[New on the Scene] For Choi Seung-yoon, ‘Riceboy Sleeps’ is about strength of mothers

There are many stories and films that depict the lives of immigrants, struggling to adapt to family life in a new country with an uncooperative child. Canadian actor and filmmaker Anthony Shim’s “Riceboy Sleeps” (2022) is about So-young, a single mother from Korea who settles in the suburbs of Canada in the 1990s with her son, Dong-hyun. Soon after the film's March 17 release in Canada, it swept the global film awards, with the actors and director being invited to numerous

FilmApril 17, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘Bargain’ stars say Cannes seems 'like a dream'

The cast of "Bargain" did not hide their excitement and anticipation as Tving's new crime thriller competes at this year's Cannes International Series Festival, setting a major milestone as the first Korean streaming service to be invited to the international television event. “When I walked out of the airport, a foreign fan came up to me with posters of my past films," said Jin Sun-kyu, adding that it was the first time a foreign fan asked for his autograph ove

TelevisionApril 17, 2023

Pansori's contemporary spin in ‘Peerless Pansori’

"Pansori," or Korean traditional narrative signing, gets a youthful makeover in the third edition of the National Changgeuk Company of Korea’s pansori concert “Peerless Pansori” which will take place at the National Theater of Korea's Daloreum Theater in early May. The "Peerless Pansori" project was launched in 2021 with the aim to create opportunities for young pansori singers to explore the music and mise-en-scenes with contemporary interpretations. T

PerformanceApril 16, 2023

Government to promote Korean TV series at Cannes series festival

The South Korean government said Sunday it will hold special screening and showcasing events at this year's Cannes International Series Festival to promote Korean-made content to global media and producers. Three Korean TV and web series are invited to the festival's non-competition Rendez-vous section -- "Island" (2022), "Midnight Horror: 6 Different Nights" (2022) and "Pale Moon" (2023) -- at the sixth edition of the festival, also known as Canneseri

TelevisionApril 16, 2023

Free temple admissions require more government funding: Jogye Order

South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said that the government should provide financial support in order for the group to implement free admissions to Buddhist temples, backtracking on its earlier commitment to free admissions made at the New Year’s press conference in January. "If the authorities do not comply with our demands, it (the fee) may not be abolished," Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order, said Friday at a press conferenc

CultureApril 16, 2023

[Herald Interview] The 'Mamma Mia!' journey after 20 years in Korea

When the "Mamma Mia!" musical's associate producer, Paul Garrington, and associate choreographer Leah-Sue Morland first came to Korea, it did not occur to them that the trip would foster a connection that would last more than 20 years. Garrington vividly remembers his first visit to Korea in 2002, when his company was putting on a production in Japan. They were still exploring possible production opportunities in Korea, where the musical industry was in a very early stage. Garri

CultureApril 15, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Killing Romance,’ a stress-relieving piece with kitschy comedy and nonsensical characters

Director Lee Won-seok’s upcoming fantasy comedy “Killing Romance” revolves around three characters -- chaebol scion Jonathan Na (Lee Sun-kyun), former superstar Hwang Yeo-rae (Lee Ha-nee) and long-time test taker Beom-woo (Gong Myung). The plot starts with Yeo-rae abandoning her actor career after receiving critical reviews for her bad acting. She leaves Korea to go on vacation and lands in Quala Island, where Na is waiting to save her life -- and her heart. The couple ties the

FilmApril 15, 2023

[One with Nature] Enjoy spring in Songdo's parks

INCHEON -- As the cherry blossom petals fall from the trees, dancing to the rhythm of the gentle breeze, spring is now in full swing. Although the colder-than-expected temperatures have had people holding on to their winter coats, there are many who, eager to greet the new season, are wandering outside in search of fun. This year's cherry blossom season was much too short, especially in the Seoul area, and many are looking to enjoy leisurely quality time and spring fun. Songdo Central Park

TravelApril 15, 2023

[Weekender] Small but strong: Indie bookstores embrace individuality, diversity and community

Although the reading population of Korean adults is less than half the total -- meaning over half of adults do not read a single book in a year -- unique independent bookstores are enjoying growing popularity. There were 815 independent bookstores nationwide in 2022, according to Dongneseojeom (Bookstores in Neighborhood), an independent bookstore recommendation service. It has been keeping track of the number of bookstores since 2015 in its annual trend report. The number has been steadily incr

BooksApril 15, 2023

Dosirak, a box of delights

It's a whole meal presented in a box with little compartments -- imagine a jewelry box. A dosirak can be anything -- from a humble lunchbox that is eaten at one's desk to a picnic lunch filled with gimbap and other goodies. It can even be elevated to a gourmet meal with morsels of epicurean delights filling up the various compartments. While records of dosirak go back to the Silla Kingdom (57-676), they became more popular during the period of rapid economic growth beginning in the 196

FoodApril 15, 2023

[New in Korean] Teenage survivor recounts Sewol ferry disaster and the aftermath

"Becoming Wind to Survive" (working title) By Yu Ga-young Darun On April 16, 2014, Yu Ga-young, a 17-year-old student at Danwon High School recalls the day that shook the nation nine years ago. Yu is one of the 75 who survived the Sewol ferry disaster. The other 325 students did not return. “Everyone was at the cafeteria that morning, and suddenly we realized that the plates and desks were tilted,” she writes in her essay. One of her friends said, maybe it’s because t

BooksApril 15, 2023

Korean Pavilion at Venice Architecture Biennial 'not your typical show'

The Korean Pavilion at next month's 18th Venice Architecture Biennale asks the question: How have our choices shaped the globe today? The architecture exhibition will lead visitors to reflect on the past, the present and think about the future. The two artistic directors of the Korean Pavilion -- curator Jung So-ik and art professor Park Kyong -- have titled the exhibition which will run May 18- Nov. 26, “2086: Together How?” The overarching theme of the upcoming architecture bi

Arts & DesignApril 14, 2023

Jung Kyung-ho, Jo Woo-jin comedy film ‘Boss’ starts shooting

Jung Kyung-ho of TvN’s hit TV drama “Crash Course in Romance” (2023) and Jo Woo-jin from 2022 Netflix series “Narco-Saints” will join forces for the upcoming comedy film tentatively named “Boss.” According to production firm Hive Media Corp., the actors began shooting earlier this month. “Boss” revolves around a gangster group called Sikgu and the members trying to escape the election of choosing the next leader as they try to live different

FilmApril 14, 2023

Art Busan 2023 to expand, collaborate with Busan Tourism Board

Art Busan 2023, a major art fair in the southern port city, will be held early May in its largest-ever venue at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center since its inaugural fair in 2012. The leading art fair in South Korea will also collaborate with Busan Tourism Organization to offer an opportunity to experience the city during Art Busan Week from May 1 to 9. The art fair will be held from May 4 to 7 at Bexco, bringing together some 146 galleries from 22 countries. “We will use the wh

Arts & DesignApril 14, 2023

Pianist Lim yun-chan US tour canceled due to health

Pianist Lim Yun-chan's US concerts scheduled for this month have been canceled due to the artist's health issue, according to management company Moc Production on Friday. "We regret to inform you that the US tour schedule for the Cliburn Winners Concert, which was supposed to begin in Scottsdale, (Arizona,) USA from next week, has been canceled due to the performer's circumstances," the production said. Lim has been diagnosed with an ear infection caused by a cold, and i

CultureApril 14, 2023

Beethoven specialist Rudolf Buchbinder to perform all 32 piano sonatas in Korea

Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, who is considered the top authority on Beethoven, is embarking on a seven-day journey with Korean audiences, performing all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas. In his eighth visit to South Korea he will take the stage for seven days, kicking off the series with Sonatas Nos. 1, 4, 10, 13 and 14 -- the famed "Moonlight Sonata" -- on June 28. The sonatas will be grouped together across the different performances, with each concert featuring a selection of five

PerformanceApril 14, 2023

‘Cobweb,’ ‘Hopeless’ invited to Cannes Film Festival

Director Kim Jee-woon’s upcoming black comedy “Cobweb” and director Kim Chang-hoon’s debut film “Hopeless” have been invited to this year’s Cannes Film Festival, according to the event’s organizers Thursday. No South Korean films have been selected to compete for the main prize, the Palme d’Or, at the 76th edition of the festival running from May 16-27. In the out of competition section is “Cobweb,” Kim Jee-woon's first featu

FilmApril 14, 2023

Beach golf resort to open at Taean coastal dune in 2024

A massive resort, Sun Beach Golf and Resort, will open in May 2024 at the coastal dune of Sindu-ri, Taean in South Chungcheong Province -- one of South Korea’s natural monuments. Spreading across a whopping 1.4 million square meters, the resort offers spaces for various purposes, including for businesses, social gatherings, health, leisure and vacation, according to developer Sindu Beach Development. The main feature of the resort is an 18-hole public golf course facing the beach along th

TravelApril 14, 2023

[Photo News] Nighttime palace tour

Traditional Korean musicians perform at Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul on Thursday. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to offer spring nighttime tours of the royal palace between Wednesdays and Sundays, from April 15 to May 13. Visitors carrying lanterns take a tour of Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul on Thursday. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to offer spring nighttime tours of the royal palace between Wednesdays and Sundays, from April 15 to May 13. Visitors carrying la

CultureApril 14, 2023

[Well-curated] Pop-up restaurant, museum and local brews

Reservation to begin for Louis Vuitton pop-up restaurant Reservation begin Monday at 6 p.m. via dining reservation app CatchTable for Louis Vuitton’s pop-up restaurant in Seoul that opens in May, a collaboration with a double Michelin starred restaurant in London called Ikoyi. Customers can enjoy daily multicourse menus for lunch, dinner and tea. When Louis Vuitton opened two pop-up restaurants in Seoul at the same venue in May and September last year, bookings filled in less than five min

CultureApril 14, 2023