Cocktails inspired by 12 zodiac signs Sindang-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul, was once an enclave of shamans, with the name of the neighborhood meaning a shrine or temple dedicated to spirits. When the sun goes down, Zoosindang, a cocktail bar themed after the stories of the 12 zodiac animals, comes to life. At first glance, the place looks like an eerie shaman’s house with no entrance. Push the cat statue, who is gatekeeping the place, and you will find yourself in an otherworldly forest. The ba

Culture Jan. 27, 2023

The English-language edition of sci-fi novel “Walking Practice,” by Korean author Dolki Min, is scheduled to get a worldwide release on March 14 by HarperVia, an international fiction imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The Korean edition hit local shelves in February 2022, while the English translation was in progress. Though "Walking Practice" seems to have followed a typical route -- a local release followed by overseas release of the translated edition -- rights to the

Books Jan. 26, 2023

South Korean director Hong Sang-soo will vie in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival for the fourth consecutive year. Hong’s 29th feature, “In Water” is listed in the Encounters category with 15 other films at the festival scheduled for Feb. 16-23, according to the lineup for the 73rd edition announced Monday. Established in 2020, the Encounters category is a competitive section devoted to new cinematic visions. The platform aims to foster aesthetically and str

Film Jan. 24, 2023

It was at the end of the 19th century that Westerners knocked on the doors of Joseon, a mysterious country unknown to the West. A special exhibition exploring how Joseon was seen in the eyes of foreigners who visited the country after the ports opened in 1882, kicked off Jan. 13 at Songpa Book Museum, located in Songpa-gu, southern Seoul. The exhibition “Welcome to Joseon” displays about 140 books, paintings, photos and videos, following the records of Joseon in books or writings. Bo

Culture Jan. 22, 2023

The name Bora Chung was trending on the Korean literary scene last year after she was shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize, one of the largest literary awards in the world. Although her name appeared to have come from nowhere, the author of “Cursed Bunny” has been writing under the pen name Chung Do-gyung for over 20 years. A collection of short stories from Chung’s early career written under her pen name hit local bookshelves Friday. “We hope this book wil

Books Jan. 20, 2023

Sledding at Ttukseom Hangang Park Take Exit No. 2 from Ttukseom Station on Subway Line 7 and you will find a sledding park run by the Ttukseom Hangang Park for the winter season. The 55-meter-long slope may not look so steep at first sight -- it is 6 meters at its highest point -- but after a couple of rides, your inner child will have you standing in line for another ride. You can ride as many times as you like. The speed and the gush of winds will take you to the bottom of the slope in a blink

Culture Jan. 20, 2023

최근 한국에 번역 출간된 ‘고은과의 대화’ 저자 라민 자한베글루 교수는 고은 시인을 영국의 W. H. 오든, 딜런 토마스, 프랑스의 보들레르, 칠레의 파블로 네루다 등과 같은 ‘세계적인 시인’ 이라 말했다. 인도의 O.P. 진달 글로벌 대학의 자한베글루 교수는 코리아헤럴드와의 서면 인터뷰에서 고은은 “한국 문화뿐만 아니라 전체 인류에 속하는 시인”이라며 이같이 답했다. 나치 정권에 가담한 독일 철학자 하이데거, 프랑스의 스탈린주의자 시인 루이 아라곤, 파시스트였던 시인 에즈라 파운드를 언급한 뒤, 자한베글루 교수는 각 문화권에서 이들에 대한 평가가 다른 것처럼 고은 시인에 대한 견해도 다를 수 있다고 주장했다. 교수는 “비폭력을 믿고 모든 형태의 폭력은 거부”한다며 전 세계적으로 인기를 끌었던 넷플릭스 시리즈 ‘오징어 게임’과 같은 형태로 묘사된 폭력에 대해서도 같은 입장이라

Books Jan. 19, 2023

Actors on stage do more than just read lines -- they sing songs, appreciate paintings and rekindle inspiration. Two gripping plays currently running in Seoul -- John Marans’ “Old Wicked Songs” and Lee Halls' “The Pitmen Painters” -- bring music and art to the stage, exploring the depth of arts and how they shape our lives. Music school drama in "Old Wicked Songs” Set in the spring of 1986 at a music school in Vienna, the play “Old Wicked Song

Performance Jan. 18, 2023

A Korean play called “Chronicles of Alibis” will be staged at KVS, Brussels, on Wednesday, the first time a Korean-language play is being performed in Belgium. English subtitles will be provided, according to the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, which organized the performance in conjunction with the Korean Culture and Information Service. “Chronicles of Alibis” is an autobiographical narrative of playwright-director Kim Jae-yeop’s father and o

Performance Jan. 18, 2023

Over 120 indie rock acts will participate in one of the biggest ever "Hongdae holidays.” The event, “2023 Kyungrockjeol -- Mapo Renaissance,” kicks off Feb. 8 and runs to Feb. 12 in hopes of reviving the indie, cultural and arts scene in Hongdae. The five-day festival is hosted by Crying Nut bassist Han Kyung-rock, also known as Captain Rock, celebrating the rock band’s 28th anniversary. Captain Rock Company announced on Monday the first lineup for this year’s

Performance Jan. 16, 2023

A former judge and still a lawyer, writer Do Jin-ki has published another detective novel, “Revenge Law Firm.” The book centers on prosecutor Yoon Hae-seong, who gains public attention by prosecuting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth Against Sex Offenses. But Yoon has something else on his mind: revealing the wrongful death of his father, whose murder 20 years prior was disguised as suicide. Yoon suspects the real murderer i

Books Jan. 14, 2023

While South Korean poet Ko Un remained virtually silent in Korea’s literary scene after sexual harassment allegations were made against him in 2017, he has been actively participating in international book fairs and festivals. The poet was awarded the New Golden Age Poetry Prize at Mexico City Poetry Festival in 2018 where he also had a solo poetry reading at the awards ceremony. In the past five years, he has also given speeches, interview and readings at international literary fairs in I

Books Jan. 13, 2023

Eleven-year-old Korean cellist Kim Jung-a won the first prize in the cello section at the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians in Russia, according to Korea National University of Arts on Thursday. Kim competed against seven other cellists in the final round, which was held at the Grand Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic on Monday. A total of 128 contestants from 14 countries participated in the piano, violin and cello categories this year. The finalists performed

Performance Jan. 13, 2023

Well-known figures who have contributed to building a positive image of Korea at home and overseas were honored at the Korea Image Awards ceremony organized by the Corea Image Communication Institute at the InterContinental Seoul Coex in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Emmy-winning actor Lee Jung-jae from Netflix’s global phenomenon “Squid Game," former Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna, teen swimmer Hwang Sun-woo and European fashion houses received this year's awards, w

Culture Jan. 12, 2023

Outside the window, it is raining heavily as lightning cracks. In the dreary atmosphere, Annie Wilkes barges into the room, her face distorted in anger, she screams, “Misery cannot be dead! How could you? You murdered her!” Unable to control her rage, Annie almost swings a chair at Paul Sheldon, unable to move due to leg injuries. Then suddenly in a surprisingly soft voice, she whispers: “Try to experience what pain is. Don’t even dream that someone will come and save you

Performance Jan. 12, 2023