Hallyu gains steam with exports rising 9.1% in 2018

Hallyu continues to have a positive impact on the economy with related exports rising 9.1 percent in 2018, according to a recent Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange report.The report looked into Hallyu’s direct and indirect impact on the economy, particularly in exports. It estimates that Hallyu exports accounted for $9.48 billion in 2018. Of the total Hallyu exports, cultural contents such as games, music and films accounted for $4.42 billion.In 2018, the total value of Hallyu

CultureMay 3, 2019

[Weekender] Where to picnic in Seoul

Spring is upon us, which means the picnic season is here. Seoul has its fair share of greenery, and below are some of the most frequented parks for spring outings in the city. Yeouido ParkYeouido Park (Kim Arin/The Korea Herald)Yeouido Park (Kim Arin/The Korea Herald)Yeouido Park is a gigantic municipal park in central Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu. The park, which sits in the center of the island, divides Yeouido’s east and west areas. Originally built as an airfield during the Japanese colonial era

CultureMay 3, 2019

[Eye Plus] A patriot’s legacy

In Apgujeong, Seoul’s southern mecca of high fashion, fine dining and plastic surgery, lies the tomb of Ahn Chang-ho (1878-1938), a legendary freedom fighter from the Japanese occupation of Korea. Named Dosan Park after his pen name Dosan, it has the tombs of Ahn and his wife Lee Hye-reon, a memorial hall and some statues across its 29,974 square meters. The memorial hall features a collection of photos, handwritten letters and journals of Ahn, along with historic documents that shed light on hi

TravelMay 3, 2019

New spot, new dessert, fresh vibes at Happy Happy Cake

When pastry chef and owner Kim Min-jung expanded Happy Happy Cake to Seoul’s Nonhyeon-dong, she wanted to create a new cake for the new location. Kim looked for an ingredient she had not used before and settled on one that would be familiar to everyone. “We eat rice every day,” she explained why she focused one of the most basic and essential staples of the Korean diet. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)Rice, Kim discovered, proved challenging to work with.“It was harder than we thought because ri

FoodMay 3, 2019

[Weekender] Back in the day: Sweet memories of picnics

In South Korea, spring outings are a grand, communal affair that bring people together. Schools, churches, companies and various social clubs and communities start planning way before spring arrives. It is one of the biggest annual events. The culture of grand picnicking can be traced back to “hwajeon nori” during the Joseon era (1392-1910) -- a picnic enjoyed mostly by women on the third day of the third lunar month. “Young Joseon wives would travel to an attractive outdoor site and pitch a ten

CultureMay 3, 2019

[Weekender] Picnic rentals: Skip the hassle, enjoy the season

Sometimes, the best picnics happen on the spur of the moment. And South Korea’s thriving picnic rental services, conveniently clustered near popular destinations, make last-minute outings a breeze. You can have a perfect day out in the sun, without the early-morning packing hassle that exhausts you even before setting off or shelling out on fancy picnic gear you may only use once or twice a year. Rent the shade Camping has become commonplace in Seoul, especially in parks along the Han River that

CultureMay 3, 2019

All eyes on BTS as the group bags two awards at BBMAs

In another sign of its success, BTS took home two awards and rocked the stage to a cheering crowd at this year’s Billboard Music Awards.From winning top duo/group and top social artist and sitting in the front row to being the second to last act to perform, the group was front and center at the awards show, which took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday night (US time).(Yonhap-UPI)The band’s leader RM said, “Thank you, Army. Still can’t believe we’re here on this stage

TelevisionMay 2, 2019

[Herald Interview] Artistry of movie makeup

Film makeup artist Cho Tae-hee shares stories on his work, ambition to shake up the industry Being a makeup artist for movies takes on a multitude of challenges -- one has to create the perfect look that reflects a character’s personal traits, yet does not leave any impression. “I have to make sure that (the audience) is not aware of the makeup. If the makeup, a costume or a scar lingers in their memories, I feel like I’ve caused trouble for the film. The best makeup is one that is absorbed by t

PeopleMay 2, 2019

Into wetlands of Suncheon Bay, onto garden of Korea

SUNCHEON, South Jeolla Province -- Stepping off the KTX, I was welcomed by light drizzle and clouded skies in Suncheon, a city on the southwestern coast of the peninsula. It was perhaps a befiting first impression of a city that holds the record, set in 1998, for the most rainfall in one hour -- a whopping 145 millimeters.Then again, the wet was what created the beautiful natural environment that makes the South Jeolla Province city such a worthwhile place to visit: from the botanical life and t

TravelMay 2, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Spring on Spoon festival in EverlandHappy May in Coex Aquarium Coex Aquarium is holding themed events in May, including a photo event, face painting and other activities for children.Throughout the month, a photo event with characters from the popular children’s TV series “The Octonauts” is being held from noon to 4 p.m. On Children’s Day, May 5, special booklets on the adventures of Octonauts will be provided to the first 100 children to visit the aquarium.A face painting event is being held at

TravelMay 2, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Avengers: Endgame(US)Opened April 24Action, Adventure, FantasyDirected by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo After the devastating events of last year’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe. Inseparable Bros(Korea)Opened May 1Drama, ComedyDirected by Yook Sang-hoSe-ha (Shin Ha-kyun) possesses a sharp mind but cannot go anywhere without Dong-gu (Lee Kwang-soo), who is

FilmMay 2, 2019

Sibelius expert becomes SPO’s new music director

Conductor Osmo Vanska, who specializes in Sibelius, has been appointed as music director of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, ending the orchestra’s four-year leadership vacancy.SPO CEO Kang Eun-kyung revealed the appointment -- made after a three-year screening process -- at a press conference Thursday to mark the one-year anniversary since she took office. “I had the confidence that Vanska is the person that the SPO needs, seeing the devotion he had shown to the orchestras he worked with. The

PerformanceMay 2, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Discovering Gongdeok Market’s ‘food alleys’

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries that specialize in particular dishes. The Korea Herald takes you on a foodie trip to narrow alleys where decades-old establishments beckon diners with their secret recipes, often handed down through generations. -- Ed.Gongdeok-dong, situated in western Seoul, is a neighborhood where diverse groups mix -- office workers, residents and foreign tourists too.It also is home to the nearly century-old Gongdeok Market, where a wide variety of products from grocer

FoodMay 2, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Barbecue night at JW Marriott SeoulJW Marriott Seoul’s The Margaux Grill presents the Grill in the Secret Garden promotion. The promotion allows diners to enjoy barbecue while listening to live jazz. Salad and appetizers are to be served on an unlimited basis. Freshly cooked foods will be passed around and the Surf & Turf plate will be served at each table. Rotisserie and carving stations will be prepared, too. A cocktail will be provided for each person. The meal costs 140,000 won per person an

FoodMay 2, 2019

BTS wins two prizes at Billboard Music Awards

K-pop boy band BTS lifted two prizes at this year's Billboard Music Awards, including the competitive Top Duo/Group award.The septet won Top Duo/Group and Top Social Artist in the 2019 BBMA at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday (US time). It was BTS' third consecutive win in the fan-voted Top Social Artist category.  (Yonhap)With the victories, BTS became the first Korean act to win more than one honor at the annual event.The South Korean band competed with four other groups --

PerformanceMay 2, 2019

BTS wins third Top Social Artist prize at Billboard Music Awards

K-pop boy band BTS won the Top Social Artist award at this year's Billboard Music Awards, their third consecutive victory in the category.American rapper and radio personality Sway Calloway broke the news during his red carpet interview with the band ahead of the award event held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday (US time)."In addition to Top Duo/Group, you guys are also up for Top Social Artist, which you have won in the last two years in a row," Calloway told the seven me

PerformanceMay 2, 2019

Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja wins grand prize at Baeksang Awards

Veteran actress Kim Hye-ja won the grand prize in the television category at this year's Baeksang Arts Awards on Wednesday for her work in the time travel drama "Radiant."It is the fourth time that the 77-year old has clinched Baeksang's highest honor. She first won the award in 1979. (Yonhap)In the drama that aired in February, Kim played the part of a woman who loses her youth and travels through time to meet a man who throws away the brightest days of his life by living a listless life. She s

TelevisionMay 2, 2019

‘The Security Has Been Improved’ examines surveillance

Constant surveillance has become a reality, not unlike the 1998 film “Truman Show,” in which thousands of hidden cameras track and broadcast every minute of the life of insurance salesman Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), unbeknownst to him.The difference is we are aware of it, but there is no escape. A person living in Korea’s metropolitan area is captured by surveillance cameras every nine seconds while walking down a street. This happens on average 83.1 times a day, according to recent National Hu

Arts & DesignMay 1, 2019

K-pop to be performed at Lincoln Center

K-pop music is headed to New York’s Lincoln Center, where it will be performed by an orchestra. An orchestral concert exploring Korean popular music over the past century will be held at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on June 20. According to the Korean Cultural Center in New York on Wednesday, the orchestral pieces will be performed by a 50-piece orchestra composed mainly of students from the Juilliard School. (AP)The upcoming event, titled “K-Factor,” will showcase orchestral versions o

PerformanceMay 1, 2019

[Graphic News] No. of foreign tourists to S. Korea up 12.4%

　The number of foreigners who arrived in South Korea jumped by 12.4 percent in March from a year earlier due to higher numbers of Chinese and Japanese tourists on incentive tours, the local tourism promotion agency said.　A total of 1.54 million foreigners arrived here last month, compared with 1.36 million a year ago, according to the Korea Tourism Organization.　The number of Chinese tourists shot up 20.9 percent last month from a year earlier to some 488,000, due to an increase in both independ

TravelApril 30, 2019