[Herald Interview] Bae Doo-na wants to spread social message through her film

After 25 years of acting, Bae Doo-na doesn’t want her real personality off camera to be too distinctive -- it may influence how the audiences view the characters she plays. Rather than drawing attention to herself, she wants to spread messages on social issues through her work. “Next Sohee” is based on a true event. It is about a 2017 incident in which a high school student took her own life after taking a grueling job training program at a call center. Bae plays a detective

FilmFeb. 6, 2023

Rivers flow freely between two Koreas at Pace Gallery

American artist Maya Lin wears many hats. She is an installation artist, sculptor, architect and sometimes an environmental activist. Visually beautiful, her works engage in dialogue and hold value in nature. Recent works by the globally acclaimed artist were unveiled at Pace Gallery in Seoul's “Nature Knows No Boundaries” exhibition, running through March 11, inviting viewers to reflect on the history of the Korean Peninsula as well as how climate change is eroding the globe. F

Arts & DesignFeb. 6, 2023

[Subway Stories] Dongnimmun Station, where memories of heroes are commemorated

Almost immediately, one can feel the nationalistic pride that fills Dongnimmun Station as the taegeuk mark and the four black trigrams of the Taegeukgi, the national flag, can be seen across multiple corners of the Line No.3 terminal. It is one of the few subway stations in Seoul that has its own unique design reflecting the significance of the surrounding areas. Such meaning can be found immediately upon stepping out of exit No. 3, adjacent to a small exhibition hall named “House for

TravelFeb. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘Nine Fox Gambit’ author highlights history, gender in sci-fi fantasy romance

The Korean edition of the science fiction fantasy novel “Phoenix Extravagant” by Korean American author Yoon Ha Lee hit local bookshelves on Jan. 17. The book was published by Hubble, a sci-fi imprint of East-Asia Publishing Co. The English edition was released in October 2020. The three-time Hugo Award nominee for his space opera trilogy “Machineries of Empire” -- which includes “Ninefox Gambit,” “Raven Stratagem” and “Revenant Gun” --

BooksFeb. 4, 2023

Nourishing traditions for Jeongwol Daeboreum

On the day of the first full moon of the lunar calendar, which falls on the 15th day of the new year according to the lunar calendar, Koreans celebrate Jeongwol Daeboreum. The history of Jeongwol Daeboreum dates back to the Three Kingdoms period. With traditional food and drinks shared among families and neighbors on this festive day, people send their wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year to the first full moon. Special days mean special dishes. On Daeboreum, ogokbap (rice mixed with fiv

FoodFeb. 4, 2023

The colder the better

WONJU, Gangwon Province -- With temperatures dropping nationwide, long puffer jackets can be spotted everywhere. While many people begrudgingly head outside armed with heavy gloves, winter hats and mufflers, ice climbers can’t hide their smiles as they stand in front of the ice wall in Wonju, Gangwon Province. “It was pretty cold last week! I heard Seoul’s temperature dropped to minus 18 degrees Celsius right? That sounds like a good time to enjoy some ice climbing,” Pand

TravelFeb. 4, 2023

Korea Foundation looks for print artists to join Chiang Mai residency program

Korea Foundation and the ASEAN Foundation are inviting five contemporary Korean artists to take part in the inaugural "Konnect ASEAN – Chiang Mai Print Residency for Korean artists," which will take place in northern Thailand's Chiang Mai. The monthlong program that will start in July is to provide access to print studios, public programs and other promotional activities for print artists while they work in the city. The residency program will promote collaboration and netwo

Arts & DesignFeb. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] Top musical producer Shin Chun-soo sets sights beyond Korea

Shin Chun-soo, chief producer of OD Co., has been dealing with thyroid problems recently, a condition he described as even harder to deal with than his open-heart surgery two years ago. Shin confesses to being less and less stimulated by company. Once an extrovert, he has retreated to literature and musical books in his enduring search for inspiration. But when he talks about musicals and his upcoming projects in and outside Korea, his face lights up. Shin was originally a wannabe movie director

PerformanceFeb. 3, 2023

German artist Anne Imhof delivers hope for youth at Coex K-Pop Square every night

South Korea’s landmark illuminated billboard in southern Seoul will present “Youth” by acclaimed German artist Anne Imhof every day at 8:23 p.m. throughout the month, inspiring young people to hold out hope despite frustrating situations. The presentation is scheduled to kick off at 8:23 p.m. on Friday at Coex K-Pop Square in Gangnam, Seoul, which is the largest light-emitting diode billboard in the country. The work will also be shown at 8:23 p.m. in Hong Kong, London, Berlin,

Arts & DesignFeb. 3, 2023

[Herald Review] Classic play ‘Seagull’ brings authenticity, sincerity to stage

The classic tale of Anton Chekhov’s play “The Seagull” fills the stage for two hours and 10 minutes with sympathetic characters and their presence. Classical plays suffer from the general prejudice that they are boring, but in "The Seagull" directed by 88-year-old actor Lee Soon-jae, the cast of veteran actors delivers Chekhov's message that still resonates with audiences today. Set in a countryside mansion belonging to Sorin, a retired civil servant, the play st

PerformanceFeb. 3, 2023

‘Devil’s Deal’ depicts instinctive desire, betrayal in crime noir

Director Lee Won-tae returns with another crime noir flick, “The Devil’s Deal,” four years after he was invited to the Cannes Film Festival for 2019’s "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.” Reunited with “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil” actor Kim Moo-yeol, director Lee said he cast Cho Jin-woong early on and the acting roster was “nicely completed” when “Reborn Rich” actor Lee Sung-min joined at last. “From when I was re

FilmFeb. 3, 2023

[Well-curated] Bowling night, Netflix binge, topped off with ramen just the way you like it

Bowling alley with neon lights and rock-'n-'roll February has begun, but the evenings in Seoul are still quite chilly after sundown. When it feels too early to call it a day with friends or acquaintances, a special bowling alley decorated with flashy neon lights and some rock music awaits. Only a three-minute walk from Gangnam Station's Exit No. 10, Temple Strike, a bowling alley located on the basement floor of the bustling district, opens from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. the next mornin

CultureFeb. 3, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul presents special dim sum brunch Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's authentic Cantonese Chinese restaurant, "Yu Yuan," presents "Weekend Champagne and Dim Sum Brunch," starting Saturday. Yu Yuan's special brunch features Hong Kong's unique food culture, yamcha, which means to enjoy a variety of food including dim sum, with tea for breakfast and lunch, with friends and family. All dishes are prepared by dim sum chef Jia Wen Li, who has more than

FoodFeb. 3, 2023

Simple namul cooking tips

Koreans traditionally harvested fresh vegetables in the summer to be dried and stored for the winter months. On Daeboreum, the dried vegetables are prepared as namul. Nine different types of namul are enjoyed on Daeboreum, including fernbrake, thistle, radish leaves, green pumpkin, eggplant and castor beans. The type of namul served can vary by region. These days, people keep the tradition of having namul, but try to make it simple, by having two or three different types instead of all nine namu

FoodFeb. 3, 2023

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Babylon” (US) Opened Feb. 1 Drama Directed by Damien Chazelle Set in Hollywood’s late 1920s, “Babylon” chronicles the rise and fall of ambitious dreamers -- singers, actors and filmmakers -- in the movie industry, depicting Hollywood’s transition from silent to sound films. The film, starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, is director Damien Chazelle's follow-up to the well-regarded La La Land in 2016 and First Man in 2018.     “BTS

FilmFeb. 3, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hallim Park Narcissus Festival The Narcissus Festival, which began Jan. 21, will run through Feb. 19 at Hallim Park, one of the most popular tourist spots on Jeju Island. The park, reaching almost 100 thousand square meters in size, is home to various types of flowers and plants. More than a million narcissuses welcome flower lovers during its flowering season. Admission is 9,000 won ($7.38), 10,000 won and 15,000 won for children, teenagers and adults, respectively. Online reservation can be

TravelFeb. 3, 2023

Webtoon ‘Dark Moon: The Blood Altar’ records 100 million views

Webtoon “Dark Moon: The Blood Altar” has recorded 100 million views worldwide as of Wednesday, Hybe, the K-pop powerhouse behind the superband BTS said. An original webtoon collaboration between Hybe and Naver Webtoon, “Dark Moon: The Blood Altar” is a fantasy webtoon featuring seven members of Hybe boy band Enhyphen as werewolves. The story develops as a mysterious new student Soo-ha -- a vampire -- transfers to the school and draws the attention of the werewolves. Seria

BooksFeb. 2, 2023

Berlin festival-bound ‘Kill Boksoon’ set for March 31 Netflix release

Upcoming action thriller “Kill Boksoon” confirmed its release on Netflix for March 31. The release follows the film's world premiere at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival later this month. The film features Cannes-winning actor Jeon Do-yeon as Gil Bok-soon, a single mom who juggles being a professional killer and raising her teenage daughter Jae-young (Kim Si-a). Although Gil has an unblemished track record as an assassin and never has never missed a target, she decides

FilmFeb. 2, 2023

Overseas Koreans Foundation provides traditional instruments, costumes

Overseas Korean schools, cultural communities and organizations can apply to receive traditional cultural items through the Overseas Koreans Foundation’s website, the state-run organization announced Tuesday. Categories of items include traditional instruments, costumes and folk games. Applications will be accepted online until Feb. 21. The project’s purpose is for Koreans abroad to maintain and inherit Korean music, arts and culture. While promoting cultural exchanges between gene

CultureFeb. 2, 2023

Performing arts boast strong ticket sales and revenue in 2022

Last year’s ticket sales for Korea’s performing arts scene not only returned to pre-pandemic levels but jumped 43 percent from 2019, according to data released by the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System Wednesday. The combined revenue of 14,447 musicals, theatrical plays, classical concerts and other performances came to 55.90 billion won ($45 million) in 2022, up 43 percent from pre-pandemic revenue in 2019. Compared with 2021, the figure soared by 82 percent. In ter

CultureFeb. 1, 2023