‘Cultural Partners’ bridge different cultures

  ‘Cultural Partners’ bridge different cultures   On July 12, all spotlight was focused on a group of international musicians as they started playing unfamiliar, exotic musical instruments on a domestic stage. Their instruments, including Uzbekistan’s stringed gijjak, similar to a violin, Mongolia’s morin khuur, a violin-sized string instrument, the Nigerian sekere, a type of shaker and bata drum, a double-headed…

Korea’s medical tourism boom

  Korea’s medical tourism boom   Korea’s cutting-edge, low-cost medical services are drawing a global audience.  According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, over 200,000 overseas patients came to Korea to receive treatment last year. Some 211,218 patients from 191 different countries underwent treatment at Korean hospitals in 2013, generating KRW 39.34 billion in…

‘Go’ players from 54 countries compete with black, white stones

  ‘Go’ players from 54 countries compete with black, white stones   Taiwan snatched victory at the 35th World Amateur Go Championship held in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), on July 9.  Seventh-dan amateur Yitien Chan took first place, defeating his Korean counterpart Wi Tae-woong by a single count-back point.  Players’ ranks are indicated by dan (段)…

‘Yeowoorak’ festival blurs musical boundaries

  ‘Yeowoorak’ festival blurs musical boundaries   These days, “collaboration” efforts have become the key factors for success in every field, factors that lead to something “new” and something “novel.” Music is no exception.  There are collaborative activities going on across many genres of music. One good example is the ongoing musical festival, “Yeowoorak,” which…