National Gugak Center releases publication on NK performing arts

The National Gugak Center recently released an English-language publication on the performing art scene in North Korea. The center has been publishing the Korean Musicology Series since 2007, aiming to promote understanding about traditional Korean arts, encouraging its globalization and international exchanges.  A total of 10 English-language books have been released, one each on pansori (traditional narrative singing), sanjo (instrumental music) and Korea’s traditional folk song

PerformanceFeb. 3, 2020

“Beasts Clawing at Straws” wins jury award at Rotterdam

  Crime noir film “Beasts Clawing at Straws” has won the special jury award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The first feature from director Kim Yong-hoon nabbed the award at this year’s Rotterdam Tiger Competition, where up-and-coming international filmmakers compete with their debut pieces, the movie’s distributor Megabox Joongang Plus M announced Monday. The jury for the Tiger Competition also honored “The Cloud in Her Room” by Zheng Lu

FilmFeb. 3, 2020

MMCA announces this year’s four sponsored artists

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea announced Monday its four sponsored artists, who are also candidates of the Korea Artist Prize, for this year: Kim Min-ae, Lee Seul-gi, Chung Hee-sung and Jung Yoon-suk. As part of the sponsorship program, they will hold an exhibition of their new works at MMCA Seoul from Oct. 31 to March 29, 2021.  Among the four artists, the Korea Artist Prize winner will be selected in December after a jury reviews the exhibition. Kim, a Royal

Arts & DesignFeb. 3, 2020

Kang Sue-jin reappointed Korean National Ballet artistic director

Kang Sue-jin has been reappointed as artistic director of the Korean National Ballet for the next three years, her third term after first taking the post in 2014. “We expect Kang to continue to interact with well-known national ballet groups and choreographers abroad to improve the level of our national ballet company. We also hope she will create original pieces based on Korean traditions for the development of Korean ballet,” Culture Minister Park Yang-woo said in a statement.

PerformanceFeb. 3, 2020

'Parasite' wins two titles at British Academy awards

Bong Joon-ho's black comedy "Parasite" won two titles, including best foreign language film, at this year's British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. At the ceremony of the BAFTA Film Awards held at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday (British time), the awards of best original screenplay and best film not in the English language were given to "Parasite," which was nominated in four categories, including best film and best director. It is the second time that a

FilmFeb. 3, 2020

Photographer Lee Jung-jin’s new works reveal deep inner self

 Upon entering photographer Lee Jung-jin’s solo exhibition, one may be overwhelmed by huge nature photographs in black and white. Then, upon bending over for a closer look, one might be tempted to touch them due to their unique velvet-like texture. This is because they are printed on Korean traditional mulberry paper, called “hanji.” PKM Gallery in Samcheong-dong is hosting the exhibition, titled “Jungjin Lee: Voice,” two years after the artist’s solo e

Arts & DesignFeb. 2, 2020

Hollywood film by Korean-American director wins top prizes at Sundance

A Hollywood drama by a Korean-American director starring South Korean actresses has received top prizes at the Sundance Film Festival.   Sundance said "Minari," directed by Lee Isaac Chung and featuring, among others, Youn Yuh-jung and Han Ye-ri, won the US Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award in the Dramatic category at its annual ceremony in Park City, Utah, on Saturday (local time).   The film follows a seven-year-old Korean-American boy named David, whose

FilmFeb. 2, 2020

'Parasite' receives top screenplay prize from Writers Guild of America

The Oscar-nominated South Korean film "Parasite" has picked up yet another trophy in the buildup to the Academy Awards. Director Bong Joon-ho and co-writer Han Jin-won received the Writers Guild of America (WGA) award for best original screenplay in dual ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles on Saturday (local time). The cutting satire has earned six nominations for the Oscars, including best picture, best director and best original screenplay. At the WGA awards, "Parasite&qu

FilmFeb. 2, 2020

Action-thriller 'Time to Hunt' envisions dystopia packed with subcultures

Director Yoon Sung-hyun, who bagged several awards here and abroad in 2011 with debut film “Bleak Night,” is returning to the big screen in February with the feature “Time to Hunt,” which he described as a true action flick. The action-thriller revolves around four young men who set out on a journey to start a new life in a fictional, completely destroyed society. The story takes place in what seems like Seoul in the near future, with the city turned into slums followi

FilmJan. 31, 2020

Boston Symphony Orchestra cancels Seoul concert amid coronavirus crisis

With the death toll of China’s coronavirus outbreak rapidly increasing, the Boston Symphony Orchestra has called off its East Asia tour, including its first-ever performance in Seoul. The orchestra announced the cancellation of its tour led by music director Andris Nelsons in an official statement released Thursday. The tour was originally set to start off with two shows in Seoul on Feb. 6 and 7, followed by performances in Taipei, Hong Kong and Shanghai stretched out to Feb. 16. &ldqu

PerformanceJan. 31, 2020

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

For Sama (UK) Opened Jan. 23 Documentary Directed by Waad Al-Kateab, Edward Watts In 2011, a civil uprising begins in the city of Aleppo, Syria, demanding democratic reforms. A student and journalist Waad Al-Kateab decides to stay and document the war and her life in the battlefield. Amidst the conflict and confusion, she falls in love with Hamza Al-Kateab, a doctor, gets married and gives birth to their daughter Sama. While protecting and raising Sama, the Al-Kateabs continue to help the inno

FilmJan. 31, 2020

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and Packages

Relax muscles at Grand Hyatt Seoul Grand Hyatt Seoul’s The Spa presents the Muscle Release spa program for guests stressed out from the Lunar New Year holiday. The treatment begins with a scalp massage, followed by a body scrub and full-body massage using organic ginger oil. The Muscle Release treatment is priced at 198,000 won for 60 minutes or 264,000 won for 90 minutes. For more information, call Grand Hyatt Seoul at (02) 799-8808. Valentine’s Day at Mayfield Hotel Mayfie

FoodJan. 31, 2020

[Travel Bits] Festivals and sights across Korea

20 for 2020 at Everland　 Everland theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, is to hold the “Hello My Twenties” event to celebrate the year 2020. In Korea, the number 20 symbolizes the beginning of adulthood, as students enroll in universities when they turn 20 by the Korean age system. The “Hello My Twenties” event aims to congratulate and encourage those who have just turned 20 and to remind those who are older of their 20s. Visitors can record special moments at a

TravelJan. 31, 2020

Paella and other crowd-friendly eats at Sigolo

The paella at Sigolo, a newly minted restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, sums up the best qualities of this new fine casual addition to the city’s dining scene. Served in what appears to be a 17-inch pan, this dish meant to serve two is large enough for several diners to dig into. Hearty and fragrant with garlic and onion, each grain of rice has soaked up the nutty and fresh flavors of the clam, mussel and crustacean broths used to craft this Spanish classic. Sigolo’s paella

FoodJan. 31, 2020

[Eye Plus] Around the world in a day

Curiosity about the world has fanned many cultural byproducts. The Multiculture Museum in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, is one such example. Tucked inside the four-story museum is director Kim Yoon-tae’s private collection of cultural objects from 40 countries, including the US, Canada, Russia, China, Mongolia, India, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, Kenya, Italy, France, Brazil and Peru. Miniature replicas of the Tower of Pisa or a Dutch windmill and Venetian gondolas are only part of the vast coll

CultureJan. 31, 2020

Park Seo-jun to show perfect sync with original webcomic in 'Itaewon Class'

JTBC’s new drama series based on the webcomic of the same name, “Itaewon Class” is set to air its first episode Friday night. Original webtoon artist Cho Kwang-jin also took charge of the script. “When I was writing the comic it wasn’t easy for me to delve into the details of every character because of the weekly deadlines. So it was a grateful opportunity that I could get the chance to develop even the small characters through working on the script,” Cho

TelevisionJan. 30, 2020

Hong Sang-soo to compete at Berlinale with new film starring Kim Min-hee

The Berlin International Film Festival on Wednesday revealed this year’s lineup of films in competition, including Korean auteur Hong Sang-soo’s new “The Woman Who Ran.” Hong will be competing for the Gold and Silver Bear prizes with 17 other titles from 17 countries, including Sally Potter’s “The Roads Not Taken,” Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow,” Philippe Garrel’s “The Salt of Tears,” Rithy Panh’s “Irrad

FilmJan. 30, 2020

Super collectors: Forces that drive the art market

“Super Collector” By Lee Young-ran HakGoJAE Publishers There are three wheels that make the art industry function: The artists, the gallery owners who manage exhibitions and introduce their art pieces, and the collectors who purchase them. Among the three, the art collectors are the ones who really determine whether art markets thrive, although they are not frequently mentioned in the art industry and usually remain behind a veil. “Super Collector” by former journa

BooksJan. 30, 2020

[Herald Interview] Father-daughter team has eyes on ‘Korean minimalism’

Eyeglasses are more than a fashion accessory, being a necessity for those who need their vision corrected. Designer Yun Ji-yoon, who formerly worked at a fashion firm, fell in love with the practicality of eyeglasses. She joined hands with her father Yun Chul-joo -- who has been in the eyewear business for around 30 years -- to launch eyewear brand Yun, naming the brand after the family name. The Yun family all pitched in the business, and launched the label’s first shop in Berlin in

Arts & DesignJan. 30, 2020

[Weekender] Does screen-free parenting work?

Annie Jeong has always been concerned about her 3-year-old son’s exposure to digital devices. She became more worried recently after learning about the rise of screen-free parenting. But such a scheme is a tall order, she said. With digital-driven education permeating classrooms across South Korea, the use of digital devices and software has become a necessity for the future generation. “I’m worried that my kid might be in trouble in the future if he grows up tech-free,&rd

CultureJan. 30, 2020