Many Koreans say it's OK for partners to be fans of celebrities

A recent survey indicated that many South Koreans react positively toward their girlfriends or boyfriends becoming avid fans of a celebrity. Local matchmaking company Duo surveyed 500 men and women between May 27 and 29, and asked what they felt about their romantic partners joining a celebrity fan club. The survey was conducted on individuals who have both been in a romantic relationship and been a member of a fan club. Some 89 percent of the respondents reacted positively, with 36 percent sa

PeopleJune 18, 2024

'Escape' to explore innate desire for freedom through story of N. Korean defector

Humanity's yearning for freedom is the main subject of "Escape," a film that follows a North Korean soldier who has defected to South Korea. "Escape" narrates the story of Gyu-nam (portrayed by Lee Je-hoon), a North Korean soldier about to be discharged after 10 years of service. Faced with no alternative other than a future of working on a farm or in a mine, Gyu-nam devises a plan to defect to South Korea in search of a better life. Hot on his trail is Hyun-sang (played

FilmJune 18, 2024

How Paik Nam-june's 'Transmission' was finally shown in Korea

Video art pioneer Paik Nam-june’s “Transmission” was shown for the first time in Korea last August, more than 20 years after its premiere at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City in 2002. The 8-meter-tall laser masterpiece was shown alongside "32 Cars for the 20th Century: Play Mozart’s Requiem Quietly," also by Paik, re-creating the 2002 Rockefeller exhibition in the backyard of the Paik Nam June Art Center from Aug. 31 to Dec. 3 last year. The exhibition, which o

Arts & DesignJune 17, 2024

Work of genius Joseon-era painter missing

A work of the 18th-century Joseon painter Sin Yun-bok has been reported missing and authorities are seeking tips, according to the Korea Heritage Service on Monday. The government agency responsible for protecting such works said the Hooam Mirae Institute, a private group that held the work, contacted the agency for help locating the missing work on June 10 after police turned down its complaint citing a lack of evidence. The Hooam Mirae Institute, which suspects an insider of the theft it belie

Arts & DesignJune 17, 2024

Kolleen Park to bring healing rites through changgeuk 'Paper Shaman'

Shamanism will be brought to the National Theater of Korea stage for the first time next week when the National Changgeuk Company of Korea performs "Paper Shaman,” a work that blends shamanism and pansori. Renowned musical director Kolleen Park, directing a changgeuk for the first time, aims to deliver a message of comfort and healing. “I'm creating this piece with the hope of soothing all lives and souls across the world that have been hurt and have suffered,” said P

PerformanceJune 17, 2024

[Herald Review] Not your everyday comedy, 'Handsome Guys' boasts unique blend of genres

In a saturated content landscape, it is difficult to find something fresh and innovative. Yet, "Handsome Guys" manages to stand out by blending genres, providing viewers with an unprecedented viewing experience. "Handsome Guys" tells the story of Jae-pil (played by Lee Sung-min) and his friend Sang-gu (played by Lee Hee-jun), two well-meaning carpenters who relocate dreaming of a peaceful suburban life, but are constantly mistaken for troublemakers due to their intimidating a

FilmJune 17, 2024

Govt. announces multiministry plan to ramp up foreign tourists

South Korea aims to enhance the entire experience for foreign tourists, from streamlining entry procedures to providing diverse tourist programs, the government announced Monday. The measures aim to address the slow recovery of tourism revenue -- the amount that inbound visitors pay for goods and services in the country -- despite the fast rebound of the number of tourists. According to the Korea Tourism Organization Thursday, the number of foreign tourists visiting the country stood at 4.86 m

CultureJune 17, 2024

Popular TV series, movies cross borders in remakes

Popular intellectual properties transcend borders, as seen in widely beloved content in Korea remade to cater to global audiences -- as well as the reverse. JTBC hit series "Sky Castle" will be remade into a Japanese series of the same name to be telecast by TV Asahi Corp., one of Japan's largest private broadcasters. The Korean drama series narrates the story of ambitious women who resort to extraordinary measures for their children be accepted into prestigious universities. Acco

TelevisionJune 16, 2024

[Drama Tour] Follow Suwon’s fortress to find traces of ‘Lovely Runner’

SUWON, Gyeonggi Province -- Suwon has been one of the country’s iconic travel destinations, beckoning both local and overseas travelers with a unique charm by blending old and new. As soon as tourists step foot in Suwon, they can spot the Hwaseong Fortress -- one of the country's UNESCO World Heritage sites -- from almost anywhere in the city. Looking at high-rise, glass-covered buildings from the centuries-old stone walls is one of the many spectacular aspects the fortress has to off

TravelJune 15, 2024

[Herald Interview] Ballet choreographer brings Korean romance to stage

A new ballet piece inspired by a Korean bestselling novel will premiere at Seoul Arts Center’s Jayu Theater this Tuesday and Wednesday. The latest creation by choreographer Yang Young-eun of Beyond Ballet, “Chrysanthemum Scent," is the third installment in Yang's "Dancing Literature" series, drawing inspiration from Kim Ha-in's bestselling melodrama romance, which was also adapted into the 2003 film “Scene of Love” and the hit drama series, &ldquo

PerformanceJune 15, 2024

Ensemble to play Schumann at Deoksugung

A local ensemble featuring a violinist, violist, cellist and pianist will present Schumann in Seokjo Hall at Deoksugung, a historic palace in Seoul, on June 26. This free concert is open to all, with registration starting on June 19 for the one-night performance. On June 26, violinist Kim Yong-uck, violist Lee Han-na, cellist Kim Min-ji and pianist Park Jong-hai will present Schumann’s three works -- Op. 15, Op. 47 and Op. 94 -- during the biannual classical music festival at the Joseon-er

PerformanceJune 15, 2024

Top factor for women when looking for dates? Survey says 'age'

A recent survey by a local matchmaking agency indicated that women in South Korea may be most concerned about age when looking for a prospective romantic partner. NRise Inc., operator of matchmaking platform Wippy, conducted the survey of 400 women in May, asking them what they thought were important factors when looking at the profiles of prospective romantic partners. About 59.2 percent of the respondents picked "age," followed by "distance between the person and me," at

PeopleJune 14, 2024

National library to open ‘Korea space’ in Taiwan

The state-run National Library of Korea will open a space dedicated to learning about Korea at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan in December. So far 35 such spaces have opened globally. “Window on Korea,” a space that opened this week at the National University of Mongolia, contains some 1,500 books about Korea. The university was the first to launch a department on the Korean language in 1991, and currently offers degrees in Korean interpretation and translation as well as Ko

CultureJune 14, 2024

Homemade maesil cheong, K-food's secret ingredient

In a typical, fully-equipped Korean kitchen, you'll find a bottle of honey-like syrup called maesil cheong. This versatile syrup made from the fermentation of maesil, Korean green plums, serves as both a sweetener in various Korean dishes and a home remedy for an upset stomach or indigestion. June is the peak harvest season for maesil, which means it’s time for Kwon Sun-ja to prepare for her annual tradition of making the green plum syrup. "Early summer is when I make maesil ch

FoodJune 14, 2024

‘Inside Out 2’ leads local box office, ‘Wonderland’ sits in second

Pixar animated film “Inside Out 2” is leading the local box office after its release this week, according to Korean Film Council data on Friday. “Inside Out 2,” the sequel to the 2015 charming and intelligent journey through the emotions of adolescence, opened Wednesday. On Thursday, the movie attracted 135,782 moviegoers, bringing its accumulated admissions to 332,286 for two days. “Inside Out 2” centers on a now-teenaged Riley as her “mind headquarters

FilmJune 14, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Moxy Seoul Myeongdong presents new summer package ‘Summer Vibes’ Moxy Seoul Myeongdong, located in Jung-gu, central Seoul, offers “Summer Vibes” for its guests’ delightful stay filled with great benefits. This promotion includes a one-night stay in a queen (or double) bed, free welcome drinks, a breakfast buffet for two guests and South Korea’s popular “chimaek,” a combination of “chicken” and maekju (beer). Relaxing on picnic mats with

CultureJune 14, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Festivities on Jamsu Bridge Mark your calendar for festivities taking place on the Jamsu Bridge near Banpo Hangang Park every Sunday until June 23. Scheduled between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. are classical music concerts, food trucks and flea markets. Tents will be set up on the bridge overlooking the Han River, with spots open to those who make online reservations. A rainbow fountain show is also scheduled at night. For the latest schedule of festivities, visit festa-ddooddoo.com. Gwanghwamun f

TravelJune 14, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Wonderland” (South Korea) Opened June 5 Sci-fi/Drama Directed by Kim Tae-yong Wonderland, an artificial intelligence service that allows people to communicate with departed loved ones through simulated video calls, causes mixed emotions for Jeong-in (Suzy) as her comatose boyfriend Tae-joo (Park Bo-gum) wakes up. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (US) Opened May 22 Action/Sci-fi Directed by George Miller A young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy), left with only fury after her mother i

FilmJune 14, 2024

Late Lee Sun-kyun’s ‘Project Silence’ confirms July 12 opening

“Project Silence,” an action thriller by director Kim Tae-gon, confirmed its theatrical release on July 12, according to the movie’s distributor CJ ENM. The film revolves around a national security officer Jung-won (the late Lee Sun-kyun), who is stranded on a collapsed bridge shrouded in thick fog on his way to send off his daughter at the airport. Ju Ji-hoon appears as a tow truck driver Jo-bak, who appears on the scene to clear crashed cars from the bridge. Veteran actor Kim

FilmJune 13, 2024

Seoul Auction puts up luxury residential apartment for art auction

For the first time in South Korea’s art auction market, the residency of an apartment in a luxury complex in southern Seoul will go under the hammer, as the apartment is considered to have “artistic value,” according to Seoul Auction on Thursday. The Korean art auctioneer will put up residency rights for one of 73 apartments in The Palace 73 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The 385-square-meter studio’s interior design will be done by Meier Partners, the architectural firm founded b

Arts & DesignJune 13, 2024