Cultural center to showcase 9 S. Korean films in US

The Korean Cultural Center in Washington said on Monday that it will showcase nine South Korean films to American viewers in a month-long film festival in the United States. The festival will be hosted by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, offering streaming services of films such as "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," which is based on a best selling South Korean novel of the same title. "The Korean Film Festival DC 2021, which will be hosted by the Smithsonian's National M

CultureMay 4, 2021

[Art on Jeju Island] Waterdrops on Jeju Island

The following is the second article in a three-part series that explores art galleries on Jeju Island. -- Ed. JEJU CITY -- Contemporary art master Kim Tschang-yeul died in January at the age of 91, but his waterdrop paintings continue to send a message at Kim Tschang-yeul Art Museum Jeju. Located in the Hallim area on the western part of Jeju Island, a 50-minute drive from Jeju International Airport, the museum dedicated to the “waterdrop master” stands on serene grassland. The

TravelMay 3, 2021

[Herald Interview] Jeon Yeo-been thanks ‘Night in Paradise’ director for taking a chance on her

When director Park Hoon-jung, who helmed the award-winning 2012 crime thriller “New World,” was casting for his new movie “Night in Paradise” in 2019, actor Jeon Yeo-been was not as widely known as she is now. 　 “I appreciate director Park Hoon-jung for casting me and actor Eom Tae-goo in the lead roles,” Jeon said during a joint media interview held via Zoom on April 23. “I am really grateful that he trusted us and that he was willing to go on an adve

FilmMay 3, 2021

[#WeFACE] Slow fashion emerges in pursuit of more ethical lifestyles

The Korea Herald is publishing a series of articles on eco-friendly fashion highlighting new fabrics, manufacturing processes and trends that aim to improve environmental sustainability. - Ed. When Kim Ji-young decided to move to Jeju Island in 2013 to leave behind the hectic city life in Seoul, she realized how many clothes she had kept in her closet without wearing them. Among them was an outfit that she had not worn even once. While packing for the big move, she found herself having to thr

CultureMay 3, 2021

'Minari' becomes 3rd movie to top 1m admissions in S. Korea this year

The immigrant film "Minari" has become the third movie to attract over 1 million viewers in South Korea this year, enjoying a post-award season bump on supporting actress Youn Yuh-jung's historic Oscar victory, data showed Monday. The US drama film about a first-generation Korean American family struggling to build a new life in rural Arkansas sold more than 23,900 tickets Saturday, bringing its combined total to over 1 million, according to the data from the Korean Film Council (KOFI

FilmMay 3, 2021

Seoul's largest Picasso retrospective shows formative works, paintings

The largest Pablo Picasso retrospective to be exhibited in Korea kicked off Saturday, chronologically showcasing the artist’s works across different genres, including a masterpiece completed in his later years. “Picasso, Into the Myth,” running through Aug. 29 at the Hangaram Arts Center Museum in Seoul, features 110 works by the pioneer of cubism. The exhibition, which coincides with the 140th anniversary of the artist’s birth, includes oil paintings, ceramics, sculpt

Arts & DesignMay 3, 2021

[Art on Jeju Island] Breathing life into old downtown

The following is the first article in a three-part series that explores art galleries on Jeju Island. -- Ed. JEJU CITY, Jeju Island -- An old neighborhood near Jeju International Airport has come into the limelight, attracting young hipsters looking for an artsy experience on an island best known as a holiday destination. Tapdong, situated near the airport -- the main gateway to the island -- was once a bustling area. Tapdong Plaza, a outdoor entertainment hub for young people, opened in 1

TravelMay 2, 2021

David Hockney’s video lights up Seoul with message of hope

One of the most celebrated living artists, David Hockney revealed his new 2 1/2-minute video, “Remember you cannot look at the sun or death for very long” on a large LED screen on K-pop Square at Coex in Samseong-dong, Seoul on Saturday. The animated video shows the sun rising slowly over the plains until it bursts into radiance to fill the entire screen. The video represents a symbol of hope as the world awakens from COVID-19 lockdowns. The video was released on iconic screens in

Arts & DesignMay 2, 2021

From Shakespeare to Ed Sheeran, portraits of British icons on exhibit at national museum

A new exhibition at the National Museum of Korea has brought together 76 portraits of British and global figures, ranging from playwright William Shakespeare to singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. "Icons and Identities from the National Portrait Gallery, London," which has kicked off at the national museum in central Seoul, is the first exhibition here that presents pieces from the British museum, the national museum said. The exhibition is divided into five sections with the themes "

Arts & DesignMay 2, 2021

[Eye Plus] City meets nature at Songpa Trail

 A trail spanning 21 kilometers surrounds Seoul’s eastern district of Songpa-gu, packed with nature, adventure and culture.  The Songpa Trail, which opened to the public in 2019, has been serving both locals and visitors alike as a favorite spot to enjoy jogging or a leisurely walk.  In recent years, the trail has managed to build its own unique ecosystem, as it is built alongside three freshwater streams that feed into the larger Han River. It is easy to spot animals en

TravelMay 1, 2021

Two regional museums receive works from Lee Kun-hee’s collection

Among the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s art collection are paintings by Korean modern art masters Park Soo-keun and Lee Jung-seop. Some of those works have been donated to two regional museums dedicated to the respective artists. Eighteen works of art by Park Soo-keun (1914-1965) were donated to the Park Soo Keun Museum in Gangwon Province, while 12 by Lee Jung-seop (1916-1956) were donated to the Lee Jung Seop Art Museum. “Some valuable works among Lee’s collect

Arts & DesignMay 1, 2021

Actor Ryu Hyun-kyung selects 8 movies for special section at Jeonju film fest

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Actor Ryu Hyun-kyung on Friday introduced eight movies -- four features and four short films -- that she selected for “J Special: Programmer of the Year,” a new section at the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival. “Organizing everything on our own is effective when establishing the festival’s identity. But there could also be different approaches (to movies),” the director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, Lee Joon

FilmApril 30, 2021

[Newsmaker] New museum, storage expansion mulled to make room for late Samsung chairman’s art collection

Authorities will come up with ways to make room for the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s art collection, the country’s largest donation of its kind in history, the government said Friday. “The government is seeking ways to hold artworks donated by Lee including improving storages at museums or building new museums if needed. President Moon Jae-in also raised the issue yesterday,” a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official told The Korea Herald. &ldquo

Arts & DesignApril 30, 2021

Eight Korean film festival directors jointly condemn Myanmar military coup

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Eight directors of Korea’s international film festivals, including director of the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival Lee Joon-dong, have jointly expressed their support for the democratic movement in Myanmar during a press conference on Friday. The conference, held at CINE Q Jeonju Film Street, began with a screening of the short film “Burma Spring 21.” The film centers on the military-led February coup in Myanmar and is directed collabo

FilmApril 30, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Lounge at Park Hyatt Busan presents Mango Afternoon Tea Set Lounge at Park Hyatt Busan presents the Mango Afternoon Tea Set from May 5 to June 20. The Mango Afternoon Tea Set consists of scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, delicate desserts and a savory menu featuring fresh ingredients. Desserts include mango passion fruit mousse with fresh and sweet mangoes, mini mango eclairs, mango and raspberry panna cotta and more. The Mango Afternoon Tea Set at Lounge is available from 2 p.m.

FoodApril 30, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Yanggu Gomchwi Festival The 2021 Yanggu Gomchwi Festival will be held online from Wednesday to Saturday, in concern over the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the festival will feature online lectures, a cooking show and live commerce events, promoting gomchwi, a mountain herb that is characterized by its unique bitter, soft and savory flavor. The festival organizers will also operate a drive-thru order pickup service for visitors who would like to purchase spring gomchwi.  Yell

TravelApril 30, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Recalled (Korea) Opened April 21 Thriller Directed by Seo You-min Soo-jin (Seo Yea-ji) wakes up after an accident with part of her memory lost. Fortunately, her husband Ji-hoon (Kim Kang-woo) is there to take care of her. After returning home, Soo-Jin realizes that she now has a special power to see people’s futures, the moments when they are about to face dangerous situations. Nomadland (US) Opened April 15 Drama Directed by Chloe Zhao After Fern (Frances McDormand) loses her job o

FilmApril 30, 2021

Pope sends condolences over death of Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk

Pope Francis has sent a message of condolence on the death of South Korean Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, the Holy See said Thursday. "I was saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul," Pope Francis said in a telegram sent to Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, incumbent Archbishop of Seoul. "I offer to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese my heartfelt condolences and the assurance of my prayers,

PeopleApril 29, 2021

Jeonju film fest kicks off on Thursday

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- The Jeonju International Film Festival held an opening ceremony hosted by actor Kwon Hye-hyo and Park Ha-sun on Thursday night at the Sori Arts Center of Jeollabukdo. The event will last for 10 days until May 8. “Over the last 20 years, our festival has been introducing (films with) new topics. Old and familiar topics are comfortable but they cannot change the world. Jeonju International Film Festival has been preserving the value of independent movies&

FilmApril 29, 2021

Musicals brace for disruptions with new COVID-19 infections

Hit by a series of COVID-19 infections, the musical scene is bracing for perhaps another virus crisis, following earlier shutdowns in March and August last year. Four cast members of the musical “Dracula,” set to run from mid-May, have confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus, sounding an alarm for musical productions.  Musical actors Shin Sung-rok who plays Dracula, Kang Tae-eul and Jeon Dong-seok playing the role of Van Helsing in the musical have tested posit

PerformanceApril 29, 2021