Retro style becomes comforting trend at pandemic times

Reminiscing on the good times is natural when we face tough times in life. Some get comfort by reminiscing and talking about the good old days, wishing they could turn back time. As such, the retro trend has been rising fast this year, as more people look back as a distraction from the unprecedented challenges in these pandemic times. Lee Ok-young, a 32-year-old housewife, recently purchased some old-fashioned items that remind her of her childhood years, including a table that could be seen a

Dec. 29, 2020

[Feature] A year full of YouTuber troubles and controversies

In 2020, YouTube was a land of opportunity -- a place where a nobody could rise to fame and riches. As many people were forced to spend more time indoors in the year of COVID-19, it became not too difficult to find an acquaintance or two starting a YouTube channel, hoping to become the next YouTube sensation. According to mobile data analytics firm IGAWorks, 83 percent of Koreans spend 29.5 hours on YouTube per month -- longer than Facebook and KakaoTalk combined. Sales of microphones and vid

Dec. 28, 2020

CHA to release short film on palace guard inspection ceremony

A short film on the inspection of guards at a Joseon royal palace will be released on Dec. 31, featuring several well-known actors. “Cheobjong- Palace Guard Inspection Ceremony” is a 20-minute film produced jointly by the Cultural Heritage Administration and Korea Cultural Heritage. Actor Tae In-ho, who has played several supporting roles in hit Korean dramas, including “Descendants of the Sun” and “Misaeng,” and K-pop idol-turned-actor Park So-jin are a c

Dec. 27, 2020

Virus changes drinking habits

When the calendar gets closer to New Year’s day, it is usually common to meet up with family and friends for nice dinners and year-end parties with a couple of drinks. But in the time of COVID-19, such get-togethers and celebrations are a no-no due to increased social distancing measures. Instead, drinking alone at home has become popular. According to a drinking habits survey released Thursday by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, home became the most preferred place to drink in the

Dec. 26, 2020

‘MMCA Artist Talk’ to introduce 52 contemporary artists online

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea kicked off a new online program to introduce Korea’s contemporary artists whose works have been shown at the national museum this year or will be on display next year as part of its efforts to beef up its online content during the pandemic. Titled “MMCA Artist Talk,” the online program -- which aims to introduce a total of 52 artists -- will be released every week through December 2021 on MMCA’s YouTube channel a

Dec. 25, 2020

Pandemic Christmas creates new traditions

Kang Eun-mi who lives in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, decorated her living room with a wall Christmas tree for the first time in almost a decade this year. Her two 20-something daughters, who live with her and her husband, typically go out with their friends at Christmas, but this year, they are all staying at home together. “I ordered the kit online to make a wall Christmas tree that comes with lights, which was delivered the next day. Our family selected family photos from old

Dec. 24, 2020

New second vice culture minister, CHA head named

Career bureaucrat Kim Jung-bae was appointed to be the new second vice minister at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday, as part of a reshuffle of vice ministerial posts. Kim Hyun-mo was named new head of the Cultural Heritage Administration. The new second vice minister replaces Choi Yoon-hee, a former swimming star who was appointed to the post last year in December. Born in 1966, Second Vice Minister Kim graduated Pohang High School in North Gyeongsang Province and studie

Dec. 23, 2020

Arirang from Mexico wins Arirang video contest

The Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation on Tuesday announced Maria Eugenia Olsen Aguilar’s “Anniquin Arirang” as the winner of its “Arirang”-themed video contest. The contest -- held jointly by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation -- called for short videos featuring diverse versions of the Korean folk song “Arirang.” “(Through the competition) we discovered that our national intangible cultural heritag

Dec. 23, 2020

[Feature] Virtual year-end celebrations are a hip alternative this pandemic year

December is a hectic time for those trying to catch up with friends and wrap up the year with colleagues. Bars, restaurants and cafes are typically crowded with people in a festive mood. This year, however, the pandemic has effectively taken away that treasured time of the year. The unexpected surge in infection cases last month in Korea ended up shutting down all restaurants in the capital area after 9 p.m., and people are choosing to stay home. Seeking alternative ways to interact with lov

Dec. 21, 2020

Mobile games remain strong while PC games decline, KOCCA report

The domestic gaming market in 2019 was worth 15.575 trillion won ($14.1 billion), a 9 percent increase from 2018, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency’s 2020 White Paper on Korean Games. Korea accounted for 6.2 percent of the global gaming market, putting it as the fifth biggest market. A survey of 3,084 people showed that 70.5 percent of respondents had played games at least once since June 2019, with 91.1 percent of those who responded in the affirmative having played mobile

Dec. 21, 2020

[Newsmaker] [Feature] A week of YouTuber chaos leaves Ansan residents angry

As the winter cold wave hit Tuesday, the many YouTubers surrounding the residence of child rapist Cho Doo-soon left one by one, leaving behind worried and weary residents. On Friday, the alleys around Cho’s house were quiet and empty, according to residents and police. While YouTubers left with their mission of grabbing online interest successfully completed, the residents were left angered by the YouTubers on top of their worries about Cho. Cho was convicted of raping an 8-year-old gir

Dec. 20, 2020

[Eye Plus] Hwangudan Altar, remains in the city but unfamiliar to many

Hwangudan Altar, located next to the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, is an artifact in the middle of the city, but not many people know it. The altar, which was designated as Historical Site No. 157 on July 15, 1967, was where an emperor performed sacrifices to heaven. King Gojong performed sacrifices to heaven at the end of the Joseon Dynasty when he proclaimed the Korean Empire in 1897 after the First Sino-Japanese War.  King Gojong’s declaration of the Korean Empire and

Dec. 19, 2020

Online shopping at National Museum of Korea yields surprise finds

On Monday, a tweet about a traditional Korean painting-inspired calendar sold on the National Museum of Korea’s website went viral. “The calendar is so pretty and the garden painting on it becomes more and more complete by flipping through each month. It is like enjoying a different piece of art every month,” the Twitter post said, accompanied by a few pictures of the calendar. Designed based on paintings of Aechun Shin Myeong-yeon, a literati painter of the Joseon era, &ldq

Dec. 19, 2020

[Photo News] Sunset at Sky Bridge in Seoul

A vibrant sunset reveals the rich colors of the sky from the tallest observatory in Jamsil, Sky Bridge in Seoul.   Sky Bridge is a short bridge at the roof of Lotte World Tower. It offers a chance for tourists to enjoy a clear view of Seoul from the sky.   A couple waves hello from the Sky Bridge, as they admire the captivating scenery of the sunset. (Photos: Yonhap) By Gha Hee-sun (lizka98@heraldcorp.com)

Dec. 19, 2020

State cultural institutions in Seoul to remain closed

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Friday that its affiliated institutions in Seoul-- museums, art galleries, libraries and performance venues -- will remain closed due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in the capital area. The shutdown of state-run cultural institutions began on Dec. 8 and was set to end Friday. The facilities, including the National Museum of Korea, the National Folk Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Library of K

Dec. 18, 2020

South Korea’s lotus lantern lighting festival inscribed as UNESCO world heritage

Yeondeunghoe, a lantern lighting festival in South Korea, was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural assets on Wednesday. The final decision on the lantern festival’s listing was made during the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which runs Monday to Saturday. The meetings are being held virtually due to the global pandemic. “Unfortunately, we could not celebrate the listing on site together with K

Dec. 17, 2020

CICI announces 2021 award winners

The top six contestants on TV Chosun’s hit talent audition show “Mr. Trot” will be honored by the Corea Image Communication Institute for their contributions to building a positive image of South Korea at home and overseas. The other winners at CICI’s 2021 award ceremony are the Generation Equality Forum’s Ambassador and Secretary-General Delphine O and Korean content creator Pinkfong’s song “Baby Shark.” The institute’s 17th annual award

Dec. 16, 2020

[Video] A guide through South Korean's favorite tipple: Makgeolli

Fancying a glass of craft beer and wine in the hippest vicinity was the vogue among the younger generations in recent years. Yet, traditional Korean liquors are permeating through the market, as makgeolli has become the latest taste. The nation's oldest spirit has been brewed with tradition, history and local ingredients for nearly 2,000 years. Traditional Korean drinks are made from rice, a staple food for Koreans. The liquor is also cooked with water, yeast and nuruk, an old-fashioned Korea

Dec. 14, 2020

[Photo News] Winter arrives in Galsan Park of Yangpyeong

Leaves remain in vibrant red and orange colors on Thursday, as the cold hits Galsan Park in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. People take walks along the waterside with the clear winter sky painted across the background. The air looks to be free of fine dust, with buildings afar easily visible. Mulsorigil is covered in long reeds with hints of white snow covering the tips. Mallards fly through the sky, with some swiftly dipping into the water. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldco

Dec. 12, 2020

[Photo News] Isolated Christmas holds out in Myeong-dong

A luminous Christmas tree with various decorations stands in solitude in the streets of Myeong-dong, central Seoul.  Under the tightened Level 2.5 social distancing rules in Seoul, indoor activities have a curfew of 9 p.m., which traces the views of empty streets.  In an effort to curb further spread of the new coronavirus, the year-end season is expected to present unprecedented sights of Christmas. (Photos: Yonhap) By Lee Jae-Eun (leeje16@heraldcorp.com)

Dec. 12, 2020