[Photo news] 2023 Tongyeong International Music Festival highlights

South Korea’s leading classical music event, the Tongyeong International Music Festival, kicked off on March 30 with the theme, “Beyond Borders.” The 21st edition of the festival, led by Korean composer Chin Un-suk as the music director for the second year, runs until April 9, and features renowned domestic and international musicians and a unique program. Pianist Kim Sun-wook performs with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, conducted by David Robertson in the packed Tongyeong

PerformanceApril 7, 2023

[Well-curated] Museum SAN, Tongyeong classical music fest and churros tried and tested

Japanese architect Tadao Ando's work at Museum SAN Museum SAN, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is nestled in the mountains of Wonju, Gangwon Province and much appreciated for its striking building and beautiful surroundings. In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the museum has opened a solo exhibition on the architect titled, “Tadao Ando – Youth,” the architect’s first show at the museum, shedding light on his artistic career since the 1970s.

CultureApril 7, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul opens outdoor dining and cocktails Located on the seventh floor of JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, the Margaux Grill and MOBO Bar are popular spots in the city’s Banpo district. The Margaux Grill serves a diverse menu prepared on a wood-fired grill, accompanied by a selection of more than 800 wines. On warm spring days, dining at an outdoor table offers the chance to experience gourmet cuisine in a setting with fresh greenery. MOBO Bar, located on the same floor, is a co

FoodApril 7, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Taean World Tulip Flower Festival The World Tulip Flower Festival is scheduled to run from April 12 to May 7 at Korea Flower Park in Taean, South Chungcheong Province. Some 200 types of flowers, including flamingo, lambada, red proud tulips and more, will be on full display, offering excellent photo opportunities. Recognized as one of the world’s top 5 tulip festivals worth travelling to by the World Tulip Society, the festival is set to allow visitors to enjoy the sight of colorful tuli

TravelApril 7, 2023

Photo exhibition of ‘Forgotten DMZ’ explores war and nature

An exhibition featuring photographs of the Demilitarized Zone, led by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning Hyungwon Kang and six student photographers, will kick off at the Omae Gallery in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, Friday. In the exhibition titled “Forgotten DMZ,” Kang and six students from Joongbu University studying photography teamed up to capture the remnants of the war as well as the nature that ironically survived on the stage of an armistice. The seven went to Camp Greaves, a former US

Arts & DesignApril 6, 2023

Louis Vuitton to hold first-ever fashion show in Seoul

French luxury powerhouse Louis Vuitton will hold its 2023 pre-fall fashion show at Sebit Island on the Han River in Gangnam-gu, the brand’s first-ever fashion show in Korea, on April 29. The occasion marks the brand's first fashion show for its pre-fall collection. Until now, the brand has only showcased pre-fall items via a look book. Pre-fall fashion, also referred to as a "buy now, wear now" collection, is a smaller collection that presents wearable yet stylish clothes

Arts & DesignApril 6, 2023

‘Moonlight Tour’ at Changdeokgung to resume with foreign language guide

The first part of Changdeokgung's biannual “Moonlight Tour” program will kick off on April 13. Foreign language guided tours will also resume after a three-year hiatus. The “Moonlight Tour” at Changdeokgung is a nighttime program where visitors can enjoy an evening stroll around the royal palace holding “cheongsachorong,” or a traditional lantern to light the way. Changdeokgung was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The guided tour is organi

CultureApril 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Music is everything to me,' Gong Min-bae, violinist with autism, says

The story of 18-year-old violinist Gong Min-bae, who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of 5, is one of overcoming adversity, as he has managed to turn his diagnosis into an opportunity to excel in music. “Music is everything to me,” Gong told reporters during a press conference held Thursday. "I feel good and comfortable (when playing the violin)," he said, adding that he finds nothing difficult when he is playing his instrument. He spends four to five

PerformanceApril 6, 2023

[Photo News] Newspaper Day Award

The Korea Herald’s Chief of Advertisement Sales Team Park Seung-hwan (second from left) receives the Korean Association of Newspapers award in the celebration of the 67th Newspaper Day at Korea Press Center in central Seoul on Thursday. The meeting was jointly held by the Korean Association of Newspapers, the Korea News Editors’ Association and the Journalists Association of Korea. (The Korea Herald)

PeopleApril 6, 2023

Kang Sue-jin reappointed Korean National Ballet artistic director for unprecedented fourth term

Famed ballerina Kang Sue-jin has been reappointed artistic director of the Korean National Ballet for the fourth consecutive term. “I’ve got a lot on my shoulders,” said Kang at a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center, Seocho-gu, on Wednesday. “I have put in my best efforts so far, but I will continue to work with the dancers, members and staff to make the Korean National Ballet develop and soar in the international scene.” Kang joined the Stuttgart Ballet

PerformanceApril 6, 2023

[Herald Review] 'Phantom of the Opera' makes strong return after long wait

BUSAN -- While "The Phantom of the Opera," the longest-running show on Broadway, is set to say its final goodbyes with its last performance on April 16, South Korea's production of the show made a strong comeback in Busan last week. The local production kept fans waiting for 13 years, while supporters of veteran actor Cho Seung-woo, who has a reputation for creating memorable characters, had been eagerly anticipating his new role for over seven years. Andrew Lloyd Webber's mu

PerformanceApril 5, 2023

Jeon Do-yeon says she approached director Byun Sung-hyun of ‘Kill Boksoon’

Jeon Do-yeon said it was she who first approached Byun Sung-hyun, director of the Netflix action film “Kill Boksoon.” She was looking to collaborate with young and rising filmmakers after her own silver screen projects had faltered. “I had spent quite a long time waiting for the right project to come along, but I wanted to become more of an independent actor. So I approached a number of young and rising directors and director Byun was one of them,” Jeon told The Korea Her

FilmApril 5, 2023

[Herald Interview] Kang Gil-woo stays true to indie roots while thriving in new large-scale projects

Kang Gil-woo, an established actor in the South Korean independent film scene who has played notable roles in award-winning indie films, recently starred in a number of supporting, yet indispensable, roles in large-scale productions such as Netflix series “The Glory,” JTBC drama “Reborn Rich” and Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Broker.” The 37-year-old actor has never been so active as he is now, going back and forth between indie films and commercial projects. &ld

FilmApril 5, 2023

Two exhibitions at Kukje highlight pioneering contemporary artists Lee U-fan, Alexander Calder

American artist Alexander Calder and Korean artist Lee U-fan are pioneers of modern and contemporary art in sculpture and painting whose work is known for its philosophical aspects. Two exhibitions -- “Lee Ufan” and “Calder” -- taking place concurrently at Kukje Gallery in Seoul unveil the two master’s works, presenting lesser-known aspects of the artists. Popularly known for his hanging mobiles, in which suspended elements move in harmony according to the air cur

Arts & DesignApril 5, 2023

Singer Hyun-mi dies at 85

Veteran singer Hyun-mi has died at the age of 85, according to local police Tuesday. The president of Hyun-mi’s fan club found the singer collapsed on the floor in her home in Ichon-dong in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Tuesday morning. She was transported to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. Yongsan police are currently investigating further details, but have not found any evidence of criminal or suspicious circumstances. Hyun-mi, whose original name is Kim Myeong-seon, was born in

PerformanceApril 4, 2023

tvN celebrates Earth Day with ‘Photography Class in Jeju’

Cable channel tvN is set to air “Photography Class in Jeju,” a special wildlife documentary that will highlight the nature of Jeju, later this month. Featuring actor Ryu Jun-yeol, who have been an activist with the environmental group Greenpeace, “Photography Class in Jeju” revolves around Ryu’s journey as a nature photographer with six other high school students living on Jeju Island. The smartphone-filmed, 50-minute documentary presents Ryu and the rookie photogra

CultureApril 4, 2023

Netflix Korea to roll out seven reality shows including adult talk show

Netflix Korea has announced a lineup of reality shows, including a new type of talk show and a zombie-themed reality show, in addition to their flagship dating shows and survival competitions. “We are ready to release at least seven different reality shows throughout the year,” Yoo Ki-hwan, Netflix Korea’s director in charge of non-fiction content, said during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. In recent years, Netflix Korea has collaborated with reality TV creators to pro

TelevisionApril 4, 2023

National Hangeul Museum embarks on European tour

Amid enhanced global interest in the Korean language, along with the increasing number of avid Hangeul learners, the National Hangeul Museum is hosting a series of special exhibitions across Poland, Germany and Austria this year. After an exhibition in Hungary last year, the museum announced Tuesday its Polish chapter of the tour, "Hangeul Design Project," working in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Warsaw, Poland. The exhibition will open from Wednesday to May 31 at

CultureApril 4, 2023

Emerging choreographers to unveil new works at 'Next Step'

The third edition of the “Next Step” series of the National Dance Company of Korea, which aims to support emerging choreographers, is scheduled to unveil its final works in late April. Three choreographers selected in October last year -- two from the NDCK and one from outside of the organization -- have since been developing their own dance choreographies through comprehensive workshops with mentors from various fields including stage design, costume design, choreography and perform

PerformanceApril 4, 2023

Webtoon-based animated series to entertain overseas viewers

After becoming a major source for smash hit TV dramas and movies, Korean webtoons seek to continue their success abroad with animation adaptation in overseas markets. Naver Webtoon, South Korean tech giant Naver’s digital comics platform, announced Monday that a romance webtoon “My Cross-dressing Crush" will be adapted into a Japanese animated series. "My Cross-dressing Crush" by Japanese webtoonist Pom ran at the service’s Japanese platform Line Manga from Decem

TelevisionApril 3, 2023