The 2012 Chuncheon Dakgalbi (Spicy Chicken Ribs) & Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodles) Festival is scheduled to be held this year from August 23rd to 28th. Visitors can enjoy Chuncheon-style buckwheat noodles and spicy chicken ribs, two representative dishes of the region. Special events include the Chuncheon Local Cuisine Cooking Contest and free sampling every afternoon of the area’s famous dishes.

The Gyeonggi International CeraMIX Biennale first started in 2001 and has continued to contribute to the field of ceramics by showcasing hidden talents and allowing artists to experiment with their art. In a further attempt to push the boundaries of ceramic art, the festival in 2011 encouraged artists to expand their art by using elements from other art genres.This 2015 festival’s theme will be called “Color: Ceramic Spectrum,” and it will demonstrate the creative aspect of ceramic arts. Generally, the word ‘color’ carries a physical and optical connotation, but this festival intends to expand the term’s meaning into a more idiomatic definition that encompasses the concepts of classifying objects and defining identity. Thus, the meaning of ‘color’ is portrayed by the artists’ own expression and artistic attitude at the festival. This festival divides color into three categories: “Isaek” (이색; distinctive color), which focuses on new trends and possibilities of ceramic art; “Chaesaek” (채색; multicolored), which shows modern ceramic art through a combination of other genres; and “Bonsaek” (본색; traditional color), which reflects the traditional factors of the three East Asian countries, connecting the past, present, and future of ceramics.※ The festival is held every second year.

Art craft has always existed as an art with the combination of beauty being in the part of our lives. Its dynamic and changeable features depend on various culture, materials, technic, and methods throughout long period of time from over the world. First started in 1999, the Cheongju International Craft Biennale this year is taking place for the ninth time. This year, the biennale has a theme of "HANDS+ : Expansion & Coexistence" as it aims to explore the theme of “coexistence,” where traditional and modern technical developments exist together as equals in a category no longer of the individual but of community. With that, four exhibits, symposiums & lectures, experience program, performance and cultural event will also be taking place in the 2015 Cheongju International Craft Biennale.

NANTA has been running since October 1997 and is the most popular show ever in Korea. It also has achieved outstanding international success, having been performed on Broadway and around the US and the rest of the world. It receives rave reviews wherever it performs, and quickly sells out.Without any dialogue, but through the rhythmic banging of knives, pots and pans, NANTA (or Cookin’ according to the American name) tells the story of four crazy chefs who have been set on an impossible  mission of making a wedding banquet in just one hour. What follows is pure musical mayhem, and they even manage to fit in a love story! The show is based on Korea’s traditional garak (rhythms) of samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), and can be enjoyed by the whole family.NANTA is currently being performed at the Gangnam NANTA Theater, with performances from Tuesday to Sunday every week.*NoteDue to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued until July 2015. Please call to confirm.

Seoul National Cemetery hosts an event with weeping cherry blossoms that symbolize the protection of the nation. The color of its cherry blossoms of the cemetery are paticularly pink. Also, the view of the the weeping cherry blossoms with their branches hanging down makes people think about paying respect to the souls of all the patriots and to solemn one's mind. The festival is held in every April with varied sightseeing activities to enjoy weeping cherry blossoms fully.

The Geumsan Insam Festival is held annually in Geumsan County (Chungcheongnam-do), the largest producer of ginseng in Korea. Growing both in content and in size, the festival was selected as a cultural and tourism festival by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Sports in 1996 and became established as a national festival. With the rising popularity of the festival, the marvelous effects of Geumsan ginseng have become known throughout the nation, drawing an increasing number of local and foreign tourists every year. The festival also holds special exhibitions and sets up booths where people can try some of the various health therapies. Aside from the exhibitions, exciting events, performances, and delicious food are sure to please visitors.

The Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival is an annual event that celebrates local snow crabs, which were once served to the kings. Among festival highlights, the Snow Crab Public Auction as well as the snow crab market are the most popular. In addition, visitors can ride a snow crab fishing boat, participate in a snow crab cooking competition, and sample various snow crab dishes for free.

This popular festival is held every year in November at Moseulpo Port, the southernmost region of Jeju-do Island. It celebrates the ‘Bangeo Fish (yellowtail)’, which is largely caught in this area. The meat of ‘bangeo fish (yellowtail)’ is chewy and tender, and so it is very popular served raw. It is also used in a variety of other dishes. Visitors can enjoy fresh bangeo at the festival and then pack some up to take home.Visitors can also try fishing and also sample some of Jeju’s other specialty foods such as heukdweji-gogigui (grilled wild boar meat), galchijorim (cutlass fish boiled in soy sauce with spices), and more. Don’t forget to admire the beautiful natural sceneries near the festival grounds and explore some of the many popular tourist attractions in Jeju. 

Dream Concert will be held in Seoul World Cup Stadium located in Seongsan-dong, Mapo-gu at 6:00PM. Popular idol groups such as SHINee, EXO, 4Miute, Infinite, VIXX, B1A4, Sistar, Red Velvet, T-ARA, EXID, and others will appear in the concerts as the first line-up. Further notice for the second line-up, including more stars, will be announced later. Inquiries and reservation regarding ticket are available on the official website.* E-mail (English): ejgo@lottejb.com* Homepage (English): www.lottejtb.net (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)  

B-Boy City in Seoul “Kung” is a non-verbal musical performance that tells the story of the dance group Gorilla Crew. The main character, Hochan, anguishes about the stark reality he is facing as a dancer. Through dynamic performances, the B-boys Hyeonmun, Donghui and Seongtaek relate their agony, happiness, and passion for dancing.Gorilla Crew had won previous acclaim as a talented dancing team for well-known performances such as “Ballerina Who Loves B-boy” and “Return.” The performance's energizing mix of dance techniques is certain to delight audiences.*Note: Due to the MERS outbreak, some performances will be discontinued until August, 2015; please call to confirm.