[Herald Interview] Song Kang-ho on why he doesn't do international projects

A household name in South Korea, actor Song Kang-ho returns to the screen in director Kim Jee-woon’s ensemble comedy “Cobweb,” marking their fifth project together. With “Cobweb,” Song visited Cannes for the eighth time. He said he joined "Cobweb" with a desire to wow the audience through the concept of "this is exactly what a movie is." “What intrigued me about ‘Cobweb’ was that it was not a typical genre film. The movie is abo

FilmSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] A.A.Murakami discusses sustainability in art

Coming from the two very different worlds of Tokyo and London, the artist duo of Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves have explored the possibility of sustainable material and low energy use through their work. At the Herald Design Forum 2023 at the Shilla Seoul on Tuesday, the duo called A.A.Murakami spoke on the topic of "Adventure Design and Ephemeral Tech," sharing their insight on thinking imaginatively on the issue of sustainability and making it desirable through art. “We w

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Lina Ghotmeh integrates past with future in nature-friendly architecture

Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh cherishes the connection to the past and weaves it into her architectural creations for a sustainable future. With a deliberate focus on invoking memory, time, and space from the traces of the past, she aims to bridge the chasm between disparate time frames -- the past and the future -- ultimately unifying the human experience with nature in the realm of architecture. During her presentation at the Herald Design Forum on Tuesday, Ghotmeh expounded on her archi

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Italian architect, designer Cristina Celestino discusses importance of relationships in design

Italian architect and designer Cristina Celestino, delivering a presentation titled “Intertwining Beauty and Sustainability: From Color to Materiality” at the Herald Design Forum 2023 at the Shilla Seoul on Tuesday, discussed how the design and planning of spaces stem from the relationships established in the design process. These relationships involve engagement with local history and culture, and a collaborative partnership with skilled local artisans, she told the audience. Cele

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Diébédo Francis Kéré emphasizes role of architecture in sustainable future

Diébédo Francis Kéré, the winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize 2022, emphasized the role of architecture in creating a better future with inspiring stories of designing sustainable buildings. “In the past, it was a competition to create wealth. The decision-makers were forced to create space and investors would have to create space for us to live. But nowadays, together, we have to think, 'How will we achieve all of this with respect to sav

CultureSept. 19, 2023

TvN's ‘My Lovely Liar’ sweeps international viewing charts

Despite its muted performance in Korea, "My Lovely Liar" has swept viewing charts overseas. Cable channel tvN's latest fantasy, romantic comedy series has topped multiple video streamers’ charts for TV series in more than 140 countries, according to the broadcaster, which is run by entertainment giant CJ ENM. The 16-part series soared to the No. 1 slot on Rakuten Viki’s viewership chart for two consecutive weeks after its premiere on July 31 in more than 130 countri

TelevisionSept. 19, 2023

[Our Museums] Cheongju Early Printing Museum chronicles birth of publishing

CHEONGJU, North Chungcheong Province -- In the digital age we live in, it is easy to forget the origins of communication and information dissemination. The Cheongju Early Printing Museum in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, is a testament to the importance of printing throughout history, long before smartphones and laptops became commonplace. The museum shows how people conveyed their thoughts, ideas and stories through the tangible and enduring medium of print. Opened in March 1992, the mus

CultureSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Design experts discuss 'design for coexistence' at Herald Design Forum

The 13th Herald Design Forum opened Tuesday under the theme of “Design for Coexistence, Exploring New Perspectives on Coexistence,” bringing together renowned designers from across the world to Seoul. “This year, we wish to focus on a realm that traditionally has not been the mainstream of the design world,” said Jeon Chang-hyeop, CEO and publisher of Herald Corp, in his opening remarks. “Taking a step back from the traditional design that we are all used to, we hop

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Putting yourself in different culture enriches you as architect: Diébédo Francis Kéré, Lina Ghotmeh

Living in different cultures away from their homeland have helped globally acclaimed architects Diébédo Francis Kéré and Lina Ghotmeh think about what they can do in their city as an architect. “When we are in one place, we take it for granted. I am sure here in Seoul, if you think about the metro and everything, you will think they are normal for you. But for me, it is not normal, so I am curious to explore it,” Kéré said at the “Speci

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2023

[Photo News] Crown princes' building

Gyejodang, a part of Gyeongbokgung where the Joseon crown princes attended to state affairs and hosted banquets, opens to the public Wednesday after a six-year restoration. Built in 1443 during King Sejong's reign, the original Gyejodang was completely destroyed by the Japanese in around 1910 after Japan's annexation of Korea. Traditional materials and building techniques were used in the restoration, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. (Cultural Heritage Administration)

CultureSept. 19, 2023

Munich Philharmonic to offer seven all-Beethoven concerts with top Korean musicians

The Munich Philharmonic, a renowned German orchestra founded in 1893, will make a Korea-only tour in late November to take the stage seven times, featuring Korea’s most-sought after musicians. During their tour, which will be conducted by Korean maestro Chung Myung-whun, they will perform all-Beethoven programs in Daegu, Daejeon, Gyeonggi Province’s Gwangju and Seoul from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1. The orchestra will take the stage with pianist Lim Yun-chan four times, performing Beethoven&r

PerformanceSept. 18, 2023

Star chefs collaborate for 'Taste of Seoul 2023'

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is hosting “Taste of Seoul 2023,” a weeklong event that runs through Friday, featuring a variety of culinary events and programs. As part of its efforts to promote Seoul's dining scene, the city government published “100 Taste of Seoul 2023," a guidebook in Korean and English in early September. The book lists 100 distinctive restaurants and bars in Seoul alone. It also introduces an additional 50 vegan-friendly dining locations. The

FoodSept. 18, 2023

MODAFE explores artistic universe of modern dance

A festival of modern dance returns. The 2023 International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE), the country’s longest-running festival for modern and contemporary dance, is gearing up to celebrate its 42nd anniversary this year. The festival runs from Wednesday to Oct. 15, at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Theater and ARKO Arts Theater in Seoul. Under the banner of MODAFE Universe, which alludes to the distinctive artistic views crafted by choreographers and dancers, this year&#

PerformanceSept. 18, 2023

[Herald review] ‘Road to Boston’: uplifting tale of Korea’s heroic marathoners

“Road to Boston” begins with South Korean marathoner Sohn Kee-chung (Ha Jung-woo) standing on the highest podium with a gold medal around his neck at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. While Japan's national anthem plays in the background, Sohn covers the Japanese flag attached on his shirt with a flower pot in his hand. For this, Sohn is told never to run again by the Japanese. Eleven years later, Korea is liberated from Japanese colonial rule. An up-and-coming runner named Suh Yun-bok

FilmSept. 18, 2023

Gaya Tumuli named UNESCO World Heritage

The Gaya Tumuli, seven tomb clusters of Korea's ancient Gaya Kingdom (42-562), were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on Sunday. The decision was made during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The session, which commenced on Sept. 10, decides on the inscription of 50 sites on the tentative list, and is set to conclude on Monday. The seven tumuli clusters enlisted are: Gimhae Daeseong-dong Tumuli, Haman Marisan Tumuli, Chan

CultureSept. 17, 2023

[Herald Interview] Actor Kang Hoon sets new goals, aims high

Up until a few years ago, playing a lead character in a TV series had been something highly unexpected for actor Kang Hoon, 32. Though Kang began his acting career with the 2014 short film “Picnic,” he had little public recognition, taking on minor roles in various projects. It has only been a year that Kang began getting attention -- from both the public and industry insiders -- after playing a supporting role in MBC’s hit period drama, “The Red Sleeve” (2021-22).

TelevisionSept. 17, 2023

Asia Culture Center to present play by Korean, Vietnamese producers

The Asia Culture Center in Gwangju is to present a play titled “Ben Khong Chong” ("Wharf of Widows"), a collaboration between South Korean and Vietnamese producers, on Saturday and Sunday. The Korea Association of Performing Arts Producers and the Vietnam National Drama Theater showcased some 60 minutes of the play in 2022, as part of an ACC project aimed at promoting international cultural exchanges. This year the play returns with its all-Vietnamese cast, along with an ad

PerformanceSept. 17, 2023

Webtoon ‘Get Schooled’ canceled in US over 'racist' content

Naver Webtoon series “Get Schooled” has been canceled and removed from the platform's US service after the series' allegedly racially discriminatory content sparked controversy. Naver Webtoon said on Saturday that it had discontinued the series in the US, and the English edition is currently unavailable. On the Korean platform, the latest episode in question has been deleted and the webtoon series has been suspended indefinitely. “The racist content has been removed f

CultureSept. 17, 2023

Inaugural traditional music orchestra festival to kick off in October

Eight Korean traditional music orchestras from across the country will come together for a gugak festival next month. The inaugural “Korean Traditional Music Orchestra Festival” is to kick off ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the first Korean traditional music orchestra, the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra, which was officially established in March 1965. The festival aims to become an annual event. While there are many forms of K-culture that are thriving, tr

PerformanceSept. 17, 2023

Hauser & Wirth opens new space in NYC dedicated to print editions

NEW YORK -- Hauser & Wirth, a leading contemporary and art gallery, has opened a new space in West Chelsea, New York, completing the gallery’s expansion in the contemporary art capital. Hauser & Wirth’s new 18th Street location, the Swiss gallery's third space in New York, is dedicated to printed editions and serves as the flagship bookstore of Hauser & Wirth Publishers. The space also encompasses offices, a bookstore, a 72-seat amphitheater for public events and the

Arts & DesignSept. 16, 2023