[Herald Interview] Im Chang-jung on learning from "mistake of his life"

Actor Im Chang-jung's worst nightmare came true when he returned to the musical stage for the first time in 10 years: He forgot his lines. Im, who played the role of Daniel in the musical "Mrs. Doubtfire," called it the "mistake of his life" over and over again during an interview with reporters on Thursday. “I’d never made that kind of mistake in my life. Forgetting an entire line of a scene. I felt terribly sorry for the audience and still think about h

CultureSept. 26, 2022

Nam Joo-hyuk returns as innocent man mixed up in murderous revenge plot

  Korean actor Nam Joo-hyuk is returning to the big screen as an innocent man who gets mixed up in a revenge scheme to kill former Japanese collaborators. In “Remember” directed by Lee Il-hyung, Pil-Joo (Lee Sung-min), an Alzheimer's patient in his 80s who lost his family during the Japanese colonial era in the hands of pro-Japanese collaborators, decides to execute a lifelong revenge plan before his memory fails him. Pil-joo enlists In-kyu (Nam) to help him pus his plan to act

EntertainmentSept. 26, 2022

Royal Culture Festival unveils drop-in events

The fall edition of the Royal Culture Festival, Oct. 1 to 9, has announced a list of programs that can be enjoyed on site without reservations. At Gyeongbokgung, from Oct. 4 to 7, a small-scale performance, "Stroll Around the Palace at Noon," will commence at 12 p.m. The show consists of a puppet play with a live gugak music performance. Traditional tea will be served to those in attendance. A library will be set up at Gyeongbokgung's Jibokjae, King Gojong’s private study th

CultureSept. 26, 2022

Song Joong-ki's gangster film 'Hwaran' starts shooting

Korean heartthrob Song Joong-ki’s new crime movie "Hwaran" -- meaning disaster or chaos -- started shooting on Sept. 13 at a site in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, according to the film’s distributor Megabox Joongang Plus M. Directed by Kim Chang-hoon, the film revolves around Yun-kyu, who wants to escape from his everyday struggles. One day, Yun-kyu meets a crime organization’s underboss Chi-gun (Song) and becomes involved in risky situations. “I am glad to b

FilmSept. 26, 2022

Global volunteer group Rotary holds workshop at Jeju Island

Rotary, an international volunteer organization with 70,000 participants in Korea and 1.4 million members around the world, is holding 2022 Rotary training session at the Maison Glad Hotel in Jeju City on Sept. 26-29. The workshop will be a venue for learning and exchange for leaders who lead Korean Rotary. About 500 people will attend, including Rotary’s President Jennifer E. Jones and Trustee chair Ian Riseley. Jones is the first female president in Rotary's 117-year history, a memb

PeopleSept. 26, 2022

Netflix animation series ‘Lookism’ to start in November

One of the best known Naver Webtoon IPs is being adapted as an animation. Global streaming service Netflix announced on Sunday that a new webtoon-based series “Lookism” is scheduled to be premiere Nov. 4. Unlike the service’s previous webtoon-based titles -- “D.P.,” “Hellbound,” “All of Us Are Dead” and “The Sound of Magic,” “Lookism” makes its debut on Netflix as an animation. According to the company, the series, bas

CartoonSept. 26, 2022

[Herald Interview] Busan Biennale artistic director believes in powerful impact of biennale

BUSAN -- When Kim Hae-ju was inaugurated as the artistic director of Busan Biennale, she set about conducting thorough research about the port city, which is also her hometown. She was attracted to the history of migration and how the city is being formed even to this day. “I wanted to stress the historic narrative of how the port city has evolved to be open to migrants. It is not confined to international migration but also includes Koreans, particularly during the Korean War and industr

Arts & DesignSept. 25, 2022

Lee Young-ae, Kim Sang-kyung to judge BIFF acting awards

Korean actors Lee Young-ae and Kim Sang-kyung will be the jurors for the 27th Busan International Film Festival’s actor and actress of the year award, according to the event organizer. This year's BIFF, which takes place Oct. 5-14, will return to its pre-pandemic full scale with 243 films from 71 countries. Established in 2014, the awards are presented to one actor and one actress every year for their outstanding performances. The two jurors will select this year's winner after evaluat

EntertainmentSept. 25, 2022

Yum Jung-ah on learning new things for musical film ‘Life is Beautiful’

Actor Yum Jung-ah's new project has left her covered in bruises from practicing action sequences until they are perfect, but it is a badge she proudly wears. “For good projects, I have to learn new things. There is no other way of doing it,” Yum told a group of reporters on Wednesday. Such outlook on life is what has guided her throughout her career. Recalling the first time that she read the script of “Life is Beautiful,” Yum said she instantly got the feeling that

FilmSept. 25, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Changdeokgung, the Plan B palace for Joseon royals

When Joseon Kings needed a backup office, just in case their main palace was burned down by an angry mob. When it happened in 1592, Changdeokgung was there. It has been the backup palace for the past 600 years. Yi Bang-won, the fifth son of the founding father of Joseon, and the father of King Sejong the Great, built the Changdeokgung complex in 1405 because Gyeongbokgung, the main palace that was used as an administrative court, royal residential court and official audience court, was tainted b

CultureSept. 24, 2022

[Weekender] Unseen sides of Busan shown at Busan Biennale 2022

BUSAN -- When you think of Busan, what comes to mind? While many would think of beaches in the port city, only a few would think of the hillside roads that connect villages and people from its surrounding regions. Sambok Road, a mountainside road in Choryang village that overlooks coastal areas, is one the venues of the Busan Biennale 2022. “I think what really defines Busan is this kind of winding mountainside road which is found across the city and little-known to people outside of Busan

Arts & DesignSept. 24, 2022

Korean street toast: Delightful bite on the go

Most travelers seek out popular restaurants while visiting a foreign country. But spontaneous ventures to street vendors can leave a lasting impression, if one finds the right place. From ordering food at crowded outdoor vendors to enjoying small talk with the staff before the menu is served, the unique cultural codes of the city are easily captured through the experience. Gilgeori toast, or Korean street toast, is one of the main street food menus for commuters who want to grab a quick breakfas

FoodSept. 24, 2022

[Scholars and Their Spaces] Die the death of hero: Korean spirit and K-wave

The hiring system of Goguryeo is called "sunbae," meaning a man of high character. It enabled people to become government officials regardless of their status or class. It was also the parent to the system of “Hwarang,” or warriors, in the Silla Kingdom. Hwarang cultivated morality with each other through communal life. They enjoyed singing and making music together while walking in the mountains and valleys, fully enjoying nature and training the body as well. It was also

CultureSept. 24, 2022

[Eye Plus] The song must go on, says gayageum byeongchang specialist

It was somewhat natural for Gi Yoo-jeong, a 30-year-old gayageum player, to turn to the Korean traditional twelve-string instrument. "My mom was a gayageum player, and I grew up listening to her playing it at home all the time. And naturally, I became one too,” she said. “My mom didn’t say a word about my career. It was solely at my will to play gayageum,” said Gi, as she played the instrument at her home. When she began to play gayageum, her first child Ji-an sat be

PeopleSept. 24, 2022

[Photo News] Jeju Haenyeo Festival

A group of haenyeo, female divers with age-old ocean harvesting skills, marches in a parade to celebrate the 15th Jeju Haenyeo Festival that kicked off on Saturday in Jeju Island. The two-day event has resumed after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandmic. (Yonhap)

CultureSept. 24, 2022

Yet more legal series to hit Korean TV screens

Hot on the heels of the “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” craze, drama fans have yet many more options when it comes to Korean courtroom series. Disney+, the flagship streaming service of US media giant Walt Disney, premiered its new Korean original “May It Please The Court” on Wednesday. Starring actors Jung Ryeo-won, Lee Kyu-hyung and Jung Jin-young, the 12-part legal series centers around two lawyers who work together to reveal the truth behind a serial murder case. Followi

TelevisionSept. 23, 2022

Miryang Arirang Festival marks 10th anniversary of 'Arirang' on UNESCO heritage list

Miryang Arirang Festival, the top cultural festival in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province, kicked off on Thursday, making its return after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The 64th edition of the festival marks the 10th anniversary of the enlisting of Korean folk song "Arirang" on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. There are several variations of "Arirang," usually prefixed by the place of origin. Under the theme “Connecting Miryang Arir

CultureSept. 23, 2022

[Herald Interview] Park Hae-soo wants ‘Narco-Saints’ prequel

Actor Park Hae-soo has been on a roll since playing Cho Sang-woo, the best friend of Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) and one of the finalists of the bloody competition in “Squid Game.” "Money Heist Korea -- Joint Economic Area” soon followed in which he played a gang member who goes by the code name "Berlin." And now "Narco-Saints," in which Park plays Choi Chang-ho, a National Intelligence Service agent, is on top of Netflix's non-English

TelevisionSept. 23, 2022

Pulitzer-winning photojournalist captures beauty of Korean cultural heritage

A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist’s book on Korean culture and heritage is set to hit the shelves on Sept. 30. “Visual History of Korea” by Hyungwon Kang introduces 25 aspects of Korea’s cultural heritage. The 208-page book features photographs that capture the beauty of Korea’s unique culture and history through the lens of a visual storyteller, accompanied by writings in English and Korean. “A photo has the power to tell stories and communica

BooksSept. 23, 2022

Check out farmers' markets this fall

A farmers’ market popped up at a corner of a street in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong neighborhood on Sunday. Among the vendors at the touring market dubbed Marche@ were Lee Ji-sun, 42, who brought herbs, vegetables, and eggs from her family’s farm in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. “Our farm does not use any synthetic chemicals and we hatch chicken eggs naturally,” she said proudly. Marche@ is not an ordinary farmers’ market. Started by a group of city farmers committed t

FoodSept. 23, 2022