Japan tops list of tourists to Korea in May: report

Visitors from Japan accounted for the largest portion of international visitors to Korea in May, according to statistics released by the Korea Tourism Organization on Thursday. In May, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea soared to 867,130, a 398.6 percent rise compared to the same period last year, when the figure stood at 173,902. Japan emerged as the top country in terms of tourist arrivals to Korea, with 183,691 visitors to the country, an increase of 4863.3 percent from the previou

TravelJune 30, 2023

Korean dystopian thriller 'Snowglobe' to be published in English in February

“Snowglobe,” the first book in a two-part dystopian series by South Korean author Park So-young, is set to be published worldwide in English in February 2024, announced Random House Publishing on Friday. Park’s debut novel, originally published in Korea in 2020 by Changbi Publishers, has been translated into English by US-based translator Joungmin Lee Comfort. The translated book is scheduled for publication by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.

BooksJune 30, 2023

Exhibition gives Choi Min-sik ‘chance to reflect’ on 34-year career

The 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival that kicked off Thursday for an 11 day-run is holding a special exhibition on celebrated South Korean veteran actor Choi Min-sik called “I Saw Choi Min Sik” in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Choi said he is grateful but also feels embarrassed to be featured in the exhibition. “This special exhibition comes at a pivotal time for me, as I had wished to take time off after my latest work ‘Big Bet.’ Since I do not belo

FilmJune 30, 2023

[New in Korean] Lee Geum-yi looks into reality through ‘Deleted Scenes’

"Deleted Scenes" By Lee Geum-yi Munhakdongne Publishing Social media has deeply embedded itself into people’s lives. We find ourselves selecting and editing the best photos, anxiously refreshing our account pages while waiting for comments and likes. The trend is apparently influencing teens as they grow up. Children’s literature writer Lee Geum-yi is back with a new full-length young adult novel, “Deleted Scenes,” that delves into the world of social media with

BooksJune 30, 2023

‘Sasha & Milo’ to expand reach to China and Latin America

Korean action comedy animation “Shasha & Milo” is scheduled to make its local and global premiere in the second half of the year. The animation was sold to Chinese and Latin American distributors during the 2023 Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market in Annecy, France, the world’s largest event for animation industry, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA). Domestically, "Shasha & Milo" will be released on public education TV ch

TelevisionJune 30, 2023

Wavve offers BIFAN films online

Local streaming service Wavve announced Friday that has launched a special Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival section, offering online screenings of the films that are being screened at this year’s film festival. The 27th edition of BIFAN, which kicked off Thursday, mainly focuses on Korean and international horror, thriller, mystery and fantasy films. Wavve subscribers can enjoy the same program as at BIFAN, including films in the international competition, Korean competition,

TelevisionJune 30, 2023

[Well-curated] Horror nights at BIFAN's free outdoor screenings and more

Knot tying at hanok on a rainy day Donglim Knot Workshop, a small hanok situated just a five-minute stroll away from Anguk Station and near the Bukchon Hanok village, showcases the traditional art of Korean knot tying called "maedeup." This enchanting space, led by Shim Young-mi, who hails from a family with a four-generation legacy in Korean knot craftsmanship, has been in operation since 2004. The workshop proudly displays a wide array of ornamental knots passed down through generati

FoodJune 30, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul offers special promotion at Yu Yuan Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's Chinese restaurant Yu Yuan has been given the Best of Award of Excellence at the 2023 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards. To commemorate the achievement, Yu Yuan invites guests to indulge in a wine and culinary experience until July 31. A selection of 370 wines, expertly paired with diverse flavors of Chongqing cuisine, will be available. The limited-time menu includes sweet shrimp maraban, fiery deep-frie

FoodJune 30, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Childe” (South Korea) Opened June 21 Adventure Directed by Park Hoon-jung Gwi Gong-ja (Kim Seon-ho) -- a name that roughly means "the nobleman" -- goes on a mysterious, mad chase after a boxer, Marco, from the Philippines to Seoul. Rookie actor Kang Tae-joo plays Marco, a Kopino -- mixed Korean Filipino -- in search of his father. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (US) Opened June 21 Animation Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos The Multiverse opens up i

FilmJune 30, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival The Semiwon Lotus Cultural Festival will begin Saturday and run through Aug. 15 at Semiwon Garden in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The festival presents beautiful lotus flowers, which flourish in the summer season. Visitors can enjoy the white- and red-colored lotus, various water flowers and a special type of water lily, which is only raised in Semiwon Garden. The festival will be open everyday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets cost 5,000 won for adults and 3,000 wo

TravelJune 30, 2023

[Graphic News] Palgongsan designated as 23rd national park

Palgongsan, a 1,193 meter-high mountain straddling the border between the southeastern city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, was granted national park status, becoming Korea’s 23rd national park on May 23. The Ministry of Environment approved the designation in a meeting of its national park committee, two years after the city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province made the recommendation. It marks the first designation of a national park in seven years after Taebaeksan, spanning th

TravelJune 30, 2023

Tom Cruise focused on bringing cinematic journey in 7th ‘Mission Impossible’ film

Tom Cruise, the “Mission Impossible” franchise star, urged fans to watch the seventh installment of the world famous spy series in the cinema for a “shared experience.” “I love cinema. I love the people and people from all cultures and walks of life. We sit down at cinemas and share community experience. I think it’s one of the joys in the life for me,” Cruise told reporters during a press conference in Lotte Cinema World Tower on Thursday. “I don&

FilmJune 29, 2023

[Herald Interview] Korea's favorite French writer Bernard Werber says he has achieved his goal as a writer

French science fiction writer Bernard Werber has returned to Korea for the ninth time, marking the 30th anniversary of the first publication of the Korean translation of his debut novel, “Empire of the Ants.” “Visiting Korea has always been a pleasure,” said Werber during a press conference held in Seoul on Wednesday. “I think Korean readers are very future-oriented, and the success of my books is thanks to them.” The French writer expressed his gratitude to K

BooksJune 29, 2023

Monthlong summer Yeowoorak Festival explores future of traditional music

The National Theater of Korea's summer music festival Yeowoorak Festival kicks off Friday, featuring collaborations across generations, cultures and genres that seek to redefine traditional Korean music. Under the theme of “Homo Festivus,” the festival presents 12 performances until July 22 at the Daloreum Theater, the Haneul Round Theater and the Cultural Plaza. Master pansori singer Yun Jin-cheol and shaman Kim Dong-eon will perform “Break a Common Law” on Friday.

PerformanceJune 29, 2023

Korean artists get spotlight in UK for second Korea Season

Top Korean artists, ranging from dancers and classical musicians to visual artists will be highlighted across the UK as part of Korea Season, according to the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, an organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on Thursday. Korea Season is the Culture Ministry’s project launched last year to enhance mutual cultural exchanges with other countries to create a solid foundation for sustainable cooperation and expand opportuni

CultureJune 29, 2023

More familiar names announced for 'Squid Game 2'

Netflix Korea on Thursday revealed the additional cast members joining the second season of South Korean phenomenon “Squid Game.” Actors Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Jo Yu-ri, formerly of disbanded IZ*ONE, Choi Seung-hyun -- also known as Big Bang member T.O.P. -- are among eight more to be confirmed for the cast of “Squid Game 2.” Though the cast may seem unfamiliar to some viewers, many of them have made a name for themselves in other Netflix Korean originals. Park, 2

TelevisionJune 29, 2023

Weightlifting champion Jang Mi-ran tapped as vice minister

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named Jang Mi-ran, a physical education professor and former Olympic weightlifting champion, as the vice minister of culture and sports. Jang, 39, will become The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's second vice minister, whose main responsibility is handling sports-related affairs, according to officials. With the ministry having two vice ministers, Jang will cooperate with the current first vice minister Chun Byong-geuk in overseeing the ministry&#

CultureJune 29, 2023

National Museum of World Writing Systems celebrates most valuable invention

A museum dedicated to celebrating the world's various writing systems and their historical value was launched in Songdo, Incheon, on Thursday. Nine years after the initial plan came together in 2014, the National Museum of World Writing Systems, occupying 15,650 square meters in Songdo is finally set to open its doors to the public on Friday, with a series of celebratory events and seminars to follow. “The greatest invention of humanity is the writing system. Through it, history has e

CultureJune 29, 2023

Four Korean-born artists on show at Rockefeller Center

Korean-born artists’ works are on open display at the heart of New York City. Johyun Gallery is presenting masterpieces by Park Seo-bo, Lee Bae, Jin Meyerson and Yoon Jong-suk -- inside and outside the Rockefeller Center. Lee’s 6.5-meter-tall, site specific sculpture of stacked charcoal in the center's iconic Channel Gardens is the first work by a Korean artist to be shown at the outdoor space. The exhibition is diverse -- the artists hail from different generations and work

Arts & DesignJune 29, 2023

New online art platform Art Fin to join Grand International Art Fair

The online art platform ART Fin will participate in the Grand International Art Fair taking place Friday through Sunday at the Shilla Seoul. Nearly 1,800 works will be on display across 67 rooms of the five-star hotel to offer a sense of how artworks can integrate with space. Launched by TGS Holding in February, ART Fin is a financial art platform specializing in trading digital art and auctions. At GIAF, the art company will offer works by Korea’s established and emerging artists, inclu

Arts & DesignJune 29, 2023