Suwon beckons with cultural festival

King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the son of ill-fated Crown Prince Sado, wanted to build a “utopian city” in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province that could be benchmarked by other cities across the country.This was where King Jeongjo wanted to retire after handing over his throne to his son, King Sunjo.The reenactment of King Jeongjo taking a stroll at Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon City)Hwanseong Fortress and Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in the region have gained attention from loc

CultureOct. 7, 2015

Asia’s hottest young stars on casting board

BUSAN ― Kim Woo-bin, Kim Go-eun, Mark Chao, Sandrine Pinna, Takeru Satoh and Masami Nagasawa ― the hottest rising stars from Korea, Chinese-speaking countries and Japan ― sat onstage together Monday at BEXCO in Busan.The unlikely gathering of young A-listers was for “Casting Board,” a new event added to the schedule for this year’s Asian Film Market, part of the ongoing Busan International Film Festival. “We are so glad to present Casting Board and Curtain Call, an expansion of last year’s pilot

FilmOct. 6, 2015

‘Convergence’ diverges from genre at Busan film festival

BUSAN ― “Convergence” is the kind of movie that reaffirms why fans of genre films go to film festivals. It sits somewhere in the space of an action, mystery, thriller, indie, ghost, horror feature, yet finds an original way to bust its genres open and surprise audiences ― both in twists of the story itself and the conversations it evokes about life, theology and what is truly horrifying. Coming off his overall win at FirstGlance Film Fest Los Angeles, writer and director Drew Hall brought “Conve

FilmOct. 6, 2015

Art fair presents major names in contemporary art

The Korea International Art Fair, the biggest art fair in Korea, kicked off Tuesday, introducing a wide range of artworks presented by 182 local and international galleries at Coex. In its 14th year, the fair invites leading galleries in Korea and from overseas, including Kukje Gallery, Arario Gallery and Hakgojae Gallery in Korea, Pearl Lam Gallery in Hong Kong and Tomio Koyama Gallery in Japan. Featured artists include world-renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Nam June Paik, Tracey Emin, Kim

PerformanceOct. 6, 2015

Gyllenhal, Swinton to star in Bong Joon-ho’s new film: report

“Snowpiercer” director Bong Joon-ho is signing up top Hollywood stars for his upcoming monster flick. 　American entertainment outlet TheWrap reported Tuesday that Jake Gyllenhal, Paul Dano, Kelly Macdonald and Bill Nighy, in addition to the recently cast Tilda Swinton, are set to join Bong’s new feature “Okja.” Clockwise from top left: Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhal, Bill Nighy and Kelly Macdonald (OSEN)Earlier last week, Swinton revealed during the Busan International Film Festival that she woul

Oct. 6, 2015

‘K-pop should try mixing genres for global appeal’: US producer

Although K-pop has garnered attention worldwide especially across Asia, Korean pop songs still lack international appeal.In order to further boost K-pop globally, Korean producers and artists should try mixing different genres such as hip pop and jazz whose sounds are appealing in other parts of the world, a prominent U.S. music producer and artist said.Nate “Danja” Hills, American music producer, talks about music production in the digital age ahead of the Seoul International Music Fair in Seou

PerformanceOct. 6, 2015

Two October beer fests in Seoul

　Now into its third year, the Great Korean Beer Festival is holding two back-to-back events this month.　“This is our fifth event,” Kang Da-mi, co-CEO of the festival’s organizer Media Paran, said of this month’s first event, slated to run from Oct. 8 to 11 in conjunction with the Gangnam Festival.　The sixth beer fest will function as a “Craft Beer Zone” within the Itaewon Global Village Festival from Oct. 17 to 18, according to Media Paran. The Great Korean Beer Festival will hold two events thi

CultureOct. 5, 2015

Evolution of Buddhist sculptures over two millennia

From India to Korea and Japan, Buddhist statues are one of the most common forms of ancient art in Asia. Sculpted of stone, wood or made in gilt bronze, sculptures of Buddha preaching, meditating or in deep thought have been important objects of worship for Buddhists for two millennia. A rare exhibition in Seoul traces the origins of Buddhist statues and follows transitions in Buddha images with the spread of Buddhism across Asia for 700 years. The exhibit, currently at the National Museum of Ko

CultureOct. 5, 2015

Yoo Ah-in wants to act ‘erotic’

Rising actor Yoo Ah-in wants to act in an erotic film next, he said at the Busan International Film festival Saturday. "I know the fame I’m enjoying right now won’t last forever,” he said, referring to movies “Veteran” and “The Throne,” his recent consecutive box office hits that garnered millions of viewers.  Yoo Ah-in (Instagram)“Veteran,” a crime-action flick released in August, toppled the cumulative sales record of Hollywood movie “Avatar” and took the place of third best-selling film in Ko

Oct. 5, 2015

October festivals to usher in the autumn

As the leaves begin to turn and nighttime temperatures start to plummet, October in Korea is one of the country’s most outdoor festival-filled months.For those looking to break out of the capital Seoul and venture beyond the city limits, the peninsula has an endless selection of scenic, interactive, historical and fun-filled cultural festivals worthy of a day trip or a quick weekend getaway. Busan International Fireworks FestivalFollowing in the footsteps of Seoul International Fireworks Festiva

TravelOct. 4, 2015

[Album Review] Gary underlines rapper roots in ‘2002’

　　Gary　“2002”　(Loen Entertainment)　Rapper Gary of Leessang has widened his fan base with his steady role in the megahit game show “Running Man,” but his first studio-length album “2002” shows that he is first and foremost a musician.Collaborating with artists like Koonta, Jay Park, John Park, Skull and Deepflow, Gary weaves together an album that bears the hallmarks of past Leessang hits -- strong featured vocals that provide choruses to anchor down the candid, sometimes explicit lyrics that are

PerformanceOct. 2, 2015

Weekend Box Office Guide (10/3-10/4)

Heading out to the theaters this weekend? The Korea Herald offers a guide to what's currently playing in theaters.For a historical drama, check out "The Throne." "The Intern" offers some lighthearted fun, while "The Long Way Home" combines comedy with the emotional drama of war. "The Loft" is a thriller for those who are looking for a little more spice, and "The Martian" is a blockbuster to look forward to next week.　　The Martian (U.S.)　Opening Oct. 8　　Adventure. Directed by Ridley Scott　　When a

FilmOct. 2, 2015

Home Cooking: Baechu Geotjeori

Geotjeori is basically a kimchi that’s made to be eaten fresh without fermentation. As such, the vegetables are lightly salted. Geot means outer or outside, and jeori means salted or pickled. Most commonly made with napa cabbage, geotjeori goes especially well with dishes such as kalguksu (a warm noodle soup) and barbecued meat.Because it’s eaten without fermentation, during which a natural sweetness develops, the addition of sugar or corn syrup (or Korean rice syrup) helps round out the flavor

FoodOct. 2, 2015

"Black Horse Memories" (BIFF)While international movie stars -- from Britain’s Tilda Swinton to the United States’ Harvey Keitel – are likely to draw much of the attention in Busan in the coming days, one category of movies at the city’s popular film festival is looking to shift the spotlight to new talents from across Asia. As the 20th Busan International Film Festival, which opened Thursday, sees 304 movies from 75 countries played on the big screen, the New Currents section is set to present

FilmOct. 2, 2015

China’s Yunnan offers cultural diversity, spectacular natural scenery

An elderly Yi woman, who belongs to one of the biggest ethnic minority groups in Yunnan, wears a traditional Yi costume for a dance performance. (Claire Lee /The Korea Herald)YUNNAN PROVINCE, China -- While it may not be home to the Forbidden City or the Oriental Pearl Tower, China’s southwest province of Yunnan is where one can get a glimpse of one of the most unique and culturally rich sides of the country.The location of Yunnan, which means “the place of the colorful clouds in the south” in C

TravelOct. 2, 2015

[Travel Bits]

Enjoy autumn at Taebaek ForestLocated 700 meters above sea level, tourists can enjoy the autumn breeze and landscape at the Taebaek Highland Natural Recreational Forest in Taebaek, Gangwon Province.The Korea Tourism Organization said that, beginning in October, visitors to the recreational forest will be able to see firsthand the change of season to autumn. The fall comes to Gangwon Province before any other part of South Korea.Travelers can not only enjoy fresh air but also take long walks in t

TravelOct. 2, 2015

Around the hotels

Enjoy Kensington Jeju Hotel’s activity programsThe Kensington Jeju Hotel is presenting various activity programs to maximize the excitement of autumn on Jejudo Island. Guests opting for the Luxury All-Inclusive Package will be able to choose from activity programs such as Green Tea Farm Tour and Gotjawal Trekking.Picnic with Autumn Scent is a program for an exciting outing to an animal farm and Saebyeol Orum for a trekking course -- with the beautiful scenery of Muscanthus, as also known as silv

FoodOct. 2, 2015