[Weekender] Seoul clubs: the party animal's paradise

Many cities around the world call themselves “the city that never sleeps,” but few live up to that reputation as well as Seoul. The raging nightlife has become a trademark for Korea’s capital, with countless bars, clubs, coffee shops and noraebang (karaoke bars) that welcome in party animals right up until sunrise.　Naturally, Seoulites have developed a high standard for what they are looking for in the perfect club party experience. 　Clubs in Seoul boast some of the most stylish venues in the wo

Dec. 18, 2015

[Weekender] DJ, an evolution from turntablist to performance master

Clubs are a cultural touchpoint, where music, fashion, visual art and performing arts intersect, influence and blend with one another, says DJ KingmckA DJ, or disc jockey, is much more than just a person who plays recorded music for the audience -- he or she is the director of the performance, headliner of the night’s show, and a trademark of the club industry. DJ Kingmck (Deadend Movement)　Amid the fast-changing cultural trends of these days, it is also an occupation that needs to be redefined

Dec. 18, 2015

[Weekender] Words you need to know for clubbing in Korea　

While clubbing in Korea, you may hear a lot of familiar words with unfamiliar meanings or completely new terms altogether. Provided here by The Korea Herald is a dictionary of sorts to help you sail smoothly through the country’s nightlife scene. Syndrome (Syndrome-Redcool Photography)　Clubs, nightclubs, “booking” and cabarets　In Korea, there is a clear distinction between clubs and nightclubs. Clubs are your traditional jam-packed dance halls filled with hip-hop or electronic dance music.　Meanw

Dec. 18, 2015

[Weekender] Where to turn up after sunset -- Seoul’s hottest clubs

A team of Korea Herald reporters went on a weekend crawl of clubs in Seoul’s infamous clubbing districts of Gangnam, Hongdae and Itaewon. The following is our tried and tested list of the hottest clubs in Seoul now. Gangnam, glitz and glam　The inspiration behind that galloping hit track by rapper Psy, Seoul’s well-off Gangnam area is the home ground of some of the most glamorous and sophisticated clubs not only in Korea, but worldwide. Club of clubs: OctagonOctagon (Octagon)　To play it safe, Oct

Dec. 18, 2015

[Weekender] Tips for party look: Go simple, but bold

How exactly do you look good in dimly lit dance clubs and stay fresh until the morning after? The Korea Herald took tips from local makeup and fashion celebrities on how to become a holiday queen.The keywords for this season’s party look are ‘bold,’ ‘dramatic’ and ‘fancy’ (Pony Effect)According to makeup guru Pony, who has recently launched her own brand Pony Effect, the key words for this season’s party makeup trends are “bold,” “dramatic” and “fancy.” Cosmetics brands have released vibrant sha

Dec. 18, 2015

Romantic year-end dates, without the crowds

During the holidays, the hustle and bustle of Seoul make the city far from a winter wonderland. People shuffle down Gangnam sidewalks in single file, get swept into the swarms of people in Myeong-dong, or squeeze into cable cars on the way up to Namsan Tower. In restaurants, couples are likely to bump elbows with those dining at the next table. For those looking for a way to stay in Seoul yet get away from the maddening crowds for a romantic night out, The Korea Herald offers some ideas. Cine de

Dec. 16, 2015

New MMCA director attempts to allay censorship concerns

Bartomeu Mari, the new director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, tried to play down a censorship controversy that erupted over his decision earlier this year to drop an exhibition at the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, which he headed at the time, during his first press conference as the head of MMCA in Seoul on Monday.“I am against all sorts of censorship, and I stand for freedom of expression,” said Mari, announcing his plans for the museum during his three-y

Dec. 14, 2015

Culture Ministry to sponsor Korean art exhibition at Met

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will fund Korean art exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from 2016 to 2018, the museum has announced. The ministry and the Met signed a memorandum of understanding last Thursday for a three-year partnership to support exhibitions and programs related to Korean art and culture at the museum.  Thomas Campbell, director and CEO of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (left), and Oh Seung-je, director of the Korean Cultural Service of New Y

Dec. 13, 2015

Tongyeong recognized for its rich music offerings

Tongyeong, a southeastern port city long known as the hometown of numerous artists, may soon rise to international prominence following its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Music on Friday night.　Tongyeong is the first city in Korea, second in Asia after Japan’s Hamamatsu and 10th worldwide to join the Music category of the international organization’s Creative Cities Network. Tongyeong has rich musical offerings, including its traditional mask dance Ogwangdae and the annual Tongyeong In

Dec. 13, 2015

History of food exchanges between Korea and Japan

Tonkatsu once enjoyed the status of today’s dry-aged steak -- some 35 years ago in Korea. In the 1980s, the deep-fried breaded pork cutlet, now one of the most common and popular dishes among Koreans, was only available at Seoul’s top western restaurants. Italiano, a restaurant in Jeong-dong, Seoul, used to serve tonkatsu on a big white ceramic plate with kimchi and “danmuji,” yellow pickled radish. Despite the restaurant’s Italian name, tonkatsu, an import from Japan, was its best-known dish, a

Dec. 10, 2015

National Library holds exhibition of award-winning content

The National Library of Korea is hosting an exhibition of award-winning content, including webtoons, photography and videos, at its digital library until Dec. 23, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Culture and Information Service. The National Library of Korea holds the “Hello, Korea” exhibition featuring award-winning content through Dec. 23 in Seoul. (KOCIS)KOCIS held two competitions ― “Talk Talk Korea” and “Peace Flag Campaign” ― last May to mark the 70th Libe

Dec. 8, 2015

Controversy rekindled over late Chun Kyung-ja’s painting

Controversy over the authenticity of the late artist Chun Kyung-ja’s “Beautiful Woman” has been reignited with family members of the late artist issuing an ultimatum to the state-run National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which is in possession of the painting.  Artist Chun Kyung-ja (Yonhap)This time, Sumita Kim, the third of Chun’s four children, and Chun’s son-in-law Muhn B.G. said they would take legal actions if the museum does not formally apologize and correct its past wrongdoings

Dec. 8, 2015

Korea, Japan seek to register records of Joseon goodwill missions on UNESCO list

South Korea and Japan plan to submit a joint application to register about 200-300 documents recording the “Joseon Tongsinsa” from 1607-1811 on the UNESCO Memory of the World list by March next year, the Busan Cultural Foundation said Monday. The updated documentary heritage list will be finalized by July or August 2017. A reenactment of Joseon Tongsinsa at a festival in Busan (Korea Tourism Organization)Joseon Tongsinsa refers to the series of diplomatic goodwill missions that the Joseon era (1

Dec. 7, 2015

Grotesque exposure of human condition

A figure, half-woman, half-bird, sits helplessly as if she has failed at several attempts to fly. She lacks feathers, except for the colorful few on her back.Artist Sohn Jung-hee stands behind the “Debutantes: 7 Sins” series displayed at Hakgojae Gallery in Seoul, Dec. 4.　(Park Hae-mook/The Korea Herald)For artist Sohn Jung-hee, the ceramic sculpture “Siren” embodies the conflict between the public and the private selves of modern people.  “It can describe an office worker, or someone like me, w

Dec. 6, 2015

Korean tug-of-war game added to UNESCO list

A traditional Korean tug-of-war folk game had its name added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage list Wednesday, jointly with three other Asian countries with similar traditions. Tugging rituals and games, proposed by South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines, gained status as UNESCO-recognized traditions of humanity during the 10th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Windhoek, the capital of southwest African country Namibia. 

Dec. 2, 2015

‘Korea can create 2nd Pucca’

Pucca, an animated character created by Korea’s Vooz in 2000, has shown that Korea’s characters can reach the global audience through international partnerships and merchandising deals.The wacky Chinese character earns over 300 billion won ($257.7 million) per year on average globally, thanks in part to the Disney Channel, which has been broadcasting “Pucca” short animated TV series in more than 100 countries.LIMA Korea chief Kwak Kyeong-won (LIMA)Kwak Kyeong-won, the Korean representative of th

Dec. 2, 2015

Metal piece found at Seoul-Pyongyang joint excavation site

South and North Korea have unearthed a piece of metal type at an ancient palace in the North‘s border city of Gaeseong as they wrapped up a joint excavation project, a group of historians said Monday.The block of movable metal type was one of about 3,500 relics that have been excavated at the site of Manwoldae, a Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) palace in Gaeseong, in the six-month project, according to the group of the two Koreas’ historians. A piece of metal type believed to date back to the Goryeo D

Dec. 1, 2015

A season of family-friendly winter performances

As the year comes to a close, many people may be scrambling to figure out how to spend their free time during the cold winter while getting a bit of artistic indulgence. For those looking to kick the winter blues, there’s nothing like a night at the theater to add a little enchantment to one’s evening.  A scene from the Universal Ballet Korea‘s production of “The Nutcracker,” which will be staged at the Universal Arts Center in Seoul from Dec. 18 to 31. (Universal Ballet Korea)Inarguably one of

Dec. 1, 2015