Celebrate year-end and welcome New Year with traditional concerts

As the year draws to a close, the cultural tapestry of traditional performances comes alive across national venues, offering a rich and diverse celebration through the year-end and New Year concerts to usher in the upcoming year. National Gugak Center revives traditional ‘Narye’ To ward off evil spirits on the eve of the year's end and welcome a peaceful new year, the traditional palace ritual known as "narye" has been reimagined as a grand-scale performance. Wrappin

PerformanceDec. 27, 2023

Korean auteurs, prolific actors return to silver screen in 2024

Award-winning filmmakers including Bong Joon-ho and prolific actors such as Choi Min-sik are returning to the silver screen next year to deliver joy and laughter. Much-awaited sequels of global blockbuster franchises are also slated for local opening. “Mickey 17,” Bong’s new film since “Parasite” (2019), will hit theaters on March 29 next year, according to Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie is based on Edward Ashton’s 2022 sci-fi novel “Mickey7,” wh

FilmDec. 26, 2023

'The Glory,' 'The Roundup: No Way Out' most searched-for titles: Naver

The most searched-for television program on the mobile version of the nation's most popularly used search engine was "The Glory," with the most searched-for movie being "The Roundup: No Way Out," according to a report from Naver. According to Naver's report on popularly searched for keywords in 2023 released Thursday -- which made use of Naver's data collected from January to November -- the most searches for a television show on Naver's mobile application

FilmDec. 26, 2023

Exports of S. Korea TV programs top $500m in 2022

Exports of South Korean-made TV programs soared nearly 30 percent on-year to a record high last year thanks to rising demand from global streaming platforms, a government report showed Monday. A total of 728.2 billion won ($561.3 million) worth of Korean TV content was sold overseas in 2022, up 29.6 percent, or $128.1 million, from a year earlier, according to an annual report on the local broadcasting industry by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission. It is the

TelevisionDec. 25, 2023

Korean artifacts reclaimed from overseas rise 9-fold

The number of South Korean artifacts that have been retrieved from abroad this year increased to 1,550 from 170 in the last year, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. The artifacts were collected through purchases made on behalf of the CHA’s Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation as well as personal donations by collectors, the agency said. Such items include Daedongnyeojido, or the Territorial Map of the Great East by cartographer Kim Jeong-ho. This map is more detai

CultureDec. 25, 2023

“12.12: The Day” becomes 2nd film this year to attract 10M moviegoers

“12.12: The Day,” director Kim Seong-su’s historical drama revisiting the military-led coup that took place in 1979, became this year’s second film to join the club of 10 million tickets sold after “The Roundup: No Way Out.” Having opened on Nov. 22, “12.12: The Day” took just 33 days to attract 10.06 million moviegoers, according to the number tallied by Korea Film Council on Sunday. The film is the first non-sequel Korean film to surpass 10 mil

FilmDec. 25, 2023

Will “Miss Trot 3” continue trot fever?

The sensational audition program series "Miss Trot" returned with its third season on Thursday. After countless trot music shows that tried to hop on the trot fever train -- started by "Miss Trot 1" (2019) -- "Miss Trot 3" hopes to make another breakthrough to continue the nationwide trot craze without boring viewers. Returning with a wider range of participants, the third season includes teenage contestants and overseas participants, to provide freshness to viewers

TelevisionDec. 24, 2023

Moroccan marvels: Dive into North Africa's diverse cultural heritage

RABAT, Morocco — The Kingdom of Morocco is expanding its presence in South Korea's travel market as tourists seek new destinations for travel from Korea. Morocco presents itself as a richly diverse "melting pot" in terms of beliefs, ethnic groups and ways of life. The country is located on the African continent, but only one hour away from southern Spain by ferry, spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Mauritania and Algeria. Due to its strategic positio

TravelDec. 23, 2023

[Life in Korea] American soul singer's struggle to rise in Korean show business

K-pop is long since no longer confined to Korea, with artists across genres as well as trot singers venturing into the international market. However, back in the less globally connected 2000s this was not the case, and in 2009 Greg Priester bridged the gap from Indiana to Korea with soul music, creating a niche in the local music industry. Priester, also known as “Greg-hyeong” here, shared his two-decade journey as a “foreign singer” in an interview for the “Life

PeopleDec. 23, 2023

[Eye Plus] 'Sangmo' adds wings to gugak

“The 'sangmo' can be called the ‘wings for gugak,’ as it enriches gugak performances,” says nongak performer Kim Ji-won. The "sangmo" is a Joseon-era military hat with ornaments. The ornaments -- attached to the top of the hat -- come in diverse shapes, such as ribbons, feathers or flowers. Performers wearing the sangmo spin their heads while playing an instrument alongside other band members in nongak, a type of traditional music and dance created by

CultureDec. 23, 2023

[New in Town] Justin Quek's Flavours of Asia lands at Lotte Department Store in Myeong-dong

Koreans can now enjoy the taste of Singaporean celebrity chef Justin Quek’s flagship restaurant Justin Flavours of Asia at the basement food court of Lotte Department Store’s Myeong-dong branch in Sogong-dong, Seoul. Catering to a wide range of visitors from nearby Myeong-dong’s busy office workers, tourists hungry and tired from shopping at downtown Seoul's largest shopping block as well as Singaporeans craving food from home, Justin Flavours of Asia opened in Seoul on De

FoodDec. 23, 2023

[Herald Review] 'Chopin, Blue Note': Lyrical journey through theater, live music

“What color could encapsulate the essence of your enigmatic music?” asks Sand. “I don’t know. It is just faint strokes and shadows,” answers Chopin. Amidst a pivotal moment of emotional revelation between Chopin and Sand, the backdrop of their confession becomes a stage where a pianist, in the quietude of the night, weaves the melodic tapestry of Nocturnes, Op. 9 No. 2. The lyrical notes permeate the small theater, and a warm, cerulean glow blankets the surroundings

PerformanceDec. 22, 2023

KCC to examine streaming services for violation of laws amid fee increases

The Korea Communications Commission will examine the activities of video streaming platforms in Korea for potential violations of the law, following a series of price hikes in their subscription rates. The KCC on Thursday announced that the media regulation agency will inspect whether there has been any violation of the Telecommunications Business Act, regarding appropriate announcement of the fee increases and terms of conditions. "The KCC plans to convert the inspection into an investig

TelevisionDec. 22, 2023

K-pop, trot stars to star in 'Sharing & Together Concert' in 2024

From K-pop star to trot singers, various musicians across genres will appear in "Sharing & Together Concert" at SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium on Jan. 12 and 13, 2024. The charity performance will donate all of its profits, excluding production costs, to help the underprivileged. Popular K-pop idol groups and singers, including Highlight, BamBam, Hwasa, Cravity, Vanner, N.SSign, Zerobaseone and Riize, are scheduled to perform on Jan. 12, the first day of the two-day concert. Korean

PerformanceDec. 22, 2023

Younha to mark 20 years of singing with album, concerts

Singer-songwriter Younha will return with her seventh full-length album and perform multiple solo concerts next year. Celebrating 20 years since her debut, Younha held the online event “Y” to share her plans for a new album and concert schedule on her official YouTube channel on Thursday night. The seventh full-length album will mark the second stage of the "Theory" trilogy, which kicked off with her sixth album, "End Theory," in 2022. Younha is scheduled to hold

PerformanceDec. 22, 2023

Chuncheon hosts Christmastime promotions, events

The city of Chuncheon -- about a two-hour drive east of Seoul -- in Gangwon Province seeks to add to the Christmas atmosphere with special promotions and events. According to the city of Chuncheon, it will offer opportunities for visitors to enjoy Samaksan Mountain Lake Cable Car at a discount. For travelers who upload a post to social media like Instagram with Christmas-themed accessories or outfits in Christmas colors, 1 in 3 visitors will have their ticket fee waived. The event runs through C

TravelDec. 22, 2023

‘A Ghost Day’ blends Korean traditions with contemporary circus

The new dance production “A Ghost Day” blends traditional Korean dance with a contemporary circus, featuring the theme of Korean ghosts. Choreographed by artistic director Kim Ju-bin of Jubin Company, "A Ghost Day" is set to be performed at the Arko Arts Theater on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. Drawing inspiration from historical accounts found in "Dongguksesigi" -- a book that compiled events and seasonal customs in the late Joseon era, the dance drama

PerformanceDec. 22, 2023

[Photo News] Everland’s favorite panda mascot

Giant Bao, a massive blown-up balloon version of Everland’s popular panda Fu Bao, has become a go-to tourist attraction in the largest theme park and zoo in South Korea. It has been a year of Fu Bao -- the first panda to be born naturally in Korea in 2020 -- for Everland as countless visitors fell in love with the panda's lovely charm and cuteness. Everland has prepared a special photo zone with the 12-meter-tall mascot at the entrance. Visitors can take pictures with other installati

TravelDec. 22, 2023

[Well-curated] Lantern festival, PC room and animations galore

Seoul Lantern Festival The annual Seoul Lantern Festival, held until Jan. 21, 2024, is made all the more memorable this year with the event spanning areas from Gwanghwamun Square to Seoul Plaza. The areas light up from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The lighting show, which first began in 2009, features installations and media facades, as well as on-site programs. The festival is taking place concurrently with the Gwanghwamun Flea Market, a pilot program that took off last year. The market offers not only ha

CultureDec. 22, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Lighting at Cheonggye Plaza Cheonggye Plaza is lit up in festival lights until the end of this month from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can drop by and see the area illuminated with a giant Christmas tree set up along the Cheonggye Stream, which runs from west to east starting from the plaza. There is no admission fee. Parking and public bathrooms are not separately available. Visitors are encouraged to use the subway. The nearest stations to the area are Exit No. 5 from Gwanghwamun Station on

TravelDec. 22, 2023