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Korea Herald
21-07-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Learn traditional iron-making at NRICH's summer camp
Some 40 participants will get a chance to learn about Korea's traditional iron-making through hands-on experiences, lessons The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association are jointly recruiting participants for a special iron-making camp to be held next month. Applications for the three-day camp, slated for Aug. 20-22 at the Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, will be open from Monday through July 31. The camp is open to anyone interested in iron-making, regardless of nationality. While the program will be conducted in Korean, NRICH will provide English-language versions of the presentations to help non-Korean speakers better understand the content, an official at the institution told The Korea Herald. The program is free of charge. A total of 40 participants will be selected, and the final list will be announced on Aug. 4 via NRICH's official website. The iron-making camp is an educational program where participants can learn about Korea's traditional iron-making through hands-on experiences, while also exploring discoveries from archaeological excavations and experimental research in the field. The two institutions have jointly hosted the program every year since August 2021. Day two will feature a deep dive into iron-making sites from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), an exploration of traditional pig iron production techniques and a visit to Korea's first Iron Museum in Eumseong. On the final day, participants will attend a lesson on how ancient iron-making techniques are being revived today.
News18
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
The Devil Judge To Vincenzo: 7 K-Dramas That Deserve A Second Season
Last Updated: Vincenzo centres around a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer on a mission to take down a corrupt empire. There is nothing more heartbreaking than witnessing our favourite shows coming to an end. These dramas provided us with intriguing plotlines and relatable characters and took us on an emotional rollercoaster ride, just to leave us hanging with unresolved endings. Whether to get an appropriate closure or reunite with our favourite characters, there are a few K-dramas that need a second season. Here are 7 K-dramas that fans still wish had a second season: Twinkling Watermelon The drama follows the story of Eun Gyeol, a child of deaf adults (CODA) with a deep passion for music. After being mysteriously transported back to 1995, he meets the teenage version of his father and forms a band called Watermelon Sugar. The series concludes with Gyeol returning to the present, where his father has become a successful entertainer. A second season could have delved deeper into Yi Chan's college life, his personal struggles and the journey that eventually led him back to music, an arc that remained largely unexplored in the first season. Tomorrow This widely acclaimed drama left the fans on a cliffhanger ending as the finale explores Jun Woong losing his memories of the afterlife team but running into them in the climax, which hints at a reunion after 50 years. Fans are still hoping for a second season of this intense drama that could possibly explore Goo Ryeon and Park Joong Gil's past love and the afterlife team's upcoming missions. Vincenzo The drama centres around Vincenzo, a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer on a mission to take down Babel Group's corrupt empire. The series ends with Vincenzo escaping to Malta after dismantling the group; however, his feelings for Chayoung remain unresolved. Fans are eagerly waiting for a season 2, which could bring him back to South Korea and reunite him with the love of his life. Twenty Five Twenty One The drama left the audience with more questions than answers, as the ending kept fans wondering what happened between Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do. If they parted ways after everything that took place, who is Hee Do's mysterious fiancé? These questions remain unanswered, as fans haven't yet gotten a second season, which could fill in the missing pieces and give the couple a proper closure. The Devil Judge The drama explores a dystopian Korea where trials are broadcast live, and Judge Kang Yo Han is on a mission to deliver justice. The series ends with Yo Han faking his death and escaping while Ga-on continues to fight against the system. Season 2 could easily mark the return of Yo Han and explore how the two team up again to take down the elite. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart This historical fantasy drama follows Go Ha Jin, a modern woman who wakes up in the body of Goryeo Dynasty noblewoman Haesoo. The drama leaves the fans heartbroken when Haesoo wakes up in the present with memories of her past life. Fans are still waiting for a season 2 where Wang So is reborn in the present, where the two characters could reunite. Hotel Del Luna This unforgettable drama tells the story of a cursed hotel owner and the man who helped her heal. This emotion-induced fantasy drama leaves fans hanging as it teases a new chapter with a mysterious owner of Hotel Blue Moon. A second season could explore more about this mysterious owner, like who he is and what sins he needs to pay for, among others. First Published: July 09, 2025, 13:26 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hamilton Spectator
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
K-Traditional Art Thrives Quietly in Burlington's Creative Community
Most people have heard of K-pop, the vibrant and global phenomenon of Korean popular music — but what about K-traditional art? Here in Burlington, a married artist couple from Korea is quietly preserving and sharing centuries-old Korean ceramic traditions in the heart of our community. For the past twenty years, Jung Do Lee and Jin Hee Jun have called Burlington home, creating intricate, thoughtful ceramic art rooted in Korean heritage with a modern touch. Jung Do Lee is a master of buncheong, a traditional Korean pottery technique that dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty of the 13th century. The method involves applying white slip to dark clay, then stamping and carving delicate designs into the surface. Lee has spent more than four decades refining his craft a,nd breathing new life into this ancient form. 'I've been making buncheong art since 1978. Rather than trying to engender beauty artificially, I inspire sympathy through the simple and rustic beauty of my pottery blended with modern technique.' Lee's work is visually stimulating: bowls, jars, and platters coated in white slip and adorned with stylized birds, fish, and florals. The patterns are purposeful but never overpower the form of the vessel. 'I decorate my work with great seriousness,' he says. 'In a tremendously small part of my work, I tend to carefully bring about a minor change to lend vitality to the piece. I hope viewers can feel the beauty, the unique function, and the potter's effort learned from heritage.' His art has travelled far beyond his studio, with some pieces on view at the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Burlington. His work has been featured in exhibitions and collections in Canada, various European countries, the U.S., Japan, and Korea. Yet his purpose remains grounded in the local. 'We've loved living in Burlington — our second hometown. Our Korean background residents are still minorities here, and we'd like to share our cultural heritage with Burlingtonians. I hope that beyond K-pop, people can discover and appreciate K-Traditional arts as well.' While Lee's work leans into minimalist strength and historical elegance, his wife, Jin Hee Jun, uses clay as a deeply personal medium for emotional exploration. A ceramic artist and former professor, Jun's work features hand-built murals, sculptural pillars, and expressive reliefs that reflect her internal world and lived experiences. 'Working with clay always calms me,' she says. 'It helps me focus and communicate. I've worked to express my emotions and daily circumstances in clay, like writing a journal.' Her pieces, whether large-scale installations or intimate figurative forms, often resemble creatures or faces, avatars of memory and emotion. One of her most striking works, The Forest, is a four-panel relief inspired by the view from her former studio in Korea. 'I like the colour and texture of the clay to be obvious,' Jun notes. 'I use ceramic pigment like watercolour in several layers, so as not to ruin the relief detail, then I spray a clear glaze very thinly.' As long-standing members of the Burlington Potters' Guild , housed at the Art Gallery of Burlington, both Lee and Jun are vital contributors to the local arts scene. Their work is also featured in the two annual Arts Burlington sales — a holiday and spring tradition where the public can explore and purchase pieces directly from local artists. The Potters' Guild, which welcomes all levels of experience, has become a nurturing space for these two Korean artists to not only create but also to connect and inspire others through their heritage. The presence of K-traditional art in Burlington is a quiet but powerful reminder of the city's growing cultural mosaic. In their own ways, both Lee and Jun infuse the ancient with the present, inviting us to slow down, observe, and connect with art, with history, and with each other. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Korea Herald
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Foreign minister harks back to South Korea's historical Islamic connections
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul highlighted South Korea's historical ties with the Islamic world at an Iftar dinner hosted by the Seoul government on March 11. Iftar is a meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break the daily fast during Ramadan. 'What a proud heritage it is. Throughout history, Muslim civilizations have profoundly enriched humanity by bridging cultures and illuminating new ways of thinking. Their influence can also be found in Korea's history,' said Cho in his remarks sharing his first experience with Ramadan three decades ago when he was serving as a counselor at the South Korean Embassy in Saudi Arabia. The ministry has held Iftar dinners for OIC diplomats and leaders of different sectors since 2004 to strengthen ties with the Islamic community. Founded in 1969, the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) is a 57-member body representing the Muslim world's collective voice. Cho cited remembrance, togetherness, and peace as the spirit of Ramadan. He also revisited archaeological discoveries in Gyeongju, the venue of this year's APEC Summit, which include relics from as far as Egypt, Syria and Central Asia, reflecting Korea's early interactions with the Islamic world. Islamic cultural exchange with the Korean Peninsula began in the 8th century via the Silk Road, particularly through maritime routes. Arab and Persian merchants brought items to Gyeongju, as recorded in Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), written in 1145 by Goryeo (918-1392) and Arabic texts. Some theories suggest that Cheoyong, a 9th-century figure of the Unified Silla era (668–935), was originally of Arab origin. Cheoyong, appears in the 13th-century Samguk Yusa as the son of a dragon king who wards off an evil spirit through singing and dancing. Samguk Yusa is a historical record compiled by Buddhist monk Il Yeon in 1281. From the 8th to 9th centuries, Islamic luxury goods, music, and instruments influenced Korea through trade via China or Muslim merchants. Maritime trade grew, and Arab merchants arrived directly after Jang Bogo's decline in the mid-9th century. Jang Bogo, was a naval commander of the Unified Silla era who dominated Northeast Asian trade and earned the title "King of the Yellow Sea." He is well known for promoting merit-based politics. 'Consider also that Arab merchants were the first to spread the name 'Korea' around the world, as their exchanges with the Goryeo Dynasty flourished during the Middle Ages. Later, Turkish veterans of the Korean War established the Ankara School in Suwon, sheltering hundreds of war orphans,' said the minister. During the 13th century, in the Goryeo era (918–1392) under Mongol rule, Muslim communities and mosques emerged, influencing science, art and astronomy. In the Joseon era (1392-1910), Islamic knowledge aided advancements in the lunar calendar and science under King Sejong. 'This noble act laid the foundation for the growth of today's Muslim community in Korea," Cho recalled. The so-called "Middle East Boom" in the 1970s and 80s, particularly in the Gulf region, became a pivotal moment in Korea's economic development, according to Cho. Cho also noted contemporary cultural connections, citing the Dongdaemun Design Plaza — designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid — and Muslim Street in Itaewon, lined with halal restaurants and shops near the Itaewon Mosque. 'Even our dessert market has been influenced by the Middle East, with Turkish ice cream, kaymak and Dubai chocolates gaining popularity among young Koreans,' according to him. 'Just as Ramadan unites families and communities over Iftar, Korea is dedicated to strengthening its bonds of friendship with the Islamic world,' Cho said, underlining South Korea's expanding ties with the OIC. "Last year, we engaged in high-level diplomacy with key partners such as the UAE, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan,' he said. 'This year, in a historic move, a government delegation from the Republic of Korea traveled to Syria to meet with senior officials of the transitional government," said Cho. According to the ministry, South Korea is set to establish diplomatic ties with Syria. The move follows Syria's political shift after ex-President Assad's ousting in 2024, creating an opportunity for engagement but marking a diplomatic breakthrough for South Korea because Syria was a longtime North Korean ally, receiving military and technical support, including missile and chemical weapons assistance. Pyongyang even sent fighter pilots during the 1967 and 1973 wars. "Through platforms like the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Fund, the Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum, and the Korea-Africa Summit, we continue to seek sustainable cooperation and foster future prosperity,' Cho noted. 'Korea, for its part, extended humanitarian assistance to regions including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Sudan last year, with hopes of contributing to their stability and recovery,' he said. "The wound is the place where the light enters you," the minister was referring to a quote of 13th-century Persian poet Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, who was influenced by Sufism. Sufism is a mystical Islamic path said to have emerged in the 8th century in the Middle East, emphasizing divine love and personal experience of God over legalistic and ritualistic practices. 'May this Ramadan be a time of remembrance, togetherness, and most importantly, peace,' said Cho. 'Ramadan is a time of compassion and tolerance,' said UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, dean of the Arab group of ambassadors in Seoul, highlighting shared values of 'respect, understanding and the pursuit of peace' that strengthen ties. 'By embracing diversity and respecting differences, we can build bridges of understanding that allow us to work together toward common goals,' he said. 'These principles deeply resonate in the enduring relationship between the Republic of Korea and our nations, built on mutual trust, cooperation and cultural appreciation." The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign residents in Korea, students, professors, think tanks and the media. sanjaykumar@
