Cultural center to showcase 9 S. Korean films in US

The Korean Cultural Center in Washington said on Monday that it will showcase nine South Korean films to American viewers in a month-long film festival in the United States. The festival will be hosted by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, offering streaming services of films such as "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982," which is based on a best selling South Korean novel of the same title. "The Korean Film Festival DC 2021, which will be hosted by the Smithsonian's National M

May 4, 2021

[#WeFACE] Slow fashion emerges in pursuit of more ethical lifestyles

The Korea Herald is publishing a series of articles on eco-friendly fashion highlighting new fabrics, manufacturing processes and trends that aim to improve environmental sustainability. - Ed. When Kim Ji-young decided to move to Jeju Island in 2013 to leave behind the hectic city life in Seoul, she realized how many clothes she had kept in her closet without wearing them. Among them was an outfit that she had not worn even once. While packing for the big move, she found herself having to thr

May 3, 2021

[After COVID-19] Linear parks emerge as model public spaces

Following is the third article in a three-part series that explores housing in the post-pandemic era. - Ed. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, Lee Min-joo, a college student in Seoul, has been looking for safe places to go walking. She laments the fact she has no nearby parks where she can simply walk to. “I have to take a bus or subway to reach a park. It’s like I have to make time to visit a park,” Lee said. I wish we had more parks so we can take a walk and enjoy

April 27, 2021

Royal Culture Festival to kick off Saturday

The seventh Royal Culture Festival will begin Saturday in Seoul and bring a variety of cultural experiences both to online and offline spaces. The theme is relaxation. The annual festival will run through May 9 at Seoul’s five royal palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung and Deoksugung -- as well as the shrine Jongmyo and the altar Sajikdan. The 23 on-site events will include “Cinema in Palace” at Gyeongbokgung, “Self-Discovery Time&rd

April 25, 2021

[Video] Pet funeral: Offering farewell to companion animals in Korea

South Korea’s pet scene is steadily growing, with pets in 1 in 4 households, adding up to some 10.5 million companion animals, according to data gathered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In proportion to the growing number, a proper farewell to the animals’ last moments has become part of the culture. Various types of pet funeral homes have been grabbing the attention of pet guardians, with 21gram among them. 21gram manages the funeral process of not only cat

April 21, 2021

Korean Buddhist monks denied special entry permit to Myanmar

The Social and Labor Affairs Committee of the Jogye Order, the nation’s largest Buddhist sect, was denied special entry permits into Myanmar for three Korean monks. The Ven. Jimong, chairperson of the committee of the Jogye Order, submitted documents to the Myanmar Embassy to Korea on April 1, requesting special permits to visit the beleaguered country. The permit request was for three monks -- the Ven. Jimong, Hyedo and Jongsu. “This morning, we officially heard from the Minis

April 21, 2021

[Newsmaker] Were they ever gone?

As the movie “Seobok” hit the top of South Korean box office, lead actor Gong Yoo conducted interviews and promoted the movie. However, co-star Park Bo-gum was nowhere to be seen – he is serving his mandatory military service. Still, with last year’s tvN drama series “Record of Youth” featuring Park, “Seobok” currently in theaters and upcoming movie “Wonderland” scheduled for release later this year, Park’s absence from the ente

April 21, 2021

[After COVID-19] Exodus from standardized apartments as people seek interaction, nature

Following is the second article in a three-part series that explores housing in the post-pandemic era. -- Ed. Although many architects have voiced the need to diversify the residential environment in South Korea, where standardized large-scale apartment complexes are the dominant form of housing, change has been slow as apartments are considered investments. Yet the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the need for discussions on the residential environment in Korea and has accelerated some chan

April 19, 2021

[Newsmaker] With Mayor Oh in office, eyes are on Kim Ou-joon of TBS’ ‘News Factory’

Left-wing radio host Kim Ou-joon of Traffic Broadcasting System’s “News Factory” is under fire from right-wing party members as they challenge Kim’s outspoken political partisan views on a public-funded traffic news radio station, as well as his pay. TBS’ “News Factory” has been the most popular radio program in Korea since 2018, according to Hankook Research. Kim, who has been the show’s host since 2016, was listed as the second most influential

April 18, 2021

[Photo News] Jeju horses in green grassland

Staff of the Jeju Stockbreeding Promotion Institute release Jeju horses at Jeju Horse Pastureland, located on the side of Hallasan. Before being set free in the pastures of Hallasan, 83 Jeju horses spent the last winter in pastureland inside the institute.  The horses, designated as National Treasure No. 347, enjoy their freedom in Yonggang-dong of Jeju City. (Photos: Yonhap) By Yoon Chae-won (choenayoon@heraldcorp.com)

April 17, 2021

[Photo News] Baby Humboldt penguin goes for a checkup

A Humboldt penguin chick stares at other marine animals in the hallway on the way to a wellness check at Lotte World Aquarium in southeastern Seoul. Visitors take pictures of the Humboldt penguin chick with aquarium staff on the way to a checkup. A member of the aquarium staff weighs the chick, and a veterinarian performs a physical examination. (Photos: Yonhap) By Yoon Chae-won　(choenayoon@heraldcorp.com)

April 10, 2021

Hotels fight against COVID-19 with unique staycation packages

With COVID-19 practically barring international travel, many hotels have turned toward the growing population of Koreans looking for a staycation. The hotel industry faced unprecedented financial losses last year with the spread of the pandemic. According to a Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism report in 2019, foreigners accounted for 46.3 percent of hotel guests in August 2019. With the absence of foreign travelers, many hotels reported financial losses last year, including Lotte Hotel

April 10, 2021

Yeondeunghoe canceled for second year due to pandemic

The Joygye Order of Korean Buddhism has canceled Yeondeunghoe -- the annual Lotus Lantern Festival in celebration of Buddha’s birthday -- for the second consecutive year due to concerns over the growing number of COVID-19 infections. Yeondeunghoe would have taken place on May 15, four days before Buddha’s birthday. The four days leading up to the Buddha’s birthday are celebrated with numerous festivals, the highlight being the lantern parade. In a typical Buddha’s Birt

April 9, 2021

179 artists in state troupes broke public service rules

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported that 179 members of state arts troupes had violated regulations by giving private lessons or taking part in unauthorized activities, according to People Power Party Rep. Kim Ye-ji, who is a member of the National Assembly’s Culture Committee. The regulations concerning public officials, which apply to members of state arts troupes, state that individual activities must be approved in advance and any payment received must be reported.

April 8, 2021

Churches celebrate Easter amid COVID-19

Christians in South Korea celebrated Easter Sunday both online and offline as the country stands at a crossroads between a possible new wave of COVID-19 and mass vaccination. Major megachurches held restricted services without communion and had most of their members join online, following government regulations that allow churches in the capital area to operate at only 20 percent of full capacity. A total of 68 Protestant denominations and 17 Protestant associations representing different cit

April 4, 2021

[From the scene] Three Korean Buddhist monks request special entry into Myanmar

The Ven. Jimong, chairperson of the Social and Labor Affairs Committee of the Jogye Order, the nation’s largest Buddhist sector, walked into the Myanmar Embassy to Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, late Thursday morning, holding a large envelope that says “Request for Assistance with Obtaining a Special Entry Permit to Myanmar.” The committee explained that the envelope contained documents requesting the Myanmar Embassy in Korea issue special entry permits for three Korean monks -- th

April 1, 2021

National Folk Museum reopens exhibition with 20th-century items

  Some visitors may experience a wave of nostalgia after viewing old pop LP records, old-style record players and a nickel-silver “dosirak” container (lunchbox) at the National Folk Museum of Korea. The items are on display in Permanent Exhibition Hall 2, which reopened March 20 after extensive renovation. “Previously, the exhibition here focused on showcasing relics from the late Joseon era. The new exhibition not only showcases items from the Joseon era but also items

March 31, 2021

[Photo News] HANBOK AT WORK

Employees of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism wear hanbok to work Wednesday. To promote wearing Korean traditional attire, the Culture Ministry has assigned the last Wednesday of each month as “A Good Day to Wear Hanbok.” (Culture Ministry) By Song Seung-hyun (ssh@heraldcorp.com)

March 31, 2021

Gwangju Biennale to kick off after two delays due to pandemic

The Gwangju Biennale, one of Asia's biggest events of its kind, will kick off its 40-day run this week, overcoming two delays due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, organizers said Wednesday. Under the theme of "Minds Rising, Spirits Tuning," the 13th edition of the biennial festival will open on Thursday and run through May 9 in the southwestern city of Gwangju, 330 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the organizers. It will display 200 works of art by 60 artists from 40 countri

March 31, 2021

Three Buddhist monks to request special entry into Myanmar

The Social and Labor Affairs Committee of the Jogye Order, the nation‘s largest Buddhist sect, on Tuesday announced that it will request the Myanmar Embassy in Korea to issue special entry permits for three Korean monks on Thursday. The permits will be for Ven. Jimong, the chairperson of the committee, along with Ven. Hyedo and Jongsu.　 “We see that it is a religious person’s duty to go to the scene where people are suffering and are in sorrow,” an official of the comm

March 30, 2021