Star-studded blockbuster musicals aim to lure audiences in June

Several major musical productions starring high-profile stars are set to open next month, as the industry tries to grapple with a recent plummet in attendees due to the new coronavirus pandemic, according to organizers Friday. The musical "Mozart!" a Korean adaptation of the German-language production of the same name, is spearheading the move, starting a run in Seoul from June 11-Aug. 9 at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts in central Seoul, according to the EMK Musical Co. Tha

PerformanceMay 29, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival commemorates the Great Battle of Hansan in 1592, one of the most important naval battles in Korean history. Visitors will be able to see models of the geobukseon (turtle ship) designed by Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the ships used by the Japanese navy at the time. In addition to learning all about the battle, visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of Tongyeong. A variety of hands-on experience programs are avail

TravelMay 29, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Suite night at Millennium Hilton Seoul Millennium Hilton Seoul has launched a Duplex Suite Package, involving its most high-end suites, Parkhill Suite, Vista Suite and Namdaemun Suite. Products from the European luxury perfume brand Memo will be on display, along with a complimentary sample of perfume. A welcome bottle of Moet Imperial Brut will be prepared. A one-way pickup or sending service is available within Seoul via a Cadillac CT6 or XT6. Guests can stay for up to 30 hours after chec

FoodMay 29, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Underwater (US) Opened May 27 Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Directed by William Eubank A huge earthquake hits a subterranean drilling station at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and mechanical engineer Norah Price (Kristen Stewart) and her colleagues Rodrigo and Paul make their way to the escape pod bay. They discover that all of the escape pods have already been deployed, and Captain Lucien (Vincent Cassel) is the only other person in the area. While crossing the ocean floor to reach the main part

FilmMay 29, 2020

‘Intruder’ questions universal beliefs about family at a time of forced togetherness amid pandemic

Mystery thriller “Intruder” is finally opening in local cinemas on June 4. Due to delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the first South Korean film to make its box office debut since early March. “I’m feeling nervous and rather burdened as well, but it’s my hope that our film becomes an exemplary precedent for films to follow,” director Sohn Won-pyung said Wednesday during a press conference after a press screening. The film revolves around S

FilmMay 28, 2020

Nutrimum bar contains essential nutrients for pregnant and lactating women: Nutricia

Recently, as the new coronavirus infection(COVID-19) has emerged as a major social problem, all men and women of all ages are paying attention to health functional foods to strengthen immunity.  In particular, while experiencing the pendemic, the highest-ranking infectious disease declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), the trend of 'Self-Medication', where people take care of themselves while the importance of hygiene and immunity management is imprinted on consumers is spreading.

FoodMay 28, 2020

Celebrity couple Lee Dong-gun, Cho Youn-hee divorce after 3-year marriage

South Korean celebrity couple Lee Dong-gun and Cho Youn-hee have legally parted ways following a three-year marriage, according to the latter's agency Thursday. "Cho Young-hee divorced Lee Dong-gun following a divorce settlement at a court in Seoul on May 22," said King Kong by Starship, Jo's management agency. The two actors, former co-stars in the 2017 TV series "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop," tied the knot in May 2017. They have one daughter. The company said

TelevisionMay 28, 2020

Treasures from Kansong Art Museum fail to find new owners

Two state-designated treasures from the Kansong Art Museum failed to find new owners at an auction in Seoul on Wednesday. They were the first sales attempt of the storied museum’s artifacts. Treasure No. 284, Gilt-Bronze Standing Buddha and Treasure No. 285, Gilt-Bronze Standing Bodhisattva, both failed to attract bidders at the highly anticipated auction held by K-Auction in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul. The bidding started at 1.5 billion won for each treasure but no bidder came forwa

CultureMay 27, 2020

CHA unveils newly excavated gilt-bronze shoes from Silla Kingdom

A pair of gilt-bronze shoes was among the relics the Cultural Heritage Administration unveiled to the public on Wednesday in conjunction with the Silla Cultural Heritage Research Institute. The relics -- thought to be from the late fifth to early sixth century Silla Kingdom -- came from an archaeological excavation of sites near tomb No. 120 in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The excavation is still in its early stages, the CHA said. Gilt-bronze shoes were last discovered

CultureMay 27, 2020

YouTube film fest to stream discussion with 'Parasite' actor, director

A conversation among Song Kang-ho, the star of Oscar-winning South Korean film "Parasite," and the film's writer-director, Bong Joon-ho, will be streamed during an upcoming online global film festival organized by YouTube, according to the organizer's website Wednesday. We Are One: A Global Film Festival, a 10-day free online film festival on YouTube, will stream on June 8 (US time) an 82-minute recording of a conversation between Song and Bong at the 2019 Locarno International Film

FilmMay 27, 2020

Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye team up in zombie horror film ‘#Alive’

Actor Yoo Ah-in is returning to the big screen for the first time in two years, teaming up with actress Park Shin-hye in the survival thriller “#Alive.” The actors will feature as two survivors living inside an apartment during the outbreak of an unknown disease that turns the infected people into zombies. Yoo and Park will each play two very different characters who struggle to survive in their homes using whatever objects and methods they have. “Jun-woo is a YouTuber and a

FilmMay 27, 2020

[Newsmaker] tvN’s ‘The Ramyeonator’ may be slapped with KCSC warning

The Korea Communication Standards Commission’s Broadcast Advertising Sub-Commission on Tuesday decided to recommend issuing a warning to CJ Olive Networks and tvN’s show “The Ramyeonator” for exposing a specific brand of Korean ramen on the show. “The Ramyeonator” featured a popular television show host, Kang Ho-dong, eating ramen with different ingredients, trying to find the tastiest ramen combination. Kang added everything from oyster, duck, clams and cra

TelevisionMay 27, 2020

Korean film industry revs up for summer season

  South Korean film industry is eyeing a return to normalcy as films whose releases were delayed due to the COVID -19 pandemic are confirming early June opening dates, in time for the start of the summer season. The distributor of thriller “Intruder,” a film starring Song Ji-hyo and Kim Mu-yeol, on Friday announced the film will open in the local theaters on June 4, after a number of postponements. Originally slated to open in March, a new release date of May 21 was announced

FilmMay 27, 2020

[Photo News] May roses bloom

Roses in full bloom brighten up people’s day amid continued virus outbreak. Seoul citizens admire different species of roses while taking a walk around the Rose Garden at the Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul. On the opposite side of the country, a German rose called “Corona” attracts a bee at the River Seomjingang village in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province. People also take time to enjoy roses from around the world even though the 5th International Rose Festival that was

CultureMay 27, 2020

[Herald Interview] All it takes is a page a day

South Korean startup Espressobook CEO Hwang Sang-chul says with his company’s app, Harubook, anyone can become an author and publish a physical book. Using the app, whose name means “one-day book,” users can create a book by writing a page a day. After writing at least 20 pages, authors can easily edit their books using the templates provided. “Originally, people had to learn Adobe’s book editing software. But with our app, the users can do the editing on smart

CultureMay 26, 2020

‘Wave’ on Coex digital billboard grabs international attention

A minute-long video of a wave crashing screened on Korea’s biggest digital display at Coex K-pop Square has become the talk of the town, receiving local as well as international media coverage. The video of wave crashing down, made using anamorphic illusion by design company d’strict titled “Wave,” makes the display panel seem like a giant glass tank holding water. The curved screen made such illusion possible, but the design and application took more than three months

Arts & DesignMay 26, 2020

Retro trend continues with TV drama soundtracks

As the recent decade has seen a revival of the 1980s and 1990s in many sectors, such as fashion and food, retro music has been making its mark on South Korean pop culture, especially in TV dramas. The weekend romance series "When My Love Blooms" on tvN is a story about a middle-aged man and woman, who were in love in their 20s. Twenty years later, the two come across one another again and look back at their lives as college students. As the drama changes back and forth from the pre

TelevisionMay 26, 2020

[Museum of One’s Own] Technology, art in harmony: Paik Nam-june’s philosophy lives on at art center

  The following is part of a series that explores museums dedicated to Korea’s well-known contemporary artists that bear their name. --Ed. There is a street named Paiknamjune-ro, in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, where Nam June Paik Art Center, the only art center in the world dedicated to the artist who founded the video art genre, stands majestically. With its facade of reflective printed-glass, the building looks like a grand piano, an instrument Paik loved as a music major in

Arts & DesignMay 25, 2020

#SaveOurCinema rallies support for indie films

While the global box office continues to suffer from the COVID-19 pandemic, stars in Korea are taking part in the #SaveOurCinema campaign to arouse the public’s interest in indie, arthouse films. Though the entire film industry is struggling, the government’s policies aimed at supporting the industry are more focused on multiplex operators as indie, arthouse cinemas have a comparatively smaller market share. 　 To support the low-budget film scene, film figures who got their start

FilmMay 25, 2020

Afreeca TV star ChulGu makes triumphant return

Broadcasting jockey ChulGu’s return to Afreeca TV on Sunday night was watched by nearly 330,000 fans who had eagerly awaited his comeback following his discharge from military service on May 15. “Hello everyone, it’s been a very long time,” said ChulGu as he started streaming. “I’ve come back for the first time in a year and seven months,” he continued as he expressed being nervous turning on his stream for the first time after his discharge. When Chu

TelevisionMay 25, 2020