Korea Film Archive unveils 113 videos of modern-day Korea

The Korea Film Archive on Thursday released 113 videos documenting Korean society from the early 1900s to 1950s. The videos show the daily lives of Koreans, as well as the peninsula's natural scenery and urban landscape captured through the eyes of foreigners who filmed the clips while in Korea. "The archive will be a good reference for researchers in various fields related to the history of Korea, from Christian missionaries and education, to folklore," the Korea Film Archive sai

Jan. 27, 2023

[Well-curated] Zodiac cocktails, pet-friendly lasagna place and surround sound cinema

Cocktails inspired by 12 zodiac signs Sindang-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul, was once an enclave of shamans, with the name of the neighborhood meaning a shrine or temple dedicated to spirits. When the sun goes down, Zoosindang, a cocktail bar themed after the stories of the 12 zodiac animals, comes to life. At first glance, the place looks like an eerie shaman’s house with no entrance. Push the cat statue, who is gatekeeping the place, and you will find yourself in an otherworldly forest. The ba

Jan. 27, 2023

New Seollal scenes: Digital folding screens, diffusers and pets clad in hanbok

The act of honoring the spirits of ancestors by offering them food and drinks during the Lunar New Year has been considered a serious tradition for centuries in South Korea. But this year, some families have decided to honor the tradition in a lighter mood, according to photos gone viral on online communities. Versatile screen This photo, uploaded by an anonymous user and shared on Instagram, shows a clever use of a wall-mounted TV screen, a staple in Korean living rooms. Instead of keeping

Jan. 24, 2023

From octopus to shark meat, Seollal foods by region

Traditionally, Seollal mornings begin with paying reverence to ancestors through charye, a traditional rite. A variety of home-cooked dishes prepared days ahead are set out, incense burning, and each family member takes time to pay their respects. Although charye is very structured with a particular way of placing the plates, the food served on the table differs by region. The geographical and cultural characteristics of each region are mirrored on the charye table. Gyeonggi Province Distant

Jan. 22, 2023

Exhibition explores stories of Joseon recorded in books

It was at the end of the 19th century that Westerners knocked on the doors of Joseon, a mysterious country unknown to the West. A special exhibition exploring how Joseon was seen in the eyes of foreigners who visited the country after the ports opened in 1882, kicked off Jan. 13 at Songpa Book Museum, located in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul. The exhibition “Welcome to Joseon” displays about 140 books, paintings, photos and videos, following the records of Joseon in books or writings. Bo

Jan. 22, 2023

COVID-19 cases fall to lowest Sat. tally in 13 weeks

South Korea's new COVID-19 cases fell to the lowest number for a Saturday in 13 weeks, health authorities said. The country reported 27,654 new COVID-19 infections, including 85 cases from overseas, bringing the total caseload to 29,982,905, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. The tally marked the lowest for any Saturday since Oct. 22 last year, when the country reported 26,892 new cases. The country added 51 COVID-19 deaths, bringing the death toll to 33,185. The n

Jan. 21, 2023

More than 610,000 people forecast to use Incheon airport during Lunar New Year holiday

The number of passengers using South Korea's main gateway, Incheon International Airport, during the Lunar New Year holiday is expected to surpass 610,000, according to the airport's operator Saturday. The Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) said the number of passengers using the transport hub from Friday to Tuesday will reach 616,074. The airport is expected to process an average of 123,215 passengers per day in the five-day period, sharply up from 8,859 passengers per day r

Jan. 21, 2023

[Well-curated] Sledding, cozy tea and show of old and new for Lunar New Year holiday

Sledding at Ttukseom Hangang Park Take Exit No. 2 from Ttukseom Station on Subway Line 7 and you will find a sledding park run by the Ttukseom Hangang Park for the winter season. The 55-meter-long slope may not look so steep at first sight -- it is 6 meters at its highest point -- but after a couple of rides, your inner child will have you standing in line for another ride. You can ride as many times as you like. The speed and the gush of winds will take you to the bottom of the slope in a blink

Jan. 20, 2023

Take a free shuttle to Cheong Wa Dae

A shuttle to Cheong Wa Dae that circuits back to Gyeongbokgung is free of charge for everyone starting this year. The Cheong Wa Dae tour bus launched last June and was only free to people over 65, children under 8, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. The number of passengers last year amounted to 49,820, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Wednesday. The shuttle runs 12 times a day, 15 minutes apart. A separate shuttle with a wheelchair lift will also be in service. The bu

Jan. 18, 2023

[Korean Dilemma] Is time up for feasts for ghosts of Korea's patriarchal past?

The Korean tradition of ancestral rites has been passed down through generations for thousands of years. But it may be only a matter of time before the ritual disappears for good. The lighting of incense, circling of rice wine and bowing before a table of assorted food items offered to one’s dead ancestors are called “charye” on major holidays like Seollal (New Year’s Day) and Chuseok, and “jesa” on their death anniversaries. The tradition itself means well. B

Jan. 17, 2023

[Herald Interview] Former TV host Grace Lee hopes to bridge gap between Korea, Philippines

In Korean, "heung" means exhilaration and "han" refers to deep sorrow or suffering. Grace Lee, a TV-host-turned-businesswoman who calls both South Korea and the Philippines home, sees the people in the Philippines are full of heung, while South Koreans have han emotion underlying their respective identities. Koreans with han often touch emotions when singing or acting, while with innate heung, Filipinos present great talents for singing and dancing and have great potential to

Jan. 16, 2023

Concerts, gugak show to be held at Cheong Wa Dae over Lunar New Year holiday

A series of cultural events will be held at Cheong Wa Dae, the former presidential compound, during the Lunar New Year's holiday, from Jan. 21 to 24, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Monday. A special talk and performance series titled "Looking forward to the Lunar New Year at Cheong Wa Dae" is scheduled to take place at Chunchugwan, Jan. 21 to 23, featuring scholars and experts on Cheong Wa Dae's history, culture and ecological landscapes. The event is jointly

Jan. 16, 2023

[Newsmaker] [Herald Interview] Hangeul as more than just a hobby: KSIF chief

The following series is part of The Korea Herald’s “Hello Hangeul” project of interviews, in-depth analyses, videos and various other forms of content that shed light on the stories of people who are learning the Korean language and the correlation between Korea’s soft power and the rise of the language within the league of world languages. – Ed. The ever-growing popularity of Korean content has sparked a boom in Korean language learning worldwide. Standing at the v

Jan. 16, 2023

[Well-curated] Enjoy hanok cafe, Yayoi Kusama collaboration with LV and seafood ramen

Hanok-themed Cafe Onion in Jongno If you’re looking for a place to rest while strolling through Bukchon Hanok Village, a cluster of old-style Korean houses, pay a visit to a hanok-themed cafe for delicious desserts in a unique traditional setting. If you walk toward the Hyundai Building for two to three minutes from Anguk Station Exit No. 2 or 3 on Subway Line No. 3, you can see wooden doors supporting a traditional tiled roof -- called “giwa” -- signaling the entrance to Cafe

Jan. 13, 2023

[Graphic News] Korean mask dance added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

The traditional Korean mask dance, or “talchum” in Korean, was inscribed onto a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list on Nov. 30. UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage decided to put “Talchum, Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea” on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 17th session in Rabat, Morocco. Talchum is a performing art that encompasses dance, music

Jan. 13, 2023

CICI honors those who boost Korea's image

Well-known figures who have contributed to building a positive image of Korea at home and overseas were honored at the Korea Image Awards ceremony organized by the Corea Image Communication Institute at the InterContinental Seoul Coex in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae from Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game," former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna, teen swimmer Hwang Sun-woo and European fashion houses received this year's awards, w

Jan. 12, 2023

[Newsmaker] Fallen ancient Buddha statue to be put upright by 2025

A 1,300-year-old rock-carved Buddha statue in Gyeongju’s Namsan, discovered with its face down a mere 5 centimeters away from a giant rock, is to be reerected, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism announced Wednesday. The Jogye Order announced the Maaebul restoration project during its New Year’s press conference held at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, central Seoul, on Wednesday. "The Buddha (statue) spent a thousand years lying face down, to bear

Jan. 12, 2023

16th century mother-of-pearl-inlay stationery box donated to National Museum of Korea

A 16th century mother-of-pearl inlay lacquered floral stationery box and cover from the Joseon era was donated to the National Museum of Korea on Wednesday by the Young Friends of the Museum which purchased the piece at a Sotheby's auction late last year. Young Friends of the Museum is a group of young entrepreneurs who sponsor and promote Korean culture and arts. Established in 2008, the group bought and donated a Goryeo-era Buddhist relic to the museum in 2018. Finely inlaid with mother

Jan. 11, 2023

[Graphic News] South Korean art market surpasses 1tr won in 2022

The South Korean art market surpassed 1 trillion won ($782 million) in total sales for the first time in 2022 on strong sales of artworks through galleries and art fairs, the Culture Ministry said. The trade volume of artworks increased 37.2 percent from 756.3 billion won in 2021 to 1.037 trillion won in 2022 despite the global economic woes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. By sector, art fairs experienced the largest growth of 59.8 percent from

Jan. 10, 2023

Jindo National Gugak Center invites overseas groups for gugak training

Overseas groups who perform gugak, or traditional Korean music, can apply to receive free training in Korea. The Jindo National Gugak Center, located in South Jeolla Province, is accepting applications for the “2023 Invitation Program for Overseas Koreans and Gugak Groups” until Jan. 20. Around eight sessions will be held from March to October. Each session -- with 10 to 20 people per session -- will run for two weeks. Selected participants can choose one to three areas of interest,

Jan. 8, 2023