Three Taegeukgi designated national treasures

Three Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea, have been officially designated as national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced on Monday. Among some 20 Taegeukgi which are registered as state-designated cultural assets, O. N. Denny’s Taegeukgi, the Taegeukgi with Kim Gu’s Writings and Signature and the Jingwansa Taegeukgi stood out for their historical value, especially the time and meaning of their production. The Denny Taegeukgi, housed at the National Museum

CultureOct. 25, 2021

Pohang launches classical music fest, aspiring to be city of art

The city of Pohang, a major industrial city in North Gyeongsang Province best known for its steel plants, is launching a classical music festival. The Pohang Cultural Foundation said it will host the Music Festival Pohang 2021, the first edition of the classical music festival from Nov. 5 to 11 for seven days across the port city. “We initially planned to host the festival in 2020, but the plan was postponed for about a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the upcoming festival, th

PerformanceOct. 25, 2021

Apple TV+ to launch service in Korea on Nov. 4

The global content service provider under Apple, Apple TV+ is to begin service in Korea from Nov. 4, further heating up competition in the local streaming service market. Tech giant Apple announced Monday that it will begin service for Apple TV+, Apple TV 4K and the Apple TV app service in Korea starting in November, in partnership with local internet service provider SK Broadband. Apple TV+ is the only subscription streaming service that offers only original content, according to Apple. The

TelevisionOct. 25, 2021

British artist Julian Opie’s animal sculptures, Incheon-inspired work unveiled at Kukje Gallery

British artist Julian Opie is presenting his third solo exhibition at Kukje Gallery in Seoul, after two solo exhibitions in the country in 2017 and 2018. Inspired by familiar subjects from everyday life, Opie presents 31 works that span the gallery’s K2 and K3 exhibition halls, as well as its garden. The artist became well known in South Korea after he made a strong presence in Seoul in 2011 with his light-emitting diode art piece “Crowd,” displayed via Seoul Square’s l

Arts & DesignOct. 24, 2021

S. Korean movie industry mogul Lee dies

Lee Tae-won, a renowned South Korean movie producer, died Sunday after his health waned following an accidental fall last year, according to his aides. He was 83. Lee died in the afternoon at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital in Seoul, where he has been under treatment following the accident in May last year. His memorial altar is expected to be set up at the same hospital. Lee first started his career as a movie producer with a film, entitled "A long affection," in 1959. But hi

FilmOct. 24, 2021

[Herald Interview] Spanish writers talk about compromising an ideology to achieve a bigger goal

The winners of this year’s TV Movie Golden Bird Prize at the Seoul International Drama Awards talked about the main topic of their film, “Federica Montseny, the Woman Who Speaks”: compromising one’s ideology to achieve a bigger goal. The Spanish film, co-written by Russo Felsen Rafael Eduardo and Mireia Llinas Ventura, is based on a true story. It depicts the life of Spanish anarchist leader Federica Montseny (played by Marcia Cistero), who went on to serve as the countr

FilmOct. 24, 2021

Bucheon Intl. Animation fest brings healing to pandemic-weary audiences

The 23rd Bucheon International Animation Festival began its five-day run Friday in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, with events held both online and offline at the Korea Manhwa Museum and CGV Bucheon. In 2017 the festival became the very first in South Korea to be officially accredited by the host of the Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. With a mission to enrich the animated film genre and expand its presence in Asia, the BIAF features a general competition section that

FilmOct. 24, 2021

[Eye Interview] Kim Won-sook’s narratives turn into paintings, become stories for all

A painting shows a woman kneeling in a forest trying to catch fireflies raining down on her as if they are blessing the woman; another shows a woman holding a jar that contains dry branches, but outside the jar, they turn into cherry blossoms, as if to say good days will come after cold and painful days. “My paintings have nothing to do with ‘-isms’ or trends. They are about my ordinary life, so you don’t have to approach them in a difficult way. You don’t need b

PeopleOct. 23, 2021

Korail offers leaf peeping, star gazing packages

Korail and Gangwon Tourism Organization have jointly prepared a package fit for those hoping to go on leaf peeping and star gazing trips. The packages are available starting this Saturday and runs through Nov. 14, with courses consisting of three themes – the Taegisan and Chiaksan course, the Soyang River and Cheongpyeongsa course and the Anbandegi, Woljeongsa and Daegwallyeong course. Trains depart Saturdays and Sundays, and a local tour guide will lead a team of 10 visitors throughout th

TravelOct. 23, 2021

[Holly’s Korean Kitchen] Jeyuk bokkeum, spicy Korean pork bulgogi

Pork is a beloved animal protein in Korean cuisine. And this spicy Korean pork stir-fry called jeyuk bokkeum is perhaps the most popular pork dish. Some call it pork bulgogi (dwaeji bulgogi). Every household cooks this amazingly delicious spicy pork bulgogi from time to time in their own kitchen in Korea because it is so easy and quick to put together, and it always tastes good even if you mess it up. The main ingredient to season the pork is gochujang (Korean chili paste). This gochujang por

FoodOct. 23, 2021

Evgeny Kissin Seoul recital slated for November

Pianist Evgeny Kissin is to return to South Korea in November for a recital. On Wednesday, the Lotte Foundation for Arts announced that Kissin will perform at the Lotte Concert Hall in eastern Seoul on Nov. 22. The upcoming recital is part of the Russia-born pianist’s Asia tour, which also encompasses Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. He will perform six recitals in Japan from Oct. 28 to Nov. 17 before coming to Korea. After the Seoul recital, he will travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan for more

PerformanceOct. 23, 2021

Korea Artist Prize finalists shows at MMCA explore contemporary issues

Four Korean promising artists unveiled their works at the exhibition “Korea Artist Prize 2021” at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in Seoul. The final winner of the exhibition -- to be chosen by a jury -- will be announced early next year. The four artists– Kim Sang-jin, Bang Jeong-a, Oh Min and Choi Chan-sook -- are showing works that were newly commissioned for the exhibition, and reveal their concerns as artists. Choi Chan-sook has focused on l

Arts & DesignOct. 23, 2021

Park Seo-bo awarded Geumgwan Order for contribution to Korean art

Korean abstract artist Park Seo-bo was awarded South Korea’s highest cultural honor, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, in a ceremony held at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul on Friday. “Park has played a pivotal role in introducing Korean abstract art globally, pioneering ‘dansaekhwa’ art that represents Korean art today,“ the Culture Ministry said in the selection of Park for the honor. Park was previously the recipient of two other Order of Cultura

PeopleOct. 22, 2021

Lee O-young awarded highest order of cultural merit

Literary critic Lee O-young, an important figure in the Korean cultural scene, was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit Geumgwan on Friday, alongside artist Park Seo-bo. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selected 17 recipients of the cultural order, recognizing their contribution for the development of arts. Lee and Park recieved the Geumgwan Merit, the highest honor. Lee is a critic, writer and scholar who served as Korea’s first culture minister from 1990-91. He is curre

PeopleOct. 22, 2021

‘Hellbound’ posters offer sneak preview of upcoming fantasy thriller

Netflix released two poster images for its original series, “Hellbound,” on Friday, drumming up excitement for the upcoming project. “Hellbound,” a fantasy thriller directed by Yeon Sang-ho, is an adaptation of an animation and webtoon of the same title. The series features supernatural events in which random people receive a text message saying they will be sent to hell. Supernatural beings like grim reapers deliver final judgment on people according to their past deed

FilmOct. 22, 2021

Don Lee says ‘Eternals’ will warm people’s hearts

Korean American actor Don Lee, better known as Ma Dong-seok in Korea, says that he will return to the cinema with a heartwarming Marvel film in “Eternals.” “The film centers around the people of different races from around the world getting together to form a new family. The audience will be drawn to the touching stories of the film,” Lee said during an online press conference with a group of reporters Friday morning. “It was a surprising experience to become fr

FilmOct. 22, 2021

All Korean teams to play in LoL World Championships quarterfinals

The chances of Korean teams facing each other in the semifinals -- or even in the finals -- of the League of Legends World Championships have increased, as the Korean teams qualified in their respective group stages. The eight teams that made the quarterfinals are: Damwon Kia, T1, Hanwha Life Esports and GenG Esports of Korea; Edward Gaming and Royal Never Give Up of China; Cloud9 from US and Mad Lions of Europe. Damwon Kia, T1, Royal Never Give Up and Gen.G Esports topped their sections in th

esportsOct. 22, 2021

Samilro Changgo Theater to host project for drama creators

The Samilro Changgo Theater, which is managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, is to run a three-week program in November for drama creators under the theme “Meetings and Hospitality.” Founded in 1975, the Samilro Changgo Theater in central Seoul was the first private small theater in Korea. Since 2018, it has been managed by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture under the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The “Changgo Opening” project, which runs Nov. 5

PerformanceOct. 22, 2021

Relics found in Insa-dong confirmed to be oldest extant metal types

Some of the metal type blocks found in Insa-dong, central Seoul in June have been confirmed to be Gapinja, the oldest extant metal types from the Joseon era, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Friday. The National Palace Museum of Korea is to hold a special exhibition, “Encounter With the Brilliant Scientific Technology of Joseon Dynasty,” from Nov. 3, showcasing the metal type blocks to the public for the first time. In June, the Sudo Research Institute of Cult

CultureOct. 22, 2021

Ma Dong-seok utilizes his action, boxing skills to re-create Gilgamesh in "Eternals"

South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, said Friday that his character Gilgamesh in the upcoming superhero movie "Eternals" reflects his unique personality and signature action style. "Since the zombie thriller 'Train to Busan' (2016) was released about five years ago, I've received some offers from Hollywood," he said during an online press conference with Korean media. "A few years ago, I got a call from a casting director of 'Eternals' after I lost so

FilmOct. 22, 2021