Discover your inner Indiana Jones in Palawan

PALAWAN, Philippines -- An expansive archipelago located at the western edge of the Philippines, Palawan is a popular travel destination for those looking to immerse themselves in the area's serene atmosphere and magnificent nature. One of the highlights of the main island is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its underground river tour. If exploring this natural wonder is on your bucket list, Four Points by Sheraton, with its easy access to

TravelMay 18, 2024

[Herald Review] 'Uncle Samsik' features tightly woven plot, allusions to Korean history

Disney+ original series "Uncle Samsik," which marks "Parasite" star Song Kang-ho's debut in a drama series, features a tightly constructed plot and superb acting by veteran actors. It also deals with themes and metaphors that may prove challenging for international audiences to fully appreciate. Set in the late 1950s in a war-torn South Korea, the 16-part series tells the story of Kim San (played by Byun Yo-han), a young government official who dreams of transforming the

TelevisionMay 18, 2024

NewJeans members submit petitions over court injunction in Hybe-Ador conflict

Members of popular K-pop girl group NewJeans have each submitted a petition over a court injunction filed to prevent the dismissal of their agency Ador's CEO Min Hee-jin, music industry sources said Saturday. The five members -- Danielle, Minji, Hanni, Haerin and Hyein -- handed in the petitions Friday when the first hearing was held on the injunction sought by Min against a move from Hybe, Ador's parent company, to dismiss her from her position. Details of the petitions were not made

CultureMay 18, 2024

Korea Craft Week starts nationwide

The seventh annual Korea Craft Week kicked off Friday with four cities and counties hosting major events showcasing crafts and local craft traditions. Goseong County in Gangwon Province, Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province and North Jeolla Province’s Jeonju and Buan County will run programs to raise awareness of local crafts through May 26. In Goseong, visitors can take part in a challenge to craft something out of recycled litter retrieved from Song Ji-ho Beach and Ayajin Beach, and partic

Arts & DesignMay 17, 2024

Rebranded heritage agency eyes being ‘relatable’

The Korea Heritage Service officially marked its new start Friday with the agency managing national heritage reaffirming its commitment to be more “relatable.” Renaming the agency previously called the Cultural Heritage Administration, approved by the National Assembly last year, represents the largest overhaul in the agency’s history -- a change that warranted hosting an international meeting to mark the moment, according to KHS officials. “The meeting today is to announ

CultureMay 17, 2024

Two films featuring late Lee Sun-kyun open this summer

Two films starring late actor Lee Sun-kyun will posthumously hit theaters this summer, according to movie distributors Friday. "Project Silence," an action thriller by director Kim Tae-gon, is currently under review for theatrical release in July, the movie’s distributor CJ ENM said Friday. The film revolves around Jung-won (Lee Sun-kyun), who is stranded on a collapsed bridge shrouded in thick fog. Ju Ji-hoon appears as a tow truck driver to clear crashed cars from the bridge. T

FilmMay 17, 2024

Netflix Korea launches ‘Grow Creative’ education program for creators

Netflix Korea announced Friday an expanded education program for creators aimed at establishing a high-quality content production ecosystem and discovering and nurturing local talents. Titled “Grow Creative,” the program will run throughout the year to teach the latest production technologies and offer insights into market trends to aspiring content creators and VFX technicians. Netflix Korea has run workshops targeting local industry insiders since 2022 but it is the first time that

FilmMay 17, 2024

Seoul International Book Fair to kick off in June

The 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, the country's largest literary festival, will kick off June 26 at Coex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Over 90 overseas publishers and publishing-related organizations from 17 countries and 350 Korean publishers will participate in the five-day event. Visitors can look forward to various activities including markets, book exhibitions, talks and signing events. This year's theme, "Houyhnhnm," is inspired by Jonathan Swift's satirical 1726 nov

BooksMay 17, 2024

[Well-curated] Luck of the draw

Explore legendary Korean comics Visit the National Library of Korea this weekend to explore a special exhibition that delves into the history of Korean comics, or manhwa, by following the career of Lee Hyun-se -- the cartoonist behind one of Korea's most successful series ever published, "A Daunting Team." The exhibition, titled "The Road of Lee Hyun-se: Start of K-webtoon Legend," is free of charge and divided into three parts. The first part introduces various wor

Arts & DesignMay 17, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Late Night with the Devil” (Australia) Opened May 8 Horror/Thriller Directed by Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes Things go horribly wrong during the live broadcast of a successful variety late-night talk show Night Owls in 1977, as the show’s host Jack Delroy invites special guests for the occult-themed episode on Halloween. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (US) Opened May 8 Action/Sci-fi Directed by Wes Ball A young ape goes on a journey many years after the re

FilmMay 17, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

WE Hotel presents summer package WE Hotel, a premium health resort located in Seogwipo, southern Jeju Island, is offering an early summer package from May 20 to July 25. The package includes a one-night stay in the hotel’s superior room, a free bagel-coffee set menu, an Italian combo -- a food promotion including a pizza, spaghetti, salad and two drinks -- and a wellness program for two guests. Guests can enjoy the resort’s outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness center for free

TravelMay 17, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley Prepare yourself before looking down. The Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge in Wonju, Gangwon Province is the longest pedestrian bridge in Korea, running 200 meters suspended across a canyon. The Night of Light Show will take place at Sogeumsan, with a fountain show and installations dotting the mountain with a kaleidoscope of colors. The show runs through Oct. 27 on Saturdays, Sundays and the Chuseok holiday. The Wonju Sogeumsan Grand Valley is open from 9:00 a.m. to

TravelMay 17, 2024

Philippines to woo holidaymakers with new tourism portfolios

The Philippine Tourism Department has set an ambitious goal of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia with new travel promotions and unique cultural experiences. “Our country is not just a destination. The Philippines is more about experience. Overseas holidaymakers, especially Koreans who (account for) over a quarter of international tourist arrivals in the Philippines, can witness not only our natural wonders but also a wide range of tourism offerings,” Philippine Tourism Department

TravelMay 16, 2024

TikTok star Devin Halbal takes Korea and Japan by storm

TikToker, Devin Halbal, also known as “Hal Baddie” on social media, is traveling around Asia, causing a sensation wherever she goes. On Jan. 27, Halbal posted a video of herself in Japan singing, “sushi kudasai,” meaning, “give me sushi” in Japanese. The video went viral, and within days, Halbal was suddenly being recognized by locals all over Korea and Japan. Videos of Halbal bumping into her fans and spontaneously singing the catchphrase with big crowds of p

PeopleMay 16, 2024

Imagine living in a world where you interact with objects

How do we relate ourselves to objects around us? Fast-developing technologies lead us to think about a future where human beings interact with objects that are powered by artificial intelligence. In fact, we are already living in that era. The exhibition “What Things Dream About” at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in Seoul starts by imagining what it would be like if things act and think – much like human beings. “Some may find the theme a little

Arts & DesignMay 16, 2024

Paradise City showcases annual Paradise Super Week

Integrated resort complex Paradise City is offering a blow-out discount and sales promotion period called Paradise Super Week until May 22. 2024 Paradise Super Week, which started Monday, is the resort’s iconic annual promotion allowing its guests to enhance their hotel experience with various benefits and rewards. This year’s package includes a discount of up to 68 percent for Paradise City resort rooms. Guests can schedule their stays at Paradise City Hotel, located in Jung-gu, Inc

TravelMay 16, 2024

KTO collaborates with K-pop artist for new tourism product

The Korea Tourism Organization hopes to enlist the ever-expanding presence and influence of K-pop in boosting the country’s international arrivals. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and KTO launched their first tourism product, which connects K-pop stars' fan meetings with ESG (environment, social and governance) campaigns. A total of 250 Japanese Super Junior-D&E fans who visited Jeju Island on May 12 were on a new tourism program that combined the K-pop stars' tal

TravelMay 16, 2024

'Furiosa' speeds into the Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, France (AP) — Start your engines. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” rolls into the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, returning George Miller's dystopia-on-wheels to the Croisette promenade and launching one of the most anticipated movies of the summer. The latest “Mad Max” film, starring Anya Taylor-Joy as a young Furiosa, is premiering in Cannes almost exactly nine years after “Mad Max: Fury Road” debuted at the French festival. Miller, who has se

FilmMay 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] Legendary cartoonist Lee Hyun-se says curiosity propels him forward

South Korean cartoonist Lee Hyun-se, creator of one of the most successful cartoon series ever to be published in Korea, "A Daunting Team," said his curiosity to uncover untold stories is what pushes him to challenge himself, even after achieving stardom. Lee made his debut as a cartoonist in 1976. Following the success of "A Daunting Team" (1982), he has been honored with some of the most prestigious awards in the field of cartoons in Korea, including the Korea Popular Cultu

CultureMay 15, 2024

Robots, puppetry breathe life into musical adaptation of ‘A Thousand Blues’

On a white Christmas, a building collapses trapping a woman named Bo-gyeong in the basement. Amid the ruins and darkness, Darpa, a rescue robot navigates the debris to locate signs of life. Outside, people gather in despair, praying for a miracle, while the woman’s mother pleads for her daughter’s rescue. Darpa spots Bo-gyeong and calculates the survival odds: body temperature at 35 degrees Celsius, an 88 percent chance of another collapse, and only 20 seconds left. It estimates Bo-g

PerformanceMay 15, 2024