[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Everland Tulip FestivalEverland hosts the Tulip Festival to mark the onset of spring from March 16 to April 28.The themed garden features sculptures and paths adorned with beautiful spring flowers, with one of the photo zones featuring the 26-meter-tall Flower Magic Tower. As night falls, the unique LED Musical Rose Garden can be enjoyed, where LED roses are lit in various colors, accompanied with dynamic background music.Refer to the official website -- www.everland.com -- for more information

TravelMarch 14, 2019

[Weekender] Itaewon’s identity wanes in the wake of gentrification

Late on a Saturday afternoon, Itaewon was nothing like the way it is described in most Seoul tourism books. People could be seen walking down the street in sparse numbers. Stores were almost empty. Some had gone out of business and displayed “for rent” signs in their windows. Granted, this neighborhood is better known for its nightlife, but it was too quiet for a place once known as a “magnet” for expats and locals alike. An owner of a souvenir shop on the neighborhood’s main street told The Kor

CultureMarch 14, 2019

[Around the Hotels] Packages and promotions

Weekday dining at JW Marriott DongdaemunJW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul offers benefits for diners who visit the hotel’s restaurants on weekdays. BLT Steak provides truffle-flavored french fries and a glass of rose wine to guests who order dry-aged steak during the week. All-day dining restaurant Tavolo 24 has corkage-free days from Monday through Wednesday, for up to one bottle of wine per table. For more information or reservations, call BLT Steak at (02) 2276-3330 or Tavolo 24 at (02) 227

FoodMarch 14, 2019

Traditional Korean booze receives hip makeover

Amid the growing trend toward drinking less but better, traditional Korean liquor makers are churning out trendier drinking options. Traditional booze, long overshadowed by soju and beer, is evolving to cater to a new group of alcohol consumers, who rather than binge drinking, savor each sip. Premium rice wine in the house The drinking less but better trend is reflected in the neologism “mak-pagne,” a compound word made up of makgeolli and champagne, referring to champagne-like traditional rice

FoodMarch 14, 2019

Learning from our forebears

Learning from history is important, we say. For Pyo Jae-du, the word “history” here is not limited to major historical events. It includes our forebears’ attitude toward life. Pyo, a former reporter of The Korea Herald, released a book titled “Historical Stories from Forebears” (unofficial translation) in March.  “Historical Stories from Forbearers” Writer Pyo Jae-duIn the 302-page book, Pyo looks into life of our forbears from Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392) to Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Rather than

BooksMarch 14, 2019

[Herald Interview] Chef Akira comes back to Seoul

A Korean-American chef, charged with adventurous energy, has made his way back home.Michelin-starred chef Akira Back (whose Korean name is Back Seung-wook), 45, running his own namesake restaurant brand across the world, added one more Seoul eatery to his impressive portfolio, recently opening a new Akira Back restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. Chef Akira Back speaks during an interview with The Korea Herald at his new namesake restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on March 7. (Park Hyun-k

FoodMarch 14, 2019

BTS to world premiere new album on SNL next month

K-pop sensation BTS will premiere its upcoming album "Map of the Soul: Persona" on the famous American live television variety show "Saturday Night Live" next month, its management agency said Thursday.BTS will appear on the NBC comedy show on April 13 to present live the music and performances off the new album to the international audience, Big Hit Entertainment said. SNL earlier announced the lineup on its SNS accounts, listing BTS and Emma Stone for the April 13 episode. The K-pop septet wil

PerformanceMarch 14, 2019

Preservation, promotion of cultural heritage among key plans for S. Korea

The Cultural Heritage Administration on Wednesday laid out its plan for the year, centered on strategic goals of preserving and promoting the country’s legacy here and abroad to create jobs and boost local tourism.Other goals for the state-run agency includes making headway in plans for inter-Korea archaeological excavation and research of ancient Korean kingdoms based in territory currently occupied by North Korea.In a press briefing, the state-run agency said it plans to improve the repair and

CultureMarch 13, 2019

YG ends contract with BIGBANG's Seungri in wake of scandal

The management agency of K-pop band BIGBANG on Wednesday ended its contract with Seungri, a scandal-ridden star who is under probe for allegedly arranging sexual services for potential investors. The company, YG Entertainment, also apologized to the public for failing to properly manage the 29-year-old singer, who announced Monday he will retire from show business. (Yonhap)"We deeply apologize to fans and many people for causing concerns," YG said. "Following Seungri's announcement that he will

PerformanceMarch 13, 2019

Korean writer on long list for Man Booker Int’l Prize

Novelist Hwang Sok-yong, one of the most acclaimed writers in South Korea today, has been long-listed for the 2019 Man Booker International Prize for “At Dusk.”On Wednesday, the Man Booker International Prize released the list of contenders for 2019. This year, a panel of five judges considered 108 novels and selected 12.  Novelist Hwang Sok-yong (Yonhap)Originally published in Korean in 2015, “At Dusk” centers on a successful Korean architect looking back on his life and a young theater actor w

BooksMarch 13, 2019

Le Cordon Bleu-Sookmyung Academy invites high school students to mark Gout de France

On March 21, chefs from around the world will work to create a French-style dinner for the Gout de France/Good France celebration. The event, now in its fifth edition, aims to promote French gastronomy to the world. Launched in 2015 by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, French Embassies all over the world organize the event in their respective residing nations.  High school students sit down to a traditional French dinner at Le Cordon Bleu-Sookmyung Academy. (L

PeopleMarch 13, 2019

Yang Jung-uk is a storyteller

Born in 1982, Yang Jung-uk is an artist loaded with stories that have become ingredients for his works of art. Yang does not borrow from a grand scheme of discourse or critical theories distant from himself. Instead, the artist makes full use of details collected throughout his life.“Scenery of Dialogue No. 2: Speaking of Something When the Sun Goes Down” (2018) by artist Yang Jung-uk (Gallery Hyundai)Yang is holding an exhibition at Gallery Hyundai that began Feb. 28 and runs until March 27. Th

Arts & DesignMarch 12, 2019

Cellist Mun Tae-guk pays homage to Pablo Casals with new album

Cellist Mun Tae-guk has recently released new album, paying his respect to legendary Spanish cellist Pablo Casals. The album, released under Warner Classics, is titled, “Songs of the Cello: Homage to Pablo Casals.” According to the label, it is the first time in 23 years for a Korean cellist to release an internationally distributed album under a major label.“I thank Casals so much. Through him, I met a greater world,” Mun said at a press event held Tuesday at an art hall in central Seoul.  Cell

PerformanceMarch 12, 2019

Suran to release second EP on March 22

Singer-songwriter Suran will unveil her second EP on March 22, marking her first release in over 21 months.Her agency, Million Market, on Tuesday confirmed earlier reports of the imminent release featuring her single “Hide and Seek,” which came out earlier this month.The single, written and produced by Suran, also features vocals by singer Heize and has topped the local charts of online music stores including Bugs. Suran (Million Market)Suran’s last release, in June 2017, was the EP “Walkin’.”Ha

PerformanceMarch 12, 2019

BTS to drop new album on April 12

K-pop supergroup BTS will return to the music scene next month with a new album, the group's management agency said Tuesday.The boy band will put out the new EP "Map of the Soul: Persona" on April 12, the first release since it completed its "Love Yourself" album trilogy last August, Big Hit Entertainment said. (Yonhap)The group topped the Billboard 200 main albums chart twice for the album trilogy last year. Its song "Fake Love," the main track off "Love Yourself: Tear," landed at No. 10 on the

PerformanceMarch 12, 2019

Three Korean artists to show at 2019 Venice Biennale main exhibition

Korean artists Lee Bul, Suki Seokyeong Kang and Anicka Yi -- are joining the main exhibition of 2019 Venice Biennale, titled “May You Live in Interesting Times” and curated by Ralph Rugoff.The three female Korean artists are among 83 artists -- with some working in pairs and groups -- who will have their works at the Ralph Rugoff-curated exhibition at two venues, the Giardini and the Arsenale.  “Untitled (Willing To Be Vulnerable - Velvet #6 DDRG24OC)” by Lee Bul (PKM Gallery)One of Korea’s most

Arts & DesignMarch 11, 2019

Culture Ministry vows inter-Korean cooperation, including joint Olympics participation

Despite the recent collapse of the Washington-Pyongyang summit, worsening prospects for inter-Korea relations, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday vowed to “spearhead peace between the Koreas” by making preparations for joint participation in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In a media briefing led by Vice Culture Minister Kim Yong-sam, the ministry rolled out plans that center on cooperation with North Korea in the sports and culture sector, increasing benefits for low-incom

CultureMarch 11, 2019

[Herald Review] Style, great acting not enough to salvage pretentious and gratuitous ‘Idol’

Lee Su-jin’s second feature film “Idol” had talent, potential and many of the ingredients for a masterpiece, yet comes up woefully short of being a quality movie. The thriller starring the brilliant acting trio of Han Suk-kyu, Sol Kyung-gu and Chun Woo-hee winds tortuously to a predictable conclusion, a major letdown from a director whose directorial debut a few years ago showed much promise.It starts with a hit-and-run accident caused by the son of a leading gubernatorial candidate in which Yu

FilmMarch 11, 2019

CJ ENM teams up with BTS' label to launch new band

South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM has teamed up with Big Hit Entertainment, the management agency of the sensational K-pop boy band BTS, to launch an idol band on the global music scene, according to CJ on Monday.The two firms established a joint venture named Belif Lab, aiming to unveil a new K-pop band in 2020, CJ said.(CJ E&M, Yonhap)Some 7 billion won ($6.16 million) has been invested in the joint venture. Big Hit CEO Bang Si-hyuk, who produced BTS, will be in charge of creating the ba

PerformanceMarch 11, 2019

Looking into March 1 Independence Movement in global context

A line of Vietnamese students walks toward a camera. The students in blue shirts are taking turns to recite something -- in Japanese, not Vietnamese as might be expected. What the Vietnamese students are reciting is the Feb. 8 Independence Declaration, a document originally read by some 300 Koreans in Japan in February 1919, a month before the March 1 Independence Movement saw Koreans taking to the streets shouting for independence from Japan’s colonial rule.  A scene from Hikaru Fujii’s “2.8 De

Arts & DesignMarch 10, 2019