Film adaptation boosts sales for feminist novel

With the novel “Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982” set to be adapted for the big screen, the book’s sales have seen a significant bump in sales. According to Kyobo Bookstore, the novel took the No. 10 spot on its best-seller list for the third week of September, jumping 22 spots. (Mineumsa)The bookstore said sales volume increased by almost three times. Women in their 20s and 30s accounted for 60.9 percent of purchasers. The novel, written by Cho Nam-ju, depicts the life of an ordinary woman named Kim

BooksSept. 21, 2018

[Herald Review] Musical Matilda packs fun, wit, impressive visuals

“Matilda,” the Korean production of “Matilda the Musical,” provides ample doses of what you would expect of the Tony-winning musical, from witty banter, funny and likeable characters to satirical comedy just black enough to still pass for a children’s story.The musical, based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl, focuses on brilliant but mistreated girl Matilda, who endures obstacles in her life from her ignorant and obnoxious parents to her principal Miss Trunchbull. (Yonhap)It basically

CultureSept. 21, 2018

[Video] No live performance from K-pop stars during 3rd inter-Korean summit

Celebrities who accompanied South Korean President Moon Jae-in during his three-day visit to North Korea were back in Seoul on Thursday night.While a recent survey marked the visit as mostly successful, the question lingers over why Zico, Ailee, Ali, Kim Hyeong-seok and magician Choe Hyeon-u, among others, were not given the live TV treatment like their predecessors.Ali arrives in Seoul after her visit to Pyongyang on Thursday night. (Yonhap)In a tweet Thursday night, Kim thanked everyone involv

TelevisionSept. 21, 2018

[Herald Interview] Trekking on sacred Paektusan highlands

During a trekking tour of North Korea’s Paektusan highlands in August, Roger Shepherd and his team of international travelers hobnobbed with North Korean guides -- hiking, pitching tents, making campfires, cooking and eating together. Two Australian women and two Norwegian men traveled with Shepherd, a Kiwi professional hiker and travel writer, on their maiden trip to the Korean Peninsula’s tallest mountain, 2,750 meters above sea level, considered the sacred cradle of the Korean people since ti

TravelSept. 20, 2018

[Video] Nature shares hopes of going global as a multifaceted band

[Herald Interview]It’s been less than two months since the band Nature made its debut on the K-pop scene, but already it’s making a splash. Having launched in August under N.CH Entertainment, this promising rookie band consists of leader Lu, Saebom, Chinese members Aurora and Gaga, Chaebin, Japanese member Haru, Uchae and Sunshine. While Nature has only two songs under its belt -- its debut single “Allegro Cantabile” and pre-debut track “Girls and Flowers” -- it’s already an award winner. In an

PerformanceSept. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Planning your Chuseok escape

 The three days of Chuseok this year and adjoining weekend mean most working people in Korea will have at least a four- or five-day break for the holiday. Some lucky souls may even say why bother and take the whole week off. But if you haven’t planned it yet, you may be hard-pressed to go anywhere with your time. Chuseok is especially reputed as the time of year the mega-metropolitan capital Seoul empties, as people drain from the city to their historic hometowns and reunite with family -- and w

TravelSept. 20, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

The Great Battle(Korea) Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, ActionDirected by Kim Kwang-sikThe Chinese Tang Empire, led by Taizong (Park Sung-woong), is disgruntled by the military coup of Goguryeo’s Yeon Gaesomun (Yoo Oh-seong), and invades the kingdom. With the Goguryeo army suffering a devastating defeat, it is now up to Ansiseong fortress and its leader Yang Man-chun (Zo In-sung) to defend the country.Feng Shui(Korea)Opened Sept. 19Drama, History, Political thrillerDirected by Park Hee-gonIn the

FilmSept. 20, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Yangyang Songi Festival (Pine Mushroom Festival)The Yangyang Songi Festival offers programs that allow visitors to enjoy Yangyang songi mushrooms that naturally grow on the Taebaeksan Ridge.Activities include a mushroom-picking program for foreigners, a songi treasure hunt, concerts and traditional rice-cake making.The festival runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, and is open to visitors of all ages, free of charge.For more information in Korean, English, Japanese or Chinese, visit yangyang.go.kr.Jeju

TravelSept. 20, 2018

Korean heritage graces modern runways

Tradition is an inspiring source for fashion designers. But after the inspiration, comes the challenge of reinterpretation -- redesigning the past in a current context.Hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, is no longer worn every day by most people. Though praised for the beauty of its color and silhouette, many feel it uncomfortable and impractical. Reinterpretation is necessary to revive the clothing into modern wear. But it is not easy to find the right balance between the old and new while cr

Arts & DesignSept. 20, 2018

[Weekender] The Chuseok experience: It all depends on the family

The big Korean holidays are notorious for daughters-in-law. While their husbands enjoy the luxury of being banished from the kitchen, some women spend several solid days cooking and washing dishes before going back to work. Others married to less traditional families have an easier time. For women from overseas, the language and cultural barriers are another potential issue. “It really depends on the family, if you are lucky, you get a better Chuseok,” said Katherine Corteza, who has spent 12 ye

Expat LivingSept. 20, 2018

[Weekender] Central Asians celebrate Chuseok at ‘home away from home’

During the Chuseok holiday, many Koreans gather to honor ancestors, reconnect with family members and eat festive meals together. But for non-Koreans, the holiday is different: Many family members live abroad, and more plainly, it lacks cultural significance. This year, the Korean traditional holiday begins Sunday and runs through Sept. 25. Many Korean restaurants and businesses will be closed, with some resting one or two days in addition to the designated days. Even the most bustling streets a

CultureSept. 20, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Art of afternoon tea at Grand Hyatt Seoul The Gallery at Grand Hyatt Seoul, in collaboration with local artist Choi Jeong-hwa, is presenting a promotion titled “ARTernoon -- Your Heart is My Art.”In line with the ongoing exhibition “Choi Jeong-hwa: Blooming Matrix” held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s branch in Samcheong-dong, the pastry chefs have created a collection of culinary art pieces, inspired by the artist’s works, such as tea-bag shaped cookies and mini opera ca

FoodSept. 20, 2018

Marriott targets local market with low premium strategy

Global hotel chain Marriott International will open three more hotels in Korea, in response to growing demand from middle-class tourists.The hotel chain’s portfolio is divided into three tiers: luxury, premium and select-service. Hotels in the select-service tier aim to provide guests with a high-quality experience at a reasonable price.  A penthouse room at Four Points by Sheraton Gangnam (Mariott International)Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft Hote

TravelSept. 20, 2018

K-pop stars in Pyongyang react to 150,000-capacity event

K-pop singers Zico and Aliee watched a gymnastics show held at Rungrado May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, the largest stadium in the world, on Wednesday night as a massive North Korean crowd of 150,000 cheered on.The huge propaganda “Glorious Country” festival took place on the second day of Moon’s three-day visit to the North, as South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his counterpart Kim Jong-un watched together.Ailee, Choi Hyun-woo, Zico and Ali at Okryu Children's Hospital. (Joint Press Corp.)The

TelevisionSept. 20, 2018

With 'DNA' music video, BTS becomes first K-pop band to garner 500m YouTube views

The music video of BTS' 2017 song "DNA" topped the 500 million YouTube view mark on Thursday, making the septet the first K-pop band to achieve the feat.The "DNA" music video surpassed the threshold of 500 million YouTube views at 1:22 a.m. on Thursday, according to their management agency, Big Hit Entertainment. The song, a track from BTS' "Love Yourself: Her" extended play, achieved the feat one year after its release on Sept. 18, 2017. (Big Hit Entertainment)The music video garnered 100 milli

PerformanceSept. 20, 2018

BTS to appear on ABC's 'Good Morning America' next week

Boy band BTS is set to make a live performance on ABC's popular morning show, "Good Morning America," on Wednesday (local time), the US network said.On its official Twitter account, it said, "IT'S. HAPPENING.NEXT WEDNESDAY ON @GMA! @BTS_twt performs LIVE in Times Square!" (AP)It came a day after the news broke out that BTS will perform live on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on NBC on Tuesday (local time). On Monday, they are scheduled to attend "Generation Unlimited" in New York, a new

PerformanceSept. 20, 2018

[Video] Zico raves about Pyongyang naengmyeon

Pyongyang-style naengmyeon is one of North Korea’s most popular delicacies, and President Moon Jae-in’s special entourage to Pyongyang -- including K-pop icon Zico – were given a chance to sample the real thing during their time in the city.(Footage from Pyeongyang Press Corps, edited by Park Ju-young / The Korea Herald)The rapper and producer -- along with other members of the entourage including singers Ailee, Ali, magician Choi Hyun-woo, and soccer legend Cha Bum-keun -- joined the first coup

PerformanceSept. 19, 2018

Fans show mixed reactions toward Seo In-young’s return to entertainment scene

Some K-pop fans are up in arms over Seo In-young’s attempt to return to the entertainment scene.Despite having apologized for a controversial video in which she was heard swearing and lashing out at staff members on a TV filming set, the singer continues to encounter criticism online.Reports that she was recording music at a studio last week were bombarded with critical comments. (Soribada)“Are you going to explode again if something doesn’t work out the way you want while recording?” one Naver

TelevisionSept. 19, 2018

BTS to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s ‘Tonight Show’

K-pop sensation BTS will appear on “The Tonight Show,” one of the most popular and longest-running nighttime talk shows in the US.The group, who recently appeared on “America’s Got Talent,” will continue its US TV promotions on NBC’s late-night show hosted by comedian Jimmy Fallon, the show’s Twitter account confirmed Tuesday in US time.The tweet has since been liked over 120,000 times, and fans soon shared the hashtag #BTSonFallon soon on the social media. (Big Hit Entertainment)The confirmatio

TelevisionSept. 19, 2018

Cable channel on North Korea to be launched next year

A new cable channel specializing in North Korea will be launched early next year, its promoter said Wednesday. It will feature North Korean society, culture, tourism and food and will produce programs for the unification of the two Koreas, its preparatory committee, led by Korean-American journalist Jin Cheon-gyu, said in a news conference in Seoul.  (Yonhap)Jin has visited North Korea several times for news coverage.Former Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun and former National Intelligence Serv

TelevisionSept. 19, 2018