S. Korea to conduct research on cultural heritage in DMZ

South Korea will conduct comprehensive research on cultural assets and natural heritage inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea, the cultural heritage authority said Monday. In collaboration with the provincial governments of Gyeoggi Province and Gangwon Province, the survey will start Tuesday and run for one year, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA). The 55-member panel will look for archaeological relics and flora and fauna in 40 sites and vill

CultureMay 25, 2020

Movie theaters to live stream 'League of Legends' tournament

While fears of the novel coronavirus have emptied movie theaters in South Korea, esports fans are given a rare opportunity to watch a "League of Legends" (LoL) tournament on the big screen. CGV, a multiplex chain run by entertainment giant CJ Group, said Monday it will live stream the upcoming 2020 Mid-Season Cup of LoL starting Thursday at its 24 theaters across the country. The four-day tournament features four top LoL teams from South Korea and China each to be held online due t

FilmMay 25, 2020

BTS' 'Fake Love' tops 700m YouTube views

The music video of K-pop boy band BTS' "Fake Love" has drawn more than 700 million clicks on YouTube, the band's management agency said Sunday. The lead track of BTS' 2018 release "Love Yourself: Tear" surpassed the 700 million mark at around 6 p.m., according to Big Hit Entertainment. This is the group's third music video to hit this number of views on the global video-streaming site, after "DNA" and "Boy With Luv." (Yonhap)

PerformanceMay 24, 2020

Koreans eye Jeju Island pensions according to Airbnb wish list

The spread of COVID-19 has blocked the skyways, but Airbnb users from around the world have put together individual wish lists of places around the world they hope to visit once the crisis is over. Korean respondents had beachside houses in Jeju Island on their wish list more than any other places in in the country, with seven of the top 10 domestic locations on Jeju Island. The No. 1 location was Sometimes Jeju pension’s room 201, a one-bedroom apartment with an ocean view. “Be

TravelMay 24, 2020

Hanji Culture and Industry Center opens to boost Korean traditional paper industry

The Korea Craft and Design Foundation, a public organization affiliated with the Korean Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism, on Wednesday opened the “Hanji Culture and Industry Center” to promote Korean traditional paper hanji. “Hanji has a long history. However, it has not been promoted properly. Through the establishment of this center, we hope to work on promoting hanji not only in Korea but also in the global market,” Vice Culture Minister Oh Young-woo said at

CultureMay 24, 2020

[Eye Plus] Modern Korean history at a glance

The forces that shaped today’s Korea -- from its belated opening to the outside world in the late 19th century and its annexation by Japan in 1910 to the 1950-53 Korean War, dictatorships, rapid industrialization and blood-paved democratization -- are on exhibit at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Located in Gwanghwamun Square, a site of historic and symbolic importance, the eight-story museum tells stories of the country’s politics, society, economy and culture

CultureMay 23, 2020

Trekking away from virus fears

While the COVID-19 still poses a threat in South Korea, it is May, considered the queen of all seasons here. Though it may be risky to visit crowded places, taking a walk in a remote place can be a way to cheer ourselves up in this blissful weather, while taking precautions against the virus. Trekkers should wear mask at all times, keep a safe distance from others and use hand sanitizers. Using a personal vehicle, if possible, is an option. Also, gatherings for eating or drinking after trekki

TravelMay 23, 2020

[Photo News] Tiger family at S. Korean amusement park

Tiger cub siblings, one male and one female, were introduced to the public Thursday at Everland, a zoo and theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The mother tiger was shown taking care of her cubs, which are less than 100 days old. (Photos: Yonhap) By Kim Tae-eun (kimt17@heraldcorp.com)

CultureMay 23, 2020

[Photo News] Buddhism-inspired lanterns light up Cheonggye Stream

Buddhism-themed traditional lanterns portraying fairies, lotus flowers, animals and Buddha are displayed to brighten up Cheonggye Stream in Seoul from Thursday to next Sunday. Meanwhile, Buddhist groups in South Korea canceled a lantern procession this weekend to mark Buddha’s birthday amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. The procession had already been postponed, with the actual Buddhist holiday being on April 30. Celebratory services, however, will be proceeded at temples across the

CultureMay 23, 2020

Just rice, water and yeast for this small-batch makgeolli

After a judicious shake, twist of the cap and pour, Hangang Brewery’s 6 percent ABV Naroo Makgeolli gently releases a tart, fermented scent akin to yogurt, followed by a delicate sweetness, nuances of Asian pear and green apple, a silky mouthfeel and a clean finish. 　 There is little carbonation in Hangang Brewery’s take on the traditional unrefined Korean rice wine, resulting in a smooth and creamy sip. “Hangang Brewery wanted to achieve a balanced marriage of sweetness an

FoodMay 23, 2020

Actor-turned-director debuts with ‘Me and Me’

An established actor of 33-year career, Jung Jin-young has gone behind the cameras for the first time to direct the film “Me and Me.” Set for release on June 18, the movie revolves around a detective named Hyeong-gu who finds everything he knew about himself had disappeared, as he was investigating a mysterious fire accident that took the lives of a married couple. Veteran actor Cho Jin-woong takes on the role of the detective. On Thursday, Jung and Cho held a press conference t

FilmMay 23, 2020

Night tours of royal palaces to reopen next week

The popular nighttime tours of royal palaces in South Korea will resume next week, months after their suspension due to novel coronavirus fears, the cultural heritage authority said Saturday. The Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour will start on Wednesday and go through June 8, while the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour will open from Thursday until June 21, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. Tickets for the nocturnal programs are available for purchase at the e-commerce website Auction

CultureMay 23, 2020

Indie film awards to open despite COVID-19 outbreak

The Wildflower Film Awards Korea will hold its annual ceremony Friday evening as the first film festival here to open since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus. Founded by the film critic and translator Darcy Paquet, Wildfower Film Awards recognizes the achievements of independent and low-budget films. The seventh edition of the event will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at the House of Literature located in central Seoul. This year’s awards will hand out a total of 13 trophies, including th

FilmMay 22, 2020

MMCA’s new project breaks traditional concept of family dealing with queer community

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) is hosting an exhibition “2020 MMCA Asia Project: Looking for Another Family” until August as part of the Asia Project, focusing on Asian contemporary art. The exhibition, “2020 MMCA Asia Project: Looking for Another Family” looks into different forms of families, breaking away from the conventional definition of biological or martial relationships, showcasing 15 artworks from 15 artist teams across eight

Arts & DesignMay 22, 2020

Competition for trot music shows heating up among TV networks

Television networks are doubling down on shows centered around the recent trot-music hype -- launching new shows and snatching up stars who are becoming increasingly high in demand. SBS TV is currently airing "Here Comes Trot God," and TV Chosun has two shows, "Call Center of Love" and "Bbongsoongah School," in its regular programming. TV Chosun is credited with ushering in the renaissance of trot -- a soulful genre with repetitive rhythm, simple chords and no-n

TelevisionMay 22, 2020

Young actors move to online platforms as TV producers woo bankable veterans

Young actors and actresses in their 20s and early 30s have been losing their presence on the South Korean small screen as producers are not willing to take chances by casting new faces in marquee roles. The fantasy romance "The King: Eternal Monarch," starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Go-eun, and the mystery drama "Born Again," starring Jang Ki-yong and Jin Se-yeon, seem to be the only two TV series led by young stars out of dozens of soap operas and shows currently on air in the

TelevisionMay 22, 2020

[Graphic News] Cultural exports jump 9.1% in 2018, led by games, character IP

　South Korea’s exports of cultural goods jumped nearly 10 percent on-year in 2018, led by games and character intellectual property, a government survey showed. 　The combined overseas sales in 11 culture and entertainment sectors reached about $9.62 billion, up 9.1 percent from 2017, according to the annual content industry statistics published by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. 　The industries surveyed included movies, broadcasting, publishing, music, games, cartoons,

CultureMay 22, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Walk with a King “Walk with a King” is a guided tour held every Saturday evening from late spring to fall. The 100-minute tour, limited to 100 people at a time, starts from Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju Hanok Village in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. Admission must be arranged in advance by calling (063) 232-9938. The tour, slated to take place from June 6 to Oct. 31, is open to visitors of all ages. Call the travel hotline at (02) 1330 for help in Korean, English, Japanese or Chin

TravelMay 22, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Bingsu season for Andaz Seoul Gangnam Andaz Seoul Gangnam’s all-day dining restaurant Jogakbo presents mango bingsu this summer. Mango bingsu, created with two to three mangos on top of shaved milk-ice, is served with mango mousse cake, mango jelly, chocolate fondue, mascarpone cream and red beans. Priced at 45,000 won, it is available from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information or reservations, call Jogakbo at (02) 2193-1191. Dalgona bingsu at Mayfield Hotel Mayfield Hotel&

FoodMay 22, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Bori (Korea) Opened May 21 Drama, Family Directed by Kim Jin-yu Among the family of four, Bori (Kim Ah-song) is the only person who does not have a hearing disability. Just 11 years old, Bori becomes the mouth and ears of her parents and younger brother. Bori often feels like an outsider in the family, observing them speaking in sign language and oblivious to the sounds she hears. Bori comes to wish she could “lose sound” to become one of them, and with an accident, Bori acts as tho

FilmMay 22, 2020