Study sheds light on Joseon royal processions to tombs

South Korean researchers have identified how royal processions in the Joseon era (1392-1910) evolved over time. Released by the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday, the study found that Joseon kings in the latter years saw their roles expanded in the procession to royal tombs. The change in “neunghaeng,” or visits to the graves of Joseon kings and queens, aimed to reinforce the ruling Yi family’s legitimacy, the study said. The guards accompanying the king in the proces

CultureJan. 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Gyeongseong Creature' focuses on human stories of 1945, not monsters

With a whopping total production cost of 70 billion won ($53 million), the first season of "Gyeongseong Creature," touted as one of Netflix Korea's most anticipated original dramas of the second half of 2023, aired its last episode on Friday. "Gyeongseong Creature" tells the story of Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee) and Jang Tae-sung (Park Seo-joon), who set out on a journey for survival in 1945, during the Japanese colonial period in Korea. Since its release, the drama serie

TelevisionJan. 10, 2024

Youn Yuh-jung, Yoo Hae-jin unite in cute canine film ‘Dog Days’

Oscar-winning actor Youn Yuh-jung is returning to the silver screen with a cute canine film, “Dog Days.” She has received critical acclaim with international projects like “Minari” (2020) and Apple TV+ series “Pachinko” (2022). Youn said she decided to star in the comedy-drama flick “Dog Days” due to a promise she made to director Kim Deok-min. “I decided to star in this film just because of director Kim – not because he is super talent

FilmJan. 10, 2024

MMCA to purchase more international art for collection

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will expand the proportion of international art in its collection, which stands at less than 10 percent of its total collected works. Among the 11,500 works in its collection, 993 are by overseas artists, according to the museum. Ninety-one percent of its collection are works by Korean artists. “The Korean art scene has received more attention than ever in recent years. What the museum holds in its collection is equivalent to its co

Arts & DesignJan. 10, 2024

Goryeo bronze bell at Naesosa made National Treasure

The Cultural Heritage Administration held a ceremony Tuesday to celebrate the designation of an 802-year-old bell from the Goryeo Kingdom as a National Treasure. Known as the “Bronze Bell of Naesosa,” a Buddhist temple in North Jeolla Province, the bell was named a National Treasure two weeks ago, an elevation of its status from Treasure, also a state designation. “It’s a textbook bell of the 13th century,” said Choi Eung-chon, the CHA chief, in a speech, noting the

CultureJan. 9, 2024

Sejong Center unveils new season that will defy growing competition

Facing increasing competition from business, The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will introduce more in-house productions and adopt innovative marketing and sales strategies, its CEO Ahn Ho-sang said during a press conference Tuesday. “Hotels and resorts have emerged as new competitors as they sell experiences rather than mere consumer goods. We are considering how to deliver meaningful experiences to our audience,” Ahn explained. The Sejong Center’s new season, which run

CultureJan. 9, 2024

Bong Joon-ho, other artists call for probe into Lee Sun-kyun’s death

South Korean actors, artists and filmmakers have turned out en masse, calling for a probe into the circumstances behind prolific actor Lee Sun-kyun's death. The world-renowned actor 48, died last month in an apparent suicide amid a weekslong police investigation into allegations he had used illegal drugs. The Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists (direct translation), a newly established organization of 29 culture and arts groups, including the Busan Film Festival and the Korea Ente

FilmJan. 9, 2024

Seoul Philharmonic invites 100 Seoulites to Zweden's inaugural concerts featuring Lim Yun-chan

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is inviting 100 Seoul residents to the much-awaited inaugural concerts of Jaap Van Zweden on Jan. 25 and 26, which will also mark the orchestra's first collaboration with piano sensation Lim Yun-chan. Fifty Seoul residents selected through a draw will each be given two tickets to the concert. Korean and foreign nationals with a valid resident registration number aged 14 and above can participate in the draw. Winners will be selected using a lottery sys

CultureJan. 9, 2024

NMK opens exhibitions on Indian, Native American cultures

South Korean state-run museums will present a diverse range of exhibitions this year, including cultural exhibits on India and Native Americans, and a retrospective on South Korea’s modern history. Through mid-April, the National Museum of Korea is showcasing early Buddhist art from India. The first-ever exhibition on the topic in Korea features 97 pieces brought together from museums in India, the US, the UK and Germany. The show is an adaptation of “Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhi

CultureJan. 9, 2024

[Herald Interview] Director Choi Dong-hoon felt like rookie after completing 'Alienoid Part 2'

Choi Dong-hoon is one of the most renowned filmmakers in Korea today, with two films that attracted more than 10 million moviegoers – “The Thieves” (2012) and “Assassination” (2015) – as well as a huge fanbase for his unique works like “Tazza” (2006) and “Jeon Woo-chi: The Taoist Wizard” (2009). For this veteran director, the upcoming film, “Alienoid Part 2,” made him feel as if he was a rookie all over again. He debuted in

FilmJan. 9, 2024

[Herald Review] All riddles solved in ‘Alienoid Part 2,’ but movie still a muddle

Putting the disgraceful performance at the box office of “Alienoid Part 1” behind him, renowned moviemaker Choi Dong-hoon returned with the second part to the Korean sci-fi flick that combines Korean folklore, a year and six months after the first part released in theaters. “Alienoid Part 2” continues to tell the story of magician-like gurus, or “dosa” in Korean, from the late Goryeo Kingdom and their connection to aliens, robots and humans living in 2022. Whi

FilmJan. 9, 2024

Yoo Hwa-soo wins 23rd SongEun Art Award

Korean artist Yoo Hwa-soo has won the 23rd SongEun Art Award for his installation work, “Gesture of Cultivation,” which was shown at the 23rd edition of the SongEun Art Award Exhibition, the SongEun Art and Cultural Foundation announced Friday. A group exhibition at the SongEun Art Space in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul, showcases artworks by 20 artists shortlisted for the foundation's annual award. A total of 512 artists applied for the 23rd edition of the award. Born in 1979, Yoo

Arts & DesignJan. 9, 2024

Belarusian Embassy marks Orthodox Christmas

The Belarusian Embassy in Seoul marked Orthodox Christmas Day on Friday, celebrating a unique tradition. According to the embassy, Belarus observes both Christmas on Dec. 25 and Orthodox Christmas on Jan. 7. "Christmas is a holiday that makes the old feel like children again. Because from the very beginning, Christmas was full of joy and magic," said Belarusian Ambassador to Korea Andrew Chernetsky, delivering remarks at the embassy event. Chernetsky recalled the enchantment of Christm

Diplomatic CircuitJan. 9, 2024

What to expect in Korean art scene this year

With museums and galleries announcing their exhibitions for the year, the issue of gender is getting attention at two major museums in the country. The privately run Hoam Museum of Art will showcase “Women and Buddhism” in March, the largest-ever exhibition examining East Asian Buddhist art from a new perspective through the lens of gender. The exhibition will present masterworks of Buddhist art in cooperation with overseas art institutions. “(The exhibition) will showcase the

CultureJan. 8, 2024

Pianist-conductor Kim Sun-wook looks to grow together with Gyeonggi Philharmonic

Pianist Kim Sun-wook spoke calmly during a press conference on Monday to mark his inauguration as the artistic director of the Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra, one of South Korea’s top five, but his words were full of confidence and expectations. The Gyeonggi Philharmonic Orchestra appointed the 35-year-old pianist and conductor to fill a post that had remained empty for one year. Kim began his two-year tenure this month, with the New Year’s event on Friday to mark his first official

CultureJan. 8, 2024

Webtoon based drama series to dominate in early 2024

Drama series adaptations of renowned South Korean webtoons are set to open the new year, riding high on the continued success of Korean webtoon-based dramas on global streaming services. "Man and Woman," a 10-part drama series adaptation of the hit Naver webtoon series of the same name, began airing on cable TV network Channel A Dec. 26 and continues through to Feb. 27. The webtoon series ranked seventh on Naver Webtoon's Top 10 most-read list despite its R-rating, meaning you hav

TelevisionJan. 8, 2024

Korean American director's 'Beef' wins big at 81st Golden Globe Awards

Korean American director Lee Sung-jin’s road-rage drama on Netflix, “Beef,” won big at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards, which took place in Beverly Hills on Sunday night local time. Along with best TV series, the two lead actors in “Beef” – Steven Yeun and Ali Wong – won the best actor and actress awards, respectively. The awards marked the first Golden Globes win for both Yeun and Wong. In his speech after being named Best Male Actor in a Limited Series, K

TelevisionJan. 8, 2024

CHA to unveil technologies to protect cultural heritage

Authorities will soon roll out technologies that can better protect cultural heritage from natural disasters, the result of a yearlong project, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Monday. According to the agency, special structures will be used to shield historic sites from disasters like wildfires and technologies using radiation analysis will be available to identify the best preservation methods. A center dedicated to employing high-end technologies will be set up, the agency added. &ld

CultureJan. 8, 2024

Matthew Bourne’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ Simon Stone’s Korean production in LG Arts Center’s stellar lineup

Opened in October 2022, LG Arts Center Seoul last year celebrated the first anniversary of its relocation to Magok, Gangseo-gu, from Gangnam, attracting audiences totaling 290,000 over the year. The center recently unveiled the lineup for its contemporary music and performing arts series, "CoMPAS24," featuring 12 shows in dance, classical music and theater, with world-renowned artists from around the globe. Among the standout names headlining the season are renowned choreographer Matth

PerformanceJan. 7, 2024

[Herald Interview] Conductor behind 'Maestra' explores new musical territory

ㅡ In the recent TV drama series “Maestra,” South Korea’s prominent actor Lee Young-ae plays a charismatic conductor. Based on a 2018 French thriller “Philharmonia,” "Maestra" centers around world-class conductor, Cha Se-eum, who returns home to lead a local orchestra after conquering New York. Chin Sol, a young South Korean conductor, was responsible for Lee's transformation into a charismatic conductor in a space of a few months. “Actors seem

CultureJan. 7, 2024