Agency cancels release of Blackpink panda footage after Chinese netizens complain

YG Entertainment announced Saturday that it has decided not to release the latest episode of Blackpink’s online reality show, “Blackpink - ‘24/365 with Blackpink',” which features the K-pop girl band members meeting South Korea’s first panda cub. The video was scheduled to be posted on the girl band’s YouTube channel Saturday. The decision came after a trailer posted Wednesday caused an uproar in China because it appeared that the band members were handlin

TelevisionNov. 8, 2020

[Eye Plus] Autumn foliage at peak

Temperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter and tree leaves are slowly turning colors. When the autumn season is on the way, Hwadam Botanic Garden becomes a highly sought-after destination.  Hwadam Botanic Garden is an eco-friendly arboretum located at Konjiam Resort in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, about an hour’s drive from central Seoul. Spread across 65,265 square meters, the park has 17 gardens with different themes. Some 4,000 different species of plants and trees make up

TravelNov. 7, 2020

Fall is upon us: ‘Color show’ trails across Korea

In a turbulent, disturbing year, the change of seasons has remained constant and the changing colors of the leaves signal the peak of the autumn season. It is a time to explore the mountains, forests and countryside and enjoy the annual color show, as mountains across Korea turn shades of red, orange, yellow and more.  The color fest will not last long, with the winter season lurking just around the corner.  Before the brilliant explosion of colors makes way for heavy snow and frost

TravelNov. 7, 2020

[Weekender] Millennials make hiking hip in COVID-19 times

As the foliage turns to different shades of color, those visiting the mountains for the first time this year will be surprised to see so many people, especially millennials, on the hiking trails at Seoul’s many mountains. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, hiking was seen as a leisure activity that not many millennials were excited about. Older bosses at work asking their younger colleagues to go hiking together on the weekend was one of the standard nightmares that millennials complained abou

CultureNov. 7, 2020

'Arttainers' bring diversity to Korean art scene

Artist Kwon Ji-an -- better known as K-pop musician Solbi -- was at the center of attention in the art scene in September with her new finger painting “Palette Garden” fetched 9.2 million won at an auction by Korea’s major auction house, recording the highest price. “I was fascinated with painting because it was one of the few ways that I could express my feelings freely as an entertainer who is always exposed to people’s eyes. I actually began painting as a means

Arts & DesignNov. 7, 2020

[Photo News] Gaesimsa fills with vibrant colors

Leaves are painted with vibrant colors on Wednesday around Gaesimsa in Unsan, Seosan Province. The oranges, reds and yellows are becoming visible among patches of green leaves. The temple‘s colors and the surrounding flowers create a breathtakingly beautiful view amid the cold weather. People often visit the temple in the fall to enjoy walks around the temple to talk in the dazzling hues. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldcorp.com)

CultureNov. 7, 2020

[Photo News] Autumnal tints in central Seoul

Late autumn has permeated Seonjeongneung, the royal burial grounds of the Joseon period, located in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul.  The burial grounds’ stunning autumn colors stand out in the midst of the surrounding urban area.  The mood of autumn conveys the beginning of winter, greeting the onset of winter according to the lunar calendar. (Photos: Yonhap) By Lee Jae Eun (leeje16@heraldcorp.com)

CultureNov. 7, 2020

[Herald Interview] The things ‘Star Trek’ writer Joe Menosky didn’t say in his novel ‘King Sejong the Great’

In television writer Joe Menosky’s first novel, “King Sejong the Great,” published last month in Korean and English editions, the renowned Joseon king is portrayed in historical fiction for the first time by a non-Korean. Although you would be hard-pressed to find a Korean who doesn’t know King Sejong, the most famous Korean figure in history had evaded the interest and the attention of Westerners. However, the story of the benevolent king who created the Korean writing

BooksNov. 7, 2020

Samsung’s chief learning officer introduces talent of the future in ‘Talent’s Counterattack’

Samsung Human Resource Development Institute’s former Chief Learning Officer Shin Tae-gyun sheds light on the qualities that companies should keep an eye out for heading into the “fourth industrial revolution” when artificial intelligence replaces many jobs in his book “Talent’s Counterattack.” After joining Samsung in 1983, Shin worked his way up as a human resources education expert, delivering more than 1,000 lectures to Samsung employees. He is currently

BooksNov. 7, 2020

Kim Hye-soo says ‘The Day I Died’ was like her destiny

Actor Kim Hye-soo said her upcoming film “The Day I Died” was like her destiny. “It is hard to explain but I felt a strong pull to take the role. I think it is because that was the time that I had a strong desire for some sort of comfort,” Kim said during a press conference at CGV Yongsan in Seoul on Wednesday. “At that time, I was broken down and had wounds. (Like Hyun-soo in the movie,) I got comfort from meeting actors at our filming site.” “The Da

FilmNov. 7, 2020

‘KBS Drama Special’ brings one-act dramas to life

As the last remaining platform for one-act dramas, KBS2’s “KBS Drama Specia” will kick off with its first episode “Modern Girl” on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. Marking the 10th anniversary of “KBS Drama Special,” one of the 10 one-act dramas prepared this year will be shown every week starting this Saturday. The show‘s online press conference on Friday featured the cast and director of the first three dramas -- “Modern Girl,” “Crevice

TelevisionNov. 6, 2020

Protestant church group NCCK apologize for Christians setting fire to Buddhist temple

The National Council of Churches in Korea on Tuesday apologized after a member set fire to Sujinsa Buddhist temple in Gyeonggi Province. “We deeply apologize for the damages done to Sujinsa Temple and all Buddhists,“ an NCCK official said in a statement. The NCCK also acknowledged that the fire at Sujinsa Temple could have done worse damage as the temple is located near a residential area. The apology was issued in response to a statement released by the Jogye Order of Korean Bud

CultureNov. 6, 2020

Mobile game Shining Nikki shuts down Korean server amid controversy over traditional clothing

Chinese mobile gaming firm Paper Games’ newest release, Shining Nikki, announced that it is shutting down its Korean server on Dec. 9, after controversy erupted over the identity of the clothing items featured in the game. Shining Nikki, a sequel to Nikki Up2U3: Miracle Nikki, is a dress up RPG game that opened its Korean service in Oct. 29. To celebrate, it released a set of in-game items with hanbok motives in the Korean, Chinese and Taiwan servers. Hanbok refers to traditional Korean

CultureNov. 6, 2020

Movie theaters hope for return of moviegoers on eased social distancing

South Korean movie theaters are rolling up their sleeves to receive more film buffs as the 2-meter distancing rule in theaters is set to be lifted under the new five-tier scheme next week. Last week, the South Korean government announced a detailed set of social distancing and stay-in-place mandates to improve antivirus measures and clarify business restrictions in a tailored fashion. It came as the country has reported around 100 cases of COVID-19 per day for more than a month, having success

PerformanceNov. 6, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

JW Marriott Seoul offers guests Thai experience JW Marriott Hotel Seoul introduces a taste of Thai luxury resort culture with the Enjoy Khao Lak in Seoul promotion through the end of the year. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by associates dressed in traditional Thai dress, offering greetings in Thai. The package includes a Thai-style snack and beer served in a Thai design-themed guest room, while guests are also offered aroma mist and hand cream by Sabai-arom, a wellness brand based on n

FoodNov. 6, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Martin Eden (Italy, France) Opened Oct. 29 Drama, Romance Directed by Pietro Marcello Martin Eden (Luca Marinelli), a ship worker, falls in love at first sight when he meets Helena (Jessica Cressy), an upper-class woman. Hoping to gain a place among the literary elite to be with her, he decides to become a writer and embarks on a quest to educate himself. The movie is based on a 1909 novel by American author Jack London. Tesla (US) Opened Oct. 28 Drama Directed by Michael Almereyda Inventor

FilmNov. 6, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Seoul Lantern Festival The 2020 Seoul Lantern Festival is being held across the city of Seoul this year in an aim to disperse visitors and promote local businesses hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.  While the festival in Jamsil, eastern Seoul, has wrapped up, lanterns will be on display from Nov. 4 to Dec. 31 in Itaewon, central Seoul, inspired by the hit webtoon “Itaewon Class.” Fashion-inspired lanterns are being showcased in Dongdaemun until Nov. 15. In Myeong-dong, lanterns d

TravelNov. 6, 2020

Comedian Jung Hyung-don to take break due to anxiety disorder

Popular comedian and TV host Jung Hyung-don will take a break from broadcasting to focus on dealing with his anxiety disorder, his agency said Thursday. "Jung Hyung-don has recently felt his long-time anxiety disorder get worse," FNC Entertainment said. "He has decided to halt broadcasting activities for now." The agency said Jung was determined to continue working but decided to prioritize his health and take a break after talks with the agency. "Jung Hyung-don plans

TelevisionNov. 5, 2020

[Herald Review] Cho Seong-jin lights up Seoul with 30-minute encore

The lobby of Seoul Arts Center’s Concert Hall was packed with concertgoers Wednesday afternoon, as if a K-pop band were due to play. The people were eagerly awaiting a performance by concert pianist Cho Seong-jin. Fans lined up to buy Cho’s autographed album. Another line was formed to take a photo in front of the recital placard. Compared to other classical music performances, the audience was mostly relatively younger woman in their 20s and 30s. Cho, 26, who won the 2015 Cho

PerformanceNov. 5, 2020

tvN’s ‘I’m a Survivor’ teaches survival skills in crisis situations

The upcoming tvN variety show “I’m a Survivor,” which brings together six female celebrities for survival training, is set to air its first episode at 8:40 p.m. on Thursday. “I’m a Survivor” focuses on teaching celebrities how to survive in a crisis situation under the instruction of Park Eun-ha, a former non-commissioned officer of the 707th Counterterrorist Special Mission Battalion. Her charges are actress Kim Sung-ryung, former boxer and actress Lee Si-y

TelevisionNov. 4, 2020