Try on traditional Korean costume during Hanbok Culture Week

A display of hanbok from the late 19th century to early 20th century will be shown at the National Folk Museum of Korea, located at the main palace Gyeongbokgung in Jongno-gu, Seoul, during the annual Hanbok Culture Week that kicks off Monday. The period from 1876 to 1910 marked the introduction of Western culture to Korea. The museum will also offer a variety of interactive events, from hanbok wearing, hanbok quizzes and a traditional tea ceremony, or dado, to traditional shoe crafting. At Cheo

Oct. 15, 2023

‘Nongak is a friend’

“Nongak is close as a friend to me. I experienced happiness, anger, sorrow and joy, developing love with it,” said Jeong Hyun-ji, who plays the sogo -- a small, traditional Korean hand-held drum -- in the Gochang Nongak Cheongchun Gutpae. Gochang Nongak Cheongchun Gutpae is an official youth troupe that performs Gochang Nongak, the traditional music created and developed by farmers in the coastal county of Gochang, North Jeolla Province. “I always swim into the meaning of nonga

Oct. 14, 2023

[Herald Interview] Samuel Youn celebrates career in ‘From Darkness to Light’

Korean bass baritone Samuel Youn made his international debut 25 years ago when he took the stage in “Faust.” The year of 1998 was an unforgettable year. Youn won the Treviso Toti dal Monte, a renowned singing competition, not long before his wife was due to give birth to their first child. He was then given a chance to take the stage in Charles Gounod’s opera, “Faust.” From there, he had the opportunity to participate in an audition for the Cologne Opera. For 2

Oct. 13, 2023

[Well-curated] Evening stroll at Jeong-dong, waterway fest at Gimpo and kimchi interpreted in surprising ways

Take a journey through time to the streets of Jeong-dong this weekend, where Jeongdong Culture Night will be held Friday and Saturday at Deoksugung Palace and the Jeong-dong area in Jung-gu, central Seoul. During its heyday, the Jeong-dong area was the epicenter of burgeoning new trends. Cultural sites will remain open late into the evening during the two-day festival, featuring performances, guided historical tours, a stamp tour along the stonewall walkway, street performances, busking, nightti

Oct. 13, 2023

NMK to extend support for Korean galleries at six museums abroad

The National Museum of Korea has designated six museums in five countries for the Overseas Korean Galleries Support Program, the NMK announced Thursday. The program aims to promote Korean art and culture by supporting Korean galleries in museums abroad. The museums that will receive support next year include the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art; Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art at California State University, San Bernardino; the National Museum of Denmark; Rijksmuseum

Oct. 12, 2023

Controversy over Cheong Wa Dae use resurfaces

Controversy over the former presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, emerged once again with a lawmaker pointing out a change in regulations for its use during a parliamentary audit. Lee Byung-hoon, a lawmaker of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the government, alleging that it has failed to fulfill its promise to return Cheong Wa Dae to the people, as the presidential office continues to use the facilities without restrictions. Lee further pointed out that the Ministry of Cultu

Oct. 11, 2023

The 2023 Seoul Fantastic Beer Festival

The 2023 Seoul Fantastic Beer Festival, which launched Friday, runs until Oct. 15 at Seoul Noryangjin Soccer and Baseball Stadium. The festival, the largest and longest-running beer festival here, showcases all kinds of beer, and offers a variety of food and music performances. Admission is free for all visitors. However, those who want to sit at designated tables to watch the performances will be required to purchase tickets in advance. People can line up from 1 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, t

Oct. 11, 2023

Daegu’s iconic opera festival set to attract operagoers with five tragic operas

The Daegu International Opera Festival, marking its 20th anniversary this year, kicked off with Richard Strauss’ “Salome" last week, a modern interpretation by opera director Michael Struminger. Through Nov. 10, the festival is set to offer four more productions including Strauss’ “Elektra,” and three Verdi operas at the Daegu Opera House. Bulgaria's Sofia Opera and Ballet, together with Daegu Opera House, will put on the Korean premiere of “Elektr

Oct. 10, 2023

K-pop, K-food, K-beauty, K-content top foreigner interests: survey

K-pop, K-food, K-beauty and K-content took the lead as the most commonly cited keywords by foreigners visiting Korea, a comprehensive data analysis conducted by the Culture Ministry and Korea Tourism Organization showed Tuesday. The report was based on data from June 2020 to May 2023 gathered from a group of foreigners hailing from 20 countries that frequently visited Korea. The information was sourced from online platforms, social media and travel expense data including credit card usage and te

Oct. 10, 2023

For esports fans, more activities await beyond LoL matches

Seoul beckons local and global esports fans with esports-friendly attractions during the annual League of Legends World Championship, which began its 41-day run on Tuesday. While 22 teams have begun the journey to the Summoner’s Cup, LoL enthusiasts can enjoy esports experiences not limited to just watching the matches. League of Legends, or LoL, is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena games. Held at Korean tourism publicity center HiKR Ground in Jung-gu, central Seoul,

Oct. 10, 2023

[Our Museums] Explore cinematic treasures at Korean Film Museum

South Korea's film industry has garnered international acclaim for its unique storytelling, often achieved with only a fraction of a typical Hollywood film's budget. The Korean Film Museum in Sangam-dong, northern Seoul, offers a sweeping overview of Korea's cinematic history and a comprehensive exploration of Korean filmmaking. While the permanent exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Korean film history and a concise background of the early days of cinema, the special

Oct. 10, 2023

Performing Arts Market to link local artists to world

The annual Performing Arts Market in Seoul, this year together with Journey to Korean Music, will offer a platform where local performing artists can present their productions to potential overseas buyers. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Arts Council Korea and Korea Arts Management Support Center, the 19th edition of PAMS will take place Oct. 11-14 at various venues including the National Theater of Korea, JCC Art Center and Namsan Gugakdang. This year, PAMS joins for

Oct. 7, 2023

[Weekender] Waiting on the North: Unified Korean dictionary project's long journey

How long does it take to create a dictionary? The first comprehensive German dictionary, compiled by the Brothers Grimm in 1838, took more than 120 years to complete. In 1911, during the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula, the quest to create the first-ever Korean dictionary began. The dictionary was published in 1947, two years after Korea's liberation in 1945. Another quest to create an extensive and comprehensive Korean dictionary called "Gyeoremal-Keunsajeon” has bee

Oct. 7, 2023

Gwanghwamun's Joseon-era stage to be unveiled Oct. 15

A grand stage, called woldae, in front of Gwanghwamun will be unveiled on Oct. 15 after a six-month-long restoration project, the Cultural Heritage Administration told The Korea Herald on Friday. The government agency announced its restoration plan for the stage in April and closed the area in front of Gwanghwamun on Sept. 4. Gwanghwamun's woldae was destroyed during the 1910-1945 Japanese colonial period and tram tracks were installed in its place. The tram service ran from 1917 to 1966. W

Oct. 6, 2023

K-Royal Culture Festival's fall edition returns with performances, lectures

The fall edition of the K-Royal Culture Festival is set to take place from Oct. 13 to 18. Under the theme, "Meet the Palaces Today," the fall edition of the biannual festival will take place at four royal palaces in Seoul -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung -- offering diverse programs and cultural experiences. At Gyeongbokgung Palace's Heungbokjeon Hall, creative pansori performances will be staged on Oct. 13 and 14. The performance, showcasing the res

Oct. 6, 2023

‘Art in Series’ embraces autumn delights

Every Saturday in October, the "Art in Series" presents a variety of themed events such as a plant market, book market, farmer's market and mask dance workshops, in the outdoor plaza in front of the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Grand Theater. This Saturday's event, "Art in Garden," is a plant market where visitors can browse through a variety of flowers, rare plants and gardening supplies. Gardening classes will provide tips and insights into growing an

Oct. 6, 2023

[Well-curated] DIY accessories at Dongdaemun, special Fellini screenings and Austin Lee exhibition

DIY accessories at Dongdaemun Shopping Complex The Dongdaemun Shopping Complex, a six-story wholesale shopping center where you'll find everything you need for jewelry- and craft making, is enjoying new-found fame among young people. The shops on the fifth floor specialize in beading and jewelry-making supplies, from wires, plastic chains, gems, buttons to plush balls and even cartoon character keyrings. The price is the mall's main draw. With a single 10,000 won bill, you can buy all

Oct. 6, 2023

Seminal texts on Hangeul reproduced right down to hanji pages

When King Sejong the Great promulgated Hangeul in 1446 -- after creating the writing system in 1443 -- the announcement was accompanied by the publication of "Hunminjeongeum Haerye," a book written by the king and eight scholars involved in the creation of Hangeul that explains the creation of Hangeul and the principles behind its letters and the writing system. The book was written in Hanja, or Chinese characters. Later, during King Sejo's reign, "Hunminjeongeum Haerye&quo

Oct. 5, 2023

Jeonju International Sori Festival comes to a close with global push

The Jeonju International Sori Festival ended on Sept. 24, with the organizers adding global and cross-cultural elements to this year's event as part of their aim to elevate the Korean traditional music festival on the global stage. The festival, one of the leading cultural events held in North Jeolla Province, ran from Sept. 15 to 24 around Jeonju Hanok Village and 14 other cities and districts of the province. Launched in 2001, this year’s festival was held under the theme of “

Oct. 5, 2023

Live music festival Block Party to return to Haebangchon

“Tiger is Coming” band Leenalchi will join more than 100 performers in Haebangchon this weekend as 10 venues in the area open for a cultural festival. Showcase music festival Block Party will return for a second year Saturday and Sunday with more stages and a wider variety of performances. Music will still be at the heart of the event, with alternative pop band Leenalchi being joined Saturday by the hard rock sounds of Galaxy Express and Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, as well as Ja

Oct. 3, 2023