[Weekender] Makgeolli makes a comeback

123rfLong overshadowed by soju and beer, makgeolli is poised for a grand comeback, with more brewers blending tradition with a modern twist. The oldest alcoholic drink in South Korea, the milky, unfiltered rice wine was traditionally the drink of farmers, but latest renditions have taken on a new variety of tastes and flavors, plus a premium image, to win over young, sophisticated sippers. At E-mart, the country’s largest retailer, makgeolli was the fastest growing liquor, logging a 24.6 percent

FoodMay 10, 2019

[Weekender] Hottest makgeolli variations leading old spirit's revival

Feel like you’re missing out on the evolution of makgeolli? Don’t worry. The following are some of the hottest brews now for you to catch up with the ongoing revival of South Korea’s oldest booze. The selection is based on recommendations from industry insiders as well as sales tallies from traditional liquor shops. Premium line 1. Haechang Made from freshly harvested rice, glutinous rice and nuruk (a fermentation starter) from Haenam, South Jeolla Province, this premium makgeolli took the No. 1

CultureMay 10, 2019

[Herald Interview] A walking canvas of tattoos

In a country where tattoos are widely frowned upon, Ahn Li-na, 25, catches attention as a walking canvas of body art, with nearly 80 percent of her skin inked. “The value of all my tattoos, if combined, could easily match that of quite an expensive car,” said Ahn, a tattoo artist herself, adding that only her face, scalp, front neck, knuckles and soles of her feet are left untouched. Living with such overt body art comes with a hefty price here, as tattoos are often associated with deviant behav

PeopleMay 10, 2019

2019 UMTF kicks off with Teatr Biuro Podrozy’s ‘Macbeth’

The 2019 Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival kicks off Friday with Teatr Biuro Podrozy’s “Macbeth: Who Is That Bloodied Man?”Starting with the Polish theater company’s reinvention of “Macbeth” on Friday, the 18th UMTF will feature some 40 productions from May 10-19, coming to a close with Geoff Sobelle’s “Home.” A scene from Teatr Biuro Podrozy’s “Macbeth: Who Is That Bloodied Man?” (Tomasz Plaskowski)“Macbeth: Who Is That Bloodied Man?” returns to Uijeongbu 10 years after it was first performed at

PerformanceMay 9, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

‘Walk with a King’ at Jeonju Hanok VillageJeonju Hanok Village is holding the “Walk with a King” tour every Saturday through Oct. 26, with the exception of Aug. 3 and 8. The tour is open to up to 100 people. A guide will take you around the beautiful city of Jeonju, including a spot that offers a special view of Gyeongggijeon Shrine. Admission fees are 10,000 won per person, and the hours are from 8 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. It is open to visitors of all ages.For more information in Korean, English, Jap

TravelMay 9, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Avengers: Endgame(US)Opened April 24Action, Adventure, FantasyDirected by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo After the devastating events of last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe. Inseparable Bros(Korea)Opened May 1Drama, ComedyDirected by Yook Sang-hoSe-ha (Shin Ha-kyun) possesses a sharp mind but cannot go anywhere without Dong-gu (Lee Kwang-soo), who is

FilmMay 9, 2019

Sales of BTS' latest album hit all-time high

K-pop superstars BTS' latest "Map of the Soul: Persona" has sold more than 3.22 million copies, marking an all-time high in number of albums sold, a market tracker said Thursday.The accumulated sales for the band's seven-track EP, released on April 12, came to a record 3,229,032 in April alone, according to data from Gaon Chart.It is the most copies sold for an album since 2011 when Gaon Chart started to compile such data. Gaon's earlier album sales record was 2.13 million copies set by BTS' pre

PerformanceMay 9, 2019

‘From Tomorrow On, I Will,’ ‘Scattered Night’ win at Jeonju IFF

The 20th annual Jeonju International Film Festival on Wednesday announced the winners of this year’s international and Korean competitions, along with winners in other categories.“From Tomorrow On, I Will,” a Chinese-German-Serbian film directed by Ivan Markovic and Wu Linfeng, took the grand prize in the international competition category. The second directorial feature by Markovic was a collaboration with the Chinese director Wu about a migrant worker in Beijing and his roommate whose lives ru

FilmMay 9, 2019

Bong Joon-ho’s oeuvre to be screened ahead of ‘Parasite’ release

Celebrating the upcoming release of director Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite,” a local cinema chain is offering moviegoers the opportunity to rediscover the acclaimed director’s filmography.CGV Arthouse will screen Bong’s past films from May 16 to 29 at its seven branches across the nation, in Myeong-dong and Apgujeong in Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon and Incheon. Director Bong Joon-ho speaks during a press conference for “Parasite,” held at the Westin Chosun Seoul on April 22. (Yonhap)Five fil

FilmMay 8, 2019

For singer Jang Sa-ik, calligraphy is ‘blissful agony’

Musician Jang Sa-ik, known for his unique interpretation of traditional Korean songs, will show his talent for “seoye” at an exhibition in Seoul. Seoye refers to Korean calligraphy, a tradition of artistic writing created with brushstrokes. Using only black ink, it conveys a sense of depth and breadth.  Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21) Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21) Jang’s seoye work (Geulc 21)Jang, 70, is a famous singer who incorporates the art of pansori into his music, as well as the folk and pop

Arts & DesignMay 8, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] ‘Army stew’ represents tumultuous mid-20th century history

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. - Ed.Though its name can be translated to “army stew” in English, the official translation of budaejjigae, approved by the Korean Food Foundation, is actually sausage stew.The dish features more than just sausages, however, being a fusion of Korean-st

FoodMay 8, 2019

‘Fuerza Bruta Wayra’ revisits Seoul

“Fuerza Bruta Wayra” is back in Seoul with a few changes and upgrades after a successful run last year.The 70- to 80-minute show features eye-catching acrobatics, heart-thumping sounds, multicolored lights and projections, as well as wind machines.  A scene titled “Corredor” in “Fuerza Bruta Wayra” (Fuerza Bruta) “Salto” is a new segment in the scene titled “Corredor.” /Fuerza BrutaThe show is all about partying, the production’s team said during a press conference on April 30 at FB Theater, a t

PerformanceMay 8, 2019

Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s ‘Asylum’ to unveil at 2019 MODAFE

The world premiere of Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company’s “Asylum” will open the 38th International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE) at Arko Arts Theater on May 16.The Israel-based dance company’s most recent work, “Asylum,” which touches on the on-going issues of refugees, immigration, and asylum seekers. Born to a family of Holocaust survivors in 1957, artistic director Rami Be’er has translated his own experience, troubled emotions and identity crisis into a dance.  A scene from “Asylum,“ a ne

PerformanceMay 7, 2019

Super Junior's Kyuhyun completes military service, returns to show biz

Kyuhyun, the youngest member of the 11-piece K-pop boy band Super Junior, will finish his mandatory military service Tuesday, finally returning the band to its full lineup.The 31-year-old started his mandatory service at a state welfare institution in the Seongbuk district in Seoul in May 2017 and reported for duty there for his final day of the two-year stint Tuesday.The return of Kyuhyun will bring all the 11 Super Junior members back together for the first time in many years.  (Yonhap)The pop

PerformanceMay 7, 2019

Momoland to drop new single featuring Vietnamese singer Erik

K-pop girl group Momoland is set to drop a new single, "Momola," featuring famed Vietnamese singer Erik, on Tuesday, its management agency said.The new single, which is on its way to hit the music scene Tuesday evening, is a sentimental ballad song that veered from the group's other energetic, dance numbers, according to MLD Entertainment.The new song, whose Korean title is translated as "You are the only love," delves into the longing and sentimental feelings of love through medium-tempo melodi

PerformanceMay 7, 2019

Xiumin joins military as 1st EXO member to enlist

Xiumin, a member of K-pop boy band EXO, has uploaded on his SNS account a selfie showing his new military-style haircut, hours before officially starting his military service Tuesday.The 29-year-old, whose real name is Kim Min-seok, is set to enter a military boot camp in Gangwon Province in the afternoon to start his 21-month military service as an active-duty soldier.Ahead of the enlistment, Xiumin posted an uncaptioned selfie showing his new haircut online Monday, marking his impending milita

PerformanceMay 7, 2019

‘Beethoven is the center of my life’

Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, an influential Beethoven expert, is to share his understanding of the maestro with the Korean audience through a six-day concert tour.The renowned Austrian pianist, who has put on more than 50 performances of Beethoven’s complete 32 sonata cycle and has recorded the set three times, is to delight the locals with a series of recitals across the nation from Tuesday to Sunday. 　Titled “Rudolf Buchbinder & Beethoven,” the series will comprise a selection of Beethoven’s pia

PerformanceMay 6, 2019

[Herald Interview] Turning the tables on geomungo

Much like other Korean instruments, the geomungo is considered an instrument of the past -- one of royal court music and traditional compositions.But here is a musician who has turned the tables on those preconceptions. Park Woo-jae literally turns the 2,000-year-old instrument around, opening up a whole new dimension to how it sounds. After a five-year absence from performance in Korea, the musician recently held a solo recital at Seoul Namsan Gukakdang. In recent years, he has mostly performed

PerformanceMay 6, 2019

‘Avengers: Endgame’ continues record run despite dispute

“Avengers: Endgame,” the final installment of the Infinity Saga from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has tied the fastest film in Korean cinema history to top the 11-million mark for ticket sales. Citing the Korean Box Office Information System, Walt Disney Company Korea announced, the film reached the milestone Monday -- day 13 of its run here -- tying the 2014 period piece “The Admiral: Roaring Currents.” “Avengers: Endgame” / Walt Disney Company KoreaTwo days earlier, “Endgame” broke another r

FilmMay 6, 2019

BTS kicks off world stadium tour in Los Angeles

South Korean pop group BTS was to begin its world tour at a 90,000-seat stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night (local time).The septet was to perform before sold-out crowds at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, according to its management agency.Concert-goers gather outside Rose Bowl Stadium inin Los Angeles for the BTS concert on Saturday.YonhapThe "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" stadium tour follows last month's release of BTS' new EP "Map of the Soul: Persona" that became its thi

PerformanceMay 5, 2019