[Video] Foreigners and Koreans blind taste test popular food in Korea

Without this experience, the team would never have thought about the similarities between marshmallow and rice cake, donut and Yakgwa (Korean honey snack), and the biases we have about  food. This was so much fun to make! 00:03 Dalgona 01:26 Wasabi 02:30 Injeolmi 03:14 Fruit Jelly 03:54 Tofu 04:42 Yakgwa (Korean Honey Snack) 05:56 Chicken-mu (Pickled Radish) 07:15 Dried Squid 08:23 Fish Cake 09:06 Review Special thanks to Michelle, Jean, Joanna, Jordan and Hyunbin for making it happen. B

CultureNov. 30, 2021

[Newsmaker] Cardinal Yeom retires after 10 years of service

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung on Tuesday retired as the Catholic archbishop of Seoul, after some 10 years of service in the post. Yeom, who also held the post of apostolic administrator of the diocese, Pyongyang of North Korea, will soon leave Myeongdong Cathedral and move to Bishop’s Hall at the Catholic University of Korea Songsin Campus in Seoul where many of the country’s priests are educated. “Even after I leave the diocese, I will be grateful for every moment and pra

PeopleNov. 30, 2021

Mnet’s ‘Street Dance Girls Fighter’ to continue ‘K-dance’ fever with teens

Mnet’s upcoming dance competition show “Street Dance Girls Fighter” is aiming to continue growing interest in dance by reviving the premise of the cable channel’s hit program “Street Woman Fighter,” this time with talented teenage female dance crews. The program will feature dance crews comprised of high school girls competing to win a 10 million-won ($8,420) prize. Top-tier female crews -- YGX, Lachica, Want, WayB, Coca N Butter, Prowdmon, HolyBang and Hook

TelevisionNov. 30, 2021

Kakao Entertainment and Naver Webtoon to fight illegal websites

As Korean webtoons enjoy new heights of popularity, being turned into drama series and films, the Korean webtoon industry is seeking to take down illegal websites featuring pirated webtoons. Seven leading webtoon platforms -- Kakao Entertainment, Kidari Studio, Lezhin Entertainment, Naver Webtoon, Ridi, Topco and Toomics -- announced Tuesday that they would take collective action to fight the illegal distribution of webtoons. The companies seek to protect the authors’ desire to create ori

CartoonNov. 30, 2021

Korean streaming platforms’ survival plan: original content

Netflix’s “Squid Game” has proven original content’s power to attract subscribers. Following the release of the Korean content in September, the global streaming platform’s monthly active users here reached 9.48 million, the highest since the company entered the Korean market, according to data from Nielsen Korea. Many of the major Korean streaming platforms have been creating original content to secure their own market shares in the Korean market. CJ ENM’

TelevisionNov. 30, 2021

‘Squid Game’ wins breakthrough series prize at Gotham Awards

“Squid Game” was announced the winner of the breakthrough series’ long format category at the 2021 Gotham Awards on Tuesday. Five other TV series, including Amazon Studios’ “Small Axe” and HBO Max’s “It’s A Sin,” vied for the prize in the over 40-minute category at the annual US awards ceremony for lower-budget indie movies and TV series. The award ceremony took place on Tuesday in New York and “Squid Game” director Hwan

FilmNov. 30, 2021

Seoul Museum of Craft Art is now fully open

After successfully showcasing eight craft art exhibitions, the Seoul Museum of Craft Art held its official opening ceremony Monday, unveiling special places located inside the museum, including a craft shop that offers a variety of craft works produced by artisans whose works are part of the museum’s collection. Located in Jongno, central Seoul, the country’s first national museum dedicated to Korean craft art opened to the public on July 16 with eight craft exhibitions, quickly be

Arts & DesignNov. 30, 2021

EBS presents XR television shows ‘The Home’ and ‘The Dreamer’

Public educational TV channel EBS is launching two extended reality science programs, “The Home” and “The Dreamer,” this week. Extended reality is an umbrella term encompassing virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. The computing technology can merge physical and virtual worlds, bringing digital elements to the viewers. “There has been a few music programs partly applying XR technology, but ‘The Home’ and ‘The Dreamer’ are t

TelevisionNov. 29, 2021

Netflix hopes to continue winning streak with reality shows

With the arrival of Disney+ and Apple TV+ setting off fierce competition in the country’s video streaming market, Netflix is seeking to cement its top position with a slew of new reality shows. The global streaming giant is premiering three original Korean variety shows for the year-end season, hoping to continue its dominance there on the back of recent global hit drama series like “Squid Game,” “My Name” and “Hellbound.” Starring six celebrities --

TelevisionNov. 29, 2021

Year-end indoor concert Countdown Fantasy returns amid pandemic

One of the country’s biggest indoor winter music concerts, Countdown Fantasy, will take place as a two-part, in-person event on Dec. 31 at Kintex in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, just northwest of Seoul. The year-end concert, last held in 2012, will feature 14 music acts across diverse genres such as indie, hip-hop and K-pop, according to Mint Paper, organizer of Countdown Fantasy. The lineup announced Friday includes K-pop boy band Ateez, singer-songwriter Jukjae, girl group Dreamcatcher an

PerformanceNov. 29, 2021

Old and new: Restored Paik Nam-june masterpiece at MMCA to have mix of LED and CRT monitors

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, first raised the idea of restoring video art pioneer Paik Nam-June’s largest installation work, “The More the Better,” after it was shut down in 2018 due to technical problems. The museum is conducting a three-year restoration project for the masterpiece, which began last year. “We are replacing 268 CRT monitors, which are 6 or 10 inches, installed at the upper part of the video tower, with LED monitors. We will

Arts & DesignNov. 29, 2021

Coffee lovers flock back to Gangneung for caffeine-loaded fest

GANGNEUNG, Gangwon Province -- After a two-year break forced by the pandemic, the long awaited Gangneung Coffee Festival returned for its 13th edition, Thursday to Sunday. With the slogan, “Nonetheless, coffee,” some 80 coffee-themed booths were set up at Daedohobu Gwana, a site where central government officials from the capital visiting the region stayed during the Goryeo Kingdom and Joseon era. Friday saw its signature program, “100 People 100 Tastes,” a massive sim

FoodNov. 28, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] Young Buddha’s smile at the moment of enlightenment

For the past 100 years, researchers have been speculating on the meaning of the smile on National Treasure No. 83, the Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation, a statue of what is believed to be the future Buddha, known as “Mireuk” in Korean. The gilt-bronze statue of a young future Buddha in a contemplative state is considered the epitome of Buddhist artwork. The beauty, the gentleness and the peaceful smile of the gilt-bronze Maitreya in Mediation, known as the Bangasayusang Mireuk st

CultureNov. 27, 2021

Asia Culture Center aims to become a familiar face to local population after revamping

The Asia Culture Center, located in the old center of Gwangju, has developed a reputation as having a strength in experimental arts, but it aims to become a more familiar face to the local population and everyday visitors after a reorganization, the acting chairman of the center said Wednesday. Having opened six years ago this month, the multicultural complex has attracted 11.26 million visitors during its short lifespan despite spending two years of its short lifespan dealing with the COVID-1

CultureNov. 27, 2021

Actor Lee Chae-young returns as gambler in 'Tazza: The Poker Queen'

When Korean actor Lee Chae-young first heard the title of the upcoming film “Tazza: The Poker Queen,” it immediately reminded her of Korean film “The War of Flower,” which had the Korean title “Tazza.” Lee said she was hesitant to accept the role out of worry she could not outperform the 2006 hit. “However, after reading Kim Se-young’s comic that the film is created based on, I became to think that there is a story about woman gamblers that could

FilmNov. 27, 2021

[Eye Plus] Banpo Hangang Park brings colors to city at night

Hangang Park is a crucial part of the recreational life of many of us living in Seoul, offering rare public open space for joggers, cyclists and couples on dates. When the sun goes down and evening approaches, the Banpo part of the park lights up in vivid colors that cast shimmering reflections on the Han River. Located at Banpo-dong in Seocho district, Banpo Hangang Park boasts three buildings that radiates in changing colors. Known together as “sebit,” which literally translates t

CultureNov. 27, 2021

[Well-curated] For the cold days: Indie film marathon, esports in person and soothing teas

As the cold winter blast is expected to continue this weekend, how about checking out indie movies at the 47th Seoul Independent Film Festival at CGV Art House Apgujeong and CGV Apgujeong in Seoul. The film festival kicked off Thursday and will run through Dec 3. Those who missed the opening film “Sprinter,” directed by Choi Seung-yeon that premiered on Thursday, can catch it at 3:20 p.m., Sunday. The film centers around three track athletes -- Hyun-soo, Jun-seo and Jung-ho --who

FilmNov. 27, 2021

Blue Square: Space behind Korea’s musical boom

In 2011, when a sprawling 29,492-square-meter, eight-story building opened its doors near Itaewon, Seoul’s vibrant nightlife district, not many could have imagined what was in store for Korea’s musical scene. Fast forward to a decade later, the building, Blue Square, has welcomed more than 10 million visitors coming to see 7,743 performances of 1,031 musicals, according to Interpark Group, which operates a major ticketing platform. Interpark built and runs the cultural complex, whi

PerformanceNov. 27, 2021

Jeon Jong-seo praises ‘Nothing Serious’ director’s unique style, humor

Jeon Jong-seo has attracted attention for her character’s frank comments about sex in romantic comedy “Nothing Serious,” but for her the role was all about the director’s wit. Jeon plays Ham Ja-young, a 29-year-old single woman who often talks about her sex life with her friends and even makes sexual jokes to Park Woo-ri, a man she just met on a dating app.  “I think quirky and honest lines are director Jung Ga-young’s style. If I didn’t like t

FilmNov. 26, 2021

[Eye interview] ‘Squid Game’ VIP actors address criticism of their performance

John D. Michaels and Daniel C. Kennedy faced harsh criticism after appearing on the Netflix global sensation “Squid Game” as two of the VIPs. They addressed that criticism during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. Critics said the foreign actors’ performances were over the top and did not fit the tone of the series. Although they are aware of the criticism, Michaels and Kennedy said they would not do it much differently even if they had the chance. They al

FilmNov. 26, 2021