BTS kicks off summer concert series by US TV show

K-pop boy band BTS kicked off this year's summer concert series by US TV show "Good Morning America," staging an outdoor performance at New York City's Central Park on Wednesday (local time).BTS was the first performer for the 2019 GMA Summer Concert Series, which will run from May 15 to Aug. 30 and feature a high-profile pop act every week, including Ellie Goulding, whose show is set for June 14, the band's management agency Big Hit Entertainment said. South Korean boy band BTS perform on ABC`s

PerformanceMay 16, 2019

Scandal-ridden director Kim Ki-duk's newest film screened at Cannes

Scandal-tainted South Korean movie director Kim Ki-duk's newest film was unveiled at Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday.According to the Cannes Film Market, Kim's latest film, titled "3,000" in English, was screened exclusively to buyers on Wednesday night.Only about 20 invited buyers were admitted to the screening of the 72-minute film, reportedly shot in Kazakhstan, at the Palais H hall in Cannes. (Yonhap)With a "Guest List Only" notice placed at the entrance, many journalists and uninvited peo

FilmMay 16, 2019

[Photo News] Posing with Basquiat

POSING WITH BASQUIAT -- Choi Jung-wha (third from left, second row), head of the Corea Image Communication Institute, Kim Young-ho (fourth from left, second row), Ilshin Spinning chairman, and H.E. Federico Failla (fifth from left, second row), Italian ambassador to Korea, pose for photos next to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painting “TBT,” along with other guests at “Korea CQ, 5.4 Club,” an event hosted by CICI at the Ilshin Spinning headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. (CICI)

PeopleMay 15, 2019

‘Arts factory’ in Palbok boasts intriguing look and theme

Once a run-down factory in Jeonju, gallery now aspires to landmark status JEONJU, NORTH JEOLLA PROVINCE -- Driving north of Jeonju City Hall, past Jeonju University and onto the industrial complex grounds, you will find a group of run-down factory buildings. Just as you start wondering if you took a wrong turn on your way to the art gallery, what appears to be a rusty old structure with the words “Factory of Contemporary Arts in Palbok” lets you know you are in the right place.The venue, which o

CultureMay 15, 2019

Korea’s most expensive artist Kim Whan-ki’s red-dot work goes to Hong Kong

A work by Korea’s most expensive artist Kim Whan-ki will be up for auction in Hong Kong again this year. Seoul Auction, the nation’s largest auction house, will hold a sale on May 26 at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, featuring Kim’s untitled red-dot painting.  Korea's most expensive artist Kim Whan-ki's 1971 red-dot painting is expected to see good demand at Seoul Auction's 29th Hong Kong sale on May 26.The work included in the auction house’s 29th Hong Kong sale is one he painted in 1971 while staying

Arts & DesignMay 15, 2019

WINNER to drop new album fronted by cheerful breakup song

Four-piece K-pop boy band WINNER will release a new album, "WE," Wednesday, returning to the music scene with the band's full lineup.The title of the new album, scheduled to hit the shelves Wednesday evening, stresses "the synergy the four members with unique personalities create when they get together as the band WINNER," their talent agency, YG Entertainment, said. The album carries four new songs, including the main track, "Ah Yeah," as well as "Zoo" and "MOLA."It also has two bonus tracks --

PerformanceMay 15, 2019

Suki Seokyeong Kang continues experimenting with space at Venice Biennale

Suki Seokyung Kang’s multipart installations are neatly organized so as not to interfere with one another. The space invites people to walk, sit and stand among minimalist installations in soft colors. The Korean contemporary artist is introducing two works at the 58th Venice Biennale’s main exhibition “May You Live in Interesting Times,” curated by Ralph Rugoff. An installation view of Suki Seokyeong Kang’s “Land Sand Strand” at Arsenale (Kukje Gallery)“Land Sand Strand” and “Grandmother Tower,

Arts & DesignMay 14, 2019

‘Wedding Singer’ to kick off 18 days of musical festivities at DIMF

The largest musical festival in Korea is winding up for opening next month, with the organizers for Daegu International Musical Festival on Tuesday announcing that this year’s event will feature 23 musicals from eight countries.From June 21 to July 8, the 13th annual DIMF will be held at major theaters across Daegu. Set in the self-proclaimed “musical city,” the DIMF will be promoted by Suho of EXO, who has been selected as the promotional ambassador for the event.The K-pop star is himself a ren

PerformanceMay 14, 2019

UNESCO council recommends Confucian academies for UNESCO World Heritage inscription

Nine of South Korea’s Confucian academies have been recommended by a UNESCO council to be inscribed on its World Heritage List, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The CHA said it has been notified by UNESCO’s International Council on Monuments and Sites of the recommendation made on “Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.” The application for World Heritage inscription had been under deliberation since January 2018.Seowon were educational facilities of the Joseon period (1392-191

CultureMay 14, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘Sons of Denmark,’ a glimpse into a dystopian future

Danish director discusses his debut feature, a political thriller about a future marred by extremismJEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- There is a thin line between standing up for what you believe is right and extremism, a line that fades when the safety and security of the ones you hold dear are on the line. This is realm the young director Ulaa Salim ventures into in the film “Sons of Denmark,” set in 2020s Denmark, where a terrorist attack by an extremist group sends the country spiraling down

FilmMay 13, 2019

Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon to pay homage to Schumann with ‘My Clara’ tour

Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon is embarking on a series of recitals in 10 cities. Titled “My Clara,” the nationwide tour begins Thursday and continues through June 1. The program, drawn up by the pianist himself, includes Clara Schumann’s Notturno in F Major, Robert Schumann’s Fantasie in C Major and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor.  Pianist Sunwoo Yekwon performs the first movement of Robert Schumann’s Fantasie in C Major during a press conference for his nationwide tour “My Clara” held M

PerformanceMay 13, 2019

[Photo News] Playing with light, shadow

PLAYING WITH LIGHT, SHADOW -- This photo shows an installation view of Chinese artist Wu Guanzhen’s solo exhibition at Seoul Arts Center, which ended Thursday. The latest exhibition in Seoul featured works created by applying lacquer to sheets of ramie, which allows the lights to pass the semi-transparent canvas, leaving shadows on the wall. (Wu Guanzhen Art Studio)

Arts & DesignMay 12, 2019

[Herald Interview] Clean Bandit supports ‘expandability’ of Seoul Jazz Festival

Clean Bandit’s Seoul performance is drawing near with the 2019 Seoul Jazz Festival slated to take place in late May. The British band’s performance is much anticipated by the South Korean audience, as last year’s appearance was canceled at the last moment. “Very excited. I have been to Korea once before, but we had to leave almost immediately after the show so I was disappointed,” Grace Chatto said via email, representing the trio of three siblings -- herself and brothers Jack and Luke Patterson

PerformanceMay 12, 2019

BLACKPINK becomes 1st K-pop group to have music video with over 800 mln YouTube views

BLACKPINK has become the first K-pop group to have a music video with more than 800 million YouTube views, its Seoul-based agency said Saturday.YG Entertainment said that BLACKPINK's "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" surpassed the threshold at around 4:16 p.m. Saturday, nearly 11 months after the music video was released last June. Excluding PSY, the South Korean solo artist whose mega-hit "Gangnam Style" has 3.3 billion views on YouTube, BLACKPINK is the first K-pop group to see one of its music videos reach 800

PerformanceMay 12, 2019

Actor Ma Dong-seok returns to tough guy character in new movie

Actor Ma Dong-seok has carved out his own presence in the South Korean movie industry, with viewers coming to mostly know him for his muscular arms, rock-solid build and rugged looks. But alongside his tough exterior, he exhibits a friendly, cute demeanor that earned him the nickname "Mavely," a combination of his surname, "Ma," and "lovely." Actor Ma Dong-seok (Yonhap)    In the action-adventure film "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil," to be released next week, Korean movie fans may find themse

FilmMay 11, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Frozen desserts at The Westin Chosun SeoulThe Westin Chosun Seoul’s Lounge & Bar presents new frozen treats for summer. It offers two types of bingsu, topped with seasonal fruits, watermelon and green grapes, at 36,000 won. For a different treat, parfait topped with grape ice cream is available at 27,000 won. The promotion continues until the end of August. For more information, call Lounge & Bar at (02) 317-0365. Barbeque night at Grand Hilton Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul’s buffet restaurant presen

FoodMay 10, 2019

Haeundae beach to open June 1

Beaches in the Busan area are set to open for the summer. Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches will open June 1 and July 1, respectively. The Busan Metropolitan City Government announced Friday that it would hold a conference Monday at City Hall to discuss the operation of beaches during the upcoming summer season. 　 This photo shows Haeundae Beach in Busan, some 450 kilometers south of Seoul, on July 17, 2018. (Yonhap)At the conference, local authorities are to discuss a number of issues so that loca

TravelMay 10, 2019

[Weekender] Traditional liquor-based cocktails beckon adventurous drinkers

Fancy a glass of sujeonggwa-tini? Sujeonggwa is persimmon punch made with cinnamon and ginger, usually served as dessert. To create sujeonggwa-tini, local distilled spirit is added to the sweet traditional drink, and the mixture is shaken with ice in a reinterpretation of traditional Korean liquor. As its name suggests, sujeonggwa-tini is similar to martini, with strong soju serving as the base. Pine nuts are sprinkled on top as a garnish. The drink is one of nine cocktails mixed with Korean liq

FoodMay 10, 2019

[Eye Plus] Seongnagwon, private garden of Joseon

For those who dream of escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city life, Seongnagwon offers a new level of relaxation, with 200 years of history that had been veiled until only recently. The garden, whose name means “enjoy nature outside of the castle,” is open to the public only temporarily, from April 23 to June 11, as preservation work is not yet completed.Created in 1790, Seongnagwon was used as a royal villa for 35 years by Yi Gang, the fifth son of King Gojong of the late Joseon era (1

TravelMay 10, 2019

[Weekender] Wine aficionado’s love affair with Korean traditional liquors

What is South Korea’s representative booze? Most people would probably say soju. But Lee Ji-min, a wine aficionado-turned-Korean liquor promoter, begs to differ. In her view, there are many local liquors more qualified for that title. “This may sound radical, but I want to see those green soju bottles on grocery store shelves replaced by our finest traditional spirits one day. I want to contribute to making that happen,” she said. Lee Ji-min, a PR expert and promoter of Korean traditional liquor

FoodMay 10, 2019