'Avengers: Endgame' breaks ticket presales record in S. Korea

Advance sales of tickets for the upcoming Marvel film "Avengers: Endgame" reached 1.23 million on Friday, setting a new record for advance box office sales in South Korea, according to data by the Korean Film Council.Presales of tickets for the final "Avengers" flick, set to hit local screens on Wednesday, reached 1,230,181 as of 4:21 p.m., the real-time data showed. At that moment, the superhero film accounted for 92.1 percent of all the tickets sold in advance.The presales figure marks a new r

FilmApril 19, 2019

Award-winning author Han Kang to contribute writing to foreign art project

International award-winning South Korean author Han Kang has been named the fifth author in a Norwegian government-sponsored project to collect the works of 100 renowned writers, one author a year, and publish them in 2114, Seoul's embassy in Oslo said Friday.Han, a 2016 Man Booker International Prize winner for her novel "The Vegetarian," is also the first Asian writer to be selected as a contributor to the Future Library project, which aims to connect current and future generations through wri

PeopleApril 19, 2019

[Eye Plus] Paradise for music players

In Seoul, there is a paradise for music players.Nakwon Instrument Arcade, otherwise known as Nakwon Music Mall, is a one-stop shopping center of over 300 independent music stores -- selling virtually everything related to music.  (Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)Located in the vicinity of the tourist-heavy Insa-dong and currently Seoul’s hippest street Ikseon-dong, this shop cluster occupies the second and third floors of Nagwon building, which also houses eateries, practice rooms, a concert st

PerformanceApril 19, 2019

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Birthday (Korea)Opened April 3DramaDirected by Lee Jeong-eonJeong-il (Sol Kyung-gu), Sun-nam (Jeon Do-yeon) and their daughter Ye-sol (Kim Bo-min) have to cope with life without Su-ho (Yoon Chan-Young), as the boy died in the 2014 Sewol tragedy. On Su-ho’s birthday, the family and friends gather to share special memories.Another Child (Korea)Opened April 11DramaDirected by Kim Yoon-seokSeventeen-year-old Ju-ri (Kim Hye-jun) struggles with the knowledge of her father Kwon Dae-won (Kim) having an

FilmApril 19, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Back to ’80s at Seoul Dragon City Seoul Dragon City will launch Newtro Night party at its lounge bar King’s Vacation on April 26. Newtro is a compound word of “new” and “retro,” referring to retro-inspired trends of now. For the party, the lounge bar will be decorated under a retro-mood. The music playlist will be filled with tracks from the ’80s and ’90s. The dress code is, of course, retro and the staff members will be dressed in a similar manner. The party will go on from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. A D

FoodApril 19, 2019

Massive shrimp burgers at Zesty Saloon

On weekdays, there are only 30, and on weekends, there are only 50 shrimp burgers sold daily at Zesty Saloon, a new hangout that opened in Seoul’s Seongsu-dong in March. “We make our patties with just shrimp,” said Zesty Saloon CEO Yang Jun-hwan, 34.  Zesty Saloon sells burgers and tater tots from its perch near Seoul Forest. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)After making the shrimp patties, Yang and his team lightly coat them with bread crumbs before frying them to a golden crisp and topping them

FoodApril 19, 2019

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Hanbok for foreigners at Coex AquariumCoex Aquarium is holding an event where foreign visitors can try on hanbok, free of charge. The event is held from Monday through Friday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Garden of Korea in the aquarium. It is a year-round event that is available exclusively to foreigners.Hanbok is the Korean traditional clothing, and garments available at the event are styled after those worn by royals of Joseon era.For more information on Coex Aquarium in Korean, English, Chines

TravelApril 19, 2019

Journeying across scattered islands off Taean

The West Sea is famous for islands scattered across the coast, like breadcrumbs enticing seagulls. The 114 islands off the coast of Taean-gun, South Chungcheong Province, are a typical example. Featuring a natural habitat that has remained free from human touch for the most part, each island boasts its own unique characteristics. There is no train connection, so visitors have to either drive or take a bus to the coastal town. If you are traveling from Seoul, buses are available at the Central Ci

TravelApril 19, 2019

[Weekender] ASMR, the art of anti-stimulation

Technology is taking its toll on the digital generation, evidenced in the rise of ASMR, or particular videos designed for listening. ASMR -- autonomous sensory meridian response -- is a relatively new internet phenomenon for disconnecting in an increasingly hyperconnected world. With ASMR, listeners are not looking to be entertained. They want to be sedated. It’s the art of anti-stimulation.　　 This image shows screenshots of some of the more popular ASMR videos on YouTube. One ASMR content creat

CultureApril 19, 2019

BTS breaks its own record for highest first-week album sales with 'Map of the Soul: Persona'

K-pop sensations BTS sold more than 2.13 million copies of their new album, "Map of the Soul: Persona," in the first week of the album's release, setting a new record of highest first-week record sales, the band's management agency said Friday.The new album sold 2,130,480 copies in the seven days since its release last Friday, Big Hit Entertainment said, quoting figures from local chart compiler Hanteo. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)This makes "Map of the Soul: Persona" the highest-selling K-pop al

PerformanceApril 19, 2019

[Video] Sound is universal language: ASMR creator Miniyu

Yu Min-jung, a YouTuber specializing in spine-tingling ASMR videos, changes her role once or twice a week. From a late-night barber to a dermatologist, then from a scalp therapist to a caring friend removing makeup from a roommate’s face -- Yu becomes a “healer” for those craving sounds of comfort. Believed to be the first to make a Korean ASMR channel, Yu has been working as a full-time creator for almost five years now. Her channel -- Miniyu -- has 500,000 subscribers and her most watched vide

PeopleApril 19, 2019

[Weekender] ASMR: The feel-good world made of unexpected sounds

If you haven’t heard of ASMR, believe us, it is huge. On YouTube, videos of people whispering in their microphone, or creating certain sounds that are supposed to trigger an “autonomous sensory meridian response” -- a tingling sensation that typically starts from your scalp and moves down your spine -- are aplenty. And they are being watched tens of millions of times globally.  (Illustration by Nam Kyung-don)In South Korea, never too far behind a global trend, ASMR has really caught on recently.

CultureApril 19, 2019

Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' chosen for competition in Cannes

The Cannes Film Festival on Thursday announced the feature selection for the 2019 competition, which includes South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite."    It is Bong's second time competing for the Palme d'Or, or Golden Palm, following the selection of his adventure film "Okja" in 2017. "Parasite" (CJ ENM)    It is also the fourth consecutive year that a South Korean film has been chosen to compete in the international film festival, following Park Chan-wook's "The Handmaiden" in 2016 and

FilmApril 18, 2019

[Graphic News] From BTS to BoA, a look back on K-pop acts ons Billboard 200

　BTS is set to make history as the boy band is on course to have its third No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 album chart for the week ending April 27.　While the group’s “Map of the Soul: Persona” is the latest K-pop record to top the high-profile chart, it’s worth nothing there were other South Korean artists who had a crack at the US market and left their mark.　In 2009, BoA became the first K-pop singer to enter Billboard’s albums chart with her self-titled US debut album, which peaked at No. 12

PerformanceApril 18, 2019

Royal Culture Festival to add color to Seoul’s palaces

During the 2019 Royal Culture Festival, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of the lifestyles of Joseon royals at Seoul’s five historic palaces. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Wednesday it will be hosting the annual festival under the theme of “Today, We Meet the Palace” from April 27 to May 7 at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. This is the first time that Gyeonghuigung has been included in the event. Various programs and activities

CultureApril 18, 2019

Mindful relaxation at Museum San

WONJU, Gangwon Province -- Located in the high mountain valleys of Gangwon Province, Museum San offers more than just art. It also invites visitors to experience its verdant natural surroundings. A recent change to the museum may motivate more visitors to embark on the two-hour drive from central Seoul -- a new meditation hall designed by the famed Japanese architect Tadao Ando has finally opened.Ando, who also designed the 72,172-square-meter museum, was commissioned to design the new hall to m

Arts & DesignApril 18, 2019

BTS ranked among Time's 100 Most Influential of 2019

South Korean K-pop group BTS has been ranked among Time magazine's 100 most influential people of 2019.The seven-member band, whose albums have topped Billboard music charts, appeared on the annual list unveiled Wednesday on the magazine’s website.By category, BTS was among the 17 artists of 2019. The other four groups were called pioneers, leaders, titans and icons.(Time Megazine)“Over the past few years, the K-pop group has taken the music industry by storm -- shattering sales records, gatheri

PeopleApril 18, 2019

Highlight's Lee Gi-kwang to start mandatory military service

South Korean boy band Highlight's Lee Gi-kwang will begin his military service Thursday, his management agency said.The singer will undergo a four-week basic training in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, and then he will be assigned to a police unit, according to Around Us Entertainment. (Yonhap)Lee plans to unveil a two-track digital single album Thursday afternoon to say goodbye to his fans."I've been so happy for the past 10 years because of you," he said through a handwritten letter releas

PerformanceApril 18, 2019

MoMA’s expansion to allow for greater diversity

The Museum of Modern Art in New York will become a test bed for artists, curators, critics and experts looking to find the museum of the future.“My goal is to finish this project and then to see it as a platform for a whole new level of activity on the part of the museum. Building projects are not an end unto themselves. They are means of beginning a new chapter in the life of the institution,” said MoMa Director Glenn Lowry during an interview with The Korea Herald at Hyundai Card Understage in

Arts & DesignApril 17, 2019

BTS returns with new chart-topping album in ode to fans

Having made an incredible splash on the music scene with the new chart-topping album “Map of the Soul: Persona,” BTS wants to delve into the power of love, which is what catapulted the band to global stardom, the band said Wednesday. At a global press conference livestreamed on YouTube, the septet talked about their new music, their collaboration with pop heavyweights Halsey and Ed Sheeran, their upcoming sold-out stadium concerts, their recent “Saturday Night Live” appearance and the weight of

PerformanceApril 17, 2019