CHA chief hopes for ‘progress’ in repatriation of Buddhist relics

The chief of the Cultural Heritage Administration said Thursday he is looking to “make some progress” in the talks on the repatriation of Buddhist objects, at his scheduled meeting with officials from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Talks on the repatriation of a Goryeo-era (918-1392) Buddhist reliquary will resume in Boston on Monday amid waning expectations for a breakthrough. The museum has maintained that it can return only the sarira part from inside the reliquary, since the Bu

CultureFeb. 1, 2024

[New on the scene] Martial arts director-turned-filmmaker confident of Don Lee’s international appeal

The post-apocalyptic action film "Badland Hunters," which topped the Netflix global chart immediately after its release on Jan. 26, is a work by director Heo Myeong-haeng and his longtime partner, actor Don Lee, also known as Ma Dong-seok. “We were looking for something to do together and because he (Lee) works often on new scenarios, he discovered this story and suggested we do it together,” Heo told The Korea Herald in an interview in Seoul on Tuesday. Having spent more

FilmFeb. 1, 2024

YB returns with nationwide tour

Leading rock band YB returns with a national concert tour, "2024 YB Tour Lights: Infinity." The legendary band kicks off its tour on March 9 at the Chunma Art Center of Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, for a two-day run. The band will visit 10 cities in total, also including Suwon, Ansan and Yongin in Gyeonggi Province, Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, Busan, Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, Incheon, Wonju in Gangwon Province and Gwangju. "Lights&

PerformanceFeb. 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Guggenheim Museum puts Korean experimental art on global art stage

Experimental art in Korea from the 1960s to 1970s has received little attention compared to other Korean art genres despite its unique place in Korean art history. Setting the art genre in the global context for international audiences was a recent exhibition at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York co-organized with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. The exhibition “Only the Young: Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s-1970s” ended its four-month run at the Gug

Arts & DesignJan. 31, 2024

Playlists reveal what inspired top classical musicians

Soviet-era pianist Vladimir Sofronitsky, who passed away 1961, has been brought back to the spotlight in South Korea recently thanks to playlists compiled by top musicians. The pianist is on the playlists of two star Korean pianists -- Cho Seong-jin and Lim Yun-chan -- unveiled on Apple Music Classical last week. In addition to Lim and Cho, another celebrated pianist, Son Yeol-eum, and composer and music director June Jae-il have partnered up with the stand-alone app dedicated to classical m

CultureJan. 31, 2024

Bangucheon petroglyphs proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Cultural Heritage Administration has turned in an application to add to UNESCO’s World Heritage Site petroglyphs or rock carvings at the stream Bangucheon in Ulsan, which date back to prehistoric times, the agency said Wednesday. Bangucheon encompasses a series of historical sites in Ulsan’s Ulju-gun, including the Cheonjeon-ri and Daegok-ri petroglyphs, both designated as national treasures. The Cheonjeon-ri petroglyphs, found about halfway down the stream Daegokcheon, are well

CultureJan. 31, 2024

CHA releases English report on ‘gwaebul’ Buddhist paintings

A research arm of the Cultural Heritage Administration published for the first time an English report on “gwaebul,” large paintings depicting Buddha preaching to his followers that are hung outside temples when rituals take place. Such paintings are rarely found in China and Japan, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage said Tuesday, citing a project that has been studying gwaebul since 2015. A broader probe into Buddhist paintings took off in the mid-1970s, it added. T

CultureJan. 31, 2024

Seoul Jazz Festival returns to Olympic Park with diverse lineup

The schedule and initial lineup for the 16th Seoul Jazz Festival 2024 have been revealed. In its 16th year, the Seoul Jazz Festival will be held at four venues located in Seoul's Olympic Park from May 31 to June 2, featuring around 60 diverse artists from home and abroad. Singer-songwriter Lauv, who is popular for his dynamic performances and emotional music, and French artist FKJ, who is known for his bold fusion of soul, jazz and electronic music, will visit Korea for the festival. Legend

PerformanceJan. 31, 2024

More Korean actors debut in Hollywood, changing Asian representation there

In recent years, the Hollywood debuts of Don Lee and Park Seo-joon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Blackpink's Jennie starring in the HBO drama “The Idol,” were feted as huge feats in Korea, never mind that their appearances lasted just minutes. Recent wins at major film festivals by creators and actors of Korean descent -- Korean Canadian director Celine Song of “Past Lives” and Korean American director Lee Seong-jin and actor Steven Yeun of “Beef”

FilmJan. 31, 2024

Culture Ministry, KTO to focus on experiential programs for young foreign travelers

Making Korea a tourism powerhouse and a sought-after travel destination among young overseas travelers will be the focus of Korea Tourism Organization this year. In a press conference with Korea Tourism Organization officials and 31 directors of the KTO’s overseas offices in central Seoul on Tuesday, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon highlighted the importance of creating eye-catching tourism products and hosting exciting local festivals that allow travelers to truly experien

TravelJan. 31, 2024

Lee Young-ae to star in sequel to legendary K-drama 'Jewel in the Palace'

South Korean veteran actor Lee Young-ae will star in the sequel to the legendary Korean drama series "Jewel in the Palace," reprising the role which shot the actor to international fame 20 years ago, said Korean entertainment company Fantagio. According to Fantagio, Lee Young-ae has been cast as the lead actress for the sequel series which is expected to begin filming in October and air in early 2025. The working title for the drama series is "Medic Dae Jang Geum" and the ser

TelevisionJan. 31, 2024

[Herald Review] Unclear message of 'Dog Days' disappoints, but fine acting saves the day

A heartwarming tear-jerker with cute, adorable dogs might just be enough to chase away the February cold. In "Dog Days," the different stories of the characters gradually converge as the plot progresses. Renowned architect Min-seo (played by Youn Yuh-jung), who has lost her only family, her beloved dog, embarks on a journey to find the dog. Seon-yong (played by Jung Sung-hwa) and Jeong-ah (played by Kim Yun-jin), a couple who struggle to connect with their newly adopted daughter, fin

FilmJan. 31, 2024

Yoon vows to do more to preserve Buddhist heritage

President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a Buddhist New Year's gathering Tuesday and pledged to do more to better preserve Buddhist and other religious heritages. The gathering co-organized by the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders and the Buddhist leaders' forum of the Jogye Order brought together some 800 members of the public, Buddhist leaders, including Jogye leader Ven. Jinwoo, lawmakers and government officials, to mark the 2568th year in the Buddhist calendar. In congratulatory remar

CultureJan. 30, 2024

Kim Tae-hee, Park Hae-soo to make Hollywood debut with 'Butterfly'

South Korean actors Kim Tae-hee and Park Hae-soo are set to make their Hollywood debuts via Amazon Prime Video's new spy thriller series, "Butterfly," according to the agencies representing the two actors, Tuesday. The six-part series about former Central Intelligence Agency agent David Jung (played by Daniel Dae Kim) and a sociopathic CIA agent named Rebecca (played by Reina Hardesty), is adapted from the graphic novel of the same title authored by Marguerite Bennett. Kim Tae-hee

TelevisionJan. 30, 2024

Seoul Fashion Week opens early to attract foreign buyers

The biannual Seoul Fashion Week will open Thursday with 21 local fashion designer brands and 68 local fashion brands showing their collections at two venues: Dongdaemun Design Plaza and SFactory. The five-day event, which kicks off a month earlier than last year, is aimed at linking as many foreign buyers as possible to local brands seeking a global presence, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. A total of 101 foreign buyers from 23 countries are expected to attend. “We’re

Arts & DesignJan. 30, 2024

Korea to host 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture in 2025

South Korea will co-host the 10th edition of the World Summit on Arts and Culture next year, bringing together more than 400 experts and artists from across the world to discuss cultural issues and seek cultural cooperation among countries. The summit is organized by the International Federation of Arts Council and Culture Agencies which holds world summits around the world to debate complex issues of the time with cultural leaders. South Korea was chosen unanimously by the 13 delegates in Oct

Arts & DesignJan. 30, 2024

[Herald Review] Awesome action lifts dull plot of 'Badland Hunters'

For a popcorn flick this weekend, Netflix original film “Badland Hunters,” Don Lee’s first project with the global streaming platform, might be the ideal answer. Set in a post-earthquake Seoul where society has collapsed, fearless hunter Nam-san (Lee, better known in Korea as Ma Dong-seok) goes out to rescue Soo-na (Roh Jeong-eui), a teenager who has been kidnapped by Yang Gi-soo (Lee Hee-joon), a crazy doctor. “D.P” and “Mask Girl” star villain Lee Jun-

FilmJan. 30, 2024

Hyolyn, Kai to go on world tour

Hyolyn, who occupies an unrivaled position in K-pop with her charisma and powerful voice, is to embark on a world tour. “2024 Hyolyn Show World Tour Concert" will kick off at the Taipei International Convention Center, Taiwan, on Feb. 25. The next destination of the world tour is yet to be unveiled. The upcoming world tour is Hyolyn's second. Her first world tour, "True," took place in 2019 and had her perform eight concerts in seven countries including England, Germany

PerformanceJan. 30, 2024

'Gyeongseong Creature' inadvertently raises historical awareness among viewers around the world

While the show's writer and director clearly said that their intention for "Gyeongseong Creature," a Netflix original drama series, was to show how the people of the time lived, the show inadvertently raised awareness about the harrowing history of the Japanese colonization of Korea among viewers around the world. "Gyeongseong Creature," which ended Jan. 5, has enjoyed global success, securing its position on Netflix's global top 10 list in the TV (Non-English) ca

TelevisionJan. 30, 2024

Han Kang, Ma Yeong-shin nominated for Emile Guimet Prize

Han Kang's "I Do Not Bid Farewell" and Ma Yeong-shin's graphic novel "Moms" have been nominated as finalists for the Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature in France, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced Monday. "I Do Not Bid Farewell" delves into the tragic events of the Jeju April 3 incident through the perspectives of three women. Translated into French by Kyungran Choi and Pierre Bisiou, the novel garnered attention particularly aft

BooksJan. 29, 2024