Celebrities donate to support fight against coronavirus

Celebrities in Korea are making donations to help people fight against the spread of COVID-19 across the nation. On Friday, actress Yum Jung-ah donated 100 million won ($82,200) to Green Umbrella Child Fund Korea to help purchase masks and hand sanitizers for children in need. Singer-turned-actress Yoona, members of K-pop band Red Velvet, and singers Kang Daniel and Zico also made donations to the cause. 　　 On Thursday, singer-songwriter IU donated 100 million won each to nonprofit organi

PeopleFeb. 28, 2020

Biggest church in Korea halts Sunday services

Yoido Full Gospel Church in Yeouido, Seoul, the biggest church in Korea, will stop its Sunday services starting this weekend out of concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.  A megachurch with around 560,000 followers, Yoido Full Gospel Church said Friday that it had made the decision to halt its Sunday services out of concern for the safety of its followers and the wider public. On Thursday, the church said it would not halt its Sunday worship services, but would downscale the seven-ses

CultureFeb. 28, 2020

‘Train to Busan’ sequel ‘Peninsula’ confirms summer release

“Peninsula,” the sequel to hit zombie flick “Train to Busan,” will be released this summer, distributor NEW said Friday. Though the company did not reveal the release date, the film may hit theaters in August. Taking off from where the story ended in “Train to Busan,” the upcoming movie is expected to have the same setting as the first film. According to Yeon Sang-ho, director of both films, “Peninsula” will take place four years after the z

FilmFeb. 28, 2020

CGV to halt service in Daegu

South Korea’s largest cinema chain CJ CGV said Thursday it will temporarily shut down its screens in the Daegu area from Friday. 　 Due to the rapid increase of the COVID-19 infections in Daegu, the nine CGV outlets in the area will temporarily be closed due to concerns about the safety of customers and staff, CGV said on its webpage. The cinema franchise said reserved tickets will be canceled automatically and it will further notify about the reopening dates. By Im Eun-byel (silvers

FilmFeb. 28, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Gentlemen (US) Opened Feb. 26 Action, Comedy, Crime Directed by Guy Ritchie American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) starts selling marijuana as he enters college in London, coming to build a highly profitable marijuana empire in the city. When word gets out that he is looking to cash out of the business for good, it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him. A War of Memories (Korea) Opened Feb. 27 Documentary Directe

FilmFeb. 28, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Time for whiskey at Novotel Ambassador Dongdaemun Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotel & Residences presents “Mr.Tipsy” whiskey promotion at its lobby lounge Gourmet Bar. The promotion features five samplers from two leading whiskey labels, Johnnie Walker and Diageo Classic Malts. The five samplers present different varieties of whiskeys in small portions, allowing guests to discover their own taste in whiskey. The sampler price starts at 34,900 won. For more informati

FoodFeb. 28, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals and sights across Korea

Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival The annual Seokchonhosu Lake Cherry Blossom Festival will take place April 3-12 this year. Seokchon Lake in southeastern Seoul is recognized for beautiful cherry blossom trees surrounding the lake. In addition to the sights, a variety of performances, exhibitions, and hands-on activities will also take place during the festival period. The lake is easy to approach by public transportation, situated at about 200-meter distance from Jamsil Station. F

TravelFeb. 28, 2020

Visiting the southernmost end of Korea

HAENAM, South Jeolla Province -- Most Koreans have heard of Haenam county’s Ttangkkeut (end of land) Village, the southernmost end of the Korean Peninsula. Many visit the village on Dec. 31 to watch the last sunset or first sunrise of the year. But there is more to Haenam than that yearly ritual. It offers beautiful mountain landscapes and delicacies of Jeolla Province, making the more than four-hour drive from Seoul worthwhile. Plain yet sacred Buddhism beauty  Mihwangsa is hi

TravelFeb. 28, 2020

[Eye plus] Where nobles lived

Black tile roofs of traditional Korean houses are tightly gathered at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, offering a glimpse of how life must have been during the country’s last and longest-lived Joseon Dynasty. Located between Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace, Bukchon was the neighborhood of choice for yangban, upper-class aristocrats of the imperial dynasty. Today’s Bukchon is divided into two areas, displaying a co-existence of both modern and traditional architecture. On

CultureFeb. 28, 2020

Coronavirus affect life pattern for Koreans, foreigners

With the snowballing numbers of COVID-19 infections in Korea, more people are staying indoors and staying away from public areas. The Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) conducted a survey on changes to daily life due to the coronavirus from Monday to Thursday morning. The online survey involved 204 Koreans and 175 foreigners who visited or are staying in Korea.   When asked what changed the most after the coronavirus epidemic, allowing multiple answers, Korean and foreign responde

CultureFeb. 28, 2020

Tribute bands continue Beatles’ legacy

From the outside, Space the Beatles is just another establishment in the cool entertainment district of Hongdae in Seoul. But a step inside reveals a shrine where Beatles records, posters, artwork and books adorn the walls. Owner Seo Kang-seok counts himself as one of Korea’s biggest Beatles fans. “I listened to the song ‘Yesterday’ for the first time in my life (in 1984) and thought, ‘Wow, it’s very good,’” he said. The pub, opened in 2016, of

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2020

Original shows turn the page for opera

Opera is often considered far-off from reality -- featuring aristocrats, princesses and talking animals. But the Korean opera scene is striving to produce original shows that resonate with a wider audience. Usually written in German or Italian, operas can be difficult to understand, even with translated lyrics, as they often feature stories that premiered in the 1700s and 1800s. However, more opera productions are tackling contemporary topics these days. Original productions written in Korean

PerformanceFeb. 27, 2020

‘Sky Castle’ star returns as detective in melo-thriller ‘Nobody Knows’

Actress Kim Seo-hyung, who made her name with JTBC drama “SKY Castle” last year, is making a return to the small screen as a detective in upcoming mystery drama “Nobody Knows.” As fears of the new COVID-19 epidemic are increasingly seeing Koreans lock themselves behind masks and doors, the producer and cast of the new series on SBS say the drama may send a timely message about coexistence in society. “The show is about people living with each other,” produc

TelevisionFeb. 27, 2020

Yang Hae-gue chosen as this year‘s MMCA Hyundai Motor Series artist

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has selected Yang Hae-gue as its seventh artist for the MMCA Hyundai Motor Series, the museum announced on Wednesday. The MMCA Hyundai Motor Series, sponsored by the Hyundai Motor Company, aims to introduce the current state of Korean contemporary art. The project selects a promising artist every year who has established their own aesthetic world and provide opportunities to construct their own unique art platform.  Yang is con

Arts & DesignFeb. 26, 2020

Churches in Korea consider canceling Sunday services as coronavirus spreads

Protestant churches in South Korea are considering canceling Sunday worship services this week due to the spread of COVID-19. The disease became an even more serious concern for churches after a pastor at Myungsung Church in eastern Seoul, which has more than 100,000 members, was diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday. He is reported to have attended several services on Feb. 16. Myungsung Church announced Tuesday that it is shutting down its facility and its Sunday services will be canceled unti

CultureFeb. 26, 2020

Hit by coronavirus, stages sit empty

With the COVID-19 alert level raised to the highest “red” level, the performing arts scene has been struggling, as theaters have sat empty of audiences and performances. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, managed by the Korea Arts Management Service affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, performing arts theaters’ ticket sales from Feb. 1 to Tuesday recorded 18.4 billion won ($15.15), nearly down to half of the same peri

PerformanceFeb. 26, 2020

Korean films opening despite coronavirus crisis

With the fear of the novel coronavirus driving moviegoers away from cinemas, Korea has witnessed mass cancellations of new film releases in recent few days. However, changing plans at the last minute is not a privilege all filmmakers enjoy, and a few Korean films, especially indie flicks produced by small companies, are biting the bullet and rolling out on schedule. Although prospects for such films may be not be the brightest, following is a short list of Korean films to hit local theaters i

FilmFeb. 26, 2020

Hong Sang-soo's latest film gets premiere at Berlinale

Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo’s “The Woman Who Ran” got its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival on Tuesday. Three more screenings of the film are expected through Friday at the annual film festival, where it is competing for the Gold and Silver Bear prizes, the highest honors of the event. Hong’s film is competing against 17 other titles from 17 countries. This is Hong’s fourth time in competition at the Berlinale, following “Night

FilmFeb. 25, 2020

[Graphic News] Rice consumption dips to all-time low in 2019

　South Korea’s per capita annual rice consumption fell to a record low in 2019 amid changes in diet and eating habits, data showed. 　Per capita average annual rice consumption hit a fresh low of 59.2 kilograms last year, down 3 percent from a year earlier, according to data compiled by Statistics Korea. 　It marked the first time for the amount to fall below the 60-kilogram threshold. 　The latest figure indicates Koreans consumed around 162 grams of rice on a daily basis. (Yonhap)

FoodFeb. 25, 2020

With new director at helm, Korea National Contemporary Dance Company announces 2020 program

With new artistic director Nam Jeong-ho at the helm, the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company has announced its 2020 season program, featuring dances inspired by diverse subjects, from primitive rituals to artificial intelligence. At “Opening,” the first production to open 2020, the national dance troupe will feature two dances -- “Beyond Black” and “The Rite of Spring” -- from April 17-19 at the Seoul Arts Center.   “Beyond Black,” cre

PerformanceFeb. 25, 2020