Limit on audience numbers lifted for theaters, performance halls

As part of a new post-COVID-19 scheme, audience number limits will be lifted starting Monday, according to the Culture Ministry. The change is expected to revitalize the performing arts and theater sectors hit hard by the pandemic. Food consumption inside all cultural facilities, including movie theaters, indoor sports stadiums and religious facilities will be allowed starting April 25. Masks should still be worn at all times both indoors and outdoors, before and after eating or drinking. M

CultureApril 17, 2022

Seoul Park Music Festival to hold in-person concerts

Seoul Park Music Festival will hold in-person concerts in June at the Olympic Park‘s 88 Jandi Madang in southern Seoul. This year’s Seoul Park Music Festival will be held for two days starting June 25 and operate with reserved seating for floor seats with chairs and a picnic zone. Only one stage will be available, in keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, according to the festival organizers BEPCTangent Creative and CJ ENM. The specific guideline on ways to enjoy the festival may be

PerformanceApril 17, 2022

'Bajirak, bajirak!': Fresh sound alerting the arrival of spring

When Koreans think of clams, bajirak will most likely be the first thing that comes to mind. The most popular and widely used littleneck clams in Korea, bajirak can be boiled, steamed or stir-fried. After the very first sip of hot bajirak broth, Koreans often exclaim, “siwonhada!” savoring the clean flavor of the sea with the soul-clearing, refreshing taste.  While bajirak is available year-round, the best time of the year to taste their chewy, succulent meat is from spring

FoodApril 17, 2022

[Eye Plus] Sogyeok-dong: where past and present coexist

Located across the street from Gyeongbok Palace, Sogyeok-dong is a small neighborhood where Korea’s history overlaps with Seoul’s bustling culture. The name Sogyeok-dong derives from Sogyeokso, the National Taoist Temple that was built in 1396 during the reign of King Taejo of the Joseon era (1392-1910). It was established to preserve Taoism and hold sacrificial rites to ward off bad omens. People went to the temple to worship the stars and the earth.  The temple is nowhere

CultureApril 16, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘My goal is to be remembered as musician who can bring comfort’

There are still many talented singers out there who have not received the public’s attention yet. A few local broadcasters have introduced “new” singers by giving them a chance to be known through TV competitions. It took about 23 years for singer-songwriter Bak Chang-geun, the winner of TV Chosun’s “Tomorrow’s National Singer,” to get the spotlight. Although he struggled working over the last two decades as an unknown singer, his passion for music kep

PerformanceApril 16, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Jeju horses, natives of ancient Tamna Kingdom

For most of her history, Jeju Island was better known as the Tamna Kingdom (2345 BC - 1405). Tamna was one of the nine neighboring enemy countries of Silla (57 BC – AD 918) back in the day. Silla even built the tallest wooden pagoda in Korean history with each level of the nine-story tall pagoda dedicated to fending off the nine enemy states. The Hwangnyongsa wooden pagoda was completed in 645, standing 80 meters tall, before it was burned down by the Mongol invaders in 1238, according t

CultureApril 16, 2022

[Temple to Table] Sweet delight in early spring: Sirutteok

Society attributes a variety of adjectives to temple food such as healthy, natural, cleaner, etc. Are such words accurate? Ven. Dorim disagreed: “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 factor in temple food is the person who prepares it, according to Ven. Dorim. Traditionally, temples must make enough

FoodApril 16, 2022

Three Korean films to be screened at Cannes

One of the most recognized film festivals worldwide, Cannes Film Festival announced its official selection list for this year Thursday, including three Korean films-- “Decision to Leave,” directed by Park Chan-wook, “Broker” directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda and “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae’s directorial debut “Hunt.” Park and Kore-eda’s films were invited to the festival’s main competition category. A total of 18 contenders were

FilmApril 15, 2022

[Well-curated] Cocktails and music, challenging hike, art viewing -- take your pick this weekend

If you are looking for a fantastic range of delicious drinks and delectable dishes, as well as a bewitching night of live jazz and blues in central Seoul, this live music party venue will be a perfect place to visit this weekend. The Iron Fairies Seoul, the Hong Kong-based global bar franchise’s Korean branch located in Itaewon, central Seoul, provides a magical and enchanting experience for visitors by setting the mood in the dim-lit sensual atmosphere as you escape from reality. 

FoodApril 15, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Lotus Lantern Festival The Lotus Lantern Festival, known as Yeon Deung Hoe, is set to start on April 29 and run through May 1 at various places in Seoul, including the streets of Jongno, along the stream Cheonggyecheon and at temples Bongeunsa and Jogyesa. The lighting of the lanterns conveys wishes for peace and happiness. Various programs are offered during the three-day festival free of charge. The lantern parade, which starts at Dongdaemun Gate in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, and proceeds t

TravelApril 15, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents ‘Teppanyaki Gala Dinner’ Tamayura, the Japanese restaurant at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, presents a teppanyaki gala dinner in collaboration with luxury French Champagne brand Dom Perignon. The highlight of the eight-course menu is the beef tenderloin, a cut of Woorungchan hanwoo grilled on an iron griddle. The dinner is accompanied by Dom Perignon Brut 2012, Dom Perignon Rose 2008 and Dom Perignon P2 2003. The promotion runs from April 20-22, from

FoodApril 15, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (US) Opened April 13 Fantasy Directed by David Yates In the 1930s, professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) finds out the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is gaining power. Unable to stop him alone, he entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission. They have to encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwald‘s

FilmApril 15, 2022

Charity concert ‘Save Ukraine’ to air in Korea

“Save Ukraine - #StopWar,” a charity concert aimed at supporting Ukraine will air in South Korea on Sunday, TRA Media, which previously aired several Ukrainian dramas in South Korea, said on Thursday. The concert, which was origianlly aired by TVP, a Polish state-run TV channel, on March 28 in more than 20 countries, will be shown on TVAsia Plus Channel, after the channel operator TRA Media accepted a request by the Ukraine Embassy in Seoul to show the program in South Korea. K

TelevisionApril 14, 2022

Walking Suwon, a journey that encompasses past and present

The season of buoyant spirits is here, and many are rushing to enjoy the brief window of when spring flowers are in full bloom. But along the trails of flowers and lush trees are remnants of Korea’s valuable history often too easily forgotten. Some 30 kilometers south from central Seoul, approximately an hourlong drive, lies Suwon, the most populous city of Gyeonggi Province. A major destination for spring picnics, Suwon is filled with crowds of families and couples on dates, especially

TravelApril 14, 2022

Concert highlights King Sejong’s musical talent

A concert seeking to shed light on the musical talent of King Sejong the Great will take place next week at the National Gugak Center. King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) was the fourth ruler of the Joseon era, whose remarkable legacy includes, most notably, the creation of Hangeul, the Korean writing system. The Court Music Orchestra of the National Gugak Center will celebrate one of King Sejong’s legacies in a concert titled “Sejong’s sound: Yeomindongrak,” which trans

PerformanceApril 14, 2022

[Herald Interview] Chun Woo-hee says she felt ‘fulfilled’ playing news presenter Se-ra in ‘Anchor’

For actor Chun Woo-hee, playing veteran news presenter Se-ra in “Anchor,” directed by Jeong Ji-yeon, was an opportunity she had never had before. “I felt fulfilled playing her because my female character had her own story told from beginning to end,” Chun said in an interview with a group of local reporters Wednesday. In the film, Se-ra is a famous news presenter with a mother, So-jung (Lee Hye-young), who micromanages her life. One day, Se-ra receives a phone call fro

FilmApril 14, 2022

[Unveil] Indie musician Fromm talks about her own story through music

Now in her 11th year as an independent artist, singer and songwriter Fromm’s her unbounded music style, charming low-pitched voice and poetic lyrics have earned here the nickname “Goddess of Hongdae” amongst her fans. With her stage name signifying “the music story that starts from me,” her music tells a story that is easy to relate to. “I think musicians are like novelists. After all, they are people who write stories and put some melodies to them,” Fro

PerformanceApril 14, 2022

Yoon Suk-yeol to appear on ‘You Quiz on the Block’

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol will appear in an upcoming episode of the tvN talk show “You Quiz on the Block” set to air April 20. Yoon is making his first TV show appearance in almost four months after showing up on several programs, including SBS’ reality show “Master in the House,” TV Chosun’s “Gourmet Mukbang Trip” and KBS’ “Problem Child in House,” as a presidential hopeful. According to the cable channel, the episode fea

TelevisionApril 14, 2022

Web novels poised to become mainstream source for S. Korean drama content

While webtoon-based drama series such as Netflix’s “Hellbound” and “All of Us Are Dead” drew viewers’ attention and brought global success to content creators, web novels are poised to become the next major source for other multimedia content. A web novel is a written work available primarily on the internet. Global streaming platform Disney+ produced its Korean original series by adapting Naver Series’ famous web novel “Sixth Sense Kiss.”

BooksApril 13, 2022

Jessi says preparation to return with ‘Zoom’ was most intense

Singer-rapper Jessi returned to the stage with her new digital single “Zoom” Wednesday, following her last single “Cold Blooded (with Street Women Fighters),” which was released six months ago. “It’s been a while since I made a comeback on the stage. I’ve been appearing on variety shows lately,” Jessi said during an online press conference Wednesday, ahead of the single’s online release at 6 p.m. “I was pressed for time more than eve

PerformanceApril 13, 2022