How Koreans try to stay fit with gyms shut

For the gym rats and the casual gymgoers alike, last year was a frustrating one with fitness centers going back and forth between closing, reopening and operating for limited hours depending on the social distancing level in place. And this year might see more of the same. The latest gym closures, which went into effect Dec. 8 and is scheduled to continue until Jan. 17, has been the longest shutdown so far. In the meantime, people are finding alternative ways to exercise without hitting the g

CultureJan. 9, 2021

Performing arts expands beyond stage

With the COVID-19 pandemic requiring a paradigm shift for survival, the local performing arts scene is striving to produce shows fit for the screen beyond just the stage. In the earlier stages of the pandemic, the performing arts scene tried to stay connected with audiences at home by streaming performances online. Limitations existed, however, as the productions were originally created for the stage, not mobile devices or TVs. Nevertheless, as the pandemic has been with us for nearly a year

PerformanceJan. 9, 2021

MMCA to host pandemic-themed exhibition, spur research on video artist Paik Nam-june

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea announced Wednesday the exhibition line-up for the year and a plan for earlier completion of restoration of Paik Nam-june’s largest artwork, “The More the Better.” Among the 23 upcoming exhibitions, “Pandemic -- Catastrophes and Cure,” which will look into how the artists are living through the pandemic and how it has affected countries and individuals’ lives, is the main highlight of the year. The

Arts & DesignJan. 9, 2021

Top Korean artists reach over 10.6b streams on Spotify in 2020

Korea’s top 10 most streamed artists on Spotify chalked up a total of 10.6 billion streams on the platform in 2020, the popular streaming service announced on Thursday in its yearly wrap up. 　 Boy band BTS was the most streamed Korean artist globally, followed by Blackpink, Twice, Stray Kids and Red Velvet, according to Spotify’s 2020 Wrapped data. BTS also took the top spot in the category of the most-streamed global group in 2020. 2020 Wrapped, which compiles data from Jan. 1 t

PerformanceJan. 9, 2021

Song Hye-kyo to make return to TV with ‘Glory’

Actress Song Hye-kyo will return to the small screen in a new drama written by screenwriter Kim Eun-sook, “The Glory.” According to the production company Hwa & Dam Pictures, “The Glory,” an 8-part drama series, tells the story of a person who dreamed of being an architect when she was young but had to quit school due to severe bullying from her classmates. She later becomes a teacher to take revenge on those who bullied her and those who remained silent at the tim

TelevisionJan. 8, 2021

Snow ducks are a big hit on social media after heavy snow

Though heavy snow created traffic chaos in Seoul on Wednesday evening, some enjoyed the weather by going outside and making “snow creatures” throughout the night. With more than 13 centimeters of snow in some regions, the weather allowed for some fun outdoor activities amid the pandemic that has kept many cooped up inside. People took to social media to post photos of the snowmen and snow creatures they spotted on the streets. Among the most popular snow creations were snow ducks

CultureJan. 8, 2021

Number of daily moviegoers hits new record low amid movie drought from pandemic

The number of daily moviegoers plunged to a fresh record low this week, as new releases have been affected by the latest coronavirus resurgence in winter, data showed Friday. According to the data from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), 14,000-16,000 people went to theaters daily this week, down from last week's 34,000-60,000. In particular, only 14,518 attendees were recorded Monday, hitting an all-time low since KOFIC began to compile official box office data in 2004. It renewed the previous r

PerformanceJan. 8, 2021

Shake Shack launches Korean-inspired chicken burger in the US

American burger franchise Shake Shack has launched new Korean-inspired menu items for its branches across the US. The burger franchise recently announced through its official website that it rolled out its Korean-style Fried Chick’n Sandwich and Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites for all US stores. Inspired by gochujang, traditional Korean red pepper paste, the two items were first introduced in Seoul from September to October. “Our take on the classic was such a hit i

FoodJan. 8, 2021

Could S. Korean actress Youn receive Oscar nod for supporting role in 'Minari'?

As the immigration film "Minari," directed by Korean American Lee Isaac Chung, has been on a roll in the award season, hopes are high that its supporting South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung could get an Oscar nod. Youn, who took the role of the eccentric grandmother in Chung's semi-autobiographical film, has won a total of seven best supporting actress trophies in US film critics circles and festivals including the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle, the North Carolina Film Critics and the B

FilmJan. 8, 2021

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

InterContinental’s Strawberry Promotion returns as full table service The Lobby Lounge located on the ground floor of Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas presents the Strawberry Gourmet Boutique. Starting with a strawberry mojito and fresh strawberries as welcome items, the Lobby Lounge presents a three-course brunch. Following croque monsieur, fruit salad and onion cream soup with ravioli, lobster and tenderloin steak are served as the main dish. After that, fresh strawberries, seven st

FoodJan. 8, 2021

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Wonder Woman 1984 (US) Opened Dec. 23 Action Directed by Patty Jenkins In 1984, title character Diana (Gal Gadot) works at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington while performing heroic deeds. One day Diana unknowingly uses a stone to wish her deceased lover Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) back to life. However, her enemies also appear, and they want to destroy humanity. Diana is now the only hope of saving the world. In the Mood for Love　 (China) Reopened Dec. 24 Romance Directed by Wong Kar-w

FilmJan. 8, 2021

Korean fried chicken picked as most popular Korean dish among foreigners

Korean-style fried chicken has been selected as the most popular Korean dish by foreign consumers, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ online survey of 8,000 local residents in 16 major cities across the globe. The survey found that 13.3 percent of the respondents who had tried Korean food picked Korean-style fried chicken as their most-preferred Korean dish, followed by kimchi at 11.9 percent and bibimbap at 10.3 percent. The respondents picked the same th

CultureJan. 7, 2021

Shows go on at Daehangno small theaters

Though 2021 has begun with a gloomy outlook for the theater scene amid prolonged social distancing rules, small musical productions in the theater district of Daehangno are continuing their run, even recording sold-out performances. With the government’s social distancing scheme requiring performing arts venues to leave two-thirds of audience seats empty, several big musical productions have halted their runs, citing financial issues. Some smaller musical productions in Daehangno, cent

PerformanceJan. 7, 2021

Netflix, tvN come up with star-studded series for 2021

Amid the monthslong battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Korean TV series are lined up to catch the eye of viewers across the world with big-name stars and writers for the new year. Cable channel tvN, run by the entertainment giant CJ ENM, is ready with the most splendid 2021 lineup, as more than 10 dramas are planned to be aired. The legal drama "Vincenzo" will start the 2021 season in February. Featuring the story of a Korea-born lawyer at an Italian mafia who comes ba

TelevisionJan. 7, 2021

Pandemic fuels fashion upcycling

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways and has also made many people think about the environment, after seeing piles of throwaway face masks and plastic containers from food deliveries. With that, “upcycling” is gaining renewed attention in the fashion scene. Upcycling involves creating new items using old materials or reusing discarded products. Kim Byeol-ri, a 22-year-old college student, recently purchased a denim miniskirt and handbag made from an old pair o

Arts & DesignJan. 7, 2021

[Video] Korean winter staples for cold nights

Koreans enjoy edible tokens of appreciation and affection with family and friends during the winter season. It’s considered one of the best ways to leave the year behind by dishing out winter specials to relish the festive mood. Yet, as the virus continues to spread, gorging on food indoors has risen as a major trend to keep the global pandemic at bay. With many self-quarantining themselves, people are reaching out to making iconic winter street foods in Korea at home. Convenient ways o

FoodJan. 6, 2021

‘The Penthouse: War in Life’ gets 28.8% viewership rating, content warning from regulator

The first season of megahit SBS drama “The Penthouse: War in Life” ended with a record-high viewership rating of 28.8 percent on Tuesday. The show also received an official warning from the Korea Communications Standards Commission and was asked to raise its rating from the current PG-15. The last episode of the first season earned a peak viewership rating of 31.3 percent, making it the first dramatic miniseries in five years to reach over 30 percent of viewers on a terrestrial cha

TelevisionJan. 6, 2021

Big-name Western hit TV series set to be remade in S. Korea

South Korea's TV series production houses have turned their eyes to hit Western shows as part of efforts to meet diversified demand of viewers across the world. Chorokbaem Media, a local production company behind big-name TV series like "The Penthouse: War in Life" (2020) and "Memories of the Alhambra" (2018), will produce the Korean edition of "Criminal Justice," a popular crime drama on the BBC in 2008, later this year. Titled "That Night," the remake

TelevisionJan. 6, 2021

‘Space Sweeper’ scheduled for Feb. 5 release on Netflix

The first South Korean sci-fi film set in space, “Space Sweeper,” will be released exclusively on Netflix on Feb. 5. In announcing the release date Wednesday, the global movie provider said the 24 billion won ($21.5 million) film will be available to stream in 190 different countries. Set in 2092, the movie introduces four members of a space cleanup crew traveling in the space shuttle Victory. While doing their job they encounter a girl named Dorothy, only to discover that she&rs

FilmJan. 6, 2021

Contemporary art master Kim Tschang-yeul dies at age of 91

Contemporary art master Kim Tschang-yeul died Tuesday at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering Korean abstract art. The artist’s unique “waterdrop paintings” greatly influenced both the Korean and global art scene, harmonizing Korean and Western values. Having lived through turbulent periods in Korean history, he condensed his philosophy and agony into waterdrops, which became his signature art. Kim was born in 1929 in South Pyongan Province, in today‘

Arts & DesignJan. 6, 2021