Revisiting the acting career of Lee Jung-jae

“I’m not going home until I make it big.” Just as Lee Jung-jae said through the words of Lee Han, the character in his first-ever movie gig, “The Young Man” in 1994, the now internationally acclaimed actor returned home Sunday after becoming the first Asian ever to win for best actor in a drama series at the Primetime Emmy Award last week. A day after his win, it was confirmed that Lee’s big-screen debut will be rereleased in local theaters on Sept. 29, offe

FilmSept. 20, 2022

KBS’ ‘National Singing Contest’ opens next chapter with comedian Kim Shin-young as new host

After the passing of veteran emcee Song Hae in June, those who grew up watching KBS’ music show “National Singing Contest” has been mired in sorrow. At the same time, all eyes were on who will continue the legacy of the 42-year-old program. Many veteran emcees with careers spanning over 30 years were mentioned as Song’s possible successor, but the Korean broadcaster announced last month that comedian Kim Shin-young, 38, was chosen as the longest-running program’s

TelevisionSept. 20, 2022

[Herald Interview] Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, see Seoul as another art hub in Asia

  The inaugural Frieze Seoul swept through the local art world just as Seoul was beginning to get attention in the global art world. Now, whether Seoul has a potential to become Asia’s art hub remains to be seen. The world’s two leading galleries -- Hauser ＆ Wirth and Gagosian -- shared their views on the art market here in recent interviews with The Korea Herald when they were in Seoul in early September. 'Asia will continue to be an engine for the art market' Founded by Ame

Arts & DesignSept. 19, 2022

[Herald Review] ‘Narco-Saints’ enthralls world with gripping story, cast

Korean dramas have long had a thing for making viewers chuckle while drawing them into a vortex of suspense, mystery and drama. Be it romance, legal drama or crime thriller, a good share of K-shows never lose their touch when it comes to humor and bringing out the charming side of its main characters, often banking on brilliant actors to deliver light relief while driving a serious plot. The latest hit Netflix series “Narco-Saints” (Korean title "Suriname") is no exceptio

TelevisionSept. 19, 2022

[From the Scene] Hangang Space-out competition highlights art of resting

As Banpo Bridge’s Moonlight Rainbow Fountain spouted streams of water, heads turned at the splashing sound that seemed to signal the start of a long-awaited space-out competition taking place on Jamsu Bridge, right under Banpo Bridge. The Hangang Space-out Competition returned Sunday after a two-year hiatus. About 4,000 people signed up for the 50 spots available -- up to three people were allowed for each spot -- and not a single selected team failed to show up at Jamsu Bridge, which is c

CultureSept. 19, 2022

'Moon bump': Former president helps books break bestseller lists

Former President Moon Jae-in’s latest book recommendation “Utmost and Personal Nepal” has shot up on the bestseller’s list, showing once again the former leader’s formidable influence on many people’s reading choices. “Utmost and Personal Nepal,” co-written by Sujan Shakya and Hong Sung-kwang, is the eighth book he has recommended since leaving the Blue House in May. “The greeting ‘Namaste’ means ‘The god in me respects the

BooksSept. 19, 2022

[Herald Interview] Miss Bhutan shares story of coming out, self-love

Tashi Choden, a Bhutanese social media influencer who was crowned this year’s Miss Bhutan, was 15 when she first realized she was "different." “I first came out as a bisexual person to my friends, but soon realized that my affection tilted more towards women,” Choden, now 23, told The Korea Herald in an exclusive interview. “After doing some research on gender identities, I found out that I was a genderfluid lesbian.” Being gender-fluid means that one&rs

PeopleSept. 19, 2022

BIFF opening, closing ceremony tickets go on sale Friday

Tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 27th Busan International Film Festival will go on sale online at 2 p.m., Friday. This year's BIFF, which takes place Oct. 5-14, will return to its pre-pandemic full scale with 243 films from 71 countries. This year’s opener will be Iranian director Hadi Mohaghegh's "Scent of Wind," while Japanese director Ishikawa Kei's "A Man" will close the festival. Tickets for films screened during the festival will open onl

FilmSept. 19, 2022

Leading writers to gather at Seoul International Writers’ Festival

Leading writers from around the world are convening at the Seoul International Writers’ Festival, scheduled to kick off Friday. A total of 35 writers -- including 12 from eight foreign countries -- will take part in this year’s festival, held under the theme of "Beyond Narrative." The eight-day festival will offer reading sessions as well as conversations between writers and literary critics, exploring the boundaries of genre and language with the readers. The festival will

BooksSept. 18, 2022

[Herald Interview] True story ‘Narco-Saints’ is based on almost unreal, director says

Hit movie director Yoon Jong-bin, who made his drama debut with Netflix’s thriller crime series “Narco-Saints,” felt that the real-life story of a businessman on whom the series' protagnist, Kang In-gu (played by Ha Jung-woo), is based, was too dramatic and seemed almost made up. “At first, I personally found it difficult to believe the three-year experience of an ordinary man working with the National Intelligence Service. It’s like a story from a movie,&rdq

TelevisionSept. 18, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] 'Sehando,' painting by a literati

Evergreen, pine and cypress trees symbolize unyielding principles and faithful devotion in Korean culture. Korea's most famous painting of pine and cypress trees is named Sehando, which literally means "Age old freeze painting." It is designated as Korea's National Treasure No. 180. Ironically Sehando was painted not by a painter but rather by a seonbi named Kim Jeonng-hui (1786 - 1856) during the Joseon Kingdom period. Seonbi were the intellectual elite of Korea. Kim Jeonng-

Arts & DesignSept. 17, 2022

Where nature beckons: Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Experiencing a foreign country can turn out to be one that is quite different from one’s expectations. But that is the beauty of travel. As Lewis Carroll, the author of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," said, "In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." Those who wish to leave the familiar to explore the unfamiliar away from the urban crowd, Sri Lanka merits consideration. Sri Lanka, which means “resplendent island,&

TravelSept. 17, 2022

Embrace fall vibes with candlelight concert

Imagine yourself listening to your favorite classical music pieces in a concert hall filled with candlelight. Entertainment discovery platform Fever is bringing this special experience to the Korean audience with a series of gigs in September and October. Showcasing the music of renowned composers like Vivaldi, Chopin or Beethoven, the concert series aims to bring traditional classical music closer to young listeners by discovering local experiences in their cities with “a mission to democ

CultureSept. 17, 2022

Spices to beat travel fatigue while in Sri Lanka

Aside from the scenic landscapes, good food enjoyed during tightly packed travel schedules leave lasting impressions on travelers. To know the origins and recipes of a nation's traditional dishes, authentic culinary demonstrations are events not to miss out on while in a foreign country. Since the 15th century, Sri Lanka has offered an exquisite range of spices, exporting some 30,000 metric tons annually, according to a 2020 report by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. No matter how sc

CultureSept. 17, 2022

[Temple to Table] Food that help one attain the way: Mushrooms and green peppers

To go forth and become a monk is not a trivial matter. Its purpose is neither to seek bodily comfort nor to be warmly clothed and fully fed, nor to seek honor and wealth. Rather, its purpose is to escape the cycle of birth and death, to sever one’s affections, to walk in the bright wisdom of the Buddha and to save sentient beings by showing them the way out of the threefold world. Baru gongyang, the monastic communal meal, is a Buddhist practice that promotes solemnity and pensiveness. Eac

FoodSept. 17, 2022

Paik Nam-june’s 'The More, The Better' open to public after long hiatus

Korea-born video art pioneer Paik Nam-june’s masterpiece, “The More, The Better” -- an 18.6-meter-tall video tower -- was unveiled on Thursday after completing a three-year restoration. The reincarnation of the artist’s largest work is celebrated with the archive exhibition held by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. The national museum celebrated the reoperation of “The More, The Better,” on Thursday at the museum’s Gwacheon venu

Arts & DesignSept. 17, 2022

[Newsmaker] Emmy-winning director Hwang says that ‘Squid Game 2’ is his next project

His Emmy trophy for outstanding directing for a drama series in hand, director Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind behind global phenomenon “Squid Game,” on Friday confidently entered a celebratory press conference following the Emmys win at the Westin Josun Seoul. At this stage, Hwang confirmed that his next project will be nothing other than a second season of “Squid Game.” “We will film the sequel next year and the series will likely be released in 2024. I am workin

TelevisionSept. 16, 2022

[Book Review] Econ. professor urges to assess happiness when measuring prosperity

In his book “Rich Economy, Poor Happiness," Lee Nae-chan, a professor of economics at Hansung University, explores the dark sides of South Korea’s prosperous economic development and sheds light on how to ultimately achieve happiness in a country that is no longer on a fast economic growth track. “Korea has grown remarkably in size, so far from the debris of the Korean War, but happiness and quality of life are ranked at the bottom among OECD (Organization for Economic Coo

BooksSept. 16, 2022

[Well-curated] Seoul panorama, relaxing tea time and barrier-free stage play

  Enjoy view of Seoul like Blackpink Jennie, “Squid Game” Jung Ho-yeon If you scroll through the recent Instagram feed of hipster celebrities like “Squid Game” actor Jung Ho-yeon, K-pop artist G-Dragon of Big Bang, Jennie of Blackpink and singer Jeon Somi, you might notice that there is a common location that they have all visited called Comfort Seoul. Established by photographer Kim Hee-june and film editor Lee Tae-kyung in June, Comfort Seoul is located in a quiet

CultureSept. 16, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Siheung Gaetgol Festival The Siheung Gaetgol Festival is scheduled to be held from Sept. 23 to 25 at Siheung Gaetgol Eco Park in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. The three-day event offers ecological experiences at the park, which is considered to be the world’s largest ecology art playground. Various programs, including photo exhibitions, a drawing area, salt playground, trekking around the Gaetgol trail and more, are offered to visitors so they can enjoy both nature and art to their fullest

TravelSept. 16, 2022