Heritage foundation seeks exclusive image for culture

For about 30 days every year, people can enjoy a romantic moon-lit stroll in Changdeokgung Palace. The “Moonlight Promenade” has become so popular that all available places are booked within minutes of becoming available online. There have been growing calls for an increase in the number of admissions as more people are eager to visit one of the country’s most beautiful palaces in the evening. “I am grateful that the program has been a nationwide phenomenon. The beauty of the palace and the fact

CultureOct. 15, 2013

From trees, utility poles to artwork: Brazilian artist Carvalhosa reflects on transitional state

Wooden utility poles cut through a gallery space from one end to the other in a new exhibition of Brazilian artist Carlito Carvalhosa in Seoul. The poles, each measuring 8-12 meters long, pierce through the gallery walls and extend to the bottom of the floor while supporting other poles delicately placed one on top of another. The position of wooden poles in a white cube triggers questions among viewers as his past works did by transforming everyday materials and familiar space into unfamiliar t

PerformanceOct. 15, 2013

Witnessing cities in the movement of bodies

Spain’s up-and-coming choreographer Marcos Morau named his company La Veronal, after the sleeping pills used by famed British writer Virginia Woolf. An avid fan of Woolf and a former photographer, Morau has never been a dancer. His company, founded in 2005, doesn’t just consist of dancers ― its members include photographers, actors, writers and filmmakers. In Morau’s works, dancers don’t always dance to music; they often dance to narrations, and sometimes pure silence, donned in unexpected costu

PerformanceOct. 15, 2013

Hallyu infiltrates the world of academia

The World Association for Hallyu Studies (WAHS) is hosting the “1st World Congress for Hallyu” Oct. 18-19 in Seoul with the aim of investigating hallyu as a force that should be pursued as an academic study. The association has invited a number of scholars, culture ministry officials and experts in the areas of Korean culture studies from 26 countries to speak on the latest developments of the Korean cultural wave and its impact on the global community. “Hallyu has been catapulted into the world

Oct. 15, 2013

Imposter poses as Tiger JK’s manager

An imposter posing as hip-hop star Tiger JK’s manager has wreaked havoc on the singer’s scheduling, causing the artist to be unable to book shows and leading to the circulation of harmful rumors. “We originally thought that we weren’t getting booked for shows because we were just a small label. We just started out so we don’t even have a separate team that handles promotions and communications,” Tiger JK’s manager said in a phone call with The Korea Herald on Tuesday. “But we realized that someo

Oct. 15, 2013

Kim Jae-joong releases teasers for new album

JYJ member Kim Jae-joong unveiled teaser images for his first studio album, “WWW,” on C-Jes Entertainment’s official Facebook page on Monday. “WWW” is set to hit stores on Oct. 29. Three teaser images were revealed: a photo of the star’s tattooed back bound in white bandages, an IV pack with a watch inside, and a wall covered in scribbles. The title of the album is short for “Who, When, and Why,” a theme chosen by Kim himself. He participated in writing the lyrics and portrayed his own philosoph

Oct. 15, 2013

‘Infinite Challenge’ song festival to open at Imjingak

High-rated MBC reality comedy program “Infinite Challenge” will be holding a song festival in Imjingak, 7 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.The show’s production team told The Korea Herald that it could not confirm the location or other details ahead of the press conference slated for Thursday, but fans said they were able to pinpoint the location after several witnesses reported seeing stages set up around the area. This year marks the fourth edition of the song

Oct. 15, 2013

Research universities to push tech transfers

Leaders of top research-oriented universities in 28 countries agreed to work together for sharing knowledge and transferring technologies for development during an annual forum in Seoul on Tuesday.More than 120 participants representing 57 universities attended the International Presidential Forum on Global Research Universities hosted by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.A series of presentations and discussions dealt with how to accelerate innovative research and creative idea

PeopleOct. 15, 2013

German priest, 46-year Korea resident, dies

Sebastian Heinrich Rothler, a German priest who did missionary work in Korea for more than four decades, died on Sunday, the Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey in North Gyeongsang Province said. Rothler died of an undisclosed chronic illness, aged 78, at Muensterschwarzach Abbey in Germany. Born in Nuremberg in 1935, he entered Muensterschwarzach Abbey in 1955, became a Roman Catholic priest in 1956 and studied the psychology of religion at the University of Munich. He was ordained in April 196

PeopleOct. 15, 2013

Song Hae-kyo to star in ‘My Palpitating Life’

Actress Song Hye-kyo will make a comeback to the big screen with a film based on leading writer Kim Ae-ran’s celebrated novel, “My Palpitating Life,” the movie’s production company announced on Sunday. “Song Hye-kyo has always wanted to work with the director Lee Jae-yong. The casting would not have been made possible without her respect toward the director and trust in the original book,” said an official. Song is to play an affectionate mother of a son who is suffering from a rare disease that

FilmOct. 15, 2013

Qatar unveils Damien Hirst’s ‘Miraculous Journey’

DOHA (AFP) ― Qatar unveiled 14 massive bronze sculptures by British artist Damien Hirst charting the gestation of a human being from conception to birth.The “Miraculous Journey” statues were uncovered for a day last week outside the Sidra Medical and Research Centre, still under construction on the outskirts of Doha.They were put back under wraps until Jan. 14 to “protect them while work is ongoing” in the area, the Qatar Museums Authority explained.The project is an initiative by Sheikha Al-May

PerformanceOct. 14, 2013

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet to show maturing pianism

In the world of music, some artists hit their peak fast and decline while others make incremental improvements throughout their career.French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is a good example of the latter. He won the International Beethoven Piano Competition in 1986 but it was in 1995 that he received the international spotlight by performing with the legendary maestro Georg Solti, who invited him to perform Bartok’s Piano Concerto No.1 with the Orchestre de Paris. Bavouzet holds the title of the

PerformanceOct. 14, 2013

Japanese breakdancer wins Asia-Pacific contest

FUKUOKA, Japan (AFP) ― A Japanese breakdancer has spun and somersaulted his way into the sport’s global finals to be staged in South Korea next month after winning a regional competition on home soil. Noritoshi “Nori” Kikuchi showed off a series of downrocks, power moves and freezes to emerge victorious at the “Red Bull BC One” contest held inside a historic Shinto shrine in the southern city of Fukuoka on Saturday.The knockout tournament featured 16 elite dancers from several countries, includi

PerformanceOct. 14, 2013