[Weekender] Last chance to get into the festive mood

It’s getting colder come evenings, but the crosswalks are bustling with people taking photos. Christmas decorations and lights illuminate the streets and alleys. People flock around the seasonal attractions, enjoying the holiday spirit with friends, lovers and family. Hotels and department stores are in a fierce competition to see who puts up the best, brightest and biggest decorations. Social media is bursting with suggestions on the perfect spot to take photos of popular decorations as w

CultureDec. 24, 2022

Korean art market peaked in third quarter last year: report

Amid increasing global attention on the South Korean art market, where trade volume surpassed the trillion won ($784 million) mark this year for the first time, a recent report showed that the art boom in South Korea peaked in the third quarter of last year with a slowed-down phase ahead. Seoul National University recently published its first English-language report on the country’s art market, in conjunction with the Paradise Cultural Foundation and the support of the Korea Art Management

Arts & DesignDec. 24, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Park Hyatt Busan presents festive promotions Dining Room, the Steak & Seafood Grill restaurant, located on the 32nd floor of Park Hyatt Busan, offers a “Festive Lunch,” featuring an appetizer buffet with a variety of fresh seafood items such as sashimi, king prawns, crabs, oysters, abalone, and classic Mediterranean appetizers, followed by scrambled eggs with caviar, grilled lobster tail, Australian beef tenderloin steak and dessert. A five-course dinner menu includes Dining Room

FoodDec. 24, 2022

[Temple to Table] Seasonal food from the earth: Dongchimi

Declaring that temple food is not just cooking, Ven. Gyeho says, “Cooking describes the process of transforming food from nature to culture, and diverse techniques are applied to make it more beautiful and tasteful. On the other hand, nature is alive in mountain temple food. The food monastics eat daily becomes their medicine. Our body is part of nature, so we should eat seasonal food from the earth in accordance with the season.” For example, in spring when new buds sprout, one shou

FoodDec. 24, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

“Avatar: The Way of Water” (US) Opened Dec. 14 Action Directed by James Cameron The sequel to 2009's “Avatar” tells the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Ney'tiri (Zoe Saldana) leaving their home and exploring regions of Pandora to fight a difficult war against humans. The film has brought the protagonists back with their three children for “a new kind of” family story, according to Walt Disney, and is largely set in water, also introducing

FilmDec. 24, 2022

[Well-curated] Christmas fun with rabbits, illuminated lanterns and leather crafts

Celebrate the New Year at the World Trade Center Seoul Looking for a unique way to celebrate the New Year? Visit Korea’s biggest digital display at Coex K-pop Square in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. As 2023 -- the Year of the Black Rabbit -- approaches, the country's largest multiplex cinema chain CGV and Korea International Trade Association are showcasing a 3-D animation video, featuring giant rabbits. Samseong-dong in Seoul, where Coex K-pop Square is located, was declared Korea’s f

CultureDec. 23, 2022

[Newsmaker] Even in bustling Seoul, you can find ways to spend year-end in peace and quiet

The last week of 2022 is almost here. Most popular restaurants and hotels have been booked for weeks and department stores are packed with people doing last-minute Christmas shopping. People across the country will be getting together for a family dinner or sharing wine with friends in brightly lit bars. However, if all the year-end workplace and family obligations have you tired and worn out, you might consider heading to a calm, peaceful spot where you can reflect on the past year and make pla

TravelDec. 23, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Jeju Fire Festival The Jeju Fire Festival will be held at Saebyeol Oreum in Aewol-eup on Jeju Island from March 18-20. The annual festival is a reinterpretation of “bangae,” the oldest nomadic culture in Jeju, where people pray for richness and health by burning off the old grass and killing vermin in the fields. The shimmering flames provide a stupendous view for visitors. In an attempt to hold a safe festival, all the programs of the Jeju Fire Festival -- opening ceremony, lighting

TravelDec. 23, 2022

[Herald Interview] Artist interrogates Orientalism through fermented soy

The smell of soy sauce and fermented soybeans fill Gallery Shilla in Seoul, where “The Liquid Filling Machine” -- an installation by artist Yoo Hae-na -- is on show. The pungent smell will perplex visitors unfamiliar with Yoo's art -- are they at a gallery or a food factory? Inside the installation are cheap and readily available industrial materials and logos of multinational corporations with dark colored sauce, along with growing mold. On the wall is “meju,” brick

Arts & DesignDec. 22, 2022

Paris Opera Ballet to perform in Korea for first time in 30 years

The Paris Opera Ballet is set to perform in Korea for the first time in 30 years, presenting “Giselle,” as part of the LG Arts Center’s signature program “CoMPAS23.” The LG Arts Center, which reopened in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, in October after its relocation from southern Seoul, unveiled the lineup for next year on Wednesday. Contemporary Music and Performing Arts Season, or CoMPAS, is a specially curated series of eight performances by top Korean and internatio

CultureDec. 22, 2022

“Decision to Leave” shortlisted for Oscar

Award-winning director Park Chan-wook’s romance thriller “Decision to Leave” has made it to the 2023 Oscars shortlist for international feature films, according to the event organizer Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. A total of 15 films were chosen to advance to the next round of voting for the 95th Academy Awards, which is slated to take place on March 12 at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Prior to the ceremony, the Academy typically announces a shortlist of 10 to 15 fi

FilmDec. 22, 2022

Best Restaurants in Hongdae, Seoul

This information is provided by CATCH TABLE. -- Ed. 1. Side Note Club, Ryse Hotel Side Note Club is a rooftop lounge where guests can enjoy trendy cocktails and live performances. The atmosphere is chic and modern, and the view from the rooftop is breathtaking. The lounge's menu features a range of unique and delicious cocktails, as well as a selection of small plates and snacks. Guests can also enjoy live DJing and concerts by local artists. Reservations can be made for Side Note Club, Rys

FoodDec. 22, 2022

KOCCA expands budget to take nation's content industry to global stage

The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) plans to provide active assistance against a highly competitive global content market industry in 2023, with an increased budget plan of 623.8 billion won ($485.1 million) for next year. Although yet to be confirmed by the government, the expected budget is a 14 percent increase from 2022. KOCCA President Jo Hyun-rae announced that the budget will not only be used in strengthening the competitiveness of Korean content in the global intellectual propert

CultureDec. 21, 2022

‘Decision to Leave’ and 3 other Korean films invited to Palm Springs International Film Festival

Next month’s annual Palm Springs International Film Festival will feature four Korean films including Park Chan-wook’s romance thriller “Decision to Leave,” nominated for the best international feature film award. Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Broker,” July Jung’s “Next Sohee” and Kim Jung-eun’s “Gyeong-ah’s Daughter” are among the 134 films from 64 countries that will be shown during the 34th edition of the 10-day festiv

FilmDec. 21, 2022

In a sign of recovery, SAC New Year's Eve Concert returns

The Seoul Arts Center’s New Year’s Eve concert is scheduled to return Dec. 31, the first time that the concert that marks the end of the year for many classical music lovers will be back on the stage since the last three years prior. Conductor Hong Seok-won, the artistic director of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, will lead the Korean National Symphony Orchestra for the SAC’s year-end concert, an annual tradition that started in 1994. Joining onstage are pianist Shin Chang-yong

PerformanceDec. 21, 2022

Artists look to post-pandemic 'translocality' at Arko Art Center

For several years, the pandemic had made it difficult to travel internationally. But choosing to explore domestic destinations also meant people became exposed to different regional elements and specialties, from food and attractions, to local culture. Likewise, the theme of locality has also gained traction in the art circle. The exhibition “Local in the Making” at Arko Art Center in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, looks into locality, to seek ways to better understand others. A total of

Arts & DesignDec. 21, 2022

Acclaimed soloists to perform with KBS Symphony Orchestra next year

KBS Symphony Orchestra and music director Pietari Inkinen unveiled a new program for the 2023 season with a list full of acclaimed soloists. The piano is at the forefront with half of the 12 regular concerts in the next season featuring internationally renowned pianists, including Van Cliburn Piano Competition-winning pianist Sunwoo Ye-kwon, Pascal Roge, Alexei Volodin and Queen Elisabeth Competition-winning Anna Vinnitskaya, Alice Sara Ott and Fazil Say. Violinist virtuoso Gidon Kremer, Japanes

PerformanceDec. 20, 2022

Choreographer Ahn Eun-me redefines dance in media art

Today, dance is not solely an art to be enjoyed on stage or through videos. The movements of dancers can be a source of many different online media, said choreographer and contemporary dancer Ahn Eun-me. A one-day exhibition presenting seven media art pieces in Ahn’s six-month project, “Eun Me Pong Festival,” was held at Insa-dong, central Seoul, on Friday. “We wanted to celebrate and have an offline exhibition to have them all in one place,” said Ahn. The celebrate

CultureDec. 20, 2022

Hwang Jung-min, Hyun Bin say overseas filming for 'The Point Men' challenging

Actors Hwang Jung-min and Hyun Bin said shooting for their upcoming movie “The Point Men” was challenging as the majority of scenes took place overseas in Jordan, where the scorching heat proved exhausting. Although the movie is set in Afghanistan, based on the true event when 23 South Korean missionaries were captured as hostages in 2007, director Lim Soon-rye suffered various setbacks and chose Jordan after visiting the country three times. “I focused on portraying the tens

FilmDec. 20, 2022

[Photo News] Gimjang volunteers

Honorary members of the Korea Herald’s Global Biz Forum gathered to volunteer for a gimjang kimchi-making event, on Tuesday, at Kim Il-do's barbecue restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul. All kimchi made at the event will be delivered to the Gongdeok-dong Community Service Center to help support the elderly in the local community.

CultureDec. 20, 2022