‘My ID is Gangnam Beauty!’ webtoon to be made into Thai TV drama

Naver Webtoon, South Korean tech giant Naver’s digital comics platform, confirmed that its popular webtoon series “My ID is Gangnam Beauty!” is being adapted into a TV drama in Thailand. Thai production company GMMTV has cast sought-after Thai actors, including Baifern Pimchanok, Win Metawin, Fah Yongwaree and Great Sapol, Naver Webtoon said. The 14-part “Beauty Newbie” will center around the story of a female college freshman who is ready for a fresh start after go

TelevisionMarch 27, 2023

Artist Oh Sea-young under spotlight at posthumous show

Artist Oh Sea-young was a painter who strived to embody Korean aesthetics, which he interpreted in his own unique way. His paintings show how much he pushed himself as an artist during his life, based both in South Korea and the US. He constantly evolved his art throughout his career, creating large-scale paintings. Oh got much of his inspiration from Korean artifacts such as traditional earthenware and elements found in the national flag of Korea. His paintings -- for which he used acrylic,

Arts & DesignMarch 26, 2023

[College eats] Daehangno: decades-old eateries and cafes that have stood the test of time

March is a busy season for many university students in South Korea as it is the beginning of the new academic year. The arrival of spring has seen bustling subway stations and streets near universities, all packed with varsity jacket-clad students making their way to eateries and cafes nearby. Daehangno, which directly translates into “University Road” in English, is located in Hyehwa-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The name dates back to the Joseon era when its top educational institution

FoodMarch 25, 2023

[Herald Interview] Untold story of pansori master Lee Nal-chi comes to life

In 2020, the traditional Korean music-inspired band Leenalchi took the nation by storm with its music for a series of tourism promotion music videos, “Feel the Rhythm of Korea,” created in collaboration with Ambiguous Dance Company and Korea Tourism Organization. The band has since also gained a global fanbase, completing an international tour last year. What most fans may not know, however, is that the band is named after Lee Nal-chi, a pansori master and "jultagi (tightrope wa

BooksMarch 25, 2023

[Herald Interview] Osmo Vanska offers delayed farewell with last part of Sibelius cycle

Conductor Osmo Vanska, who led the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra for three years until last year, is returning to Korea to conclude the Sibelius cycle. Unfortunately, his tenure coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and in early December last year, he suffered a fall that shattered his pelvis and broke his right shoulder. After spending several weeks recovering, the 70-year-old conductor progressed to a wheelchair and by the end of January he was able to conduct while seated. This incident change

PerformanceMarch 25, 2023

Danish arts center director, curator picked as artistic directors of Korean Pavilion at 2024 Venice Biennale

Arts Council Korea has appointed both the director and curator of a Danish art center as the artistic directors of the Korean Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition in 2024, the first-ever joint artistic directorship since the establishment of the Korean Pavilion in 1995. Jacob Fabricius, the artistic director of Art Hub Copenhagen, and curator Lee Seol-hui at Kunsthal Aarhus in Denmark will plan the Korean Pavilion around the theme, “Korean Scent Journey."

Arts & DesignMarch 25, 2023

[Herald Interview] ‘National Office of Investigation’ pays tribute to unsung heroes

Director Bae Jung-hun, who made a name for himself with the hit SBS investigative documentary series “Unanswered Questions,” said he's glad South Korean police are getting the praise they deserve with the rising public attention to his latest project “National Office of Investigation." “The detectives, who starred in the show, said they felt awkward with the online compliments and praises. Here, in many cases, police officers are not applauded for their action

TelevisionMarch 24, 2023

National Contemporary Dance Company to take audience on sensory journey through 'Caveae'

The National Contemporary Dance Company of Korea is scheduled to premiere “Caveae,” an experimental dance that has been two years in the making, in April. The word, “caveae,” is Latin for dark empty spaces and cavities such as holes or hollow caves. The dance explores the space of theater, where artistic ideas and experiences overlap. Instead of being seated in the seats, the audience of some 200 people will be moved to the stage where 39 dancers will perform. As the audi

PerformanceMarch 24, 2023

[Photo News] Baekje 'refrigerator' unearthed

A kind of underground “refrigerator” which is believed to have been built in the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC to AD 660) has been unearthed at a site in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Friday that it confirmed two low-temperature storage facilities made of stones at a construction site at Seodong Historical Park, at Geumma-myeon, Iksan-si. The two excavated units of similar sizes were located side by side. The facilities were both equipped with v

CultureMarch 24, 2023

Westerners' written accounts of Korea showcased at NYC exhibit

Some 120 books about Korea from the 1700s to the 1960s written by Westerners are on display for the first time at the Gallery Korea, Korean Cultural Center New York. Titled “The Wonder Unbound,” the exhibition is part of “Asia Week New York” celebrating Asian art in New York City, organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Asia Society. The books were selected from a collection of 1,350 books by Lee Seung-chul, an art professor at Dongduk Women’s University

BooksMarch 24, 2023

Noonoo TV deletes pirated Korean TV dramas, films

Noonoo TV, a Korea-based illegal streaming site, has deleted hundreds of pirated Korean TV dramas and movies from their website. Ranging from star-studded 2022 film “Emergency Declaration” to smash hit drama series “Yumi’s Cells” (2021) and “Work Later, Drink Now,” (2021), a total of 169 TV dramas and movies were taken off Noonoo TV, as of Thursday. Pirated from local streaming platforms such as Wavve, Coupang Play, Watcha, Tving and Seezn, comedies and

TelevisionMarch 24, 2023

[Well-curated] Writers' paradise, Cheonggyecheon that you didn't know and sweet, sticky treats

For those who still love to handwrite their schedules on paper, or decorate their planners with colored pens and stickers, the small stationery shop All Write may be worth a visit. Located in Jongno-gu, central Seoul -- a 10-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station Exits No. 1 and No. 2, All Write is a store that doesn’t stand out in the calm, quiet neighborhood of Cheongunhyoja-dong. There is no sign or fancy entrance. Rather, the shop welcomes visitors with small potted plants. Unlike the

CultureMarch 24, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul launches ‘Timeless Beauty’ cosmetics package Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has launched the new room package, "Timeless Beauty," in collaboration with the History of Whoo, a premium cosmetics brand and part of South Korea’s LG Household & Health Care Ltd. Inspired by the timeless beauty of Korea’s Empresses, the offer is available from April 1, for only 100 rooms. The package includes a 40-minute Whoo Hwanyu spa facial alongside springt

FoodMarch 24, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Woong Nam” (South Korea) Comedy Opened March 22 Directed by Park Sung-kwang Inspired by the Dangun myth, in which a bear turns into a human after 100 days of eating garlic and mugwort, “Woong Nam” tells a story of bear-turned-superhuman brothers Woong-nam and Woong-bok. Actor Park Sung-woong plays the dual role to depict police officer Woong-nam and criminal gang leader Woong-bok. The film was written and directed by comedian Park Sung-kwang. “Soulmate” (

FilmMarch 24, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gapyeong Cherry Blossom Festival Welcoming spring, the Gapyeong Cherry Blossom Festival is set to start from April 8 to 16 at Eden Cherry Blossom Road in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The 1.2-kilometer cherry blossom tunnel features stage performances of classical and popular songs, a flea market of handmade things and local specialties throughout the festival. The festival makes a return after a four-year break as most of the remaining COVID-19 policies were lifted as of Monday. The event is o

TravelMarch 24, 2023

Gyeongbokgung Palace to open for spring nighttime viewing

The Joseon-era royal palace Gyeongbokgung will hold its annual spring nighttime viewing from April 5 to May 31, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday. Noted for its beautiful weeping cherry blossoms and azaleas during the season, the Gyeongbokgung nightscape presents a different vibe from the daytime. One of the highlights include the Gyeonghoeru, the largest two-story pavilion structure in Korea, where visitors can capture the scenery of cherry blossoms reflected on the nearby

CultureMarch 23, 2023

KOCCA to hold open seminar on S. Korea's creative content business

Korea Creative Content Agency announced that its annual, open seminar Content Insight will be held at the Content Human Resource Campus, in Hongreung, Dongdaemun-gu, central Seoul, on March 30. Content Insight invites popular creative content experts to share their thoughts on the current and future trends of the Korean content business. Director Kang Yun-sung, who helmed the hit crime films “The Outlaws” (2017), “The Roundup” (2022) and Disney+’s noir series &ldquo

CultureMarch 23, 2023

Joseon moon jar fetches record price at Christie's

A white porcelain moon jar from the 18th century fetched $4.5 million at Christie’s “Japanese and Korean Art” sale, the highest price fetch at auction by a moon jar. The sale was held Tuesday in New York. The British auction house explained that Joseon era porcelain was the highest quality moon jar put up for auction in at least 10 years. Owned by a Japanese private collector, the moon jar's estimated sale price was between $1 million and $2 million, according to preview

Arts & DesignMarch 23, 2023

Designer Lie Sang-bong collaborates with Vienna museum for Gustav Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’

The 2023 fall-winter collection by Lie Sang-bong for his eponymous brand, which was presented at last week’s Seoul Fashion Week, will travel to Vienna later this year for a special fashion show and exhibition. Veteran fashion designer Lie and the Belvedere Museum in Vienna collaborated to feature Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” in Lie's latest collection. It was the Austrian museum’s first-ever project involving its art piece being presented through

Arts & DesignMarch 23, 2023

[From the Scene] Korean galleries put domestic artists forefront at Hong Kong Art Basel

HONG KONG -- South Korea’s homegrown galleries have brought contemporary Korean artists to Art Basel Hong Kong, Asia’s largest art fair, as it made a full return after four years this week at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. “We had a smooth start. I see as many people as before the pandemic. All of the paintings by Joung Young-ju were sold out to collectors from outside South Korea, including those from the US,” said Woo Chan-kyu, president of Hakgojae, on

TravelMarch 23, 2023