Tours of royal hall at Changdeokgung to open

Free guided tours of the royal hall Injeongjeon at Changdeokgung -- one of the five palaces in Seoul of the Joseon era (1392-1910) -- will run for the entire month of March, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Friday. Existing tours of the palace covering major palace buildings are to add a 15-minute stop for a rare look inside Injeongjeon -- the main hall of the palace, where key royal ceremonies from proclamations to weddings took place. Kings used the hall to discuss day-to-day matters

CultureFeb. 23, 2024

Temple that housed book on Hangeul launches Hangeul awareness group

A South Korean Buddhist temple believed to have housed an old book annotating Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, has launched an awareness group to promote the “power of altruism” behind the writing system King Sejong the Great created in 1443. “Going forward, we will undertake projects to promote the true spirit of Hunminjeongeum,” said the Ven. Beomjong, president of the Hunmin Spirit Globalization Association, referring to the original name for Hangeul at a launch ceremony

CultureFeb. 23, 2024

Michelin Guide’s Busan selections unveiled, Mosu stays tops in Seoul

Forty-three restaurants in Busan have made the list for year’s Michelin Guide, the prestigious culinary guidebook that has been published in South Korea for the past eight years. Of the 43, 15 restaurants in Busan have been distinguished as Bib Gourmand selections – nonstarred restaurants that offer excellent food at reasonable prices at around 45,000 won or less. Seoul’s Bib Gourmand list now features 57 restaurants, offering a wide range of local and foreign dining options. T

FoodFeb. 23, 2024

‘Picnic’ surpasses breakeven point, in first such feat by indie film in 5 years

“Picnic,” a low-budget independent film from director Kim Yong-gyun, had recorded 281,000 tickets sold as of Friday, becoming the first Korean indie film to surpass its breakeven point in five years. “Picnic” also became the first film this year to surpass to get over the hump. With a production cost of just some 1.2 billion won ($900,000), the movie’s breakeven point came at 270,000 admissions. Since the movie’s opening on Feb. 7, “Picnic” has dom

FilmFeb. 23, 2024

Pansori, shadow puppetry combined in 'Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden'

A Jeju myth comes to life through a combination of pansori, or Korean traditional narrative singing, and shadow puppetry in a children's production running at the National Jeongdong Theater in Korea, Cecil through Wednesday. "Tale of Seocheon Flower Garden" is a reinterpretation of the myth of Hallakgungi, found in the shamanistic songs of Jeju Island known as "Igongbonpuri." The protagonist, Hallakgungi, embarks on a journey to the Seocheon Flower Garden at the afterlif

PerformanceFeb. 23, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Dune: Part Two’ an Imax-ready masterpiece of messiah and sandworms

Following the box office success of director Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” (2021) at a time when global cinema was humbled by the pandemic, the second half of the director's adaptation of the 1965 epic science fiction novel of the same title by Frank Herbert has finally been revealed. “Dune: Part Two,” which hits local theaters Wednesday, is an Imax-ready blockbuster with a dense, nigh impenetrable storyline that follows the recently outcast heir to the throne of H

FilmFeb. 23, 2024

Lim Yunchan to offer interpretation of Chopin's Etudes in Decca debut album coming in April

Lim Yunchan, the youngest winner ever to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, unveiled a single of Chopin’s Op.10 No.3 "Tristesse" earlier this week, offering a sneak peek at his first album on the Decca Classical label. His upcoming album, titled “Chopin: Etudes,” will be released April 19, according to Universal Music Group, Decca’s parent company. The pianist signed an exclusive recording deal with Decca in October last year. “Pianists l

CultureFeb. 23, 2024

[Media Art Now] Song Ye-hwan asks, 'Whose world? How wide?'

The term “World Wide Web,” simply “the web,” was first put to use in 1989, for a system of linked information accessed through the internet. Its earliest form, Web 1.0, was regarded as pages to read and end-users were just consumers. With Web 2.0, users became producers and the user-created content enabled the web to become a platform, accelerated by mobile devices and social media networks. The web has now been evolving into Web 3.0 -- decentralized, autonomous and intel

Arts & DesignFeb. 23, 2024

[Well-curated] Matcha espresso, salad that eats like meal, Ilya Milstein’s llustration

Try Matcha espresso with tonic water, Financier Koreans love their Americanos, but espresso bars have become more trendy over the last few years, with more than a hundred espresso bars thriving in Seoul's cafe scene. Mulino Espresso Bar, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is the rare combination of a strong espresso shot, cool-temperature whipped matcha cream, eye-pleasing pastel green matcha syrup and tonic water to refresh your mouth after your cup is finished. Try pairing it with a sweet and

CultureFeb. 23, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Jeju Canola Flower Festival Canola flowers on Jeju Island herald the start of spring. Following the winter camellia festival, the resort island now invites visitors to its canola flower festival, which will run until the end of April. At Hueree Park, visitors won’t just find a field of yellow canola flowers. Red plum blossoms and hydrangea, set to bloom as early as April, will render a more spring-like atmosphere. Pets on leashes are allowed. Admission costs 13,000 won for adults, 11,0

TravelFeb. 23, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju presents unique package Haevichi Hotel and Resorts Jeju is offering a new staycation “Spring Riding” package, available through May 31. The package provides an opportunity to feed carrots to their horses and experience horse riding at Gotjawal Forest in Samdal-ri. The package also includes a one-night stay, buffet breakfast for two, swimming in both the indoor and outdoor pool of the hotel, and a choice between a bottle of hallabong orange juice an

TravelFeb. 23, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“The Birth of Korea” (South Korea) Opened Feb. 1 Documentary Directed by Kim Deok-young The film covers the first generation of South Korean politicians and Rhee Syng-man, the country's first president, delving into their efforts to protect the nation. The film looks back on the last 70 years of Korea's history, with a focus on some of Rhee's major achievements like farmland reform. “Wonka” (US) Opened Jan. 31 Fantasy Directed by Paul King "Wonka&quo

FilmFeb. 23, 2024

ARKO Selection inspired by the familiar

ARKO Selection's fifth and final set of productions -- one traditional concert, two dance performances and one opera -- are drawing inspiration from elements that will be familiar to Korean audiences. Kicking off the weekend on Friday and Saturday, the traditional performance "Multiverse of Infinite Convergence" brings gugak to the center. Gayageum player Heo Yoon-jeong, also a member of the jazz and gugak crossover ensemble Black String since 2011, will collaborate with 13 musici

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2024

CHA eyes easing rules, bigger outreach

A sweeping overhaul of regulations and broader outreach are the focus of what the Cultural Heritage Administration intends to achieve this year, the state-run agency said Thursday. At an annual briefing to update the public about its latest priorities, CHA chief Choi Eung-chon underscored the new goal of allowing Koreans to enjoy the benefits of the work the agency does. “That’s our new role and value,” Choi said, describing the plan to rename the agency with the phrase “

CultureFeb. 22, 2024

[Herald Review] 'Exhuma' brings horror with shamanism, but fails to connect stories

Director Jang Jae-hyun, also known here as a "K-occult master" thanks to his hit films "The Priest" and "Svaha: The Sixth Finger," returned with a horror flick that portrays terrifying practices of Korean shamanism, imbued with fine acting of veteran actors such as Choi Min-sik and Kim Go-eun. "Exhuma" follows the events that unfold for a group of exorcists, an undertaker and a feng shui specialist, who take on the job of relocating a tomb of a wealthy fam

FilmFeb. 22, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Bum-soo marks 25 years in music with new album 'Journey'

Singer Kim Bum-soo has returned with his 9th full-length studio album, "Journey," celebrating his 25th year as a singer. Although the recent landscape of the entertainment industry calls for versatility and multifaceted identities, the singer believes in dedicating himself to the role of vocalist and preserving his values as a singer. Unlike in previous albums in which Kim prioritized the singing ability, high notes and technique, Kim said that his new album is "minimal and poetic

PerformanceFeb. 22, 2024

Timothee Chalamet thankful for Korean fans, promotes ‘Dune: Part Two’ in Seoul

Actor Timothee Chalamet said he is thankful for Korean fans of the "Dune" series during a press conference held to promote his new film, “Dune: Part Two,” in Seoul on Wednesday. Chalamet, director Denis Villeneuve and other cast members including Zendaya, Austin Butler and Stellan Skarsgard were present at the event. Pronouncing the term in Korean carefully, “Dune-chin-ja" -- short for "Dune-e-michin-ja" or one who‘s crazy for ”Dune" in

FilmFeb. 21, 2024

Fried chicken becomes most sought-after dish for overseas travelers in 2023

Creatrip, South Korean inbound tourism service platform, on Wednesday announced the Korean food trends among foreign holidaymakers in 2023. Based on the online transaction data collected throughout 2023, Korean-style fried chicken was selected as the most popular Korean food for overseas tourists. The platform explained that many foreigners enjoyed fried chicken via online delivery services and reservations. In addition, an increasing number of tourists were looking for more unique ways to tas

TravelFeb. 21, 2024

National Museum of Korea to show Buddhist paintings, drawings

The National Museum of Korea is mounting an exhibition through July 21 dedicated to exploring Buddhist paintings and drawings from the 19th to 20th century, a period the museum says is marked by Western influence. Of 37 pieces on exhibit -- all by monk painters -- the painting of Amitabha Buddha preaching in paradise is a textbook example of such influence, according to a NMK official, citing the three-dimensional effect of the drawn figures. Another painting carries the name of the painter hims

Arts & DesignFeb. 21, 2024

Jeon Do-yeon, Park Hae-soo to star in Simon Stone's play 'Cherry Orchard'

Renowned South Korean actor Jeon Do-yeon, who is a familiar face from both TV and film, is returning to the theatrical stage after 27 years, taking on a leading role in the play "The Cherry Orchard.” World-renowned Australian director Simon Stone will helm the production, which is slated to run from June 4 to July 7 at the LG Art Center in Seoul. Stone has collaborated with prestigious theaters such as the National Theatre in London and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Jeon will be

PerformanceFeb. 21, 2024