Annual summer classical music festival to celebrate 30 years of Sejong Soloists

Hic et Nunc! Musical Festival, an annual event founded and backed by Sejong Soloists, is returning with a program filled with premieres and innovations. From Aug. 16 to Sept. 2, Hic et Nunc, meaning "here and now” in Latin, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sejong Soloists, founded by renowned Juilliard professor of violin Kang Hyo, by showcasing unique programs and world-renowned musicians who have been part of the Sejong Soloists. Since its foundation in 1994, the ensembl

CultureJuly 8, 2024

With youthful story, musical 'Your Lie in April' draws younger audiences

“Your Lie in April,” a musical based on Japanese manga series of the same title and an original score by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, opened in Seoul last week, winning over younger audiences with the story of a piano prodigy who loses his ability to hear the piano after his mother's death and his experiences after he meets violinist Kaori Miyazono. The story written by Naoshi Arakawa delves into themes of trauma, healing, and the power of music. The Korean version, produce

CultureJuly 8, 2024

[Herald Interview] Illustrator’s reinterpretations of hanbok prize originality

When Wooh Na-young, a graphic designer-turned-illustrator, quit her work at an online game publisher in 2012 after a decade in the industry, she suffered an identity crisis. But she at least knew that being a game graphic designer was not fulfilling for her. “I had to find what I wanted to do or be, and hanbok caught my eyes,” Wooh said in a recent interview with The Korea Herald, explaining her love for the hanbok silhouette -- the elongated lines and broad shapes. A want for her wo

Arts & DesignJuly 7, 2024

Top Webtoon creators rake in millions amid income gap, SEC filing shows

Naver's webcomic platform Webtoon, boasting 170 million active users each month, has transformed the comics industry for the mobile era. Following its much-anticipated Nasdaq debut on June 27, attention has turned to the economic realities facing its vast pool of creators. The company's recent US Securities and Exchange Commission filing submitted ahead of its initial public offering confirms substantial incomes for top performers, but also reveals a deep divide within the creator ecos

CultureJuly 7, 2024

Ye to hold first Korean standalone concert next month

American rapper Ye, also known as Kanye West, is holding his first-ever standalone concert in Korea on Aug. 23, according to Channel Candy. Channel Candy, a global media brand specializing in music, announced Saturday that its parent company Nextis will host Ye’s first concert in Korea at the Goyang Stadium in Ilsan, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province. Ye had previously performed in Korea 14 years ago in 2010 at the Summer Week&T festival held at Naksan Beach in Yangyang, Gangwon Province. &

CultureJuly 7, 2024

[Drama Tour] Journey to dream-like travel spots of ‘The Sound of Magic’

ANSEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- If you are making a list of places to visit with your family and friends after the monsoon season, the filming sites of Netflix’s “The Sound of Magic” certainly needs to be on the list. “The Sound of Magic,” a 2022 fantasy musical drama, centers around Ah-yi, a schoolgirl who wishes to become an adult as soon as possible so that she may take care of her family. The series focuses heavily on the character’s emotional change after m

CultureJuly 6, 2024

Waterbomb festival to thrill 9 cities

Waterbomb, a summer festival that combines music and water activities, has returned to cool down the summer. The festival, however, also faces criticism for water waste and environmental issues. At Waterbomb, participants can enjoy performances and water activities at the same time. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has been held every year except 2020 and 2021, when the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an event where alcohol is allowed and therefore restricted to adul

PerformanceJuly 6, 2024

'Love in Saturn': Melodic jazz concert with drama starring Anupam Tripathi

Indian actor Anupam Tripathi, known for his role in the global phenomenon "Squid Game," is set to perform onstage at the Sejong Arts Center's Sejong S Theater on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. Tripathi will be starring in KimOki Saturnballad's "Love in Saturn," a jazz concert incorporated with short drama scenes. The concert is the opening program of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' summer festival series, "Sync Next," which aims

PerformanceJuly 5, 2024

Son Ye-jin is not worried about aging

The 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival which kicked off Thursday for an 11 day-run is holding a special exhibition on celebrated South Korean actor Son Ye-jin “One and Only Son Yejin” in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. “I’m so grateful for such an exhibition title. I just really think all actors must have their ‘one and only’ presence,” Son told reporters during a press conference held as part of the program at 28th BIFAN on Friday. She is th

FilmJuly 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Hee-ae says she can take on 'relaxed' acting

Veteran actor Kim Hee-ae expressed her desire to pursue more "relaxed and comfortable roles," despite her widespread acclaim for portraying charismatic women in popular works such as "The World of the Married" (2020) and "Queenmaker" (2023). "The Whirlwind" is a 12-episode series that follows the story of Park Dong-ho (played by Sul Kyung-gu), a prime minister who kills the president, believing him to be corrupt. As Park seeks to ascend to power after the

TelevisionJuly 5, 2024

Park Hyatt Seoul brings Japanese gastronomy in Seoul

Park Hyatt Seoul, located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is scheduled to offer a unique Japanese culinary experience to its guests at the hotel’s premium vinyl music and dining bar, The Timber House, starting from July 13. The upcoming event invites master Japanese chef Nobuhiro Yoshida to showcase “Tokyo Night in Seoul,” a special kaiseki menu, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner that features small and artistically arranged dishes. Collaborating with The Timber House&rsqu

CultureJuly 5, 2024

Jeju Tourism Organization unveils haenyeo experience package

The Jeju Tourism Organization is offering a “2024 Haenyeo Village Stay in Gimnyeong,” a three-day trip to the island to experience life as Jeju haenyeo, starting from July 19. Haenyeo, which roughly translates to “women of the sea,” are free-diving seafood gatherers who can hold their breaths for long periods as they harvest from the sea floor. According to the organization, travelers can not only get a chance to wear haenyeo’s equipment for a short period of time,

TravelJuly 5, 2024

[Well-curated] Vintage cafe, house of horrors and running as art

Vintage cafe in timeworn Haebangchon Perched on the steep slopes of Seoul's Namsan, Haebangchon is a neighborhood where the past seems to exist alongside the present. Narrow uphill roads wind through a cluttered landscape where pedestrians and buses jostle for space, beneath the canopy of tangled power lines and weathered buildings. Tucked away in maze-like alleyways lies Tajagi, a cafe that embodies the neighborhood’s vintage charm. Its name, meaning "typewriter" in Korean,

CultureJuly 5, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Water festival at Everland Join revelers toting colorful water guns at Everland, as the country’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, hosts a water festival. “Water Stellar” takes place at Carnival Square through Aug. 25, with water splashing, squirting and fighting reaching a peak twice a day, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., as Everland actors put on a performance. Bring water guns, shoes, a towel and extra clothes, but be advised that there are no changing rooms. Check

TravelJuly 5, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Park Hyatt Seoul unveils Armani Beauty-themed dining menu The Park Hyatt Seoul, located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is offering a menu created in collaboration with Armani Beauty. Guests can take a stunning gastronomic journey at the hotel’s Italian restaurant Cornerstone which is offering a unique dinner course that is inspired by the Armani Prive Les Eaux collection. Starting with Blini, Cornerstone offers sea bass crudo, spaghetti cacao e pepe, lamb ribs and a citrus carpaccio. The prom

TravelJuly 5, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Handsome Guys” (South Korea) Opened June 26 Comedy Directed by Nam Dong-hyup Two well-meaning carpenters and friends, Jae-pil (Lee Sung-min) and Sang-gu (Lee Hee-jun) relocate with dreams of a peaceful suburban life, but are constantly mistaken for troublemakers due to their intimidating appearances. “Inside Out 2” (US) Opened June 12 Animation Directed by Kelsey Mann A now-teenaged Riley sees her mind headquarters undergo sudden renovations to make room for new emotio

FilmJuly 5, 2024

Seoul book fair stands strong without government backing

The 2024 Seoul International Book Fair, the first edition to be held without government subsidies, wrapped up its five-day event with resounding success on June 30. “We deeply apologize to the readers who experienced inconveniences during the weekend due to the large crowds,” the Korean Publishers Association, the fair's organizer, posted on Instagram on the final day of the fair. According to the KPA, approximately 150,000 visitors attended the fair over its five-day run from J

BooksJuly 4, 2024

Saudi Arabia introduces ancient Arabic poetry in Korean at SIBF

Classical masterpieces by renowned Arab poets from the pre-Islamic period have been translated into Korean in a new Saudi-published volume. As part of efforts to bridge Korean and Arab cultures, Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, unveiled the Korean edition of "The Mu'allaqat for Millennials” at the Seoul International Book Fair, where Saudi Arabia was celebrated as this year’s guest of honor. The launch was organized in partne

BooksJuly 4, 2024

Yang Hae-gue to have first UK survey show at Hayward Gallery

Internationally renowned Korean artist Yang Hae-gue will have her first major museum exhibition in the UK at the Hayward Gallery in October, surveying her artistic practice from the early 2000s to date. The exhibition at the gallery located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, “Haegue Yang: Leap Year,” arranged in five thematic sections, will include three new commissions for the exhibition as well as some of her most notable series: “Light Sculptures,” &ldquo

Arts & DesignJuly 4, 2024

[Photo News] Global Biz Forum wraps up 5th edition

5TH GBF WRAPS UP Herald Corp. Chairman Jung Won-ju (fourth from left in second row) and CEO Choi Jin-young (fifth from left in third row) pose with participants of the 5th Global Biz Forum at its closing ceremony held at the Mondrian Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. The forum, organized and hosted by The Korea Herald twice yearly, convened weekly for 13 weeks from March 20 to July 3. The next edition is scheduled to commence in September, continuing as a venue for knowledge-sharing amon

PeopleJuly 4, 2024