Young Swiss, Korean photographers showcased at Gwangju Biennale Swiss Pavilion

GWANGJU -- In celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and South Korea, the Embassy of Switzerland in Seoul is presenting “Spaceless,” an exhibition at the Swiss Pavilion in the 14th Gwangju Biennale. The pavilion, set up at Leeleenam Studio, is a collaboration of eight young photographers from the two countries. It presents the urban environment through an artistic lens, and a photographic rediscovery of urban spaces. Curated by Chun Kyung-wo

Arts & DesignMay 1, 2023

Classical music returns to Gyechon Village with world-class performances

The Ninth Gyechon Classic Music Festival, organized by Chung Mong-koo Foundation and Korea National University of Arts, is set to return from May 26 to 28 at Gyechon Village in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The festival will bring back its three-day schedule following pandemic-caused disruptions in recent years. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was held online only and last year, the festival was a two-day affair. Three different concerts are scheduled over the thr

PerformanceMay 1, 2023

[Herald Interview] Malene Choi’s ‘The Quiet Migration’ looks into adoptee’s process of individuation

Malene Choi’s “The Quiet Migration,” which is running in the international competition section at this year's Jeonju International Film Festival, along with nine other films, is the 49-year-old filmmaker’s sequel to her 2018 film “The Return.” A Danish Korean herself, Malene went to Denmark in 1974. In “The Quiet Migration,” Choi presents the story of a 19-year-old boy, Carl, who lives a quiet life in the Danish countryside with his adoptive p

FilmMay 1, 2023

Jeonju festival subverts cinematic expectations, seeks to surprise

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- For those who enjoy the cinematic experience without such stringent requirements as a discernible plot, for those who relish artful ambiguity and tightly framed shots awash in rising natural sounds, the ongoing film festival in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, beckons once again as a reprieve in a moviegoing world defined by blockbusters and safe formulas. Jeonju International Film Festival opened its 24th iteration on Thursday and runs through May 6. The film fest

FilmMay 1, 2023

[Stories of Artifacts] Beauty meets function: Goryeo celadon

The evolution of Korean ceramics reflects the evolution of society itself, having developed through three main historical periods, each with its own unique characteristics. From the humble earthenware of the Three Kingdoms period to the Goryeo era's celadon and the refined white porcelain of the Joseon era, Korean ceramics have captivated art historians and art enthusiasts alike. The late William Bowyer Honey, a renowned ceramics specialist, noted in his book, "The Ceramic Art of Chi

CultureMay 1, 2023

'Ilmu' puts contemporary spin on Joseon royal ancestral rites

The Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre is set to perform its iconic repertoire “Ilmu” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from May 25-28. Premiered in 2022, the performance directed by Jung Ku-ho, is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional dance inspired by Jongmyo Jeryeak, a royal ceremonial performance encompassing singing, music and dance that took place during ancestral rites held at Jongmyo Shrine. Tablets of Joseon kings and queens are preserved at the shrine. Jongmyo

PerformanceApril 30, 2023

Art student eats Maurizio Cattelan's banana at Leeum

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's iconic art piece -- a ripe banana duct-taped onto a wall -- on display at an art museum in Seoul, was eaten by a college student in an act which he described as "artwork." The student ate the banana from Cattelan's "Comedian" at around 1 p.m., Thursday. The work is part of Cattelan's solo exhibition “WE” currently running at the Leeum Museum of Art, according to the private museum. At the exhibition showing some 38

Arts & DesignApril 30, 2023

[Photo News] Louis Vuitton turns Jamsu Bridge into runway

Models walk on Jamsu Bridge over the Han River in Seoul, which was turned into a runway for the Louis Vuitton pre-fall fashion show on Saturday. The occasion marked the French luxury powerhouse’s first-ever fashion show for its pre-fall collection, designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere. Traffic was halted for 24 hours on the lower level of the bridge which was used as the runway. Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of Netflix's hit drama “Squid Game," participated in the show's scenogr

Arts & DesignApril 30, 2023

K-Royal Culture Festival returns with spring edition

The spring edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival offers a range of programs that can be enjoyed at Seoul's royal palaces through May 7. The biannual festival showcases a variety of cultural heritage events and artistic performances that take place across five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung. Jongmyo, a royal shrine housing the ancestral tablets of Joseon kings and queens, and Sajikdan, a Joseon altar used for

CultureApril 30, 2023

'Young Korean Artists' explores museum as space at MMCA in Gwacheon

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has brought South Korea’s emerging artists to the fore at exhibitions dedicated to young artists since the state museum was founded in 1986. “Young Korean Artists” is the museum's longest-running program that aims to discover young artists. Thirteen emerging artists and collectives recommended by the state museum's curators and art experts are participating in this year's exhibition titled “Young K

Arts & DesignApril 29, 2023

[One with Nature] Immerse yourself in the verdant greens of Boseong

BOSEONG, South Jeolla Province -- Although there are pockets of greenery in bustling cities, most of them are full of concrete buildings, dark windows and mostly black-and-white cars. Relieve your stress and take emotional refuge in rolling green tea plantations and a unique pine forest in a city famed for its green tea. Daehan Dawon Located in the southwestern part of the peninsula, Daehan Dawon, also known as Daehan Tea Garden or Boseong Green Tea Plantation, is one of the five major t

TravelApril 29, 2023

Say 'cheese' the way you like it

There has been a longstanding perception that Koreans are not so much into dairy products. But since the early 2000s, Koreans have been adding cheese to a variety of popular Korean dishes, such as gimbap, dakgalbi and ramyeon. This trend, along with the growing number of people traveling abroad, has made Koreans fall in love with cheese. Today, restaurants and shops that specialize in cheese are crowded with guests, proving the popularity of what was once disdained here as something stinky.

FoodApril 29, 2023

Are joint couple bank accounts the best way to share dating expenses?

"Am I the one who has to pay this time?" is a question that often troubles many South Korean couples whenever they are about to pay the bill at a restaurant. Traditionally, people believed that men should pay most of the dating expenses, but such rigid gender norms no longer hold water as more couples have started to value fairness. Indeed, a staggering 83.2 percent of those with dating experiences reported having argued with their partner over “how to split bills,” accor

CultureApril 29, 2023

[New in Korean] Painful memories reconciled in taking care of runaway kid

“A World Without Gyeong-wu” (working title) By Baek Ohn-yu Changbi Publishers In-soo sees ghosts floating like shadows in the corner of his room and every time he sees them, a bone-chilling cold seems to cling to his skin, even though it’s midsummer. He is still suffering from hallucinations and nightmares caused by “the accident” that happened with his gang when he ran away from home 12 years ago. One day, In-soo meets a boy named Yi-ho who extorts money from drive

BooksApril 29, 2023

Park Eun-bin, "Decision to Leave" win top honors at Baeksang Arts Awards

Park Chan-wook's romantic thriller movie "Decision to Leave" and Park Eun-bin, who starred in the drama series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," have taken top honors at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards. "Decision to Leave" won the grand prize in the movie category at the 59th awards ceremony on Friday night. Park Chan-wook clinched best director and Chinese actress Tang Wei received best actress for her role in the movie. The period thriller "The Night O

FilmApril 29, 2023

[Photo News] Yoo Ji-an's moon jar series on display at Lotte Hotel Seoul

A total of 20 craft works by contemporary mother-of-pearl artist Yoo Ji-an are on display at Lotte Hotel in Seoul. Yoo has created sculptures inspired by Korea’s traditional craftsmanship, pioneering the genre of contemporary mother-of-pearl art. The exhibition “On the Path of Time” features the artist’s “The Moon” series at the hotel’s lobby and lounge “Le Salon” on the 16th floor. One of Yoo’s moon jars created with mother-of-pearl, p

Arts & DesignApril 28, 2023

Beauty of Korean craftsmanship to be celebrated in London

South Korea’s contemporary craftsmanship will be introduced in London to coincide with London Craft Week, bringing together 11 Korean craft masters and artists at the exhibition “Light of Weaving: Labour-Hand-Hours” from May 11 to June 30. The exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre UK will feature works by successful Korean craft masters and unique work inspired by traditional Korean craftwork. Among the artists is Jeong Da-hye, winner of the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize

Arts & DesignApril 28, 2023

Five films including ‘Decision to Leave’ and ‘Hunt’ to vie for Baeksang Arts Awards

South Korean hit films including the Cannes-winning “Decision to Leave” and star actor Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut film, “Hunt,” will vie for the best film award at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards to be held on Friday. Along with the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Daejong International Film Awards, the Baeksang Awards is one of the most prestigious ceremonies here honoring the past year’s films, TV dramas and plays. This year’s award will be led by act

FilmApril 28, 2023

[Photo News] Foreign students celebrate cultural diversity

On a warm spring day, foreign exchange students at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies gathered in their traditional costumes and held up their respective country flags to introduce their cultures during the 17th Culture Expo event hosted by the Korean Language and Culture Education Institute at HUFS in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on Friday. Students operated booths introducing regional cultures, and conducted traditional music and dance performances.

CultureApril 28, 2023

Yoon's meeting with US media giants highlights growing interest in Korean content

In a meeting that highlights a growing interest in the Korean content industry, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met major players in the US entertainment industry on Thursday before leaving Washington. Yoon attended the Global Video Content Leadership Forum, organized by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA) held at its headquarters. The forum brought together media giants such as Paramount, Warner Brothers, Discovery, NBC, Universal, Sony Pictures, The Walt Disney Company and Net

CultureApril 28, 2023