Poet Ko Un releases new books five years after sexual harassment allegation

Korean poet Ko Un, 90, who had stayed away from the literary scene after sexual harassment allegations were made against him in 2017, has returned with a new collection of poems. Silcheon Munhak published Ko’s latest collection of poetry, “Song of Nothingness,” along with a collection of conversations, “Conversation With Ko Un,” on Dec. 20. The publisher said 2023 marks the 65th anniversary of the poet's debut in 1958. The two books are Ko's first publicat

BooksJan. 10, 2023

Jeon Do-yeon excited to return with romance series after 17 years

Jeon Do-yeon shared a mixed bag of emotions about her long-anticipated return to a romance series in “Crash Course in Romance.” “It has been a very long time to read a script with bright stories. I was simply drawn to the series’ bright, positive energy,” Jeon said during an online press conference Monday. “My character revealed some of the sides that I had forgotten for a long time.” The Cannes-winning actor shared that she felt pressure and questioned

TelevisionJan. 10, 2023

[Graphic News] South Korean art market surpasses 1tr won in 2022

The South Korean art market surpassed 1 trillion won ($782 million) in total sales for the first time in 2022 on strong sales of artworks through galleries and art fairs, the Culture Ministry said. The trade volume of artworks increased 37.2 percent from 756.3 billion won in 2021 to 1.037 trillion won in 2022 despite the global economic woes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. By sector, art fairs experienced the largest growth of 59.8 percent from

CultureJan. 10, 2023

Harry’s racism 'olive branch' dismissed in UK as book comes out

　 London (AFP) - Prince Harry‘s denial that he accused his family of racism was interpreted in the UK press Monday as a bizarre peace offering, but commentators argued the damage had already been done as his unflinching memoir comes out. The midnight release of “Spare” is being accompanied by four television interviews in Britain and the United States, where Harry now lives with wife Meghan. In the first to air, with Britain’s ITV, the Duke of Sussex caused bafflement b

BooksJan. 9, 2023

MMCA inappropriately purchased artworks, illegally spent funds: audit

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea was found to have committed 16 illegal or inappropriate deeds in managing the museum, according to the result of a special audit released by the Culture Ministry on Monday. The 16 cases include inappropriate process of purchasing artworks and illegal spending of the MMCA Foundation fund as incentives to the museum’s employees. The foundation, also led by the museum's director, was established in 2013 to support the museum. The

Arts & DesignJan. 9, 2023

Korean production of 'The Phantom of the Opera' to return after 13 years

The Korean production of the musical “The Phantom of the Opera” is returning for the first time in 13 years. The third Korean-language revival after the 2001 and 2009 runs, the latest production is set to premiere in Busan and will feature headlining actor Cho Seung-woo, musical actor Jeon Dong-suk and baritone Julian Kim as the Phantom. Sohn Ji-soo and Song Eun-hye will take the role of Christine. The Busan performances will kick off at Dream Theatre, a venue dedicated to musicals

PerformanceJan. 9, 2023

[Newsmaker] Is Kim Yo-jong a spare for Kim Jong-un?

To the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his younger sister Kim Yo-jong is a very special figure. Kim Yo-jong assists Kim Jong-un at close range for official events. She is intimately involved in important international affairs and wields great influence over the politburo. Is Kim Yo-jong a successor to Kim Jong-un? Or a top spare for the Kim dynasty? asked Yoshihiro Makino, a reporter and former Seoul bureau chief of the Asahi Shimbun, one of the four largest newspapers in Japan, in his recently

BooksJan. 9, 2023

Incheon Airport resumes transit tours

Incheon Airport relaunched its daily transit tour program departing at the airport terminals on Jan. 1. Transit tours are provided free of charge to passengers transferring to another country via Incheon Airport. Using their transfer wait time, passengers can tour major attractions on round-trip tour buses, led by professional guides. Seven different tours are on offer, with four new courses added to the list. The four are: "Past and Present," which visits Cheong Wa Dae and Tongin Ma

TravelJan. 9, 2023

[Feature] Galleries cautiously optimistic amid possible economic recession

The Korean art market has enjoyed an unprecedented period of growth over the past couple years, seeing a record-breaking number of visitors to successive art fairs, including last year's inaugural Frieze Seoul. The timing also coincided with international galleries opening or expanding in Seoul, lending credence to the claim that the capital was on its way to becoming the next hub of the Asian art market. The value of the Korean art market surpassed one trillion won for the first time. Befo

Arts & DesignJan. 9, 2023

Jindo National Gugak Center invites overseas groups for gugak training

Overseas groups who perform gugak, or traditional Korean music, can apply to receive free training in Korea. The Jindo National Gugak Center, located in South Jeolla Province, is accepting applications for the “2023 Invitation Program for Overseas Koreans and Gugak Groups” until Jan. 20. Around eight sessions will be held from March to October. Each session -- with 10 to 20 people per session -- will run for two weeks. Selected participants can choose one to three areas of interest,

CultureJan. 8, 2023

[Hello Hangeul] The complications of the 'one-inch' barrier

The following series is part of The Korea Herald’s “Hello Hangeul” project which consists of interviews, in-depth analyses, videos and various other forms of content that shed light on the stories of people who are learning the Korean language and the correlation between Korea’s soft power and the rise of its language within the league of world languages. – Ed. Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho made headlines by using his acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Glo

TelevisionJan. 8, 2023

‘I Live Alone’ poised to become all-time favorite reality show in MBC

With its latest episode recording 11.7 percent viewership, terrestrial broadcaster MBC’s “I Live Alone” topped the viewership ratings among all Friday reality TV shows for 30 consecutive weeks. The Friday night unscripted show caught the viewers’ attention across the globe with the realistic depiction of the everyday life of its hosts and other guest celebrities, both in and outside of their homes. According to the Gallup Korea poll on the best Korean TV shows, “I L

TelevisionJan. 8, 2023

Woodstock festival to land in Korea for first time

The legendary Woodstock festival is coming to Korea with the theme of "freedom, peace and love." The festival will be held from July 29 to 30, at the Hantangang River Geopark complex, in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province in memory of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement, SGC Entertainment announced Friday. The company said it has signed an official copyright agreement with the Woodstock Music and Art Fair to host the three-day festival in Korea. Launched in 1969 in Bet

PerformanceJan. 8, 2023

Author, publisher share stories behind record export deal for fantasy saga

The author of the fantasy saga that broke the record for a single export deal in Korean literature said he could never have predicted it. “I don’t know how to say this right … but I have seen people who hated my writing. Of course I do see readers who loved my work but it doesn’t feel real,” Lee Yeong-do told The Korea Herald. Lee’s four-part fantasy series “The Bird That Drinks Tears” recently sold to a European publisher for about 300 million wo

BooksJan. 7, 2023

'Dangerous' winter temptation: blowfish

Blowfish, also known as puffer fish, is undeniably one of the top winter delicacies. The clean, light taste of the fish meat with its unique chewy texture stands out among other types of edible fish. Rich in essential amino acid taurine, blowfish is known to help with blood circulation and warm up the body. It does not contain neutral fat, which can help with weight loss and protects healthy skin. The blowfish skin has abundant selenium, a source studied to have anti-cancer effects. Called "

FoodJan. 7, 2023

[Temple to Table] Jangkalguksu, Korean spicy noodle soup

Nestled in the foothills of Bukhansan Mountain and run by Buddhist nuns, Jinkwansa Temple exudes a classical grace. Dignified and elegant, the temple compound radiates a tranquil beauty. Its large jangdokdae (earthenware crock stand) is filled with orderly rows of crocks holding traditional Korean sauces. To attain its current status, the temple had to overcome many challenges. Although it was established during the Goryeo era, most of its buildings burned down during the Korean War. The temple

FoodJan. 7, 2023

[Eye interview] Intercultural communication key to sustainability of Hallyu

In 2003, interpreter to statesmen and global leaders Choi Jung-wha launched the Corea Image Communication Institute with the goal of communicating Korea’s image to the world. Both frustration and optimism motivated her. “People ask why a private individual took on the task of promoting Korea’s image. Well, I traveled to many different countries as an interpreter. But, really, no one ever asked ‘Are you Korean?’ This really upset me,” said Choi in a recent inte

CultureJan. 7, 2023

British painters Rose Wylie, Michael Craig-Martin show works at Seongnam Cube Art Museum

British contemporary artists Rose Wylie and Michael Craig-Martin have been brought together for the first time at Seongnam Cube Art Museum, presenting different artistic worlds of their own, but sharing one thing in common: wit. The joint exhibition “Two Seasons” shows some 50 artworks by the two artists who had solo shows in past years in Seoul. Their works were put together at Seongnam Cube Art Museum in Gyeonggi Province for visitors who wish to see the paintings by the two promin

Arts & DesignJan. 6, 2023

Heartwarming family film ‘Two Heart’ begins shooting

A heartwarming family movie revolving around young patients in the children’s ward, “Two Heart” began shooting on Jan. 2, production companies Miro Vision and Studio Santa Claus Entertainment said Friday. Starring Jung Man-sik and On Joo-wan, the film is expected among industry insiders to become the next touching drama film on the scale of “Miracle in Cell No. 7” for its heartrending storyline. Comedy-drama “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” released in 2013, sol

FilmJan. 6, 2023

[Newsmaker] Culture Ministry prioritizes boosting content, tourism industries in 2023

  The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on boosting South Korea’s content and tourism industries in 2023, it said on Thursday during a New Year’s policy briefing to President Yoon Suk Yeol. The ministry has set out a goal to achieve $22 billion in content exports by 2027, significantly up from $12.4 billion in 2021. The ministry will inject 790 billion won ($625 million) in policy funds to help boost content exports in 2023. For tourism, the ministry aims to inc

CultureJan. 6, 2023