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SPECIAL FEATURE 1 City Steeped in Silla’s History and Culture

Countless cities across the globe are home to historical and cultural heritage sites spanning thousands of years. But there’s something special about Gyeongju. Staying at a guesthouse built in the style of a traditional Korean house where massive ancient tombs come into view when you open the door, you’re transported back in time to the ancient Silla Kingdom.

Special Feature 2 Kingdom of Gold Flourishes Through Cultural Exchange

Among Gyeongju’s many cultural treasures, the resplendent gold crowns and other gold regalia are not just magnificent artifacts — they attest to the interaction of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE–935 CE) with peoples in the Eurasian steppes. The golden artifacts of Silla, which assimilated and reinvented elements from other cultures, are both universal and distinctive.

SPECIAL FEATURE 3 Embracing Nature’s Blessings

Mentioning a visit to Gyeongju immediately evokes tours of ancient sites, but the city is also identified with stunning natural landscapes. The harmonious blend of mountains, sea, lakes, and plains creates its own brand of charm.

Special Feature 4 From Royal Ritual Foods to Modern Street Delicacies

The culinary culture of any nation particularly flourishes in its capital city. Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, developed a sophisticated food culture that blossomed through the following Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. The tradition continues into the modern era, driving the development of Gyeongju’s wonderfully varied cuisine, and making any trip to the city a culinary journey.

SPECIAL FEATURE 5 The New Face of an Ancient Capital

The alternate image of Gyeongju is that of a trendy urban destination where contemporary culture and modern attractions seamlessly merge with tradition. Atmospheric cafés, fancy boutiques, scenic night views, and thrilling entertainment options attract a steady stream of young visitors.

Features

Arts & Culture

K-uisine 2025 SPRING

Janchi guksu: A Feast of Noodles Noodles have not always been an integral part of Korean cuisine. Traditionally reserved for grand occasions, they were once prepared as a sign of respect for visiting foreign envoys. The dish known as janchi guksu, or “banquet noodles,” has long been associated with celebratory gatherings. Despite changes in ingredients and preparation methods over the centuries, janchi guksu continues to carry symbolic meaning. Janchi guksu is one of Korea’s most representative noodle dishes. It consists of long, thin wheat noodles called somyeon topped with various garnishes and served in a flavorful anchovy broth.

#Janchi guksu

Books & More 2025 SPRING

A Meditation on Being Whole “Greek Lessons” By Han Kang, translated by Deborah Smith and Emily Yae Won Penguin Books, 2024 160 pages, £9.99 A Meditation on Being Whole

#Books & More

Art Review 2025 SPRING

Beyond Boundaries: Women Artists Reshape Korean Contemporary Art The prominence of Korean contemporary art in the international art scene has risen significantly in the post-pandemic era. A new generation of Korean women artists born since the 1980s is gaining unprecedented attention from major institutions and galleries worldwide. Mire Lee’s Open Wound, on display in the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern gallery in 2024. © Tate, Photo by Larina Fernandes

#Women Artists #GEUMHYUNG JEONG #MIRE LEE #ZADIE XA

Brick by Brick 2025 SPRING

Exploring the Possibilities of Wooden Architecture The works of Cho Namho are said to make people think about the influence of architecture on people’s lives. Founder of Soltozibin Architects, Cho believes that the combination of good planning and technology leads to new architecture and has long pursued the possibilities of building with wood. Architect Cho Namho took advantage of the porosity of wood cell walls to design the exterior of Breathing Folly, a project that addresses the question of whether tackling the current climate crisis can be a central agenda for architecture. © Yoon Joon-hwan

#Wooden Architecture #Cho Namho

Guardians of Heritage 2025 SPRING

An Elegant Table for One Najuban are small serving tables produced in Naju, South Jeolla Province. Master craftsman Kim Chun-sik has preserved their legacy, which had nearly disappeared after the 1940s. Quite by chance, Kim started researching the traditional table craft in the mid-1950s, and has now spent seventy years of his life protecting this cultural heritage. Kim Chun-shik, designated a Master Artisan in the art of soban-making, has preserved and further developed the legacy of Naju soban, which was on the brink of extinction. Through the painstaking process of disassembling and reassembling hundreds of old tables, he was able to recreate the original form of the traditional tables from Naju.

#Najuban #Kim Chun-shik

Interview 2025 SPRING

Storytelling Through Art Toys After a slow start, the art toy scene in South Korea is expanding steadily in scale and scope. Many Korean artists have gained recognition, leading to collaborations with international brands. At the top tier is Hands In Factory, a trio of artists celebrating their 18th anniversary. They create toy figures that are not only attractive but also have a story to tell.

# Art Toys #Uptempo #Running Horns

Focus 2025 SPRING

Korea’s Literary Titan Han Kang grew up watching her father write novels and spending countless hours reading. At school, she pursued a writing career and was a quiet leader. Indeed, her speaking volume is just above a whisper and her writing style is spare and reflective. Already established as one of the most prominent Korean authors, Han won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2024.

#Novelist #Han Kang

K-uisine 2024 WINTER

Budae jjigae: A Legacy of the Postwar Era Budae jjigae is a dish that was born in the aftermath of the Korean War, a challenging time when many Koreans struggled to have even one full meal a day. The hearty stew provided much comfort thanks to its abundant ingredients, but its appeal went beyond mere sustenance. People came to love the fusion of Western ingredients and Korean flavors. Budae jjigae, a dish that combines Korean staples like kimchi and gochujang with Western ingredients such as ham, sausage, and baked beans, exemplifies the fusion of two distinct food cultures.

#Budae jjigae

LifeStyle

An Ordinary Day 2025 SPRING

A Cinephile Bridging Neighbors A Korean film changed the course of Aya Narikawa’s life. It prompted a few measured steps and then a permanent move to Korea, leaving behind a successful newspaper career. Having recently completed a doctoral degree in film studies, she is now more committed than ever to fostering cultural exchange between Korea and Japan. Aya Narikawa, a former Asahi Shimbun journalist turned film columnist, poses inside Indiespace near Hongik University Station in Seoul. She watches an average of four Korean films a month, and her interest in indie films often draws her to this theater.

#Korean film #Aya Narikawa

An Ordinary Day 2024 WINTER

Where Everyone Is Welcomed Like Family Often, the surest way of finding a good place to eat when visiting an unfamiliar city is to ask a taxi driver. Thanks to their extensive knowledge of their respective localities, taxi drivers can pinpoint the best and most affordable restaurants, and since their suggestions are grounded in years of experience, they’re usually a safe bet. Busy around the clock, Gamnamujip Gisa Sikdang is a favorite among taxi drivers in Seoul. Jang Yunsu, the owner of Gamnamujip Gisa Sikdang, carries a tray of freshly prepared dishes to her customers.

#Gisa Sikdang

On the Road 2024 WINTER

Jeongseon: New Treasures in an Old Coal Mining Town Jeongseon is a wonderful place to visit in any season, but its true charm is best revealed during winter. You can marvel at the pristine snowy landscape in glistening contrast to the abandoned black coal yards, and trek along a scenic path while admiring the fluffy white clouds above.

#Jeongseon

In Love with Korea 2024 WINTER

The Vinyl Connection Buoyed by an adventurous spirit, Curtis Cambou set off for a university exchange program in Korea. Little did he know that 12 years later, he would be overseeing two music labels, be married to prominent Korean musician Park Ji-ha, and own two popular secondhand record shops. Curtis Cambou listens to an album at Mosaic West, his second vintage record shop, near Sangsu Station in Seoul’s Mapo District.

#Vinyl

Greener Pastures 2024 WINTER

Inspired by Plastic Plastic Bakery is filled with ordinary baking equipment such as bread pans and ovens, but instead of flour it uses plastic bottle caps to make “baked goods.” Though not edible, the company’s tarts, canelés, and other treats still serve a purpose. High-purity plastic flakes are transformed into household objects like incense holders, flowerpots, and trays in the shape of waffles, canelés, and tarts. © Plastic Bakery

#Plastic Bakery #Plastic #recycle

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