More TV producers appear in front of camera, star in own shows

More TV producers are appearing in front of the camera and gaining popularity as they take a more active role, rather than remaining behind the scenes. From star producer Na Young-seok, who runs his show on Channel Fullmoon on YouTube, to the latest EBS show "PD Log," TV producers are embracing new roles as emcees or guests to add to the entertainment value. In "Earth Arcade's Vroom Vroom" on tvN, Na entertains viewers by teasing the cast when they fail to win a game in

TelevisionJune 11, 2024

Qatar, Venice forge collaboration, resume direct flights

VENICE, Italy -- Qatar Museums and the municipality of Venice have agreed to strengthen collaboration in cultural and socioeconomic fields during the Venice Biennale 2024, where Qatar Museums unveiled its first major exhibition in the floating city. The protocol of cooperation between the two entities was announced Friday, coinciding with the 60th Venice Biennale that opened April 20 and runs through Nov. 24 under the theme of "Foreigners Everywhere." Qatar Museums, the country'

Arts & DesignJune 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] ‘World Dice Tour’ applies YouTube formula to reality TV: producer

“World Dice Tour,” one of ENA's most successful shows to date, ended the seventh and last episode of its second season Saturday. In addition to airing every Saturday on the airwaves, each episode of “World Dice Tour” has been released in an edited version via YouTube every Thursday. It has recorded a cumulative 24 million views on the video-sharing platform, reaching new highs in viewer count with each new episode released. The show has also been sold to 115 countrie

TelevisionJune 10, 2024

Once bunker, museum storage opens to public

It had been a bunker for 21 years beginning in 1962, then served as museum storage. It took another 22 years for the National Palace Museum of Korea to claim the 19-room storage space in the heart of Seoul in 2005. The underground facility beneath Gyeongbokgung, the main palace from the Joseon era (1392-1910), has in place highly sophisticated conservation technologies as well as strict protocols for entry, an NPMK official said during a media tour Wednesday, as reporters put on masks and covere

Arts & DesignJune 10, 2024

[From the Scene] Rain couldn't dampen spirits at Busan International Dance Festival

BUSAN -- Despite unexpected rain and a shifting schedule, the Busan International Dance Festival wrapped up its vibrant three-day celebration Sunday, showcasing a rich tapestry of performances from around the globe in the southeastern city. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the festival offered a unique experience in seeing dancers perform on an outdoor stage next to the sea. As rain poured on Saturday, the festival’s official program at the Haeundae Beach Special Stage had to be

PerformanceJune 10, 2024

Hybe to launch creator-fan platform ‘Theus’

Binary Korea, a subsidiary of K-pop powerhouse Hybe, will officially launch the country’s first creator fandom platform, “Theus,” on June 22, the company said Monday. Theus aims to be the "one and only playground where creators and fandom gather," providing an environment for creators to communicate with fans actively. Dedicated "spaces" are available for each creator, allowing them to upload their content, interact with fans and conduct various events to

CultureJune 10, 2024

'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae accused of unfairly trying to take over management rights

Actor Lee Jung-jae has been accused of attempting to unfairly seize management rights over RaemongRaein, the Korean drama production company responsible for producing series such as "Maestra" (2023) and "Reborn Rich" (2022). Kim Dong-rae, the head of RaemongRaein, said via a press release on Monday that Artist United, a company in which Lee stands as the largest stakeholder, has been unjustly pushing RaemongRaein to convene an extraordinary general meeting in a bid to replace

CultureJune 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] Malaysian TikToker bridges Korean culture, language for global audiences

Nura Ezzatie, a 32-year-old TikTok content creator from Malaysia, speaks fluent Korean even though she has never lived in Korea. Now others -- like the 189,300 followers of her TikTok channel @nuraezzatie -- can learn practical Korean skills from her videos. Ezzatie’s journey into the world of Korean language and culture started with her love for K-pop boy band Super Junior. “In 2010, I decided to learn Korean because I wanted to understand the variety shows that Super Junior was on.

CultureJune 10, 2024

[Herald Review] Lim Yunchan electrifies with 'Pictures at an exhibition'

Kicking off his much-anticipated recital tour in South Korea, pianist Lim Yunchan on Friday dispersed any concerns about his change in repertoire only about six weeks ago. He was originally supposed to perform Chopin’s Etudes, from his debut album with Decca, along with Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words in E major, Op. 19-1, and Songs Without Words in D major, Op. 85-4, followed by Tchaikovsky's "The Seasons," Op. 37b. With the release of the album in April, many of h

CultureJune 9, 2024

Kim Tschang-yeul's water droplets still resonate today

Korean art master Kim Tschang-yeul is known for paintings of water droplets, depicted so delicately and minutely that they seem real. His enthusiasm for painting water droplets began in 1971 and continued until his death in 2021 at the age of 91. The exhibition “Beyond Iridescence” at Gallery Hyundai in Seoul pays tribute to the artist in commemoration of the third anniversary of his death. The gallery had a long relationship with the artist starting from his early years. The exhibit

Arts & DesignJune 9, 2024

Korea Heritage Agency to adopt AI chatbot

The Korea Heritage Agency will start integrating artificial intelligence to streamline its internal work process through a chatbot service, it said Sunday. The change comes after the agency, which helps the Korea Heritage Service with heritage management, became the recipient of government funding of up to 200 million won ($145,000) this year. The agency said the fund will be used to streamline the way information is accessed. “Chatbots will boost our productivity and they can be utilized

CultureJune 9, 2024

[Herald Interview] ‘Sincere commitment’ will pay off big: Songzio CEO

Never has Korean culture been in such limelight as today. From K-pop to K-drama and Korean food, aspects of Korean culture are winning over global audiences eager for something different. Fashion can ride the momentum, so long as designers focus not only on creativity and quality but also on “sincerely committing to fashion,” according to Jay Song, CEO and creative director of Songzio -- a South Korean fashion house known for its avant-garde menswear. “Sincerely committing to t

Arts & DesignJune 9, 2024

Sci-fi drama, thriller, occult comedy films coming to cinema in June

Three movies of distinctive genres are coming to the cinema in June, in the hope of gaining attraction by avoiding the summer blockbuster season which falls in July and August. On June 5, director Kim Tae-yong’s sci-fi drama flick “Wonderland” hit local theaters. After his romance drama “Late Autumn” (2010), he has returned with a cast as impressive as his previous feature film. “Wonderland,” starring Tang Wei, Suzy, Park Bo-gum, Jung Yu-mi and Choi Woo-

FilmJune 9, 2024

Seongsu ‘jazz kissa’ Kataomoi finds right blend of music, cocktails

Western Seoul’s district of Seongsu-dong sees new restaurants and bars open every week. The area undoubtedly boasts one of the most vibrant and unique nightlife scenes in Seoul. Located in a small alley close to Ttukseom Station on Subway Line No. 2, Kataomoi mimics a “jazz kissa” -- niche Japanese cafes stocked with whisky, vinyl and high-end audio systems. Jang Yoon-su, owner of Kataomoi, opened the place last year after quitting his 12-year career as an office worker at a lo

FoodJune 9, 2024

[New in Korean] Time-slip fantasy explores love, friendship and choices

"Shaker" By Lee Hee-young Rabbit Hole Bestselling author Lee Hee-young of "Paint," which sold over 400,000 copies, has released has released "Shaker," a time-slip fantasy. "Shaker" follows 32-year-old Na-woo, who, after a fateful encounter with a stray cat, finds himself reliving the most painful memory of his 19-year-old self. The unexpected plunge 13 years into the past sets the stage for a poignant exploration of love, friendship and consequences. Na-wo

BooksJune 9, 2024

[New in Korean] Space opera romance set against looming war

"The Proposal" By Bae Myung-hoon Book House A leading voice in the Korean science fiction scene, author Bae Myung-hoon has revised his 2013 novella “The Proposal” after 11 years. In an extensive revision, the author rewrote almost every sentence, updating descriptions and expressions to align with contemporary sensibilities. The book comprises 12 intimate letters sent by the narrator, "I," who is a space-born operations officer serving in the army near Jupiter, 18

BooksJune 8, 2024

Tired of city life? Find solace in Seolmaejae Forest

YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province -- Hoping for some respite from urban life, many Seoulites choose to spend their precious weekends relaxing with their families and friends a little way from the city. Many cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, especially, have long been popular weekend getaway spots for their ease of access from the capital, and the serene atmosphere created by the countryside. Yangpyeong, among many others, beckons travelers, cyclists, runners and sports lovers with its cycle

TravelJune 8, 2024

Seoul to limit operation of 4-wheel bikes to prevent accidents

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday announced a series of safety measures concerning the rental and riding of four-wheel bicycles, which include limiting the areas where they can be operated, reducing the number of bikes and allowing only adults to rent the foot-powered vehicles. The city government in March kicked off test operations renting out 90 four-wheelers at parks along the Han River. Fifteen of these bikes were stationed at each of Banpo Hangang Park and Ttukseom Hangang Park,

TravelJune 8, 2024

[New in Korean] What if AI learns the most primal evils

"Anti Sapiens" By Lee Jung-myung EunHaengNaMu Publishing Eight years ago, during the historic Baduk, also known as Go, match between Lee Se-dol and AlphaGo, developed by DeepMind Technologies, what caught Lee Jung-myung’s attention was Aja Huang, then the lead programmer at DeepMind, who physically placed AlphaGo’s moves on the board. Observing Huang, who faithfully carried out the AI's moves, Lee wondered if humanity might become like that. Set in the near future, &ld

BooksJune 8, 2024

[Herald Review] Lee shines as warmhearted Jedi in action-packed 'The Acolyte'

The latest series in the "Star Wars" universe, "The Acolyte" boasts convincing acting by "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae, who portrays an unconventionally emotional and warmhearted Jedi. The series is also rife with meticulously choreographed action sequences that dynamically blends martial arts with the use of the Force. The eight-part series, set a century before "Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace," follows the story of Osha (Amandla Stenberg), w

TelevisionJune 7, 2024