[New in Korean] Brain-dead husband returns with a new personality

"Nobody in the Mirror" By Hwang Mo-gua Arzak The novel "Nobody in the Mirror" begins with a riveting sentence: "The husband, declared brain dead, returned home today as an entirely different person." Hwang Mo-gwa’s latest science fiction novel delves into the narrative of a wife whose husband, after being declared brain dead, undergoes a brain rehabilitation procedure known as "brain pairing." The story unfolds as the husband returns home, possessing

BooksJan. 14, 2024

[New in Korean] Eerie yet fantastical dive into dystopian world

"A Town of Sewn Eyes" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Cho Ye-eun Jaeum & Moeum Publishing Known for her creepy yet imaginative novels, Cho Ye-eun takes a compelling plunge into the realm of dystopian fiction with her latest book, "A Town of Sewn Eyes." The collection of three interconnected short stories paints a fantastical picture of a grotesque world grappling with an apocalypse. In the year 2066, 80 percent of the polar ice has melted, causing a rise in

BooksJan. 13, 2024

Wintertime fun fill tranquil towns

POCHEON, Gyeonggi Province -- January may still be a time of hibernation for bears, snakes, frogs and others, but that is not so the case for some villages in northern areas of South Korea. Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, home to the Republic of Korea V Corps, is seldom visited by outsiders other than those visiting to see their friends, sons or brothers serving their mandatory military duty. However, things change in the winter months when this quiet locale becomes crowded with people from around

TravelJan. 13, 2024

[What to watch] 'Kim Dae-jung on the Road,' experimental film at Emu Cinema

Away from big blockbusters and crowded multiplex chains, enjoy a cozier and calmer cinema experience at Emu Cinema. Emu Cinema, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul is part of the four-story building, Emu Art Space, which also houses a bar, a cafe and a gallery. The small cinema screens Korean and foreign-language independent films as well as other non-blockbuster films and classics. Tickets cost 9,000 won and students get a discount at 8,000 won. For early screenings, seniors, and moviegoers with disabi

FilmJan. 13, 2024

[New in Town] Salt butter bread variations are on point at Artist Bakery

London Bagel Museum is a household name in Korea when it comes to the bakery scene here. It is not an exaggeration that this top-rated fresh-baked bagel and hot soup brunch place that opened in 2021 led huge bagel boom here. People also visit here just to experience the exotic atmosphere inside the café that has an eccentric British aesthetic. There are currently four London Bagel Museum stores across the country -- Anguk, Dosan, Jamsil and Jeju. Lee Hyo-jung, Chief Brand Officer of LBM C

FoodJan. 13, 2024

[Eye Interview] Filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho translates creative intensity into commerical, genre success

Filmmaker Yeon Sang-ho stands out as one of the most adept creators in the content industry, adapting swiftly to its ever-evolving landscape and working across platforms. Having gained attention through his early independent animations with unique themes and techniques, Yeon's big break came when the 2012 debut animation, "The King of Pigs," was screened at the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then, he has taken on the roles of directing and wri

CultureJan. 13, 2024

[Herald Interview] From Spain to Korea, Grupo Vocal Millennium hopes to rekindle Korean folk music

Dressed in traditional Korean hanbok, Spanish vocalists serenade audiences with the melodic tunes of Korean folk songs and "Arirang "-- not in Korea, but in Spain. Well before the global phenomenon of K-pop took hold, Lim Jae-sik, the artistic director of Spain's Grupo Vocal Millennium, dedicated himself to getting professional singers in Spain to sing Korean songs. In 1999, Lim, a lifelong member and head of tenors at RTVE Choir, the oldest professional choir in Spain, recruited

PerformanceJan. 12, 2024

Netflix ‘The Bequeathed’ the most ‘Korean’ thriller: director

“The Bequeathed” director Min Hong-nam said Friday he was focused on creating the most “Korean” thriller, while making the drama, which will be Netflix Korea’s first original this year. Having worked as the assistant director to Yeon Sang-ho in “Train to Busan” (2016), “Psychokinesis” (2018) and “Peninsula” (2020), Min is making his directorial debut with the six-part series, which was produced and co-written by Yeon. “The p

FilmJan. 12, 2024

More ‘mobile museums’ to open for marginalized groups

Expect to see more “mobile museums” around the country as containers equipped to allow visitors to not only see artifacts but to feel what it is like touring cultural heritage sites will be stationed at more schools and other institutions from March to November. The Cultural Heritage Administration will operate more mobile museums where underprivileged students, people with disabilities and seniors can have immersive cultural experiences, the state agency said Friday, in an effort to

CultureJan. 12, 2024

Bong Joon-ho questions legitimacy of drug probe into Lee Sun-kyun

Cultural figures including internationally acclaimed “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho criticized police and media outlets in connection with the death of actor Lee Sun-kyun. They said they would band in unity to submit the so-called “Lee Sun-kyun Act” to protect artists’ human rights. Lee, 48, died last month amid a weekslong police investigation into allegations he had used illegal drugs. The Association of Solidarity of Cultural Artists, a newly established organi

FilmJan. 12, 2024

[Media Art Now] TZUSOO engenders new cybernetic imagination

When advanced technologies bring about radical changes in society, there is always a collision of utopian and dystopian views. The heated debate last year over generative AI is one example. If you want to learn how to have your own point of view, why not turn to artists of our time, to their “anthropologically” attentive exploration of the contemporary conditions of the world? A group of young, free-spirited Korean artists stands out in this respect. Born digitally and technologica

CultureJan. 12, 2024

[Well-curated] Templestay, seasonal cooking and sledding

Templestay at Naesosa Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture by starting the day with prostrations and the sound of the “moktak,” a wooden percussion instrument used by Buddhist monks. Naesosa, a temple in Buan County, North Jeolla Province, has a staff dedicated to assist overseas visitors who want to take part in its templestay program. A total of 137 temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism offer three types of templestay programs: One-day programs, experience-oriented programs

CultureJan. 12, 2024

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Hanhwa Resort Pyeongchang presents winter sports package Hanhwa Resort Pyeongchang is offering a special all-in-one package for winter sports enthusiasts. The “Extreme Winter In Pyeongchang” package features a one-night stay and breakfast. Guests may choose a free six-hour lift ticket, a ticket to be used in a sledding park, or ski or snowboard rental. The tickets can be used at the nearby ski resort Phoenix Park in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The promotion offers a 55 percent dis

TravelJan. 12, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Wish” (US) Opened Jan. 3 Animation Directed by Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn Seventeen-year-old Asha interviews for an apprentice job to King Magnifico of Rosas on the day of her grandfather Sabino's 100th birthday. The interview goes well until Magnifico declines Asha's requests for Sabino's wish to be granted, seeing the wish as a potential threat to his power. “Noryang: Deadly Sea” (South Korea) Opened Dec. 20 History/Action Directed by Kim Han-min I

FilmJan. 12, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Seoul Lantern Festival Held annually since 2009, the Seoul Lantern Festival is again taking place across Gwanghwamun Square and just to the south of it at Cheonggye Plaza and Seoul Plaza. The lights come on from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day through Jan. 21. Also open at the same time is the Gwanghwamun Square Market, potentially the largest winter flea market in the capital. Seasonal goods including crafts and street food are offered. Both cash and credit cards are accepted at the stores. Bot

TravelJan. 12, 2024

[Herald Interview] Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Tae-ri say “Alienoid” is about relationships

Actors Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri said “Alienoid” wraps up the story on humans’ fate and relationships, which also well-translated the two actors’ close friendship to the screen. “After watching the completed version of part 2, I thought that yes, this is what director Choi wanted to say, a story on relationships and fate,” Ryu said in an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Jan. 3. He said that the close friendship between him and Kim was also transla

FilmJan. 11, 2024

S. Korean religious leaders eye UN stage to send out message

A quartet consisting of a Buddhist monk, Protestant pastor, Catholic priest and Won Buddhist cleric aspires to dance its way to the UN like the K-pop sensation BTS did in 2021 to send a message on happiness. “That’s a wild dream,” said the Venerable Sungjin, a Buddhist monk, speaking of the group’s plan for the year at a press conference marking the publication of their first book on Monday in Seoul. The book, “We May Have Different Religions, but Life’s Worri

BooksJan. 11, 2024

CICI recognizes individuals, businesses that enhanced Korea's image

The Corea Image Communication Institute awarded those who contributed to enhancing South Korea's image globally at the Korea Image Award ceremony held at the InterContinental Seoul Coex in southern Seoul, on Wednesday. This year's awards were given to Hyundai Motor's luxury vehicle brand Genesis, Swiss architect Mario Botta, Korean operatic pop tenor Lim Hyung-joo and French pansori singer Mafo Laure. Some 500 guests, including head of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesi

CultureJan. 10, 2024

Documentaries on art museums offer different perspectives

What brings you to a museum? The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is screening documentaries to provoke people to think about why museums exist and how they contribute to society. “What We Talk About When We Talk About Museum” at MMCA Seoul is screening five documentary films that deal with various perspectives surrounding art museums – “National Gallery” (2014), “The Museum” (2017), “The New Rijksmuseum -- The Film” (2

Arts & DesignJan. 10, 2024

Jeongdong Theater's 2024 vision: Modern culture, traditional acts, second production theater

The 2024 season of the National Jeongdong Theater, a public performance hall in Jung-gu, central Seoul, will center its focus on modern culture, traditional acts and its commitment to revitalizing productions facing challenges, the theater unveiled at a press conference Wednesday. For the upcoming season, 28 productions featuring 448 performances are scheduled for the “Hello Jeongdong” season, including three plays, three musicals, three concerts, one dance and two traditional music

PerformanceJan. 10, 2024