Park Seo-joon to star in Marvel film

Park Seo-joon, 32, left South Korea on Friday afternoon to star in Marvel Studios’ new superhero film, according to agency Awesome ENT. The announcement was long anticipated by movie fans as there had been rumors about Park appearing in the sequel to “Captain Marvel,” officially titled “The Marvels,” after online film database platform IMDb posted his profile and photo in July identifying him as part of the cast. The sequel to “Captain Marvel” is ex

FilmSept. 3, 2021

‘Miracle: Letters to the President’ director ready to surprise audience

Director Lee Jang-hoon said his upcoming film “Miracle: Letters to the President” will exceed the audience’s expectations, during an online press conference held Wednesday after the press screening. “If I compare my movie to a food it would be the one that seems to have a predictable taste, but when you actually eat it is unexpected,” Lee said. “So please do not judge it beforehand and come to the theater.” “Miracle: Letters to the President&rd

FilmSept. 3, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] World’s first case of press oppression

The power of the media is in its right and capacity for selective truth telling. King Seonjo, the 14th king of the Joseon Kingdom, clearly understood that “newspapers write the first draft of history,” during what was to be the world’s first case of press oppression in 1577. “The first commercial newspaper printed with movable types was in Korea during the years of King Seonjo,” said the Ven. Jibong of the Yeongcheon History Museum. Following three months of th

CultureSept. 3, 2021

Culture minister communicates with youth via metaverse

Culture Minister Hwang Hee discussed future policies on arts and culture in communication with the nation’s young artists through the metaverse on Thursday, the ministry announced the following day. The event in the metaverse was organized to celebrate and evaluate the results of the ministry-led campaign, “The Youth Made Changes - Culture Ministry,” which had been in operation since May. Hwang accessed the metaverse space provided and supported by ifland, a social communica

CultureSept. 3, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

CODA (US) Opened Aug. 31 Drama Directed by Sian Heder Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the only hearing member of her family. Her parents Frank (Troy Kotsur) and Jackie (Marlee Matlin) and older brother Leo (Daniel Durant) are all deaf. Ruby is with her family 24/7 to assist them and help them connect with the world. One day, Ruby auditions for the school choir and discovers her talent. However, she is worried about leaving her family to pursue her singing career. 　 Hostage: Missing Celebrity (Korea)

FilmSept. 3, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul presents ‘Summer Days’ package Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul has released a “Summer Days” package in collaboration with Daze Dayz, a swim & resort wear brand that encompasses attire for travel and daily life. Customers will receive a Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul’s special edition of shower robe, fabric bag and sunblock products set made in collaboration with Daze Dayz. This year’s limited special edition is design

FoodSept. 3, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Ulsan Onggi Festival The Ulsan Onggi Festival will take place at Oegosan Onggi Village in Ulsan from Oct. 1 to 8. The festival seeks to promote “onggi,” a traditional Korean earthenware pot, and offers visitors a chance to learn more about the pottery through various programs and hands-on experiences, including making onggi and an onggi master exhibition. The event welcomes visitors of all ages. Admission fees vary according to different programs. More information can be found at www

TravelSept. 3, 2021

Classical music expands horizons

Hoping to appeal to a wider range of audiences, the local classical music scene has been engaging in more barrier-breaking opportunities. Though classical music performances are often associated with formal attire, rigid expressions and stiff audiences, more artists and institutions are trying to embrace the latest trends with an aim to open the genre to wider audiences. Classical music festival Hic et Nunc! -- hosted by the Sejong Soloists string ensemble -- has hopped on the “metave

PerformanceSept. 2, 2021

‘The Letters of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon’ published in English

The Research Foundation of Korean Church History has published an English-language version of “The Letters of Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon” to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the first Korean Catholic priest and saint. “We look forward to sharing the deep faith of St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon and his pioneering spirit with the world by publishing the English version of the book of letters. Our ancestors are the only ones in the world that accepted Catholicism by thei

CultureSept. 2, 2021

Forum explores cultural communication, diversity at global level

The pandemic has changed the way people communicate. While the world appears hyperconnected thanks to the internet, connectivity does not necessarily mean communication, say participants in the 2021 Culture Communication Forum. The forum kicked off Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan, central Seoul. “Cultural communication has never been more important since the outbreak of COVID-19, making the forum’s theme ‘cultural communication as a way to share core values of in

CultureSept. 1, 2021

Sculptor Hyun Nahm revives legacy of sculpture with industrial materials

Sculptor Hyun Nahm is the youngest artist to hold a solo exhibition at the Atelier Hermes in Seoul, the exhibition space run by the Fondation d’entreprise Hermes. The 31-year-old artist believes sculptural objects can express sceneries as do the stones that maintain their own characters influenced by the surrounding environment. The sculptures Hyun is showcasing at the exhibition “Burrowing at the Bottom of a Rainbow” are produced with a negative casting technique using mater

Arts & DesignSept. 1, 2021

Bidding farewell to storied cinema

The Seoul Cinema in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, which opened in 1979, closed its doors for good on Tuesday. Even after weathering decades of hardships, the weight of the severe financial difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic last year was too much to bear for the cinema. Despite the gloomy weather and oncoming downpour, it did not stop movie lovers from gathering in front of the Seoul Cinema building to take pictures of the theater’s sign at 9:30 a.m. “To be honest, I

FilmSept. 1, 2021

Culture Ministry sets W7tr budget for 2022

The Culture Ministry‘s budget has surpassed 7 trillion won ($6.05 billion) for the first time. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Wednesday the passage of its budget for next year at 7.15 trillion won, marking a 4.2 percent increase from last year’s 6.8 trillion won budget. In 2022, the Culture Ministry plans to expand the support for cultural content production and hallyu, globally promoting Korea. It will also work on the recovery of various culture, sports a

CultureSept. 1, 2021

Culture Ministry releases COVID-19 manual for art theaters

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Theater Safety Center have jointly released a manual on theaters’ response to COVID-19 to effectively respond to virus infectious disease situations. According to the Culture Ministry, performing art halls have been evaluated to be relatively safe facilities, as there have been no audience-to-audience infections or actor-to-audience infections since the spread of COVID-19 early last year. However, there has been a need for a manual for thea

CultureSept. 1, 2021

K-pop girl group ITZY debuts in Japan

K-pop girl group ITZY has debuted in Japan with a digital album containing its hit songs and opened an official Japanese website, the group's label said Wednesday. The album "WHAT'z ITZY," was released through Warner Music Japan at midnight Tuesday, carrying the tracks "Dalla Dalla," "Icy," "Wannabe," "Not Shy" and "Mafia in the Morning," according to JYP Entertainment. "We plan to share news on (the group's) Japan debut in stage

CultureSept. 1, 2021

Koreans and foreigners perceive COVID differently: survey

While vaccines are the first thing that come to mind among foreigners to Korea regarding COVID-19, masks top the list among Koreans, according to a survey conducted by the Corea Image Communication Institute and released at the Culture Communication Forum Tuesday. Half of the 432 survey participants were Koreans and the other half were foreigners who have experienced Korean culture during their stay or visit to Korea, according to CICI. Among foreigners, vaccines topped the list with 88.9 pe

CultureAug. 31, 2021

W5.8b earmarked for Lee Kun-hee art collection next year

The government has earmarked 5.8 billion won ($5 million) in next year’s budget for managing and exhibiting artworks donated by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee. A total of 3.3 billion won has been allocated toward research personnel, equipment and facilities as well as establishing a database to manage the artworks, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday. Another 2.5 billion won will be used to organize a special exhibition slated to take place at the National

CultureAug. 31, 2021

Conductor seeks new stage with video games

Though orchestral music performances are often associated with big names such as Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert or Mahler, the keywords for conductor Chin Sol’s performances strike a different note: League of Legends, StarCraft, World of Warcraft and more. Chin, 34, wears many hats. She is the exclusive conductor of the Daegu MBC Symphony Orchestra, principal conductor of the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts Symphony Orchestra and the Seoul Student Philharmonic Orche

PerformanceAug. 31, 2021

Hyundai Motor honorary chairman donates W10b to vaccine research

Hyundai Motor Group’s honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo will donate 10 billion won ($8.63 million) to build a vaccine research center in South Korea, the company announced Tuesday. “I decided to donate the money to build a vaccine research center as a means to give back to everyone who supported Hyundai Motor Group,” Chung was quoted as saying in the group’s statement.  “I’d like to contribute to helping people overcome infectious diseases as well as i

PeopleAug. 31, 2021

Promotional videos of Korean food screened in London

Two promotional videos of Korean cuisine titled “Korea in Food” are being screened at Westfield shopping center in London, the Cultural Heritage Administration  and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation announced Tuesday. The promotional project is organized as part of the administration and foundation’s joint “Visit Korea Heritage” campaign. The videos, co-created by Michelin-star chef Yoo Hyun-soo and Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s

FilmAug. 31, 2021