CJ CGV temporarily shutters four cinemas due to pandemic

CJ CGV, the country‘s largest cinema chain, is temporarily shutting down four theaters that were severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic. A CGV theater in Andong, Gyeonggi Province, decided to close its facility indefinitely from Monday, while a theater located in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, which halted operations at the beginning of the year, will remain closed until Feb. 28. CGV Chilgok in Daegu and CGV Haeundae in Busan also decided to halt operations from Jan. 1 to 31.

FilmJan. 5, 2021

'Minari' wins four prizes from US film critics awards

The drama film "Minari" has won four prizes, including best picture, from a US film critics association, boosting hopes for an award at the upcoming Academy Awards. The North Carolina Film Critics Association announced Monday (local time) that "Minari," directed and written by Korean American Lee Isaac Chung, was awarded best narrative film, beating "Da 5 Bloods," "Nomadland," "Promising Young Woman" and "The Trial of the Chicago 7."

FilmJan. 5, 2021

Novelist Lee Seung-u wins 44th Yi Sang Literary Award

Lee Seung-u’s “Heart’s Buoyancy” won the 44th Yi Sang Literary Award, one of the most prestigious literary awards in Korea given by publishing company Munhaksasang, on Monday. “A novelist getting a prize for his work is like unfamiliar guests suddenly coming into the clerk’s office full of rules and repetition,” said Lee in receiving the award. “Why did the guests come find me? Instead of asking the guests the reason, I will once again continue t

BooksJan. 5, 2021

PKM Gallery offers glimpse of trendy home design

The pandemic year saw interest in interior design rise as people were forced to spend more time at home. Responding to such interest, PKM Gallery’s first exhibition of the year sheds light on how artworks and home furniture that transcend time and region can be harmonized at home. “Time in Space: The Life Style” held at PKM+, part of the PKM Gallery in central Seoul, showcases around 40 paintings, sculptures, ceramics and pieces of furniture. The exhibition hints at how artw

Arts & DesignJan. 5, 2021

Future of agriculture grows under Seoul’s subway stations

Walking down the stairs from exit No. 2 of Sangdo Station in southwestern Seoul, its not easy to miss a white and green signboard that reads “METRO Farm.” A method of what‘s known as “smart farming,” Metro Farms can create nature-friendly environments while being located inside urban subway stations, using AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Sangdo Station’s exit No. 2 was originally left unattended, merely serving its purpose as a meet-up plaza. S

CultureJan. 4, 2021

Highly anticipated Korean movies to hit theaters this year

The COVID-19 pandemic last year caused many Korean movies to postpone their scheduled releases. Although the virus continues to spread, many highly anticipated Korean films by star directors are lined up for theatrical release as soon as opportunities open up to do so. Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” is one of them. Park started filming last October with Tang Wei and Park Hye-il playing the lead roles. It has been five years since he released his last feature “T

FilmJan. 4, 2021

Clarinetist Kim Han to go ‘On Air’ at Kumho Art Hall

Clarinetist Kim Han hopes to show off the charms of the clarinet through a series of four recitals slated to take place at the Kumho Art Hall as its artist-in-residence for this year. Each year, the art hall, run by the Kumho Art Cultural Foundation, selects a classical musician under the age of 30 in the early stages of their career to provide an opportunity for the musician to further develop by offering a performance venue.　 The 25-year-old clarinetist will present four recitals at the con

PerformanceJan. 4, 2021

'Giant moon' installed on dock on Han River

An art installation shaped like a giant moon has been constructed on a dock on the Han River, the Seoul city government said Monday. The installation, named "Dalbitnodeul," which means "Nodeul under the moonlight," is made up of two circular metal structures, each 12 meters in diameter, adjacent to Nodeul Island near the middle of the city. There is an observation deck on the second floor, with a view of the Han River and downtown Seoul, and steps inside the installation wh

Arts & DesignJan. 4, 2021

Performing art scene in hope of 2021

While the year of 2020 was a disastrous year for everyone, the performing arts scene hopes regain its footing this year. Last year, musical productions were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, canceling or postponing shows due to the middle seat vacancy rule according to the authorities’ social distancing scheme. On Dec. 30, the musical scene has launched an association of Korean musical production companies, consisting of major musical production agencies such as Seensee Company, Clip

PerformanceJan. 3, 2021

[Newsmaker] Shattering prejudice about cultural heritage

Imagine learning about Korean cultural heritage and history with K-pop stars while reading a webtoon or watching a short movie, instead of reading dry textbooks. The Cultural Heritage Administration is working to break the perception that learning about history and culture is boring, while also trying to appeal to young people. Last September, the CHA rolled out an eight-episode short documentary series starring boy band Monsta X on YouTube. The documentary videos, which broadcaster JTBC al

CultureJan. 3, 2021

Rose Wylie’s first museum exhibition in Korea brings bold, bright vibe

British painter Rose Wylie has brought her bold, expressive brushwork to Korea for the country’s first museum exhibition of her work. Her large-scale paintings have a bright feel to them, often with a childlike look. The 86-year-old artist gained global fame relatively recently. Although she gave up art to raise a family after marrying in her early 20s, she resumed her studies at the age of 45, entering the Royal College of Art in London. She would have to wait even longer for widesp

Arts & DesignJan. 3, 2021

[Herald Interview] An interaction designer talks about Silicon Valley

Encountering the word “designer,” one generally imagines a creative person with artistic talent -- someone who shows artworks at a gallery, or who takes the commercial route and sells stylish, sleek items they have created. But an “interaction designer” is something else. Silicon Valley-based Han Seung-heon, who holds this position at Google, works for the Google Assistant team. He and his colleagues recently launched a service called Family Notes, which can be used wi

PeopleJan. 3, 2021

New comic thriller 'Glitch' another Korean presence on Netflix

What would happen if you saw your significant other disappear into an unidentified beam of light? Once again screenwriter Jin Han-sae, best known for the Netflix original series “Extracurricular,” has paired up with Yoon Shin-ae, CEO of the film production company Studio 329, to produce a new Netflix series titled “Glitch.” Studio 329 captivated the public and critics with “Extracurricular,” a 10-episode thriller drama that aired in April, when Jin was still

TelevisionJan. 2, 2021

Online education for adults seeing breakthrough

While students around the world cope with online schooling in the COVID-19 pandemic era, digital learning for adults is having its moment in South Korea. Online learning has been an emerging trend in recent years, but the pandemic has accelerated its growth. Best suited to those already comfortable with the digital world, mostly people in their 20s and 30s, classes normally consist of 20 to 30 lectures under 10 minutes long. “Taking cooking classes after work was a great joy for me. H

CultureJan. 1, 2021

‘Youn’s Stay’ hopes to give foreigners little taste of Korea

New tvN entertainment show “Youn’s Stay” plans to bring the warmth of hanok, or traditional Korean houses, to the small screen this winter. In the program from star director Na Young-seok, veteran actor Youn Yuh-jung runs a hanok guest house in Gurye, South Jeolla Province, for foreigners who have been in Korea for less than a year. Guests include those who came to Korea on business or for education, as the COVID-19 situation hinders tourist travel. While Youn’s previ

TelevisionJan. 1, 2021

COVID-19 decimates theaters, Netflix takes over

Coming in at 226 million, the number of theatergoers in Korea in 2019 was a record high. Five movies surpassed 10 million ticket sales and the main concern was the monopolization of screens by CJ and Disney (mainly Marvel) movies. A PwC report predicted in 2019 that the number of theatergoers would increase at an average of 4% per annum for the global movie market until 2023. That all changed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, making 2020 a year that the movie industry would rather forg

PerformanceJan. 1, 2021

Actors Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin dating since March: agency

Star actor Hyun Bin and his on-screen partner in the hit drama "Crash Landing On You," Son Ye-jin, have been dating for eight months, their agencies confirmed Friday. "The two have become intimate as co-stars and have developed such intimacy into a romantic one as lovers after the series concluded," said VAST Entertainment, the management of Hyun Bin, in a statement. The two had repeatedly denied the dating rumors. Rumors had particularly intensified during their costarrin

TelevisionJan. 1, 2021

Kim Go-eun to star in new webtoon-based drama ‘Yumi’s Cells’

  South Korean production firm Studio Dragon on Thursday confirmed that it has cast actor Kim Go-eun as the protagonist in the upcoming webtoon-based drama “Yumi’s Cells.” Kim will play Kim Yumi, an ordinary woman in her 30s. “I think many people were able to enjoy happy and sad moments while reading about an ordinary woman character Yumi’s love life for such a long time because it is relatable. I am looking forward to starting on this journey,” Kim s

TelevisionDec. 31, 2020

Art institutions push ahead with major shows in 2021

After a year of scrambling to respond to the unexpected pandemic, art institutions are bracing for 2021, a year that is expected to be another challenging one for artists, as well as museums and galleries. Better equipped to deal with the pandemic-wrought havoc after a turbulent year of on-and-off and then on-again exhibitions, major art institutions have announced their lineups for 2021, including two major biennales. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is holding &ld

Arts & DesignDec. 31, 2020

‘Delayed Justice’ returns with Jung Woo-sung

After three weeks of reorganization, SBS drama series “Delayed Justice,” starring veteran actor Kwon Sang-woo, will return with its 13th episode on New Year’s Day. Jung Woo-sung, who replaces actor Bae Seung-woo following a drunk driving incident, will join the TV drama starting from the 17th episode, adding more star power to the program.　 The decision to take a three-week break following its 12th episode on Dec. 12 was made after reports surfaced that Bae was caught drivin

TelevisionDec. 31, 2020