Three different ways to enjoy nighttime tour at Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung is scheduled to offer three different series of nighttime tours at the palace, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center. For “A Night at Changdeokgung, Huijeongdang and Glass Lanterns With Plum Blossom,” visitors will be guided through the brightly lit pavilion. Glass lanterns with plum blossom seals in gold that decorated both the indoors and the outdoors of the royal palace after the introduction of electricity in 1887 w

CultureOct. 21, 2022

KOMACON to promote webtoons to global readers

Korean webtoons are out to make a splash in New York later this month. "Bang! K-webtoon," an exhibition of Korean webtoons, will be held at Gallery Korea of the Korean Cultural Center New York, from Oct. 31 to Dec. 16, the Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, or KOMACON, said Friday. Organized by KOMACON and Korean Cultural Center New York, the exhibit will feature three webtoons popular both at home abroad: “Navillera: Like a Butterfly,” “True Beauty” and “The R

CartoonOct. 21, 2022

[Newsmaker] Church finalizes punishment on pastor for blessing LGBT people

The Korean Methodist Church’s court on Thursday upheld its earlier decision to suspend a pastor from his duties for two years for blessing sexual minorities in 2019. “According to the creed of the Methodist Church, praying in front of sexual minorities can be seen as advocating or agreeing with their actions,” the court said, on why it decided to deny the appeal made by Rev. Lee Dong-hwan, the 42-year-old pastor of Glory Jeil Church in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. The decision was

Social AffairsOct. 21, 2022

Almost one-third of requests to revise Korea information successful: lawmaker

Korea Culture Information Service received 13,452 requests to seek revisions to information about Korea on foreign media and websites between September 2016 to August this year. Of them, 3,916 cases have been changed, according to Thae Yong-ho, a ruling People Power Party lawmaker, Friday, citing a Korea Culture Information Service reported submitted to the lawmaker's office. Korean Culture and Information Service's Correction of Misinformation service team receives reports on miswritt

CultureOct. 21, 2022

Korean documentary series to receive global distribution

Two Korean documentaries, “Guardians of Tundra” and “The Era of Library,” have signed agreements with overseas content distributors during the 38th International Co-Production and Entertainment Content Market (MIPCOM), the Ministry of Science and ICT said Thursday. According to the ministry, terrestrial broadcaster SBS’ documentary series “Guardians of Tundra” signed a letter of intent with the European production company Off the Fence. Supported by the

TelevisionOct. 21, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Josun Jeju showcases 'Winter Voyage' package Grand Josun Jeju presents winter package that consists of a one-night stay in a room with a balcony, with unlimited use of the hotel’s outdoor heated pool. Guests can choose between rooms facing the Garden Pool side or the Peak Point Pool. Breakfast buffet for two at restaurant Aria is included in the package. A set of complimentary winter signature dishes and alcoholic beverages for two will be served while using the pool. The p

FoodOct. 21, 2022

[Well-curated] Fall is for LP sounds, Halloween screams and fireworks

After an exhausting day, top star singer Lee Hyo-ri enters a cocktail bar. She orders two drinks: Basil Smash and Cigar in a Glass. While she enjoys her drink, the DJ plays vinyl record of 1980s singer Lee Eun-ha. If you have been wondering about the bar that Lee visited in “Seoul Check-in,” or just want to enjoy some extra special drinks, a cool night vibe and good music as the cold wind starts to blow this weekend, the place for you is Hills & Europa in the Haebangchon neighbor

CultureOct. 21, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Masan Chrysanthemum Festival The Masan Chrysanthemum Festival is scheduled to be held from Oct. 29 to Nov. 9 at Masan Marine New City in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. Formerly known as Masan, Changwon accounts for 13 percent of all chrysanthemum farming in Korea. The festival is held to promote the excellence of Changwon’s chrysanthemums. Colorful autumn flowers aside, the visitors can enjoy various programs, including the drone light show, bubble magic show, local musicians’

TravelOct. 21, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Black Adam (US) Opened Oct. 19 Action Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Khandaq, a country that used to be prosperous, is now run by Intergang, which has oppressed its people for 27 years. Meanwhile, Adrianna (Sarah Shahi) accidentally frees Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson), who was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods -- and imprisoned just as quickly -- 5,000 years ago, from his earthly tomb. He is now ready to unleash his unique form of justice in the modern world. Orphan: Fi

CultureOct. 21, 2022

[Herald Interview] Kirill Karabits talks about Kim Sun-wook, Ukraine and Beethoven

Korean concert pianist Kim Sun-wook and conductor Kirill Karabits met for the first time in 2008 in Seoul when they performed with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Karabits recalled being overwhelmed by Kim’s playing and musicality. “Since then, we've become close friends and regularly perform together,” Karabits said in a recent email interview. The two have taken the stage together several times, including Kim's debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2019.

PerformanceOct. 20, 2022

[Herald Interview] Top star So Ji-sub tired of playing good guys

Top Korean actor So Ji-sub said he was tired of playing good guys in TV dramas and movies when he got the script for “Confession,” directed by Yoon Jong-seok. “It has been a while since I started playing lead roles. All the protagonists have something in common. They are mostly nice guys. But this character was not, and that was appealing to me,” So said during an interview with a group of local reporters on Wednesday. “At the time I really wanted to play a new r

FilmOct. 20, 2022

MMCA grilled at parliamentary inspection, will have special audit

  The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea will undergo a special audit this year after the state-run museum was grilled at the parliamentary inspection Wednesday over recent issues surrounding the museum. The lawmakers questioned the museum’s director Youn Bum-mo Wednesday about the museum's inadequate management of artworks in its collection, employee bullying issues, and its relationship with the current government. Youn was reappointed as the director in Februar

Arts & DesignOct. 20, 2022

Korean Studies scholars gather amid rising Korea Wave

International Korean Studies scholars gathered on Thursday for two-day discussion on the opportunities and challenges posed by the “once-unimaginable” global popularity of Korean culture, at a forum held in-person for the first time since the pandemic. The 11th biannual World Congress of Korean Studies kicked off at the Academy of Korea Studies headquarters in Seongnam, south of Seoul, with some 120 scholars in attendance, the host Academy of Korean Studies said. Concurrently held on

Social AffairsOct. 20, 2022

[Herald Interview] Leenalchi returns with much-anticipated second project 'Mul Mit'

Leenalchi, the group that took South Korea by storm with “Tiger Is Coming” in 2020, is back with “Mul Mit” with a lot of pressure on their shoulders this time. The sensational success of “Tiger Is Coming” has kept the band busy for the past two years as the members continued to experiment with what the band could offer. But that means a lot more ears and eyes have been anticipating their new project. “We feel a lot of pressure but hope people can enjoy

CultureOct. 19, 2022

[Reporter’s Note] What's going on with Seoul Fashion Week?

  Seoul Fashion Week returned to Dongdaemun Design Plaza as a fully in-person event after three years. Although online platforms have evolved, fashion week still matters a lot to designers, for it is where a brand's identity is presented, and networking among industry people, buyers and media takes place. Attending the five-day event, I was initially excited at the prospect of finally seeing runway shows by talented Korean fashion designers. A festive atmosphere prevailed at the venue, d

Arts & DesignOct. 19, 2022

SAC Opera Gala to stage highlights from popular opera pieces

The Seoul Arts Center is scheduled to stage SAC Opera Gala featuring popular opera arias and songs at the Opera Theater from Friday to Sunday. The SAC Opera Gala will offer three different nights of opera performances -- Opening Night, Mozart Opera Highlights and Special Gala performance -- with different combinations of conductors, opera singers, orchestras and choirs. KBS Symphony Orchestra will take the stage with Noi Opera Chorus, under the baton of conductor Toshiyuki Kamioka on Friday and

PerformanceOct. 19, 2022

Netflix film '20th Century Girl’ to bring back 1990s nostalgia

Set in 1999, the upcoming Netflix romance film "20th Century Girl” directed by Bang Woo-ri has many elements that can evoke nostalgia for the previous century. The film centers around Bo-ra (Kim You-jung), a 17-year-old high school student who is athletic and has a bright personality. One day, Bo-ra finds out that her best friend Yeon-doo (Roh Yoon-seo) has a big crush on Hyun-jin (Park Jung-woo). But before Yeon-doo gets a chance to become friends with Hyun-jin, she has to go to t

FilmOct. 19, 2022

Korean Pavilion returns to Frankfurt Book Fair

South Korean publishers are returning to the Frankfurt Book Fair with the Korean Pavilion for the first time since 2019. The Korean Publishers Association will present 24 Korean publishing houses including the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, NE Books and Darakwon at the collective stand that was inspired by the concept of “home.” “Home was where you separated from others to protect yourself from external risks during the pandemic. This time, we wanted to look at &ldq

BooksOct. 18, 2022

[Photo News] Colorful autumn seen across the Korean Peninsula

Autumn has arrived across Korea in the middle of October, showing various views full of colors. From the southern resort island of Jeju to Chilbosan mountain in northeastern North Korea, autumn scenery of ripened fruits, autumn flowers, fall foliage, early frost and silver grasses are found in each part of the peninsula. Here are some photos of the mid-October scenes taken in mountains and parks across Korea.

TravelOct. 18, 2022

‘First live concert in Korea, dream come true’: American alt-pop trio almost monday

American indie pop trio almost monday, who visited Korea for the first time to present a laid-back yet exciting moment to the local music fans, said that its dream has come true. The San Diego-based alt-pop band, comprised of vocalist Dawson Daugherty, bass guitarist Luke Fabry and guitarist Cole Clisby, held a press conference on Tuesday at Universal Music Korea’s headquarters in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. The trio held its first live concert in Korea at Watcha Hall in Mapo-gu, in wester

PerformanceOct. 18, 2022