Sayuri, single mom by choice, to appear on ‘The Return of Superman’

South Korea-based Japanese entertainer Sayuri Fujita will be joining “The Return of Superman,” broadcaster KBS said Tuesday. The entertainer, better known as Sayuri, became a single mother by choice in November last year. Her decision to get pregnant through a sperm bank in Japan -- because it is illegal in Korea for a single woman to do so -- raised awareness of the legal issues surrounding sperm donation in Korea. Sayuri, who has spoken out about her choice on TV and also has a

TelevisionMarch 24, 2021

Which Korean military unit is the strongest?

A new military entertainment show “The Iron Squad,” which kicked off on Tuesday, will be the ultimate showdown to determine which branch of the armed forces is the strongest by pitting former members of different units against each other. Produced by Sky Channel and Channel A, the show is unlike many past military entertainment programs that featured celebrities experiencing military training. In the show, four former members each from six of the toughest military units -- Sea Sa

TelevisionMarch 24, 2021

Witty artist Choi Suk-un turns to nature in new work

Painter Choi Suk-un captures moments from everyday life, depicting the scenes in his own witty ways. Those who view his paintings would laugh out loud at his wit and creativity. The humor and wit shown in the paintings come from his personality and his belief that an artist and one’s paintings should go hand in hand, representing one another. Otherwise, one or the other is lying, the artist believes. When the pandemic hit, instead of dampening his spirits, it served as inspiration for t

Arts & DesignMarch 24, 2021

'More than 70% of women in film biz experience sexual violence, harassment’

Close to 3 out of 4 women in the movie industry said they have experienced sexual violence or harassment, according to a survey conducted by the Center for Gender Equality in Korean Film. Findings of the survey aimed at gauging the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in the Korean film industry were released during an online event held Monday marking the third anniversary of the center that was launched in March 2018 by the Korean Film Council and Women in Film Korea. The sur

FilmMarch 23, 2021

Maestro Chung to return as pianist with new album, recitals

Conductor Chung Myung-whun is to return as a pianist for the first time in seven years. Chung is to release his second piano album in April and will hold recitals in Seoul, Gunpo and Suwon in Gyeonggi Province and Daegu. The album, featuring the late piano works by Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, among others, will be released under the Deutsche Grammophon label. Though more familiar to the classical music audience as a conductor, Chung was the first Korean to win the joint-second place at the

PerformanceMarch 23, 2021

Composer has a ‘Playful’ attitude toward music

Composer Texu Kim is set to release his first album “Playful” Thursday, under classical music label Kreis Classic. The album consists of six works, performed by violinists Baek Ju-young and Kim Gye-hee, cellist Mun Tae-guk, pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy. Pianist Kim Jung-won participated in the recording as the producer. “I always compose works with the goal that the works should be fun,” Kim said at a press event held Monday in southern Seoul. “I want the fun to be

PerformanceMarch 23, 2021

Photos of Korean artists of diaspora amid growing racism in US

An exhibition in New York that sheds light on Korean immigrant artists in the US is being held at the Korean Cultural Center New York. The exhibition “Creation Continua: Park Joon Photo Portraits of Korean Artist Diaspora in Greater New York” presents photographs of 50 Korean immigrant artists who came to the US in the latter part of the 20th century and are active in their practice. The photographs were taken by Korean American photographer Park Joon, who moved to the US in 198

Arts & DesignMarch 23, 2021

Culture Minister Hwang suggests game theme park as way to promote Korean gaming industry

Meeting with game industry leaders for the first time since assuming office in February, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Hwang Hee said the government was keen on promoting the game industry. “As the Korean economy transitions to non-face-to-face and digital, the gaming industry is showing promise. Games are not only growing in an economical aspect, but are becoming a widespread cultural leisure activity for Koreans,” said Hwang on Monday in his opening remarks before a roundt

CultureMarch 23, 2021

[Video] Redefining residential spaces in Seoul

A densely populated city, but also individualistic. Huge skyscrapers and state-of-the-art facilities coexisting with old-fashioned street corners. If one asks residents living in Seoul to picture the city, these are a few of the most common answers. The old and new seem to fit harmoniously together in the city, but even greater value is hidden underneath the bustling city when an architect views the landscape. Architect Kim Young-soo is CEO of More Less Architects. Between carrying out projec

CultureMarch 23, 2021

K-pop artists voice support for #StopAsianHate

Korean celebrities and K-pop stars have joined the growing chorus of support for the #StopAsianHate movement, speaking out against the shootings in Atlanta, Georgia last week that killed 8 people, six of them Asian women. Notably, Korean American singer Eric Nam, who was born and raised in Atlanta, wrote an opinion piece for Time magazine on Saturday, titled, “If you’re surprised by the anti-Asian violence in Atlanta, you haven’t been listening. It’s time to hear our vo

PeopleMarch 22, 2021

[Herald Review] ‘Phantom’ focuses on tragic character, fails to be memorable

The musical “Phantom” reveals another layer of the tragic, ghostly character who lives at the Paris Opera House, and who has stolen the hearts of many for ages.  Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit’s “Phantom” -- long overshadowed by Andrew Lloyd Weber’s smash hit “The Phantom of the Opera” -- opened Wednesday in Seoul at the Charlotte Theater in Jamsil, eastern Seoul. The Korean-language version of the licensed musical, which features original mu

PerformanceMarch 22, 2021

Ahn Eun-me’s ‘Dragons’ to take flight

Choreographer Ahn Eun-me has set out to uplift people’s spirits amid the COVID-19 pandemic with her latest project “Dragons,” which features a group of young dancers from across Asia. “Dragons” will go on stage at Yeongdeungpo Art Hall in western Seoul on Saturday and Sunday. For the piece, Ahn sought out Generation Z dancers, those born between 1996 to 2010. Having grown up in a world dominated by mobile technology, Ahn believes the Gen Z dancers are “d

PerformanceMarch 22, 2021

Seoul Auction to stream live auction on Artsy’s Digital Saleroom

Seoul Auction will host its Spring Sale on Tuesday in Seoul, after its auction events in Hong Kong were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The auction will be streamed live on Artsy’s Digital Saleroom to attract a wider range of global collectors, the auction house said. The auction will start at 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Seoul Auction Gangnam Center in Seoul, and Artsy users who have preregistered can participate in real time. A total of 149 artworks worth about 10 billion won ($8.85

Arts & DesignMarch 22, 2021

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha cancels performances due to hand injury

World-class violinist Chung Kyung-wha has abruptly called off several performances due to an injury in her left hand. The 73-year-old virtuoso violinist was to hold a solo recital on Saturday at Namdong Sorae Arts Hall in Incheon. The sell-out recital, however, was canceled on the day, following Chung’s injury. “The recital has been unfortunately canceled due to the artist’s left hand injury. We ask for the understanding of the audiences who have waited for the recital,&rd

PerformanceMarch 21, 2021

‘Sing Again’ top 3 to return with ‘Famous Singer’

The top three finalists of JTBC’s hit audition program “Sing Again” -- Lee Seung-yoon, Jeong Hong-il and Lee Mu-jin -- will meet renowned artists in the broadcaster’s new entertainment show “Famous Singer” starting April 2. “Sing Again,” which ended last month, aimed to give a second chance to singers who never gained popularity. The program was a mega success and tickets for its concert featuring the top 10 finalists sold out within minutes, wit

TelevisionMarch 21, 2021

Andy Warhol’s works arrive at Hyundai Seoul

The exhibition “Andy Warhol: Beginning Seoul” has arrived in Seoul after touring renowned museums in Italy, showcasing 153 works including drawings and silk-screen prints, as well as the artist’s personal belongings. The event opened Feb. 26 at the Hyundai Seoul, the city’s biggest department store, newly built in the business district of Yeouido.  “I think it is a meaningful exhibition for people as they can appreciate the master’s works owned by t

Arts & DesignMarch 21, 2021

[Eye Plus] Seoul Dream Forest, where old and new create harmony

Tired of the busy city life and in need of a moment’s refreshment? Seoul Dream Forest is the place to go.  The 665,190-square-meter park in Seoul’s Gangbuk-gu is the fourth-biggest park in the capital -- after World Cup Park, Olympic Park and Seoul Forest. It offers the possibility of a peaceful walk. The vast expanse of nature is well-managed, and the facilities are well-placed to add convenience and enjoyment to the walk.  A concert hall and an exhibition building offe

TravelMarch 20, 2021

Walk your way into spring

Though the dangers of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to linger, it is a good time of the year to leave the house, hit the road and explore the wilderness. South Gyeongsang Province, often represented by the metropolitan city of Busan, boasts more tourist destinations imbued with the beauty of local cultures, such as Jinju, Tongyeong, Namhae and more. Four hours by car from Seoul, the region is characterized by strong regional dialects and distinctive culinary cultures. There are also trails

TravelMarch 20, 2021

[Weekender] A trip around unique bookstores in Seoul

While some head to mega bookstore chains like Kyobo Book Center and Aladdin Store to find books, others head to smaller neighborhood nooks or unique retailers in hopes of coming across interesting titles. Unique bookstores like Seoul Book Bogo, Arc N Book and Starfield Library have attracted both tourists and Koreans alike looking to both check out books and take lasting photos of the stores’ stunning interior. However, smaller independent bookstores are vastly different from those which

BooksMarch 20, 2021

[Photo News] Beauty beams in the South Sea

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, located in South Gyeongsang Province, is known as one of the most beautiful places in Korea for its captivating scenery.  Along the trail, the ocean water shines like an emerald and various small islands scattered all around are visible to the naked eye.　 Hikers, relieved to finally reach the top of Mount Geumsan, admire the beauty of the South Sea from afar. Vibrant colors fill the scene as the sun sets, making the landscape look even more like a pai

CultureMarch 20, 2021