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Category: K-TRAVEL

  • Seoul Autumn Festa: Turning the City into a Grand Stage

    Seoul’s city center has transformed into a grand stage for the arts.

    Kicking off with the inaugural “Seoul Autumn Festa,” the city will host a series of large-scale events including the “Seoul Street Arts Festival” (October 6–8) and the “Seoul Living Arts Festival” (October 11), filling the heart of the capital with performances and creativity.

    Modeled after the renowned festivals of Avignon (France) and Edinburgh (UK), the Seoul Autumn Festa focuses on pure performing arts — from theater and dance to music and traditional art — with the goal of elevating Seoul into a global hub for performing arts.

    The main program, Seoul Street Arts Festival, features 122 artists from Korea and abroad presenting 146 performances along a 5.2 km stretch from Cheonggye Plaza to Cheonggye 9-ga. The lineup includes street performances, dance, traditional arts, and circus acts.

    Interactive programs such as Artrekking, where citizens can join in, and Piano Seoul, which allows anyone to perform on stage, will take place along the Cheonggyecheon Hwanghakgyo section. There will also be a special performance by visually impaired marimbist Jeon Kyung-ho, as well as photo zones, stamp tours, and hands-on art activities for visitors.

  • Gyeongbokgung Opens Geoncheonggung and Hyangwonjeong to Public

    For the first time in years, the interiors of Geoncheonggung and Hyangwonjeong at Gyeongbokgung Palace—normally off-limits to the public—will be open for special tours starting October 15.

    The Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office under the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 1st that it will operate a program titled “Light and Shadow of Joseon: A Special Stroll at Geoncheonggung and Hyangwonjeong” every Wednesday to Friday from October 15 to 31.

    Built in 1873, Geoncheonggung is historically significant as the site where Korea’s first electric lights were installed in 1887. King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong resided here during the late Joseon Dynasty. The complex consists of Jangandang, the king’s quarters, and Gonnyeonghap, the queen’s residence.

    Hyangwonjeong, constructed atop a pond, was a royal retreat renowned for its architectural beauty in the late Joseon era. Visitors who join the special program will be guided by professional docents through the interiors of both Geoncheonggung and Hyangwonjeong. Reservations open at 2 p.m. on October 2 via Nol Ticket (https://nol.interpark.com). Each session is limited to 20 people (maximum two tickets per person), with an admission fee of 10,000 KRW (including palace entry).

  • A Taste of Oktoberfest in Korea’s Namhae German Village

    Namhae German Village is a unique destination where the blue sea meets red rooftops, not just a tourist spot but a living community that holds the lives and history of Korean miners and nurses dispatched to Germany in the 1960s.

    The houses in the village were built with authentic German materials and architectural methods, filled with the affection and sincerity of the Korean-German community. At the Dispatch to Germany Exhibition Hall, visitors can see original passports, work uniforms, and nursing tools, offering a vivid glimpse into their dedication.

    The village’s charm peaks during the German Village Beer Festival, held every early October. This year, it runs from October 2 to 4, transforming the entire village into a grand festival resembling Munich’s Oktoberfest, complete with performances, events, and abundant food.

    Namhae German Village is not only a scenic destination perfect for memorable photos but also a historic site honoring the lives of the generation who played an important role in Korea’s modern history. Beneath the red rooftops, gazing at the dazzling Namhae sea, visitors can find not just joy but also deep resonance and inspiration.

  • Starfield Brings Cultural Experience During Chuseok Holida

    Starfield is transforming into a “unique cultural experience venue” by offering various cultural experiences, from K-goods to a Hong Kong comic exhibition, in celebration of Chuseok.

    Starfield COEX Mall is running a “Korean Cultural Goods” pop-up store until October 5, showcasing a range of items that blend tradition and modernity, including museum goods and the Seokguram lighting from Studio Jeomseonmyeon. Additionally, a live zone has been set up where visitors can witness the 3D printing process in real-time, providing a special experience for attendees.

    Starfield Hanam will host the Hong Kong Comic Culture Exhibition from September 27 to October 9, introducing the development and unique style of Hong Kong comics through over 100 works. The exhibition will feature a wide range of themes, from martial arts and action to satire and humor, captivating visitors.

    On Chuseok day and the following day, “Joseonz,” a group of actors from the Korean Folk Village, will perform parades and Madang plays in Hanam (10/5) and Goyang (10/6). The 25 actors will march through the stores with the sound of drums, delivering an immersive performance that will bring the excitement of tradition to life for the audience.

  • “Seoul Architecture Biennale: A Festival of Architecture for All”

    The 5th Seoul Architecture Biennale, directed by renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick, opens today as a festival of architecture accessible to all citizens.

    Now in its fifth year, the Seoul Architecture Biennale is Korea’s first global event in the urban architecture field, bringing together cities from around the world to explore solutions to urban challenges. The opening ceremony is on September 26, and the event will run for 54 days, ending on November 18.

    This year’s event, unlike previous ones, focuses on citizen participation, moving away from expert-centered events and working to lower the barriers to entry in architectural culture.
    Heatherwick emphasized, “Many cities are wounded by the epidemic of loneliness, and buildings lack souls, only pursuing efficiency,” adding, “We now need buildings that entertain and engage people.”

    All exhibitions are free to visit, and citizen participation programs can be reserved through the Seoul Public Service Reservation website.

  • Korean Craft Past and Future on Display at Incheon Airport

    Incheon International Airport Corporation, in partnership with the National Heritage Promotion Institute, is presenting the special exhibition “HIP, KOREA! – Craft Connecting Eras, Shaping the Future” at the Incheon Airport Museum through March next year.

    The exhibition reinterprets the beauty of traditional Korean crafts with a modern perspective, showcasing around 70 pieces that include both contemporary artworks and traditional artifacts.

    Organized around the theme of “From Modern to Tradition,” the exhibition begins with contemporary crafts such as metalwork, ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles that highlight the potential of today’s K-craft. The latter part features authentic historical relics, including items from the National Museum of Korea and the Yanggu White Porcelain Museum, emphasizing their cultural roots and aesthetic depth.

    Visitors can also take part in interactive programs. Throughout the exhibition, the Korea Traditional Culture Center will offer a free hands-on experience where participants can make a “bojagi keyring,” allowing them to enjoy both the exhibition and Korea’s traditional culture.

  • Hiking Korea’s Punchbowl Basin: A Rare Mix of Nature, History, and Peace

    Located in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, the DMZ Punchbowl Trail is one of Korea’s most unique trekking destinations.

    Situated inside the Civilian Control Zone bordering North Korea, entry is strictly reservation-only via the “Forest e” (숲나들e) platform. Visitors must book at least four days in advance, bring identification, and join the hike under the guidance of a forest interpreter. Admission is free, but on-site registration is not available, and the trail is closed every Tuesday.

    The trail is divided into four themed routes. The representative “Oyu Field Trail” takes about four hours, showcasing waterfalls, valleys, and colorful autumn foliage. On the “Peace Trail,” hikers can glimpse North Korea and reflect on the reality of division. The “Mandae Plain Trail” offers picturesque views of rural basin villages.

    What makes this trail truly special is that it is more than just a forest path. The dirt trails beneath your feet were once fierce battlefields, but today they are a sanctuary of rare plants and natural monuments. Walking along the unique Punchbowl Basin, visitors can simultaneously feel the grandeur of nature, the scars of war, and the wonder of life’s resilience. From the observatory, panoramic views of the Punchbowl and even Mount Geumgang’s Birobong Peak complete the journey.

  • K-pop Meets Tradition: Korean Folk Village Online Store Launches

    The Korean Folk Village has officially launched its app-based online store, expanding the distribution of traditional cultural products from on-site visitors to the global digital market.

    This launch comes amid growing global interest in the fusion of K-pop and traditional culture. A direct backdrop was the popularity of Netflix’s hit KPop Demon Hunters, which seamlessly blended traditional elements with modern aesthetics.

    One notable case is the sell-out of products related to the traditional Korean hat, gat. The online store now offers a wide range of items, from Chuseok gift sets, chapssal yeot (glutinous rice taffy), and dongdongju (traditional rice wine) to practical goods, becoming a convenient gateway for global customers to experience Korean tradition.

    A Folk Village representative commented, “The synergy between K-content and traditional culture is driving explosive demand,” adding that the online store will serve as a new turning point in spreading Korean cultural heritage worldwide.

  • Everland Brings Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” to Life with New Theme Zone

    Everland, operated by Samsung C&T’s Resort Division, will open a new theme zone on September 26 inspired by Netflix’s global hit KPop Demon Hunters.

    The film, which tells the story of a K-pop girl group battling evil spirits against the backdrop of Korean landmarks, has become Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time. Everland brings the world of the film to life with a traditional hanok-style entrance, giant LED screens, and OST highlights such as “Golden” and “Soda Pop.”

    The theme zone is packed with interactive experiences. In the “Huntrix” zone, visitors can enjoy shooting games and whack-a-mole, while the “Lion Boys” zone offers OST lyric challenges and a soul-offering game. A photo zone recreating an idol stage allows fans to capture special memories, and completing stamp missions will reward guests with character-themed souvenirs.

    Food and merchandise options are equally diverse. At the “Lion Boys Snack Bar,” visitors can enjoy Korean street foods like ramen and kimbap, alongside group-themed menus and 38 limited-edition items. Notably, panda x Duffy costume dolls, as well as dedicated face-painting and dress-up areas, are expected to be especially popular with fans.

  • First Asian Language at the Colosseum: Korean Audio Guide Now Available

    The Colosseum, Rome’s iconic landmark, has introduced a Korean audio guide service.

    According to Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Colosseum has added Korean to its official guide app starting this month, following agreements with local authorities. Korean is the first Asian language included, joining Italian, English, Spanish, and Ukrainian as the fifth supported language. With over 12 million annual visitors, this service is expected to significantly improve accessibility for Korean tourists.

    The system automatically plays explanations when visitors approach relics, allowing them to better understand the history, structure, and features of Rome and the Colosseum. The change reflects the global shift from rented audio devices to app-based solutions.

    The app has been available for download since early September via the Korean accounts of Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store.