In the digital age, drawing cartoons and characters does not require pencils and paper anymore.All you need is a computer -- a PC, laptop or tablet -- and electronic pens and pads, as most Korean comics are now being consumed by readers in the form of webtoons. The new, digitalized creative process of comics is the focus of an exhibition currently on at the National Library of Korea in southern Seoul. Visitors draw webtoon characters on computers at the National Library of Korea. (National Libra

Sept. 20, 2015

With the Chuseok holiday approaching, a growing number of Koreans are opting for an easier, relaxed holiday over centuries-old rituals, reflecting the slowly changing tide of the national holiday customs.  (Korea Herald)More people are choosing to travel abroad during the long holiday. For a holiday gift, some children give their parents a wrinkle reduction surgery or Botox injections. Many women order ready-made food for “jesa,” a memorial service for the family’s departed relatives, through an

Sept. 17, 2015

French art museum Musee d’Orsay has started to offer a Korean-language digital docent service, sponsored by Korean Air. (Korean Air)Hanjin Group chairman Cho Yang-ho attended a ceremony, held at the third-largest museum in Paris on Monday, where Musee d’Orsay President Guy Cogeval, chief executive officers from Skyteam airlines and other major business figures gathered to mark the launch of the audio service.“The ceremony to celebrate the introduction of the Korean audio guide at the Musee d’Ors

Sept. 16, 2015

Korea and France will kick off their bilateral cultural event with artists and musicians performing Korea’s royal ritual music Jongmyo Jeryeak at the Chaillot National Theater in Paris on Sept. 18.The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports said that the 2015-2016 Korea-France Bilateral Exchange is being organized to commemorate the 130th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two sides next year.The event will have some 150 cultural programs featuring traditional and contemporary Korean mus

Sept. 15, 2015

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57―A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally. Lee Dong-woo, secretary-general of the Gyeongju World Culture Expo. Gyeongju World Culture ExpoTo revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote Eura

Sept. 14, 2015

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province is a city where one can learn about the country’s ancient history and cultural heritage.The ancient capital of Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – A.D. 935), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, was the eastern end of the Silk Road that connected all the way to Europe via China both economically and culturally.To revitalize the spirit of this trade route and promote the Eurasian culture, the Gyeongju World Culture Expo has kicked off for a 59-day run with a variety o

Sept. 14, 2015

Move over Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. Seoul is emerging as Asia’s new fashion showcase, with the world’s top luxury firms seeking to cash in on the regional trend-setting popularity of South Korean pop culture.A woman walks past a Louis Vuitton store in the duty-free shopping area at Incheon International Airport. (Bloomberg)Fast-growing Asia is a key market driving the global luxury industry, with purchases by Chinese consumers accounting for one third of global sales, according to market r

Sept. 7, 2015

On a seasonably warm late summer evening after work, 27-year-old Choi Min-ji sat on the stoop of Magpie, a popular pub in the Gyeongnidan neighborhood, with a glass of pale ale in her hands.“It feels so carefree and exotic,” she said, gesturing at the clusters of people who, rather than sitting indoors, were enjoying their drinks while standing outside the establishment. “It’s liberating to be outdoors after a long day at the office,” said Choi, who works in advertising. “And it would be a shame

Sept. 7, 2015

The Korean animation industry poses a mixed picture. Despite the popularity of children’s animations with such hits as “Pororo,” “Robocar Poli” and “Tayo” in the local and global market, many local animation studios still suffer losses. They are trapped in a vicious cycle. Animation studios face mounting losses as they continue to create sequels to their series. Securing a spot on TV doesn’t solve the problem. The fees they receive airing their series on TV doesn’t even cover half the production

Sept. 4, 2015

Scene from the popular animated comedy television series “Larva.” (Tuba Entertainment)Up until the turn of the 21st century, many Korean youngsters who plopped in front of their television sets found themselves regaled with delightfully innocent tales of popular international cartoon series such as “Dragon Ball Z,” “Sailor Moon” or “Tom and Jerry” with their rambunctious games of cat and mouse.A couple of decades ago -- in the pre-“Pororo” era of Korean animation -- TV cartoon options for Korean

Sept. 4, 2015

Walt Disney once said, “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.”It is a versatile art that takes years of capital and hard work from a variety of people with great imagination.Drawing inspirations from the lives of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation and environment, animations and their characters can reach the hearts of many diverse people regardless of class, color or sex.They can move you, make you laugh and cry, and make you escape to a fantasy world away from

Sept. 4, 2015

Once beloved and called Korea’s representative online multiplayer racing game, “Kartrider” seeks to further go full throttle with enhanced user interfaces and a few new surprises to regain the former glory of its nascent years.It has been 11 years since the country’s first racing game with cute characters was launched and created a stir and loyal fan base.Kartrider’s main character Dao (Nexon Korea)Cho Jae-yun, Nexon Korea’s point man in charge of Kartrider, said it owes a debt of gratitude to t

Sept. 3, 2015

Terry Mosher, a well-known political cartoonist based in Montreal, has been satirizing and drawing about the Canadian political landscape for newspapers since 1967.He has recently made the transition to online and mobile, and now believes that many more cartoonists and storytellers will follow suit as the print industry comes to an end."I think newspapers will disappear, but in a slower process than we think, because people still need valid information as opposed to, for instance, some kid writi

Sept. 2, 2015

The culture community should not see new media technology as a threat but an opportunity that can help many people to gain greater access to information and interest in culture, said participants at the Culture Communication Forum 2015 in Seoul.Under the theme of "Cultural Combustion in the Smart Age," some 20 delegates from G20 economies, including Korea, participated in the forum hosted by the Corea Image Communication Institute to discuss about social media technology and its effects on cultu

Sept. 2, 2015

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it would partially open the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju to the public this Friday. A nighttime view of the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, which is slated for partial opening this week. (Yonhap)The complex’s facilities such as the ACC Archive & Research, ACC Creation, ACC Theatre and ACC Children centers will hold cultural programs everyday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. They will also invite people to tour the facilities three times a day. Th

Sept. 1, 2015

Members of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra on Tuesday voiced their unflinching support for conductor Chung Myung-whun in an apparent plea to retain him as their music director.The rare collective action came only a few days after Chung revealed his intention not to renew his contract with the Korean orchestra, which expires at the end of this year.Conductor Chung Myung-whun (Credia)“We, the members of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, believe in maestro Chung Myung-whun and his abilities to fur

Sept. 1, 2015