Verbal Jint to release new version of ‘Take Care of Christmas’

Rapper and producer Verbal Jint will release a newly-arranged version of his song “Take Care of Christmas” to celebrate the season. The new track will also include a featured mystery artist. The single will be released online on Friday at noon. “‘Take Care of Christmas’ will be produced by Verbal Jint himself,” a representative of the artist stated, adding, “He is also currently working on his upcoming 6th studio album.” “Take Care of Christmas” was originally included on his EP, “Go Easy 0.5,”

Dec. 3, 2013

More than 80 dinosaur tracks found near Ulsan dam site

More than 80 fossilized dinosaur tracks have been discovered at the foot of a cliff known for its set of prehistoric engravings, in the southeastern part of the country, a government think tank said Tuesday.The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage announced the discovery after providing results on an additional archeological survey on the areas surrounding the cliff in Ulsan.Only 25 footprints had previously been discovered. About 30 of the footprints were found in the rock bed of th

PeopleDec. 3, 2013

Jesse Owens’ gold medal up for sale

LAGUNA NIGUEL, California (AP) ― One of the four Olympic gold medals won by track and field star Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Games is up for sale in an online auction that runs through Dec. 7.The medal ― being auctioned online ― recalls both the Nazi propaganda myths that Owens busted with his world record-setting 100-yard dash, and the American segregation that he came home to when he returned to the U.S. after the Games, which Adolf Hitler orchestrated to showcase his ideas of Aryan suprema

PeopleDec. 3, 2013

Kang Sue-jin to head Korean National Ballet

Korean-born ballerina Kang Sue-jin, who currently dances as one of the principals with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany, has been appointed the new director of the Korean National Ballet, according to the Culture Ministry. Her term starts next year.Kang, considered one of the most acclaimed Korean dancers, has been dancing with the German troupe since 1986. She was promoted to principal in 1997. The 46-year-old won numerous prestigious awards, including the Prix de Lausanne in 1985 and the Prix B

PerformanceDec. 3, 2013

Murder, jealousy and lust

There isn’t much depiction of filial love and Confucian integrity. Instead, expect to read about murder, tragic love stories, and wars. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, The Korea Herald, in partnership with Literature Translation Institute of Korea, has published a five-volume series consisting of classic Korean literature. The series, titled "Korean Classic Stories," was organized to introduce works of classic literature that are relatively unknown to readers at home and abroad. The titl

BooksDec. 2, 2013

‘Understanding of classic literature required to understand contemporary literature’

Last month, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea published a five-volume series of English translations of classic Korean literature in collaboration with The Korea Herald, an effort that took nearly one year to bear fruit.“Whenever I went overseas, I met a lot of people who said they wanted to read more works of Korea’s classic literature,” Kim Seong-kon, the director of LTI Korea, said during an interview with The Korea Herald. “And in order to understand contemporary literature (of a

BooksDec. 2, 2013

Meet the translators

Three translators worked on the Korean Classic Stories, a five-volume series consisting of Korean classic literature and folktales.The first two volumes, “Avengers & Artists” and “Confucians in Love,” were translated by Kevin O’Rourke, professor emeritus of English at Kyung Hee University in Seoul. Formerly a Catholic priest from Ireland, O’Rourke has been living in Korea since 1964. He is believed to be the first foreigner to receive a Ph.D. in Korean literature. He earned the degree from Yonse

BooksDec. 2, 2013

Series introduces ‘all walks of life’ of Joseon period

When professor emeritus Kim Hung-gyu was asked to select and compile classic Korean stories for a book series, the first thing he wanted to do was introduce the kind of stories that are “page-turners.”“Many say pre-modern Korea was a Confucian society,” Kim, a longtime researcher of traditional Korea literature, told The Korea Herald. “And that is not incorrect. But the pre-modern Korea cannot be solely defined as ‘Confucian.’ It was very much a complex and diverse society and people felt all ki

BooksDec. 2, 2013

Glory and sophistication of Hungary

The east European country of Hungary has been a large melting pot over the centuries. Since the founding of the country in A.D. 1000, the country has been invaded by Mongolians, Turks and Austrians, resulting in a unique culture of its own. The National Palace Museum is holding an exhibition titled “Magnificent Life of Hungarian Aristocracy under the Reign of the Habsburg Dynasty, in the 17-19th Century,” featuring a total of 190 items from the National Museum of Hungary. From a replica of the H

CultureDec. 2, 2013

Joy of Strings ensemble to hold European tour

Korean classical music ensemble Joy of Strings will hold a European tour with its art director Lee Sung-ju this month. Their repertoire encompasses Austrian and Korean music including Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” Haydn’s Violin Concerto in C Major, Mozart’s Divertimento in D, Kreisler’s “Liebesfreud & Liebesleid,” Gounod’s “Ave Maria,” Lee Young-jo’s Arirang Variations for String Orchestra and several carols. Lee, a noted violinist, will participate as soloist. The string ensemble will kick o

PerformanceDec. 2, 2013

Contemporary art of Southeast Asia showcased in Seoul

Contemporary photographs and media art from Southeast Asia are being showcased in Seoul, shedding light on the dynamic and vibrant cultural scenes in Southeast Asia. The exhibition “ASEAN-Korea Contemporary Media Art Exhibition 2013” brings together some of the hottest contemporary artists in ASEAN countries. They are introducing their compelling works of art alongside the artwork of Korean artists. The exhibition, in its fourth year, presents some 90 photographs and pieces of media art by 18 ar

PerformanceDec. 2, 2013

Psy reveals Santa dress code for concerts

The comedic rap star Psy has released a new promotional image of his head placed on a muscular male body sporting a sexy Santa outfit, revealing the event’s dress code for his upcoming winter series. As in Psy’s previous concert in Seoul, with its all-white dress code, the singer has set a dress code for the upcoming concerts: He is asking that fans come dressed up in their best Santa outfits. The performer is making his return just in time for the holiday season and holding a special four-day s

PerformanceDec. 2, 2013

Big Bang performs for 30,000 fans in Osaka

As part of the group’s Japanese dome concert tour, the five hallyu stars of K-pop idol group Big Bang performed in front of 30,000 screaming Japanese fans on the tour’s Osaka stop, selling out the weekend performances. The three-day, three-hour long concerts held at the Kyocera Dome were the second leg of the group’s six-city, 15-concert “Big Bang Japan Dome Tour 2013-2014.” The tour kicked off with two performances at the Seibu Dome in Saitama on Nov. 16 and 17 and will soon take the artists to

PerformanceDec. 2, 2013

EXO to release special winter album

Ultra-popular K-pop rookies EXO will be ending the year on a celebratory note with the release of the group’s winter EP, “Miracles of December.”The new album is said to contain five “winter-inspired tracks” and will be released in both Korean and Chinese, according to a representative at S.M. Entertainment. EXO will prerelease the album’s lead track on Thursday through local music sites. The album in its entirety will be available on Dec. 9. The 12 members of EXO, also split into the subunits of

PerformanceDec. 2, 2013

[Photo News] Mission complete

PeopleDec. 2, 2013

Philippine village named after Gangneung

A village in Indang in the province of Cavite, Philippines, was named after the Korean city of Gangneung.Gangneung Mayor Choi Myeong-hee, Gangneung City Council chairman Kim Hwa-mook and other officials from the east coast city attended an event Saturday to name the newly created Indang village “Pine City Gangneung,” city officials said.The village was formed under a Habitat housing project led by Gangneung-based volunteer group SCU.SCU has built a village of 23 houses to accommodate 43 househol

PeopleDec. 2, 2013