Incheon Airport resumes transit tours

Incheon Airport relaunched its daily transit tour program departing at the airport terminals on Jan. 1. Transit tours are provided free of charge to passengers transferring to another country via Incheon Airport. Using their transfer wait time, passengers can tour major attractions on round-trip tour buses, led by professional guides. Seven different tours are on offer, with four new courses added to the list. The four are: "Past and Present," which visits Cheong Wa Dae and Tongin Ma

TravelJan. 9, 2023

[Feature] Galleries cautiously optimistic amid possible economic recession

The Korean art market has enjoyed an unprecedented period of growth over the past couple years, seeing a record-breaking number of visitors to successive art fairs, including last year's inaugural Frieze Seoul. The timing also coincided with international galleries opening or expanding in Seoul, lending credence to the claim that the capital was on its way to becoming the next hub of the Asian art market. The value of the Korean art market surpassed one trillion won for the first time. Befo

Arts & DesignJan. 9, 2023

Jindo National Gugak Center invites overseas groups for gugak training

Overseas groups who perform gugak, or traditional Korean music, can apply to receive free training in Korea. The Jindo National Gugak Center, located in South Jeolla Province, is accepting applications for the “2023 Invitation Program for Overseas Koreans and Gugak Groups” until Jan. 20. Around eight sessions will be held from March to October. Each session -- with 10 to 20 people per session -- will run for two weeks. Selected participants can choose one to three areas of interest,

CultureJan. 8, 2023

[Hello Hangeul] The complications of the 'one-inch' barrier

The following series is part of The Korea Herald’s “Hello Hangeul” project which consists of interviews, in-depth analyses, videos and various other forms of content that shed light on the stories of people who are learning the Korean language and the correlation between Korea’s soft power and the rise of its language within the league of world languages. – Ed. Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho made headlines by using his acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Glo

TelevisionJan. 8, 2023

‘I Live Alone’ poised to become all-time favorite reality show in MBC

With its latest episode recording 11.7 percent viewership, terrestrial broadcaster MBC’s “I Live Alone” topped the viewership ratings among all Friday reality TV shows for 30 consecutive weeks. The Friday night unscripted show caught the viewers’ attention across the globe with the realistic depiction of the everyday life of its hosts and other guest celebrities, both in and outside of their homes. According to the Gallup Korea poll on the best Korean TV shows, “I L

TelevisionJan. 8, 2023

Woodstock festival to land in Korea for first time

The legendary Woodstock festival is coming to Korea with the theme of "freedom, peace and love." The festival will be held from July 29 to 30, at the Hantangang River Geopark complex, in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province in memory of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice agreement, SGC Entertainment announced Friday. The company said it has signed an official copyright agreement with the Woodstock Music and Art Fair to host the three-day festival in Korea. Launched in 1969 in Bet

PerformanceJan. 8, 2023

Author, publisher share stories behind record export deal for fantasy saga

The author of the fantasy saga that broke the record for a single export deal in Korean literature said he could never have predicted it. “I don’t know how to say this right … but I have seen people who hated my writing. Of course I do see readers who loved my work but it doesn’t feel real,” Lee Yeong-do told The Korea Herald. Lee’s four-part fantasy series “The Bird That Drinks Tears” recently sold to a European publisher for about 300 million wo

BooksJan. 7, 2023

'Dangerous' winter temptation: blowfish

Blowfish, also known as puffer fish, is undeniably one of the top winter delicacies. The clean, light taste of the fish meat with its unique chewy texture stands out among other types of edible fish. Rich in essential amino acid taurine, blowfish is known to help with blood circulation and warm up the body. It does not contain neutral fat, which can help with weight loss and protects healthy skin. The blowfish skin has abundant selenium, a source studied to have anti-cancer effects. Called "

FoodJan. 7, 2023

[Temple to Table] Jangkalguksu, Korean spicy noodle soup

Nestled in the foothills of Bukhansan Mountain and run by Buddhist nuns, Jinkwansa Temple exudes a classical grace. Dignified and elegant, the temple compound radiates a tranquil beauty. Its large jangdokdae (earthenware crock stand) is filled with orderly rows of crocks holding traditional Korean sauces. To attain its current status, the temple had to overcome many challenges. Although it was established during the Goryeo era, most of its buildings burned down during the Korean War. The temple

FoodJan. 7, 2023

[Eye interview] Intercultural communication key to sustainability of Hallyu

In 2003, interpreter to statesmen and global leaders Choi Jung-wha launched the Corea Image Communication Institute with the goal of communicating Korea’s image to the world. Both frustration and optimism motivated her. “People ask why a private individual took on the task of promoting Korea’s image. Well, I traveled to many different countries as an interpreter. But, really, no one ever asked ‘Are you Korean?’ This really upset me,” said Choi in a recent inte

CultureJan. 7, 2023

British painters Rose Wylie, Michael Craig-Martin show works at Seongnam Cube Art Museum

British contemporary artists Rose Wylie and Michael Craig-Martin have been brought together for the first time at Seongnam Cube Art Museum, presenting different artistic worlds of their own, but sharing one thing in common: wit. The joint exhibition “Two Seasons” shows some 50 artworks by the two artists who had solo shows in past years in Seoul. Their works were put together at Seongnam Cube Art Museum in Gyeonggi Province for visitors who wish to see the paintings by the two promin

Arts & DesignJan. 6, 2023

Heartwarming family film ‘Two Heart’ begins shooting

A heartwarming family movie revolving around young patients in the children’s ward, “Two Heart” began shooting on Jan. 2, production companies Miro Vision and Studio Santa Claus Entertainment said Friday. Starring Jung Man-sik and On Joo-wan, the film is expected among industry insiders to become the next touching drama film on the scale of “Miracle in Cell No. 7” for its heartrending storyline. Comedy-drama “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” released in 2013, sol

FilmJan. 6, 2023

[Newsmaker] Culture Ministry prioritizes boosting content, tourism industries in 2023

  The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on boosting South Korea’s content and tourism industries in 2023, it said on Thursday during a New Year’s policy briefing to President Yoon Suk Yeol. The ministry has set out a goal to achieve $22 billion in content exports by 2027, significantly up from $12.4 billion in 2021. The ministry will inject 790 billion won ($625 million) in policy funds to help boost content exports in 2023. For tourism, the ministry aims to inc

CultureJan. 6, 2023

Pop-up exhibit features bread, wine and more

Wine lovers looking to try some hard-to-find wines in Seoul can pay a visit to the Corner Gallery, located in Samcheong-dong. A pop-up exhibition titled "Wine Divine at Corner's 5th Avenue" invites visitors to the world of wine produced in the village of "Chateauneuf-du-Pape," the Rhone region of southeastern France. Translated as "The Pope's new castle," the region has a long history of several popes spending their summers during the Middle Ages. Stepping

FoodJan. 6, 2023

[Well-curated] New year calls for rabbit-shaped cakes, redecorating and historic accessories

Celebrate Year of the Rabbit with NewJeans' rabbit-shaped cake Hop into the Year of the Rabbit at pop-up store "OMG! NU+JEANS" near Dosan Park in Gangnam-gu for a sweet pick-me-up and all things NewJeans. The pop-up is a collaboration between dessert brand Nudake and the K-pop group and runs through Jan. 21. The signature item is the rabbit-shaped “OMG! NU+JEANS” cake that comes in five different colors -- white, yellow, pink, blue and green. You also won't be abl

CultureJan. 6, 2023

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel launches gourmet vegan options Cafe One at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul introduces its new vegan burger and sandwich. The vegan mushroom burger features a plant-based patty crafted from eco-friendly ingredients topped with vegan provolone cheese, assorted vegetables and grilled mushrooms. The premium patty is made using protein extracted from soybeans and mushrooms to re-create authentic beef flavors. The vegan ciabatta sandwich is crafted from whole wheat ciabatta filled with vegan

FoodJan. 6, 2023

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“The First Slam Dunk” (Japan) Opened Jan. 4 (Adventure/Comedy) Directed by Takehiko Inoue Based on the Slam Dunk manga series written and illustrated by Takehiko Inoue, the animated sports film follows Ryota Miyagi, a high school student who plays the point guard at the school’s basketball team and his journey to win the basketball championship at a nationwide basketball competition. “Gentleman” (South Korea) Opened Dec. 28 Crime/Action Directed by Kim Kyung-won

FilmJan. 6, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival, Cheongyang The Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival runs from Jan. 1 to Feb. 12 at the Alps Village in Cheongyang-gun, South Chungcheong Province. The festival offers various activities, including sledding, bobsledding, ice fishing, a zip line course, horseback riding, bare-handed fishing and more. Visitors who do not wish to participate in the hands-on experiences can also enjoy the ice fountain, ice artwork and ice cave. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m

TravelJan. 6, 2023

‘Gangnam Zombie’ fails to pique interest with not-so-grisly outbreak

Director Lee Soo-seong released his second zombie movie “Gangnam Zombie” Thursday, 13 years after he filmed “Mr. Zombie.” The zombie apocalypse had been an omnipresent element in almost all types of arts from video games to music and movies, long before it pervaded Korean movies and dramas and became a prolific genre. And in recent years, zombies in films and dramas such as “Train to Busan,” “Kingdom” and “All of Us are Dead” have becom

FilmJan. 5, 2023

Three artists offer time to think about time

Every time you look back on the past year, it feels like the year passed so quickly, and when the new year comes, you think about how you will spend time more meaningfully in the year to unfold. Three artists whose works are on show at Koenig Seoul offer a time to contemplate about time; time is absolute, yet feels subjective. The German gallery in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is showing the exhibition “Measure by Measure.” Upon arriving to the fifth floor at the MCM Haus building, w

Arts & DesignJan. 5, 2023