Netflix releases new romance series ‘A Time Called You’

Global streamer Netflix has announced the release of a new Korean original romance series “A Time Called You.” The drama is a time traveling love story between a young woman named Jun-hee (played by Jeon Yeo-been), who grieves over the death of her boyfriend. After losing her lover in a mysterious accident in 2022, Jun-hee receives a cassette tape, which allows her to time travel to 1998. With her memory as Jun-hee intact, she begins a new life as Min-joo, a high school girl. One day

TelevisionAug. 11, 2023

'The Killing Vote' off to strong start

Terrestrial broadcaster SBS’ new drama “The Killing Vote” is off to a strong start, topping ratings among all TV shows in the same time slot with the first episode. The first episode of the 12-part thriller series, featuring “The Glory” star Lim Ji-yeon, recorded a viewership share of 5.2 percent when it aired Thursday. Adapted from a popular Kakao Page webtoon of the same title created by author Um Se-yun, “The Killing Vote” revolves around police chasi

TelevisionAug. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] Gugak musicians to revive memories of plaza in 'Gwang Gwang, Goeng Goeng'

What does a plaza or a square mean to you? A simple question yet when posed against the backdrop of Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square, it takes on a new dimension. This expansive space that stands before the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace in the heart of the city, resonates with a tapestry of history, both past and ongoing. Exploring the theme of "gwangjang," plaza or square in Korean, “Gwang Gwang, Goeng Goeng,” one of the 12 productions presented by the Sejong Center

PerformanceAug. 11, 2023

[Well-curated] Water gun festival, aquarium-style and handicraft cafes

Water Gun Festival at Oil Tank Culture Park After a four-year hiatus, the much-awaited Water Gun Festival is set to make a splash at the Oil Tank Culture Park in Seoul's Mapo district this weekend. Reviving the festival's vibrant spirit, this year's aquatic celebration is themed "I Am Alive," promising a thrilling departure from everyday routines. The event brings a dynamic change in venue, moving from the Sinchon district in Seodaemun-gu to the Oil Tank Culture Park thi

CultureAug. 11, 2023

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Points by Sheraton Josun presents special offer Four Points by Sheraton Josun presents a special offer at its Seoul Station and Myeong-dong branches. The hotel’s Seoul Station branch offers one night’s stay in a deluxe room with a breakfast for two and tickets for Hangang Park’s outdoor swimming pool for 166,000 won ($126). At the Myeong-dong branch, a one-night stay in a superior room and two CGV movie tickets are available for 154,000 won. For inquiries and reservation

FoodAug. 11, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Beer Fest Gwangju The 2023 Beer Fest Gwangju, which started on Thursday and runs through Saturday, is taking place at Kimdaejung Convention Center Exhibition Hall and its out door plaza in Gwangju. The festival offers HiteJinro’s all-new malt beer Kelly and Hite Zero, which cost 4,000 won. Snacks including sausages, chopped steak, grilled octopus and fried chicken are offered as well. Performances will take place throughout the festival from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring popular DJs. For mo

TravelAug. 11, 2023

Korean Antique Association chief under investigation for alleged illegal shipping of artifacts to Australia

Yang Eui-sook, chief of the Korean Antique Association, is under police investigation for allegedly violating the cultural properties protection law, transferring some 20 artifacts to an Australian art museum in mid-2022 without permission from the Cultural Heritage Administration. The Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed to The Korea Herald Thursday that police raided Yang’s gallery in Seoul last week. “We raided the gallery to collect documents related to Yang’s sen

Arts & DesignAug. 10, 2023

Religious groups work to give Scouts memorable experiences

Ranging from the lack of a control tower for rising safety concerns amid the hot humid weather and the quickly approaching Typhoon Khanun, the World Scout Jamboree has suffered from both avoidable problems and unavoidable natural disasters. To salvage what remains of the 2023 World Scout Jamboree, religious groups in South Korea have set out to greet the Scouts and offer unique cultural experiences. According to the United Christian Churches of Korea, more than 3,000 local and international yout

CultureAug. 10, 2023

[Photo News] Korea turns on the charm for Scouts

From national museums to musical production companies, South Korea rallied together Wednesday to give young Scouts a memorable experience to make up for the botched World Scout Jamboree that forced tens of thousands to evacuate from the campsite in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, this week.

CultureAug. 9, 2023

[Life in Korea] Yukta Tyagi from India on being a college student in Korea

  Life in Korea is far from the fantasies seen in popular media -- and as with everywhere else, hard work and preparation is needed, says Yukta Tyagi. “Don’t come here just because you like K-pop and K-dramas. It is not the fantasy land that you see in the shows, and there’s not a Korean 'oppa' walking on the street," she said. The allure of K-pop and K-dramas has drawn many international students to South Korea, but the realities of studying abroad can be quite diff

PeopleAug. 9, 2023

Jamboree debacle spills over to K League

South Korean authorities’ decision to overturn the plans for the World Scout Jamboree's K-pop show has led to unprecedented criticism from Korean soccer teams and their loyal fans. The supporters’ complaints flooded in Sunday afternoon when Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC, a South Korean soccer giant, announced that the schedule for its two upcoming matches on Wednesday and Saturday would be changed due to a K-pop show for Scouts. The show, originally to be held at the World Scout J

CultureAug. 9, 2023

‘Zombieverse’ creator feels confident about entertaining viewers with realistic zombie show

TV director Park Jin-kyung shared the satisfaction with his new variety show “Zombieverse,” believing that he was able to draw out realistic reactions from cast and create a project which is more than enough to entertain viewers. “Instead of feeling the pressure, I am excited to know the result after ‘Zombieverse’ is released today,” Park said during press conference held at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery in Mapo-gu, western Seoul on Tuesday. The director revea

TelevisionAug. 9, 2023

Cultural sector collaborates to offer enriching experiences for Scouts

To give Scouts the opportunity to make the most of the remaining days of the World Scout Jamboree, which ends Saturday, national museums and galleries are actively preparing to extend a warm welcome to all participants. As of Wednesday afternoon, all 37,000 participants have departed from the Saemangeum campsite -- located on reclaimed land in Buan, North Jeolla Province -- according to reports from the organizing committee. For accommodations, participants will be dispersed across the eight d

CultureAug. 9, 2023

Art Busan secures first round of investment to expand in Seoul

Art Busan has secured the first round of investment ahead of the inaugural launch of its new art fair in Seoul, Define Seoul, in November, after running the art fair in Busan for more than a decade. Art Busan, launched in 2011, has grown into a leading art fair in South Korea, fostering the art scene in the port city with art lovers flocking there every year. The organizer’s expansion into Seoul this year aims to cement its foundation to move forward and grow as a global art market. Whil

Arts & DesignAug. 9, 2023

[Herald Interview] Director Um Tae-hwa explores Koreans' ‘love and hate’ of apartments in ‘Concrete Utopia’

Director Um Tae-hwa, who has returned with dystopian thriller “Concrete Utopia” seven years after “Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned,” which led to him receiving the best new director award at Korea's Grand Bell Awards that year, has delved into Koreans' “love and hate” of apartments in this new film. “The reason I was focused on the apartment was that because I was also born and raised in that space. As I delved into what 'apartment'

FilmAug. 9, 2023

2023 Hanbok Expo to feature dance costumes of Joseon era

The 2023 Hanbok Expo is set to take place from Thursday to Sunday at Coex in Gangnam, southern Seoul, the Korea Craft and Design Foundation announced Tuesday. The foundation, an affiliate organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has held the Hanbok Expo since 2017 with the aim to promote public awareness on hanbok, a type of traditional Korean clothing. The annual expo consists of a variety of events and programs, including a hanbok market, hanbok exhibition and a conferen

CultureAug. 9, 2023

With Bernstein's masterpieces, Ottensamer aims to present approachable classical music

Classic Revolution, Lotte Concert Hall’s summer musical festival which delves into a combination of composers each year, is set to return later this week with nine concerts from Friday to Aug. 20. Leading this year's rendition is Austrian clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer, who said he designed the program to bring joy to audiences and make classical music more approachable by highlighting American conductor, composer, pianist and music educator Leonard Bernstein, as well as other compose

PerformanceAug. 8, 2023

Jamboree K-pop concert moved to Seoul’s World Cup Stadium, Friday

The World Scout Jamboree’s K-pop concert, which was originally scheduled for Sunday last week will be held on Friday at 7 p.m in Seoul World Cup Stadium, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday. The closing ceremony will be held at the same venue on the same day, marking the end of the global event. The K-pop concert was originally scheduled to be held at the campsite’s outdoor stage in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province last week, but it was postponed and

Social AffairsAug. 8, 2023

[Visual History of Korea] A line in the sand remains after 70 years

A chain-link fence starts from a sandy beach on Korea's eastern shore, splits into two barbed wire fences, and divides the Korean Peninsula with a no-man’s land called the Demilitarized Zone. The landmine-filled DMZ, one of the world’s most heavily militarized areas, has a set of northern and southern fences covering a swathe of land approximately 4 kilometers wide across the peninsula. The unfortunate strip of land stretches from the eastern shore to the waters of the West Sea.

CultureAug. 8, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Honey Sweet,’ a lighthearted rom-com that might just outdo this year’s blockbusters

Yoo Hae-jin, a household name in South Korea’s entertainment scene, took on his first-ever role in a romantic comedy in “Honey Sweet,” a lighthearted film that portrays the love story of a middle-aged couple. Yoo plays Chi-ho, a nerdy, workaholic researcher at the confectionery firm who falls in love with Il-young (Kim Hee-sun), a single mother and a remarkably passionate and optimistic phone operator at a loan company. “Honey Sweet” will be Kim’s first silver

FilmAug. 8, 2023