[Herald Review] ‘Next Sohee’ a blunt portrayal of how adults destroy the dreams of youths

The character of Kim So-hee, played by Kim Si-eun, is an impulsive, hot-tempered high school student whose passion is dancing. The film opens with So-hee, in an empty dance studio, practicing over and over again to master a choreography. But this free spirit gradually collapses as she begins an internship at a grueling call center, part of her school’s curriculum, despite studying pet care. So-hee, nevertheless, tries to remain hopeful so as to not disappoint the adults in her life -- her

FilmFeb. 1, 2023

[Newsmaker] New visas, faster entries: Immigration changes in 2023

South Korea has recently rolled out a series of changes for foreign visitors and residents in the country, ranging from new visas to giving young children access to automated immigration gates at airports. The measures are intended to draw more foreigners, from tourists to long-term workers, after a period of pandemic-induced strict border controls. Introduction of new visas Two new visa types will be made available to visitors, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced last mont

Social AffairsFeb. 1, 2023

‘Physical: 100’ star Kim Chun-ri lambastes internet trolls

Korean bodybuilder Kim Chun-ri is seeking to put an end to a controversy regarding her match with a male opponent on Netflix’s survival show “Physical: 100.” The latest preview of “Physical: 100” on the Swoon -- Netflix’s YouTube channel used to promote its Korean originals, features a preview of the upcoming intergender match between Kim and mixed martial arts fighter Park Hyung-geun. After the 174-second video was released, more than 1,800 comments were post

TelevisionFeb. 1, 2023

Arario Gallery reopens after a year, finding space next to Arario Museum

Arario Gallery, a leading commercial gallery in South Korea, has reopened the space after a year of hiatus, finishing its relocation to a new place in central Seoul. Looking over Changgyeonggung, the gallery is now located next to Arario Museum. Founded in 1989, the gallery is one of oldest galleries that have supported Korean artists for decades. Reopening on Feb. 1, the gallery has moved to Wondseo-dong in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, next to the landmark building of Gonggan Saok, a former archit

CultureFeb. 1, 2023

[Reading Korea Through Books] Peers' admiration, big office job, house in Seoul: A dream or source of heartache?

"Tale of Department Head Kim at a Conglomerate Who Owns a House in Seoul" by first-time writer Song Hee-koo is a three-volume series about characters who work at a large conglomerate in Seoul. The last of the series hit local bookshelves in November 2021. The title may raise questions about the "ideal" image of a middle-class worker in South Korea. It would be someone who owns a house -- preferably in Seoul -- and works at a big company like Samsung, LG or SK and ultimately b

BooksFeb. 1, 2023

Sejong Center unveils new season filled with own productions

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts will make a concrete transformation this year through a new season that showcases its own productions, Ahn Ho-sang, the CEO of the institution, said Tuesday. “While we focused on bringing the best artists -- who I can guarantee as the best in their respective fields, to Sejong Center last year -- this year we’ll focus on providing more quality original works,” Ahn told reporters on Tuesday during a press conference. For the 2023 season

CultureFeb. 1, 2023

Kim Han joins Paris Opera Orchestra as principal clarinetist

Kim Han, the Korean clarinetist who shone a spotlight on the instrument, will join the Paris Opera Orchestra as the principal clarinet this year, according to his management company Credia on Tuesday. Kim secured the position after passing an audition in January. Born in 1996, Kim debuted through the Kumho Prodigy Concert at the age of 11. He studied at Eton College and Guildhall School of Music and Drama in the UK. Since 2018, he has been playing for the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra as its

CultureJan. 31, 2023

Song Joong-ki’s family to receive ‘multicultural family’ benefits

South Korean actor Song Joong-ki and his British wife Katy Louise Saunders are eligible for a slew of benefits tailored for multicultural families in South Korea, which range from a 25 percent discount on phone bills to priority admissions to public daycare, international schools and local colleges. Song announced Tuesday that the couple has just completed their legal marriage registration in Korea in a letter to his fan club online. The couple’s latest decision allows them to receive be

EntertainmentJan. 31, 2023

‘My Heart Puppy’ offers smiles, laughter with ‘bromance’

Cha Tae-hyun and Yoo Yeon-seok promise to bring smiles and laughter to a not-so-easy journey from Seoul to Jeju with eight dogs in “My Heart Puppy.” Written and directed by Jason Kim, the filmmaker behind the 2017 award-winning action comedy “Midnight Runners,” “My Heart Puppy” is based on his personal experience of separation from his 10-year-old dog. The film revolves around the efforts of Min-soo (Yoo) and Jin-guk (Cha) to find a new family for Min-soo&rsqu

FilmJan. 31, 2023

KTO sums up 2023 travel trend with MOMENT

The Korea Tourism Organization predicted this year's domestic travel trend as focusing on individual travelers' aspirations to discover their interests and preferences rooted in their daily lives, summarizing the trend with the acronym, MOMENT. The travel trend forecast was announced by the Culture Ministry and KTO on Tuesday, based on an analysis of travel-related big data collected over three years. The data included travel expenses and the use of social media, as well as in-dept

TravelJan. 31, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Big Bet’ a true collaboration between director and actors

While feeling relieved to meet the expectations of long-awaiting drama fans, hit filmmaker Kang Yun-sung, who made his drama debut with Disney+’s crime thriller “Big Bet,” said what the viewers saw on screen was a little different from story that was toyed with at the production stage. “A screenwriter cannot create the whole story by himself. If the creator wishes to present a realistic character, the actor’s personality, tone and interpretation must be considered.

TelevisionJan. 31, 2023

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan's dark humor unfolds at Leeum Museum of Art

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan -- one of the most controversial contemporary artists -- is having his first show in Korea at Leeum Museum of Art. His humorous yet satirical works have grabbed attention globally, and his recent conceptual art involving a banana titled “Comedian,” on show at Leeum, is sure to provoke questions about the contemporary art scene such as what constitutes art and what conceptual art is. “Comedian,” a banana duct-taped to a wall, stirred up c

Arts & DesignJan. 30, 2023

[Herald Interview] Violinist Esther Yoo reflects on two years of self-rediscovery

As it did for everyone else, the pandemic affected violinist Esther Yoo in ways that she could have never imagined. The US-born musician did not forsee staying in South Korea for so long or anticipate what that would entail. Roughly two years in Korea and a time off from her routine of constant traveling and performing changed her “dramatically” and it turned out to be a much-needed time for her, Yoo told The Korea Herald during an interview Thursday. She rediscovered her heritage

CultureJan. 30, 2023

Musicians hope to revive love in Itaewon through music

The country's top musicians are coming together to bring hope and revive love in Itaewon through a music festival set to take place Saturday and Sunday. A total of 99 musicians including big-name bands such as Leenalchi and Woongsan Band will perform at 13 venues of concert halls, lounges, pubs and clubs as part of "Let There Be Love, Itaewon." while many concerts and festivals were canceled or suspended to express condolences for the tragic Halloween crowd crush disaster in Itaew

PerformanceJan. 30, 2023

Jin Seon-kyu takes on first lead role in ‘Count’

Actor Jin Seon-kyu took the role he was offered for comedy film “Count” immediately after reading the scenario because the character was just like himself, according to Jin. “When I first read the scenario four years ago, not only was the story fun, but many parts of Si-heon were similar to myself,” the actor told reporters during a press conference heldat CGV Yongsan, in Seoul, Monday. In “Count,” Jin plays Si-heon, a former boxing Olympic medalist who now

FilmJan. 30, 2023

Song Joong-ki announces marriage, expecting child

South Korean actor Song Joong-ki announced Monday that he had got married, a month after confirming that he was in a relationship with a British former model. On Monday, Song wrote in an online fan site that he has “vowed to spend the rest of the life with Katy Louise Saunders,” adding that they were expecting a baby. Song said the couple registered their marriage the same day. “Based on deep trust and love, we decided to start life as husband and wife and I have registered as

PeopleJan. 30, 2023

Webtoons, K-pop come together in Tving's XR music competition show 'Webtoon Singer'

South Korean online streaming service provider Tving is scheduled to premiere an extended reality music show called “Webtoon Singer” in February. “Webtoon Singer” is set to present K-pop artists’ performances, combining hit webtoons with extended reality, or XR, technology. XR is an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. The computing technology can merge physical and virtual worlds, bringing digital elements to the viewers.

TelevisionJan. 30, 2023

Takashi Murakami's 'kawaii' art reflects human yearning for religion

BUSAN -- Japanese leading contemporary artist Takashi Murakami showed up in South Korea’s southern port city of Busan for his first exhibition in the country in 10 years. Inspired by Japan’s “otaku” subculture, his art may look bright and “kawaii,” cute in Japanese, at first glance. However, its content is more profound than what first meets the eye. Otaku is a Japanese word that refers to people with an obsessive interest in particular subjects such as animat

Arts & DesignJan. 29, 2023

After pandemic postponements, Korean movies flow into theaters

A variety of Korean films are opening in cinemas after their releases were delayed due to COVID-19, as the local film industry starts to show signs of recovery. In the upcoming month, “The Outlaws” and “Extreme Job” actor Jin Seon-kyu’s new comedy film “Count” will open. The film centers on Si-heon, played by Jin, who is a former Olympic medalist and now teaches students at a high school as a stubborn and sometimes annoying physical education teacher. Af

FilmJan. 29, 2023

Actor Kim Hye-ja's memoir explores 60-year career

Best known for playing the archetypal Korean mother, Kim Hye-ja, 81, has established herself as an iconic actor in the Korean entertainment industry. Over some 60 years, the beloved actress has starred in more than 100 drama series and films, including the recent series “Our Blues” (2022), “The Light in Your Eyes” (2019) and “Dear My Friends” (2016). Kim’s recent memoir, “Thank You For Life” (Suo Books), released Dec. 22, is a "confessio

BooksJan. 28, 2023