figure. When the official refused to sell, Daewongun devised a cunning plan and arranged for the young king to spend a night at the villa. Under royal protocol, no subject could live in a place once visited by the king, forcing the official to relinquish his cherished retreat. Enchanted by the natural beauty of the rocks and surrounding mountain scenery, Daewongun even adopted his pen name from the pavilion. The Chinese-style pavilion, with its granite floor, exudes a unique and exotic charm, setting it apart from other traditional pavilions. Along the path to the inner garden stands a giant rock shaped like an elephant. Believed to be a site of spiritual energy, it attracts many visitors who come to make wishes. Visitors can also look around the country's traditional roof-tiled houses or hanok, which consist of a main quarter, a guest room, and a separate wing connected by a small gate and stone walls, forming a square-shaped courtyard layout. Another highlight is an old pine tree, protected by the city for its historical significance. Its gnarled branches stand as silent witnesses to the site's centuries of history. 2025-11-25 15:31:33

PHOTOS: Christmas scenes across Seoul SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - With Christmas now only a month away, early holiday scenes are appearing throughout central Seoul. Large trees have been set up in major plazas and along busy streets, and rows of ginkgo and pine are wrapped in bright seasonal lights. Visitors pause to take photos against the glowing decorations, enjoying the quiet excitement that settles over the city at the end of the year. 2025-11-24 14:30:33

PHOTOS: Tattoos step into the light with inaugural expo SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - An inaugural expo covering everything about tattoos kicked off its three-day run in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province earlier this week. Long gone are the days when tattoos were synonymous with heavyset gangsters, as relevant regulations legalizing the practice were passed at the National Assembly last September. Under the new regulations, tattoos and cosmetic procedures like ombré shading and microblading are now permitted, and not only tattooists but also non-medical practitioners are legally allowed to perform them. The expo, in particular, drew strong interest from overseas participants, who demonstrated scalp micropigmentation (SMP) pigments at their booths. The technique is widely used for hairline enhancement, scar camouflage and other cosmetic purposes. Many of them expressed high expectations for the industry's growth potential in South Korea, where tattoos had long been widely practiced even though they were technically illegal. "After more than three decades in the shadows, tattoos are finally stepping into the light," said Kim Jae-hyeong, head of the expo's organizing committee. "I hope this expo serves as a catalyst for the industry's growth and development." The expo wraps up on Saturday. 2025-11-21 15:41:42

PHOTOS: Seoul's Namdaemun Market bustles with early holiday shoppers SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - As the year's most festive season approaches, Namdaemun Market in central Seoul is bustling with steady streams of visitors and shoppers eager to snap up Christmas decorations and other pre-holiday items. The thrill of the year-end is already sweeping through the streets and shops, with Christmas decorations and their glowing lights illuminating every narrow alley of the market. Christmas carols and cheerful melodies are also filling the air, welcoming customers in a holly, jolly festive spirit. The careful and busy hands of merchants arranging ornaments seem to reflect their quiet solemnity as they prepare for the year's end. With giant Christmas trees and New Year's cards filling stores and stalls, every corner of the market is getting ready to turn into a winter wonderland, brimming with the warmth and joy of the season. 2025-11-20 14:47:13

PHOTOS: Kimchi — symbol of communal love, sharing SEOUL, November 17 (AJP) - As the cold grip of winter descends, kimchi transcends its role as a staple food in South Korea to become a powerful symbol of communal love and sharing. This spirit was vividly on display in Seoul on Nov. 17, where a massive kimchi-making event took place at Garak Market in Songpa-gu. It was to prepare thousands of heads of kimchi destined for low-income families and elderly residents living alone. Enduring the biting wind, volunteers worked tirelessly, stuffing salted cabbage leaves with a vibrant, pungent red seasoning. The spicy fragrance of the seasoning filled the chilly air as mountains of freshly prepared kimchi were meticulously stacked. Known as the Garak Kimjang Festival, this event is celebrating its 18th anniversary, having been a continuous tradition of giving since 2008. The event is a true community effort. Funding is secured through a collaboration between market merchants and the city government, while the labor relies on a diverse group of volunteers, including local citizens, foreign residents, and children. This year, the participants collectively made an estimated 80,000 heads of kimchi. The entirety of the finished product is slated for delivery to 10,000 vulnerable households across Seoul. Historically, Kimjang — the annual process of making large quantities of kimchi to last through the winter — was a major, multi-day undertaking. The meticulous work, which involves salting the cabbage, blending the seasoning, and stuffing the filling, was a crucial time when families and neighbors gathered to prepare for the long winter. However, this grand scale has begun to shrink. Factors such as changing family structures, reduced domestic kimchi consumption, and a general labor shortage have led to a decrease in the overall volume of homemade kimchi. The sight of entire neighborhoods coordinating this effort is now rare. Despite these modern changes, kimjang endures. It remains a deeply established custom that actively connects and preserves the memory of the Korean community's collective spirit. 2025-11-18 10:01:22

PHOTOS: Korean traditional dance's modern resurgence SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - Korean traditional dance is finding fresh resonance with the public, as a new generation of young choreographers reimagines age-old movements for the era of social media and digital platforms. Their works, which recast the breath, rhythm and restraint of classical Korean dance in contemporary form, have been circulating widely online, drawing viewers who might never have encountered the tradition onstage. That momentum has also spilled onto television. On the cable network Mnet’s competition series “Stage Fighter,” dancers have won over audiences with performances that fuse the emotional power of Korean dance with a sleek, modern visual language. What once risked being preserved only as restoration is now emerging as a creative vocabulary of its own — one that suggests a different kind of future for Korean performing arts. The idea that “tradition does not stay in the past” has become something of a guiding principle. Recent productions have captivated audiences by translating centuries-old gestures into the idiom of today. So did the 2025 Korea Traditional Dance Festival, held Oct. 30–31 at the National Theater of Korea, which drew notable attention amid the broader revival. Classic forms such as Taepyeongmu, long associated with the poise and dignity of royal court culture; Ganggangsullae, a communal circle dance that celebrates collective joy; and Bokkaechum, a refined fan dance that highlights beauty through the subtlest movements of the fingertips, were all reimagined onstage. Having moved beyond an era in which traditional dance was confined to court ritual or folk heritage, the form is now widening its reach. By merging choreography with music technologies, cinematic lighting and video art, Korean traditional dance is stepping decisively into the realm of contemporary performance. 2025-11-14 09:40:56

PHOTOS: Record number of students sit for annual university entrance exam SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - More than 550,000 students take the annual university entrance exam at around 1,300 test venues nationwide on Thursday. The number of test-takers increased by about 6 percent or 31,504 students, compared to last year, the highest in seven years since 2019, when 594,924 students took the exam. This is attributed to those born in 2007, known as the auspicious "Year of the Golden Pig," taking the exam, which is anticipated to make university admissions even more competitive. Moreover, the smaller medical school quotas this year are likely to heighten competition among the highest-scoring applicants. Reflecting the country's obsessive zeal for higher education, South Korea maintains a university enrollment rate of nearly 70 percent, ranking first among OECD countries for the 17th consecutive year. Given the significant impact that admission to prestigious universities can have on students' future careers and social status, the exam has become more than just a test, it is an annual "big day" for many South Koreans. Students perform at a high school in southern Seoul on Nov. 12, 2025, just a day ahead of the annual university entrance exam. AJP Yoo Na-hyun 2025-11-13 11:30:35

PHOTOS: Celebrating India – weaving tradition and modernity through fabric and culture SEOUL, November 07 (AJP) - The vibrant colors of India’s northeast came to life on the evening of November 7 at the Textile Center in Seoul’s Gangnam District, where Celebrating India showcased the region’s cultural and fashion heritage. Organized by the North East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT) in Guwahati, Assam, the event was held in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Seoul, the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), and the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK). The opening ceremony began with welcoming remarks by Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das, who said, “We have gathered today to celebrate the stories woven into India’s textile heritage. The intricate patterns of our fabrics carry the touch of artisans and embody not just fashion, but the essence of our communities and way of life.” He was followed by Nyato Dukam, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Textile of Arunachal Pradesh, and Kento Jini, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. inister Dukam said, “It is an honor to see India’s traditional textiles introduced to the global audience through this event,” adding his gratitude to the Embassy of India, ICCK, and KOFOTI. Minister Jini noted that “this celebration in Seoul will further strengthen the ties between the people of India and Korea, and help promote the culture of India’s northeastern states.” KOFOTI Vice Chairman Joo So-ryeong remarked, “This year marks both the 52nd anniversary of Korea–India diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of KOFOTI. The two nations have long collaborated in various fields, and we look forward to expanding sustainable exchange, especially in textiles and fashion.” The fashion showcase featured a diverse collection that harmonized the traditional textiles of India’s northeast with modern design sensibilities. The first segment highlighted established designers reinterpreting regional fabrics and embroidery through a contemporary lens, while the second segment presented emerging designers offering experimental and elegant creations that energized the audience. The event drew a wide range of guests, including officials from the Indian Embassy, representatives from Indian state governments, members of Korea’s textile and fashion industries, and media professionals, reflecting a growing bond between the two nations. More than a fashion show, Celebrating India served as a cultural platform introducing India’s craft traditions to the world and deepening the cultural and industrial exchange between South Korea and India. 2025-11-10 17:16:41

PHOTOS: Architectural biennale in Seoul draws visitors with eye-catching installations SEOUL, November 6 (AJP) - The biannual architectural biennale in central Seoul has attracted over 500,000 visitors since its opening in late September. Marking its fifth year, this year's event, directed by renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick and hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is taking place near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul and runs until Nov. 18. Under the theme "Radically More Human," which reflects Heatherwick's signature style of innovative and unconventional architecture infused with humanism, vividly colored installations and structures are on display at multiple venues including a verdant park in Songhyeon-dong in Jongno. Beautifully blended with seasonal foliage, autumnal trees and flowers, they immediately capture the attention of passersby and tourists. Among the impressive works is a 90-meter-long installation dubbed "Humanise Wall," standing at the center of the park that is slated to be turned into an art gallery by 2028. The twisted steel structure is a tapestry of about 1,428 metal panels featuring images and stories from Seoulites and people around the world, illustrating how their lives and ideas can be manifested in public space. Along the path, the structure, resembling a Möbius strip, that divides the park's space, guides visitors to a chair shaped like a spinning top, made of spun steel and copper, offering them a place to rest. About two dozen giant walls also greet visitors. While identical in size, they each have their own distinct and diverse styles. Now, with just two weeks remaining until its finale, visitors can explore and appreciate art installations alongside various projects from about 21 cities across 15 countries at Gwanghwamun Plaza and nearby areas. One of the exhibits highlights Seoul's past, present, and future, showing how the city's landscape has evolved through its key landmarks and buildings. Another project features an artificial intelligence–assisted interactive exhibition that explores how urban space and architecture connect with people. 2025-11-06 15:19:07

PHOTOS: Dried persimmons from Sangju — taste of centuries SEOUL, November 05 (AJP) - Late autumn transforms Sangju in North Gyeongsang Province into a spectacle of vivid orange. This is the season when the autumn sun-kissed persimmons are harvested and processed into the region’s renowned specialty: Gotgam, or dried persimmons. Sangju is traditionally famed for persimmons, rice and silk. While modern crops like grapes and cucumbers have joined its list of specialties, it is the gotgam that defines the region. Sangju's dried persimmons are particularly prized for their exceptionally high sugar content and soft, tender flesh. This superior quality is no accident; the region boasts the perfect climate, characterized by warm, sunny autumn days and crisp, cool evenings — ideal conditions for the slow, meticulous drying process. The prestige of Sangju Gotgam stretches back centuries. Historical records from the Joseon Dynasty attest to its excellence, noting its designation as an official tribute item presented to the king. Today, the tradition continues on a massive scale. Sangju is proudly the world's largest producer of dried persimmons, with an annual output of approximately 7,500 tons. The region accounts for more than 60 percent of South Korea's total national production. Stepping into a processing facility is an unforgettable travel experience. The air is thick with the sweet, earthy scent of fresh fruit. Persimmons, glowing a vibrant orange, cascade from machines into sorting areas. Workers swiftly peel the fruit and then string the pale spheres onto skewers. From there, the magic begins: the strung persimmons are carefully hung, filling vast, three-story warehouses from floor to ceiling in what appears to be a gigantic, edible curtain. The transformation takes patience. For about 50 to 60 days, the persimmons undergo a natural drying process in the cool, circulating air. This slow method is key to preventing spoilage and maximizing longevity, yielding the chewy, sugar-dusted treat that has delighted Koreans for generations. As global interest in hansik (Korean cuisine) and its traditional foods surges — demonstrated by the global recognition of Korean food practices and the inclusion of persimmons in high-profile events like the APEC summit — Sangju Gotgam stands ready for its moment in the international spotlight. It's a testament to the community's commitment to preserving a time-honored tradition while embracing a global future. For travelers seeking a taste of Korean history, culture, and nature, a visit to Sangju in late fall offers a truly golden experience. 2025-11-05 10:49:58