[Life in Korea] Expectations vs. Reality of teaching English in Korea with Annie Jeong

“Things that you thought you knew, you're going to have to change on the spot every single day, every single hour, whether that's things about work or just in general.” Annie Jeong’s decision to move to Korea was born from a transitional phase in her life. Amid job uncertainties, she found herself at a crossroads. She seized the opportunity to explore her Korean roots and embark on a journey that was both educational and personal by immersing herself in teaching Engl

Sept. 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] Frieze CEO sees permeating local cultural scene as key to fair's success

As the date for the second edition of Frieze Seoul approached, museums and galleries in Seoul unveiled their plans to ensure the fair becomes the highlight of the year. At the same time, galleries and global auctioneers are exploring opportunities to establish permanent spaces within the city. “I was absolutely overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that everybody in Seoul has for Frieze Seoul, and of course for Kiaf Seoul, by the number of events that are happening around the city. It is not somet

Sept. 7, 2023

Digital artist Krista Kim on Zen and healing through art, technology

Korean-Canadian artist Krista Kim seeks to evoke a sense of tranquility in her work, which she creates through the use of digital technologies. Whether viewed on a smartphone or through virtual reality goggles, the vibrant gradients Kim presents have a relaxing effect, akin to basking among the cherry blossoms. Kim captures images of lights, manipulating them using software and crafting minimalistic still images. At times, she transforms these into gradations. Her pursuit of portraying a sense

Sept. 6, 2023

S. African artistic director endeavors to spread joy of music

Pianist, chamber musician, accompanist to a choral conductor and artistic director -- Willem Vogel, 66, has played many roles in the field of music. In a career spanning 30 years, Vogel has hosted more than 6,000 concerts through Salon Music, his impresario business, and has engaged in productions, theater rentals and educational projects since 1993. Vogel is the founder and artistic director of the Brooklyn Theater, a venue in Pretoria, South Africa, established in 2010. He is also artistic dir

Sept. 3, 2023

First lesbian to become a mother in S. Korea on struggle to be a 'normal' parent

On Wednesday, Kim Kyu-jin became the first openly gay Korean woman to give birth. While the birth of her child is a unique event here, it was a casual conversation over lunch which first sparked the idea of becoming a mother. “You are married? You are going to have a baby, right?” The question was posed to her by her boss at a multinational company in France. The question got her thinking, “If this kind of question can be so easily asked over lunch on the first day of work beca

Aug. 30, 2023

[Herald Interview] Proud Korean Peggy Gou aims to make 'timeless' music

Peggy Gou is a superstar DJ doing tours around the world year-round. Her shows are always sold out across mostly European cities. Gou’s latest single “(It goes like) Nanana” has been on the UK top 10 singles chart for 10 straight weeks, and topped the charts in the Netherlands and Belgium over the summer. Although she may not be as widely known as BTS in her home country, Gou is a proud South Korean, born and bred in Incheon. “When people see other Asian performers and as

Aug. 27, 2023

45 winners get prize for Korea Herald English Speech Contest

The award ceremony for the 52nd Korea Herald English Speech Contest was held on Thursday at the Australian Embassy in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul. The Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Catherine Raper, Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy to the Republic of Korea Alexandra Siddall, The Korea Herald CEO Choi Jin-young, Vice President Shin Yong-bae and Managing Editor Lee Joo-hee were in attendance. “Some of the issues we face are daunting. But when I hear you speak w

Aug. 25, 2023

Youth organization commemorates 70th anniversary of Korean Armistice Agreement

On the afternoon of Aug. 15, a special forum took place at Gonjiam Valley in Gyeonggi Province, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of signing the armistice of the Korean War. The Past 4 Present, a youth organization with students from elementary schools to universities, held the "Youth International Peace Forum & Concert," with an aim to uphold the value of peace and liberal democracy acquired through the 1950-53 Korean War. A notable highlight of this year's forum was t

Aug. 22, 2023

[Life in Korea] Yukta Tyagi from India on being a college student in Korea

  Life in Korea is far from the fantasies seen in popular media -- and as with everywhere else, hard work and preparation is needed, says Yukta Tyagi. “Don’t come here just because you like K-pop and K-dramas. It is not the fantasy land that you see in the shows, and there’s not a Korean 'oppa' walking on the street," she said. The allure of K-pop and K-dramas has drawn many international students to South Korea, but the realities of studying abroad can be quite diff

Aug. 9, 2023

[Life in Korea] Max Not Beer on becoming a full-time influencer in Korea

  From performing at Yonsei University’s Akaraka festival and teaching English on Jeju Island, to making content as a full-time creator, TikTok influencer Max Not Beer has been enjoying a variety of experiences in South Korea. Max -- whose real name is Max Abrams -- moved to Korea last February from the US to pursue his career as a full-time content creator, having garnered a significant following of over 1.2 million followers on TikTok. His content mainly consists of personal storie

July 25, 2023

[Photo News] Education ministers in Busan

Education ministers and vice ministers from 21 countries pose for a group photo with the Rev. Park Ock-soo (seventh from left, front row), founder of the International Youth Fellowship, at the World Minister Forum held at Nurimaru APEC House in Busan to discuss youth-related problems and plans to promote the "Mind Education" program promoted by the Christian-based organization, Thursday.

July 20, 2023

Korail Tourism Development CEO vows to lead green K-tourism boom

The CEO of Korail Tourism Development, a unit of state rail operator Korea Railroad Corp., said Monday he aims to invigorate the local tourism industry by offering unique and green tourism products to foreign nationals looking to explore South Korea. "We have focused until now on revitalizing the tourism industry for domestic travelers. However, our new aim is to focus on attracting overseas tourists to help the nation's tourism industry take a next step," said Kwon Shin-il, CEO o

July 3, 2023

International conference to look into digital technology's role in English education in Seoul

Ten major English-language education societies based in South Korea will hold a joint academic conference to discuss issues arising in English language teaching amid the ongoing digital transformation. The 2023 Joint International Conference on ELT in Korea will begin its three-day session on July 6 at Konkuk University in Seoul, with the theme “English Language Education in the Era of Digital Transformation: Opportunities, Connectivity and Sustainability,” the Korea Association of T

June 26, 2023

Dubai’s Global Education Venture partners with King’s College

Global Education Venture, an educational company based in Dubai, has joined hands with boarding school King’s College to provide British education to students across the world. This partnership aims to establish British schools across regions including South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Macao, India and Nepal. More regions will be added to the list going forward. Based on the agreement, Global Education Venture has been granted exclusive rights to establish and develop King’s

June 22, 2023

Korean-American speed cuber sets a new world record in 3.13 seconds

Max Park only needed 3.13 seconds to solve a 3x3x3 Rubik’s Cube, setting his fifth Guinness World Records in speed cubing, at an event in California last weekend. According to Guinness World Records, the 21-year-old Korean-American advanced the previous record of 3.47 seconds, held by China's Yusheng Du since 2018, by 0.34 seconds. Smashing records at a breathtaking speed in other speed cubing categories, Park also holds Guinness World Records for solving 4x4x4, 5x5x5, 6x6x6 and 7x7x7

June 16, 2023

Mediforest CEO to compete for Mrs. Globe crown

Jung Gyu-ri, CEO of medical company Mediforest and the winner of the 2022 Mrs. Korea pageant, is set to compete at this year’s Mrs. Globe 2023 in California from June 20 to 25. Mrs. Globe is regarded as one of the most prestigious and competitive international beauty pageants in the world, where women from over 100 countries aged 25 and up vie for recognition of their outstanding intellect, humanitarianism and beauty. Jung expressed her determination to represent South Korea on the global

June 14, 2023

Bluebell Korea chairman awarded French Order of Arts and Letters

Daniel Mayran, the chairman of Bluebell Korea, received the "Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) from the French Ministry of Culture in a ceremony held in Paris on Friday, according to Bluebell Korea on Tuesday. Mayran is also the director of group business development retail and travel retail of Bluebell Group, and founder and president of Luxury Business Group. Thierry Dana, former ambassador of France to Japan, presented h

May 31, 2023

Cho Min, a new YouTube sensation?

In just six days, a certain YouTube video has garnered an impressive 352,000 views and counting. It may seem like the YouTube debut of a popular TV star. However, these numbers belong to Cho Min, the daughter of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, whose life took a dramatic turn when her admission to a graduate school of medicine here was revoked after she had already graduated and passed the state medical licensing exam. Launched on May 12, her YouTube channel, "minchobae," has only on

May 18, 2023

American couple who sheltered Korean tourists in blizzard visit Korea

On Dec. 23 last year, a group of South Korean tourists became stranded in Buffalo, New York, during a heavy blizzard on their way to Niagara Falls. Their van got stuck in the snow, so two of them knocked on the door of a nearby house to ask for shovels to dig the vehicle out of a ditch. That was the home of Alexander Campagna and his wife Andrea, who had planned for a quiet Christmas weekend indoors, with a stocked fridge to wait out the snowstorm. The couple invited the nine travelers plus the

May 14, 2023

Georgia could be gateway connecting east and west, says envoy

Georgian Ambassador to Korea Tarash Papaskua stressed the potential of his country such as its strategic location as a main gateway connecting east and west at the Global Business Forum organized by The Korea Herald at the Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel on Wednesday. During the 12th session of the GBF held under the theme “Next Prosperity,” Papaskua highlighted key developments and business opportunities backed by the Georgian government in his opening remarks. “The Georgia

May 11, 2023