Ceramic foundation seeks participants for Paris show

The Korea Ceramic Foundation, run by Gyeonggi Province, is seeking applicants to participate in the biannual Maison & Objet design fair in Paris, Sept. 5-9. The foundation is looking to select a total of 16 local craft workshops registered with the province, with the slots evenly split between firms in Yeoju and Icheon, cities known for their ceramics, to set up booths at the Gyeonggi Ceramic Pavilion during Maison & Objet. The Paris exhibition on tableware and household goods drew about

Arts & DesignFeb. 27, 2024

West Bank museum showcases Gaza 'artistic demonstration' against war

BIRZEIT, Palestinian Territories - At a museum in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Gazan works on display are proclaimed to be an "ongoing artistic demonstration" in solidarity with the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. "This is not an exhibition," reads the sign at the entrance to the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, near Ramallah, showcasing art and heritage from the Gaza Strip. Alongside contemporary pieces, the works include old, traditional paintings and costumes, as well

CultureFeb. 27, 2024

Germany probes Berlin film festival in anti-Semitism row

BERLIN - German officials will investigate how Berlin film festival winners made "one-sided" comments condemning Israel's war in Gaza at the awards gala, a government spokeswoman said on Monday. At Saturday's ceremony, several winners were accused of making anti-Semitic remarks on stage in relation to Israel's military assault, which began after an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. US filmmaker Ben Russell, wearing a Palestinian scarf, accused Israel of com

FilmFeb. 27, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Go-eun aimed to perfect portrayal of Korean shamans in 'Exhuma'

South Korean actor Kim Go-eun said she aimed to perfect her performance of a Korean traditional shaman in "Exhuma," an occult flick directed by Jang Jae-hyun. Jang popularized the occult genre in Korea with hit occult mystery movies such as "The Priest" and "Svaha: The Sixth Finger." "Exhuma" unfolds as a group of exorcists, an undertaker and a feng shui specialist relocate a tomb. In the movie, Kim plays the role of Hwa-rim, a young shaman who is assign

FilmFeb. 27, 2024

BIFF struggles to fill director post

The Busan International Film Festival is once again accepting applications for the post of festival director after failing to fill the position, which has been vacant since last year. According to the organizing committee of Asia’s largest film festival, there were no qualified candidates who suited the generational change that the committee seeks. A total of seven people submitted applications in the most recent round which ended Feb. 13. “Although many candidates with expertise and

FilmFeb. 27, 2024

Song Joong-ki says ‘My Name is Loh Kiwan’ was emotional, fresh work for him

Actor Song Joong-ki, who appears as North Korean defector Loh Ki-wan in the new Netflix film “My Name is Loh Kiwan,” said playing Loh was an emotionally overwhelming, fresh work for him. “I read the script for the first time six or seven years ago. I didn’t know anything about the story, but the first thing that came to my mind after completing reading was that this was a heartbreaking story, but at the same time, something that I could try for the first time with a fresh

FilmFeb. 27, 2024

Incheon presents new city tour bus routes, promotions

Incheon Metropolitan City and Incheon Tourism Organization on Sunday announced changes to its city tour bus routes and upcoming promotions in March. The double-decker bus Ocean Line, one of the two circular route services covering Incheon’s newly-developed Songdo district and Yeongjongdo Island, will add a new bus stop at Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort. Inspire Resort is Incheon’s latest landmark, scheduled to make its official opening on March 5. Incheon Retro Line, a 90-minut

TravelFeb. 26, 2024

Korea National Contemporary Dance Company kicks off season with 'Jungle'

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will kick off the 2024 season with a new production entitled “Jungle,” choreographed by Kim Sung-yong, the company's director and artistic director. “Jungle” is set to be staged April 11-14 at the Seoul Arts Center’s CJ Towol Theater. Kim officially took his position on May 11, 2023, for a three-year term. In October, Kim’s “Jungle -- Sense and Response” premiered as the opening piece at the Intern

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2024

'K-classical league' needed to create healthy classical music scene

South Korea has become a heaven for classical music prodigies but for sustainable growth, a '"K-classical league" would be more conducive, according to classical music experts during a forum on Friday. Hosted by the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, which has been supporting talented young musicians since 2009, the forum dealt with various issues concerning fostering classical music talent. “Because now South Korea has become a heaven for prodigies, they are trying to

CultureFeb. 26, 2024

[Herald Interview] Choi Min-sik brings to fore charisma of shamanistic practitioners in 'Exhuma'

A veteran actor with 35 years of experience in films and TV, Choi Min-sik sought to bring to the screen the charisma of Korean practitioners of shamanistic beliefs such as geomancers, to push people to think about how our perceptions of land impact society, in "Exhuma," his first occult film. Directed by the master of K-occult, Jang Jae-hyun, "Exhuma" follows the story of a feng-shui expert, an undertaker and two shaman exorcists who try to find a new resting place for a dece

FilmFeb. 26, 2024

UNESCO workshop on writing cultural heritage reports convenes in Jeonju

The Cultural Heritage Administration on Monday convened a five-day international meeting on empowering countries to write up better progress reports on protecting cultural heritage, in line with a UNESCO convention. About 100 government officials and UNESCO representatives from 42 countries in the Asia-Pacific region will discuss improving their collective submission of progress reports, mandated every six years under the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, in Je

CultureFeb. 26, 2024

Theaters come to life in Feb. with opening of ‘Exhuma,’ ‘Dune: Part Two’

South Korean theaters are experiencing a much-needed boom in February with the release of two much-anticipated films -- “Exhuma” by the so-called K-occult genre master Jang Jae-hyun, and the global sci-fi blockbuster sequel “Dune: Part Two.” According to box office data from the Korean Film Council, “Exhuma” attracted 2 million theatergoers within four days of the movie opening on Feb. 22. “Dune: Part Two,” which is set for release Wednesday, is cu

FilmFeb. 26, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'Salome' director Kim Si-hwa adds bold twist to changgeuk with all-male act

It might have been her directional debut in changgeuk, but former choreographer Kim Si-hwa was prepared to push the boundaries with "Salome." In an interview with The Korea Herald, last week, Kim said she was aiming for a groundbreaking traditional performance. She had thought of an all-male changgeuk for a while, believing it could be appealing to the audience. Changgeuk derives from pansori, a traditional narrative singing form involving a solo singer and a percussionist that is regi

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2024

Hong Sang-soo wins Berlin Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with 'A Traveler's Needs'

South Korean director Hong Sang-soo clinched the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize with his new film "A Traveler's Needs" at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on Saturday. The jury announced the award at the ceremony held at the Berlinale Palast. The Silver Bear is the festival's second-highest prize after the Golden Bear. It is Hong's second Grand Jury Prize, following his win for "The Novelist's Film" in 2022. "I’d like to thank the jury.

FilmFeb. 25, 2024

Sneak peeks of pianist Lim Yunchan's debut album on Decca heighten expectations

When pianist Lim Yunchan, the youngest winner ever to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, attended the press conference for Apple Music Classical on Jan. 29, he performed three of Chopin Etudes: Op. 25, No. 1 “Aeolian Harp;” Op. 10, No. 5 “Black Keys;” and Op. 25, No. 11 "Winter Wind." For his playlist exclusively unveiled on the Apple Music Classical app, the 19-year-old pianist featured Chopin 12 Etudes by Ignaz Friedman among other artists

CultureFeb. 25, 2024

[Herald Review] Eric Nam mesmerizes Korean fans with dance, voice

Singer Eric Nam visited Korean fans for the first time in a year and three months. On Saturday, the Seoul performance of "Eric Nam House on a Hill World Tour" was held at Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Despite the cold weather with rain and snow, about 2,000 fans visited the venue to enjoy Nam's performance. The singer has been on a world tour starting from Orlando, Florida, the US, since September last year after releasing his English language album, "House on

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2024

Aegibong Peace Ecopark poised to become popular border-area tourism spot

GIMPO, Gyeonggi Province -- Aegibong Peace Ecopark, celebrated the country’s annual Jeongwol Daeboreum festival on Saturday with a lighting show, media performance, magic show and concert. Jeongwol Daeboreum is a traditional holiday marking the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, when people share nuts and other traditional food and drinks among families and neighbors, send their wishes for a healthy and fruitful new year to the first full moon. “We are celebrating Jeongwol Daebor

TravelFeb. 25, 2024

Enjoy Danyang with unique cafes and dynamic activities

DANYANG, North Chungcheong Province -- Danyang, a county some 170 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is perhaps a lesser-known tourist destination, even for many Koreans. While historical sites, like Guinsa and Dodamsambong Peaks -- three stone peaks rising out of the Namhan River -- are popular spots, the county has much more to offer, from unique dishes and restaurants to exciting outdoor activities. To enjoy Danyang to the fullest, one would have to stay more than just a single night. Those looki

TravelFeb. 24, 2024

[Weekender] Discover the joys of life without a smartphone

In December, college student Kang Min-gu was preparing for his final exams when he decided to put his cell phone in a special type of locker called the "Room of Immersion." Once items are placed in the cylinder, also called a "smartphone prison," and a timer is set, it can only be opened before the time is up by breaking it. Kang, who majors in Korean medicine, meant to set a timer for 60 minutes so he could focus on his studies. But when he realized he had accidentally s

CultureFeb. 24, 2024

Occult thriller 'Exhuma' reaches 1m ticket sales in record time

"Exhuma," a supernatural mystery thriller, surpassed 1 million in attendance Saturday, becoming the fastest film released this year to reach the milestone, the film's local distributor said. The thriller, also known as "Pamyo" in Korean, has set the record on the third day of its release, Showbox said. Starring Choi Min-sik, the film revolves around mysterious events affecting a geomancer, an undertaker and a young shaman duo after they exhume the grave of an ancestor fr

FilmFeb. 24, 2024