[Herald Interview] ‘I learned how to love my fate’: Sohee of Elris

One gets the impression that Sohee has got the competitive showbiz world all figured out. In middle school, the current Elris member learned that “acceptance” was key to coping with the whirlwind life of a K-pop trainee. There were times when she almost succumbed to countless cut-throat competition in the course of making her debut, which she recalled as the “hardest thing” during her trainee years. But what always empowered her was the Latin phrase “amor fati,” meaning to accept and love everyt

PerformanceDec. 10, 2018

LTI Korea recognizes prominent, aspiring Korean literature translators

Each year Literature Translation Institute of Korea recognizes translators who have worked on promoting Korean literature to international readers through quality translations. This year, Masuo Omura’s Japanese translation of Lee Gi-yeong’s “Hometown” was recognized as the best translation among 167 works in 29 languages published last year and submitted for consideration. Recipients of LTI Korea Translation Awards speak during a press conference held Monday at Koreana Hotel in central Seoul. (L

PeopleDec. 10, 2018

3 South Korean shows to watch on Netflix in December

Here are some of the best South Korean series to watch on Netflix in December -- a drama, a sci-fi thriller and a rom-com. “SKY Castle” A dark but humorous look at South Korea’s obsession with education  "Sky Castle." (JTBC)Number of episodes available: six Living in a luxurious residential area in the suburbs of Seoul, a group of housewives who are determined to see their children enter South Korea’s top medical school lay bare the country’s notorious education craze and its negative consequenc

TelevisionDec. 10, 2018

Photography theatricalized

A tree stands against the backdrop of a large white canvas. The artist‘s intervention with the canvas creates a portrait of a tree. Standing out of nowhere, the tree in front of the white backdrop also appears as an alien installation to the landscape. The highlighting of the tree as an object changes the scene.Gallery Hyundai is holding a solo exhibition of works by phtographer Lee Myung-ho, introducing his latest series titled “Nothing But,” as well as work from his past series, “Tree” and “Mi

Arts & DesignDec. 9, 2018

Korea-born character Pucca reimagined as 3D animation

Pucca, one of the most beloved animated characters to have come out of Korea, is getting her own TV show here for the first time in 10 years.CJ ENM announced it will air the 3D animation show “Pucca” on a local cable channel and its affiliate Tooniverse, starting Dec. 19. The entertainment giant inked a deal in May with VOOZ, the company that created the character in 2000. Pucca refers to both the Asian animated character and the media franchise surrounding it.  The poster for “Pucca” (CJ ENM)CJ

TelevisionDec. 9, 2018

10 years on, music audition shows still thriving on TV

Music audition programs continue to thrive on the small screen, seemingly giving fair opportunities to everyone and playing to viewers’ desire to see the heroic story of a talented individual becoming a star after overcoming insurmountable odds. The programs’ winners are basically the 21st century version of Greek heroes in the eyes of viewers.Many of the beloved shows in the genre have given birth to numerous stars in music, drama and on the big screen, and continue to entertain viewers with fr

TelevisionDec. 9, 2018

‘Falmouth’ Stradivarius to go up for auction

The “Falmouth” Stradivarius -- created in 1692 by Antonio Stradivari -- will be auctioned at Seoul Auction’s 20th anniversary event on Thursday in Seoul. The auction of the “Falmouth” Stradivarius marks the first time a Korean auction house is selling a Stradivarius here, according to Seoul Auction. The “Falmouth” Stradivarius (Seoul Auction)Internationally renowned virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos was one of the former holders of the violin known for its dark, rich quality in the lower register, as we

Arts & DesignDec. 7, 2018

BTS becomes 1st K-pop act to be on Bloomberg 50

BTS has become the first K-pop group to be included on Bloomberg’s list of 50 most influential people of the year, called “The Bloomberg 50,” which was revealed Friday on the US media outlet’s website.  (BTS' official Twitter)“BTS ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s album chart with its ‘Love Yourself Tear’ and topped the chart again with another album ‘Love Yourself Answer,’ showing unprecedented success in US,” Bloomberg said on why BTS made it to the list.  (Bloomberg)According to the US media outlet

PerformanceDec. 7, 2018

Rediscovering eastern China

Though Shanghai is known as the pearl of China, not much is known about eastern China beyond the megapolis. The cosmopolitan port city is actually part of Jiangsu province, a province itself as large as South Korea. Not only in size, the province also boasts rich cultural traditions and economical infrastructure, inviting tourists and business seekers. It is also one of the richest parts of mainland China.Though many international tourists do not have the opportunity to explore past Shanghai, Ji

TravelDec. 6, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Christmas at Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences presents new packages for the holiday season. The Dear My Santa! package includes a night’s stay at the hotel, a Bouche de Noel Christmas cake and a do-it-yourself Christmas tree set. It will be offered from Dec. 21 to 25, with prices ranging from 249,000 won to 299,000 won. The All About Christmas! package adds extra perks, such as breakfast for two, in-room dining service and late checkout. It wil

FoodDec. 6, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ dazzles in its own way

When you’ve been told the same story for the umpteenth time, is it possible for it to still feel original? Apparently yes, as yet another take by Sony Pictures’ on the wildly popular Spider-Man character hit it out of the ballpark for a well-animated, witty, dazzling and, most importantly, fun superhero movie in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” caption: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (Sony Pictures Korea)I’d first like to point out the filmmaking duo of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller,

FilmDec. 6, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this weekDefault (Korea)Opened Nov. 28DramaDirected by Choi Kook-heeAs the 1997 financial crisis hits Korea, Bank of Korea analyst Han Shi-hyeon (Kim Hye-soo) warns senior government officials. But her call for immediate action and the need to alert the public falls on deaf ears, as the high-ranking officials are more focused on covering up everything. Meanwhile, investment consultant Yun Jeong-hak (Yoo Ah-in) looks to make money off the crumbling economy.Door Loc

FilmDec. 6, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

European Christmas MarketEuropean Christmas Market aims to exchange and promote cultural values with international visitors and local residents by celebrating Christmas in the European tradition. Visitors can experience European Christmas through food, music, performances, and other enjoyable events.The event is held at the Seongbukcheon Fountain Square in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, Saturday and Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.It is open to visitors of all ages.For more information in Korean, English,

TravelDec. 6, 2018

[Weekender] Massage no longer taboo or luxury

In South Korea, the image of massage services has long been negative, viewed in relation to illicit sexual service providers. Either that, or massages were seen as the prerogative of the elite at posh and luxurious spas.Now, with growing interest in health services amid increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the consequent branching out of massage to become more affordable and accessible, it has become a common way to relieve stress and pain for many Korean urbanites. In Seoul, you can easily fin

CultureDec. 6, 2018

[Photo News] Ceramics: Song of earth and fire

The perfect recipe for pottery is one that requires patience and perseverance. But here’s a man who can tell the temperature of his kiln by looking at the colors of the flame, who knows the best layer of earth for his ceramics.For over 30 years, Lee Jong-neung has poured his soul in to the art of Korean pottery. His only goal: to establish an original line of ceramics that would represent modern Korea. Lee Jong-neung works at his kiln in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Heral

Arts & DesignDec. 6, 2018

Pianist Cho Seong-jin to join Salzburg Festival centennial in 2020

Pianist Cho Seong-jin will perform at the Salzburg Festival in 2020, the year marking the prestigious music festival’s centennial. Salzburg Festival President Helga Rabl-Stadler made the announcement at a press conference Tuesday in Seoul to promote the festival’s lineup for 2019.  cap - Pianist Cho Seong-jin plays at the Salzburg Festival 2019 presentation held Tuesday at Oakwood Premier Coex Center in Seoul. (World Culture Networks)“It’s a great honor to join one of the world’s most prominent

PerformanceDec. 5, 2018

Century-old hanok welcomes new souls

Hanok, or traditional Korean buildings, being turned into hip cafes and restaurants are no longer newsworthy, as the touristy areas of Bukchon, Seochon and Samcheong-dong are dotted with these amalgamations of old and new. What is unique about a hanok in Dongdaemun that recently opened as a cafe-lifestyle shop is that it is very old -- more than 100 years old. The J.Hidden House, situated on a backstreet in Dongdaemun -- the fashion hub of Seoul with the Zaha Hadid-designed Dongdaemun Design Pla

CultureDec. 5, 2018

Korean distributors halt sales of instant noodles from Fukushima

Korean retailers Homeplus and Wemakeprice have discontinued sales of Fukushima-imported instant noodles after the product’s place of origin label stirred up health concerns.Otaru Shio Ramen -- produced in Fukushima, Japan, and imported to Korea by Homeplus and Wemakeprice -- has Fukushima printed as the area of production in Japanese. However, the Korean label specifies only Japan as the place of origin, prompting some consumers to point out that the translated label is misleading and takes away

FoodDec. 5, 2018

Twitter reveals BTS has ‘Golden Tweet’ of 2018

A tweet from K-pop sensation BTS has become the country’s most retweeted of the year. In a tweet Wednesday, the social media platform revealed the “Golden Tweet of 2018”: a post with a short clip of Jungkook singing in a studio to a background track. (Yonhap) The monumental tweet in K-pop history from the group’s main account @BTS_twt had been retweeted over 620,000 times with over 1.2 million likes as of

PerformanceDec. 5, 2018

Behind the scenes at GOT7’s Twitter #Blueroom live

Following the release of its new album “Present: You & Me” on the previous day, GOT7 hit Twitter’s #Blueroom Tuesday evening. The social media giant’s live Q&A program was held at its forest-themed studio inhabited by Twitter’s iconic bluebirds.(The Korea Herald / Kim Arin)GOT7 arrived at the studio one by one from about five to 10 minutes before the live broadcast’s official kickoff at 7 p.m., and the cozy microstudio soon became crowded with the seven bandmates’ presence and energy. As they wa

PerformanceDec. 5, 2018