Kumho Tire promotes ‘Beautiful Sharing’

Kumho Tire has been at the forefront of “Beautiful Sharing” through multiple works of social philanthropy in an age of increased importance on corporate social responsibility.The company has been continuously helping out the disadvantaged. Last week, Kumho Tire executives and employees participated in cooking and providing school lunches at the Seoul Southern Community Rehabilitation Center for the disabled.Kumho employees also visited low-income disabled households to deliver food and assess th

PeopleSept. 3, 2015

'Kartrider' still young and racing full-throttle

Once beloved and called Korea’s representative online multiplayer racing game, “Kartrider” seeks to further go full throttle with enhanced user interfaces and a few new surprises to regain the former glory of its nascent years.It has been 11 years since the country’s first racing game with cute characters was launched and created a stir and loyal fan base.Kartrider’s main character Dao (Nexon Korea)Cho Jae-yun, Nexon Korea’s point man in charge of Kartrider, said it owes a debt of gratitude to t

CultureSept. 3, 2015

G-Dragon says he's 'shy,' has 'no girlfriend'

G-Dragon of boy band Big Bang has officially declared himself single.“I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said in Wednesday night’s live broadcast on Naver’s V app, a real-time video-streaming application for K-pop stars. The announcement comes after reports alleged the K-pop singer-songwriter had broken up with his recent girlfriend, Japanese model Kiko Mizuhara. Rumors of G-Dragon and Mizuhara’s relationship have circulated since 2010 -- though neither of the two celebrities have ever publically ad

Sept. 3, 2015

Seoul Players lines up ‘Rocky Horror’ show

Gearing up for their annual Halloween show, Seoul Players are looking for cast members for a shadow cast production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”The auditions on Saturday will be for shows on Oct. 30 and 31.The shadow cast show involves a screening of the movie, with actors acting out the larger than life characters on a stage in front of the screen.Producer Chris Zaczek said last year’s production was a blast.“Performing in it was wonderful. Last year we had one of the most outrageous, co

Expat LivingSept. 2, 2015

Busan plays offer ‘Absurdity in the Park’

The stage area at the Dalmaji theater. (Eunju Jung)In Christopher Durang's “The Actor’s Nightmare,” the central character is thrust unknowingly into a play of which he has no knowledge or script, but in a production in Busan this weekend, he may for once not be the most confused person onstage.The play is one of two one-act performances to be put on by the Busan English Theatre Association in the park in Busan ― the other being Edward Albee’s “The Zoo Story” ― but if past performances there are

Expat LivingSept. 2, 2015

Irish folk festival to get feet moving in Seoul

Keen to keep Irish spirits up and feet moving, the Irish Association of Korea will be hosting a festival of traditional Irish music and dance this month.The festival follows on from last year’s Ceilidh, a kind of Celtic dancing event centered on group participation, and helps fill in the gap between the IAK’s St. Patrick’s Day festivals.This year’s festival will be more about showing off Irish traditions than last year’s event.“We are just trying to spread Irish culture and heritage around the w

Expat LivingSept. 2, 2015

POSCO Art Museum presents beauty of bamboo trees

POSCO Art Museum is holding a solo exhibition for Moon Bong-sun, an ink-and-wash painting master known for his delicate depiction of natural subjects, until Oct. 6. The exhibition presents 42 ink-and-wash paintings of bamboo trees and stones that symbolize integrity and fidelity in traditional Korean painting. Also on view are calligraphy pieces and a video introduction to the works of Moon.  “Bamboo in Snow” by Moon Bong-sun (POSCO Art Museum)Highlighted pieces are paintings of bamboo trees in

PerformanceSept. 2, 2015

[Herald Interview] Korean study rooms are ‘isolating’: Turkish architect

Turkish architect Nezvat Sayin believes students should interact and learn from each other in open spaces, and vehemently opposes the model of dark, partitioned libraries -- or “dokseosil” -- where many Korean high schoolers study.“It must be awfully isolating,” he said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Wednesday. Sayin, who is the four-time recipient of the national award presented by the Chamber of Architects of Turkey and a 2007 nominee for the prestigious Aga Kahn award for architectu

Arts & DesignSept. 2, 2015

[Herald Interview] 'More cartoons, stories to be told online'

Terry Mosher, a well-known political cartoonist based in Montreal, has been satirizing and drawing about the Canadian political landscape for newspapers since 1967.He has recently made the transition to online and mobile, and now believes that many more cartoonists and storytellers will follow suit as the print industry comes to an end."I think newspapers will disappear, but in a slower process than we think, because people still need valid information as opposed to, for instance, some kid writi

CultureSept. 2, 2015

SBS investigation show to mark 1000th episode

SBS TV’s hit investigative reporting program “I Want To Know That” will air its 1,000th episode this week, celebrating 23 years of dedication to the truth in the dark corners of Korean society. 　Airing every Saturday since 1992, the show has covered various topics, from political scandals to real-life crimes and paranormal mysteries, with six hosts over its history -- three of whom were present at a press event in Seoul on Tuesday, sharing their experiences on the show. 　(From the left) Jung Jin

TelevisionSept. 2, 2015

'New media technology will spur culture'

The culture community should not see new media technology as a threat but an opportunity that can help many people to gain greater access to information and interest in culture, said participants at the Culture Communication Forum 2015 in Seoul.Under the theme of "Cultural Combustion in the Smart Age," some 20 delegates from G20 economies, including Korea, participated in the forum hosted by the Corea Image Communication Institute to discuss about social media technology and its effects on cultu

CultureSept. 2, 2015

Eomuk Bokkeum (Stir-fried fish cakes)

Eomuk (fish cakes) are processed seafood made with pureed fish. Eomuk bokkeum is a stir-fried side dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. Busan is famous for the most delicious eomuk. You can use any type or shape for this eomuk bokkeum recipe. Slice the fish cakes if they are thick so the sauce can easily penetrate them. Thin rectangular eomuk is most commonly used type for this dish. It’s the type of eomuk we grew up with before the industry became highly sophisticated. This recipe uses onion

FoodSept. 2, 2015

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk to hold concert in Seoul

 Actor-singer Jang Keun-suk will hold a solo concert in Seoul on Saturday.　Jang’s concert, titled “Jang Keun-suk Live in Seoul 2015,” will take place at Jangchung Gymnasium at 7 p.m. It is his first Seoul concert in three years since “2012 Jang Keun-suk Asia Tour Cri Show 2 in Seoul.” Concert poster of Jang Keun-suk (Tree J Company)For the upcoming show, the 27-year-old star will perform a string of his hit songs, including “What Should I Do?” and “Can You Hear Me Part 2.” 　“Jang has high expect

Sept. 1, 2015

Star producer reunites old crew for 'New Journey to the West'

The star producer behind hits like “Grandpas Over Flowers” and “Three Meals a Day” is bringing together old friends for a new travel-themed variety show.That familiar chemistry was what producer Na Young-suk and cast members Kang Ho-dong, Lee Seung-gi, Eun Ji-won and Lee Soo-geun -- who previously appeared together on another travel variety show called “1 Night, 2 Days” -- emphasized at a press conference at the 63 Convention Center ahead of the premiere of “New Journey to the West.”“It was the

TelevisionSept. 1, 2015

How K-pop keeps up with international fans

With K-pop now having risen as an international phenomenon, communication between the stars and their fans -- who are multilingual, multiethnic and span across the continents -- has emerged as a significant issue. Though some celebrities already engage in extensive social media activities, it seems photos, text and manufactured videos are not quite enough to satisfy international fans’ thirst for a more personal, immersive connection, according to Chloe Choi, a spokesperson for Korean Internet g

Sept. 1, 2015

New unification song introduced

A new song representing the desire for Korean unification was introduced on Tuesday at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts in Seoul.Titled “One Dream, One Korea,” it is the result of the New Era Unification Song campaign that was launched in April to create the first unification song since the 1947 song “Our Wish.” The campaign brought domestic civic groups and Koreans living abroad together with some of the top names in Korean music, who donated their talent for the cause. “One Dream, One Kor

PerformanceSept. 1, 2015

Asia Culture Center to open this week

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it would partially open the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju to the public this Friday. A nighttime view of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, which is slated for partial opening this week. (Yonhap)The complex’s facilities such as the ACC Archive & Research, ACC Creation, ACC Theatre and ACC Children centers will hold cultural programs everyday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They will also invite people to tour the facilities three times a day. Th

CultureSept. 1, 2015

We need maestro Chung: SPO members

Members of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday voiced their unflinching support for conductor Chung Myung-whun in an apparent plea to retain him as their music director.The rare collective action came only a few days after Chung revealed his intention not to renew his contract with the Korean orchestra, which expires at the end of this year.Conductor Chung Myung-whun (Credia)“We, the members of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, believe in maestro Chung Myung-whun and his abilities to fur

CultureSept. 1, 2015

Classic pansori tale with new, modern-day facelift to hit stage

One of the most vocally challenging traditional Korean pansori performances is receiving a cutting-edge, contemporary makeover in the National Theater of Korea’s upcoming production of “Song of the Red Cliff.”Being referred to as a new evolution of changguek (Korean opera), the performance is slated as the opener of the state-run theater’s 2015-2016 season and will be held for five days starting Sept. 15. “Song of the Red Cliff,” or “Jeokbyekga,” is one of the five surviving stories of tradition

PerformanceAug. 31, 2015