From Itaewon to Hollywood, Park Seo-joon enters Marvel universe

Upcoming American superhero film “The Marvels” director and co-writer Nia DaCosta said she cast Park Seo-joon after watching the 2020 hit TV drama “Itaewon Class” during the pandemic. Park Seo-joon plays the role of Prince Yan of Aladna in "The Marvels," making his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Hollywood. “I was really into Korean dramas, films and K-pop when I was younger at 17, 18 and I just fell in love with this Korean pop culture. I watch

FilmNov. 7, 2023

Without light, Lightwalk will not be architecture: Dominique Perrault

Gangnam Intermodal Transit Center is more than just an underground transportation station that will house three high-speed train lines and two subway stations in southern Seoul. For acclaimed architect Dominique Perrault, it is more of a social project. “It is not a project to build an underground tunnel. Architecture is part of culture. The space should be a quality public space where people want to come, not a damp and dark underground space,” the architect said in an interview wit

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2023

'Oh, Jejudo' by Hyun Ki-young among this year's Daesan Literary Awards winners

Novelist Hyun Ki-young became the oldest recipient of the Daesan Literary Awards Monday for his latest three-volume novel, "Oh, Jejudo” (Changbi Publishers), which narrates the whirlpool of Jeju Island myths and tales following the history of the island from the late Joseon period, the Japanese colonial period to the April 3 uprising and tragedy. “I am quite embarrassed to receive an award at this age when I should be giving out (awards),” said the 82-year-old writer durin

BooksNov. 6, 2023

[Herald Review] Music Festival Pohang stands strong without conductor or chairs

POHANG, North Gyeongsang Province -- When the Music Festival Pohang was launched in 2020, the timing could not have been worse. The world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the majority of music festivals -- both old and new -- were canceled. The music festival, which aims to promote classical music, continues to stand strong as it returns for its third year, taking place in the port city known for its steel industry. The festival's opening concert took place Friday evening at the Pohang

CultureNov. 6, 2023

From horror to romance, November is new battlefield for local films

With various genres of Korean films slated to hit theaters this month, November has become a new battlefield, a season that had been regarded as relatively less competitive compared to summer and winter holiday seasons. Last November, rookie director Ahn Tae-jin’s 9 billion-won budget “Night Owl” attracted 2.5 million moviegoers, becoming a box office hit. The film grabbed attention for combining thriller elements in a period setting. Actor Ryu Jun-yeol starred as a blind acupu

FilmNov. 6, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Vigilante,’ a reflection of public outrage against criminals

“Vigilante,” director Choi Jeong-yeol’s crime/action thriller based on a webtoon of the same title by Kim Kyu-sam, offers a reflection of growing public frustration and fury over what some view as the justice system's failure to adequately punish those who commit the most heinous crimes. Accidents caused by drunk drivers, drugs, domestic violence, attempted murders and insurance fraud are all crimes we read about in the news on a near-daily basis. For Kim Ji-yong (Nam

TelevisionNov. 6, 2023

NewJeans, Heartsteel to open 2023 LoL World Championship Finals

K-pop stars NewJeans and virtual boy band Heartsteel are set to perform at the opening ceremony of the League of Legends World Championship Final at the Gocheok Sky Dome in southwestern Seoul on Nov. 19, according to the Riot Games. The LoL World Championship, one of the most popular competitive multiplayer video gaming tournaments, annually showcases live performances by a star-studded lineup of artists who sing the tournament’s anthem in the opening ceremony of the final. Beloved artists

CultureNov. 6, 2023

Mayplace Hotel marks ninth anniversary with room promotions

The Mayplace Hotel, situated in the heart of Seoul in Jongno-gu, has announced a special promotional event for November in celebration of its ninth anniversary. Having opened in 2014 as a sub brand of the five-star hotel Mayfield Seoul, Mayplace Hotel caters to business travelers as well as tourists exploring Seoul's historical and cultural sites. The special promotion offers a nine percent discount on all room types, available on both weekdays and weekends for November reservations. A

CultureNov. 5, 2023

Pianist Chung Kyu-bin wins Isangyun Competition 2023

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- A weeklong competition for young pianists ended in Tongyeong Saturday evening with five winners. At Isangyun Competition 2023, Chung Kyu-bin was announced the first prize winner, beating four other finalists who each performed a piano concerto with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra led by conductor Samuel Lee. Chung received 30 million won ($23,000) in prize money. Chung was the second to perform and grace the stage with Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.

CultureNov. 5, 2023

[New in Korean] 'The path to happiness is forgiveness,' says Korea's first million-selling author

"Condolences for the Lost Time" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Hong-shin Hainaim Kim Hong-shin, the author of Korea's first million-selling novel, "Human Market" (1981), meets readers with "Condolences for the Lost Time," a narrative that delves into the torment and redemption of a person unfairly stigmatized by a group. The story begins with Han Seo-jin's daughter, Ja-in, reading her father's posthumous letter and retracing his li

BooksNov. 5, 2023

Unauthorized AI-generated music sparks copyright debates

First released in August 2022, K-pop girl group NewJeans' "Hype Boy" is gaining popularity once again thanks to a rendition "sung" by well-known 61-year-old rock singer Yim Jae-beom. But Yim didn't actually record the cover, an AI program generated the song that sounds like Yim singing it. Some of Yim's fans were surprised by how accurate artificial intelligence was able to mimic the singer's voice, down to the exact way he breathes, pauses and sighs. &quo

CultureNov. 5, 2023

[New in Korean] Even in city overrun by mold, humans dream of stars, sunsets

"Ground Explorers" By Kim Cho-yeop Publion Best-selling science fiction writer Kim Cho-yeop has published her second full-length novel in two years. While her first novel, “Greenhouse at the End of the Earth,” which sold over 150,000 copies, told a story about plants taking over the Earth, her latest dystopian sci-fi novel, “Ground Explorers,” deals with fungi. Fungal spores that spread madness to humans take over the Earth, driving humans into dark, musty und

BooksNov. 5, 2023

[Our Museums] Legacy of early Catholics at Korean Catholic Martyrs' Museum

Sitting tall on a cliffside on the Han River, the Korean Catholic Martyrs' Museum is located in a spot of historical tragedy and religious significance. A five-minute stroll from Hapjeong Station, visitors pass through a memorial park at the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine before reaching the museum entrance. In the late Joseon period, many Koreans faced execution for believing in Catholicism, which was introduced to the country in the 1780s through books sent by European missionaries in Chi

CultureNov. 5, 2023

Catch fleeting fall foliage with exciting outdoor activities

Peeping leaves of red and gold while grasping a cup of warm coffee at a nearby cafe or enjoying the scenic views of the city in orange and brown hues on a bus ride is always a great way to feel the deepening autumn atmosphere. But, it’s a shame to just let the spectacular colors of ginkgo, maple and metasequoia and the gentle fall breeze go by, with the winter season lurking just around the corner. Take in the flaming reds, dazzling yellows and brilliant oranges with thrilling activities b

TravelNov. 4, 2023

[Weekender] Pop-up store on a date?

Showcasing exclusive content and top-notch merchandise at a pop-up store has become a must for many brands in Korea as a means of promotion. Pop-ups open for a brief period to reach new customers by giving them an opportunity to experience the brand and strengthen the brand loyalty of existing clients. Though commercial, such fleeting spaces have also become one of the most sought-after date spots for friends and couples here, developing into a new kind of playground, particularly for millennial

CultureNov. 4, 2023

RCO to come to Seoul with maestro Fabio Luisi and pianist Yefim Bronfman

During the second week of November, Seoul will be the stage for three of the world's top orchestras, offering classical music enthusiasts a splendid treat. In addition to the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Vienna Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, returning after six years, will grace the stage at Lotte Concert Hall on Nov. 11 with a repertoire of Beethoven, Liszt and Tchaikovsky. The orchestra will perform Beethoven's Overture "Leonore" and Liszt’s Piano

CultureNov. 4, 2023

Gimjang tours make kimchi-making easy

Often requiring many hands and hours of labor, gimjang, in which large batches of kimchi are made for the coming winter, appears to be on its way out. Increasingly, people make kimchi throughout the year in smaller amounts or buy it at stores. Yet, kimchi remains a staple on Korean dining tables and people want more healthy choices when it comes to something that they consume daily. Dongwon F&B's Yangban Kimchi has been conducting its Gimjang Tour since 1999. These tours take place at t

FoodNov. 4, 2023

[New in Korean] Millionaire dog sponsors human artist in Yun Ko-eun’s ‘Art on Fire’

"Art on Fire" By Yun Ko-eun EunHaeng NaMu Publishing Author Yun Ko-eun, the winner of the prestigious CWA Crime Fiction in Translation Dagger in 2021 for the novel "The Disaster Tourist” (translated by Lizzie Buehler), returns with the black comedy "Art on Fire." The story follows an artist named Ahn Yi-ji, who once aspired to be a painter but now makes a living as a delivery rider. One day, she receives an interesting offer from a foundation called the Robert Foun

BooksNov. 4, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Iron Mask,’ a rare kendo film filled with wordless yet powerful scenes

“Iron Mask,” which has the Korean title of “One-Ten-Thousandth of a Second,” follows the story of Kim Jae-woo (Joo Jong-hyuk), who joins the boot camp to be selected for the national kendo team. The film centers around Kim's encounter with Tae-su (Moon Jin-seung), who killed Jae-woo's older brother when he was young. The movie’s Korean title is intended to show how the competition’s victory is decided within a very short amount of time. Throughout th

FilmNov. 4, 2023

NTOK Live+ to screen latest plays from UK, Netherlands

The National Theater of Korea will screen three plays in November as part of “NTOK Live+,” a program introducing prominent overseas theatrical performances. Three classic plays -- Shakespeare’s “Othello,” Euripides’ “Medea” and Chekhov’s “The Seagull” -- have been reinterpreted by the National Theatre in London, the International Theater Amsterdam and the Jamie Lloyd Company in London, respectively. All three works are being scree

PerformanceNov. 3, 2023