[Herald Interview] Gwangju mayor strengthens city's heritage to promote it globally

A native of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, Bang Se-hwan took the office of Gwangju mayor in 2022. Asked about the characteristics of the city, Bang, who has lived in the city his whole life, stressed its history. “Gwangju has a very beautiful nature that has been maintained throughout its 1,000-year history. The city was named ‘Gwangju’ in 940 by King Taejo of Goryeo (918-1392),” Bang said during an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday at the city hall. Gwangju in Gyeon

CultureJuly 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] 15 years on, Uangel Voice still finds way to sing anew

An all-male six-member choir walks up to the stage and takes a deep breath, as guests are all ears for a tune that will animate a ceremony marked by many handshakes and applauses. “That’s the thrill, an adrenaline rush -- the feeling of undivided attention on the stage,” said Son Ye-bin, a baritone at Uangel Voice, a choir that has been performing since April 2009. Most of their performances since then have involved charity work, either raising funds for the marginalized or rai

PerformanceJuly 10, 2024

[Herald Review] Lee Sun-kyun’s presence lights up ‘Project Silence’

Stranded on a collapsed bridge shrouded in thick fog, a father and daughter on their way to the airport, an older couple returning from a trip, two sisters who missed a flight and a tow truck driver come together to escape the catastrophic scene. But it is not the 100-car pileup or helicopter crash that happened right in front of them that are threatening their lives. It is a dozen military dogs implanted with bot chips that were mistakenly released from a transport truck on the bridge. “P

FilmJuly 10, 2024

Foreign Language Newspapers Association celebrates 9th anniversary

The Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea, a group of four Korean media outlets publishing newspapers in foreign languages in South Korea, celebrated its ninth anniversary in Seoul on Tuesday. The association comprises three English-language newspapers – The Korea Herald, The Korea Times and The JoongAng Daily – and the Chinese-language The Aju Daily. Delivering a congratulatory speech, Culture Minister Yu In-chon said the newspapers have fulfilled their mission over the d

PeopleJuly 9, 2024

Rain damages Seoul City Wall under UNESCO review

It could take more than a year to restore parts of a historic wall in Seoul that collapsed during heavy downpours earlier this week, according to an official handling the restoration efforts. On Tuesday morning, a passerby reported seeing a collapsed portion of the northern wall of Hanyangdoseong, also known as the Seoul City Wall, to the Jongno-gu office, which then relayed the discovery to the Korea Heritage Service, according to the state agency. Damage to the wall spans 30 meters, and no cas

CultureJuly 9, 2024

Future of fear shown in BIFAN Choice section

BUCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- Under the banner “Stay Strange,” Korea’s largest genre film festival, the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, or BIFAN, kicked off Thursday, running to July 14. This year the film fest has brought 253 films from 49 countries to the Gyeonggi Province city just west of Seoul. Never the festival to shy away from trends in cinema, this year’s edition has notably opened the door to generative artificial intelligence, including 15 A

FilmJuly 9, 2024

'Revolver' to show new side of Jeon Do-yeon

Crime action film "Revolver" will unveil a new aspect of veteran actor Jeon Do-yeon that audiences have yet to see, according to the film's director, Tuesday. "Revolver" tracks the journey of Soo-young (portrayed by Jeon), a former detective who is released from prison after being convicted for crimes she did not commit. The film marks a reunion of Oh and Jeon, who worked together on critically acclaimed "The Shameless" (2015). The film earned Jeon the best act

FilmJuly 9, 2024

'Flying Apsara' from China wins top prize at Daegu musicals fest

The 18th Daegu International Musical Festival concluded its 15-day run Monday with the DIMF Awards at the Daegu Opera House. The grand prize went to the Chinese musical "Flying Apsara," which uniquely and immersively combines traditional Chinese art and modern musical elements. The Jury Award went to "Missing Link," co-produced by DIMF and the Daegu Municipal Theatre Company. Based on the infamous scientific fraud known as the "Piltdown Man" hoax, the musical creati

CultureJuly 9, 2024

Overseas interest in Korean literature grows with more awards, recognition

Korean literature continues to make notable strides on the global stage this year. Three Korean works have won international awards and five more have been nominated in the first half of 2024, according to the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. Acclaimed poet Kim Hye-soon's collection "Phantom Pain Wings," translated by Don Mee Choi, won the poetry prize at the National Book Critics Circle Awards in the US in March. Kim was the first Korean to receive the prestigious award

BooksJuly 9, 2024

National Museum holds exhibition of East Asian lacquerware

The National Museum of Korea is holding a biennial joint exhibition on lacquerware as part of an effort to showcase cultural artifacts common to Korea, Japan and China that began in 2014. The exhibition entitled “Lacquerware of East Asia” opens Wednesday, featuring 46 lacquerware pieces from the NMK, the Tokyo National Museum and the National Museum of China. The three countries have long used the sap of lacquer trees, which renders a durable, shiny finish once painted onto wooden ob

Arts & DesignJuly 9, 2024

Ballerino Jeon Min-chul to join Mariinsky Ballet as soloist

South Korean ballet dancer Jeon Min-chul, 20, is set to join the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet in Russia. Jeon is the second Korean dancer to become part of the prestigious company, following its principal dancer Kim Ki-min, 32. According to media reports, Jeon recently passed an audition in Russia and is scheduled to join the Mariinsky Ballet as a soloist in February next year. Jeon who graduated from Sunhwa Arts Middle School and Sunhwa Arts High School, is currently a third-year student at

PerformanceJuly 9, 2024

Korail presents trips to North Gyeongsang Province's forests

Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., has unveiled five train trips to North Gyeongsang Province’s popular "forest bathing" spots for travelers. The recommended destinations are for those who wish to take a break from urban life and take a brief refuge in a lush forest, according to the company. Tourists headed to Pohang, a coastal city located in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province, can enjoy a two-day trip featuring forest therapy at Naeye

TravelJuly 9, 2024

Song Joong-ki, Katy Louise Saunders expect 2nd child

Actor Song Joong-ki is expecting his second child, following the birth of his first child a year ago, according to his agency. According to Song's agency, HighZium Studio, on Monday afternoon, Song's wife, British model and actor Katy Louise Saunders, is expecting their second child. The agency did not disclose specific details about the second child, including the gender or the due date. The news of Saunders expecting their second child arrives a year after the couple announced the bi

CultureJuly 9, 2024

[Herald Interview] Director of SBS hit series 'Connection' says portraying drugs on TV was difficult

The director of SBS' hit series "Connection" said although he felt burdened to shoulder the responsibilities that came with broadcasting a TV series dealing with drugs, he wanted to explore a new territory with the series. "Connection" is a 14-episode crime thriller series that centers on Jang Jae-kyung (played by Ji Sung), a detective specializing in apprehending drug criminals, who becomes a drug addict, ensnared by an unknown perpetrator. "Connection" became

TelevisionJuly 9, 2024

K-pop stars HyunA, Yong Jun-hyung to wed in October

Singers HyunA and Yong Jun-hyung, formerly a member of the group Highlight, are tying the knot after a six-month public relationship. The singers’ agencies confirmed HyunA and Yong’s upcoming marriage Monday afternoon, announcing the wedding will take place on Oct. 11. The announcement follows earlier local media reports that the two are expected to marry in October in Seoul. “The couple was a huge consolation to each other in their difficult moments. And their wedding ceremony

CultureJuly 8, 2024

Theater treats for children from around world arrive in time for vacation season

As a long-awaited summer break approaches, families and children can look forward to a rich array of performances designed for all ages in the months of July and August. From children's theater, dance dramas and puppet shows to interactive plays where the audience becomes part of the show, a diverse selection of international guest performances and Korean productions are available. Kids and family festival at Seoul Arts Center The Seoul Arts Center is set to host a summer festival for chi

PerformanceJuly 8, 2024

French movie wins AI prize at Bucheon film fest

The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), Asia's largest genre film festival, awarded the Best AI Film to French film “Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost?” in its newly established AI Film section. The winners were selected based on the creative use of AI, cinematic and audio artistry and originality, BIFAN said. The award ceremony took place at Bucheon Arts Center on Sunday. Directed by Leo, “Where Do Grandmas Go When They Get Lost?” centers on

FilmJuly 8, 2024

Free child-friendly water attractions offer escape from city heat

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and other local governments have opened free water attractions for youngsters to beat the summer heat without traveling far from home. Jungnang-gu, a district in eastern Seoul, opened the Jungnang Water Park, Sinnae Park water playground and a water attraction at Bongsudae Park in early July. Set to operate through Aug. 18, the water play areas are open to children under the age of 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday. For safety reasons, they are closed

TravelJuly 8, 2024

Annual summer classical music festival to celebrate 30 years of Sejong Soloists

Hic et Nunc! Musical Festival, an annual event founded and backed by Sejong Soloists, is returning with a program filled with premieres and innovations. From Aug. 16 to Sept. 2, Hic et Nunc, meaning "here and now” in Latin, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sejong Soloists, founded by renowned Juilliard professor of violin Kang Hyo, by showcasing unique programs and world-renowned musicians who have been part of the Sejong Soloists. Since its foundation in 1994, the ensembl

CultureJuly 8, 2024

With youthful story, musical 'Your Lie in April' draws younger audiences

“Your Lie in April,” a musical based on Japanese manga series of the same title and an original score by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, opened in Seoul last week, winning over younger audiences with the story of a piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear the piano after his mother's death and his experiences after he meets violinist Kaori Miyazono. The story written by Naoshi Arakawa delves into themes of trauma, healing, and the power of music. The Korean version, produce

CultureJuly 8, 2024