Cinecube Art Film Premiere Festival to screen cinema from around the world

An art film festival returns to Cinecube in Jongno, central Seoul, offering a chance to watch a selection of acclaimed international art films that have attracted attention globally. A total of 11 art films will be premiered at the 2022 Cinecube Art Film Premiere Festival, starting Thursday. Cinecube, which opened in 2000, has been hosting the event annually since 2009. This year’s festival comprises three sections: Cannes’ Choice, Faces of Relationship and Life by Art, Art by Life.

FilmNov. 29, 2022

Kumho Art Hall selects pianist Kim Su-yeon as artist-in-residence for 2023

Pianist Kim Su Yeon has been selected as Kumho Art Hall’s artist-in-residence, according to the Kumho Cultural Foundation, the operator of the venue, on Tuesday. As the artist-in-residence, Kim will present four performances under the theme “Melodies: Paintings and Music” throughout next year. Kim’s first concert will take place on Jan. 5 at the venue’s New Year’s concert “Sketch.” She will return with “Blending” on April 27 and &ldqu

CultureNov. 29, 2022

El Anatsui turns bottle caps into glittering golden tapestry at second show in Seoul

A golden tapestry-like assemblage shimmers on a wall struck by light coming through a large glass window. The 6-meter-tall installation “New World Symphony” is a new work created by acclaimed Ghanaian artist El Anatsui for his second show in Seoul at Barakat Contemporary. It is hard to tell that the shimmering comes from light hitting numerous small bottle caps unless one takes a very close look. Bottle caps have been a significant art medium for the artist since the late 1990s. It i

Arts & DesignNov. 28, 2022

Jazz musicians, artists team up for environment

Jazz vocalists have teamed up with artists from different fields to launch the Green Jazz Movement. Leading the movement is Woong San, a major jazz artist in the local scene for decades, who also serves as chairman of the Korea Jazz Association. Ten other jazz vocalists -- Lee Ju-mi, Cho Jung-hee, Lee Dae-won, Park Ra-on, Kim Hyo-jung, Kim Maria, Kim Min-hee, Nam Ye-ji, You Sa-rang and Park Jae-hong -- have joined forces to highlight a number of environmental issues. The release of the campaign

PerformanceNov. 28, 2022

With new album, Lim Yun-chan shows his direction as pianist

The steps that 18-year-old pianist Lim Yun-chan are taking after his sensational win at the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June are perhaps far from the expectations of many. Instead of releasing his own album, his first work post-competition is a collaboration with the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra. He has also refused to play what he performed at the competition during his upcoming Seoul recital on Dec. 10. During a press conference on Monday, Lim shared the unique thought pr

CultureNov. 28, 2022

Tving’s 'Finders Keepers' reveals human desire, instinct through children's game

Starting with a curiosity about how adults will behave in a childhood game, Tving's upcoming game show "Finders Keepers" presents 24 participants competing in a treasure hunt for a 500 million won ($373,000) prize and observing their changing behaviors. “Issues that are closely related to money became more important than ever. Many people start to judge others, questioning whether they deserve to earn or to have so much money. Variety shows tend to reflect the era we liv

TelevisionNov. 28, 2022

Why watch the whole movie when you can watch recaps?

A growing number of YouTubers who create recap videos summarizing mostly movies and dramas are enjoying popularity among viewers who appreciate their convenience. YouTuber Go Mong Tube, who started his channel back in 2016, is a prominent player in the field. His channel, which mainly recaps Korean movies and dramas, has more than 600 videos and over 2.14 million subscribers. One of the most popular videos on his channel is the Indian hero movie “Krrish” that has racked up more than

CultureNov. 28, 2022

Actress Son Ye-jin gives birth to son with actor Hyun Bin

South Korean actress Son Ye-jin has given birth to a son, her management agency said Monday, eight months after marrying actor Hyun Bin. Son delivered the baby Sunday and both of them are in good health, MSteam Entertainment said. The celebrity couple, both aged 40, tied the knot in March and announced her pregnancy in June. They co-starred in the 2018 film "The Negotiation" and "Crash Landing On You," cable TV channel tvN's 2019-20 global hit rom-com TV series. (Yonhap)

PeopleNov. 28, 2022

[Subway Stories] Old railway turns into urban park

Before the Korean War a railway connected Seoul and now North Korean city of Sinuiju, working as a main route traversing the country vertically. Eventually the two Koreas, along with railway, or Gyeongui Line, were severed, save for a section connecting Seoul and its satellite cities, known as the Gyeongui-Jungang Line. After a plan to transform the obsolete over-ground railway into an urban park launched in 2010, the park was made accessible to the general public in three phases and finally com

CultureNov. 27, 2022

‘Squid Game’ star Oh Young-soo taken down from stage drama, ads

The 79th Golden Globe winner Oh Young-soo stepped down from his role in the local stage production “Love Letters,” scheduled to be performed Jan. 14 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, after he was indicted on charges of indecent assault on Friday. A woman filed a complaint with the police against the 78-year-old actor in December 2021 and the case was sent to prosecutors in February. The case was returned to the police for additional investigation and the police dismissed the case in

TelevisionNov. 27, 2022

‘Decision to Leave’ wins 6 awards at Blue Dragon Film Awards, including best film

Filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s Cannes-winning romance-thriller “Decision to Leave” swept major categories at this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards, one of the most prestigious film events here. The film, nominated in 12 categories, took six trophies including best film, best director, best actor and best actress awards during the 43rd edition of the ceremony held at KBS Hall in Seoul, on Friday night. The film revolves around a detective, played by Park Hae-il, who investigates

FilmNov. 27, 2022

Scottish whisky Balvenie, Korean artisans collaborate to create art

The Balvenie, a single malt Scotch whisky, has collaborated with Korean artisans for the exhibition “The Balvenie Makers Exhibition," highlighting one thing they have in common -- the unrelenting pursuit of the highest craftsmanship when creating their products. Hwigyeomjae in Bukchon, Seoul, built as a hanok, is decorated with barley, provoking curiosity from visitors about barley's relation to the whisky brand. Founded in 1892, Balvenie still grows its own barley for malting an

FoodNov. 26, 2022

[Weekender] Jeju Biennale shows the island's natural identity

JEJU CITY -- About an hour‘s flight from the South Korean capital of Seoul, Jeju Island is a popular destination for those who want to get away from the grit of the city. The ubiquitous porous basalt, covering more than 90 percent of the island, is evidence that the island was created as a result of volcanic activity. "Dolharubang," or village guardian statues carved out of porous basalt, fresh seafood, mandarin oranges and more than 368 parasitic cones are iconic symbols of t

TravelNov. 26, 2022

Looking for stars on a clear, cold night

YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- Autumn is peak season for stargazing in Korea, as the arrival of chilly weather also brings clear skies. Some 60 kilometers east of Seoul, the small county of Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, is home to one of South Korea’s most popular observatories, Jungmisan Astronomical Observatory. After a 40- to 50-minute drive along the Han River, visitors climb the winding roads of Jungmisan and arrive at the observatory in the thick of a mountain forest. The occasion

TravelNov. 26, 2022

[Temple to Table] Cold remedy: Black trumpet mushroom

Stories of temple food ingredients told by monastics embody the culture of temples. Their communal lifestyle necessitates handling food in bulk like restaurants, but, unlike restaurants, temples depend a lot on preserving food. In spring and fall they prepare ingredients in bulk and store them to use when needed. In spring, a temple may order 300 kilograms of shiitake mushrooms, dry and store them, and use them for up to a year. Spring is the best time to prepare dried shiitake mushrooms because

FoodNov. 26, 2022

Korean ancient book, women's poetry listed on regional list of UNESCO Memory of the World

A South Korean ancient history book, traditional women's poetry and records of a massive oil spill have been added to the regional list of the UNESCO Memory of the World program. The Cultural Heritage Administration said "Samguk-yusa" (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) and two other candidates from the country were granted the status during a general meeting of the UNESCO Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific. The meeting was held in Andong, about 270 kilometers

Arts & DesignNov. 26, 2022

[Photo News] UNESCO-listed historic documents

South Korea's three historic documents including Samguk Yusa, a collection of folktale and historical accounts related to the Three Kingdoms era penned by Buddhist monk Il Yeon in the year 1281, were inscribed on UNESCO’s ​Memory of the World Register for the Asia-Pacific on Saturday.

CultureNov. 26, 2022

Perrotin Gallery to introduce more Korean artists globally

Perrotin Gallery will present paintings by Korean artist Shim Moon-seup in Hong Kong for the first time in December, as part of efforts to introduce more Korean artists in the global art scene, the contemporary art gallery said. “Perrotin Gallery was the first gallery that introduced Korean contemporary artist Park Seo-bo and Chung Chang-sup in Europe in 2014 and 2015. We will continue presenting Korean artists overseas as a global gallery,” Perrotin said recently. Shim’s sol

Arts & DesignNov. 25, 2022

[Herald Interview] German pianist Christopher Park on making connection with music

Anyone who is familiar with Korean surnames would assume that the German pianist Christopher Park has some Korean roots. And, indeed, he has. He was born to a German mother and a Korean American father in 1987, but it wasn’t until 2009 that he was able to make his first trip to South Korea. The opportunity came through a chance encounter of Park’s elementary school teacher and Pete Song, who runs a classical music production company, Pete Music, on a train in Germany in 2008. Upon he

CultureNov. 25, 2022

[Well-curated] High-speed thrills, cushiony pretzels and art with music

Enjoy playing racing games like Mario Kart or KartRider? At Ganghwa Luge located at Ganghwa Seaside Resort in Incheon, you can enjoy the thrill of a high-speed ride in real life. Some 50 kilometers west of Seoul, Ganghwa Luge located on the foothills of a mountain offers a spectacular view of the horizon on the West Sea. After buying tickets, make sure to pick up a safety helmet before taking the five-minute gondola ride to the starting point. Brief safety instructions are offered for first-time

CultureNov. 25, 2022