Rain is back: Singer’s 2017 ‘Gang’ video goes viral

Singer Rain is unfazed by the sudden popularity of his old music video, knowing full well the less than flattering reason behind it. “Gang,” from Rain’s mini-album “My Life” (2017), came back into the spotlight six months ago when a high school student uploaded a 27-second dance cover video of the song on YouTube. The cover video, which has over 2.2 million views, brought attention to the original. Rain’s iconic performance style -- exaggerated motions, int

PerformanceMay 18, 2020

Seoul run of ‘Phantom of Opera’ extended to Aug. 8

The Seoul run of the international tour musical “The Phantom of the Opera” has been extended to Aug. 8. The show, currently taking place at the Blue Square Interpark Hall in Itaewon, central Seoul, was originally set to run until June 27. The extension was possible as the Seoul engagement of the National Theater in London’s smash hit production “War Horse” in July at the Blue Square Interpark Hall was canceled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis.  A

PerformanceMay 18, 2020

Star screenwriter struggling with lower-than-expected popularity of 'The King'

SBS' fantasy romance "The King: Eternal Monarch" was one of the most anticipated TV series for the first half of 2020 in South Korea, for the reunion of star screenwriter Kim Eun-sook and actor Lee Min-ho. Lee chose the show as his post-military comeback project after "The Heirs" (2013). But the big-budget series, which was also financed by US streaming giant Netflix, saw its viewership ratings drop to a record low of 6.3 percent on its ninth episode that aired on Saturday

TelevisionMay 18, 2020

[Photo News] Kestrel chicks hatch in apartment balcony

Five kestrels, designated as South Korean natural treasure No. 323, were born in a nest built inside a flower pot on an apartment balcony in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province. It was March 20 when the chicks’ parents settled on the balcony. The resident of the apartment made a bigger nest out of cardboard for his little guests to have enough space to brood five eggs. The five chicks were all born healthy and are now getting ready to fly on their own. (Photos: Yonhap) By Kim Tae-eun

CultureMay 18, 2020

Art, tech merge at ‘Inside Magritte’ in Seoul

More than 100 artworks by Rene Magritte, reproduced with digital technologies, offer an immersive experience that maximizes interaction with the master’s artworks. The exhibition “Inside Magritte,” which runs until Sept. 13 at the Insa Central Museum in Insadong, central Seoul, provides a multisensory learning experience that uses music, light, virtual reality techniques and video art to bring the artist and his works to life. Directed by The Fake Factory, based in Florence

Arts & DesignMay 18, 2020

[Herald Interview] Tyler Rasch on escaping ‘The Box’

While young Koreans are experiencing a chronic collective despair in past decades, partly due to the stagnant economy, American TV personality Tyler Rasch -- familiar to the public for his TV appearances -- hopes to encourage them through an independent documentary series. To make his message more sincere, Rasch did not turn to major production companies to launch his new serial show “The Box,” but rather decided to take the reins himself. “I did not want my message compromi

TelevisionMay 17, 2020

[Newsmaker] ‘World of Married’ finishes on a high

The hit drama series “The World of the Married” wrapped up its 16-episode run Saturday, setting a record as the most-watched drama series on Korean cable TV channels.  According to viewership research institute Nielsen Korea, the final episode of the JTBC series marked a record viewership of 28.3 percent, outrunning the previous record of 23.8 percent set by another JTBC hit “SKY Castle.” Drama “The World of the Married” centers around the character of

TelevisionMay 17, 2020

Linking of COVID-19 to gay clubs raises concerns among sexual minorities

When a new cluster of COVID-19 infections was linked to clubs in Seoul’s Itaewon area, many initial media reports highlighted the fact that some of the establishments were “gay clubs.” Gay bashing ensued, particularly on the internet, criticizing the gay community for causing a resurgence in the spread of a virus the nation appeared to have gotten under control. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced at Sunday’s regular COVID-19 briefing that 166

CultureMay 17, 2020

Religious services still in anti-virus mode due to resurgence of cases

Churches and temples remained on their toes Sunday, taking strict precautionary anti-virus measures, in the second week since the resumption of their public services following COVID-19 outbreaks. South Korea eased strict social distancing guidelines on May 6, allowing churches, state-run museums and libraries to resume operations. But following a recent resurgence of virus infections, traced to clubs in Seoul's nightlife district of Itaewon, reopening churches and temples remained highly vigi

CultureMay 17, 2020

‘If I Had Your Face’ depicts Korean women as more than cliched heroines

The characters in Frances Cha’s debut novel, “If I Had Your Face,” at first will not surprise those who are familiar with South Korean pop culture, especially dramas and movies, or who follow news from Korea. “My book is about a group of young women in Korea -- mostly orphans who grew up in the provinces and moved to Seoul the first chance they got,” Frances Cha said. “They are hustling to stay afloat in a very fast, competitive and glamorous society, and wi

BooksMay 17, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Everland Rose Garden Festival Amusement park Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, opened up its 20,000-square-meter rose garden for the annual Everland Rose Garden Festival. The rose festival, launched in 1985, opens every May featuring roses and other varieties of flowers. After enjoying the rides at the park, visitors can take a walk in the rose garden and take photographs. The festival continues until June 14. For more information in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, visit www.everl

TravelMay 17, 2020

At-home beauty solutions encroach on professional beauticians‘ turf

The last time Jang, a 28-year-old translator in Seoul, had her hair permed was early this year. After the country was hit hard by COVID-19, she had to put off visiting a hair salon for a treatment that would prolong her perm. Searching online, she found an electric hair cap that claimed to provide hair treatment effects. “I have been reluctant to visit a hair salon because it was near a place where a COVID-19 patient had visited according to information provided by Seoul Metropolitan Go

CultureMay 16, 2020

[Eye Plus] National Museum of Korea: where story of 700,000 years begins

The National Museum of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, is home to the country’s heritage dating back 700,000 years. From the prehistory and ancient history gallery to the medieval and early modern history gallery located on the first floor, calligraphy and painting gallery and donations gallery on the second floor, sculpture and crafts gallery and world art gallery on the third floor, the building is filled with around 330,000 relics. In the main hallway stands the stone

CultureMay 16, 2020

Old yet new ‘Chunhyang’

As the performing arts scene slowly gets back on track despite the coronavirus crisis, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea staged its latest production, “Chunhyang,” Thursday. “Chunhyang,” based on the well-known pansori (Korean folk narrative) “Chunhyangga,” depicts the love story between Seong Chun-hyang, the daughter of a retired courtesan, and Lee Mong-ryong, the son of a nobleman. The epic love story is a staple of traditional stories of Korea, and

PerformanceMay 16, 2020

Korean medical dramas break out of mold, heal viewers

One does not have to be a doctor or a nurse to be able to relate to what happens inside hospitals, where lives are born and deaths pronounced, wounds are healed and hurt minds are treated. It is for such reasons, perhaps, that medical dramas have flourished in the recent decade or so, the stories and themes becoming more diverse with time. Two of the most popular TV dramas so far this year take place in a hospital. The second season of SBS’ “Dr. Romantic” racked up a 28.4

TelevisionMay 16, 2020

Nine forest trails inside Joseon royal tomb compounds to open May 16

The Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday announced that nine forest trails inside compounds of Joseon era royal tombs will be open from Saturday to June 30. The nine trails include two tracks near “Donggureung,” also known as “East Nine Royal Tombs” in Guri, Gyeonggi Province. The CHA also emphasized that this is the first opening of the 1.4-kilometer trail between royal tombs Huireung and Wonreung. The route was originally set to open in the second half of the

TravelMay 16, 2020

Star actress Choi Ji-woo gives birth to her first child

Star actress Choi Ji-woo gave birth to her first child Saturday, two years after she got married, her management said. "Choi gave birth to a daughter this morning," YG Entertainment said, adding that Choi and her baby are healthy and doing well. Choi, best known for her role in the 2002 hit Korean drama "Winter Sonata," plans to resume work as an actress following the childbirth to pursue her acting career more vibrantly, working at the same time while being a wife and mom

TelevisionMay 16, 2020

Monthly moviegoers hit record low in April

The number of moviegoers fell to a record low last month as the coronavirus scare has kept people from going to cinemas, data showed Saturday. A total of 970,000 movie tickets were sold in April, plunging 92.7 percent from 13.3 million tallied a year ago, according to data from the Korean Film Council. It is the lowest monthly box office number since KOFIC started to compile such data in 2004, and below the previous all-time low of 1.83 million set in March. Total revenue nose-dived 93.4 per

FilmMay 16, 2020

Korean avant-garde artist Kim Ku-lim seeks W130m for damaged artworks

Korea’s first-generation avant-garde artist Kim Ku-lim has sought 130 million won ($105,720) in compensation for his artworks that were damaged during an exhibition at Chang Ucchin Museum of Art in Yangju, just north of Seoul. The issue was first raised on April 25 when Kim posted about his two damaged artworks including “Stone,” which he created in 1981, on his social media account. One artwork was hung on the wall and the other was installed on the floor in front of the wa

Arts & DesignMay 15, 2020

KOCIS hosts ‘Talk Talk Korea 2020’ contest to promote Korean culture

The Korean Culture and Information Service announced Friday that it is hosting the “Talk Talk Korea 2020” contest from May 15 to Sept. 15 jointly with the Foreign Ministry. The contest was established in 2014. According to KOCIS, it is the largest global contents contest in Korea, with more than 30,000 foreigners participating each year. It accepts diverse content such as videos, photos, illustrations, and webtoons that can promote a positive image of Korea. “The importance

CultureMay 15, 2020