A late start, but a quick jump to the top

Until high school, An Jae-yong, 26 and principal dancer at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, had never thought of becoming a ballerino.An was a student interested in many things. He liked sports, music, drawing and other activities.  Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s principal dancer An Jae-yong performs in the Jean-Christophe Maillot production of “Cinderella.” (Alice Blangero)He had many dreams. Once, he wanted to be a professional snowboarder, but decided to become a plastic surgeon after watching a doc

PerformanceApril 25, 2019

‘Avengers 4’ sets new first-day attendance record

The eagerly awaited “Avengers: Endgame” drew more than 1.27 million viewers on the first day of its release in South Korea to set a new record, data showed Wednesday.According to the data from the Korean Film Council, the US film set the new high as of 6:40 p.m., beating the previous record of 1.24 million posted by the Korean action fantasy “Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days” on Aug. 1 last year.The movie passed the 1 million mark at about 11:30 a.m., the fastest pace ever for a film shown

FilmApril 24, 2019

[Seoul Food Alley] Town dedicated to Korea’s all-time favorite snack

Seoul’s alleys are filled with eateries specializing 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. Tteokbokki (Lee So-jung / The Korea Herald)In the heart of Seoul there is a “town” for tteokbokki, the beloved finger-sized rice cakes stir-fried in a thick, fiery red sauce. Dubbed “Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town,” indicating its location near Si

FoodApril 24, 2019

[Herald Review] Avengers assemble for the glorious ‘Endgame’

My only real regret about “Avengers: Endgame” is that I watched it in a country where it is considered rude to burst into applause during a screening: There were several moments in this damn-near perfect film that deserved a standing ovation.The last installment in the “Infinity” saga -- the first 22 films about the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- was the sort of culmination that the final film in any series should be. It had the catharsis and the wistful and loving farewell of “The Lord of the Rin

FilmApril 24, 2019

17th century novel 'Hong Gil-dong jeon' written in Chinese characters discovered

A 17th century manuscript of "Hong Gil-dong jeon" written in Chinese characters has been found in a literary collection left by a civil official of the middle Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), a scholar said Wednesday."The Story of Hong Gil-dong," the first Chinese-character version that has been ever found, is different from the novel of the same name written in the Korean language, whose authorship is generally attributed to Heo Gyun (1569-1618), a radical intellectual. (Yonhap)Lee Yoon-suk, a forme

BooksApril 24, 2019

SSF entertains Seoul with classical music

For the next two weeks, the capital city will be filled with classical music as the Seoul Spring Festival returns. The 14th edition of the annual event began Tuesday and continues through May 4. Led by violinist Kang Dong-suk, the festival takes place this year in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province under the theme of “Music & Gastronomy.” Linking culinary culture with music, each performance features a theme related to gastronomy. For instance, performances are titled “Starter,” “Continental Cuisine,”

PerformanceApril 23, 2019

HHI Vice Chairman Kwon, ex-Ambassador Choi receive HUFS Awards

Hyundai Heavy Industries Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-gap and former Ambassador to the Netherlands Choi Jong-hyun were two alumni honored at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies’ 65th anniversary celebration Friday.Held at its campus in Seoul, the event celebrating HUFS’ founding involved an annual awards ceremony, the HUFS Awards, which recognizes notable alumni of the university. Kwon and Choi were this year’s recipients.  Kwon Oh-gap (left) and Choi Jong-hyun (HUFS)Kwon was noted for his contributio

PeopleApril 23, 2019

With new album, soprano Sumi Jo shares ode to ‘Mother’

Soprano Sumi Jo, a star in Korea’s classical music scene, recently released the album “Mother,” dedicated to her mom. The 57-year-old is one of the most beloved sopranos in Korea. She has won a Grammy award and released more than 40 albums across a wide spectrum of music since her debut in 1986 in Korea. “I dreamed of making an album for all the mothers in the world,” Jo said at a press conference held Tuesday at Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas.  Soprano Sumi Jo poses for photos during a pre

PerformanceApril 23, 2019

From Mickey Mouse to ‘Frozen,’ Disney animations embroider into exhibition

From Marvel Studios to Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm, it appears that nearly the entire entertainment world has fallen in rank under Mickey Mouse’s whiskers. But The Walt Disney Co.’s roots have always been in the beloved animations that Uncle Walt introduced to the world nearly a century ago, and a Seoul exhibition will commemorate that history. Visitors view “The Art of Disney: The Magic of Animation” exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)Until Aug. 18. Don

CultureApril 23, 2019

S. Korean studio receives best visual effects award at Beijing film fest

South Korean visual effects house Dexter Studios said Tuesday that it has received the best visual effects award for the Chinese blockbuster "The Wandering Earth" at the Beijing International Film Festival.The company scooped the prize jointly with other VFX studios behind the Chinese sci-fi movie, including More VFX and Pixomondo, during the closing ceremony of the eight-day festival Saturday. (Beijing International Film Festival)"We were credited with our VFX techniques in the Chinese film mar

FilmApril 23, 2019

Ed Sheeran rocks Incheon

After a nearly two-year delay, pop superstar Ed Sheeran finally took the stage in Korea on Sunday, electrifying 25,000 fans gathered at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon. He dove right in as the audience collectively felt pumped up. A wait sparked by a bicycle accident seemed to have only upped the anticipation, as fans appeared happy to see their hero.“It’s good to be back, thanks for having me!” Sheeran exclaimed after opening with his nostalgic number “Castle on the Hill.”He then went

PerformanceApril 23, 2019

BTS 'Boy with Luv' ranks 8th on Billboard singles chart

BTS' latest "Boy with Luv" clinched the eighth spot on Billboard's main singles chart, making it the highest-charted K-pop act ever, the US Billboard magazine said Tuesday."BTS' 'Boy With Luv,' featuring Halsey, vaults onto the Hot 100 at No. 8, marking the septet's second top 10 and the highest-charting entry for a K-pop group," it said. "It surpasses BTS' own 'Fake Love,' which debuted and peaked at No. 10 in June 2018.""Boy With Luv" is the main track of the group's new EP "Map of the Soul: P

PerformanceApril 23, 2019

TWICE expands to US cities with release of new album ‘Fancy You’

Chart-smashing K-pop girl band TWICE is gearing up for their first solo concerts in United States cities with the release of their new album, “Fancy You,” on Monday.　The six-track album marks a major stylistic change for the five-year-old girl group, whose shining and cheering music and dance have appealed widely to fans at home and abroad. 　TWICE was the first K-pop girl band to throw concerts at Japanese domes, which accommodated a total of about 50,000 fans in the neighboring country. (Yonhap

PerformanceApril 22, 2019

Asger Jorn’s avant-garde art practices showcased at MMCA

Detournement is a method of painting in which an artist takes an existing artwork and add elements to create something new. To Danish artist Asger Jorn, a master of the method, however, detournement is also his attitude toward the political, social and cultural circumstances of postwar Europe. By actively overriding existing artworks with bold and exuberant splashes of paint, Jorn has made new creations. In a way, the artist was devaluing the established form of art but also trying to create new

Arts & DesignApril 22, 2019

Bong Joon-ho’s new film ‘Parasite,’ Cannes nominee, to show extremes of Korean society

Film director Bong Joon-ho’s new work “Parasite,” slated to compete at Cannes this year, features two ordinary families in different situations. Bong’s new film has been included in the 2019 Cannes Film Festival’s feature selection, marking the director’s second time competing for the Palme d’Or, following “Okja” in 2017. “Parasite” (CJ ENM)Film director Bong Joon-ho speaks during a press conference for “Parasite,” held at The Westin Chosun Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap) Film director Bong Joon-ho sp

FilmApril 22, 2019

Culture minister mulls screen quota for independent films

Culture Minister Park Yang-woo on Monday said the government is considering steps to prevent blockbuster films from monopolizing screens.Park, who took helm of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism earlier this month, emphasized the importance of producing and screening diverse movies.“From a long-term perspective, it is essential to have variety in films. In order for Korean films to grow in the international market, many different types of quality films should be produced,” Park said dur

CultureApril 22, 2019

BTS becomes 1st band since Beatles to score 3 Billboard No. 1 albums in single year

K-pop boy band BTS has scored its third No. 1 on the main Billboard 200 album chart, becoming the first group since the Beatles to earn three No. 1s in less than a year, Billboard said."Map of the Soul: Persona," BTS' latest seven-track album released April 12, debuted atop the Billboard 200 for the week of April 27, the website of the music magazine said Sunday (US time), officially confirming the result after it reported last week that the band was "bound for No. 1."In the week ending April 19

PerformanceApril 22, 2019

[Herald Interview] Diminutive ‘Kids Creators’ inject fresh perspective into YouTube

Twenty years ago, celebrity and K-pop idol crept up the list of dream jobs for children in Korea – a list formerly occupied by doctor, scholar, politician or government official. What followed were a flood of TV talent shows and reality programs on youth aspiring for the limelight. Recent surveys suggest the times are changing once more, as children are opting to perform in front of the much smaller camera of a personal computer as a YouTuber, or as it is more commonly known here, “YouTube Cr

PeopleApril 21, 2019

Visit Buddhist temples via bus at discounted price

As part of the promotion for its Templestay programs – one- and two-day events featuring hands-on programs related to Buddhism and the related culture – the Korean Buddhist Cultural Foundation is launching special packages that include transportation options. As Korean temples are often located at remote mountains, it is often not easy for individuals, including foreign tourists, to visit the establishments on foot or by public transportation. Taking note of the situation, the foundation, in cha

TravelApril 21, 2019

BTS becomes first Korean artists to top British chart

K-pop sensations BTS has topped the British chart with its new album, becoming the first South Korean artists to do so.The new album “Map of the Soul: Persona” landed at the top with 26,500 combined sales on Friday (local time), the Official Charts Co. said.The album's main track, “Boy With Luv,” is also the band’s first ever British Top 15 single, charting at number 13 on Friday, it said. (Yonhap)“Map of The Soul: Persona” is BTS‘ fourth collection to chart in the UK Top 40, following their thr

PerformanceApril 20, 2019