[Trending] College student sweeps internet with comical videos

College student Baek Seung-heon, better known by his nickname, “Seungheonss,” has gained explosive popularity among younger people in Korea with his funny livestreaming and videos on social media platforms.  YouTube creator Seungheonss (YouTube channel Feel like Feel)The 21-year-old YouTuber’s debut was in 2014, when he uploaded his first dance video on a Facebook group called “Seungheonss and kids.” He launched the group to share fun high school memories with friends, but the videos of Baek dan

CultureOct. 25, 2018

BTS drops 3rd collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki

DJ and producer Steve Aoki surprised global fans by announcing a new song featuring BTS, titled “Waste It on Me,” would be released on Thursday.(Twitter)“We’re back! Got a new collaboration with my brothers BTS coming at you tomorrow!” Aoki wrote on Twitter. He also posted a short preview of the new song, to which the lyrics are all in English. (Twitter)This will be the third collaboration of BTS and Aoki, after the DJ remix versions of BTS’ hit single “Mic Drop” and “The Truth Untold.”Aoki also

PerformanceOct. 25, 2018

Korean SMEs get trade and investment tips for Ethiopia

Representatives of Korean small and midsized companies pose at the Social Cooperative of Korean Small and Medium Business Federation building in Seoul on Friday following a business meeting with Ethiopian Embassy officials. (Social Cooperative of Korean Small and Medium Business Federation)The Social Cooperative of Korean Small and Medium Business Federation held a business forum on Ethiopia at its headquarters in Seoul on Friday, inviting Ethiopian diplomats to offer their advice on trade and i

PeopleOct. 25, 2018

BTS awarded with cultural medal for role in promoting Korean culture

Superstar K-pop group BTS on Wednesday was awarded a cultural medal from the government for its contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide.Cultural Minister Do Jong-hwan gave the medal to the septet at a ceremony at Olympic Hall in Seoul, after the group returned home earlier in the day after a highly successful, 52-day concert tour of the United States and Europe.(Yonhap)The BTS members said that they feel honored to receive the medal and will make efforts to further promote Kore

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

KOREA-LAOS FRIENDSHIP

Members of the Korea-Laos Friendship Association - mostly politicians, government officials and academics from the two countries - pose for photographs ahead of their annual general meeting at a Seoul hotel on Wednesday. The meeting will last until Saturday and the Laotian members will have a chance to visit Yongin City while they are here. The foundation was established in 2004 to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Photos by Chung Hee-jo

PeopleOct. 24, 2018

Foreign students invited to Chungnam Univ. for ‘Hello, Mr. K!’

Foreign students will get a chance to experience Korean culture at an event at Chungnam National University in Daejeon on Thursday, the Korean Culture and Information Service said.The event, consisting of a forum to culturally engage foreign students in South Korea and a cultural concert titled “Hello, Mr. K!” is the fourth of its kind, having been co-organized by KOCIS and the Korea International Broadcasting Foundation every year since 2015. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism via Yonhap)

CultureOct. 24, 2018

BoA sings female empowerment with ‘Woman’

After revamping her career with “Negal Dola” and “One Shot, Two Shot” earlier this year, K-pop diva BoA mustered up more strength to return as charismatic and independent in “Woman.”Marking her ninth full-length album, the new record’s title track blends upbeat synths and diverse beats that lead into the soloist’s explosive chorus where she belts out, “Feels good to be a woman.”Crafted by BoA herself, the song kicks off with the clicking sounds of high heels and embodies the image of a charismat

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

Yang Hae-gue receives 2018 Culture and Arts Award

Internationally recognized artist Yang Hae-gue on Wednesday was honored with the Republic of Korea Culture and Arts Award at a ceremony at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Seoul branch. The award is annually given by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with a presidential citation. Yang could not attend the ceremony, so a family member accepted it on her behalf. Korean artist Yang Hae-gue (Kukje Gallery)The award was given to five artists across five categories, incl

Arts & DesignOct. 24, 2018

Can Koreans use up their annual leave?

With less than three months left in 2018, South Korean workers are scurrying to use up their remaining annual leave in light of the Moon government’s new overtime policy. Traditionally, November hasn’t been the most favorable time to travel, but under the Moon Jae-in administration’s new 52-hour maximum workweek policy, more workers are getting a chance.According to a survey carried out by trip expense comparison site Skyscanner, out of 576 respondents, 66 percent said they still had part of the

TravelOct. 24, 2018

Gugudan to surprise fans with first individual concert

K-pop girl group Gugudan will hold its first individual concert in December, its agency confirmed Wednesday. “The ‘gu9udan 1st concert PLAY’ concert will take place at the Ewha University Auditorium on Dec. 1-2,” Jellyfish Entertainment said via Gugudan’s fan community site. The agency added the concert will showcase the group’s many charms in a new fashion. (Jellyfish Entertainment)Gugudan plans to perform tracks from the group’s four albums, “Act. 1 The Little Mermaid,” “Act. 2 Narcissus,” “Ac

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

Black Pink's 'Boombayah' music video draws over 400m YouTube views

The music video for Black Pink's "Boombayah" has surpassed 400 million views on YouTube, making it the first K-pop group with three videos to hit the milestone.The video passed the 400 million mark at 9 p.m. Tuesday, more than two years after its release in August 2016, according to the group's management agency, YG Entertainment. (YG Entertainment)"Boombayah" is the main track off the group's debut single album "Square One." Black Pink became the first rookie girl group to top Billboard's World

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

[Photo News] Falling for fall

In South Korea, the arrival of fall is apparent when the leaves change into a stunning array of colors. From mid-October to late November, visitors can witness a landscape full of beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. The autumn foliage usually reaches its peak in early November in the capital city of Seoul. First-time visitors should visit Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul to enjoy the scenery. Clad in trench coats, many Korean workers were spotted in Seoul’s Boramae Park, enjoying a stroll duri

TravelOct. 24, 2018

EXO's D.O. smashes TV chart for second straight week

After the television series "Dear Husband of 100 Days," D.O. from popular boy band EXO might be remembered by his real name, Do Kyung-soo.The tvN's historical series, also known as "100 Days My Prince," in which Do takes the lead role, topped the weekly TV chart for the second week in a row, data showed Wednesday.(tvN)The Monday-Tuesday series recorded a Content Power Index score of 287.2 for Oct. 15-21, far outperforming "King of Mask Singer," a singing competition show on MBC that came in dist

TelevisionOct. 24, 2018

‘Default’ to relive one of Korea’s worst nightmares

To many everyday people in Korea, 1997 is remembered as one of the worst years of their lives. The economy crumbled before their eyes. Banks collapsed, prices rose and jobs vanished into thin air at the height of the Asian financial crisis.“Default,” an upcoming drama directed by Choi Kook-hee, looks behind the events that unfolded in Korea as the country hit its lowest point financially in its modern history.“1997 marked a turning point for Korea’s modern society, and it still affects our lives

FilmOct. 24, 2018

[K-talk] BTS returns triumphant from Europe tour

After finishing the European leg of its “Love Yourself” world tour, BTS returned to its homeland of Korea safe and sound. On Wednesday morning, BTS arrived at Incheon Airport, ending a stretch of 52 days abroad since it departed to Los Angeles for the first stop of the world tour. (Yonhap)Overflowing with a European vibe, Jin wore a sky-blue T-shirt printed with the portrait of “Mona Lisa” and sandals from Givenchy, while Suga sported a long navy coat and blue wool hat from Chanel. Always jocula

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

[Newsmaker] Indian prime minister wins Seoul Peace Prize 2018

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 68, was chosen for the Seoul Peace Prize this year for his contributions to the growth of the Indian and global economies, crediting “Modinomics” for reducing social and economic disparity between rich and poor.The Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, headed by Chairman Kwon E-hyock, made the announcement Thursday, following its final selection meeting in Jung-gu, Seoul.Selection Committee President Choe Chung-ho stated the 12-member committee conducted a r

PeopleOct. 24, 2018

RM’s new mixtape gets warm reception around the globe

BTS member RM’s mixtape “Mono” has shot to the top of iTunes albums charts in over 80 countries including the US, France, Germany and Russia.Fans can download the mixtape for free.“Mono” consists of seven tracks including “Tokyo,” “Seoul,” “Moonchild,” “Badbye,” and “Forever Rain.” (Yonhap)RM was given more artistic freedom than usual this time, given the nature of a mixtape, and this freedom comes through in the raw lyrics of the track “Seoul,” which he worked on together with the British elect

PerformanceOct. 24, 2018

[Video] Autumn blooms in pink nationwide

This autumn, photogenic muhly grass and kochia bushes have dyed South Korea’s landscape a mesmerizing shade of pink. Usually full of red, orange and yellow from the autumn leaves, the online world is now full of pink scenery and selfies shot at muhly parks, which are popping up fast around the nation.(Shot and edited by Choi Ji-won and Lee So-jeong / The Korea Herald)Although some worry that these exotic plants risk disturbing the natural botanic ecosystem, most people are welcoming of the muhly

TravelOct. 23, 2018

Exhibition brings traditional folding screens into the foreground

Folding screens are a traditional form of art that was popular in Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The paneled artworks featuring paintings, patterns and calligraphy were used to decorate rooms, to highlight the presence of a powerful figure or as a backdrop for various ceremonies and rituals.The Amorepacific Museum of Art’s “Beyond Folding Screens” is a large-scale exhibition that brings the folding screen to the fore. “The Sun, Moon and Five Peaks,” an emblem of royal authority produced in

Arts & DesignOct. 23, 2018

Kim Hyun-joong returns to small screen after scandals

Kim Hyun-joong is coming back to the small screen nearly four years after being mired in a number of scandals.Kim, who faced a paternity dispute with his ex-girlfriend and was caught driving under the influence of alcohol, will star in “When Time Stopped,” KBS W’s first Wednesday-Thursday drama series, which premieres Wednesday.The 12-episode fantasy romance show garnered attention following reports that it would star Kim, who debuted as part of boy band SS501. Kim will play the role of main cha

TelevisionOct. 23, 2018