[More than APT] Changing the value of 'home'

A young couple in their 30s, surnamed Lee and Park, exhausted from enduring persistent noise from neighbors above, is hunting for a new place to live. But even as they search, they are hesitant. Moving into another apartment means facing the same uncertainty: Who lives upstairs? What kind of neighbors will they encounter? Their concerns reflect a common dilemma in South Korea, where apartment complexes dominate urban living, making up 62.9 percent of all housing types. Living in high-rise apartm

Arts & DesignNov. 25, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Raum der Gedanken

Lee So-jeong (born 1993), an artist based in Dusseldorf and gaining attention across Europe, explores the unconscious and dreams, capturing the depth of emotions with delicate precision through her focus on human figures as the primary subject. Through her painted narratives, the artist reveals the emotions and experiences inherent in the human psyche, presenting works that intertwine autobiographical memories and sentiments. The exhibition is on view at DIA Contemporary, located in Samcheong-do

CultureNov. 25, 2024

Seoul shares jump over 1.3% on tech gains, Trump's pick for treasury post

South Korean stocks rose more than 1.3 percent Monday as investors hunted for big-cap tech bargains amid hopes for the new Donald Trump administration's softer approach to tariffs. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 33.1 points, or 1.32 percent, to close at 2,534.34. It marked the highest level since Nov. 8, when the index closed at 2,561.15. Trade volume was heavy at 535.26 million shares worth 12.54 trillion won ($8.95 bill

MarketNov. 25, 2024

[Herald Review] 'Gangnam B-Side' combines social realism with masterful suspense, performance

Disney+ may have delivered one of its most gripping new Korean originals with the crime thriller “Gangnam B-side” -- which offers a compelling blend of suspense, character depth, and sharp social commentary on South Korea’s growing drug problem. Bringing affluent Gangnam district’s extravagant club culture to screen with a neon-lit, visually dazzling mise-en-scene that highlights its duality of glamour and grit, “Gangnam B-side” explores the intertwined lives

TelevisionNov. 25, 2024

Industry experts predicts tough choices as NewJeans' ultimatum nears

With the deadline for NewJeans's ultimatum to Ador fast approaching, industry experts predict three potential contract termination scenarios, none of which seem likely to result in a peaceful resolution. The five-member K-pop group sent a certification of contents to their agency on Nov. 13, demanding that it address “major contract violations” within 14 days, or by Wednesday, of receiving the letter. The girl group warned that if their demands were not met, they would terminate

K-popNov. 25, 2024

JYP to unveil new boy group KickFlip on New Year's Day

JYP Entertainment has announced the launch of its new seven-member boy group, KickFlip, set to debut in 2025. The agency unveiled the group's official social media accounts and shared an image there, marking the start of its debut album project. According to the announcement, KickFlip will officially begin debut preparations at midnight on Jan. 1, 2025. The name KickFlip comes from the skateboarding term used for a high-level trick, where one flips the board 360 degrees with a flick of the

K-popNov. 25, 2024

Goryeo celadon highlighted at National Museum of Korea exhibition

A rare exhibition of Goryeo celadon including 20 state-designated National Treasures opens Tuesday at the National Museum of Korea. The exhibition “Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty,” running through March 3, 2025, showcases 274 Goryeo celadon pieces that were used as utensils or held as objects of value. In the form of humans, animals and plans as well as vases, pots and jars, these objects reflect the aesthetics of the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392). National Museum of Korea Direct

Arts & DesignNov. 25, 2024

Suwon to host UNESCO education forum

Suwon, south of Seoul, will host the 2024 UNESCO International Forum on the Futures of Education from Dec. 2 to 4, bringing together over 1,800 participants from around the world, including government ministers, international organization representatives, academics and civil society experts. The forum, organized by UNESCO, builds on the organization's 2021 report "Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education," which emphasizes the need for equitable and su

Social AffairsNov. 25, 2024

Ministry to launch agency to expand hangeul courses globally

The South Korean government is intensifying its efforts to expand Korean language education in elementary and middle schools worldwide, leveraging the growing global interest in Korean literature following author Han Kang's recent Nobel Prize win. The Ministry of Education on Monday unveiled its plan to establish a specialized agency to develop strategies for Korean language education tailored to different countries and regions. The agency will also create localized learning materials and

Social AffairsNov. 25, 2024

[Legal updates in Korea] Providing housing for 'jeonse' fraud victims

● Updated law: The Special Act on Supporting Jeonse Fraud Victims and Housing Stability What it does: Allows "jeonse" fraud victims to live in public housing without paying rent for 10 years Took effect: Nov. 11 Punishment: None "Jeonse" is a unique Korean system in which renters give landlords a large returnable deposit instead of paying monthly rent. The system has existed for decades, but in recent years, scammers have taken advantage of the system, refusing to return th

Social AffairsNov. 25, 2024

Why S. Korean refiners are reluctant to import US oil despite Trump’s energy push

As US President-elect Donald Trump assembles his energy team with the aim of expanding oil and gas production in his second term, there may be pressure on allies to import US oil. However, South Korean oil companies, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern suppliers, might hesitate to switch to US crude, industry sources said Monday. Over the weekend, Trump tapped Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, a natural gas fracking company, as the secretary of energy, and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to head

IndustryNov. 25, 2024

Opposition chief acquitted of instigating perjury

Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was acquitted Monday of subornation of perjury, with the Seoul Central District Court ruling him not guilty of allegedly asking a former mayoral secretary to provide false testimony in his favor in late 2018. Last year, prosecutors charged Lee with attempting to persuade a witness to make false testimony in his favor in December 2018, for a court trial over an alleged election law violation. Lee was accused of lying during a televised debate during his campai

PoliticsNov. 25, 2024

[Herald Interview] Choi Ha-young: Cellist of many languages, both musical and spoken

South Korean cellist Choi Ha-young, next year's Lotte Concert Hall in-house artist, speaks fluent English, Korean and German, reflecting her multicultural upbringing and dedication to learning across several countries. The first prize winner of the 2022 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium, Choi's musical expressions are as richly nuanced and diverse as her linguistic abilities. For next year’s two performances as Lotte Concert Hall’s fifth in-house artist, Choi will pres

CultureNov. 25, 2024

[Herald Review] Zico celebrates 10th year as solo artist with star-studded line-up

K-pop artist and producer Zico marked the 10th anniversary of his debut as a solo artist with concerts at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Seoul, on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, the venue was filled with Zico’s fans. While some carried his group Block B’s fan lights, most did not, demonstrating that the audience largely comprised fans of his solo career. Zico kicked off the concert with his hit single, “New Thing,” which was an original soundtrack for Mnet’s dance s

K-popNov. 25, 2024

[Photo News] Mural street in Bucheon

A new mural street at Bucheondaehangno in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, features cartoon murals by seven Korean and international artists. Bucheon, home of Bucheon International Animation Festival, collaborated with Korea Manhwa Contents Agency to create murals on a stretch of the street filled with trendy shops, cafes and restaurants. (Korea Manhwa Contents Agency)

TravelNov. 25, 2024

Korea’s memorial recalls plight of forced mine workers amid Japan’s silence

The South Korean government on Monday held a memorial to honor the lives and suffering of Korean forced laborers who endured harsh conditions at Sado Island’s gold mines during Japan’s 1910-1945 colonial rule, as relatives of the deceased gathered at the former dormitory where the workers once lived. The decision followed Seoul’s boycott of a Japan-hosted ceremony a day earlier, where Japanese government representative Akiko Ikuina -- who has in the past visited the controversi

Foreign AffairsNov. 25, 2024

North Korean troopers killed, wounded in Ukraine war: NIS

South Korea has intelligence that North Korea has suffered losses among its troops dispatched to aid in Russia’s war on Ukraine. The National Intelligence Service on Monday confirmed for the first time North Korean troops fighting Ukraine have been killed and wounded, without providing how many. In a Nov. 20 briefing to the National Assembly, the NIS said North Korean troops were deployed in the Russian province of Kursk near the border with Ukraine, with some participating in battles. Acc

DefenseNov. 25, 2024

[Photo News] Korea-Japan business ties

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won (center right, front row), who doubles as chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Ken Kobayashi (on Chey's right) and other business leaders from both countries pose for a photo during their annual meeting held in Osaka on Monday. The two chambers agreed to strengthen ties in the areas of energy, supply chains and advanced technologies at Monday's meeting. In his opening remarks, Chey stresse

IndustryNov. 25, 2024

Hyundai Capital sets up Australian subsidiary

Hyundai Capital Services, the financial arm of Hyundai Motor Group, announced Monday the official launch of its Australian subsidiary, Hyundai Finance Australia, marking its 12th overseas expansion in automotive financing. The new entity will provide tailored financial solutions for Hyundai Motor customers in Australia, offering a wide range of products such as installment plans for new and certified pre-owned vehicles. Among its offerings is the flagship Guaranteed Future Value program, which p

MobilityNov. 25, 2024

Korean banks head to CES amid AI push

South Korean banks will head to Las Vegas next January for CES 2025, with some set to showcase their latest artificial intelligence-driven financial technologies at the world’s largest consumer electronics event. Among the participants will be Shinhan Bank, returning for a third consecutive year to host its own booth at the global expo. This year, the bank will highlight two of its newest innovations -- "AI Investment Mate" and "AI Branch." "AI Investment Mate,&quo

EconomyNov. 25, 2024