Rom-com ‘Perhaps Love’ features relatable stories about relationship

From the relationship between divorced parents to a gay student who falls in love with a heterosexual teacher, the new rom-com film “Perhaps Love” directed by Cho Eun-ji depicts diverse human connections with a sense of humor. In making this film, actor-turned-director Cho said she focused on making it relatable to the general public. “Instead of focusing on different characters’ relationships and their unique personalities, I tried to focus on how audiences can relate

FilmNov. 8, 2021

Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi and Kim Sae-ron to star in Netflix’s ‘Bloodhounds’

Global streaming service Netflix has announced a star-studded lineup for its new original series “Bloodhounds.” Actors Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi and Kim Sae-ron will star in the action-noir series, according to Netflix. Veteran actors Park Sung-woong and Huh Joon-ho have also confirmed they will join the cast of “Bloodhounds.” “Bloodhounds,” an adaptation of a webtoon of the same title by Jung Chan, centers on three young people who become unintentionally i

FilmNov. 8, 2021

Marvel's 'Eternals' dominates S. Korean box office in first weekend

Marvel's "Eternals" easily topped the South Korean box office over the weekend, pushing director Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic "Dune" to a distant second, data showed Monday. "Eternals" drew an attendance of 1.138 million from Friday to Sunday, accounting for 82.4 percent of the period's total ticket sales at local theaters, according to the data from the Korean Film Council. The film had topped the 1 million mark in attendance, four days after its release Wednes

FilmNov. 8, 2021

‘Yumi’s Cells’ production team looks back on first season

Lee Sang-youb, who directed the webtoon-based tvN drama “Yumi’s cells,” did not expect to receive many compliments about the show after the first season ended, knowing his adaption of the well-beloved original web comics might disappoint some fans. “Because the original webtoon, written and drawn by author Lee Dong-gun, was such a popular work and loved by many readers, I worried a lot and had many things to consider. But I was happy to hear that the first season of &ls

TelevisionNov. 8, 2021

Four violinists awarded in Isang Yun Competition 2021

The winners of the Isang Yun Competition 2021 in the violin discipline were announced late Saturday after four finalists competed for the prizes at the Tongyeong Concert Hall in South Gyeongsang Province. The first prize went to Karisa Chiu from the US, who performed J. Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 77. The second and third prizes were awarded to Jeong Ju-eun and Kang Na-kyung from South Korea. Lim Dong-min received the Isang Yun Special Prize. The awardees were announced on the

PerformanceNov. 7, 2021

[From the Scene] Movie theater gets back to normal with vaccine pass

If it were not for all the people wearing masks, it would be fair to say that multiplex theater CGV Yongsan in central Seoul was back to normal on Saturday night -- just as it used to be before COVID-19, especially in vaccine-pass auditoriums. Changes were evident at the snack bar, which had very few customers a week earlier. The theater smelled of popcorn, people were standing in front of the kiosks to buy food, and staff were shouting customer numbers at the pick-up counter. These changes we

FilmNov. 7, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] Cutting edge Bronze Age nanotechnology found in Bronze Mirror with Geometric Designs

For humans, the Bronze Age meant metal weapons, farming tools, and means to sustain large enough populations with an organized labor force which enabled construction of lasting monuments such as dolmens. East Asia, especially in ancient Korea, must have been a happening place in the Bronze Age as there are more dolmens in Korea than anywhere else in the world. Bronze mirrors are found in abundance in Korea and neighboring areas formerly occupied by ancient Koreans. Bronze mirrors with fine li

CultureNov. 6, 2021

[Holly’s Korean Kitchen] Classic doenjang jjigae

A pot of bubbling hot doenjang jjigae, or Korean soybean paste stew, is perhaps the most desired stew in Korea. In terms of Korean comfort food, this is the No. 1 stew, and no Korean will disagree with that. Without a doubt, most Koreans grew up eating this Korean stew at least once or twice a week. Surely, the smell of doenjang jjigae coming out of kitchen brings a nostalgia to many Koreans. I have a fond memory of my mother often fixing her signature doenjang jjigae. My father adored her jj

FoodNov. 6, 2021

[Weekender] Natural wine is hip. What’s the hype all about?

It was around three years ago in Japan that Moon Dong-sun stumbled upon natural wine. He was blown away by the unique taste and colors. Upon returning to Korea, he drew up a plan to open a natural wine bar, introducing the new experience of wine to Seoulites. Early this year, Moon opened a natural wine bar in the trendy Hannam-dong in Seoul. Moon said that natural wine has rapidly become popular, and specialized bars have been emerging across the city. “The natural wine market is gr

FoodNov. 6, 2021

Kim Jong-kook 'enjoys' steroid abuse allegation made by Canadian YouTuber

Singer and entertainer Kim Jong-kook, who has gained more than 2 million subscribers just months after launching his YouTube channel “GYM JONG KOOK,” has responded to a suspicion of steroid use. Greg Doucette, a renowned Canadian bodybuilder and fitness YouTuber, recently raised suspicion that the Korean singer and well-known body builder could be using steroids. In a video posted on Oct. 31, titled “Kim Jung Kook || Natty or Not,” the trainer accused Kim of abusing st

PeopleNov. 5, 2021

AppleTV+ presents sci-fi thriller ‘Dr. Brain’ as its first Korean original content

Veteran director Kim Jee-woon, debuting as a TV series producer after a 23-year film career, is feeling a mixed bag of emotions. “I am very nervous and excited about ‘Dr. Brain’ being the first Korean-language original of Apple TV+. I feel like I am here to showcase my debut project as a rookie director,” the director said in an online press conference on Wednesday. “Dr. Brain,” the streaming service’s first original series from South Korea, is an adap

TelevisionNov. 5, 2021

Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, CL and more to perform at HITC

Several Korean artists will be participating at the Head in the Clouds music festival that starts Saturday at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Known for bringing together some of the biggest names in Asian music, the two-day event is returning after taking a break in 2020. Hip-hop legends Tiger JK, Yoon Mi-rae, rappers Bizzy, CL, DPR Ian, DPR Live, singer and songwriter Bibi, Seori and guitarist and singer of DAY6 eaJ are among the line up of Korean artists. Other Asian musicians

PerformanceNov. 5, 2021

S. Korean broadcasters to resume shows with studio audience

With South Korea on its way to returning to normal from COVID-19, local broadcasters are set to resume the recording of their programs with a studio audience for the first time in nearly two years. Cable channel tvN said Friday that its long-running skit show "Comedy Big League" will be filmed in front of an audience next Tuesday for the first time in about 20 months. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, the prime nighttime program on Sundays has been forced to conduct tapings

TelevisionNov. 5, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Uijeongbu Budaejjigae Festival The Uijeongbu Budaejjigae Festival on Budaejjigae Street in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, runs through Nov. 30. The annual festival, which had been on hiatus since 2019, offers visitors a chance to try the iconic dish budaejjigae, also known as army stew or Korean spicy sausage stew. Two-for-one deals are available at the 21 participating restaurants on Budaejjigae Street to those who make reservations online. Each visitor gets a stamp, and repeat visitors can

TravelNov. 5, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Ron’s Gone Wrong (US) Opened Oct. 27 Animation Directed by Jean-Philippe Vine and Sarah Smith In the future, the AI robot model B-bot is every child’s friend. Middle schooler Barney Pudowski’s deepest wish is to get a B-bot since he is the only student in the school who doesn’t own one. One day he finally gets a robot named Ron. But there seems to be something wrong with Ron, who can’t connect to the network. 　 Dune (US) Opened Oct. 20 Science fiction Directed b

FilmNov. 5, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

JW Marriott Hotel Seoul announces 2021 Autumn Wine Fair JW Marriott Hotel Seoul presents the 2021 Autumn Wine Fair showcasing wines from selected wineries in 11 countries across four continents at the Margaux Grill’s seventh-floor garden. Running for three days from Nov. 10 to 12, the wine fair will feature a wide selection, ranging from daily wines to fine small-batch cult labels and grand crus from Bordeaux and Burgundy, with savings of up to 50 percent from regular prices. Additio

FoodNov. 5, 2021

Free-spirited young artist sends heartwarming donations to Myanmar, Malawi

Shin Dong-min, a painter sponsored by The Korea Herald, has inspired many with his artworks, and now he is using his extraordinary talents to help people in Myanmar and Malawi. On Oct. 26, Shin and his mother invited The Korea Herald CEO Choi Jin-young, BT&I Group President Kay Song, and two officials from the Korean office of a Burmese government in exile -- Yan Naing Htun, the government’s special representative, and Soe Moe Thu, secretary-general of the National Unity Government of

PeopleNov. 4, 2021

[Well-Curated] Take in art, fall foliage at Kukje Gallery

Autumn is in full swing in Samcheong-dong, a leafy area of art galleries and small shops near the Blue House. If you want to enjoy the blazing red and gold of the fall foliage with your meal and take in some art at the same time, a visit to Kukje Gallery might just be what’s called for. The well-established gallery has two restaurants -- the Cafe on the ground floor and the Restaurant on the second floor of the K1 building. The Cafe presents graphic designer Na Kim’s wall painting

CultureNov. 4, 2021

Korean Pacific Philharmonic Orchestra to hold concert Tuesday

The Korean Pacific Philharmonic Orchestra is to hold a concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, introducing classical music works from the 20th century. The concert, led under the baton of conductor Kang Won-ho, will present the overture from Verdi’s opera “La Forza del Destina” and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 123. Following the intermission, the orchestra will perform Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D major, Op. 283, joined

PerformanceNov. 4, 2021

Culture Ministry to distribute coupons for tourism

With Korea relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in line with its “living with COVID-19” scheme, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization are to resume a discount coupon program for travel accommodations to encourage the local tourism industry hit by the virus crisis. The Culture Ministry launched the coupon program twice last year, but had to suspend it to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus infections. Before the suspension, 520,000 coupon

TravelNov. 4, 2021