[Eye interview] Intercultural communication key to sustainability of Hallyu

In 2003, interpreter to statesmen and global leaders Choi Jung-wha launched the Corea Image Communication Institute with the goal of communicating Korea’s image to the world. Both frustration and optimism motivated her. “People ask why a private individual took on the task of promoting Korea’s image. Well, I traveled to many different countries as an interpreter. But, really, no one ever asked ‘Are you Korean?’ This really upset me,” said Choi in a recent inte

Jan. 7, 2023

[Newsmaker] Culture Ministry prioritizes boosting content, tourism industries in 2023

  The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will focus on boosting South Korea’s content and tourism industries in 2023, it said on Thursday during a New Year’s policy briefing to President Yoon Suk Yeol. The ministry has set out a goal to achieve $22 billion in content exports by 2027, significantly up from $12.4 billion in 2021. The ministry will inject 790 billion won ($625 million) in policy funds to help boost content exports in 2023. For tourism, the ministry aims to inc

Jan. 6, 2023

[Well-curated] New year calls for rabbit-shaped cakes, redecorating and historic accessories

Celebrate Year of the Rabbit with NewJeans' rabbit-shaped cake Hop into the Year of the Rabbit at pop-up store "OMG! NU+JEANS" near Dosan Park in Gangnam-gu for a sweet pick-me-up and all things NewJeans. The pop-up is a collaboration between dessert brand Nudake and the K-pop group and runs through Jan. 21. The signature item is the rabbit-shaped “OMG! NU+JEANS” cake that comes in five different colors -- white, yellow, pink, blue and green. You also won't be abl

Jan. 6, 2023

[Newsmaker] Goryeo relics found at Cheong Wa Dae

  A number of relics presumed to be from the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) era, have been found in eight different locations within the Cheong Wa Dae grounds, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday. The CHA's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center unveiled the result of its four-month-long preliminary study of the site. Two associations, including the Korea Association for Architectural History, were commissioned to conduct the study, which took place Aug. 28 to Dec

Jan. 4, 2023

Winners of six music, dance competition no longer eligible for military exemption

South Korea’s Military Manpower Administration has excluded six international competitions from the list of competitions that entitle the winners to military service exemption. Effective Jan. 1, winners of two classical music contests -- The International Tchaikovsky Competition and Le Concours International de Chant de Toulouse -- and four ballet competitions -- The International Ballet Competition in Moscow, Arabesque: Russian Open Ballet Competition, International Ballet Competition-V

Jan. 4, 2023

What's new in national museums 2023

Following the explosive popularity of two exhibitions at the National Museum of Korea -- “A Collector’s Invitation” showcasing the late Samsung Chair Lee Kun-hee's art collection and "Six Centuries of Beauty in the Habsburg Empire" -- which attracted thousands to the museum daily, national museums in Seoul have more exhibitions of historical artifacts from both home and abroad in store this year. In late May, the National Museum of Korea will present a special ex

Jan. 3, 2023

[Newsmaker] Rich enough to ‘flex’ but not enough to pay taxes, apparently

The South Korean national health insurance operator's list of heavy defaulters – those whose overdue premiums payments exceed 10 million won ($7,833) – includes self-styled “rich” rapper Dok2. He has failed to pay 16.6 million won from 2018 to 2019, it showed. The revelation came just a month after the National Tax Service made public the same rapper’s overdue balance of 320 million won in taxes. When this was disclosed, Dok2 posted promotional images of his

Jan. 3, 2023

Park Chan-wook, Lee Jung-jae, Park Eun-bin named visionaries of Korean entertainment

Cannes-winning director Park Chan-wook, Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” star Park Eun-bin and Korean American movie star Don Lee, better known as Ma Dong-seok in Korea, were among the 10 cultural icons announced as recipients of the 2023 Visionary Awards on Tuesday. The third edition of the annual awards, presented by South Korean media and entertainment giant CJ ENM, recognizes individuals who have raised the country’s profile in the entertainment

Jan. 3, 2023

Musical industry made dramatic comeback in 2022

Rebounding from two years of pandemic-related difficulties, South Korea's performing arts industry came back last year stronger than ever, backed by record ticket sales in musicals. According to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System, which collects and analyzes ticket sales data, the total number of ticket sales for performing arts reached 545.2 billion won ($429 million) as of Dec. 28. Out of 545.2 billion won, 76.2 percent (415.5 billion won) was attributed to ticket sal

Jan. 3, 2023

Celebrating 70th year of The Korea Herald

This year, The Korea Herald celebrates the 70th year since its first publication on Aug. 15, 1953, upon the signing of the armistice agreement from the Korean War. The Korea Herald has been in the front line of current affairs through the seven decades. Writing in a foreign language, The Korea Herald reporters were outsiders from the inside, trying to tell the stories with a purpose different from those of Korean-language journalists. Through the historical upheavals, economic accomplishments, f

Jan. 2, 2023

South Korea offers condolences over death of former Pope Benedict XVI

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea on Saturday offered their condolences over the death of former Pope Benedict XVI, who died at the age of 95 on the same day. "Korean bishops remember that the former Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the unity of the Korean people and reunification of separated families, and also praised and encouraged Korean missionaries and laymen during his regular visits to the Apostolic Church," Bishop Matthias Ri Yong-hoon, the chairman of the CBCK said i

Jan. 1, 2023

IU and actor Lee Jong-suk are dating: agency

Singer-actor IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, and actor Lee Jong-suk are dating, according to their agencies on Saturday. “Lee Jong-suk and IU have recently progressed from close colleagues into a relationship,” said Lee’s agency, High Zium Studio in an official statement. IU’s agency EDAM Entertainment also confirmed, “Two of them have been close colleagues for a long time and have recently begun dating.” Lee won the grand prize for his role in the crime thrille

Dec. 31, 2022

Webtoon 'The Uncanny Counter' returns with prequel

Kakabo Page’s beloved web comic “The Uncanny Counter” returned Thursday, a year and a half after its second season came to an end in June 2021. “I think I took the longest break in my career as a webtoon artist. I am feeling a little nervous and excited to continue the stories of ‘The Uncanny Counter’ with this new season,” Kakao Page press release quoted the creator Jang Yi as saying. The series is a prequel to the original story featuring the origin of

Dec. 30, 2022

Places to see first sunrise of 2023 in S. Korea

With only days left until the new year, popular spots for watching the sunrise on Jan. 1 are getting ready for crowds that are expected to be the largest since the pandemic hit the world in early 2020. Prime spots are typically atop mountains and beaches where you can watch the glowing sun rise over the horizon. On Jan. 1, 2023, the sun is expected to come out between 7:26 a.m. and 7:40 a.m, according to the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. In Seoul, major mountains, including Namsan

Dec. 30, 2022

The biggest culture moments of 2022

1. K-dramas and movies receive global recognition Squid Game, the Netflix smash hit, brought home six historical wins from the Emmy Awards 2022. It became the first non-English series to win Outstanding Directing, while Lee Jung-jae, the show's lead, became the first Asian to win best actor. At the Cannes Film Festival 2022, South Korean director Park Chan-wook won best director for his erotic thriller "Decision to Leave," while Song Kang-ho became the first Korean to win best act

Dec. 30, 2022

[Well-curated] Rabbit-themed exhibition, retro game and cafe at historic building

As the new year approaches, various rabbit-themed events, attractions and exhibitions are scheduled to entertain the public, celebrating the Year of the Black Rabbit. Rabbit-themed carton exhibition Cartoon exhibition Eol-To-Dang-To, an abbreviation word for “Way to go rabbit! What a confident rabbit!” in Korean, feature eye-catching works drawn by the members of the Korea Cartoonist Association and Japanese artists. Korean traditional comic artist Lee Doo-ho and renowned Japanese ma

Dec. 30, 2022

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Fairmont Ambassador Seoul presents ‘Strawberry High Tea at Fairmont’ promotion The Atrium Lounge at Fairmont Ambassador Seoul Hotel presents Strawberry High Tea at Fairmont, an indulgent celebration of winter’s favorite fruit, from Jan. 2 to March 12. This season’s high tea features a selection of desserts and beverages crafted from fresh strawberries, complemented by savory items. The dessert menu includes strawberry mousse, terrine, mont-blanc filled with jam and monte

Dec. 30, 2022

Top orchestras with Korean musicians highlight classical music calendar in 2023

As most of the world returns to pre-pandemic normalcy, the coming year is expected to bring in worldwide talents and provide many occasions to showcase collaboration between Korean musicians and renowned orchestras. As early as March, the 475-year-old German orchestra Staatskapelle Dresden, with its principal guest conductor Chung Myung-whun, will hit the stage of the Seoul Art Center. On March 5, featuring Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin, the orchestra will perform a Tchaikovsky piano concerto a

Dec. 29, 2022

[Best Brand] Hyundae Rose Garden brings world’s flower to S. Korea

Since Hyundae Rose Garden opened in 1995, the company has been striving to become a front-runner in the field of rose breeding. Aiming to produce and distribute the finest roses to South Korea, the company made technical license agreements with leading rose breeders around the world, including Harness Roses of the UK and Poulsen Roser of Denmark. Hyundae Rose Garden has been breeding and growing 600 varieties of roses for more than 25 years. Almost 400,000 to 500,000 seedlings are provided by th

Dec. 28, 2022

Elementary school musical: Seoul schools to teach breakdancing

Breakdancing will be included in after-school classes provided by elementary and middle schools in Seoul starting next year, the city’s education authorities said Wednesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and the Korea Breaking Federation -- the administrative body of breakdancing events and competitions in South Korea -- are slated to sign an agreement on creating breakdance classes tailored to students. The KBF will organize education courses and teaching materials while fost

Dec. 28, 2022