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National Museum of Korea opens cutting-edge conservation science center
The National Museum of Korea has set a new milestone in the conservation of Korean cultural heritage with the opening of the Conservation Science Center on Tuesday, bringing all functions related to conservation science together under one roof. Spanning a total floor area of 9,196 square meters, the center features facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, according to the museum. The opening of the center marks the 20th anniversary of the museum’s relocation to Yongsan-gu, central Seoul
Oct. 30, 2025 -
US federal government shutdown delays Lee Kun-hee donation exhibition at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
The first-ever overseas exhibition of works donated by the late Samsung Chair Lee Kun-hee at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art will open later than planned, due to the US Federal Government shutdown, the National Museum of Korea announced Thursday. The opening ceremony for the exhibition “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared,” which brings together some 200 artworks and artifacts donated by Lee to the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contempor
Oct. 30, 2025 -
How a car karaoke video transformed a single mother’s life
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province -- A single video changed not only singer Ryssi Avila’s life but also her son’s. In it, her hair is down, her makeup minimal, and her expression calm. Sitting in her car, she softly sings “Come What May” by Air Supply. Posted in February 2023, the TikTok clip went viral, drawing more than 5.2 million views. Before that moment, Avila, a single mother, was constantly on the move, performing wherever she could to support her family. “I used to sing everywhere, at
Oct. 30, 2025 -
White House official’s K-beauty haul draws attention amid APEC diplomacy in Gyeongju
Karoline Leavitt, the 28-year-old White House press secretary traveling with US President Donald Trump on his state visit to South Korea, caught social media’s attention after posting her K-beauty haul on Instagram. “South Korea skincare finds,” she captioned the post with a heart emoji, showing a carefully arranged display of Korean skincare products — from sheet masks and "zero pore" pads to brightening serum, cleansing oil and sunscreen. Although Leavitt did not reveal where she made her purc
Oct. 30, 2025 -
What's on the menu at dinner hosted by President Lee
Set in the majestic surroundings of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday evening hosted a special presidential dinner for heads of state and government attending APEC Economic Leaders Week, in honor of US President Donald Trump. Hosted by Lee from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel Gyeongju, the dinner was attended by leaders from eight countries, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, New Zealand Prime
Oct. 29, 2025 -
BTS’ RM calls on global leaders to support culture in APEC speech
RM of BTS highlighted the importance of diversity as a driving force behind K-pop’s global success and called on world leaders to provide greater financial support for the cultural sector during his keynote speech at the 2025 APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on Wednesday. "K-pop is not just a genre of music. It is a 360-degree, total package of music, dance, performance, visual style, storytelling, music video and even social media," he said at the Gyeongju Arts Center, sp
Oct. 29, 2025 -
UNESCO World Heritage in Gyeongju
Traces of a civilization’s radiant legacy Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), stands as a living testament to Korea’s golden age, where culture, science and the arts flourished for a millennium. Its remarkable heritage includes Seokguram, Bulguksa and the Gyeongju Historic Areas — all inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Gyeongju Historic Areas comprise five zones — Mount Namsan, Wolseong, Tumuli Park, Hwangnyongsa and Sanseong Fortress — each represent
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Gyeongju exhibitions connect heritage with contemporary life
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — As world leaders gather in Gyeongju this week for high-profile APEC 2025 meetings under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,” a parallel exhibition and its satellite show engage in the same dialogue, translating themes of connection and innovation into the language of Korean craft. “Heritage for Tomorrow,” at the Cheongun Hybrid Complex, and "Harmony," at the House of Choi, a centuries-old family estate where several world
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Forum discusses Gyeongju's historical significance
In commemoration of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which opened Thursday in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, a forum was held Sunday to discuss the city's value as a UNESCO-designated cultural heritage site and its place in the ancient network of economic and cultural exchange between the East and West known as the Silk Road. Scholars from around the world and local citizens participated in the forum "The Starting Point of the Silk Road, Gyeongju," held at Singyeongju University
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Two Gyeongju museums revisit Korea's cultural legacy through art
As Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC-AD 935), hosts APEC 2025, two private museums in the city are hosting exhibitions that showcase the depth and breadth of Korea's artistic offerings. Wooyang Art Museum and Solgeo Art Museum -- designed by renowned Korean architects and located within a 15-minute walk of each other -- are presenting exhibitions that should not be missed. Wooyang Art Museum, a private museum established in 1991, is home to 14 works by the Korean-born vid
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Folk hero Hong Gil-dong soars back in 'Madangnori' spectacle with gender-swap twist
Madangnori performed by theater company Michoo is returning to the National Theater of Korea’s year-end madangnori series, offering a joyful Korean-style celebration to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. Directed by Sohn Jin-chaek, with music by Park Bum-hoon, choreography by Guk Su-ho and traditional performance direction by Kim Seong-nyeo -- the original creative team that defined the golden age of madangnori in the 1980s -- the new production “Madangnori Hong Gildong” reimagine
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Kim Wan-sun rediscovers life’s rhythm through art
Kim Wan-sun, a K-pop diva nearing the 40th anniversary of her debut, has returned not with a new song but with a brush in hand. With her paintings, she reconnects with Kim Chang-hoon from the legendary band Sanulrim, who produced her first record. The two reunite after decades for a special exhibition titled “Art Beyond Fame,” where Kim unveils the latest chapter of her evolving artistic world. Her new exhibition marks not only another creative milestone, but also a deeply personal chapter, one
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Six Silla crowns gathered together for the first time
The ancient Silla Kingdom is often called the “Golden Kingdom,” known for its gold artifacts that surpass those of Goguryeo and Baekje, the two other kingdoms of Korea's Three Kingdoms period (late 1st century BC to 7th century). Even the 9th-century Persian geographer Ibn Khordadbeh referred to Silla as a “land notably rich in gold,” and highlighted its trade routes and the goods exchanged, according to UNESCO. Silla unified the Three Kingdoms in 668, continuing its rule as the Unified Silla Ki
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Hanbok fashion show to illuminate Gyeongju’s Woljeonggyo
A hanbok fashion show blending Korea’s “Five Han” cultural elements — hanbok, hansik (Korean cuisine), hanok (traditional architecture), hanji (Korean mulberry paper) and Hangeul (Korean writing system) — will take place at Woljeonggyo in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Wednesday, marking the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Co-hosted by North Gyeongsang Province, the city of Gyeongju and the Korea Hanbok Promotion Institute, the event aims to showcase the beauty of traditional Kor
Oct. 28, 2025 -
No free G-Dragon performance during APEC, Gyeongju confirms
The city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, announced Sunday that online rumors that K-pop superstar G-Dragon would perform at a free, outdoor concert during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit are false. “Recent online posts about a ‘G-Dragon performance at Cheomseongdae’ are all not true,” the city said in a statement, adding that “there are no official plans for a G-Dragon concert at Cheomseongdae.” Cheomseongdae is one of Asia’s oldest surviving astronomical observator
Oct. 27, 2025