[Feature] ‘Frieze storm’ shakes up Korean art market

Frieze Seoul was a storm. The inaugural event was not just about the art fair; it brought a new culture to the city, creating a platform for talking about art. Parties and exhibitions at galleries and museums in Seoul‘s art districts were full of people late into the night. “It has been a fabulous week. I visited a lot of parties and events that took place alongside Frieze Seoul and got to meet many collectors there. It has been kind of an exclusive culture to talk about collectin

Arts & DesignSept. 8, 2022

Thirty-two cultural heritage sites damaged by typhoon

A total of 32 cases of heritage site damage was reported as of Wednesday evening in the aftermath of typhoon Hannamnor which slammed the country on Monday, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. Seokguram Grotto and the Bulguksa Temple site in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, are among that sites that suffered major damage. Historical sites accounted for 24 cases, followed by three Treasures, two National Folklore Cultural Heritage, and one National Treasure, Natural Monument,

CultureSept. 8, 2022

Gucci fashion show makes U-turn to Gyeongbokgung

Less than two weeks after the Cultural Heritage Administration called off luxury brand Gucci’s fashion show to be held at Gyeongbokgung on Nov. 1, Gucci Korea on Thursday announced that the fashion show would take place as planned. Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele will stage his first runway show in Korea at the central Seoul palace, according to Gucci Korea's press release on Thursday. The release stated that artistic and historic value of the Joseon palace will contribute in

CultureSept. 8, 2022

Have a 'booknic' in the middle of Seoul

On a recent Friday morning, the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall had a group of children browsing through books, lying on bean bag chairs, picnic mats, or swinging benches under the warm sunlight. Brightly colored bookshelves were scattered across the plaza’s open lawn space, beckoning passersby to grab one and join them. Nearly 5,000 volumes of various genres and topics, from children’s picture books to novels and essays, were available for on-site reading. There was a separate e

CultureSept. 8, 2022

LACMA to hold first-ever exhibition of Korean modern art in US

Works of modern art from Korea have traveled to Los Angeles, where they will be shown at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in an exhibition titled “The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art.” The exhibition shedding light on the development of Korea’s modern art from 1897 to 1965 opens Sunday and runs through Feb. 19, 2023. It is the first show focusing on the history of Korea's modern art to held in a museum in the West. Bringing together some 130 artworks by 8

Arts & DesignSept. 8, 2022

Frieze Seoul, Kiaf Seoul see success at first joint fair

The inaugural Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul together attracted more than 70,000 visitors from home and abroad. Frieze Seoul took place from Friday to Monday at Coex southern Seoul while Kiaf Seoul, also at Coex, ran through Tuesday, bringing together some 350 galleries from across the world. While the two fairs did not disclose the sales record, the transactions from the two fairs will reportedly raise the size of the country’s art market to over one trillion won this year. “We used

Arts & DesignSept. 7, 2022

[Herald Design Forum 2022] Alfredo Brillembourg envisions Seoul as ‘endless city’

  The recent record-breaking downpour in Gangnam, which is generally recognized as a wealthy neighborhood, led to flooded roads and paralyzed urban infrastructure and brought attention to Seoul’s “banjiha” basement apartments. Alfredo Brillembourg, a New York-based architect who founded Urban-Think Tank (U-TT), an architecture design firm, in 1998, shared his views on Seoul’s urban design and sustainability. “The banjiha units … would be defined as &lsqu

Arts & DesignSept. 7, 2022

Rookie directors all nerves about ‘Kim Min-young’ release

Although two rookie directors of “Kim Min-young of the Report Card,” Lee Jae-eun and Lim Ji-sun, have won many awards at film festivals, including the grand prize in the Korean competition category at the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, they are very nervous about the film being released. “One thing we worry about is that at film festivals moviegoers who love independent films watched our movie. So we think that the feedback was a bit nicer. We worry that we will fa

FilmSept. 7, 2022

Let no man deceive you by any means: ‘Narco-Saints’

Netflix’s upcoming “Narco-Saints” is set to present an explosive crime saga in a new setting with a dynamic story and a pseudo religious leader. “I thought the series held a powerful story. A Korean becoming a drug lord in a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America? This is an exciting setting for a movie,” Ha Jung-woo, who makes his return to a drama series after 15 years, said at a press conference held at Josun Palace in southern Seoul, Wednesd

TelevisionSept. 7, 2022

Jongmyo Jeryeak to be performed in Germany

The National Gugak Center is scheduled to tour four German cities with Jongmyo Jeryeak -- royal ceremonial music with singing and choreography, performed for ancestors of Joseon kings enshrined at the Jongmyo Shrine. The tour will start Monday and run through Sept. 26. As a joint initiative taken by the Korean Embassy in Germany and the Korean Cultural Center Germany along with the NGC, the fall music tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Korean-German Cultural Agreement. The four stops

CultureSept. 7, 2022

[Herald Interview] 'We bring Korean art to another level':President of Christie’s Asia Pacific

When Korean contemporary artist Kim Whan-ki’s masterpiece “05-IV-71#200 (Universe)” fetched 13.2 billion won ($9.6 million) as a highlight of the Christie’s autumn auction season in 2019, it became the highest-ever price for a Korean artwork sold at an auction house. The record remains unbeaten. The record sale has attracted attention to the late artist from home and abroad. Kim is a pioneer of Korean abstract paintings that feature lines and dots with colors reminisce

Arts & DesignSept. 7, 2022

Movie theaters offer a new experience

  Reclining bed cinemas Feel like staying in bed but want to catch the latest box office release? CJ CGV, South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain, has collaborated with mattress brand Tempur to bring reclining motion beds into theaters at four locations in and outside Seoul, including Apgujeong, Yongsan and Yeoido. The adjustable bed allows users to adjust their neck, back and foot positions with a remote control. By placing only 30 to 50 seats in a single theater, the Tempur ci

CultureSept. 7, 2022

Oscar-winning Troy Kotsur in Seoul for World Congress of the Deaf

Governments should provide more support for deaf people as they play an important role in supporting disabled people’s independence and performances, according to Oscar-winning actor Troy Kotsur. “Deaf people are no different from non-disabled people. We can do anything when opportunities are sufficiently provided,” Kotsur, who won an Oscar in March for his supporting role in "CODA," said using American Sign Language at a press conference held at the Ambassador Seoul

CultureSept. 6, 2022

Can Disney+ and Tving equal Netflix's success in Korea?

With plans to release a star-studded lineup of original content, Disney+ and local streaming platform Tving -- among others -- are set to begin another round of competition in the streaming video and content production markets in South Korea. Disney+, the flagship streaming service of US media giant Walt Disney Co., was widely considered a possible rival to Netflix when it launched in November 2021. It found strong early demand with hit Marvel and Disney series, but things did not go as antici

TelevisionSept. 6, 2022

[Herald Interview] Daniel Henney relates to Korean American character in 'Confidential Assignment 2’

  Actor Daniel Henney said he was excited to play FBI agent Jack in "Confidential Assignment 2: International," directed by Lee Suk-hoon, because he saw similarities between himself and the Korean American character. “Here, he is able to speak a little Korean, he's been brought up in the States and I can relate to that,” Henney said during an interview with a group of local reporters on Tuesday. In “Confidential Assignment 2: International,” FBI agent Ja

FilmSept. 6, 2022

K-craft popup store to open in Bukchon

A unique store showcasing Korean traditional crafts will open from Sept. 14 to 18 at the Rakkojae Culture Lounge in Bukchon Hanok Village, northern Seoul. Organized by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the popup store Hanokyeoncha will have some 100 items on sale. They include moon jars, mini dining tables, and dinnerware sets priced between 20,000 won ($14.54) to 600,000 won. Works of both traditional craft masters and emerging artists will be on display, such as collections from potte

CultureSept. 6, 2022

Ahn Sook-sun named Intangible Cultural Heritage holder of 'Chunhyangga' pansori

Veteran gugak musician Ahn Sook-sun, 73, has been recognized as the National Intangible Cultural Heritage holder of "Chunhyangga" pansori, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Tuesday. "Chunhyangga" is the best-known among the pansori genre, depicting a love tale between a daughter of an entertainer and the son of a magistrate. Ahn surrenders the "Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang" holder's qualification, since the CHA states that a single person should not

PeopleSept. 6, 2022

[Feature] Korean webtoons expand globally with different strategies

A leading power in the new era of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, webtoons are expanding their global presence and being adapted into different formats: TV dramas, variety shows, films and K-pop. Vertically scrolling comics on smartphones have captured readers' attention with innovative approaches such as animation effects, background music and their own soundtracks. Though Korean webtoon companies began global businesses in 2014, it is only in the last few years that the companies have been

CartoonSept. 5, 2022

Lacquerware exhibition dazzles Paris

An exhibition at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris will shed light on traditional Korean mother-of-pearl arts and lacquerware. “Najeon, the Korean Mother of Pearl Artworks -- Meeting with the Timeless Shine,” which opened Monday, focuses on artistry and the history of Korean lacquer craftsmanship. Commonly called “najeonchilgi,” the handicrafts are a type of traditional Korean lacquerware or woodwork inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A total of 63 pieces are on display, includi

Arts & DesignSept. 5, 2022

Korea's scientific and technological heritage in 30 volumes

A 30-volume “Science and Civilization in Korea” series encompassing the country's history and achievements in the fields of science and technology has been published in August. The series spans the pre-modern period to modern times -- 16 volumes on pre-modern and 14 on modern and contemporary times. The subjects range from specific topics, such as Hangeul, rice, religion and women, as well as major fields of science such as astronomy, engineering and mathematics. More than 60 scholar

BooksSept. 5, 2022