Korail Tourism Development presents cheap day trips via train

Korail Tourism Development, a subsidiary of the Korea Railroad Corp., is offering large-scale discounts on train travel in March. Korail Tourism Development has launched “Train Trip in March” (unofficial translation), a program that includes an opportunity to experience a day trip to provincial areas. The cost is 30,000 won ($22.42) per person. According to the agency, “Train Trip in March” will be available for 1,700 people who will be chosen in a raffle. Applications fo

TravelMarch 5, 2024

Legendary K-dramas to return to TV amid exodus of viewers to streaming services

A slew of legendary Korean dramas are set to return to the screen as broadcasters attempt to increase viewership ratings by attracting middle-aged and older audiences, while younger viewers increasingly turn to streaming services for content consumption. "Chief Detective 1958" will air its first episode on April 19, according to MBC. The new series is a prequel to MBC's 880-episode hit crime detective series "Chief Inspector," which aired from 1971 to 1989. Starring acto

TelevisionMarch 5, 2024

[Herald review] Ink wash painter Bang Ui-geol touches mind ‘thousand miles deep’

Ink wash is an art medium that young artists today mostly shun. A look at Bang Ui-geol’s ink wash paintings will make you realize why the centuries-old art form has been largely missing from today's contemporary art scene. The 86-year-old artist is presenting more than 100 recent ink wash paintings -- called “sumukhwa” in Korean -- created in his 70s and 80s at the Seoul Calligraphy Art Museum in southern Seoul in an exhibition titled “Bang Ui-geol: Link to Creation.

Arts & DesignMarch 4, 2024

Classic ballet ‘Swan Lake’ signals arrival of spring

The classic ballet “Swan Lake” is set to grace stages across the country this month, as South Korea’s two major ballet companies -- the Korean National Ballet and Universal Ballet -- embark on nationwide tours, presenting two different versions of the popular ballet piece. The ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s music, tells the story of Odette, a beautiful young princess cursed by the evil sorcerer Rothbart, who condemns her to transform into a swan during the day. She encounte

PerformanceMarch 4, 2024

April event in Boston to mark Goryeo relic’s return: CHA official

A ceremony marking the return to South Korea of long-sought 14th-century Buddhist antiques from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will take place at the US museum sometime during the first week of April, according to an official at Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday. Discussions are still underway on finalizing the date, the official added, saying the CHA chief might join a Buddhist monk expected to travel to Boston for the ceremony. The official declined to elaborate further

CultureMarch 4, 2024

Culture Ministry to relax regulations in pro-business move

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday a series of tasks aimed at improving regulations, including allowing Korean nationals access to urban accommodations with live-in hosts previously reserved for foreign nationals, relaxing the fixed book price system and enhancing the administrative penalty exemption system to protect small businesses from deceptive practices by minors. With its vision of creating "a free and creative global cultural powerhouse,” the minist

CultureMarch 4, 2024

Son Suk-ku confronts internet trolls as an investigative journalist in ‘Troll Factory’

“A Killer Paradox” and “My Liberation Notes” star Son Suk-ku plays an investigative journalist who digs up the truth behind internet trolls and seeks justice in the upcoming crime flick “Troll Factory.” Son plays Im Sang-jin, a passionate investigative journalist who is suspended from work after revealing a conglomerate’s wrongdoings. He then decides to learn more about a team of three young men who manipulate public sentiments by leaving hate comments o

FilmMarch 4, 2024

Korean stars ditch AirPods for old-school earphones

Whether it's a retro trend or just the convenience of not having to charge them in advance, wired earphones are making a comeback. On an episode of YouTube show “Lee Seojin's New York New York" released last year, actor Jung You-mi was seen using wired headphones, prompting a curious inquiry from fellow actor Lee Seo-jin: "What is up with your earphones?" When asked, she explained, "MZ generations use these." And she was right, a growing number of millenn

PeopleMarch 4, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'K-occult master' Jang Jae-hyun explores 'invisible' concepts in 'Exhuma'

Director of "Exhuma," a supernatural mystery thriller that became the quickest film to attract 1 million theater-goers so far this year, aimed to discuss "invisible" concepts through the movie, such as religion and belief, at a time when addressing such topics is increasingly shunned. "While engaging in society, there was nowhere else but the church to discuss intangible concepts like love, loyalty and righteousness," said Jang, during an interview held with reporte

FilmMarch 4, 2024

Yun Heung-gil completes decades-long project, ‘Tattoo’

Acclaimed South Korean novelist Yun Heung-gil has devoted over 25 years to writing his magnum opus, an epic saga titled “Tattoo” (“Munsin” in Korean). The 82-year-old literary luminary revealed the arduous journey of completing the five-volume work during a press conference in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Tuesday, acknowledging that he "engaged in fierce battles" to a point where he thought he could die while writing. “I was worried whether I would be able to f

BooksMarch 3, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘My Name is Loh Kiwan’ a weak drama with soppy ending

Even the presence of Korean megastar Song Joong-ki in its titular role couldn’t sustain interest in director Kim Hee-jin’s “My Name is Loh Kiwan." Song, who plays a North Korean defector for the first time in his 15-year career, referred to his acting in the film as "refreshing and satisfactory." Despite the actor's confidence, however, the 133-minute movie based on the 2011 novel “I Met Loh Kiwan” by Cho Hae-jin, fails to portray the North Korea

FilmMarch 3, 2024

Danyang's new, old indoor tourist attractions beckon family travelers

DANYANG, North Chungcheong Province -- Danyang, home to multiple outdoor activities and renowned historical sites, like Dodamsambong Peaks, three stone peaks rising out of the Namhan River, is starting to draw more traveling families with its unique indoor spots as well. The augmented reality-themed tourist attraction Pops World Dajagu Halmine is a place that has appealed especially to young visitors since its opening in August 2023. Pops World Dajagu Halmine, a four to five-minute ride from the

TravelMarch 2, 2024

Flavor-full salads that don't get boring

The quest for salad has become much easier in Seoul in recent years thanks to many healthy spots popping up around the city, including salad franchise shops. It is quite difficult to imagine salad as something mouthwatering or super appetizing. But salads can be nutritious, affordable and delicious if you find the right one. There are many creative ways to enjoy salads; you won't get bored of eating the same basic green salad while on a diet. Here are some shops where you eat a wide variety

FoodMarch 2, 2024

EDM festival 'Don't Let Daddy Know' returns to Korea in April

The celebrated international EDM festival "Don't Let Daddy Know," featuring famous overseas DJs and music producers, will mesmerize Korean audiences in April. DLDK Korea will take place April 20 at Seoul Land in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, the performance agency BEPC Tangent said Wednesday. The festival was first held in the Netherlands in 2012 and has traveled to 21 countries, including Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Turkey and Japan. The first DLDK in Korea took place last Ap

PerformanceMarch 2, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Past Lives’: First love and its many ‘what ifs’

It is not unheard of for people to imagine what would happen if a childhood sweetheart showed up after years apart. This is the story that unfolds on screen in Korean Canadian director Celine Song’s directorial debut romance film “Past Lives.” The film, which received 75 awards and over 200 nominations at film festivals around the world, including best director and screenplay nominations at the Academy Awards, revolves around the story first love, admittedly something of a clic

FilmMarch 2, 2024

'Exhuma' tops 5 mln admissions in 10 days since release

Director Jang Jae-hyun's occult flick "Exhuma" continues its strong box-office performance, surpassing 3 million cumulative viewers in just one week since its release. According to the distributor Showbox on Saturday, the supernatural thriller topped 5 million cumulative viewers earlier in the day, becoming the most-viewed film released this year. Starring Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun, it follows two shamans, a feng shui expert and a mortician, who team up to get to the bottom of a

FilmMarch 2, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Mary & George' will resonate with global audience: actors

Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine and Tony Curran said their latest period drama "Mary & George" will connect with global audiences by exploring social constraints and the theme of human greed in 17th-century England. The 7-part historical drama series narrates the story of Mary Villiers, an ambitious, minor member of the gentry who is determined to rise to power by grooming her second son George Villiers to become the favorite of King James I. Set during the Jacobean era in Engla

TelevisionMarch 1, 2024

P21 opens new space in Itaewon with paper works by Jorinde Voigt, Xiyadie

P21, a contemporary art gallery based in Seoul, is showcasing work by German artist Jorinde Voigt and traditional Chinese paper-cut artist Xiyadie at its new space in Itaewon in Seoul. The latest exhibition marks the inaugural exhibition at P21's new space, which opened on Feb. 24 after moving from its original place that opened in 2017. “The former space had a strong character by having two separate storefront spaces but also posed limitations as they were very small. But I didn&rsqu

Arts & DesignMarch 1, 2024

Han Kang's 'I Do Not Bid Farewell' clinches second French award

Korean writer Han Kang's latest novel "I Do Not Bid Farewell" has won a French literary award, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea said Friday. The novel took home the Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature for her "restrained expression and the universality of its themes,” the award's organizer said Friday (French time). The French was translated by Choi Kyung-ran and Pierre Bisiou into French, with support by LTIK and published in 2023. Its English

CultureMarch 1, 2024

South Jeolla vows to hold eco-friendly festivals

The South Jeolla Provincial Government on Thursday announced that its 22 local festivals will be held without using any disposable products. Local festivals, each from South Jeolla Province’s 22 cities and counties, will become eco-friendly, according to a provincial government official. Though the festival venues and food trucks freely used disposable products without separate regulations in 2023, host cities and counties will create guidelines for stores and businesses to provide reusabl

TravelMarch 1, 2024