‘Decision to Leave’ receives two nominations at BAFTA

Although director Park Chan-wook left this year’s Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Awards empty handed, now all eyes are on whether he will be given a trophy at the 2023 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), whose finalists were announced Thursday night. According to BAFTA, Cannes-winning romance-thriller “Decision to Leave” has been nominated in two categories: Best director and best film not in the English language. It marks Park’s second time recei

FilmJan. 20, 2023

Collection of Bora Chung’s early short stories hits shelves

The name Bora Chung was trending on the Korean literary scene last year after she was shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize, one of the largest literary awards in the world. Although her name appeared to have come from nowhere, the author of “Cursed Bunny” has been writing under the pen name Chung Do-gyung for over 20 years. A collection of short stories from Chung’s early career written under her pen name hit local bookshelves Friday. “We hope this book wil

BooksJan. 20, 2023

[Well-curated] Sledding, cozy tea and show of old and new for Lunar New Year holiday

Sledding at Ttukseom Hangang Park Take Exit No. 2 from Ttukseom Station on Subway Line 7 and you will find a sledding park run by the Ttukseom Hangang Park for the winter season. The 55-meter-long slope may not look so steep at first sight -- it is 6 meters at its highest point -- but after a couple of rides, your inner child will have you standing in line for another ride. You can ride as many times as you like. The speed and the gush of winds will take you to the bottom of the slope in a blink

CultureJan. 20, 2023

'고은과의 대화’ 대담집 쓴 자한베글루 교수, '고은은 전 인류적인 시인'

최근 한국에 번역 출간된 ‘고은과의 대화’ 저자 라민 자한베글루 교수는 고은 시인을 영국의 W. H. 오든, 딜런 토마스, 프랑스의 보들레르, 칠레의 파블로 네루다 등과 같은 ‘세계적인 시인’ 이라 말했다. 인도의 O.P. 진달 글로벌 대학의 자한베글루 교수는 코리아헤럴드와의 서면 인터뷰에서 고은은 “한국 문화뿐만 아니라 전체 인류에 속하는 시인”이라며 이같이 답했다. 나치 정권에 가담한 독일 철학자 하이데거, 프랑스의 스탈린주의자 시인 루이 아라곤, 파시스트였던 시인 에즈라 파운드를 언급한 뒤, 자한베글루 교수는 각 문화권에서 이들에 대한 평가가 다른 것처럼 고은 시인에 대한 견해도 다를 수 있다고 주장했다. 교수는 “비폭력을 믿고 모든 형태의 폭력은 거부”한다며 전 세계적으로 인기를 끌었던 넷플릭스 시리즈 ‘오징어 게임’과 같은 형태로 묘사된 폭력에 대해서도 같은 입장이라

BooksJan. 19, 2023

Revenge K-drama leads to overseas movement to expose school violence

The global popularity and attention on Netflix thriller and suspense drama “The Glory” has resulted in an unforeseen development: Past bullying incidents of overseas celebrities have come to light as victims of school violence speak up by taking to social media. “The Glory,” which was released on Netflix in December of last year, depicts the life of a school violence victim Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), a revenge-driven female character who survived horrific abuse and see

TelevisionJan. 19, 2023

Pampers' diaper donation campaign marks 6th anniversary in Korea

P&G Korea said Thursday that its Pampers brand, the world's No. 1 diaper maker, has donated a total of 32,000 boxes of diapers, worth 2.7 billion ($2.2 million), over the past six years. Since launching the diaper donation campaign in 2017, the diapers have been delivered to more than 10 social welfare organizations, including children’s hospitals, across the nation. The company said it has devoted efforts to creating a culture of sharing by putting a donation campaign into action

PeopleJan. 19, 2023

[Herald Review] Arts on stage: two plays on how music and art shape our lives

Actors on stage do more than just read lines -- they sing songs, appreciate paintings and rekindle inspiration. Two gripping plays currently running in Seoul -- John Marans’ “Old Wicked Songs” and Lee Halls' “The Pitmen Painters” -- bring music and art to the stage, exploring the depth of arts and how they shape our lives. Music school drama in "Old Wicked Songs” Set in the spring of 1986 at a music school in Vienna, the play “Old Wicked Song

PerformanceJan. 18, 2023

'AI X Moonshot 2023' held to gather ideas for SDGs

AI SDGs Camp “AI X Moonshot 2023” was held on Wednesday, setting the stage for 120 students to compete with their ideas for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. “AI X Moonshot 2023” -- a program in the Ministry of Education's “Digital New Software, AI Camp” -- project took place at Interbulgo Hotel in Daegu with 200 attendees, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) and Daegu National University of Education jointly announced on

PeopleJan. 18, 2023

Jewelry brand L’Dezen launches NFT edition of its jewelry

Global jewelry brand L’Dezen unveiled Tuesday its limited edition non-fungible token creation based on the brand’s award-winning “Blooming of Ages” ring at Meta Z Lounge in southern Seoul. The founder of the jewelry brand, designer Payal Shah, showcased physical and digital versions of the ring at Tuesday’s event. Founded a decade ago by Shah, the brand has styled diamonds for such celebrities as Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Michelle Obama. The physical ring, which

PeopleJan. 18, 2023

Artist Lee Ung-no's work from time in prison brought to light of day

Lee Ungno Museum in Daejon is shedding light on Korean modern artist Lee Ung-no's career from the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on how the late artist strove to break away from the conventional style of painting. The exhibition “Lee Ungno: New Style,” which launched Tuesday and runs through April 2, explores 62 artworks that he created over the two decades following the Korean War (1950-53). Lee, who helped pioneer Korean contemporary art, left for France in 1958 upon invitation b

Arts & DesignJan. 18, 2023

Take a free shuttle to Cheong Wa Dae

A shuttle to Cheong Wa Dae that circuits back to Gyeongbokgung is free of charge for everyone starting this year. The Cheong Wa Dae tour bus launched last June and was only free to people over 65, children under 8, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. The number of passengers last year amounted to 49,820, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. The shuttle runs 12 times a day, 15 minutes apart. A separate shuttle with a wheelchair lift will also be in service. The bu

TravelJan. 18, 2023

[Herald Interview] Director Yim Soon-rye’s first-ever action movie minimizes killing, focuses on humanism

Many know director Yim Soon-rye for her flagship storytelling about humanism and art-house scenes in “Little Forest” (2018) and “Forever the Moment” (2008). “The Point Men,” which opened in theaters Wednesday, is Yim's first-ever action film in a career that spans nearly three decades. The film, starring two much sought-after stars, shows Yim's unconventional approach to action scenes that reflects her insistence on relaying a heartfelt drama. &ldquo

FilmJan. 18, 2023

Bamberg Symphony to perform with pianist Kim Sun-wook

The Bamberg Symphony, a prestigious German orchestra led by rising Czech conductor Jakub Hrusa, will return to South Korea for the first time since 2017. This time, the orchestra will join hands with South Korean pianist Kim Sun-wook. On March 29, the 77-year-old orchestra will perform Bruckner’s Symphonic Prelude, WAB 332 and Schumann's Piano Concerto, Op. 54 with Kim. After intermission, they will return to the stage with Dvorak Symphony No. 8, Op. 88, B. 163. at Seoul Arts Center

PerformanceJan. 18, 2023

Korean-language play to be staged at Belgian theater

A Korean play called “Chronicles of Alibis” will be staged at KVS, Brussels, on Wednesday, the first time a Korean-language play is being performed in Belgium. English subtitles will be provided, according to the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, which organized the performance in conjunction with the Korean Culture and Information Service. “Chronicles of Alibis” is an autobiographical narrative of playwright-director Kim Jae-yeop’s father and o

PerformanceJan. 18, 2023

ACC Residency seeks soundscape researchers, artists

Asia Culture Center in Gwangju is accepting applications starting Jan. 25 for the 2023 ACC Residency program, inviting participants engaged in soundscape works to explore acoustic environments in cultural and geopolitical contexts with an emphasis on the sounds of Asian cities. Collaboration with the ACC Sound Art Lab, currently engaged in a long-term project called "Futures of Listening," is part of the residency program. A number of Asian cities have undergone rapid urbanization unde

Arts & DesignJan. 17, 2023

Conductor Jaap van Zweden shares his vision for Seoul Philharmonic

Just three days before the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra's New Year's Concerts on Jan. 12 and 13, the Seoul city orchestra’s incoming music director Jaap van Zweden arrived in Seoul, some six months earlier than scheduled. Van Zweden stepped in for Osmo Vanska, SPO’s music director until 2022, who was unable to conduct the concerts due to an unexpected fall the previous month. “I pray for Vanska’s fast recovery. For me, I was able to get to know the orchestra m

PerformanceJan. 17, 2023

'Showman' takes home best musical of the year

“Showman: A Dictator’s Fourth Body Double,” a black comedy created by a Korean creative team, took home the award for best musical of the year at the 7th Korea Musical Awards ceremony, Monday evening at LG Arts Center in Seoul. “Showman,” a story revolving around Nebula, a mysterious, eccentric old man who insists that he is a body double, and Sua, a fake photographer who tries to prey on Nebula, was created by writer Han Jung-seok, composer Lee Sun Young, and direc

PerformanceJan. 17, 2023

[Herald Interview] Daom Holdings takes people-oriented approach for sustainable growth

Supporting vulnerable people, especially children and women, to get back on their feet has been a powerful catalyst for the chairperson of Korean real estate developer Daom Holdings to keep her business going. Kim Ju-young, who has over 20 years’ experience in land development business under her belt, has ambitious goals -- both for her company and life -- that she wants to achieve in five years. One of them is making her company with 100 employees double its assets to 1 trillion won ($805

PeopleJan. 17, 2023

[Korean Dilemma] Is time up for feasts for ghosts of Korea's patriarchal past?

The Korean tradition of ancestral rites has been passed down through generations for thousands of years. But it may be only a matter of time before the ritual disappears for good. The lighting of incense, circling of rice wine and bowing before a table of assorted food items offered to one’s dead ancestors are called “charye” on major holidays like Seollal (New Year’s Day) and Chuseok, and “jesa” on their death anniversaries. The tradition itself means well. B

CultureJan. 17, 2023

Exhibition of traditional, contemporary hanbok opens at Ara Art Center

Traditional hanbok and everyday hanbok that can be worn at work are on show at Ara Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul, until Jan. 29. Titled "New Year, Hanbok," the exhibition not only introduces the beauty of hanbok, but also gives visitors the chance to think about how the value of traditional hanbok and old Korean customs are diminishing today. Five hanbok designers participated in the exhibition titled "Traditional Hanbok, Life Rituals" to present a total of 10 hanbok pieces.

Arts & DesignJan. 17, 2023