Membership-based Sojeonseolim library offers space for writers, readers to mix and mingle

A goose-shaped chair with a gigantic art book in front of it dominates the room. If you came expecting a typical library, you might think you came to the wrong place. Sojeonseolim, which means “forest of books covered with white bricks,” is a new library in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul, which opened Saturday. “Swiss architect Davide Macullo designed this building in 2016 as an art museum. We changed it into a library and Korean architect Choi Wook, director of One O One Ar

CultureFeb. 25, 2020

National Museum of Korea presents religious implication of Buddhist sculptures at Smithsonian

The National Museum of Korea held a symposium last week at the Smithsonian’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery to introduce the religious implication embedded in Korean Buddhist artifacts, the national museum said Tuesday. The symposium -- held from Thursday to Friday at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, known as the Smithsonian’s Asian art museum -- coincided with the exhibition “Sacred Dedication: A Korean Buddhist Masterpiece,” jointly organized by the Freer Gallery, Sackler Ga

CultureFeb. 25, 2020

Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism shuts down temple stay program due to spread of coronavirus

  The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism announced Monday that it would suspend the operation of its Templestay program until March 20 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, an affiliate of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, currently operates a Templestay program at 137 temples around the country. “As people’s concerns about the coronavirus rise due to the number of confirmed cases increasing day by day, we have inevitably decided to suspend o

CultureFeb. 25, 2020

Seoul Fashion Week 2020 shows to be canceled

Next month’s Seoul Fashion Week is to be canceled amid a serial cancellation of events, as worries over the novel coronavirus spread escalate in Korea. “We have internally decided to cancel the 2020 fall-winter Seoul Fashion Week and will notify the concerned parties of the decision in a few days,” said an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in charge of the biannual fashion week. “However, we will seek ways to support and help designers in Korea by hosting

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

KCDF to showcase works by 21 craftsmen

The “2020 Craft & Design Exhibition” is showcasing the craftworks of 21 artists and teams at the KCDF Gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul, until the end of the year. The Korea Craft & Design Foundation chose 12 rookie artists, six veteran artists and three collectives.  The rookie artists, defined as craftsmen under the age of 40, are recognized for their innovative and experimental works. Pottery, hanji (traditional Korean paper), jewelry and fabric craftworks crea

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

MMCA temporarily closes to prevent spread of virus

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) announced Monday it will temporarily close its four venues in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as the number of infections have spiked in the past few days. The announcement came after the government raised the virus alert level to the “highest” on Sunday. “A few days from now are a very important moment,” President Moon Jae-in said. MMCA Seoul will close starting Tuesday. The three ot

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

Coronavirus empties theaters, box office

The film industry continues to suffer as people stay away from cinemas amid the increasingly rapid spread of COVID-19, and scheduled movie releases are now being put on hold. The number of theatergoers, which saw a small recovery in the second week of February, plummeted again over the weekend, with 474,979 people going to the movies on Saturday and Sunday, according to the Korean Film Council. The figure represents a steep drop of almost 60 percent from the previous weekend. The total number

FilmFeb. 24, 2020

Hit by COVID-19 outbreak, art sector turns to online platforms

With the coronavirus outbreak leading to cancellations of exhibitions and art fairs, galleries are opening online platforms in an effort to revive plummeting sales of artworks. Art Basel announced Friday it would launch Online Viewing Rooms, its first digital initiative offering exhibitors an opportunity to showcase artworks to its global network of patrons and buyers. “As the market continues to evolve, Art Basel has continually reviewed how new technologies can give us fresh opportun

Arts & DesignFeb. 24, 2020

Film industry slump continues amid virus fears

Snowballing coronavirus infections have continued to cast a pall over the film industry, with new releases delayed and events canceled. Thriller flick “Time to Hunt” will tentatively postpone its release and cancel all promotional events, including premieres, the film’s distributor Little Big Pictures said Sunday in a statement. The company made the decision in response to the government’s call to refrain from mass gatherings. “Time to Hunt” was slated to

FilmFeb. 23, 2020

Entertainment scene struggles with virus outbreak

Cultural events and venues were dealt a blow over the weekend by the surge in coronavirus cases here, with performances being canceled. On Saturday, the 2020 Music in PyeongChang (MPyC) event, also known as the Great Mountains Music Festival, canceled its remaining concerts from Sunday, as five coronavirus infections were reported across Gangwon Province. Despite worries about the coronavirus, the festival, which began Feb. 9, had initially continued with its plans, saying it would ensure th

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2020

[Herald Interview] Mika returns as Michael Holbrook, name he once hated

After a decade of life as a glam-pop star, Lebanese-born British singer Mika faced a point in his life where he had to hit the ground again to push himself in the right direction. For 2 1/2 years, he stepped away from the spotlight and consciously focused on his music and creativity. Mika’s fifth album, “My Name Is Michael Holbrook,” is the result of the singer’s contemplation. “I used to hate my legal name! I was convinced that only through assuming and defen

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2020

Does YouTube discriminate against Koreans?

YouTubers Josh Carrott and Ollie Kendal on Wednesday posted a clip saying the social media platform discriminates against Koreans by featuring English comments more prominently. Their channel, Korean Englishman, has over 3.7 million subscribers. “We realized that there’d be a Korean comment at the top with like 700 likes. Above it, there’d be like 10 English comments with maybe 100 likes each,” Carrott said in the video. Kendal added that when he sorted comments base

CultureFeb. 23, 2020

[Video] Chungmuro, the heart of Korean cinema, goes beyond ‘Hallyuwood’

The movie district often epitomizes the fame, power and money that comes from the show-biz industry. Known as the mecca of Korea’s big screen, Chungmuro has been home to many theaters and movie studios. It used to be the stomping grounds for hordes of local stars and filmmakers in Korea as well. Surprisingly, the area has a humble background, despite its eventual prominence. Long ago, it was an ideal place to start a career because the cost of living was relatively low compared to other

FilmFeb. 21, 2020

Foreign artists delay concerts in Korea due to spread of COVID-19

Foreign artists have postponed their concerts in Korea due to the spread of the COVID-19. As of 10 a.m. Friday, South Korea reported 52 new cases of the coronavirus. The total number of infections in the nation is now at 156. Australian artist Ruel, 18, who was to perform Thursday at MUV Hall in Mapo-gu, western Seoul, will now perform Sept. 18 at Yes24 Live Hall. According to Ruel’s concert organizer, all tickets for the February concert can be returned without any extra charges and

PerformanceFeb. 21, 2020

Trump scoffs at 'Parasite's' Oscar win

COLORADO SPRINGS (AFP) -- President Donald Trump on Thursday scorned the best picture Oscar for South Korean film "Parasite," asking how a foreign movie could get the honor. "How bad was the Academy Awards this year?" Trump asked the crowd at a packed reelection campaign rally in Colorado Springs, Colorado. "We got enough problems with South Korea, with trade. On top of it, they give them the best movie of the year?" Trump asked in disbelief. "Parasite,&quo

FilmFeb. 21, 2020

Creators of 'Crash Landing on You' explains making the film

SEOUL (AP) -- "At first, we were even told not to use the word 'Chairman'" an honorific title alluding to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to Joo Dong-man, a props manager, recalling the painstakingly meticulous process of re-creating the life in North Korea on screen for South Korean viewers. Joo was part of the crew for the drama "Crash landing on you," South Korea's biggest recent hit about the story of a billionaire heiress who accidentally paraglides to North

TelevisionFeb. 21, 2020

Cho Hee-sook Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2020

Cho Hee-sook has been named Asia’s Best Female Chef of 2020 by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, one of the most influential groups in the cuisine industry in Asia. Cho, who owns Hansikgonggan in Seoul, a Michelin-starred Korean restaurant specializing in royal court cuisine, started her culinary arts career more than 20 years ago. She has worked at five-star hotels in Seoul and in 2005, she was appointed executive chef at the South Korean Embassy in Washington. “I s

PeopleFeb. 21, 2020

[Eye Plus] Inside a mountain fortress

Sitting 480 meters above sea level, Namhansanseong is a mountain fortress 25 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The fortress stretches 12 kilometers, and is said to have been built during the Unified Silla Kingdom in the seventh century. Namhansanseong’s significance as a fortress emerged in 1624 when King Injo designated the city to serve as an emergency capital and administrative center in the Joseon era in times of war. Namhansanseong is protected dually under the Cultural Heritag

CultureFeb. 21, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Corpus Christi (Poland) Opened Feb. 13 Drama Directed by Jan Komasa Daniel (Bartosz Bielenia) experiences a spiritual rebirth during his time in a youth detention center and the 20-year-old decides to become a priest. However, his criminal record prevents him from attending a seminary. Upon being released on parole, he is sent to a small town to work. Here, Daniel dresses up as a priest and inspires the local parish, which had been struggling to heal from a tragic accident. 1917 (US) Opened

FilmFeb. 21, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Spring flounder returns to Millennium Hilton Seoul Genji, within Millennium Hilton Seoul, presents a spring promotion for March and April featuring flounder. Flounder, a variety of flatfish considered a great delicacy, is enjoyed in spring. The five-course set menu starts off with egg custard as an appetizer, followed by a spring vegetable salad with flower cake, and flounder sashimi. Mugwort hotpot cooked with flounder and abalone follows, accompanied by steamed rice and Japanese pickles.

FoodFeb. 21, 2020