National Theater Company launches on-demand theater

The National Theater Company of Korea has opened an online theater, offering its performances to a wider public during the pandemic times. The state-run company said the online theater would be its fourth theater, following the Myeongdong Theater, Baek Seonghui & Jang Minho Theater and Theater Pan, allowing audiences to enjoy performances whenever and wherever. “The online theater is more than just a platform offering recorded performances. This is about providing new experiences

PerformanceNov. 1, 2021

Naver Webtoon drops surprise ‘Eternals’ webcomic

Just days ahead of the theater release of Marvel Studio’s “Eternals,” Naver Webtoon unveiled the movie’s Korean webtoon version Sunday. The first two episodes, titled “Intelligent Design 1“ and ”Intelligent Design 2,” have a 9.26 rating on the Naver platform as of Monday. Celebrating the release of the film, the first four episodes are available free of charge, Naver Webtoon said. The webtoon, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same titl

CartoonNov. 1, 2021

Kim Seon-ho to make film debut as planned with ‘Sad Tropics’

Actor Kim Seon-ho will remain on the cast of the upcoming film “Sad Tropics (working title),” the movie’s production company NEW said on Monday. Since the actor stepped down from the films “2 O’Clock Date” and “Dog Days” in the aftermath of a controversy surrounding his ex-girlfriend, “Sad Tropics” is the first project to keep its offer of a lead character to Kim. According to NEW, the production staff held a long discussion in makin

FilmNov. 1, 2021

'Eternals' hits No. 1 in presale tickets ahead of local premier

The upcoming superhero film "Eternals" is expected to smash the pandemic-hit South Korean box office, with its presale tickets outpacing those of its Marvel predecessor "Black Widow," data showed Monday. Marvel Studios' latest film to be released Wednesday had recorded 200,000 presold tickets as of 2:30 p.m., two days before its local release, according to the data by the Korean Film Council. The movie accounted for 78.8 percent of all tickets reserved at that time, overwhe

FilmNov. 1, 2021

2021 Isang Yun Competition kicks off

After a yearlong postponement, the Isang Yun Competition 2021, organized by the Tongyeong International Music Foundation, is underway with the first round of competitions taking place Monday. The annual competition, held in remembrance of the renowned Korea-born composer I-sang Yun (1917-1995), takes place at the coastal city of Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, alternating among three disciplines: cello, piano and violin. This year, the competition is held for the violin discipline, fol

PerformanceOct. 31, 2021

Local movie theaters ready for ‘living with COVID’

As the South Korean government raised hopes for a gradual return to normal with their “living with COVID-19” scheme, cinemas will see many of the pandemic restrictions lifted starting Monday. From Monday, multiplex operator CGV will be offering incentives for those who have been fully vaccinated in special “vaccine-pass theaters.” “Moviegoers who have been fully vaccinated for 14 days can eat and drink in the theaters, which was strictly prohibited after the outb

FilmOct. 31, 2021

KBS under fire for program on beleaguered actor Kim Seon-ho

Public broadcaster KBS has come under fire for what viewers say was unnecessary programming concerning the beleaguered actor Kim Seon-ho. On Friday, “Entertainment Weekly Live,” an entertainment show covering pop culture figures and industry news, aired a segment on recent controversy surrounding the actor. The segment dealt with the question of whether the actor, whose ex-girlfriend claimed he had urged her to have an abortion only to later dump her, could be in any legal hot wat

TelevisionOct. 31, 2021

Sumi Jo to go onstage in Korea with I Musici

Celebrated Korean soprano Sumi Jo is to hold recitals in Korea in December with the renowned Italian chamber ensemble I Musici. 　 Jo, 58, one of the most beloved sopranos in Korea and in the world, is to release a new album under the title “35/70” with the Rome-based chamber group in November to celebrate the 35th anniversary of her European operatic debut. The album also marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Baroque music ensemble. The album, recorded in Rome in May

PerformanceOct. 31, 2021

[Weekender] From boat to table: Taean teems with blue crab riches

TAEAN, South Chungcheong Province -- Just before sunup, Lee Young-ho, a seasoned fisherman with over 30 years of experience, silently waits for boats carrying blue crabs as the season for the seafood reaches its height. Soon afterward, small and big boats sail into Sinjin Port in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province, the second-largest source of blue crab after Incheon, accounting for 29 percent of total production of the country. A crane lifts 28 boxes filled with blue crabs weighing 40

TravelOct. 30, 2021

[Visual History of Korea] ‘Seonbi’ tradition defines Korean value system

Educating intellectuals with knowledge, wisdom and character has long been the goal of Korean education throughout history. Korean culture and history have been profoundly shaped by various religions and philosophies, but none has had as much lasting impact as Confucianism. Confucianism before the Common Era and Neo-Confucianism after the 12th century have largely shaped the ruling class landscape of Korean kingdoms. During the Goryeo Empire, scholars who were well learned possessing good ch

CultureOct. 30, 2021

Biggest-ever Daegu Art Fair to kick off next week

Korean art collectors are turning their eyes to Daegu, a two-hour KTX trip from Seoul, for the upcoming Daegu Art Fair 2021 as local art fairs continue to ride the unexpected wave of popularity in the art market. Daegu Art Fair 2021, considered the third major art fair in the country along with KIAF Seoul and Art Busan, kicks off on Nov. 4 at Exco. Galleries Association of Daegu, who has hosted the fair since 2008, is jointly organizing this year’s edition with the Galleries Association

Arts & DesignOct. 30, 2021

Maximalist pies at Dope Pizza Bakers

Dope Pizza Bakers head baker and CEO Shin Jae-uk and his team take a maximalist approach to their New York-style pies. “Our basic philosophy is to top our pies with pepperoni so there are no empty spots left,” Shin, 34, said in explaining how Dope’s Pepperoni Planet is made in an email interview. Every inch of that glorious pie with its chewy thin crust, punchy red sauce and gooey mozzarella is covered with crispy, unctuous rounds of pepperoni. “There are customers w

FoodOct. 30, 2021

Gwangju art fair explores metaverse exhibition for first time

The Gwangju International Art Fair 2021 opened Thursday featuring artists based in the city, including a metaverse exhibition, to help them promote artworks virtually and in person amid growing public interest in art. With 70 galleries from home and abroad taking part, the city’s major art fair will run until Sunday at the Kimdaejung Convention Center, showcasing works from 535 artists. With growing attention to the art market, the annual art fair is presenting special booths to intro

Arts & DesignOct. 30, 2021

World DJ Festival returns to stage to meet fans offline

After two years of being limited to online concerts by the lingering pandemic, the World DJ Festival will return to the stage next year at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul. This year’s World DJ Festival will be held for three consecutive days starting June 4, and is expected to accommodate tens of thousands of audiences which can occupy the size of the whole stadium, BEPCTangent Creative, the festival organizer announced on Thursday. But the number of acceptable audiences is s

PerformanceOct. 29, 2021

Peter Chung Soon-taek appointed as new Catholic archbishop for Seoul

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Peter Chung Soon-taek as the new Catholic archbishop for Seoul on Thursday. Chung, 60, was also appointed as apostolic administrator of Pyongyang. “God is truly ‘beyond.’ He acts far beyond our human thoughts, so we cannot predict or estimate his plans or thoughts in advance,” Chung said. “I ask for many people to pray for me so that I can follow the path of the wonderful former archbishops and spread pastoral care.” He was

CultureOct. 29, 2021

'Squid Game' director Hwang Dong-hyuk to deliver speech at local online forum next month

"Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk will talk about his stories behind the smash hit Netflix drama in a local online forum next month, the event's organizer said Friday. At the SBS D Forum to be held Nov. 18, Hwang will deliver a speech, titled "The Portrayals of the Times, Things We Have to Talk About," sharing his experience on his theatrical works and the social impact of the global success of "Squid Game," according to the SBS TV station. He took the helm of

TelevisionOct. 29, 2021

Korean book exhibition opens in Tokyo

The Tokyo Korean Cultural Center’s Gallery MI is holding a three-day special exhibition of Korean books until Saturday, the Korean Publishers Association announced Thursday. The exhibition titled “Bridging Friendships,” is designed to introduce Korean literature to readers and publishers in Japan, and find opportunities for Korean books to enter foreign markets. The KPA has chosen 78 books for display at the exhibition, 50 of which are from “Your Next Book,” a bo

BooksOct. 29, 2021

Korean actor Lee Byung-hun wins US award for Asian entertainer

South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun has won a US entertainment award for Asian and Asian American contributions to film and television, the event organizer said Friday (Korean time). Lee was included in the list of recipients of the US Asia Entertainment Summit and Game Changer Awards, along with Bela Bajaria, head of global TV at Netflix, and Destin Daniel Cretton, director of the superhero film "Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings" (2021). Hosted by the nonprofit organization As

TelevisionOct. 29, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Halloween dessert at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul In the spirit of Halloween, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul is offering Halloween desserts and children’s programs in October. A Halloween dessert made by executive pastry chef Alexandre Chersouly is available until Sunday at the hotel’s lobby lounge, Maru, and at the cafe Confections by Four Seasons. The eye-catching bat-shaped dessert features crunchy hazelnut, smooth chocolate sponge cake, and creamy pumpkin and chocolate mousse. It fill

TravelOct. 29, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Herb Island Pink Muhly Festival Herb Island Pink Muhly Festival will be available for flower-loving visitors through Sunday at Pocheon Herb Island in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. The autumn season event of Herb Island features a romantic ambiance created by the mesmerizing scenery with the pink muhly. Hands-on experiences with flowerpot decorating, pink soap making and pumpkin carving are offered for visitors of all ages. Every corner of Herb Island is an Instagram photo zone for festival par

TravelOct. 29, 2021