Articles by Kim Hoo-ran
Kim Hoo-ran
khooran@heraldcorp.com-
Ex-President Lee’s brother found unconscious amid probe into alleged bribery
The man known as former President Lee Myung-bak’s “butler” reportedly told prosecutors that he received the state spy agency’s funds under Lee’s orders, recanting his earlier denial of the allegations.Kim Paik-joon was arrested last week on charges of receiving more than 400 million won ($370,000) from the National Intelligence Service in 2008 and 2010 while serving as the senior secretary for administrative affairs to then-President Lee.Prosecutors reportedly obtained Kim’s testimony that he re
Politics Jan. 24, 2018
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[Herald Interview] A young pianist with an old, romantic soul
Korea is probably one of the few countries in the world where classical musicians can become household names. Here, the name Sunwoo Yekwon elicits the response, “Ah, that young pianist,” even from those unfamiliar with classical music. The 28-year-old pianist, who will turn 29 next month, is a star not only onstage but on television as well, starring in a popular series featuring the lives of several Korean celebrities who stay abroad. Sunwoo, however, is no overnight sensation. Before clinching
Culture Jan. 19, 2018
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[Herald Interview] Studying North Korea should not be about gazing into a crystal ball
Studying North Korea, the notoriously isolated and closed country, poses many challenges, the most basic of which is the lack of reliable data. Data from North Korea is incomplete at best -- if not misleading -- and data released by various organizations tend to be biased depending on their ideological orientations.The picture that emerges of North Korea in “Unveiling the North Korean Economy,” by Kim Byung-yeon, a professor at Seoul National University, published in English by Cambridge Univers
North Korea Jan. 12, 2018
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Prosecutors search auto parts maker linked to ex-President Lee
Prosecutors raided the headquarters of an auto parts supplier Thursday as part of a probe into suspicions that the company managed a slush fund for former President Lee Myung-bak. Investigators from the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office searched the premises of DAS headquarters in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, as well as the offices and residences of related people, the prosecution said.The management of DAS allegedly embezzled the firm’s funds to amass a slush fund of 12 billion
Social Affairs Jan. 11, 2018
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Park’s lawyer accused of collaborating in criminal act
A group of lawyers accused former President Park Geun-hye’s defense attorney of collaborating in Park’s alleged criminal activity, calling on the Seoul Bar Association to punish him for violations of attorney rules.In a complaint filed with the bar association, the group of 10 lawyers requested an investigation into why Yoo Yeong-ha was managing 3 billion won ($2.8 million) of Park’s money.Yoo told prosecutors the money he received from Park was for future lawyer retainer fees, but “this was har
Social Affairs Jan. 11, 2018
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[Herald Interview] Pianist Kim Da-sol returns a young man
[Eye] When a publicist called to say that Kim Da-sol would be performing the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, my first reaction was, “Isn’t he a bit too young?”Alas, I was mistaken. Just as he thinks he stopped growing at 15 when he left for Germany, the image I had of Kim was from all those years ago. In Korea earlier this month for a number of engagements, including two Beethoven piano sonata recitals at the Kumho Art Hall, Kim says he finally feels youthful, not young. Pianist Kim Da-sol pos
Performance Dec. 22, 2017
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[Kim Hoo-ran] Get ready to enjoy PyeongChang Olympics
The proverbial “third time’s the charm” proved true for PyeongChang, which was finally chosen to host the 2018 Winter Olympics after two unsuccessful bids starting in 2003. With 50 days to go before the 2018 PyeongChang Games, all the venues and nonsporting venues as well as the international broadcasting center have been built. However, there is no palpable sense of excitement about the games.Perhaps it is Olympic fatigue. While PyeongChang was chosen as the host city of the 2018 Winter Games i
Viewpoints Dec. 20, 2017
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[Eye] Scholar finds Korean identity in history
In an age where three-minute book excerpts on mobile phones pass as “reading,” Hahm Chai-bong, president of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, has boldly set about writing five volumes on the subject of Korean identity.As he elucidates in the preface to “Hanguk Saram Mandeulgi,” or “Becoming Korean,” Hahm’s translation of the book’s title, the multi-volume work stemmed from a personal quest for self-identity. Having spent much of his formative years abroad, he had been nagged by the question
Culture Dec. 8, 2017
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Pianist Kim Sun-wook wears many hats
Pianist Kim Sun-wook, now based in London, has returned to Seoul for a string of performances that show him in different lights, beginning with a recital where he accompanied bass Young Kwang-chul in an evening of lieder, German poems set to classical music, at the Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday. On Thursday and Friday, Kim joins the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra led by conductor Osmo Vanska in a performance of Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in B- flat major, Op. 83 at the Lotte Concert Hall. Danish c
Culture Nov. 29, 2017
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Simon Rattle’s Berlin Philharmonic bids smashing adieu to Seoul
Multiple award-winning composer Chin Un-suk’s “Choros Chordon,” which got its Korean premiere by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at Seoul Arts Center on Monday night, could have been as difficult to understand as the composer had anxiously “warned” audiences in local media interviews. But she need not have been so worried.Perhaps her warnings had served their purpose. One just listened without feeling obligated to try to understand the 11-minute piece, which she described as having to do with
Performance Nov. 21, 2017
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Simon Rattle’s last tour in Korea with Berlin Philharmonic sweetened by pianist Cho Seong-jin
A few hours ahead of Sunday evening’s concert at the Seoul Arts Center, Simon Rattle, conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, was relaxed and effusive in his praise of pianist Cho Seong-jin, who would be performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major, M.83 with the orchestra. “This is a time when the planet is full of extraordinary young pianists. It is not rare. But what is rare is a poet on the keyboard,” said Rattle, adding, “But he is seated to my right,” as he looked at Cho. Last mont
Performance Nov. 19, 2017
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[Herald Interview] ‘Seoul taking its rightful place in gastronomical scene’
When the Michelin Guide launched its first Seoul edition last year, it was greeted with enthusiasm by foodies but it also spawned skepticism as well.“First editions provoke passionate debate and we welcome that,” said Michael Ellis, international director in charge of the Michelin guides, during an interview with The Korea Herald on Nov. 8, following the launch of the second Seoul edition earlier in the day.“It is a sign that there is a healthy, dynamic community,” he said. This year, 24 restaur
People Nov. 17, 2017
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[Newsmaker] Wait is over - Michelin unveils latest Seoul guide
Korean restaurants Gaon and La Yeon kept their three Michelin stars in the 2018 edition of Michelin Guide Seoul.Michelin released the second edition of the Michelin Guide Seoul at a press conference at Signiel Seoul in Seoul on Wednesday, awarding the coveted Michelin stars to a total of 24 restaurants.Two new restaurants joined the ranks of the two-star restaurants -- Kojima-Sushi and Jungsik, a modern Korean restaurant which moved up a notch from last year’s one Michelin star-- while Gotgan an
Food Nov. 8, 2017
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[Herald Design Forum] Technology a great enabler; but humans are at heart of design
In an age where design permeates all industries and aspects of life, this year’s Herald Design Forum questions the role humanity plays in it.At the forum’s third session on Nov. 7, three global designers will discuss their philosophy and approach to design.The speakers of the session, titled “The Design 4.0: New Normal Design Economy,” spoke with The Korea Herald prior to the event. -- Ed. George Popescu (Herald Design Forum)IOT in nascent stage, more to explore: George PopescuGeorge Popescu is
Arts & Design Nov. 3, 2017
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Intimate sound of string quartets to close year
Fans of that more intimate form of music, string quartets, are in for a treat, as renowned string quartets are set to perform in Korea this fall and winter.The Michelangelo String Quartet will perform Thursday at Kumho Art Hall as part of the International Masters Series organized by the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation.Violinists Mihaela Martin and Daniel Austrich, violist Nobuko Imai and cellist Frans Helmerson are established soloists, chamber musicians and teachers who came together as a str
Performance Nov. 1, 2017
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