Korea National Opera to perform Korean premiere of Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The Korea National Opera will bring Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to the stage next month, marking the Korean premiere of the production. In a production meeting held Monday at the Seoul Arts Center, the KNO introduced the work, the production team and the cast of the opera with a libretto adapted from William Shakespeare's play. Britten's opera premiered in 1960 at the Aldeburgh Festival in England. The story revolves around the adventures o

CultureMarch 12, 2024

[New on the scene] ‘Dolphin’ director Bae Du-ri’s work has roots in her own experiences

Director Bae Du-ri came up with the original idea for her feature debut film “Dolphin” back in 2018. The movie centers on Na-young (Kwon Yu-ri), a 35-year-old woman in a seaside town whose only joy is caring for her mother and younger brother. After a troubled childhood, she is now settled into a calmer life, working as a journalist at a local newspaper. When her mother decides to sell the house and her brother insists on moving to Seoul, Na-young, struggling to accept these changes,

FilmMarch 12, 2024

[What to watch] Three movies to celebrate International Women’s Day

Friday marked International Women's Day, a day to appreciate the accomplishments of women and promote gender equality. Why not celebrate the day by watching films that highlight the spirit of womanhood? A cinematic experience of women’s strengths, diversity, achievements and their incredible stories is a good way to mark the day. "Dolphin" Directed by Korean female filmmaker Bae Du-ri, “Dolphin” marks the feature directorial debut of Bae, who wrote and directed

FilmMarch 12, 2024

Hwang Sok-yong’s 'Mater 2-10' longlisted for 2024 International Booker Prize

South Korean literary giant Hwang Sok-yong’s “Mater 2-10” has been longlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize, the organizers of the British literary awards announced Monday. "Mater 2-10," co-translated by Sora Kim-Russell and Youngjae Josephine Bae, and published by Scribe Publications, was among the 13 books in the longlist for what is one of the world's most prestigious literary awards. This is the second time Hwang has been longlisted for the award. I

BooksMarch 12, 2024

Heritage agency renamed ahead of May revamp

South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration will be renamed the Korea Heritage Service effective May 17, a CHA official said Monday. The name change, part of larger efforts to overhaul the agency, was passed by the National Assembly in April 2023. “The change from ‘administration’ to ‘service’ is meant to show we want to get closer to the people and have them feel the same as well when they think of us,” a senior CHA official said of the decision. Oth

CultureMarch 11, 2024

[Bridging Cultures] English classrooms build cultural ties: British Council director

For most South Koreans, the British Council in Korea is better known for classes helping prepare for English proficiency exam IELTS than for holding large-scale cultural events. Some have said the “cultural center” should live up to its mission. Paul Clementson, the council director, is confident that it is and has been doing just that. “We’re not only teaching Koreans so that they can learn English. We’re not just offering qualifications to people so that they ge

PeopleMarch 11, 2024

Fourth installment of ‘The Roundup’ returns with familiar ally, riveting new villains

South Korea’s mega-hit crime action franchise “The Roundup” will return next month with its fourth installment, “The Roundup: Punishment,” just 11 months after the third one. The movie, this time, will see the reappearance of an old character as well as the addition of two new, stronger villains. “I’m just full of gratitude to be able to create the fourth in this action crime franchise, which I came up with the idea for while brainstorming 11 years ago i

FilmMarch 11, 2024

Rock band Sanullim's music to regain life in Europe

Legendary Korean rock trio Sanullim's songs, which marked a big milestone in the Korean music scene, will be officially released in Europe as four separate LPs. The rerelease project started when Guerssen Records, a record label group based in Spain, requested licenses for a rerelease. The four Sanullim LPs are rereleases of the first album, "Already Now," second album "Spread Silk on My Heart," third album "My Heart (My Soul Is a Wasteland)" and the compilatio

PerformanceMarch 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] Pianist Lang Lang celebrates French music, female composers in latest album

In bringing to life a long-envisioned French project, celebrated pianist Lang Lang stumbled upon a wealth of intriguing discoveries, spanning from the works of five female French composers to even the world of Taekwondo, a Korean martial art. He said he wanted to do a French project for a long time, but it wasn't until he encountered Saint-Saens' Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22, “which is underrated despite its excellence,” that he decided to mak

CultureMarch 11, 2024

'Oppenheimer' crowned best picture at an Academy Awards shadowed by war

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Oppenheimer,” a solemn three-hour biopic that became an unlikely billion-dollar box-office sensation, was crowned best picture at a 96th Academy Awards that doubled as a coronation for Christopher Nolan. After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Down

FilmMarch 11, 2024

[From the Scene] Early birds win at plum blossom festival

GWANGYANG, South Jeolla Province -- If you are considering celebrating the arrival of spring at Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival, one of South Korea’s most favored spring flower events, be ready to be at the festival site by 7 a.m. The 10-day flower festival kicked off March 8 at Gwangyang, a county located some 330 kilometers south of Seoul. Early birds will be able to enjoy the beautiful spring flowers to the fullest in a pleasant environment. Visitors exploring different areas of Gwang

TravelMarch 11, 2024

Sculptor Hong Jung-pyo covers messy reality in pursuit of perfection

In architecture, molding is used to cover transitions between surfaces to smooth rough sections, and comes in various materials such as wood, stone or cement. Korean sculptor Hong Jung-pyo’s “Hidden Edge” series, which he began in 2003, draws inspiration from the architectural element of molding. The 48-year-old artist, who delved into sculpture after graduating from Hongik University, has unveiled new works created out of wood or steel molding at the exhibition “Differen

Arts & DesignMarch 10, 2024

Korean veteran actors to make streaming service debuts in 2024

A slew of South Korean veteran actors will be making their debuts on streaming services this year, amid a widespread shift of viewership toward online video platforms. According to Disney+, veteran actor Song Kang-ho, who starred in a slew of hit films such as "The Host," "Snowpiercer," and "Parasite," will be making his first streaming service, as well as drama series debut, via Disney+ original "Uncle Samsik." Set in the 1960s, Korea, "Uncle Samsi

TelevisionMarch 10, 2024

Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra visits Korea on 10-day tour

The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, the oldest symphony orchestra in the US, is returning to South Korea for the first time since 2015 in a tour of three cities. The HRO, comprising Harvard students and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 1808. The 110-member ensemble led by music director and conductor Federico Cortese will perform music by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Bernstein, making three stops across the country -- Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul on March 13, Moak Hall in Jeonju, Nort

PerformanceMarch 10, 2024

[Herald Review] Slowdive captivates Korean fans with hypnotic performance

British shoegaze star band Slowdive presented absorbing hours to Korean fans with its first stand-alone concert in Seoul, Saturday. About 2,000 audience members gathered at the Myunghwa Live Hall, in west Seoul, to enjoy Slowdive's sold-out concert. The performance was held in a free, festive mood, with a small snack bar next to the venue entrance which sold beer and simple snacks. Slowdive, a representative band of the shoegaze genre, was formed by Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell in 1989.

PerformanceMarch 10, 2024

[New in Korean] 'Who Did We Kill' explores consequences of deadly prank

"Who Did We Kill" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Jeong Hai-yeon Vookda Set against the backdrop of a summer night in the mountains, "Who Did We Kill" unfolds the story of three friends whose camping prank takes a tragic turn, resulting in the accidental death of a fellow student. Gripped by fear, the trio conceals the incident, oblivious to the 30,000 won they extorted from the deceased. Fast forward nine years, and the two friends, mourning the loss of th

BooksMarch 10, 2024

Occult thriller 'Exhuma' tops 7m in admissions

The supernatural flick "Exhuma" has extended its strong box-office performance, topping 7 million in admissions, its distributor said Saturday. Released Feb. 22, the film topped 1 million admissions on its third day of release and hit the new milestone Friday, according to Showbox. Starring Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun, the movie follows two shamans, a feng shui expert and a mortician, who team up to get to the bottom of a series of mysterious events plaguing a wealthy U.S.-based fa

FilmMarch 9, 2024

Haman Nakhwa Festival taking online reservations

Haman, South Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday announced that online reservations will be required to attend the annual Haman Nakhwa Festival this year. This is the first time online reservations are being taken since the festival's launch in 1985, with reservations available for 16,000 spectators to enjoy the event this year. The county decided to hold two separate Nakhwa Festival events on May 14 and 15, each with 8,000 visitors, in consideration of visitor safety and the size of the venue

TravelMarch 9, 2024

[New in Korean] Star chef becomes president in black comedy 'Price King!!!'

"Price King!!!" By Kim Hong Munhakdongne Publishing The legendary merchant Batchi Crowder -- whose real name is Park Chi-guk -- started out as a street vendor in front of a bustling bus terminal, buying and selling all kinds of goods. He suddenly vanishes after selling off all his shares. One day, he reappears in a quaint town on the outskirts of Seoul, announcing the grand opening of King Price Mart. The confident slogan, “Anything not here? Not even in heaven!” is not a m

BooksMarch 9, 2024

[New in Korean] YA debut novel traps readers in underwater tunnel

"Tunnel 103" By Yoo Yi-je Changbi Publishers A peaceful day on Black Widow Spider Island, a popular tourist destination, is shattered by the sudden emergence of monstrous creatures. Desperately running away from the monsters, people find themselves trapped in an underwater tunnel. Panic ensues as seawater ominously leaks in and the tunnel's collapse is only a matter of when. The underwater tunnel is the only passage connecting the island and the mainland, but the island is infeste

BooksMarch 9, 2024