Korea's first Culture Minister Lee O-young remembered in memorial exhibition

A special exhibition in memory of Korea’s first Culture Minister Lee O-young is being held at the National Library of Korea from Saturday through April 23. To commemorate one of the foremost intellectuals of his time, some 150 people, including current Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon and Lee’s wife Kang In-sook, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition on Friday. “Thank you for remembering (Lee) even after one year has passed," said Kang. Kang serves as the director

CultureFeb. 24, 2023

NMK plans to focus more on Goguryeo exhibition

The National Museum of Korea announced plans to improve its exhibition on the period of the Goguryeo Kingdom, including a complete renovation of the current Goguryeo Room under the Permanent Exhibition Hall of Prehistory and Ancient History. The project is set to be completed by November 2024. The museum unveiled the plan for this year’s research and exhibitions in a press release Wednesday, which also includes a project on Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the ancient cap

CultureFeb. 24, 2023

Jung Jae-il releases first Decca album 'Listen'

Jung Jae-il, 41, one of South Korea's best-regarded composers and music directors, released "Listen," his first album under Decca Records, on Friday. Jung earned his international reputation with his musical work for the critically acclaimed film “Parasite” as well as Netflix series “Squid Game.” He was recognized by the Hollywood Music In Media Awards for his work on “Squid Game.” The seven-track record conveys his message to pay attention to t

PerformanceFeb. 24, 2023

Burn victim, bestselling author returns to her alma mater as professor

A bestselling writer and scholar named Lee Ji-sun -- whose story of surviving a severe injury inflicted by a drunk driver inspired many across the country -- said Friday that she has become a professor at her alma mater, Ewha Womans University. The 44-year-old author of the autobiographical essay collection “I Love You Jisun” will start her tenure as a professor of social welfare starting March 1, according to the university. Lee was involved in a seven-vehicle collision that occurre

PeopleFeb. 24, 2023

Nine-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis in Seoul for jazz concert in March

Nine-time Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is scheduled to perform on March 19 at LG Arts Center Seoul as part of the center's signature program CoMPAS23, a specially curated series of eight performances by top Korean and international artists. The American jazz musician is recognized for his wide range of techniques and genres, from classical to modern jazz as well as composition. Sharing the stage with Marsalis are pianist Dan Nimmer, bassist Carlos Henriquez, drummer Obed Calvari

PerformanceFeb. 24, 2023

American adaptation of KBS' 'My Fellow Citizens!’ gets off to a good start

US television network ABC premiered a new drama series called “The Company You Keep” on Feb. 19, starring “Gilmore Girls” star Milo Ventimiglia alongside Korean American actor Catherine Haena Kim. The series is an adaptation of South Korean public broadcaster KBS’ 2019 crime comedy series “My Fellow Citizens!" Starring “Mr. Sunshine” (2018) star Kim Min-jung, Lee Yoo-young of Apple TV+’s “Dr. Brain” and Super Junior member Ch

TelevisionFeb. 24, 2023

‘A Clean Sweep’ entertains baseball fans ahead of 2023 KBO season

Cable channel JTBC’s baseball reality show “A Clean Sweep” invites sports lovers and baseball fans to an exhibition match on March 19. “A Clean Sweep” follows CK Monsters, a team of former professional baseball players, as they complete 30 matches with a winning percentage of 70 against non-professional teams, including amateur, top high school and university baseball teams. Given that the team’s members are retired Korean baseball legends decorated with multi

TelevisionFeb. 24, 2023

[Well-curated] Jinro Toad store, Andre Brasilier art show and Danish-style sing-along for weekend

A feast for the eyes Lovers of Jinro soju and its Jinro Toad mascots will descend onto the streets of Seoul’s bustling Gangnam neighborhood. Just a two-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit No. 11, you can see the sky blue and pink Dookkeop Arcade pop-up store. Many people flock to distiller HiteJinro’s megasized iconic mascots -- blue and pink Jinro Toads -- at the store’s entrance. After a quick ID check to verify visitors are of the legal drinking age, guests can freely brow

CultureFeb. 24, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Park Hyatt Hotels present ‘Suite Escape’ package Park Hyatt Seoul and Park Hyatt Busan present "Suite Escape," offering romantic staycations for couples until March 31. The package includes the standard benefits of one night at the Park Hyatt's suite room, a hotel dinner in the evening, and breakfast for two to begin the day. Park Hyatt's own welcome amenities are provided for all package guests. World of Hyatt members will receive the additional benefit of chocol

FoodFeb. 24, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hueree Maehwa Festival, Jeju The Hueree Maehwa Festival, which kicks off Friday, runs through March 24 at Hueree Natural Park on Jeju Island. Maehwa is plum blossom in Korean. The park, near Mount Halla, offers a chance to stroll, relax and enjoy the early spring. The annual festival highlights Jeju Island’s splendid scenery and its beautiful plum blossoms, among many other flowers blooming in the spring season, offering multiple photo zones for families and friends to take memorable pictu

TravelFeb. 24, 2023

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (US) Opened Feb. 15 Action Directed by Peyton Reed In this sequel to "Ant-Man" (2015) and "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018) and the 31st film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp explore the Quantum Realm and interact with strange new creatures. “The Amazing Maurice” (US) Opened Feb. 15 Comedy/Family Directed by Toby Genkel An animated comedy based on Terry Pratchett’s semi-parodic children&rs

FilmFeb. 24, 2023

Changgeuk adaptation of 'Jeong-nyeon' offers what only live theater can

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea kicks off the 2023 season with a changgeuk adaptation of the hit webtoon series “Jeong-nyeon” from March 17 to March 29 at Daloreum Theater, the National Theater of Korea in Seoul. Based on the webtoon of the same title by Seo Ireh and Namon, the changgeuk follows Jeong-nyeon, a young actor-singer in the making who dreams of becoming the best "gukgeuk" performer in the the heyday of the performing art form in the 1950s. Gukgeuk, or &q

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2023

Hwang Dal-sung barely maintains grasp on Galleries Association of Korea by one vote

Hwang Dal-sung, president of Keumsan Gallery, was reelected as president of the Galleries Association of Korea on Thursday, renewing his position for another two years, defeating rival candidate Do Hyung-teh, president of Gallery Hyundai, by only one vote, according to the association. The two-way election, conducted Thursday afternoon at the Westin Josun Seoul, turned out to be so competitive that Hwang barely maintained his position, earning 69 votes against Doh's 68. The association re

Arts & DesignFeb. 23, 2023

Song Joong-ki dismisses rumors surrounding his wife

Actor Song Joong-ki, 37, said most of the rumors surrounding his wife are wrong and that he was “angry” about the snowballing gossip concerning his family. In a recent interview with GQ Korea, Song said all the rumors circulating online, except the school from which she graduated, were wrong. On Jan. 30, Song revealed that he had registered his marriage with Katy Louise Saunders on that day and that they were expecting a baby. He did not mention when the baby is due. “At firs

FilmFeb. 23, 2023

Seoul to create W1tr fund for content industry by 2024

South Korea’s content trade surplus reached $11.25 billion in 2021 and figures indicate that the sector has become a core service export. To maintain the momentum of the sector’s growth, which grew at an annual average of 9 percent from 2017-2021, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism unveiled a plan to achieve 137 trillion won ($106 billion) in exports of content by 2027, up from $12.4 billion in 2021. This goal will be achieved by supporting the overseas expansion of small an

CultureFeb. 23, 2023

[Newsmaker] Handwritten English translation of Feb. 8 Declaration of Independence found after 104 years

A handwritten English version of the Feb. 8 Declaration of Independence, which triggered subsequent independence movements in Korea and abroad, has been discovered after 104 years, the Independence Hall of Korea said Thursday. The handwritten copy was found during an analysis of research materials which were borrowed from the Korean National Association Memorial Foundation in Los Angeles in 2019, the state run institution said. The Feb. 8 Independence Declaration was issued by some 600 Korean

CultureFeb. 23, 2023

Global Biz Forum discusses economic slowdown

The Korea Herald’s Global Biz Forum held its second-week session Wednesday to shed light on South Korea’s status and role amid growing fears of a global economic slowdown. The Global Biz Forum is a platform that brings together CEOs, industry experts and diplomats here to explore diverse topics and share their knowledge and insight for new opportunities. The week’s special guests and speakers included Maria Castillo-Fernandez, ambassador of the European Union to South Korea, Le

PeopleFeb. 23, 2023

Jeon Jong-seo’s Hollywood debut film ‘Mona Lisa and Blood Moon’ to open in March

New Hollywood thriller “Mona Lisa and Blood Moon” starring actor Jeon Jong-seo will hit local theaters on March 22. It is the Hollywood debut for the 28-year-old actor, who made her silver screen debut in award-winning director Lee Chang-dong’s thriller “Burning” (2018). Most recently, she appeared as Tokyo in Netflix series “Money Heist: Korea -- Joint Economic Area” (2022). This thriller fantasy film revolves around Bonnie Hunt (Kate Hudson), a single

FilmFeb. 23, 2023

Artist Lee Hae-eun creates handcrafted works with traditional Korean paper

Artist Lee Hae-eun has produced a variety of bags and shoes using "hanji," traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark. Delving into the world of traditional paper, she quickly learned how unique hanji is compared to paper from other Asian countries. “Hanji is durable, preservable and has good ventilation compared to ‘hwaji,’ Japanese mulberry paper or ‘seonji,’ Chinese mulberry paper, which have their own characteristics,” Lee said at a forum o

Arts & DesignFeb. 22, 2023

Park Hae-soo returns to theater as Mephisto in 'Faust'

Actor Park Hae-soo is returning to the theater stage after sweeping the globe in Netflix’s “Squid Game,” “Money Heist” and “Narco-Saints.” Park plays Mephistopheles, or Mephisto the devil, in Goethe’s tragic play “Faust” slated to run at LG Arts Center Seoul, from March 31 to April 29. Before his fame in film and television after making a breakthrough performance in tvN’s “Prison Playbook,” Park had been a prolific sta

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2023