Paintings from London's National Gallery to be shown at National Museum of Korea

A special exhibition of European paintings from the 15th to 20th centuries will open June 2 at the National Museum of Korea in collaboration with the National Gallery, London. Titled "Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London," the upcoming exhibition will show a total of 52 renowned paintings from the London museum through Oct. 9. The exhibition, which celebrates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and the UK, is also a part of the National Gallery's Asi

Arts & DesignMay 14, 2023

Three days of Korean traditional music day and night at 'Day Off'

Young gugak artists will perform at the upcoming “Day Off” concert series, showing various charms of Korean traditional music set outdoors in Namsan Hanok Village. The three-day event will take place in the garden of Seoul's Namsan Gukakdang in Jung-gu, with performances scheduled twice daily at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. On Tuesday afternoon, four-person samulnori group Variety E-Seo will perform, bringing the sounds of the "kkwaenggwari," "j

PerformanceMay 14, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (US) Opened April 26 Animation/Adventure Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic A 2023 computer-animated adventure film based on Nintendo's Mario video game franchise tells a story of Mario and Princess Peach getting ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser to stop his plans from conquering the world. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3” (US) Opened May 3 Action Directed by James Gunn The American superhero franchise conclude

FilmMay 13, 2023

[College Eats] Homely, cheap, one-signature-dish eateries around Hanyang University

Restaurants near college campuses are known to be especially cheap. Considering students' low budgets, eateries there tend to offer affordable food that is quick-to-serve and caters to all tastes. Serving one, signature dish is often a sign of the owner's confidence in the taste and quality of food. Built on years of know-how, there is no sophisticated technique involved. Such dishes do not rely on sophisticated ingredients. Instead, it’s the homely taste that pulls in customers.

FoodMay 13, 2023

[One with Nature] Find stamps, hike nature-friendly Dalmasan Trail in Haenam

HAENAM, South Jeolla Province -- Haenam, some 400 kilometers south of Seoul, is famous for its Ttangkkeut village at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula. The village gets crowded with visitors who wish to watch the last sunset or the first sunrise of the year. The village is especially crowded on Dec. 31. But the county’s 17.74-kilometer walking trail has recently gotten on the radar of hiking and walking enthusiasts, as it presents opportunities for memorable outdoor activities

TravelMay 13, 2023

[Weekender] An escape from city bustle, Seoul’s book shelters offer more than page-turning experience

Odong Neighborhood Park, located in Wolgok-dong and Jangwi-dong in Seongbuk-gu, northern Seoul, is a popular destination for local residents. Situated at the top of a 119-meter-high mountain called Wolgoksan, the park offers a gentle walking trail surrounded by a densely forested area. At the starting point of the trail, a unique building captures the eyes of visitors. Odong Book Shelter, which opened May 2, is one of seven "book shelters" that the Seoul Metropolitan Government operate

BooksMay 13, 2023

Korean Film Archive's online exhibition distills century-old narratives into key moments

The Korean Film Archive, in partnership with the Korean Movie Database, has curated an online film exhibition titled "A Hundred Years Back: Outsiders' View of Korea." Running from May 3 to 13, the exhibition offers an intimate look into the cultural fabric, daily life and urban evolution of Korea across the first half of the 20th century. The exhibition features six silent films curated from a larger set of 113 videos released earlier this year. These six films have been bookmarke

CultureMay 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Organist Olivier Latry to proudly present French organ music

Renowned French organist Olivier Latry will bring French organ music to South Korea for his first concert here in six years. While Latry has been to his wife and organist Lee Shin-young’s home country of Korea multiple times on private visits over the past several years, this trip will feature his musical talents at the forefront. For the concert next week, he has chosen music from Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, Camille Saint-Saens, Cesar Franck and Charles-Marie Widor. In an e-mail intervie

CultureMay 12, 2023

BIFF executive chair suddenly resigns five months before film festival

Huh Mun-young, the executive chair who had been appointed in March 2021 to lead the country’s largest and one of Asia‘s most significant film festivals, the Busan International Film Festival, has decided to resign from the post less than five months before this year’s festival, raising concerns about the event proceeding as planned. This year’s BIFF will kick off on Oct. 4. Market insiders said Huh resigned to show his frustration over the recent transformation of the BIF

FilmMay 12, 2023

Celadon thought to be from Goryeo goes on exhibition

The exhibition “Oia: Zen and Celadon of Goryeo” has kicked off Friday at the Dohwaseogil Culture Complex Center in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, presenting some 200 celadon pieces estimated to be from the Goryeo era (918-1392) collected by pottery collector Ju Jae-yoon. Running through July 20, the exhibition is accompanied by a meditation gallery that shows media artwork by Choi Min-seok under the theme of growth and meditation, offering a time for visitors to seek inner peace. The digi

Arts & DesignMay 12, 2023

French curator Nicolas Bourriaud to lead Gwangju Biennale next year

French curator Nicolas Bourriaud will direct the 15th Gwangju Biennale scheduled to open in September 2024. Bourriaud is a renowned critic in the global art scene who has explored the concept of “relational aesthetics.” The discourse of relational aesthetics -- which deals with concept of relationships, meditation, participation and interaction -- is often cited as one of the defining concepts in contemporary art. Bourriaud plans to incorporate his artistic philosophy into a discou

Arts & DesignMay 12, 2023

[Photo news] Napoleon in Seoul

CultureMay 12, 2023

Jason Kim’s new action flick ‘Bloodhounds’ to open in June on Netflix

Director Jason Kim’s new action flick “Bloodhounds” will open exclusively on Netflix on June 9, the global streaming platform said Friday. Kim, who was behind the hit comedy film “Midnight Runners” (2017), is making a swift return just months after the release of his latest project “My Heart Puppy,” which premiered in theaters in March. “Bloodhounds” revolves around two young boxers named Gun-woo and Woo-jin who band together with a benevolen

FilmMay 12, 2023

[Well-curated] Exhibition with your dog, traditional designs and coffee in the rain

Bring along your dogs and enjoy the pet-themed exhibition "A Companion of Paws" with your furry friend. The Korea Manhwa Museum is hosting a special in-door exhibition where pet owners (and non-pet owners alike) can enjoy art projects with their beloved companions. May is known as “Family Month” in Korea, and it is filled with family-oriented events, including Children’s Day and Parent’s Day. Hoping to promote the message that pets are also precious members of t

CultureMay 12, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Mayfield Hotel Seoul hosts wine fair Dionysus Mayfield Hotel Seoul is hosting Dionysus, Seoul's third-largest wine fair, in an expansive 800-square-meter spring garden. The event showcases a selection of over 200 wines, from light, everyday varietals to cult wines with guidance from the hotel's sommelier. Attendees get unlimited wine tastings complemented by gourmet pairings such as peppercorn chop steak and Penang rice noodles, served directly at the table. The event -- featuring perf

FoodMay 12, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival The Hadong Wild Tea Cultural Festival, which started May 4, will run through June 4 at Tea Culture Center in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. The annual festival promotes tea cultivation, which started approximately 1,000 years ago in Hadong county. Visitors can experience various exhibitions and hands-on programs, including tea bowl making activities, as well. Detailed information is available at www.wildteafestival.kr. Gwangalli Eobang Festival The Gwang

TravelMay 12, 2023

With top-quality sound, Bucheon Art Center is ready for music

Equipped with top-quality sound, Bucheon Art Center is ready to open its doors to the public on May 19, almost two decades after the initial plan for the construction of an art hall in the city of Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, was passed. “Bucheon's long-awaited dream has finally become a reality,” Bucheon Mayor Cho Yong-eek told reporters on Thursday at BAC’s concert hall. "I'm happy to announce the opening of the Bucheon Art Center, Bucheon's landmark, that

CultureMay 11, 2023

Gaya Tumuli recommended for UNESCO listing

The Gaya Tumuli, seven tomb clusters of Korea's ancient Gaya Kingdom (42-562), have been recommend for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday. The decision was made during a meeting of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, a cultural heritage evaluation advisory organization under UNESCO, according to the CHA. The World Heritage Committee's final decision will be made during its 45th session, scheduled to be held

CultureMay 11, 2023

Georgia could be gateway connecting east and west, says envoy

Georgian Ambassador to Korea Tarash Papaskua stressed the potential of his country such as its strategic location as a main gateway connecting east and west at the Global Business Forum organized by The Korea Herald at the Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel on Wednesday. During the 12th session of the GBF held under the theme “Next Prosperity,” Papaskua highlighted key developments and business opportunities backed by the Georgian government in his opening remarks. “The Georgia

PeopleMay 11, 2023

Studio Dragon off to strong start in US content market

South Korean drama production Studio Dragon has secured a solid foothold in the US market with its first original American drama series “The Big Door Prize.” The company, which was behind many mega-hit series, including “Mr. Sunshine,” (2018), “Crash Landing on You,” (2019), “Big Mouth” (2022) and “The Glory,” agreed to co-produce the drama series with US company Skydance Television in Feburary 2020. “The Big Door Prize,” wh

TelevisionMay 11, 2023