Listen to classical concerts all summer long

A number of classical music festivals are set to take place through the month of August in Seoul. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-China diplomatic relations, the Culture Ministry is holding a special concert, bringing together renowned classical musicians from Korea and China, at the Lotte Concert Hall on Aug. 24. Led by conductor Chung Chi-yong, the Korean Symphony Orchestra will open the stage with Dvorak’s Carnival Overture, Op. 92. Joined by Chinese vio

PerformanceAug. 8, 2022

DMZ experience center opens in Paju

In line with the official opening of Ecological Peace Tourism Information Center located near the banks of the Imjin River in Paju, on Monday, a newly created DMZ LIVE Experience Hall on the premises is inviting guests to a vivid experience of the adjacent neighborhood near the Korean peninsula’s military demarcation line. The establishment of the center has been jointly planned by the Korea Tourism Organization and the city of Paju since February 2018, with aims to build a cutting-edge

TravelAug. 8, 2022

LACMA Art+Film Gala to honor filmmaker Park Chan-wook

Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook and American artist Helen Pashgian have been chosen as honorees at this year’s Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Art+Film Gala. “We are excited to recognize Park Chan-wook, whose unforgettable films never fail to show us the power of cinema,” said LACMA CEO Michael Govan in a statement last week. Park won the best director award for his latest work “Decision to Leave” at this year’s 75th Cannes Film Festival. Since the

FilmAug. 7, 2022

Walking tour of Gwanghwamun Square, Cheong Wa Dae

The city of Seoul and the Seoul Tourism Organization are adding new routes on the “Seoul Guided Walking Tour” program starting Tuesday. The three new courses are the “Gyeongbokgung Stonewall Walkway and Cheong Wa Dae Course,” the “Gwanghwamun Square Course” and the “Yulgok-ro Palace Wall Road Course.” Each walking tour involves a narration about the site’s history by professional tour guides, as well as an introduction of popular spots such

CultureAug. 7, 2022

One of world’s largest dolmen sites in Gimhae damaged

A 350-metric-ton Bronze Age dolmen in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province -- one of the largest dolmens in the world -- was discovered to have been damaged during a recent restoration process. The damage was reported to the Cultural Heritage Administration by Cultural Heritage Committee members who visited the site on July 28 to conduct preliminary research for the dolmen’s designation as a national historical site. The CHA halted all restoration work on Aug. 1. The city of Gimhae initiate

CultureAug. 7, 2022

Boyangsik to invigorate you

During boknal, Koreans look for boyangsik, dishes with high nutritional value, to reenergize themselves for the dog days of summer. Long lines form at popular samgyetang restaurants on the three hottest days, and it is not uncommon to find many closing earlier than usual, having sold out. There are several boyangsik dishes that people turn to help them cope with the summer heat other than samgyetang, such as a steaming bowl of chicken soup with ginseng- and-glutinous rice-stuffed whole chicke

FoodAug. 6, 2022

Find peace of mind in mountainside temple

GANGHWADO, Incheon -- If you are looking for an escape from the scorching weather that’s under the cool shade, and with a fair view of the sea, sansa –- a mountainside Buddhist temple -– may be just the destination. Located deep inside mountains, sansa offer visitors a break from the city and the noise that comes with it. On Ganghwado, an island off the west coast, you will find Jeondeungsa, a temple on Jeongjoksan, a 220-meter mountain. It is about an hour’s drive fro

TravelAug. 6, 2022

[Temple to Table] Fried pancakes with less seasoning: Jangtteok with soybean sprouts

In May, Ven. Hongseung made a two-week trip to Paris to participate in a “Taste of Paris” event where she introduced Korean temple food. The annual event features pop-up restaurants operated by renowned French chefs and a massive food expo attended by world-class food and beverage industry players. Ven. Hongseung demonstrated how to cook a new temple food dish every day at the “Taste Korea!” booth operated jointly by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism and Korean Cul

FoodAug. 6, 2022

[Weekender] ‘Tis the season for ‘gyegok’ splash

Millions of South Korean vacationers have flown overseas, driven to beaches and mountains around the country to escape the relentless heat this summer. Ever since the pandemic rules against gatherings were lifted, crowds with pent-up energy have packed just about anywhere, from sports stadiums and waterparks to theaters and art exhibits. During the country’s peak summer holiday season from late July through early August when most workers take off, a normally 2.5-hour drive from Seoul to

TravelAug. 6, 2022

[Scholars and Their Spaces] Never despair. But if you do, work on in despair

It was devastating for Kim Jung-hui (1786-1856), a member of the royal family born into the prestigious Gyeongju Kim clan, to be imprisoned inside a shabby house with a thorn fence on a remote island as punishment. Exiled to Moseulpo in the southwestern part of Jeju Island, he suffered from chronic illnesses and loneliness for over eight years. In reading and writing, his sole pleasures, he found the strength to endure his pain. Ironically, his distinctive calligraphy style called “Chusach

CultureAug. 6, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Ancient art of traditional calligraphy

Civilizations are judged by the quality of historical knowledge they document and leave behind. For about 3,000 years, “seoye,” the art of calligraphy, has been a visible documentation of East Asian civilizations and culture. The ink used in traditional calligraphy, “meok,” made from burnt carbon, is long-lasting. In traditional calligraphy, each brush stroke carries philosophical thoughts beyond just the literal meaning of the written characters. For example, a dot

CultureAug. 6, 2022

Hollywood star Brad Pitt to visit Korea for ‘Bullet Train’ promotion

Hollywood star Brad Pitt will visit Korea for the first time in eight years to promote his new film “Bullet Train” on Aug. 19. Along with Pitt, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson will also be in Korea before the release of the film here on Aug. 24. Taylor-Johnson is widely known to Korean fans for his appearance in hit films including “Tenet” and “The King‘s Man.” The two actors will participate in a number of promotional events including a red carpet which

FilmAug. 5, 2022

[Well-curated] Time travel to ‘70s alley, Joseon-period valley

For those looking for a unique experience this weekend, how about a quick travel in time to the ’70s? The National Folk Museum of Korea, located inside Gyeongbokgung, is hosting special events outdoors where bustling streets from the 1970s and 1980s have been recreated. Named “Street of Memories,” the neighborhood has its own evening school, a barbers hop, a coffee house, a comic books store, a photo studio and more. At Yaksok Dabang, visitors are offered a complimentary c

CultureAug. 5, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel launches ‘Suite Party’ package Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel is launching a party package with an overnight stay at the hotel‘s Suite and a room party dining set that includes two bottles of wine and a platter of grilled shrimp and lamb chops, with fruits and cheese on the side. A whole cake and seasonal afternoon tea set for four guests are also served at the hotel’s first-floor bakery. The indoor swimming pool and fitness center can be us

FoodAug. 5, 2022

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival The Tongyeong Hansan Battle Festival is set to be held at the Donam Tourist Complex in Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Aug. 5-14. The festival commemorates the Great Battle of Hansan of 1592, the best-known naval battle in Korean history. Visitors can see the reenactment of the battle and experience hands-on programs at Yi Sun-sin Waterpark offered by the city and Great Battle of Hansan Memorial Foundation. Admission is free. People of all ages are wel

TravelAug. 5, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Emergency Declaration (Korea) Opened Aug. 3 Disaster-action Directed by Han Jae-rim Veteran detective In-ho (Song Kang-ho) is investigating a suspected terrorist and finds out that the suspect has already boarded a flight bound for Hawaii. To make matters worse, In-ho‘s wife is also on the plane with her friends. While the passengers are trapped inside, those on the ground including In-ho and the transportation minister (Jeon Do-yeon) struggle to find a way to land the plane safely.

FilmAug. 5, 2022

Coupang Play vs. ‘Anna’ director: Platform operator and creator duel over right to edit

Newcomer Coupang Play immediately became a notable player in the local streaming market after releasing the K-drama series “Anna” starring Korean heartthrob Bae Suzy on June 24. The platform had the fourth biggest monthly active users in Korea in June, with 3.73 million. However, just as it was time for Coupang Play to celebrate its success, trouble arose after “Anna” director raised a complaint against the company. On Tuesday, “Anna” writer and director

FilmAug. 4, 2022

[Herald Interview] Jung Woo-sung says working with best friend Lee Jung-jae was not easy

Top star Jung Woo-sung said he felt more pressure working with Lee Jung-jae since he really wanted his best friend’s directorial debut feature “Hunt” to be a success. The top actors became close friends while working together in the movie “City of the Rising Sun,” directed by Kim Sung-soo in 1999. Their fans have taken to calling the two the “Cheongdam couple,” as they are often spotted hanging out together at bars and restaurants in the Cheongdam-don

FilmAug. 4, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘Squid Game’ star Lee Jung-jae ready to ‘hunt’ global audience

Korean moviegoers seeking out Lee Jung-jae’s “Hunt” will see a different version of the film to the one shown at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The actor said he reworked his directorial debut feature after it premiered at the festival, as some foreign viewers told him that the movie was difficult to follow without knowledge of 1980s Korean politics. “When writing the script, I aimed to target audiences in their teens and 20s. Since my goal was to target

FilmAug. 4, 2022

Kim Hoon's 'Harbin' looks at independence fighther An Jung-geun

Recovering from an illness last year, Korean novelist and essayist Kim Hoon, 74, pondered about the rest of his life. One thing he realized was that he could no longer put off writing about independence activist An Jung-geun (1879-1910), which had been on his mind since his college days. “I was busy making ends meet. And more importantly, I didn’t dare write about him,” Kim told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.   Struck by a desperate feeling of

BooksAug. 4, 2022