[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Confidential Assignment 2 (Korea) Opened Sept. 7 Action Directed by Lee Suk-hoon North Korean detective Chul-ryung (Hyun Bin) is sent to South Korea again on a new mission. His target is North Korean crime organization leader Jang Myung-joon (Jin Seon-kyu). In South Korea, Chul-ryung once again teams up with detective Kang Jin-tae (Yoo Hye-jin). Meanwhile, FBI agent Jack (Daniel Henney) joins Chul-ryung and Jin-tae in their pursuit of Myung-joon. 6/45 (Korea) Opened Aug. 24 Comedy Directed by Pa

Sept. 11, 2022

What to watch before seeing ‘Confidential Assignment 2’

If you have plans to see the Korean film “Confidential Assignment 2: International" directed by Lee Seok-hoon during the Chuseok holiday, here's what to watch before you head to the cinema. Original movie Although there won't be any problems without having watched the first movie, the audience can have fun comparing the two as there are many original movie references in the new film “Confidential Assignment 2: International." Helmed by Kim Sung-hoon, the original

Sept. 10, 2022

Traditions of Chuseok holidays: how it was and how it is

In what is commonly dubbed by local media as “the great migration of the nation,” flocks of people travel across the country to gather with their relatives each Chuseok, which this year falls on Saturday. Some people make the trips clad in “chuseokbim,” new clothing and shoes specially prepared for one of Korea's biggest holidays. Although commonly referred to as “Korean Thanksgiving,” Chuseok is actually not really about giving thanks for the year’

Sept. 10, 2022

[Well-curated] Chuseok is for palace strolls, playing in ball pools and catching circus

  Visit royal palaces for Chuseok Over the Chuseok holiday, the four major royal palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung -- the royal tombs and the Jongmyo shrine in Seoul will be open and free to the public, from Friday to Monday. The four palaces, which usually close on Mondays, will be closed on Tuesday instead. Jongmyo will also be closed on Tuesday. At Changgyeonggung, a special Chuseok event titled "Full Moon Lands on the Royal Palace" will take

Sept. 9, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Ancient art of indigo dye

For more than a thousand years Koreans have been vat-dyeing fabrics and Hanji with indigo dye, one of the oldest natural sources of blue dye, made with the leaves of the indigo plant. The indigo plant, called jjok in Korea, not only adds varying intensities of blue to Korean clothes, but fabrics with the blue dye also repel mosquitoes, snakes and ticks. Extracts from the leaves have also been used to treat various skin and respiratory ailments. Five colors of nature -- blue, white, red, black, a

Sept. 9, 2022

[Scholars and Their Spaces] Gaze of the other: Heritage of the outlander

Jeong Sin-bo (?-1271), an official who served in the judicature of Southern Song Dynasty, was expelled during the Mongolian invasion as he persisted in his refusal to conform to the new kingdom. This resulted in his political exile, leaving for another country, by himself in his mid-30s, and eventually settling on Ganwol Island in Seosan Province of Goryeo. Jeong sought to drop the "stranger" tag by teaching Neo-Confucianism to the children of fishermen as well as local notables. Even

Sept. 9, 2022

Thirty-two cultural heritage sites damaged by typhoon

A total of 32 cases of heritage site damage was reported as of Wednesday evening in the aftermath of typhoon Hannamnor which slammed the country on Monday, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration. Seokguram Grotto and the Bulguksa Temple site in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, are among that sites that suffered major damage. Historical sites accounted for 24 cases, followed by three Treasures, two National Folklore Cultural Heritage, and one National Treasure, Natural Monument,

Sept. 8, 2022

Gucci fashion show makes U-turn to Gyeongbokgung

Less than two weeks after the Cultural Heritage Administration called off luxury brand Gucci’s fashion show to be held at Gyeongbokgung on Nov. 1, Gucci Korea on Thursday announced that the fashion show would take place as planned. Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele will stage his first runway show in Korea at the central Seoul palace, according to Gucci Korea's press release on Thursday. The release stated that artistic and historic value of the Joseon palace will contribute in

Sept. 8, 2022

Have a 'booknic' in the middle of Seoul

On a recent Friday morning, the plaza in front of Seoul City Hall had a group of children browsing through books, lying on bean bag chairs, picnic mats, or swinging benches under the warm sunlight. Brightly colored bookshelves were scattered across the plaza’s open lawn space, beckoning passersby to grab one and join them. Nearly 5,000 volumes of various genres and topics, from children’s picture books to novels and essays, were available for on-site reading. There was a separate e

Sept. 8, 2022

Jongmyo Jeryeak to be performed in Germany

The National Gugak Center is scheduled to tour four German cities with Jongmyo Jeryeak -- royal ceremonial music with singing and choreography, performed for ancestors of Joseon kings enshrined at the Jongmyo Shrine. The tour will start Monday and run through Sept. 26. As a joint initiative taken by the Korean Embassy in Germany and the Korean Cultural Center Germany along with the NGC, the fall music tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Korean-German Cultural Agreement. The four stops

Sept. 7, 2022

Movie theaters offer a new experience

  Reclining bed cinemas Feel like staying in bed but want to catch the latest box office release? CJ CGV, South Korea's largest multiplex cinema chain, has collaborated with mattress brand Tempur to bring reclining motion beds into theaters at four locations in and outside Seoul, including Apgujeong, Yongsan and Yeoido. The adjustable bed allows users to adjust their neck, back and foot positions with a remote control. By placing only 30 to 50 seats in a single theater, the Tempur ci

Sept. 7, 2022

Oscar-winning Troy Kotsur in Seoul for World Congress of the Deaf

Governments should provide more support for deaf people as they play an important role in supporting disabled people’s independence and performances, according to Oscar-winning actor Troy Kotsur. “Deaf people are no different from non-disabled people. We can do anything when opportunities are sufficiently provided,” Kotsur, who won an Oscar in March for his supporting role in "CODA," said using American Sign Language at a press conference held at the Ambassador Seoul

Sept. 6, 2022

K-craft popup store to open in Bukchon

A unique store showcasing Korean traditional crafts will open from Sept. 14 to 18 at the Rakkojae Culture Lounge in Bukchon Hanok Village, northern Seoul. Organized by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the popup store Hanokyeoncha will have some 100 items on sale. They include moon jars, mini dining tables, and dinnerware sets priced between 20,000 won ($14.54) to 600,000 won. Works of both traditional craft masters and emerging artists will be on display, such as collections from potte

Sept. 6, 2022

Government YouTube channels cyberattacked

Three of the country’s official YouTube channels were hacked between Thursday and Saturday, including the South Korean government's YouTube channel with some 260,000 subscribers. The channels have since been restored, according to the relevant agencies. At 6 a.m. on Saturday, a Culture Ministry staff member read a blog post that said the government channels on the video-sharing platform may have been hacked. The post included a screen-captured shot of SpaceX founder Elon Musk's interview

Sept. 4, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] King Jeongjo the Greats formidable Hwaseong Fortress

In 1776, while the American Revolutionary War was raging in North America, 23-year-old King Jeongjo of the Joseon Kingdom who started his reign of the “yeomin” policy, "the monarch being with the people."   King Jeongjo the Great (1752 -1800) was a benevolent reformer who provided employment to 700,000 common people with good wages and excellent benefits while building his prized project, the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress.   The Hwaseong Fortress, which is 5.74 kilomete

Sept. 3, 2022

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

6/45 (Korea) Opened Aug. 24 Comedy Directed by Park Gyu-tae Chun-woo (Go Kyung-pyo), who is about to finish his military service, accidentally picks up the first prize in the lottery, which is worth 5.7 billion won. But he soon loses it again as the wind blows away the lottery ticket and it crosses the Military Demarcation Line. Yongho (Lee Yi-kyung), is a North Korean soldier who picks up the lottery ticket that came from South Korea. 　 　 Bullet Train (US)　 Opened Aug. 24 Action Directed by Dav

Sept. 2, 2022

[Photo News] Ninth-century wooden Buddhas

Two of the oldest wooden Buddha statues in the country, which date back to the late-ninth century Unified Silla period are to be designated as national treasures, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced Thursday.  Both are wooden seated Vairocana Buddhas at Haeinsa in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province -- one (pictured) from the temple's Beopbojeon hall, and another from its Daejeokgwangjeon hall.  Both relics were designated treasures in 2012, and are currently placed at th

Sept. 1, 2022

Culture Ministry seeks W6.7t for next year, including W12.8b for Cheong Wa Dae project

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday said it is seeking 6.7 trillion won ($4.9 billion) for next year’s budget. 　Next year’s budget is a 9.3 percent cut from this year‘s, and stands in contrast to a 5.2 percent hike in the national budget proposed for the next year. 　An official at the ministry explained that some 450 billion won was transferred to local projects as part of the National Balanced Development Special Account for next year. Additionally, ther

Aug. 30, 2022

Gucci fashion show in Gyeongbokgung canceled after controversial fashion photo shoot at Cheong Wa Dae

After a recent fashion photo shoot by Vogue Korea on Cheong Wa Dae grounds sparked widespread public criticism, the Cultural Heritage Administration called off luxury brand Gucci’s fashion show in Gyeongbokgung, scheduled for Nov. 1, the CHA confirmed Monday. According to CHA meeting minutes from Aug. 16, Gucci Korea had applied for the use of the Geunjeongjeon, the main hall of the Joseon royal palace, noting publicizing the “historical value of Gyeongbokgung, a place where world-c

Aug. 29, 2022

[Visual History of Korea] Joseon royal tombs’ eternal presence in pristine settings

The Korean landscape has an abundant number of royal tombs dating back to Ancient Joseon from 2333 BC to the Joseon Kingdom of the 20th century. While most of the royal tombs of previous kingdoms still remain unidentified, all of the royal tombs of the Joseon Kingdom from that of the founding father of Joseon Yi Seong-gye to the last Emperor Yunghui of the Korean Empire are clearly marked and maintained in pristine condition. During the Joseon era, when the Yi family of Jeonju ruled Korea cont

Aug. 27, 2022