Netflix announces major Korean originals for 2024

Netflix on Tuesday unveiled a lineup of South Korean series and films that are scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2024. Among the Korean drama series that will hit the platform in the first half of this year is "A Killer Paradox," a webtoon-based thriller series that stars Choi Woo-shik and Son Suk-ku. The first episode of "A Killer Paradox" will stream on Netflix Friday. "Chicken Nugget," which follows the story of a father whose daughter turns into a chicken n

FilmFeb. 6, 2024

[Herald Interview] Director Hirokazu Koreeda hopes to work again with Korean actors

Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda said he wishes to collaborate with Korean actors again, mentioning the names of new rising stars here during an interview with Korean media in Seoul on Monday. Koreeda, 61, was in Seoul over the weekend to meet with the local audience and talk about his latest film “Monster.” “Monster,” which opened in November, attracted 500,000 moviegoers here, the second-highest number for a Japanese non-animated film after 20002's “Even I

FilmFeb. 6, 2024

Everland beckons Lunar New Year holidaymakers

Everland -- South Korea’s largest theme park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province -- is offering special events ranging from fireworks to hands-on traditional and cultural activities during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. Celebrating the Year of the Blue Dragon, Everland offers good luck message cards to all visitors at Everland’s Butterfly Garden and Carnival Square. The cards feature animation characters wishing health, happiness, love, bravery, wealth and more, allowing the visitors

TravelFeb. 6, 2024

[Herald Interview] 'LTNS' draws portrait of modern Koreans via infidelity, broken marriages

Directors Lim Dae-hyung and Jeon Go-woon said they wanted to draw a portrait of modern people by portraying broken marriages in their six-part black comedy "LTNS." Short for "Long Time No Sex," the drama series follows the story of Woo-jin (played by Esom) and Samuel (played by Ahn Jae-hong), a sexless couple who have been married for five years, who chase down unfaithful couples to extort money from them. The drama series delivers sexually explicit scenes and dialogue -- s

TelevisionFeb. 6, 2024

Jung Il-woo breaks sexual mold with Molina in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'

The Korean production of the play “Kiss of the Spider Woman” kicked off its fourth run on Jan 21 with Jung Il-woo stepping into the role of Molina, a trans woman. Adapted from the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, the play revolves around two prisoners -- Molina and Valentin, a political prisoner. The two inmates with differing ideologies share a cell in the prison and gradually come to accept each other. Also cast in the role of Molina are Yi Youll and Jeon Bak-chan. Jung

PerformanceFeb. 5, 2024

Veteran actor Namkoong Won dies at 90

South Korea’s veteran actor Namkoong Won passed away at age 90 in Seoul on Monday, years after he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Born on Aug. 1, 1934, he debuted as an actor with director No Pil’s “Bring Back the Night Once More.” Since then, he came to represent the Korean film industry from the 1960s to the 1980s, starring in more than 300 films including director Lee Man-hee’s “Six Shadows,” director Shin Sang-ok’s “War and Humanity,&rd

FilmFeb. 5, 2024

With 'Breath,' soprano Park Hye-sang wants to say 'embrace your life while you live'

Park Hye-sang, the first Asian soprano to be signed by Deutsche Grammophon, on Friday released her second album, a project that has engaged her for more than two years. Park learned free diving for the album jacket -- she took photos underwater, symbolizing the theme of "breath." She also went on a pilgrimage to Santiago, Spain last year, walking every day for 25 days. "There wasn't a single day that I did not think about this album in the last 2 1/2 years. The album includ

CultureFeb. 5, 2024

White Cube shows sublime beauty of Minoru Nomata's art

Viewing Japanese artist Minoru Nomata’s paintings, one may feel as though they were hovering between reality and illusion. One wonders if the architecture depicted in them actually exists. The exhibition “Far Sights” is the artist’s first show in Seoul, spanning two decades of his career. It brings together paintings, including the “Eastbound” series from the late 1990s, which draws from the prevailing influence of “Eastern aesthetics and “Japonism

Arts & DesignFeb. 5, 2024

[Herald Interview] Adriana Tomeu's dream unfolds on the stage of 'Il Tenore'

Since Dec. 19, Adriana Tomeu, hailing from the US, has been taking the stage as Madame Becker in the musical “Il Tenore,” or the tenor in English. The musical about a medical student with a passion for classical singing set in 1920s Korea during the Japanese occupation had its world premiere in Seoul. "Il Tenore" marks Tomeu's return to the professional musical stage after almost a decade -- she had chosen a career in science over the musical theater career she had bee

CultureFeb. 5, 2024

[Indie spirit] Band Lucy aims to expand spectrum, with music full of childhood reminiscence

A bosom friend from childhood. This is the phrase that best represents the color and tone of Lucy, a four-member band that has quickly become one of the leading acts in the Korean band scene. "Our motto is ‘childhood.’ Childhood friends are the only ones who allow us to act immature even after we've grown up," said bassist and producer Cho Won-sang, 27. "I hope listeners feel that way whenever they play our music, just being themselves and free from anxieties,&rdq

PerformanceFeb. 5, 2024

Kwak Hyun-joo puts kaleidoscope of colors on runway

KwakHyunJoo Collection’s fall-winter 2024 runway show at Seoul Fashion Week on Sunday was a unisex show of colors -- from clotted cream and pink to bright lime green and light blue -- in a wide array of outwear. At Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, the mix of colors and fabrics on the runway embodied what designer Kwak wants her brand to become: attractive and sexy. Boxy blazers and coats, slouchy crop tops, draped trousers and chiffon skirts set Kwak’s collection apart from others.

Arts & DesignFeb. 5, 2024

Entertainment industry split over plan to mandate holdback period for state-funded films

The Culture Ministry’s plan to mandate a grace period of possibly up to six months before films that received government funding are released on streaming platforms like Netflix is being met with mixed reactions by the local entertainment industry, including film distributors and streaming platform operators. In November, the ministry temporarily instituted a “holdback” period for films with a production cost of over 3 billion won which received state funding, requiring the dis

FilmFeb. 5, 2024

Conductor Hong Seok-won to lead Busan Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor Hong Seok-won has been appointed as the next artistic director of the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, according to the Busan city government last week. Hong, who is currently the artistic director of the Gwangju Symphony Orchestra, will begin his two-year term on July 1. He succeeds Choi Soo-yeol, whose term expired in December after six years. Hong previously led the Busan City Symphony Orchestra as a guest conductor in 2020 and 2023. Hong, a graduate of Seoul National University and th

CultureFeb. 5, 2024

Designer Im Seon-oc offers mix of structured and fluid looks

As expected, Im Seon-oc, the womenswear designer known for her use of neoprene, celebrated her synthetic-rubber style at Seoul Fashion Week on Saturday, this time in exuberant bursts of pink, red and lavender. The fall-winter 2024 collection of Partsparts embodied muted luxury or a “uniform for city life.” Long-sleeve tops and draped trousers, with minimal or almost no embellishments, reflected Im’s way of balancing practicality and originality. “Clothes have to be innova

Arts & DesignFeb. 4, 2024

Claims reliquary was stolen will be reviewed if evidence given: museum

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston said it would review any claims of theft if such evidence is presented concerning a Buddhist reliquary that South Korea is looking to repatriate, ahead of talks over the issue Monday morning in the US. Karen Frascona, the museum’s marketing and communications director, told The Korea Herald that “there is nothing in its history to indicate theft, looting or coercive transfer.” Negotiations over the Buddhist relic from the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392

CultureFeb. 4, 2024

Traditional performances for Lunar New Year festivities

The Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays are a time when there is more than the usual offering of traditional performances. The National Dance Company of Korea, National Gugak Center and Seoul Namsan Gukakdang are set to create special ambiances which capture the essence of the traditional holiday. 'Festival' with National Dance Company The National Dance Company of Korea, affiliated with the National Theater of Korea, is ushering in the Year of Blue Dragon with a special holiday produc

PerformanceFeb. 4, 2024

[Herald Review] Even scene-stealing kitty cannot rescue 'Argylle'

After a trio of “Kingsman” movies, director Matthew Vaughn decided on a change of pace, playfully approaching a spy caper with less violence in “Argylle.” It even stars a cute kitten who appears more often than the protagonist. Yet, the movie is just another pastiche of spy action with whimsical action and little else. “Argylle” follows Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard), a reclusive author and a cat lady who writes bestselling espionage novels in which the nam

FilmFeb. 4, 2024

[Books News] From page to stage, contemporary bestsellers leap from bookshelves to spotlight

Three contemporary literary bestsellers are set to undergo a spectacular transformation this year as they move from the page to the stage. Embracing new genres such as musicals, music dramas and theater productions, these adaptations offer original fans a fresh and enjoyable avenue to experience the stories. ‘The Old Woman with the Knife’ In a much-anticipated adaptation, Gu Byeong-mo’s bestselling noir novel “The Old Woman with the Knife” is making its theatrical

BooksFeb. 3, 2024

[What to see] Korean artists flourish at both international, Korean galleries

This is a good time of year to discover Korean artists that you might not know of, both emerging and established, and see their new works in Seoul. Several international and Korean galleries are putting on interesting exhibitions of Korean artists as the new year starts. Here is a round-up of notable shows. “Wonderland” at Lehmann Maupin The American gallery is holding an exhibition of works by four Korean-born artists – You Gui-mi, Nahm Hyun, Yim Mie and Ken Gun Min –

Arts & DesignFeb. 3, 2024

[New in Town] Patties brings flame-grilled burgers to Euljiro

Koreans might not be able to match the US in their love of beef patties, but burgers are one of the most popular options here to grab on the go. At Patties, a new homemade burger restaurant that opened in December near Euljiro 4-ga Station, you don’t want to finish your palm-sized burger in a few bites. Here, the burger is something to appreciate, enjoying every bite in a creative way, such as dipping it in a thick cream soup. Patties’ burgers come in five varieties -- basic, cheese,

FoodFeb. 3, 2024