A view of the museum's permanent exhibition of its contemporary art collection. Courtesy of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, has often been referred to as one of Korea’s top private art museums, displaying a number of national treasures and works coming from the collection of late Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul and his son Lee Kun-hee.   Since Leeum Director Hong Ra-hee, wife of Lee Kun-hee, resigned in 2017, however, the museum has only

gettyimagesbank Q.  In the middle of our conversation, my Korean friend used the term  don-jjul . What does it mean?     A.   Don-jjul  is used mainly by young Koreans, but this slang is starting to catch on. It’s a pun from  hon-jjul  (severely criticize one or give someone the business) – with “ hon ” (literally soul) replaced by “ don ” (money). This rather awkward combination takes on a new meaning similar to “Let’s shower s

Rice paddy in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Shim Hyun-chul ● Rice paddies in southwestern Seoul create a unique autumn landscape. ● City residents are willing to pay more for locally sourced “Gyeongbokgung Rice.”    Those who visit Seoul’s southwestern district Gangseo-gu around this time of year will find a unique autumn landscape not seen in other big cities.   Amber waves of grain in a 261-hectare rice paddy unfold before the eyes, stretching

BTS performs at its Love Yourself concert, held at Citi Field in New York, Oct. 6, 2018. Courtesy of Big Hit Music ● Collective actions by K-pop fans have become a must for idol groups eyeing global success. ● K-pop fan-driven collective actions are facing a backlash in some countries.   Loyal fans have played a huge role in the rise to stardom of nearly every major pop celebrity.   But for K-pop idol groups, who have grown to exert huge cultural in

President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sept. 21 (EST). Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world that international cooperation is key to overcoming the challenges facing humanity and ushering in “an era of global community,” President Moon Jae-in said in a keynote speech at the United Nations.   Speaking at the 76th  session of the United Nations General Assembly

gettyimagesbank President Moon Jae-in took part in a signing ceremony for a Korea-U.S. global vaccine partnership in New York, September 21, accelerating his efforts to make the Asian country become a global hub for vaccine production.   The signing ceremony took place during President Moon’s visit to the U.S. from September 19 to 23.   The ceremony was part of follow-up measures for the comprehensive KORUS Global Vaccine Partnership that President Moon and U

Dozens of tractors carrying colorfully dressed Korean farmers roar down an expansive mud flat in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do Province, one of the five biggest tidal flats in the world.   The video, aptly nicknamed “Mud Max,” is reminiscent of the iconic chase scene from the 2015 action thriller “Mad Max: Fury Road.” It is part of the new season of the Korea Tourism Organization’s hit promotional series “Feel the Rhythm of Korea.”   The series went viral last