BTS extends winning streak with three Billboard Music Awards

K-pop sensation BTS took home three prizes at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), marking the group‘s sixth consecutive year winning a trophy at the event. The septet’s wins -- top duo or group, top song sales artist and top selling song -- were announced by Billboard on social media on Sunday, ahead of the awards show that took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Since becoming the first-ever K-pop act to win a BBMA award in 2017 by snagging the top social arti

PerformanceMay 16, 2022

Classical tunes to echo through Deoksugung

The 2022 Deoksugung Spring Concert will be held at the fountain located in front of Deoksugung’s Seokjojeon at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Hosted by the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Deoksugung Palace Management Office and the Korean National Symphony Orchestra, the program for the evening includes popular pieces such as Johann Strauss’ “Voices of Spring Waltz,” Johannes Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5,” Astor Piazzolla’s “Libertango,&rdquo

CultureMay 16, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘The Sound of Magic’ was a challenge, but consolation as well: Choi Sung-eun

For actor Choi Sung-eun, 25, the challenge posed by Netflix’s latest series “The Sound of Magic” was compounded. It was not just her first major role in a series – but her first singing and dancing as part of the role. “Our series decided to present the thoughts and emotions of a teenage girl through music. There was some pressure in acting and singing at the same time. ‘The Sound of Magic’ gave me time to grow as an actor,” said Choi during a

TelevisionMay 16, 2022

[Art Busan 2022] GRAY sees growing interest in contemporary works from Korean collectors

GRAY, a US gallery based in Chicago and New York, was one of the most popular galleries at Art Busan 2022, with visitors stopping by its booth to take a selfie in front of David Hockney’s 8.7-meter-long photographic drawing and view Pablo Picasso‘s “Tete d‘homme et nu assis.” “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to exhibit at Art Busan in person. The last art fair we did in person in Asia was Art Basel Hong Kong in 2019, and it is great to be back

Arts & DesignMay 15, 2022

[From the Scene] Another record-breaking year for Art Busan as collectors mature

BUSAN – Art Busan, the second largest art fair in South Korea, hit yet another record-breaking sales figure this year, attracting established collectors and younger generations of collectors. South Korea’s thriving art market turned its focus to the southwestern port city over the past few days, as Art Busan 2022 kicked off Thursday with a VIP opening session and ran through Sunday. “As of Sunday morning, we are expecting to see around 60 billion won ($50 million) in sale

Arts & DesignMay 15, 2022

Choi Eung-chon appointed new head of Cultural Heritage Administration

Choi Eung-chon, an art history professor at Dongguk University, has been appointed the new head of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Choi previously served as chair of the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation from 2019. He succeeds Kim Hyun-mo, who had served in the role since December 2020. Known as an expert in Buddhist art, Choi graduated from Dongguk University and holds a doctoral degree from Kyushu University in Japan. Choi started his career as a curator at the National

PeopleMay 15, 2022

[Herald Review] Beautiful Mint Life 2022 brings festival sing-alongs back to Seoul

With festival season back in full swing after many COVID-19 social distancing rules were removed earlier this spring, around 8,000 music fans flocked to Olympic Park’s 88 Jandi Madang in southeastern Seoul on Saturday, eager to enjoy long-awaited outdoor performances. Beautiful Mint Life 2022, an annual indie music festival, was special not only for attendees, but also the performers onstage. With audience sing-alongs and cheerful dances, the performances felt as though people had almost f

PerformanceMay 15, 2022

Ex-Navy SEAL and YouTuber Rhee Keun injured in Ukraine

Former South Korean Navy special warfare officer Rhee Keun, who left South Korea to fight as a volunteer soldier in the war in Ukraine, said in a YouTube post that he was injured in a recent mission. According to ROKSEAL (Rhee Reun’s YouTube channel) on Sunday, Rhee, also known as Ken Rhee, was injured while leading a special reconnaissance mission. “LT Ken Rhee recently incurred injuries while leading a special reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines. He has been transferred to

PeopleMay 15, 2022

[Herald Interview] Screenwriters Yeon Sang-ho, Ryu Yong-jae learned valuable lessons from ‘Monstrous’

While satisfied with the recent success of Tving’s suspense thriller “Monstrous,” screenwriters Yeon Sang-ho and Ryu Yong-jae believe that they still have a long way to go to satisfy the public. “‘Monstrous’ is a six-part series with each episode running almost 30 minutes. I wanted to make a series presenting a straightforward storyline at a quick pace. I believe ‘Monstrous’ is the first film-length series to be released by a local streaming plat

TelevisionMay 15, 2022

Hanok reborn as space for digital nomads

A newly renovated hanok, Binkwan, in central Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village is the latest traditional Korean house to be turned into an accommodation by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The space is designed by Rakkojae, a major hanok stay brand. Upon entering, guests will appreciate the calm background music playing in the serene atmosphere of Binkwan which affords a panoramic view of Seoul, including Namsan Tower. Only a few minutes from the bustling tourist area of Bukchon, Binkwan

TravelMay 14, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Roman treasures buried with Silla royals at the end of Silk Road

Korean burial tradition includes burying treasured items of significance with the deceased. Most valued objects in the Korean antiques trade are treasures which were originally buried in ancient tombs. A fifth-century Silla-period phoenix-shaped glass pitcher, dug up in 1975 from Hwangnamdaechong, the largest royal tomb of Silla, has intrigued Koreans for decades about its origin as its aesthetics looked of a foreign nature. It was not until researchers made the connection between some 30 glas

CultureMay 14, 2022

Not your typical jjamppong

"Should we go for jajangmyeon or jjamppong today?” This is a typical question asked at a Chinese restaurant in Korea, where the two dishes are the most popular. Jjamppong refers to a Korean-Chinese noodle dish with either a spicy seafood broth or pork broth, made with red gochugaru, or red chili powder. In recent years, the traditional jjamppong has been getting a makeover, just like other fusion dishes that have mixed cultural roots. While retaining the spicy kick, jjamppong t

FoodMay 14, 2022

[Scholars and their Spaces] Man of integrity: Maeng Sa-seong

During the 500 years of the Joseon dynasty, only 217 government officials were certified as “men of integrity.” Maeng Sa-seong (360-1438) who led the golden age of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) as the prime minister for eight years was among them. Maeng had not coveted political power and resigned from the office at the age of 76. He died three years later. He was famous for his humble way of life, even as he served in a senior government post. It was a very common scene to see

CultureMay 14, 2022

[Temple to Table] Sweet taste of food in spring: Fresh kimchi with bomdong and deodeok in doenjang sauce

Society attributes a variety of adjectives to temple food such as healthy, natural and cleaner. Are such words accurate? Ven. Dorim, who teaches at Hyangjeok Segye, a culinary art institute operated by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, disagrees, saying, “Temple food is not that grand.” Monastics use the same ingredients that Koreans used to eat in leaner times and prepare them in ways to enhance the taste. Temple food is neither extravagant nor special. The most important

FoodMay 14, 2022

[From the Scene] Art Busan continues upbeating art market, expects to break another sales record

BUSAN -- South Korea’s thriving art market has turned its focus to the southwest, as Art Busan 2022 held VIP opening sessions on Thursday and Friday, attracting people from across the country. “It seems the collecting culture is maturing,” said an official from Gallery Hyundai. “I saw people hesitating before choosing works last year, but now it seems many collectors know what they want.” At the entrance to the booth of the gallery -- which is one of the oldest

Arts & DesignMay 13, 2022

[Well-curated] Kick back at classical music listening room, bask in warm weather or watch world go by at rooftop cafe

At Music Space Camerata in Hyeri Art Valley, Paju, a city located west of Seoul and close to Panmunjeom, it’s rare to see visitors talking or typing on a laptop. Classical music plays nonstop and it’s not background music -- it’s why you are here. It’s a perfect place for those who are already getting tired of social interaction in the post social-distancing era and for those who want to discover new classical music. At Music Space Camerata, you can lay back in a deep

CultureMay 13, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents Japanese breakfast menus Tamayura, the luxury Japanese restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, presents three authentic Japanese breakfasts prepared with seasonal ingredients. Abalone Ozen is a rice porridge dish made with carefully selected abalone from the waters off Wando Island. Eel Ozen is a donburi-style breakfast dish of sea eel, served on pot-steamed rice. Sea Urchin Roe Ozen features saffron-steamed rice topped with sea urchin roe, tofu skin and aspara

FoodMay 13, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gokseong International Rose Festival The Gokseong International Rose Festival is scheduled to run from May 21 to June 6 at Seomjingang Train Village in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province. The annual event presents a total of 1,004 types of roses from around the world to delight flower-loving visitors, offering splendid photo opportunities. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant beauty of roses from a railbike or take part in a hands-on activity. Various programs have been prepared to entertain the visi

TravelMay 13, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (US) Opened May 4 Action Directed by Sam Raim Set a few months after the events of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021), Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a powerful sorcerer who must protect the earth from mystical menaces. He battles these unexpected enemies with a teenager America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) with the power to travel across the alternate universe. In the process of doing this, he travels into the multiverse. I

FilmMay 13, 2022

Legendary pianist Pollini’s recitals in South Korea canceled due to health issues

The much-anticipated recitals in South Korea by Maurizio Pollini, considered one of the world’s leading pianists, have been canceled due to health reasons, the event organizer said on Thursday. Event organizer Mast Media cited chronic bronchitis as the reason for the 80-year-old musician’s abrupt cancellation of the recitals, titled “The Emperor of Piano: ‘Once in a Lifetime’” scheduled for May 19 and May 25 at the Seoul Arts Center. The company said that

PerformanceMay 12, 2022