‘School Nurse Ahn Eun-young’ author unites writers from 9 Asian cities in new book

In the fall of 2020, Chung Serang, author of the Korean novel “School Nurse Ahn Eun-young” which was the base for the Netflix series “The School Nurse Files,” received a proposal from Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The editor who was interested in Korean literature suggested that a Korean and Japanese writer each write a part for one novel. Chung, who wanted to expand the literary friendship to more countries in Asia, proposed inviting more authors for this project. Two y

BooksJan. 4, 2023

Jang Keun-suk returns to small screen with ‘Decoy’

Top star Jang Keun-suk is returning to the small screen for the first time in five years in Coupang Play’s new crime thriller “Decoy” set to start airing on Jan. 27. The upcoming project is the 35-year-old actor's first for a streaming service original series since his discharge from the military in May 2020. His most recent TV series include SBS’ “Switch” in 2018 and “The Royal Gambler” (2016). The 12-part series centers around the man behind

TelevisionJan. 4, 2023

[Newsmaker] Goryeo relics found at Cheong Wa Dae

  A number of relics presumed to be from the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) era, have been found in eight different locations within the Cheong Wa Dae grounds, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday. The CHA's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center unveiled the result of its four-month-long preliminary study of the site. Two associations, including the Korea Association for Architectural History, were commissioned to conduct the study, which took place Aug. 28 to Dec

CultureJan. 4, 2023

Jeonju International Film Festival to support indie films overseas

Jeonju International Film Festival will support the global distribution of local indie films with a new program this year. According to the festival organizing committee, the Work in Progress program will be established this year as part of the festival’s 15-year-running networking program for indie art filmmakers, called Jeonju Project. While the committee already operates a networking program dedicated to documentary films under its K-DOC Class program, the latest program will invite f

FilmJan. 4, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Moon Man’ follows familiar plot, adds romantic twist

“Moon Man,” a Chinese sci-fi comedy film which was adapted from the Korean webtoon “Moon You” by Cho Seok, follows the original’s familiar plot of a stranded survivor, but takes a unique turn that different generations can enjoy. Sticking to the webtoon storyline, “Moon Man,” centers on Dugu Yue, played by Chinese comedy star Shen Teng, who is accidentally stranded in a lunar research facility after an asteroid destroys Earth and believes he is the last

FilmJan. 4, 2023

Winners of six music, dance competition no longer eligible for military exemption

South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration has excluded six international competitions from the list of competitions that entitle the winners to military service exemption. Effective Jan. 1, winners of two classical music contests -- The International Tchaikovsky Competition and Le Concours International de Chant de Toulouse -- and four ballet competitions -- The International Ballet Competition in Moscow, Arabesque: Russian Open Ballet Competition, International Ballet Competition-V

CultureJan. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] Lee Min-jung wants to deliver heartwarming, universal message through ‘Switch’

Eleven years after playing an idol singer-turned-radio DJ in rom-com “Love On-air,” actor Lee Min-jung returns to the big screen, this time as a devoted and loving wife. In “Switch,” which hits theaters Wednesday, Lee plays Soo-hyun who suddenly has to financially support her husband and A-list actor Park Kang (Kwon Sang-woo) gets in a taxi on Christmas Day and wakes up the next day as his manager, Joo Yoon (Oh Jung-se). “I think I’m 80 percent like Soo-hyun,

FilmJan. 3, 2023

[Video] “Asia” cast play “Guess who” I Exclusive interview with the cast of film “Asia” (Part 3)

It’s here – the final episode of our three-part interview series with the cast of the film “Asia”! Check out the other episodes if you haven’t already and let us know what you think!

FilmJan. 3, 2023

What's new in national museums 2023

Following the explosive popularity of two exhibitions at the National Museum of Korea -- “A Collector’s Invitation” showcasing the late Samsung Chair Lee Kun-hee's art collection and "Six Centuries of Beauty in the Habsburg Empire" -- which attracted thousands to the museum daily, national museums in Seoul have more exhibitions of historical artifacts from both home and abroad in store this year. In late May, the National Museum of Korea will present a special ex

CultureJan. 3, 2023

[Newsmaker] Rich enough to ‘flex’ but not enough to pay taxes, apparently

The South Korean national health insurance operator's list of heavy defaulters – those whose overdue premiums payments exceed 10 million won ($7,833) – includes self-styled “rich” rapper Dok2. He has failed to pay 16.6 million won from 2018 to 2019, it showed. The revelation came just a month after the National Tax Service made public the same rapper’s overdue balance of 320 million won in taxes. When this was disclosed, Dok2 posted promotional images of his

CultureJan. 3, 2023

Park Chan-wook, Lee Jung-jae, Park Eun-bin named visionaries of Korean entertainment

Cannes-winning director Park Chan-wook, Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” star Park Eun-bin and Korean American movie star Don Lee, better known as Ma Dong-seok in Korea, were among the 10 cultural icons announced as recipients of the 2023 Visionary Awards on Tuesday. The third edition of the annual awards, presented by South Korean media and entertainment giant CJ ENM, recognizes individuals who have raised the country’s profile in the entertainment

CultureJan. 3, 2023

[Herald Interview] Korean Canadian author's mystery novels are 'love letters to Korean history'

In 1426, a teenage detective named Hwani returns home to Jeju Island to find her missing detective father, who vanished while investigating a mysterious case of 13 girls disappearing in a forest. Hwani is left with her father’s investigation case notes and an estranged younger sister, Maewol, who had a traumatic experience in the same forest when she was younger. Determined to find her father and solve the case, the young detective digs into the secrets of the small village. First publishe

BooksJan. 3, 2023

Musical industry made dramatic comeback in 2022

Rebounding from two years of pandemic-related difficulties, South Korea's performing arts industry came back last year stronger than ever, backed by record ticket sales in musicals. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, which collects and analyzes ticket sales data, the total number of ticket sales for performing arts reached 545.2 billion won ($429 million) as of Dec. 28. Out of 545.2 billion won, 76.2 percent (415.5 billion won) was attributed to ticket sal

CultureJan. 3, 2023

Broadcasters’ drama awards mostly ignored by viewers

With lesser-known projects and decreasing viewership ratings, local broadcasters’ annual award ceremonies were largely ignored by the public. Since the 1980s, the three major broadcasters -- SBS, KBS and MBC -- have recognized outstanding achievements in Korean dramas through year-end award ceremonies aired on their respective networks. The prizes are awarded to applaud the stars’ performance and dedication. It was a chance for broadcasters to show what it felt were the biggest ser

TelevisionJan. 2, 2023

'Next Sohee' starring Bae Doo-na to hit theaters next month

Director Jung Ju-ri's drama thriller, “Next Sohee” starring Bae Doo-na, will be released in local cinemas in February. “Next Sohee” is director Jung’s newest release since “A Girl at My Door” (2014) which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival. "Next Sohee" sees Jung reunited with Bae after "A Girl at My Door," and features Kim Si-eun as the other protagonist. This is Kim's full-length

FilmJan. 2, 2023

Celebrating 70th year of The Korea Herald

This year, The Korea Herald celebrates the 70th year since its first publication on Aug. 15, 1953, upon the signing of the armistice agreement from the Korean War. The Korea Herald has been in the front line of current affairs through the seven decades. Writing in a foreign language, The Korea Herald reporters were outsiders from the inside, trying to tell the stories with a purpose different from those of Korean-language journalists. Through the historical upheavals, economic accomplishments, f

CultureJan. 2, 2023

Hopper, Guggenheim, Cattelan – must-see exhibitions in 2023

South Korea's art market has grown into a trillion-won market last year for the first time backed by increased liquidity and interest in art, with more people visiting museums and galleries across the country. Museums and galleries are ready to present high-quality exhibitions this year, and two major biennales -- Gwangju Biennale and Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism -- will take place in March and September, respectively. The second edition of Frieze Seoul in September will be

Arts & DesignJan. 1, 2023

Streaming services to offer closer look at K-pop stars

Streaming services are looking to quench the thirst of K-pop fans with documentary series featuring their beloved artists in early 2023. Disney+ announced that it would release a music documentary of K-pop boy band Super Junior, titled “Super Junior: The Last Man Standing,” on Jan. 18. The upcoming series presents the 17-year journey of the boy band. The show looks back on past achievements as well as showcasing Super Junior as a group as well as individual members on TV shows, radio

TelevisionJan. 1, 2023

South Korea offers condolences over death of former Pope Benedict XVI

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea on Saturday offered their condolences over the death of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95 on the same day. "Korean bishops remember that the former Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the unity of the Korean people and reunification of separated families, and also praised and encouraged Korean missionaries and laymen during his regular visits to the Apostolic Church," Bishop Matthias Ri Yong-hoon, the chairman of the CBCK said i

CultureJan. 1, 2023

[Newsmaker] Hollywood blockbusters, pandemic-deferred films to open in 2023

The year that just ended was all about finally seeing a number of movies that began production prior to the pandemic. Despite better-than-expected ticket sales, having so many options to watch comfortably at home led many film buffs and moviegoers to stay inside. How will upcoming movies this year impact ticket sales at the cinema? From Hollywood’s megasized projects to a variety of local films finally meeting audiences after enduring setbacks and delays due to the pandemic, following are

FilmJan. 1, 2023