[Herald interview] Gwangju Biennale’s Kim Sun-jung challenges conventions

GWANGJU -- One big change at the 13th Gwangju Biennale is that the public has access to Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall 1, free of charge. It is now an open space for visitors and ticketing as well as an exhibition hall. “I thought it was inconvenient for visitors to purchase tickets and wait outside so I suggested using Exhibition Hall 1 as a meeting place as well as a place to appreciate the artworks,” said Kim Sun-jung, president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, during

Arts & DesignApril 5, 2021

Pianist Son Yeol-eum set for nationwide tour

Virtuoso pianist Son Yeol-eum is set to embark on a 10-day tour this month. According to tour organizer Credia on Monday, the upcoming tour will kick off in Daejeon on April 15, followed by more recitals in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on April 16, Seoul April 17-18, Ulsan April 22 and Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, April 23. The tour will wrap up in Busan on April 24. In Seoul, Son will go on the stage at Nowon Culture & Arts Center on April 17 and Gangdong Arts Center on

PerformanceApril 5, 2021

Local artists sell artwork at Lotte Department Store in Gangnam

Works of art are among the items that can now be bought at a department store. Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture said it has opened “S-store” on the fourth floor of Lotte Department Store in Gangnam, Seoul, Friday. A total of 63 artworks by 26 artists are on display at the store. The price of the art pieces ranges from 10,000 won to 1 million won, according to SFAC. The store is part of the SFAC and Lotte Department Store Gangnam’s project to jointly create a structure

Arts & DesignApril 5, 2021

[Newsmaker] Youn Yuh-jung wins SAG award for best female actor in supporting role

Even after winning more than 30 awards for her supporting role in “Minari,” 73-year-old South Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung looked shocked when she brought in another trophy -- this time at the 27th Screen Actors Guild Awards. At the 2021 SAG Awards on Monday, Youn was honored for outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role for playing Soon-ja, a Korean grandmother in the US-made film. “I don’t know how to describe my feelings, being recognized by West

FilmApril 5, 2021

SIFF to screen 25 short films at Indie Picnic 2021

The Seoul Independent Film Festival will show 25 short films and eight feature films from April 23- 25, during the Seoul leg of its annual screening tour, Indie Picnic 2021. Indie Picnic, which kicked off in 2004, screens selected independent films around the country with the goal of supporting local theaters and indie films. This year‘s screening tour will focus on short films. “As the changing movie distribution environment makes it harder for short films to be screened, we hope

FilmApril 5, 2021

[Newsmaker] S. Korean Youn Yuh-jung wins SAG Award for supporting role in 'Minari'

South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung won an award at the US Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for her supporting role in the drama film "Minari." At the televised ceremony of the 2021 SAG Awards on Sunday (US time), Youn was named the winner of Outstanding Performance By a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, beating Maria Bakalova for "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," Glenn Close for "Hillbilly Elegy," Olivia Colman for "The Father" and Helena Zengel for "Ne

FilmApril 5, 2021

Churches celebrate Easter amid COVID-19

Christians in South Korea celebrated Easter Sunday both online and offline as the country stands at a crossroads between a possible new wave of COVID-19 and mass vaccination. Major megachurches held restricted services without communion and had most of their members join online, following government regulations that allow churches in the capital area to operate at only 20 percent of full capacity. A total of 68 Protestant denominations and 17 Protestant associations representing different cit

CultureApril 4, 2021

[Newsmaker] Comedian Park Soo-hong to sue brother, sister-in-law

Comedian Park Soo-hong plans to take legal action against his brother and sister-in-law, following a financial dispute over his earnings. Park will file suit against his brother and sister-in-law for alleged embezzlement on Monday, Park’s lawyer Noh Jong-eon said Saturday. “Park and his brother established an entertainment company, agreeing to share the earnings 7 to 3. The agency’s earnings all came from Park,” the announcement read. “Park’s brother an

PeopleApril 4, 2021

Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival to be held in May

The 20th Uijeongbu Music Theatre Festival is to take place May 7-16 throughout the city north of Seoul. This year’s theme, “Colorful Tradition,” highlights the unique value of traditional culture. The annual festival held in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, by the Uijeongbu Cultural Foundation, features performances that combine music and drama. Some 20 performances will be featured this year. Opening the 10-day festival is the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation pr

PerformanceApril 4, 2021

[Eye Plus] Seoul Araetgil: City life, culture and arts found underground

Euljiro, the very center of Seoul with Subway Line 2 passing through, has the longest underground walkway in South Korea. The 3.3-kliometer underground walkway runs all the way from Seoul City Hall Station, through Euljiro 1-ga Station and on to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station. It is not just a pedestrian tunnel with a lot of commercial shops, but also d a street where culture and arts co-exist.  Because it is underground, the street offers a pleasant environment to enjoy ex

Arts & DesignApril 3, 2021

KNDA chancellor casts critical eye on Korea-US alliance in new book

Korean National Diplomatic Academy Chancellor Kim Joon-hyung chronicles the 150-year-old South Korea-US alliance in his new book, “The Paradox of the Eternal Alliance,” published by Changbi Publishers on Monday. The KNDA is the state-run institution that trains diplomats and researches international security affairs. Chancellor is a vice minister-level post. Kim, an expert in international politics and South Korea-US relations who has served as an adviser to Cheong Wa Dae’s O

BooksApril 3, 2021

CJ CGV to screen 11 Oscar nominated films starting Saturday

Multiplex chain CJ CGV will screen 11 films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards at its 35 theaters starting Saturday. “Nomadland” directed by Chloe Zhao, “Judas and the Black Messiah” directed by Shaka King and “Quo Vadis, Aida?” directed by Jasmila Zbanic will be screened before their official release as part of the special screening program that will give theatergoers an opportunity to watch Oscar nominated films, the cinema operator said. &ldq

FilmApril 3, 2021

KCTI expects domestic tourism to grow even after pandemic

Though the arrival of vaccines has recently boosted hopes for international travel, the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute expects domestic tourism will continue to be strong in the post-pandemic era. Last year, the number of international tourists across the world decreased by 74 percent from the year before, dropping to a point similar to that of the 1990s, according to the World Tourism Organization. On Thursday, the KCTI shared a report written by its official, Choi Gyeong-eun, titled

TravelApril 3, 2021

Asiana International Short Film Festival cancels due to absence of sponsor

The organizers of the Asiana International Short Film Festival on Wednesday announced that this year’s festival has been canceled, after Asiana Airlines decided to drop its sponsorship. “Asiana International Short Film Festival closes its doors, as the sponsorship of the Asiana Airlines has been discontinued due to various circumstances such as COVID-19,” the Asiana International Short Film Festival secretariat office said in a statement. Established in 2003, the short film

FilmApril 3, 2021

Korea's only mountain film festival opens in Ulju

This year's Ulju Mountain Film Festival (UMFF) kicked off Friday for an 11-day run in the southeastern county of Ulju, with 146 movies from 43 countries set to be screened. Under the slogan of "My Green Mountain," the sixth edition of South Korea's only mountain-themed film fest runs through April 11 in Ulju, part of the Ulsan metropolitan city 414 kilometers from Seoul. Unlike the previous editions held every fall, the UMFF took place in spring beginning this year, becoming the yea

FilmApril 2, 2021

BTS agency Hybe to acquire Scooter Braun-led firm in W1tr deal

Hybe, the company behind K-pop phenomenons BTS, announced Friday a deal to buy a 100 percent stake in American music entrepreneur Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings. Under the deal, Hybe -- formerly Big Hit Entertainment -- will be acquiring the media company, which owns affiliates like SB Projects, founded by Ithaca chief executive Scott "Scooter" Braun and Big Machine Label Group, the company said in a statement. In a separate regulatory filing, the company said it plans to buy an ad

PerformanceApril 2, 2021

Long-anticipated Gwangju Biennale unfolds for 39 days

GWANGJU -- The 13th Gwangju Biennale was unveiled to the public Thursday with the theme of “Minds Rising, Spirits Tuning” in the city of Gwangju, following two delays since last year due to the sudden outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The long-anticipated art biennale showcases a broad range of 450 works of art from 69 artists and collectives across 40 countries, including more than 40 commissioned works created for the biennale. “Minds Rising, Spirits Tuning” fo

Arts & DesignApril 2, 2021

State film council under fire for shoddy probe into film industry blacklist

The Korean Film Council’s investigation into blacklisting of film industry figures has come under fire for failing to reflect victims’ voices and not dealing with all major cases. Filmmakers immediately condemned the investigation results presented during a briefing on March 9 and launched a petition drive calling for a reinvestigation. The blacklist refers to a list of nearly 9,300 artists or groups who were unfairly excluded from government subsidies and support or who were sur

FilmApril 2, 2021

TV series studio seeks W3b in damages for replacing lead actor after bullying scandal

The production studio of KBS' historical romance "River Where the Moon Rises" said Friday that it has filed a claim for damages against the agency of a lead actor who dropped out of the project after being embroiled in a school bullying scandal. In the lawsuit against KeyEast, Victory Contents said it is seeking 3 billion won ($2.7 million) in compensation for damage caused by the abrupt exit of actor Jisoo, who took the lead role of General Ondal in the show about the love story of P

TelevisionApril 2, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul celebrates spring with cherry blossom tea set The Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents the Cherry Blossom High Tea Set, served until May 31 in the hotel’s first floor Atrium Lounge. The seasonal tea set captures the beauty of Yeouido’s iconic spring cherry blossoms on a tray. Elegantly modeled after butterflies, blossoming trees and potted cherry blossoms, the desserts are exquisite in appearance and entirely edible. Accompanied by a selection of beverages in

FoodApril 2, 2021