[Graphic News] ‘Parasite’ wins top honors at Cannes　

　The Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, was awarded Saturday to “Parasite,” a social satire and critical favorite from South Korean director Bong Joon-ho. It is the first time a Korean director has received the coveted award in the festival’s 72-year history.　The Cannes Film Festival is an annual event held in France. It previews new films of all genres, including documentaries from all around the world. 

May 28, 2019

Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite' wins Palme d'Or at Cannes

CANNES, France (Yonhap) -- South Korean director Bong Joon-ho grabbed the highest honor at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Saturday for his black comedy movie "Parasite." Bong became the first South Korean director to win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Before him, Park Chan-wook was awarded the Grand Prix, the second-highest prize at the festival, for his thriller "Old Boy" in 2004.   His achievement marks the sixth time that a Korean film has received one of

May 26, 2019

City needs ‘room to breathe,’ architect says

The rooftop of the Sewoon Sangga, the 50-plus-year-old shopping complex in central Seoul, offers a unique panorama of Seoul.From the northern side of this mega-structure you get a view that spans from the mountain Bugaksan to the Confucian shrine Jongmyo. There is also a clear view of Namsan Tower from the southern side. The western side offers a skyline that connects Euljiro 1-ga with the gates Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun, while clusters of low-rise traditional markets can be seen to the east. A

May 21, 2019

‘Arts factory’ in Palbok boasts intriguing look and theme

Once a run-down factory in Jeonju, gallery now aspires to landmark status JEONJU, NORTH JEOLLA PROVINCE -- Driving north of Jeonju City Hall, past Jeonju University and onto the industrial complex grounds, you will find a group of run-down factory buildings. Just as you start wondering if you took a wrong turn on your way to the art gallery, what appears to be a rusty old structure with the words “Factory of Contemporary Arts in Palbok” lets you know you are in the right place.The venue, which o

May 15, 2019

UNESCO council recommends Confucian academies for UNESCO World Heritage inscription

Nine of South Korea’s Confucian academies have been recommended by a UNESCO council to be inscribed on its World Heritage List, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The CHA said it has been notified by UNESCO’s International Council on Monuments and Sites of the recommendation made on “Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies.” The application for World Heritage inscription had been under deliberation since January 2018.Seowon were educational facilities of the Joseon period (1392-191

May 14, 2019

[Weekender] Hottest makgeolli variations leading old spirit's revival

Feel like you’re missing out on the evolution of makgeolli? Don’t worry. The following are some of the hottest brews now for you to catch up with the ongoing revival of South Korea’s oldest booze. The selection is based on recommendations from industry insiders as well as sales tallies from traditional liquor shops. Premium line 1. Haechang Made from freshly harvested rice, glutinous rice and nuruk (a fermentation starter) from Haenam, South Jeolla Province, this premium makgeolli took the No. 1

May 10, 2019

Hallyu gains steam with exports rising 9.1% in 2018

Hallyu continues to have a positive impact on the economy with related exports rising 9.1 percent in 2018, according to a recent Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange report.The report looked into Hallyu’s direct and indirect impact on the economy, particularly in exports. It estimates that Hallyu exports accounted for $9.48 billion in 2018. Of the total Hallyu exports, cultural contents such as games, music and films accounted for $4.42 billion.In 2018, the total value of Hallyu

May 3, 2019

[Weekender] Where to picnic in Seoul

Spring is upon us, which means the picnic season is here. Seoul has its fair share of greenery, and below are some of the most frequented parks for spring outings in the city. Yeouido ParkYeouido Park (Kim Arin/The Korea Herald)Yeouido Park (Kim Arin/The Korea Herald)Yeouido Park is a gigantic municipal park in central Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu. The park, which sits in the center of the island, divides Yeouido’s east and west areas. Originally built as an airfield during the Japanese colonial era

May 3, 2019

[Weekender] Back in the day: Sweet memories of picnics

In South Korea, spring outings are a grand, communal affair that bring people together. Schools, churches, companies and various social clubs and communities start planning way before spring arrives. It is one of the biggest annual events. The culture of grand picnicking can be traced back to “hwajeon nori” during the Joseon era (1392-1910) -- a picnic enjoyed mostly by women on the third day of the third lunar month. “Young Joseon wives would travel to an attractive outdoor site and pitch a ten

May 3, 2019

[Weekender] Picnic rentals: Skip the hassle, enjoy the season

Sometimes, the best picnics happen on the spur of the moment. And South Korea’s thriving picnic rental services, conveniently clustered near popular destinations, make last-minute outings a breeze. You can have a perfect day out in the sun, without the early-morning packing hassle that exhausts you even before setting off or shelling out on fancy picnic gear you may only use once or twice a year. Rent the shade Camping has become commonplace in Seoul, especially in parks along the Han River that

May 3, 2019

Lotus Lantern Festival to be held in Seoul

The annual festival commemorating Buddha’s Birthday, a national holiday in Korea, will be held in Jongno and at the temple Jogyesa in central Seoul on May 3-5.The Lotus Lantern Festival, or Yeon Deung Hoe in Korean, unofficially kicked off with the lighting of lanterns on April 17 at Gwanghwamun Plaza, which saw lighting of a special lantern modeled after the national treasure Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda. (Yeon Deung Hoe Preservation Committee) (Yeon Deung Hoe Preservation Committee)Designated Korea

April 26, 2019

[Weekender] Night market gets glam makeover in Yeouido

Seoul’s Bamdokkaebi Night Market, which runs every Friday and Saturday at four locations in the city, is perfect for those who want a casual night out.At Cheonggye Stream, Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Banpo and Yeouido, the city-operated weekend markets beckon visitors with their eclectic selection of food stalls, music and atmosphere -- their own glammed-up versions of the Korean traditional street market. From May onward, a fifth location will be added -- Oil Tank Culture Park in Mapo-gu. Bamdokka

April 26, 2019

From Mickey Mouse to ‘Frozen,’ Disney animations embroider into exhibition

From Marvel Studios to Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm, it appears that nearly the entire entertainment world has fallen in rank under Mickey Mouse’s whiskers. But The Walt Disney Co.’s roots have always been in the beloved animations that Uncle Walt introduced to the world nearly a century ago, and a Seoul exhibition will commemorate that history. Visitors view “The Art of Disney: The Magic of Animation” exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)Until Aug. 18. Don

April 23, 2019

Culture minister mulls screen quota for independent films

Culture Minister Park Yang-woo on Monday said the government is considering steps to prevent blockbuster films from monopolizing screens.Park, who took helm of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism earlier this month, emphasized the importance of producing and screening diverse movies.“From a long-term perspective, it is essential to have variety in films. In order for Korean films to grow in the international market, many different types of quality films should be produced,” Park said dur

April 22, 2019

[Weekender] ASMR, the art of anti-stimulation

Technology is taking its toll on the digital generation, evidenced in the rise of ASMR, or particular videos designed for listening. ASMR -- autonomous sensory meridian response -- is a relatively new internet phenomenon for disconnecting in an increasingly hyperconnected world. With ASMR, listeners are not looking to be entertained. They want to be sedated. It’s the art of anti-stimulation.　　 This image shows screenshots of some of the more popular ASMR videos on YouTube. One ASMR content creat

April 19, 2019

[Weekender] ASMR: The feel-good world made of unexpected sounds

If you haven’t heard of ASMR, believe us, it is huge. On YouTube, videos of people whispering in their microphone, or creating certain sounds that are supposed to trigger an “autonomous sensory meridian response” -- a tingling sensation that typically starts from your scalp and moves down your spine -- are aplenty. And they are being watched tens of millions of times globally.  (Illustration by Nam Kyung-don)In South Korea, never too far behind a global trend, ASMR has really caught on recently.

April 19, 2019

Royal Culture Festival to add color to Seoul’s palaces

During the 2019 Royal Culture Festival, visitors will be able to get a glimpse of the lifestyles of Joseon royals at Seoul’s five historic palaces. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced Wednesday it will be hosting the annual festival under the theme of “Today, We Meet the Palace” from April 27 to May 7 at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. This is the first time that Gyeonghuigung has been included in the event. Various programs and activities

April 18, 2019

UN greenlights equipment into NK for relics excavation

A United Nations panel has approved a temporary waiver for a series of economic sanctions against North Korea, in a move that will allow Seoul to bring equipment to the North for a joint inter-Korean excavation of the ancient palace site of Manwoldae in the communist state.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday confirmed that the UN Security Council committee for sanctions against the North had granted a waiver of the sanctions.The detailed list of equipment that would be allowed to be broug

April 17, 2019

[Eye Plus] Korea’s oldest throne hall open to public

South Korea’s oldest throne hall has been opened to the public for the first time, displaying the beauty of the 17th century hall. (Photo credit: Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)The main hall of Changgyeong-gung Palace, Myeongjeongjeon, is where the king attended to state affairs, holding meetings with officials and receptions of foreign envoys.  (Photo credit: Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)Originally built in the mid-15th century by King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty, it was destroyed during the Jap

April 11, 2019

Scholar discovers original copies of 1919 Swiss resolution calling for Korean independence

A South Korean scholar said Wednesday he has discovered the original copies of a resolution adopted at the 1919 International Socialist Conference in the Swiss town of Lucerne that show the Korean provisional government's diplomatic efforts to call for Korean independence from Japan.Although the resolution itself has been known to Korean scholars due to reports in Korean newspapers, including the provisional government's newspaper, The Independence Newspaper, the location of the original copies

April 10, 2019