문화.예술

When choosing garments, look for the "Made in Korea" tag to be sure of their caliber. Anyone who tries on a Korean-made garment falls in love with its quality fabric, intricate patterns and prints, and meticulous needlework.

At a time when people the world over are seeking to eat more healthily, Korean food culture is making its global mark. Some of the most popular souvenirs are Korean tteok (rice cakes) or alcohol made from rice, dried natural products that can be eaten conveniently on the go, as well as snacks good for your body. You can spot a wide selection of well-packaged food souvenirs at supermarkets or in the food section of department stores.

As Seoul Museum of Art's first exhibition of 2016, SeMA Blue is coming to you with works from bright and promising artists. Starting in 2012, SeMA Blue was created with the intention to support and highlight Korea's contemporary works. The title for this year's SeMA Blue is "Seoul Babel" and the works of 70 different artists from 15 different teams. Unlike exhibitions from other years where it provided an indepth look at the work of each individual artist,

2014 was the year of "Van Gogh's A Record of 10 Years Exhibition" and 2015 was the year of "Van Gogh's Media Art" in Daegu. From January 9 - April 17, 2016, make sure to check out "Van Gogh Inside: Festival of Light and Music" which will take place at Seoul Culture Station 284.

Namsan Park is arguably best known for N Seoul Tower, but in springtime the park comes alive with flowers. Forsythia, azaleas, and cherry blossoms are just some of the many varieties of flowers at Namsan Park. Cherry blossom trees are particularly plentiful along Namsan Park's footpaths.

봄꽃길은 걷거나 차를 타고 달리는 것만으로도 그 매력에 푹 빠질 수 있다. 먼저, 꽃길을 걸으며 봄꽃을 감상하기 좋은 곳을 소개한다. 청계천은 서울의 중심을 흐르는 하천으로, 분수대와 야외 공연장이 있는 청계광장과 함께 하천을 따라 걸을 수 있는 산책길이 마련되어 있다. 봄이 되면 이 산책길을 따라 개나리, 진달래, 제비꽃, 청매화, 홍매화 등을 만날 수 있다. 경기도에서부터 서울의 동쪽을 거쳐 한강으로 들어가는 하천으로 벚꽃을 비롯하여 목련, 개나리 등을 볼 수 있다.

Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, and Gangnam are famous shopping spots and extremely popular with tourists and are usually on the itineraries of Seoul's visitors. Seoul's palaces are other places of interest that should not be missed. Korean heritage and style can truly be felt and seen at the palaces. Where better to experience Korean traditions and heritage than at Korean palaces?

Changgyeonggung Palace sits right next to Changdeokgung. Government affairs were never carried out at Changgyeonggung; instead it was the residence of queen mothers and other high ranking ladies of the court. Many historical tv shows and movies have used this palace as a filming location as many famous events have occured here.

Out of the Five Grand Palaces, Changdeokgung Palace is the only that's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located east of Gyeongbokgung Palace. While Gyeongbokgung Palace's structures were built in straight lines to ward off danger, Changdeokgung Palace was built in line with the contours of the surrounding land so as to harmonize with nature.

A panorama of the beautiful Gyeongbokgung Palace can be taken in from Gwanghwamun Square. It is the oldest of the Five Grand Palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Construction of the palace began in 1394 and ended in 1395. Its name means, "the greatly blessed palace." Gyeongbokgung is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and in the early Joseon Dynasty was crucial to the king as it housed major government offices.