[Herald Interview] Born to perform: For Choi Jung-won, musical theater is not a job, but a calling

Musical actress Choi Jung-won made her debut as Donna in "Mamma Mia!" on Jan. 18, 2007 -- the beginning of a remarkable journey that is 16 years in the running, encompassing more than 1,033 performances. Choi holds the record for the longest stint as Donna and has the second highest number of total performances in the role. Nowadays, the 53-year-old proudly identifies herself as "Choi Jung-won, born to play Donna," a statement that few would challenge. However, it wasn't

PerformanceMay 8, 2023

Soprano Jo Su-mi to go on five-city tour in June

Internationally acclaimed soprano Jo Su-mi will embark on a five-city tour in June, performing in Gongju and Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province; Ulsan; Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province; and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. Titled “2023 Jo Sumi Concert: In Love,” the tour will kick off at the Gongju Culture and Art Center on June 8. The tour will continue at the Dangjin Culture and Art Center on June 10, at the Ulsan Culture and Arts Center on June 25, at the Seongnam Arts Center on

PerformanceMay 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Director Davy Chou does away with cliches about adoptees in ‘Return to Seoul’

“Return to Seoul” is a melancholy drama film revolving around Freddie (Park Ji-min), 25, who is on a search for her biological parents after returning to Seoul for the first time -- similar to other films about Korean adoptees. But that’s where the similarity ends, as the film then takes a surprising turn. Freddie’s arrival in Seoul is also spontaneous. She arrives after her trip to Tokyo is cancelled. Davy Chou, the Cambodian French filmmaker of “Return to Seoul,&r

FilmMay 7, 2023

[One with Nature] Hadong beckons with fascinating history and nature

HADONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- Hadong, a small county some 350 kilometers south of Seoul, may not be the first destination that comes to mind for travel lovers. None of its beautiful sites made it to the Korea Tourism Organization's list of the 100 must-visit tourist spots in Korea this year. But Hadong certainly has what it takes to become a mesmerizing destination where visitors can feast their eyes on splendid views and learn about fascinating historical sites. Samseong-gung Sams

TravelMay 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] Bestselling author once again brings magic of solidarity among children

The author of the 2000's national bestseller “The Children of Gwaengiburimal” has returned with yet another heartwarming novel about the lives of people neglected and marginalized in our society. South Korean children’s writer Kim Jung-mi’s “The Guardians of the Zelkova Tree” (tentative English title) hit the shelves on March 31, published by Dolbegae. Set in the fictional rural town of Daepo-eup, where more than half of the children living there are from

BooksMay 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'This is Your Country' shares stories inside immigration detention centers

In 2021, a Moroccan detainee in his 30s was subjected to inhumane treatment at the Hwaseong Immigration Detention Center in Gyeonggi Province, where people facing deportation are held. Surveillance footage showed him on the floor with his feet and hands tied together behind his back, with his head covered. In her latest novel, “This is Your Country,” published by Munhak Dongne, novelist Lee U takes us inside these detention centers. The novel follows a first-person narrator, who rece

BooksMay 6, 2023

[Weekender] Laser skin treatments, full course meals: luxury life of pets in Korea

Treating oneself to a full course meal and a laser skin treatment at a high-end dermatologist sounds like something out of the life of the superrich. In South Korea, it’s a reality for some of the country's luckiest pets. Luxury laser treatments La Peau Claire, a skin clinic located in Seoul’s affluent Cheongdam-dong, provides laser treatment services for cats and dogs. The clinic, which opened last month, is a trailblazer in Korea’s pet dermatology industry. It’

CultureMay 6, 2023

'Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 3' surpasses 1m admissions on 4th day

Marvel Studios' new film "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" has surpassed 1 million admissions at the fastest pace among this year's releases in South Korea, its local distributor said Saturday. The film had garnered a cumulative audience of 1.02 million as of midnight Friday, the fourth day of its release, according to Walt Disney Company Korea. It became the fastest film to surpass 1 million admissions this year, outpacing the year's top-grossing films, which include the

FilmMay 6, 2023

[From the Scene] Art Busan moves beyond venue

When Art Busan kicked off in 2012, South Korea's second-largest city Busan was an "art desert." Twelve years later, the organizers claim the fair, which began Thursday, has helped the city turn into a thriving art destination in South Korea. And during this year's four-day air fair, the city’s vibrant art scene lights up beyond its home at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center. For instance, at the Paradise Hotel Busan, about 3 kilometers from Bexco, British artist

Arts & DesignMay 5, 2023

T1 to open new cultural complex for esports fans

T1, South Korea’s one of the most popular esports organization, is scheduled to launch a new cultural complex T1 Base Camp in Seoul’s bustling Hongdae district. T1 made a name for itself as the most successful esports organization after winning League of Legends World Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016. Korean League of Legends virtuoso "Faker" plays as a midlaner for T1 as well. Unlike regular PC bang -- internet cafes often used to play PC games -- T1 Base Camp also has

CultureMay 5, 2023

'The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides' wins award at Houston Film Fest

The documentary “The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides” received an award at the 56th-edition of Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival. The South Korean documentary won the Silver Remi at the film festival, founded in 1968 and the third-oldest film festival in the US. Past winners of the annual festival include Steven Spielberg. The film festival ran from April 25 to 30 in Houston. Created by filmmakers Song Ji-hwan, Lee Jeong-tae and Jo Hyun-woo, “The Story of Dreams: Pi

FilmMay 5, 2023

Will Jeju Island remain top destination even with 'entry fee?'

Traveling to experience Jeju Island's natural wonders as a non-resident may soon require paying a daily entry fee of approximately 8,000 won ($6). A decade-long debate over an "environmental fee" or "entry fee" has been reignited after the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on April 16 that the island is discussing legislation which mandates visitors to pay tourism fees to support environmental preservation. Specific plans on the collection method of such payments

CultureMay 5, 2023

Silla heavenly horse painting opens for public viewing

"Jangni Cheonmado," the heavenly horse painting on a Silla-era (57 B.C. to 935 A.D.) saddle strap from the Cheonmachong Tomb, a National Treasure, is now on public display for the first time in nine years at the Gyeongju National Museum's Special Exhibition Hall. Titled, "Return of Cheonma," the exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Cheonmachong Tomb in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, alongside various artifacts unearthed from the Silla royal

CultureMay 5, 2023

Nosh - A little corner of Britain in Seoul

British food is often a divisive topic, with many quick to criticize its lack of flavor, creativity and a certain oomph. If you find yourself nodding along to this sentiment, the food at Nosh, an all-day brunch restaurant in Gwanak-gu, southwestern Seoul, might just change your mind. Located on a quiet street near Sindaebang Station, the small restaurant, which is decked out in all things British, complete with photos of Oasis and the late Queen, was overflowing with people on a Friday morning

FoodMay 5, 2023

[Well-curated] Drone light show, Museum of Innocence, Myeongdong Festival

This weekend, along with the arrival of Children's Day and warmer weather, there are a variety of options on offer. Among the many choices, this week's "Well-curated Weekend" introduces a drone light show at the Han River, the "Museum of Innocence" and the Myeongdong Festival. 500 drone light show over Han River Seoul is set to light up the night sky with a spectacular drone show featuring over 500 drones this week. As part of the “Seoul Festa 2023” ce

CultureMay 5, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Eumseong Pumba Festival The Eumseong Pumba Festival will take place in Eumseong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, running for five days starting May 17 at Seolseong Park. The origin of the festival is connected to the songs of beggars who would go around marketplaces to look for anything they could get. The performers here do not beg for food and money, but they will sing at the event. The event features various programs, including a pumba street parade and National Pumba King Contest. The annual

TravelMay 5, 2023

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

The Plaza introduces carnation cakes and bouquets The Plaza presents carnation cakes and bouquets in celebration of the "family month" of May. Boulangerie the Plaza, the hotel’s French bakery and cafe, is selling carnation cakes for 58,000 won. Reservations can be made on Naver and through the restaurant reservation app Catchtable. Carnation bouquets, baskets and vases can be bought at the hotel’s flower shop, Xystum. Visitors must make a prior reservation through Naver. Ca

FoodMay 5, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3” (US) Opened May 3 Action Directed by James Gunn The American superhero franchise concludes its trilogy by looking deeper into the story of Rocket, and showing how Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, gathers his team to defend the universe and complete the last mission to protect the Guardians. “Dream” (South Korea) Opened April 26 Drama Directed by Lee Byeong-heon Yoon Hong-dae (Park Seo-joon), a professional football play

FilmMay 5, 2023

British artist Julian Opie takes pandemic experience as opportunity to evolve art

BUSAN -- Returning to Busan after five years, British artist Julian Opie showcased the evolution of his art during the pandemic lockdown. The lockdown provided new inspiration to the artist, who has experimented with different forms of art over the years. Opie is famous for bringing life into images with use of LEDs, which are used to animate figures. His iconic LED installations of walking people have become familiar to commuters in Seoul with his large-scale media display, “Crowd,”

Arts & DesignMay 4, 2023

‘Tale of the Nine Tailed’ returns with unexpected twist

While many popular dramas make triumphant returns with a second season, usually centering on the lives of the lead characters after the end of the previous season, "Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938,” the second season of the tvN’ 2020-fantasy series “Tale of the Nine Tailed” will take viewers back in time, bringing the lead character to the Korean Peninsula in 1938. Director Kang Shin-hyo shared that the male “gumiho” Lee Yeon, played by Lee Dong-wook, become

TelevisionMay 4, 2023