What is behind the ideological curtain?

Against a backdrop of numerous layers of Songaksan sits the city of Kaesong in North Hwanghae Province, North Korea. Kaesong industrial complex lies not far away from the city. The sun has already set but it still casts dim light above the mountains, and the city looks calm. Such is the evening scene that artist Yoo Soo has captured through his lens. Yoo Soo’s “GIC at Night seen from Dora Observatory in April 2018” (Cultural Station Seoul 284)Although it has gone through political turmoil, the c

Arts & DesignJuly 12, 2018

[Weekender] The sneakers revolution

Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City” and her collection of Manolo Blahnik stilettos were indisputably fashion icons of the 2000s. The pointy, faintly high heels symbolized feminine glamor and were an expression of self-confidence and sexuality. But in the fashion year of 2018, something unthinkable for Carrie is happening. Women are ditching heels and formal black shoes that have ruled the world since the Baroque period of the 17-18th centuries. Instead, they are turning to sneakers that fash

Arts & DesignJuly 12, 2018

[Weekender] Beat them with the ugly chic

The latest craze for sneakers has helped luxury designer brands think out of the shoebox. Marking a departure from conventional beauty and balance, designer brands have been introducing some experimental designs for sneakers and flat shoes. But the competition for the coolest style has turned into an effort to make shoes as ugly as possible.From Balenciaga’s Triple S Trainers, Gucci’s Rhyton to Louis Vuitton’s Archlight, sneakers from those luxury brands are all part of the trend for “ugly shoes

Arts & DesignJuly 12, 2018

Bartender shakes things up with Korean booze-infused cocktails

Ever imagined a glass of whiskey mixed with soybean paste and tofu? While the combination may surprise many, the drink won the top prize at a local bartending competition. Leo Seo, also known as Seo Jeong-hyun, the 28-year-old head bartender at The Griffin in JW Mariott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, concocted the highly unusual cocktail and topped the local 2018 Jameson Bartender’s Ball held last month. In the global edition of the competition, he took fourth place.  Bartender Leo Seo (Park Hyun-koo

FoodJuly 12, 2018

[Eye Plus] Indulging in books near the border

When you think of Paju, a city in Gyeonggi Province northwest of Seoul, the first thing that comes to mind is its vicinity to the de facto border with North Korea. Driving along Jayuro toward Paju on a good day, you can even get a glimpse of the northern side. Paju, through which the Imjin River flows into the Han River, was loved by ancient sages. As if to live up to its heritage, the city has developed into a cultural site for visitors in recent decades. At the heart of the city’s culture are

CultureJuly 12, 2018

Have a ‘mud-tastic’ time at Boryeong Mud Festival

Boryeong Mud Festival, a “feast of mud,” is set to open Friday at Daecheon beach in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province.The festival is an extravaganza of mud, first held in 1988 to promote mud-based organic cosmetics. Similar to Spain’s iconic tomato-throwing Tomatina festival, the mud festival has settled in Korea as one of its most representative summer events. Since 2009, the mud festival has been exported to China, England, Spain and New Zealand.This year’s festival runs to July 22, offeri

CultureJuly 12, 2018

All about watermelon at this year’s Dessert Festival

People with a sweet tooth can rejoice as the 17th Seoul Dessert Fair returns this weekend.This year’s fair will run from Saturday to Sunday at the Setec Exhibition Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The closest subway stop is Hangnyeoul Station on Line No. 3.With watermelon as the main theme of the event, the organizers will set up a zone dedicated to a variety of watermelon-inspired desserts and fusion snacks.  (Seoul Dessert Fair)In addition, there will be homemade pastries, goods such as handcrafted

FoodJuly 12, 2018

Incheon Airport signs on BTS to target millennial tourists

Incheon International Airport on Tuesday announced its decision to employ BTS-designed BT21 characters to promote the airport.(Incheon International Airport) Eight promotion films featuring BT21, which will also be disclosed through social media, are set to air at the airport during the month of July. The airport luggage carts will be renewed to feature BT21 characters as well.Incheon International Airport president and CEO Chung Il-young said, “85 percent of travelers to Korea are from Asia, 60

PerformanceJuly 11, 2018

[Herald Interview] Ever-evolving artist Han Kyung-rock spreads musical joy

Han Kyung-rock’s signature look -- a rose-patterned red bandana, disheveled spiky hair and a matching red scarf -- is very telling of his personality.Han, who has been a bassist in the legendary punk rock band Crying Nut for 23 years, is a jocular musician who has quite a penchant for alcohol, spending many nights drinking with fellow musicians. While his wild drinking led to a tumble down some stairs in his favorite bar, Han has his own reasons for adoring booze. “I just love having fun. Great

PerformanceJuly 11, 2018

[Album review] Yoon Mi-rae’s heartwarming tales of her late 30s

Yoon Mi-rae“Gemini 2”Loen EntertainmentIn “Memories” from her second studio album “Gemini,” 20-year-old Yoon Mi-rae, or Tasha, was all about overcoming hardships that came from being biracial in Korea and surviving in the hip-hop scene. Some 16 years later, the working mom with a 9-year-old son, now in her late 30s, is back with a new autobiographical album, “Gemini 2.” And instead of a stormy description of life’s struggles, she filled the 12-track collection with tales of married life, family,

PerformanceJuly 11, 2018

Tips on extending lifespan of sunglasses

Sunglasses, a summer accessory that protects our eyes from intense ultraviolet rays, have a limited lifespan. The good news is, with due care, this could be extended.As the surface of sunglasses is heated or scratched, the lens’ ability to block UV rays weaken. The worst thing to do to a pair of sunglasses is leave them inside a car on a hot summer day.If unsure of how well your sunglasses protect the eyes, visit the closest optical store for a check-up. Optical stores have gears to measure a su

Arts & DesignJuly 11, 2018

Amateur cartoonists rush to Instagram in search of new path

Choi Seol-a, better known by her nickname “Tyeodya,” had never thought she would make her name as a cartoonist until she uploaded her first comic in October 2017. She was not formally taught how to draw cartoons, nor had she decided to become a professional cartoonist before. In her spare time, Choi just doodled some episodes that came straight from her daily life and posted it on her Instagram page. The comics grew into the popular Instagram account @Tyeodya, which has amassed more than 51,

CultureJuly 11, 2018

BTS sets another record in US with ‘Love Yourself: Tear’ album

K-pop sensation BTS’ latest album has become one of the most sold records in the US so far this year.BTS’ third studio album “Love Yourself: Tear” has become the ninth most sold physical album in the US during the first half of 2018, becoming the only foreign language record to chart in the top 10, according to Nielsen Music’s Mid-Year Report for 2018.The group sold 132,000 physical copies of the Korean-language album between its release on May 18 and the week ending June 28.(Big Hit Entertainme

PerformanceJuly 11, 2018

‘Four Men’ producer talks about production halt

While the controversy continues surrounding the drama “Four men,” its producer has come forward to give his side of the story. Production for the drama has been on hold since mid-May due to a dispute over unpaid wages, news reports said Tuesday. The production company Victory Contents denied the reports, claiming “the production halt is unrelated to unpaid wage issues.” 　 (Victory Content)Hours later, producer Jang Tae-you updated a post on his social media account regarding the situation. “I am

TelevisionJuly 11, 2018

Independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun’s life to be made into Korea-China coproduction drama

A drama series about Korean independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun will be jointly produced by Korea and Chinese companies.The Yoon Media Group, a Korean production company, announced Wednesday that it had signed an agreement with a Chinese firm to produce a blockbuster drama series on the life of Ahn. Shooting for “The Sun of the Snow Country,” an epic 43-part drama series, is set to begin in October, with the aim of airing it first in China in the second half of 2019.  Ahn Jung-geunAround 90 perce

TelevisionJuly 11, 2018

‘Let’s Eat’ may just bring back lost appetite

Viewers will be craving for midnight snacks with their stomachs growling, as the popular “Let’s Eat” series is soon to make its return. The third installment of the series, “Let’s Eat 3: Begins,” returns to the air following a three-year break. Set in 2004, when lead character Goo Dae-young was a freshman, the story describes how Goo has learned to truly appreciate food under the guidance of a food connoisseur friend. Poster for “Let’s Eat 3: Begins” (tvN)“As I have directed the second season as

TelevisionJuly 11, 2018

Bringing flowers into everyday life

Flowers do not have to be only for special days. Over the past few years, they have acquired an increasing presence in daily life. It is easy to spot flower cafes all over Seoul -- a kind of cafe-flower shop combination. Decorated heavily with greenery, visitors can enjoy cafe spaces themed like a botanical garden.“A lot of people walk in for coffee and buy flowers after seeing the decorations,” said Jang Jung-in, who runs flower cafe Heima in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul. At her cafe, flower vases are p

CultureJuly 10, 2018

Government clamps down on copyrights infringement from abroad

The Korean government on Tuesday said it has shut down 12 illegal websites related to cartoons and other media content, and announced plans to continue its watch over such activities for the next two to three years.The pangovernmental task force announced the results of a crackdown that commenced in May, and which monitored foreign-based illegal websites that allowed users to share content without regard of the copyrights. Officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Com

CultureJuly 10, 2018

Mnet to air ‘Run BTS’ on small screen starting Wednesday

Cable music channel Mnet will air the variety show “Run BTS!” from Wednesday.The show, which was originally featured on Naver’s V Live, will make a debut on the small screen this time, according to the group’s agency Big Hit Entertainment.A number of popular episodes will be carefully selected and curated for the TV audience, which will air at 6 p.m. every Wednesday over a period of eight weeks, with the final episode scheduled to air on Aug. 29.(Big Hit Entertainment)Each episode of the show fe

TelevisionJuly 10, 2018

Super Junior’s Ryeowook discharged from military

Super Junior’s Ryeowook finished his mandatory military service Tuesday.Thanking fans and friends for helping him finish his duty successfully at the special operations command in Jeungpyeong, North Chungcheong Province, the artist said, “Hello, I’ve returned to Super Junior’s Kim Ryeo-wook from Sgt. Ryeo-wook. Thank you for coming, and please support our upcoming activities as a group.” The discharge ceremony was attended by a flock of fans, media and his bandmates Donghae, Eunhyuk, Siwon and L

PerformanceJuly 10, 2018