Gyeongju wins at IEFA 2024 Pinnacle Awards

Gyeongju, an iconic tourist destination in the southeast of Korea, clinched the prize for best world heritage city and festival at the 2024 Pinnacle Awards and Asia Festival City Conference held in Thailand on Thursday. The Pinnacle Awards is a tourism industry event that celebrates different cities’ tourism excellence across the globe. The Asia Festival City Conference is an annual meeting dedicated to creating quality Asian festivals to beckon overseas travelers from different regions. G

TravelMarch 1, 2024

[What to see] Korea's emerging artists at Arario Gallery, Choi Wook-kyung at Kukje Gallery's hanok space

If you are a fan of art, you may be familiar with the neighborhood of Jongno-gu in Seoul, which is home to a cluster of galleries. The two leading galleries in the district -- the Kukje Gallery and Arario Gallery -- have opened exhibitions introducing contemporary Korean artists. Rising artists at Arario Gallery Painter Noh Sang-ho unveiled his new paintings, which he created based on images he found "floating in the online realm." Having collected, duplicated and transformed images

Arts & DesignMarch 1, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Grand Hyatt Seoul unveils 'Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea' Grand Hyatt Seoul, located in Yongsan, central Seoul, runs its spring food promotion at The Gallery, from Friday to May 31. The promotion includes a variety of mini cakes featuring seasonal fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruits, as well as The Gallery’s charcuterie and savories. Strawberry mojitos and rosemary sparkling drinks will be offered as well. “Spring Citrus Afternoon Tea” will be available from

TravelMarch 1, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Japanese Cornelian cherry blossom trails in Gurye Cornelian cherry dogwood, one of the first trees to flower in spring, beckons tourists to cherry blossom-lined trails in Gurye County, South Jeolla Province. From March 9-17, the trail that cuts through villages and hidden spots is open to all looking for spring flowers. Guided tours will be offered March 10, 16 and 17 for those making reservations online at naver.me/xBsHaJDS. The 2.5-kilometer trail, which is mostly flat, takes about 50 minu

TravelMarch 1, 2024

[Well-curated] Learn Hangeul with Pinkfong, get a caricature done and treat yourself to expensive dessert

Learn Hangeul with Pinkfong If you have young children, nephews or nieces who are Pinkfong fans, head to Pinkfong Hangeul Playground at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeongdeungpo-gu, western Seoul with them this weekend. The Pinkfong Hangeul Playground, which opened Monday, is an offline experience area, with photo zone, media zone and study zone teaching visitors Hangeul, the Korean writing system. Children can take selfies with Pinkfong characters at the photo zone and enjoy a special animation at the

CultureMarch 1, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Exhuma” (South Korea) Opened Feb. 22 Mystery/Thriller Directed by Jang Jae-hyun A feng-shui expert, an undertaker and two shaman exorcists pull together to find a new resting place for a deceased person for a hefty sum of money and discover a supernatural phenomenon a dark omen related to a wealthy Los Angeles family. “Dune: Part Two” (US, Canada) Opened Feb. 28 Action/Sci-fi Directed by Denis Villeneuve In the year 10,191 on Arrakis, recently outcast heir to the thron

FilmMarch 1, 2024

[Graphic News] Cultural heritage and assets outside of South Korea

More than 240,000 Korean artifacts are currently located outside of the country including those that have been stolen, plundered and sold or given as gifts. According to Korean Cultural Heritage Administration and the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, 803 museums and art galleries in 29 countries around the world hold an estimated 246,304 artifacts as of January. This was a slight increase compared to January last year (229,655 artifacts). By country, Japan held the highest number

CultureMarch 1, 2024

'The Birth of Korea' sequel to be released next year

The sequel to the box office hit political documentary film “The Birth of Korea” will be released next year, while director Kim Deok-young plans to produce up to five installments for the detailed portrayal of South Korea's first president Syngman Rhee. Director Kim said “The Birth of Korea 2” will open in local theaters on March 26 next year, marking the 150th anniversary of Rhee’s birth. “I have so many stories to tell. Because I have covered so many th

FilmFeb. 29, 2024

Actor Lee Jae-wook vows legal action against malicious rumors

Actor Lee Jae-wook, who recently confirmed rumors that he is in a romantic relationship with Karina of aespa, warned Thursday that he would take strong legal action against groundless rumors circulating online. Lee's agency CJes Studios said via a public statement that it was notified of "ill-intended, insulting online posts, which contain false claims and defame Lee." "It is a severe infringement of human rights, and our company will file criminal and civic charges against (

TelevisionFeb. 29, 2024

Seoul Library's Global Collections bridge cultures through books

The Global Collections located on the 4th floor of the Seoul Metropolitan Library in Jung-gu introduces the history and culture of various countries through books. This collection is curated through books donated by embassies and cultural centers spanning over 60 countries. Last week, the library said it received a donation of 20 books from the Peruvian Embassy on the history and culture of Peru. The donated books will soon be made available on the shelves. The Global Collections, established in

BooksFeb. 29, 2024

'Burnt Offering III' takes top prize at Seoul Arts Awards

The dance performance “Burnt Offering III” by the 99 Art Company has won the top prize at the Second Seoul Arts Awards. The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture presented the award, which was accompanied by a prize of 20 million won ($1,498), during the award ceremony at the National Theater of Korea’s Haneul Round Theater on Wednesday. Choreographed by Jang Hye-rim, the artistic director of the 99 Art Company, "Burnt Offering III" draws inspiration from the movement

PerformanceFeb. 29, 2024

National Hangeul Museum eyes bigger role ahead of 10th anniversary

The National Hangeul Museum is looking to launch several exhibitions this year to boost its presence as the state-run institution prepares to mark its 10th anniversary on Hangeul Day on Oct. 9. A series of touring exhibitions will take place in cities around the country and abroad year-round, with exhibitions in Korea already underway. The exhibition “Children in a Happy World of Their Own” kicked off in January in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the first of five stops in the t

Arts & DesignFeb. 29, 2024

Boiling, filtering water can remove up to 90% of microplastics: study

Boiling and filtering tap water can drastically reduce the level of plastic particles in it, a study by China-based research team published Wednesday said. Scientists from the Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University conducted a study in which they observed the effect of boiling mineral-rich water, to see if it could lead to reduced human intake of nano/microplastics (NMPs). The researchers took multiple samples of tap water from the Guangzhou region, contaminated with varying levels of

FoodFeb. 29, 2024

Design Doha shows off diversity of Arab craft, design community

DOHA, Qatar -- Craftsmanship brings together the history, geography and aesthetics of the people of a region while offering a glimpse into their philosophies and lifestyles. Arab craftsmanship has a long-standing history, playing a crucial part in the culture deeply embedded in ordinary people’s lives. Qatar Museums in Doha are presenting the heritage of Arab design at the inaugural Design Doha biennial, which kicked off Saturday, inviting some 70 contemporary artists from the Middle East

Arts & DesignFeb. 28, 2024

Culture Ministry, KTO seek to make S. Korea an Arab-friendly travel destination

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Korea Tourism Organization on Wednesday launched a new public-private consultative group Aalam Arabi Korea with the aim of creating a more enjoyable tourism environment for holidaymakers from the Middle East. Aalam Arabi Korea, meaning “world of Arab in Korea” in Arabic, has been formed to create tourism products for travelers from the Middle East travelers, analyze Arab holidaymakers’ travel trends, identify major customers, and

TravelFeb. 28, 2024

Actor Sung Hoon makes stage debut in comedy 'Art'

When Marc visits the home of his friend Serge, he is taken aback by a recent acquisition -- a large and very expensive "blank" painting with a few fine white lines etched onto a white canvas. This peculiar artwork becomes a source of concern for three longtime friends -- Serge, Marc and Yvan. Their friendship is strained by their differing opinions on art, leading to heated bickering, estrangement and then reconciliation. The comedy play, titled "Art," filled with delightful

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2024

'Parasyte: The Grey' to hit Netflix in April

"Parasyte: The Grey," helmed by South Korean director Yeon Sang-ho, who directed hit Korean Netflix original horror series "Hellbound" and "The Bequeathed," will stream on Netflix starting April 5, the streaming giant announced Wednesday. "Parasyte: The Grey" is set in the world of the hit Japanese manga series "Parasyte," which sold over 25 million copies globally. The manga series follows the story of a high school student named Shinichi Izum

TelevisionFeb. 28, 2024

CJ Cultural Foundation announces support for music, film, musical creators

CJ Cultural Foundation is currently accepting works from aspiring artists, in a bid to help them enter the entertainment market. The annual contest is part of the foundation's efforts to support artists in marginalized sectors such as independent musicians, short film directors and musical creators. CJ Cultural Foundation said it is accepting music files or videos from aspiring music makers for its indie musician support program, titled "Tune Up," until March 20. Works can be subm

CultureFeb. 28, 2024

‘A Dance of Spring’ brings leading contemporary dance choreographers to National Jeongdong Theater

Leading contemporary dance choreographers are set to captivate audiences in a dance series at the National Jeongdong Theater in Korea in April. The series entitled "A Dance of Spring" will showcase the creative brilliance of Ahn Eun-me, Ahn Ae-soon and Ahn Sung-soo on April 3, 5 and 7, respectively. “A Dance of Spring” is a sequel to last year’s "A Midsummer Night's Dance," which featured works by choreographers in the traditional dance genre. The serie

PerformanceFeb. 28, 2024

[Herald Interview] Heading toward 20th anniversary, Novus String Quartet continues to stay current

Nine years ago this month, the Novus String Quartet was featured in The Korea Herald’s “Up and Coming” series. Nearly a decade later, they continue to evolve. “At that time, we were just making the transition from the mixed life of a student and a performer into a professional performer. Now we are professional performers who also pursue teaching careers,” violinist Kim Jae-young, the leader of the quartet, told The Korea Herald during an interview on Monday. Kim an

CultureFeb. 27, 2024