PHOTOS: UNESCO-recognized tug-of-war competition in Samcheok

SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - Celebrations of Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar New Year, were held in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, from Feb. 14 to 16. The festival featured a performance of Samcheok Gigijuldarigi, a distinctive form of tug-of-war recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

February 17, 2025

PHOTOS: Graduation season

SEOUL, February 14 (AJP) - As graduation season unfolds across South Korea, universities are hosting commencement ceremonies to honor their graduates.

February 14, 2025

PHOTOS: Koreans celebrate first full moon of lunar New Year

SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) - The first full moon of the lunar New Year, Jeongwol Daeboreum, was celebrated across the country on Feb. 12. Traditionally, on Jeongwol Daeboreum, people eat ogokbap (five-grain rice) and participate in various events, praying for health and well-being.

February 13, 2025

PHOTOS: All-Chinese K-pop girl group debuts with 'Bubble Gum'

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - BLINGONE China, a K-pop girl group composed entirely of Chinese members, made its official debut on Feb. 12 at the World K-pop Center in Seoul. The group’s title track, Bubble Gum, blends energetic hip-hop dance beats with bright, synth-driven melodies, embodying the hybridized sound that has become a hallmark of the K-pop genre. With a catchy chorus and classical overture elements, the song is designed to be instantly memorable and easy to sing along to.

February 12, 2025

PHOTO: Korean Stone Art Museum

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Korean Stone Art Museum At the entrance of the outdoor garden, Garden of Stones, in the Korean Stone Art Museum, a massive stone tiger (seokho) stands guard. Traditionally, these stone tigers served as guardian spirits, protecting royal tombs from evil spirits. Passing beyond the seokho, visitors are greeted by a row of stone scholar statues (muninseok), which were once placed at noble family tombs. These particular statues were repatriated from J

February 12, 2025

PHOTOS: A graduation in hanbok

SEOUL, February 12 (AJP) - On Feb. 11, graduates of Dongmyeong Girls’ High School in Seoul marked their commencement in traditional fashion, donning hanbok for the ceremony. The event also included a coming-of-age ritual.

February 12, 2025

PHOTOS: Jeju Island - where spring begins

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Jeju Island is the first place in South Korea to welcome spring. While the cold wave still lingers, the island presents a striking contrast of green landscapes interwoven with patches of snow. As Jeju eagerly awaits the full bloom of the season, its transition from winter to spring offers a picturesque view of nature’s renewal.

February 11, 2025

VISUALS: Exquisite jewels on display at exhibition in Seoul

SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - An exhibition showcasing more than 200 sparkling jewelry pieces including accessories and other charms is currently underway at the Lotte Museum of Art in southern Seoul, drawing hordes of visitors since late last year. The months-long exhibition, dubbed "The Art of Jewellery," runs until March 16 at the contemporary art museum on the seventh floor of the 123-story Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the tallest building in the country. Highlights among some 2

February 11, 2025

PHOTOS: In Seoul, ice skating offers a winter escape

SEOUL, February 10 (AJP) - South Korea's four distinct seasons bring a variety of cultural and sporting activities. Among them, ice skating emerges as a beloved pastime in winter, drawing both locals and visitors to the rinks from December through February. In Seoul, two prominent skating venues offer distinctly different experiences. At the heart of the city, the Seoul Plaza Ice Rink transforms the area in front of City Hall into a lively winter wonderlan

February 10, 2025

PHOTOS: Heavy snowfall disrupts commute across South Korea

SEOUL, February 7 (AJP) - Heavy snowfall blanketed South Korea on the morning of Friday, disrupting the commute for many across the country. Similar conditions had affected the previous day's evening rush hour. Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul is covered in snow on Feb. 6, 2025. Yonhap A citizen walks through the snow near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Feb. 6, 2025. Yonhap A parking lot at an apartment complex in Chuncheon is covered in snow on Feb. 7, 2025. Yonhap

February 7, 2025