[Herald Design Forum 2018] Cultural heritage provides assets for design: Princess Dana

The cultural heritage of the world provides assets for design, says Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, who also serves as president of the Petra National Trust.“Cultural heritage unleashes creativity. It focuses on human aspects of our development,” Princess Dana said at Herald Design Forum 2018 in Seoul on Friday. Princess Dana Firas of Jordan, president of the Petra National Trust, speaks at Herald Design Forum 2018 in Seoul on Friday. (Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)Princess Dana, the wife of Pri

Arts & DesignSept. 14, 2018

Cube Entertainment withdraws decision to expel HyunA after public backlash

Cube Entertainment, which represents HyunA and boy band Pentagon’s member E’Dawn, announced the expulsion of the two artists from the agency on Thursday morning, only to retract the decision later in the day. “After much deliberation, we’ve concluded that the trust between the company and the artists had been damaged to a degree that it cannot be restored, leading us to believe expulsion is necessary,” read its official statement in the morning.Although the statement cited the “loss of trust” as

PerformanceSept. 14, 2018

[Herald Design Forum 2018] Herald Design Forum kicks off

Herald Design Forum 2018 kicked off Friday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Distinguished speakers, design experts and government officials are among those participating in Asia’s leading design festival, which runs through Saturday. Jungwook Hong, chairman of Herald Corp., delivers an opening address for Herald Design Forum 2018, which kicked off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Friday. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald)“The forum, which started in 2011 with our belief that design can change the

Arts & DesignSept. 14, 2018

BTS' management agency plans global auditions to recruit new talents

The agency for K-pop superstars BTS said Friday it will conduct international auditions to recruit new talents in six major cities.The auditions will be held in Los Angeles and Vancouver on Oct. 6, in Atlanta and Toronto on Oct. 13, in New York on Oct. 20 and Hong Kong on Nov. 4, according to Big Hit Entertainment. This poster for Big Hit Entertainment`s global audition program is provided by the company. (Yonhap)The audition will be in five categories -- vocals, rap, dance, acting and modeling

PerformanceSept. 14, 2018

[Herald Design Forum 2018] Asia’s leading design forum starts two-day festival

Herald Design Forum 2018 kicks off at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Friday for a two-day run under the theme “Designing Future.” The eighth edition of Asia’s leading design forum, organized by Herald Corp., features 15 internationally renowned speakers sharing their unique perspectives and inspirations. The annual design festival begins with an opening address by Herald Corp. Chairman Jungwook Hong.Following the chairman’s opening address is a keynote speech by Princess Dana Firas of Jorda

Arts & DesignSept. 13, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘The Great Battle’ has its flaws, but is an action-packed spectacle

While he is by no means a great actor, Zo In-sung’s acting has improved tremendously since his sitcom days. But the actor’s voice is one of his glaring weaknesses, and a weak voice is a significant disadvantage in period pieces.This is why I expected Zo, cast in the lead as Gen. Yang Man-chun, to be the downfall of “The Great Battle,” which depicts the Goguryeo Kingdom’s fight against the powerful Chinese empire of Tang.To my surprise, director Kim Kwang-sik did a clever job of masking his actor

FilmSept. 13, 2018

Culture Ministry requests prosecution probe of officials over blacklist scandal

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday that it would ask the prosecution to investigate seven government officials over their alleged involvement in the blacklisting of cultural figures by the two previous administrations.Of the seven, five belong to the Culture Ministry and accusations had been filed against one of them by a concerned cultural group. Three officials are currently heads of Korean cultural centers overseas, and will be summoned back to Korea as soon as possible

CultureSept. 13, 2018

[Weekender] Celebrities rush to YouTube bandwagon

In a competitive entertainment world where self-promotion is essential, celebrities have long sought for new strategies to brand themselves. Previously, stars like Jisook of Rainbow showcased her hidden talents in a blog and comedian Song Eun-yi embarked on a second career as a content creator by launching a podcast. With the boom of new media and the ever-expanding realm of YouTube, however, celebrities have been making their voices heard via the popular streaming service beyond the silver scre

CultureSept. 13, 2018

Goo Ha-ra embroiled in scuffle with beau

Singer Goo Ha-ra was reportedly embroiled in a scuffle with her boyfriend at her flat late Wednesday night after her boyfriend tried to end their relationship.Her boyfriend called police to accuse Goo of assault during a row at her flat in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul around midnight Wednesday. (Yonhap)The 27-year-old singer claims that both parties were involved in assault, according to Gangnam Police Station.Police said both parties will be called in for questioning as part of the ongoing investigatio

TelevisionSept. 13, 2018

Mixed reactions over HyunA and E’dawn’s dismissal by agency

Fans were dumbfounded on Thursday to hear the shocking news that Cube Entertainment had dropped HyunA and E’dawn, saying the two singers had irreparably broken the agency’s trust. Social media erupted in response to the announcement. HyunA and E’dawn, members of the K-pop trio Triple H, went public about their romantic relationship in August without their agency’s permission and have been keeping a low profile ever since. “We decided the trust is broken and cannot be saved, so we are kicking the

PerformanceSept. 13, 2018

BTS talks about success in pop stronghold of US

After making headlines with its recent show at Staple Center in Los Angeles, BTS sit down with the Grammy Museum to discuss its music, love for fans, achievements and more. The highly anticipated event titled “A Conversation with BTS” took part at the museum in Los Angeles on Tuesday. It was the first time a Korean act had participated in an event held by the organization. Hosted by the museum’s artistic director Scott Goldman and attended by about 200 fans, the event saw the seven K-pop stars’

PerformanceSept. 13, 2018

Aromatic, eclectic eats at Ithaca

The food at Ithaca, chef Kim Tae-yoon’s latest restaurant, is not easy to categorize.The food exhibits Korean, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Italian and Greek influences, all skillfully fused into incredibly aromatic, spiced and texturally fascinating dishes.  Fragrant shiso and fennel add an aromatic layer to Ithaca’s sous-vide whelk, lotus root and tomatoes. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)“The food here has no boundaries,” said Ithaca co-owner and chef Kim, 38. Kim, an avid traveler, explained ho

FoodSept. 13, 2018

[Weekender] The secret to YouTube success

YouTube stars are often described as self-made celebrities with bright ideas and irresistible content. They are considered brave pioneers whose outstanding creativity propelled them to success on this unconventional media platform. YouTube creators are now role models for youngsters. Increasing numbers of elementary school students dream of becoming YouTubers. Videography classes and workshops are extremely popular. A content creator shoots a video at Jamong Media Space in southern Seoul. (Media

TelevisionSept. 13, 2018

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Taste of Mexico at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s flagship restaurant, Cafe 395, hosts a special promotion featuring Mexican cuisine. Special guest chef Eric Daniel Gonzalez from a traditional Mexican restaurant will helm the kitchen to bring an authentic taste of Mexico’s finest foods, in addition to the regular offerings of Cafe 395’s buffet. Hot, cold appetizers, entrees and desserts -- including ceviche, soft crab stew, pork stew with tequila and beef ribs -- will be prepar

FoodSept. 13, 2018

Ananti Namhae recognized at World Travel Awards for 12th year

Ananti Namhae was selected as South Korea’s leading resort in the World Travel Awards 2018. While the property located on the southern coast has received the award for 12 consecutive years since its opening in 2007, it was the first time it was recognized as part of the Ananti brand, since terminating a management deal with Hilton earlier this year.  Ananti NamhaeSince the brand shift, the resort has undergone a transformation, tripling its green space. The parking lot in the resort is now a par

TravelSept. 13, 2018

Gliding through Seoul on Han River ferry cruise

E-Land Cruise, a ferry that glides on the Han River across Seoul, has prepared new promotions and packages for autumn. E-Land Cruise glides on the Han River (Eland Cruise)This season’s cruise buffet, titled “Falling in Autumn Cruise,” uses fresh, seasonal ingredients. Around 30 to 50 menu items have been prepared, including new dishes such as butter grilled scallops and beef tartare sushi. Red shrimps and sous-vide steak are the main dish of the buffet station. The steak is cooked for 72 hours s

TravelSept. 13, 2018

With 825 rooms, Marinabay Seoul aims to become Gimpo landmark

While the city of Gimpo is mostly known for its airport, its status could change, as Hotel Marinabay Seoul opened last Saturday. The premium hotel, surrounded by the waters of the Gyeongin Ara Waterway, is situated next to the Aramarina Yacht School in Gimpo, a 30-minute drive west of central Seoul.  Hotel Marinabay SeoulWith 825 rooms, making it the fifth-largest hotel in Korea, Hotel Marinabay Seoul has taken on a different strategy from the latest hospitality market trend. While other hotels

TravelSept. 13, 2018

Gifts to make Chuseok fuller

Chuseok is just around the corner, packed with gifts. The traditional holiday, which falls on Sept. 24 this year, sees people visiting families in their hometowns -- and they do not show up empty-handed. Preparing gifts is not obligatory, but it is considered good manners to visit a relative’s house with a gift, appreciating the effort that the host made. Also, Korean companies offer gifts to its employees in the season, recognizing the hard work and encouraging them. Businesses exchange gifts a

FoodSept. 13, 2018

[Epicurean Challenge] Pink sausages under the sear: gaebul

Say “hello” to yet another sea creature: gaebul. Gaebul refers to the marine spoon worm, also called the fat innkeeper worm, as it creates tunnels in the ocean floor that provide shelter for other creatures and allows them to pass through.The plump pink creature resembles a skin-like sausage. But the texture has a feeling more similar to the softer parts of human flesh. (Video shot and produced by Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)Upon being touched, gaebul squirms and puffs up a bit. Then taken fr

FoodSept. 13, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Hamyang Wild Ginseng FestivalThe Hamyang Wild Ginseng Festival is being held at Hamyang Sangrim Forest, Natural Monument No. 154. The Hamyang area features high quality wild ginseng and herbs.The festival includes exhibitions, hands-on programs, an agricultural product market and history tours with simmani, or professional foragers of wild ginseng.The event is ongoing from Sept. 7-16, and is open to visitors of all ages free of charge, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information in Korean, Engli

TravelSept. 13, 2018