ARKO Selection introduces 3 meditative music concerts, 2 plays, 1 opera

ARKO Selection's first set of six productions scheduled for early to mid-January include three meditative music concerts, two plays highlighting female independence fighters's activities, and one darkly reimagined opera. The productions are among the 28 new repertoires supported by Arts Council Korea, an organization committed to fostering diverse arts and cultural activities in the country. "Minyo Cello" will take place Saturday at the ARKO Arts Theater in Daehakro, Seoul, p

PerformanceJan. 4, 2024

CHA vows tougher oversight following palace vandalism

South Korea will step up security efforts to prevent vandalism of its historic sites, following nighttime graffiti incidents on the walls of Gyeongbokgung two weeks ago, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday. The measures unveiled by the CHA will center on increasing police patrols and the number of surveillance cameras, reaching up to 110 overall. According to the agency, the country’s popular royal palaces as well as tombs and a shrine in Seoul -- all connected to

CultureJan. 4, 2024

Songzio to launch Paris flagship store

Songzio, the South Korean fashion house known for its avant-garde men’s wear, will open a flagship store in Paris in June and unveil its first womenswear collection, also in June, for the spring-summer 2025 season, according to an agency representing the company. The move means a “real start of globalizing the brand,” said Song Zio, the founding designer of Songzio International, in a statement, calling Paris the center of the fashion world and Seoul the center of a new culture

Arts & DesignJan. 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] G Gallery looks ahead with emerging Korean artists

Galleries come and go with the changing tides of the art market. When the market booms, new galleries mushroom, but in lean times, many disappear. Chung Seung-jin, director of G Gallery in Seoul, has held on to her commitment to art, and her gallery, for the past 10 years. The gallery was first founded in 2013 in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, and moved to Cheongdam-dong, an affluent neighborhood in southern Seoul, four years later to meet more collectors. “The last 10 years were never easy.

CultureJan. 3, 2024

KBS cancels 'Beat Coin' despite show's streaming popularity

Korean Broadcasting System's decision to cancel "Beat Coin," which has been widely popular on streaming platforms but less so on the terrestrial television network's airwaves, has come under fire from the show's fans, who argue that the state broadcaster is prioritizing viewership ratings and profitability over general viewer sentiment. Starring comedians Hong Jin-kyung, Kim Sook and Jo Se-ho, model Joo Woo-jae and singer Wooyoung, "Beat Coin" is a variety show

TelevisionJan. 3, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Jun-su performs last 'Dracula' with signature red hair

For a decade, whenever Kim Jun-su, the singer-turned-musical actor, has taken the stage as Dracula in the eponymous musical, it has been with his distinctive red hair. Now his trademark, the red hair was initially a serendipitous decision. Just a few days before its Korean premiere in 2014, he wanted to depict visually the white-haired Dracula who, drinking blood, became rejuvenated, so he proposed the idea of red hair to the director. "When I started in musicals, I was focused on faithfull

PerformanceJan. 3, 2024

Support for youth, vulnerable groups expanded: Culture Ministry

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it will implement various cultural, sports and tourism policies focusing on youth, vulnerable groups, culture-related companies and regional development in 2024. Support for youth and vulnerable groups has been expanded, including an increase in the subsidy for integrated cultural use cards, the ministry said. For instance, to provide cultural experiences to those who have become legal adults this year, a pilot program called the Culture and Arts

CultureJan. 3, 2024

Korean cultural content industries log 69 trillion won in sales in first half of 2023

Sales in South Korea's cultural content industries for the first half of 2023 logged a total of 69.3 trillion won ($52.8 billion), riding high on the rapid growth of the nation's music and film industries, according to a report by Korea Creative Content Agency on Wednesday. According to KOCCA's report on trends in Korea's cultural content industries during the January-June period in 2023, the industries recorded a total of 69.3 trillion won in sales, a 2.5 percent increase

TelevisionJan. 3, 2024

Classical music concerts to uplift you in new year

Several concerts are set to take place throughout the month of January, ringing in the new year. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will hold New Year's concerts Friday and Saturday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Arts Center, respectively. Friday's performance will feature conductor Sung Si-yeon and violinist Yang In-mo as the guest performer. The concert on Saturday, organized by the Daewon Cultural Foundation, will have pianist Son Yeol-eum as the guest pe

CultureJan. 2, 2024

Korean National Ballet, Universal Ballet unveil new season lineups

As the curtains rise on a new season, South Korea's two major ballet companies -- the Korean National Ballet and Universal Ballet -- have unveiled captivating lineups to enthrall audiences. From the highly anticipated Korean premiere of John Neumeier’s “The Little Mermaid” to distinct Korean and beloved classics, both companies are set to unleash the magic of ballet with a compelling blend of movement and emotion. KNB premieres ‘Little Mermaid’ in Korea The K

PerformanceJan. 2, 2024

Avant-garde artist Jung Kang-ja gets recognition at home and abroad

Jung Kang-ja is one of the few female artists who led Korean experimental art that flourished in the 1960s to 1970s. Yet, the artist remains relatively unfamiliar to many. Arario Gallery sheds light on the artist’s path, presenting some 70 works in Shanghai and Seoul. The exhibition in Shanghai titled “Jung KangJa: Life Goes On” gives a glimpse of Jung’s path from the 1980s to 2000s, showing many of the works that were inspired by the artist's travels across South Am

Arts & DesignJan. 2, 2024

Singer-turned-actor Lee Na-eun denies dating soccer star Lee Kang-in

South Korean actor Lee Na-eun, who was formerly part of girl group April, denied rumors that she is in a romantic relationship with soccer player Lee Kang-in on Tuesday. Lee's agency, Namoo Actors, said that she and the Paris Saint-Germain player "just know each other," responding to earlier reports the two are dating. The agency said that the two had had a meeting, but it was merely for the actor to receive tickets to a game. Lee Kang-in's representatives did not comment. Ea

PeopleJan. 2, 2024

Korean occult film, series open the new year

An occult film and a separate series on such topics particular to Korea are opening the year, targeting foreign audiences as well as those interested in Korean-style occult thrillers. “The Bequeathed,” a Netflix original series set for release on Jan. 19, is a six-part occult thriller directed by Min Hong-nam, who worked as an assistant director under Yeon Sang-ho on 2016's landmark zombie thriller “Train to Busan.” The series revolves around Seo-ha (Kim Hyun-joo), w

FilmJan. 2, 2024

1st baby born in 2024 is gift to couple who struggled through 12 years of infertility

The first South Korean officially born in the New Year is a healthy, 3.15-kilogram boy, born to a couple who struggled to conceive for over a decade. Cha Gangnam Medical Center in Seoul said Monday that the baby boy was born exactly at midnight of the year 2024, making him the first person to be born in the country in the new year. The boy was conceived through in vitro fertilization to 44-year-old Lee Ju-hong and 38-year-old Im A-yeon. "(Our baby's birth) is even more special becaus

PeopleJan. 1, 2024

Wishes of hope, better times in the Year of the Blue Dragon

As 2024 begins, those born in the Year of the Dragon are celebrating the return of their zodiac sign after 12 years. The year 2024 is the Year of the Blue Dragon, known as the “gapjin” year in the 60-year sexagenary cycle, which is based on 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches. The Korea Herald interviewed five individuals born in the Year of the Dragon to hear their wishes before Lunar New Year on Feb. 10. Kim Hye-young, born in 1988, lives on Jeju Island. The new year is par

CultureJan. 1, 2024

Interpark’s annual ticket sales surpass W1tr

South Korea’s major performance ticketing platform Interpark Ticket has set a historic milestone in annual ticket transactions in 2023. The ticket sales from Jan. 1 to Dec. 17 reached an unprecedented 1 trillion won ($772 million), according to data provided by Interpark, the country's first-generation e-commerce platform, Friday. The figure represents an 18-percent increase compared to the previous record of 845.9 billion won set in 2022. The number of productions also saw a signific

PerformanceJan. 1, 2024

KBS, MBC, SBS wrap up 2023 with entertainment awards

South Korea's three major terrestrial television networks -- Korean Broadcasting System, Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. and Seoul Broadcasting System -- celebrated their yearly achievements with their own entertainment awards. During the 2023 MBC Entertainment Awards held on Friday, 39-year-old comic writer and TV personality Kim Hee-min, also well-known by his nickname Kian84, was given the grand prize for his performance in hit TV show "Home Alone" and "Adventure By Accident.&qu

TelevisionJan. 1, 2024

Explore dragon-themed travel sites in Gyeongsang region

While food tours or luxury adventure vacations are surefire crowd-pleasers, exploring South Korea's many sites inspired by the mythical dragon creature will offer holidaymakers a chance to learn more about the country, its culture and history in 2024, the year of the blue dragon. Busan’s Haedong Yonggung Temple If you are looking to hit some towns in South Gyeongsang Province or pay a visit to Busan, the popular coastal town at the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, consider add

TravelJan. 1, 2024

[Herald Review] Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon rings in New Year with fans

Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon bid farewell to 2023 and rang in the New Year with fans in his three-day concert, reminiscing that the past year has been "the peak of his life." Lee's solo concert, "Duikket," took place at the Blue Square MasterCard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Dec. 29-31, with its final performance ending after midnight to welcome New Year's Day. "Duikket," a Korean word that refers to feelings that remain even after something is done, ref

PerformanceJan. 1, 2024

[Books News] Korean literary gems shine abroad: Translated books from 2023

Reflecting on the literary landscape of 2023, The Korea Herald explores a selection of translated Korean books that have earned recognition on prestigious lists, or received recommendations from major newspapers. These works stand as a testament to the diverse voices and compelling stories emerging from the vibrant Korean literary scene. Fiction Building on the momentum from the previous year, a Korean novel secured its place as a finalist for the 2023 International Booker Prize, one of the mo

BooksDec. 31, 2023