[Amazing Korea] Cultural experiences in downtown Seoul in 2016!

Cultural experiences in downtown Seoul in 2016!

Seoul Metropolitan Government is offering a diverse range of cultural events for everyone to enjoy with family, friends, or loved ones in 2016.

Parents who wish to give their children special memories during the vacation months should consider taking them to see The Tempest, a musical reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s famous romantic masterpiece. This performance will be held at the Sejong M Theater from January 13 (Tues) to 31 (Sun). Viewers can expect a family-friendly version of the original work that still expresses the same profound emotional depth and meaning. Moreover, each performance of the play will provide English subtitles and a study guide to each audience member, giving them the rare opportunity to enhance their understanding of the play by reading the original text while viewing the live performance. The Tempest is great for not only Shakespeare enthusiasts but also parents who want to give their children more exposure to English. Ticket prices range from KRW 20,000 to 40,000.
Until March 13 (Sun), the Seoul Museum of Art will put the spotlight on the creative world of world-famous movie director Stanley Kubrick. A titan of the movie industry who created some of the most innovative films in movie history, including 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and Eyes Wide Shut, Kubrick has been paid homage by some of the most eminent movie directors of our time, including Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg. Held in Asia for the first time, this exhibition is also significant as it is the largest of its kind to date.

Until February 21, the SeMA Nam Seoul Living Arts Museum will be featuring the SeMA Modern History Project Evolved Museum: The Former Belgian Consulate. The exhibition gives a glimpse into the past and highlights the present of the building that once served as the Belgian Consulate during the Daehan Empire and is currently being used as the Nam Seoul Living Arts Museum. This exhibit provides a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the rich historic significance of this modern cultural heritage while appreciating its present value as an art museum.

The Sejong Museum of Art is currently holding an exhibition on Paik Nam June, the father of two-way TV communication, titled Paik Nam June: Groove_Heung. This special exhibition sheds new light on the creative world of Paik in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of his death and will be open to the public until January 29. On Fridays and Saturdays during the exhibition period, informal lectures will be held on Paik’s work. As the meaning behind Paik’s artwork is often difficult to grasp at first, the Museum is permitting visitors to view the exhibition on two separate occasions with one ticket.

Until March 13, the Seoul Museum of History will be holding Gyeonghuigung Palace Still Lives, an exhibition outlining the 400-year history of the palace that was deeply treasured by Kings Yeongjo and Jeongjo. Having served alongside Changdeokgung Palace as one of the two main palaces of the royal family in the late Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung Palace and its history will be presented in detail through over 200 relics, including stone statues and palace records. This exhibition is an opportunity for visitors to get a glimpse into the extensive history of this remarkable palace.

Until March 27, the DDP Design Museum will be holding the fifth segment of The Treasures of Kansong : Flowers, Birds, and Animals in Korean Painting. The paintings of flowers, birds, insects, and fish featured in this exhibition show that this genre was just as popular with ancient Koreans as landscape and portrait paintings. Featuring the most representative artworks from a period that spans 500 years, from the reign of King Gongmin in late Goryeo to the time of artist Lee Do-hyeong in late Joseon, the exhibition will show visitors the differences in painting styles across multiple generations.

SOURCE : http://www.whowired.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=407657

[Amazing Korea] Korea Emerges as Mecca of 3T Trends

Korea Emerges as Mecca of 3T Trends

 

A photo of the "House of Dior" store, the brand's largest flagship store in the world, which opened in June in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.

 

 

 Until now, global luxury fashion brands have focused on Japan and China for Asian fashion and beauty. However, they are recently beginning to acknowledge Korea as the trend maker, trend setter, and trend leader, as the country quickly accepts fashion trends and reproduces them after modification and reinterpretation.

 

 According to industry sources on Sept. 8, this year has become the first year of the start of culture marketing, as more global leading luxury fashion brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, are spending time in Korea. Flagship stores of luxury fashion brands are springing up in Cheongdam-dong fashion street for the first time in 10 years. Also, they are renovating their stores to the largest and the most luxurious in the world. This is because they can attract attention and make huge advertising effects in the global markets with the opening of their stores in Seoul, which has become the mecca of trends.

 

 An unprecedented increasing number of masters in the fashion industry are visiting Korea. Karl Lagerfeld, the head designer and creative director of Chanel, visited Korea early this year and said, “Tradition and cutting-edge technology coexist in perfect harmony in Seoul and it is the dynamic and creative city.” Lagerfeld is nicknamed to be the Pope in the fashion industry. Also, Suzy Menkes, a fashion journalist who exerts powerful influence on the global fashion trend, visited Korea in July and said, “Now it is Seoul.” She also promised that she would visit Korea again next year.

 

 Korean cosmetics firms are leading the trend in the global beauty market with AmorePacific, which has first created the “Cushion Foundation,” in the lead. Lancôme, the leading French luxury beauty brand, has replicated the product of AmorePacific and asked to build a strategic partnership, while other global leaders, such as L'Oréal and ELKA, are showing their eager attention in domestic cosmetic producers. In the rear, smaller beauty brands are creating the global facial mask market and forming the emerging K-beauty corps, and domestic cosmeceutical brands are tapping into the global niche market.

 

 Since Korean consumers have more knowledge than workers in the beauty industry due to the effects of social network services making them trendy and smart consumers, Korea has changed from a test market in the past to a qualified market now. So the country is being paid attention to by global beauty brands as a bridge market, the center of the trends in Asia.

 

 

 

Source : http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/article/11988/trendy-seoul-korea-emerges-mecca-3t-trends

[Amazing Korea] Tourists to get easier tax refunds

Tourists to get easier tax refunds

 

 

 The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a decree to allow foreign tourists tax reimbursements of up to 50,000 won ($42) in South Korea without visiting the customs office when they leave the country.

 

The move is part of the government’s effort to revitalize the local tourism industry, which was seriously hit by the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in the second quarter.

 

Formerly, inbound visitors had to apply to the customs office at the airport for a value-added tax refund of 10,000 won or more. They had to present both receipts and goods at the office.

 

This has been regarded as one of the few inconveniences or hurdles in terms of attracting more visitors, including a growing number of shoppers for local cosmetics products.

 

Under the revision, foreign shoppers don’t need to visit the office as long as they purchase a product priced at up to 750,000 won, which correlates to a refund of 50,000 won.

 

Myeongdong, a major shopping district in downtown Seoul, brims with visitors on June 28. (Yonhap)

 

A record high of 14.2 million foreign nationals visited the country in 2014, compared to 12.2 million a year before. The government has set the goal of attracting 20 million tourists by 2017, and was planning to boost services to cater to the growing number of Chinese visitors.

 

The flow of visitors, however, slowed from late May to early July due to the MERS outbreak, which claimed 36 lives. The government declared a de facto end to the outbreak on July 28.

 

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has striven to attract more tourists over the past few years.

 

Starting from Jan. 1, 2014, foreign tourists using tourist hotels in Korea are enjoying discounts of up to 10 percent through tax reimbursements. Formerly, foreigners had to pay the same amount as Korean nationals when using accommodations.

 

Other promotion measures included the establishment of a special police force to monitor and crack down on illegal tourism businesses and exploitation of tourists such as unlicensed tour guides who overcharge foreign visitors. The ministry also took the initiative to train migrant women from overseas as licensed interpreters and tour guides.

 

As another measure -- that would require parliamentary approval -- the tax authority is considering offering tax refunds to foreigners who have cosmetic surgery in Korean hospitals when they leave the country.

 

 

SOURCE : http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150811000951

 

 

 

SIMTOS Newsletter July - SIMTOS Story

 

What is SIMTOS?

 

 

    

▶ SIMTOS is a leading exhibition fair that contains compilation of every manufacturing technology and product trends.

SIMTOS has exhibitors categorized from planning stages to complete productions such as machine tools, parts, forming machines, welding, laser-cutting, cutting-tools, and etc. Furthermore, this fair exhibits every automation items: CAD/CAM, CAE, PLM, measuring equipments, solution, sensor, measurement controller, network parts, motors and software; and industrial robots designed for handling and controlling production system throughout specialized hall.

 

▶ During SIMTOS 2014, 853 exhibitors from 33 different countries participated and displayed 7,050 products and technology.

Moreover, 100,351 visitors; average of 20,000 per day had been to SIMTOS. Further, 5‚400 multi-national buyers from emerging markets like Brazil and India were counted.

 

    

 

Commentary

 

 There is research that corporations participating exhibitions like SIMTOS have better outcome of export. Many of Korean machine tool manufacturers utilize SIMTOS as marketing and research. Especially, corporations with rapid growth and exports have relative tendency to focus on SIMTOS.

From thesis ‘Trade fairs as an export marketing and research strategy: results from a study of Korean advanced machinery firms(2012)’ by Dr. Ronald V. Kalasfky, University of Tennessee.

 

 

“SIMTOS contributes a lot for apprehending world technology trend and cooperative firms.”

-Department of Product Design, Hyundai-Wia-

 

 

A large number of participation from oversea companies and buyers proves that SIMTOS has been devoting to internationalize Exhibition Industry.

-Department of Public Relations, KINTEX-

 

 

There is no doubt that SIMTOS is the representing exhibition in Korea. Effective Booth lay-out makes visitors and exhibitors easier to move around, find specific booth, secure insights.

-Tokyo Big Site, Satoshi Kimura-