Painter Hwang Jai-hyoung infuses soul into paintings dedicated to workers

Hwang Jai-hyoung, known as the “miner painter,” lived as a coal miner in the early 1980s in search of the human dignity that he wanted to express in his paintings. He believed that an artist should actually experience the life of a worker in order for one’s art to function as a means to influence society. While working as a coal miner for three years across Gangwon Province, including in Taebaek, Samcheok and Jeongseon, Hwang captured the lives of his fellow miners on can

Arts & DesignMay 9, 2021

Jeonju film fest closes with downsized ceremony

The Jeonju International Film Festival wrapped up after a 10-day run on Saturday without a proper closing ceremony. The decision to downsize the closing ceremony was announced on Thursday night after the event organizer found out that one member of the audience and a festival organizing staffer tested positive for the coronavirus. Except for those two cases, there has not been any other reports of a further spread of the infection, the festival organizer said. Instead of the planned closing c

FilmMay 9, 2021

[Eye interview] New book offers unfettered look into life in North Korea

“So, how much can you really know a place?” asks Lindsey Miller in her just released book “North Korea: Like Nowhere Else.” Miller, who lived in North Korea from 2017 to 2019, accompanying her husband who held the post of political secretary at the British Embassy in Pyongyang, still grapples with that question two years after returning home. And she is not alone. North Korea is an enigma that perplexes experts, visitors and even casual observers who hear about the co

BooksMay 8, 2021

Oscar-winning Youn Yuh-jung makes triumphant return to S. Korea

Youn Yuh-jung made a triumphant return to South Korea on Saturday, nearly two weeks after winning an Oscar for her role in the immigrant film "Minari." The South Korean actress, wearing a green bomber jacket, jeans and a white mask, waved to reporters as she arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, from the United States earlier in the day. She did not hold a news conference at the airport -- something that celebrities usually do as part of a hero's welcome -- due to

FilmMay 8, 2021

Musical ‘Midnight Sun’ to be screened live at cinemas across Asia

A local production of the musical “Midnight Sun” will be screened live at cinemas in five Asian countries, including Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. According to the production company Shinswave on Friday, it is the first time a local musical will be screened live in cinemas abroad. On Friday, the performance will be screened at 29 CGV branches in Korea, 15 cinemas in Indonesia, three in Hong Kong, four in Taiwan and two in Singapore. On Sunday, 20 cinemas in

PerformanceMay 7, 2021

MMCA excited by donations from Lee Kun-hee collection

While the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s art collection has been creating a buzz across the art scene and more, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is looking to make the most of the donation. “This is a record-breaking donation, unlikely to happen twice in my lifetime,” Youn Bum-mo, the director of the MMCA, said at a press event held at the museum’s Seoul branch in Samcheong-dong, central Seoul, Friday. “The collection is very broad,

Arts & DesignMay 7, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Ananti Hilton Busan opens Infinity Pool 　 Ananti Hilton Busan‘s Infinity Pool with a panoramic view of the ocean is now open with a special promotion. Diners at the hotel’s weekday lunch buffet at regular price can use the Infinity Pool. Next to the outdoor pool are a kids pool, open-air bath and indoor pool. The promotion which will be offered through June 30 and limits the number of those dining in groups to four persons. Reservations can be made by phone or Naver. Fairmon

FoodMay 7, 2021

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Rosy spring at Everland Amusement park Everland will open its Rose Garden on May 14 for about a month, featuring some 3 million roses of 720 varieties. The flower garden will momentarily transport visitors to France, with decorations like the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district in Paris and an installation of a structure inspired by the gate at the Palace of Versailles. The amusement park will host various events at the garden, including a painting competition, gardening activities and more.&nb

TravelMay 7, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Courier (US) Opened April 28 Thriller Directed by Dominic Cooke In 1960, Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze), an agent of the Soviet Union possesses a letter that contains important information which can prevent a nuclear war and hopes to send it to the CIA. To receive this letter, the CIA and M16 cooperate and send British salesman Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) as their spy to the Soviet Union. 　 　 Rain and Your Story (Korea) Opened April 28 Romance Directed by Jo Jin-mo  In 20

FilmMay 7, 2021

Argentinian doc wins grand prize in Jeonju film fest international section

The 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival announced its award winners during a closing ceremony that took place at the Korea Traditional Culture Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province on Wednesday. A total of 15 awards in four categories — international competition, Korean competition, Korean competition for shorts and special award — were given out during the ceremony. Under the international competition category, which focuses on new and emerging directors from around the wor

FilmMay 6, 2021

Seoul suspends head of Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has suspended Kim Jong-whee, president of the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture -- a Seoul City-funded nonprofit -- after he was embroiled in allegations of abuse of power. According to the SMG, Kim was suspended Tuesday, following an investigation of allegations that he had abused his authority and drank during work hours. The SMG began its investigation as reports concerning Kim were filed in December on multiple occasions. An audit committee will also

PeopleMay 6, 2021

Natalia Garayalde’s Splinters wins 22nd Jeonju Intl. Film Festival

The 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival on Wednesday announced its award winners after reviewing a total 194 films from 48 countries.  In international competition, Natalia Garayalde won the grand prize with her 69-minute documentary “Splinters” and was awarded with a cash prize of 20 million won ($18,000). “Splinters” depicts Argentina’s biggest political scandal through the lens of a 12-year-old girl. “Landscapes of Resistance” by Marta

FilmMay 5, 2021

SBS programs win Remi awards at Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival

Five TV programs including a drama series and a documentary produced by network broadcaster SBS received Remi Awards at the 54th Annual Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival. Founded in 1968, the annual film festival is the third-oldest film festival in the US. Past winners include Steven Spiellberg, the Coen brothers, Ang Lee and John Lee Hancock. The film festival ran April 16-25 in Huston. SBS television drama “Hot Stove League” and documentary “Anywhere & N

TelevisionMay 5, 2021

15 Korean pianists compete at Queen Elisabeth Competition

A total of 15 Korean pianists are competing in the first round of the Queen Elisabeth Competition, a prestigious international musical competition held in Brussels, according to the Korean Cultural Center in Brussels. Known as one of the most challenging competitions for instrumentalists, the Queen Elisabeth Competition’s piano section will see 58 pianists -- nine women and 49 men -- from 16 countries vying for the top spot. At 15, Koreans account for 26 percent of the contestants. The

PerformanceMay 5, 2021

[Herald Interview] Chun Woo-hee says she was thirsty for bright, down to earth character

Before playing So-hee in romance film “Rain and Your Story,” actor Chun Woo-hee was focusing on making a strong impression with dark and strong characters, like teenage rape victim Gong-ju in “Han Gong-ju” and the mysterious Mu-myeong in “The Wailing.” “I have played many serious roles, so I was thirsty for characters that are bright and down to earth,” Chun told reporters during a joint media interview via Zoom. Set mostly in 2003, “Rain

FilmMay 5, 2021

[Art on Jeju Island] Architectural charms of Jeju Island

SEOGWIPO, Jeju Island -- Though better known for its beaches and forests, Jeju Island also boasts a wide range of art galleries, some of them offering more than just a display of art works. Big name architects such as Tadao Ando and Jun Itami have designed art galleries on Jeju Island, under the architectural principle of harmonizing the structure with the surrounding environment. One example is the Yumin Art Nouveau Collection. Located on the tip of Seopjikoji, a cape on eastern Jeju Islan

TravelMay 4, 2021

MMCA’s Gwacheon venue celebrates Children’s Day with exhibition for kids

Ahead of Children’s Day on May 5, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, kicked off an exhibition for children titled “You & Me” at its Gwacheon venue on Tuesday. The venue, which includes a children’s museum, was recently renovated to be more inviting to families. Over the past few years, MMCA’s Gwacheon venue has undergone changes to enhance its function as a family-friendly museum. The outdoor sculpture garden regularly hosts exhibition

Arts & DesignMay 4, 2021

Angelina Jolie returns as smoke jumper in ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’

Angelina Jolie is returning to the big screen as a smoke jumper traumatized by her past work in the upcoming action thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” directed by Taylor Sheridan. The movie hits theaters in South Korea on May 5, ahead of its release elsewhere in the world. For the 45-year-old American actor, taking part in the film was therapeutic. “I wasn’t feeling particularly strong coming into this. But to be able to get him (Connor, the child in the film) through

FilmMay 4, 2021

[Herald Interview] ‘Father’ director talks about the ‘invisible’ poor in Serbia

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province -- Director Srdan Golubovic, whose film “Father” opened the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival, said he created the movie about poverty because many people in Serbia do not know it exists. “Many people in Serbia say they have never seen such poverty,” he told reporters during a Zoom interview on Friday. He explained that this is because they are ignorant, and poor people also tend to feel ashamed of themselves and live quietly. &ld

FilmMay 4, 2021

King Sejong Institute offers new Korean learning program using K-pop, K-dramas

A state-run Korean language education center said Tuesday it has launched a new Korean learning program using popular K-pop and K-drama content. The new series, titled "K-wave Korean," carries 52 five-minute video clips in English and provides subtitles in four other languages -- Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and Russian -- according to the King Sejong Institute Foundation. Twenty-seven videos help viewers learn daily Korean expressions, grammar and culture with scenes from popular

CultureMay 4, 2021