Memorial sculpture of US general unveiled at UN Peace Park, Busan

A special ceremony unveiling a memorial sculpture of Gen. Richard S. Whitcomb, who served in the Korean War (1950-1953), took place at UN Peace Park in Busan, Saturday. Titled "Going to the Future Together," the sculpture commemorating the US General was created by sculptor Kwon Chi-gyu, 57, who also created a sculpture of Ahn Jung-geun, an independence fighter during the Japanese colonial period, at the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Museum in Seoul. Gen. Whitcomb served as the commander of t

PeopleNov. 13, 2023

After robot conductor, National Orchestra of Korea explores virtual reality

The National Orchestra of Korea, a traditional Korean music orchestra under the National Theater of Korea, is set to deploy a cutting-edge exhibition to help the audience to explore the roots of Korean music. Titled “The Origin of Orchestra,” the exhibition featuring virtual reality technology is scheduled for Nov. 23-24, with a concert of the same title at the Haneul Round Theater on Nov. 26. Building on the momentum initiated in the 2022 concert with media artist Lee Lee-nam's

PerformanceNov. 13, 2023

Enjoy League of Legends World Championship at Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul will become the stage for four days of festivities starting Friday in anticipation of the final round of the 2023 League of Legends World Championship on Sunday. South Korea's T1 made its way to the final round after defeating China's JDG Intel Esports Club on Nov. 12. T1 is set to compete against China's Weibo Gaming at the Gocheok Sky Dome in southern Seoul. For those who couldn't secure tickets for the final round, the Seoul Metropolitan Gover

CultureNov. 13, 2023

Rising star pianists of three Asian countries join force for peace concert

Pianists from three Asian countries are set to join forces for a special concert series called “3 Peace Concert” next month in Mapo-gu, Seoul. From Dec. 5-7, pianists from Korea, Taiwan and Japan will have their recital at Mapo Arts Center in Daeheung. The series will kick off with Kim Do-hyun, who won the second prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of contemporary piano music at the Ferruccio Busoni Competition 2021. Kim, the inaugural Artist of the Year for Mapo

CultureNov. 13, 2023

[New on the Scene] Joo Jong-hyuk eager to show his versatile acting

Joo Jong-hyuk, better known as his character “tactician Kwon Min-woo” in the 2022 hit series “Extraordinary Attorney Woo," transforms into a completely different person in "Iron Mask," the actor's first venture into non-indie film. “Iron Mask,” which has the Korean title of “One-Ten-Thousandth of a Second,” follows the story of Kim Jae-woo (Joo), who joins an athlete boot camp for the national kendo team selection. There, he meets Tae

FilmNov. 13, 2023

KBS ‘Goryeo-Khitan War’ off to rough start

Terrestrial broadcaster KBS premiered its new epic historical drama “Goryeo-Khitan War” on Saturday with much anticipation, but the first two episodes of the series fell short of the expectations of many TV drama fans who felt nostalgic for the spectacular Korean period dramas that dominated the creative content industry for many years in the early 2000s. “Goryeo-Khitan War,” the broadcast’s 34th period drama, unfolds the stories of King Hyeongjong (Kim Dong-jun) of

TelevisionNov. 13, 2023

[Herald Review] 'Different, but in harmony' -- Traditional orchestras of Korea, Taiwan exchange melodies in joint concert

In a mesmerizing display of cultural harmony and melodic beauty, a haegeum player in traditional Korean hanbok and an erhu player in a purple gown graced the stage together side by side. Performing the double concerto for erhu and haegeum titled “Two Strings,” the two string musicians from Taiwan and Korea exchanged eye contact and melodies, creating a harmonious fusion. The joint performance was held at the National Gugak Center in Seoul, featuring the Contemporary Gugak Orchestra a

PerformanceNov. 12, 2023

Han Kang wins Prix Medicis for 'I Do Not Bid Farewell'

South Korean author Han Kang’s latest novel, “I Do Not Bid Farewell,” has clinched the prestigious Prix Medicis for foreign literature in France, the first time a work by a South Korean author has received the prize. Portuguese author Lidia Jorge’s “Mercy” (“Misericordia” in French) is a co-recipient of the prize, which was announced Thursday. The Prix Medicis is one of the four major literary awards in France, along with the Goncourt, Renaudot and

BooksNov. 12, 2023

‘Gyeongseong Creature’ to lead year-end, New Year drama releases

Netflix Korea on Sunday confirmed the premiere of the highly anticipated horror thriller, “Gyeongseong Creature,” in December. The series will be split into two different parts, with the first seven episodes being presented as “Gyeongseong Creature Part 1,” and the remaining three episodes scheduled to be released Jan. 5. With a star-studded lineup in terms of both its creators and cast, the thriller-action series is regarded as one of the year's must-see projects.

TelevisionNov. 12, 2023

Journey to Joseon scholars' timeless dwellings

Gotaek, which translates to "old house," signifies a historic family residence. Typically, these homes were inhabited by the upper class, including scholars, and have been diligently preserved by generations maintaining much of their original form. The Korea Tourism Organization has selected five gotaek destinations to explore, each with a unique and compelling story to share. The destinations are: Yeoyudang in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province; Incheon Citizens' Home in Incheon; Myeon

TravelNov. 11, 2023

Top chefs gather to create innovative dishes with Korean ingredients

South Korea’s top chefs gathered to develop Korean fine dining menus using Korean ingredients as part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korean Food Promotion Institution’s efforts to spread the word on Korea's high-quality ingredients, which can be used to prepare a variety of dishes. At "Shape, Share, Start: For Korea Ingredients," an event held at Mingles in Gangnam, Seoul on Nov. 3, a group of chefs, professors, culinary connoisseurs and

FoodNov. 11, 2023

[Eye Plus]Bipa, an instrument pulled out of decades of oblivion

The "bipa," a guitar-shaped Korean traditional instrument widely loved for over a thousand years, has almost been completely lost to history. Kim Ju-yeong, one of fewer than 10 bipa players left in Korea, has worked hard to preserve tradition and connect modern people with the instrument. “I began to play the bipa following my aunt’s recommendation. As a child, I had trouble focusing, but I could concentrate well when I played the bipa,” Kim said. “The sound o

CultureNov. 11, 2023

Jeju female divers 'haenyeo' listed as FAO agricultural heritage system

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has designated a unique fishing style of female divers on South Korea's southern island of Jeju who dive without oxygen masks as one of its world agricultural heritage systems, officials said Friday. The decision to list the Jeju Haenyeo Fisheries System on the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems was made during a three-day General Assembly session at the FAO headquarters in Rome, according to Jeju City. "Haenyeo," some in thei

CultureNov. 10, 2023

Berliner Philharmoniker visits Seoul for first time in 6 years, joined by Cho Seong-jin

The Berliner Philharmoniker is set to perform at the Seoul Arts Center in Seoul on Saturday and Sunday, marking its first tour in six years. Under Russian conductor Kirill Petrenko's lead, the Berliner Philharmoniker will present a captivating program featuring Mozart’s Symphony No. 29, Berg’s Three Pieces for Orchestra and Brahms’s Symphony No. 4 on Saturday. Sunday's repertoire includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, and will be joined by South Korean pia

PerformanceNov. 10, 2023

Korea Artist Prize returns after overhaul

The Korea Artist Prize has returned after the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea pledged to improve the 11-year-old annual artist award, strengthening the judge system and curation in order to present finalist artists’ practices in a deeper and more holistic way. The four artists who were announced as finalists for the prize -- Kwon Byung-jun, Gala Porras-Kim, Lee Kang-seung and Jun So-jung – unveiled their recent works at the exhibition, “Korea Artist Prize

Arts & DesignNov. 10, 2023

Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a join Netflix’s new crime thriller series, ‘Karma’

Park Hae-soo from “Squid Game” and “Narco-Saints,” and Shin Min-a from “Hometown Cha Cha Cha” and “Our Blues” will meet for Netflix’s new crime thriller series, “Karma” (working title). The Korean original title roughly translates to “ill-fated relationship.” Based on the Kakao webtoon of the same title by Hwang Joon-ho, the series follows characters who are tightly entangled in doomed relationships. “Karma&rdquo

TelevisionNov. 10, 2023

[Photo News] Universe of light

CultureNov. 10, 2023

South Korea’s biggest comedy TV show returns after 3 years

National broadcaster KBS's flagship comedy TV show, "Gag Concert," is set to return after a hiatus of over three years. "Gag Concert," which first aired in September 1999, ended its first season after 1,050 episodes in June 2020. It garnered much more popularity compared to its competitors such as cable channel tvN's "Comedy Big League" and "Saturday Night Live Korea." The second season of "Gag Concert" will reportedly focus on "

TelevisionNov. 10, 2023

[Well-curated] LP listening pleasure, Pokemon pop-up and Korean traditional archery

Groove to LP sounds at Music Complex Seoul The Music Complex Seoul, located inside the Anyoung Insadong shopping center in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, offers the special experience of listening to music in an old-fashioned yet captivating way -- via records on turntables. Adorned with retro red wallpaper and neon lights, the Music Complex Seoul boasts a music library with over 20,000 vinyl LPs. Choose a record from the shelves and bring it to your table to play it on one of the many turntables and

CultureNov. 10, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival is held in the areas around Seosan Agricultural Technology Center in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province. The event, which started Nov. 3, runs through Sunday. The flower-themed festival features a chrysanthemum exhibition showcasing various works of bonsai art and sculptures. It has diverse programs for vacationers, including flower picking, flower crown making, natural dyeing and more. The opening hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission t

TravelNov. 10, 2023