Changgyeonggung Nighttime Feast to open during Chuseok

An interactive program where participants can experience what it was like at celebrations hosted by Joseon-era (1392-1910) heirs to the throne will be open to the public during the Chuseok holiday at Changgyeonggung. The Changgyeonggung Nighttime Feast, an annual event in its fourth year, will accept 90 people a day to take part in the feast as ranking officials in traditional attire, prepared by the Joseon-era palace in Seoul. Royal music performances and food will follow. Tickets purchases in

Arts & DesignAug. 23, 2024

[Well-curated] Retreat and confront extreme heat

In today’s busy modern society, people often seek a retreat from the city -- a place where they can find peace and fresh air in nature. Chwihoga, meaning "Temple of the Tiger" in Korean, offers just that. Consisting of three private houses, the property was curated by a married couple who left the bustling capital of Seoul in 2020 to find a new home in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. The couple encountered Pyeongchang during their travels and felt an inexplicable sense of peace th

CultureAug. 23, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Twisters” (US) Opened Aug. 14 Action/Adventure Directed by Lee Isaac Chung Retired tornado chaser and meteorologist Kate (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and test a groundbreaking tornado tracking system. “Land of Happiness” (South Korea) Opened Aug. 14 Drama Directed by Choo Chang-min Passionate lawyer In-hoo (Jo Jung-suk) strives to defend his client Tae-joo (Lee Sun-kyun), a soldier implicated in the assassination of P

FilmAug. 23, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Busking in Sillim-dong Check out street music, a flea market and restaurants all in one venue right next to Sillim Station Exits No. 3 and 4, a vibrant commercial neighborhood in Gwanak-gu’s Sillim-dong. The Sinsary Festival will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays until Nov. 9. Interactive activities like terrarium-making are planned. Check out the festival’s official Instagram @sinsary100. Seoul Fringe Festival Don’t miss out

TravelAug. 23, 2024

'No divorce planned' between Frieze Seoul, Kiaf after five-year contract

Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul held a joint press conference in Seoul ahead of the collaborating fairs in early September, with all eyes on whether the local and global art fairs will continue their partnership as they pass the halfway mark of their five-year contract. “There is no such marriage that one continues on one hand while preparing for a divorce on the other,” said Hwang Dal-sung, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, on Thursday in Seoul. “I expect our part

Arts & DesignAug. 22, 2024

Experience the magic of Korean crafts in just 1 hour

Signing up for hagwon, private academies in South Korea, or applying for weekly cultural programs at local community centers have been some of the go-to ways for Koreans to learn new skills and techniques. While those traditional options often require a significant time commitment, a growing trend has emerged: one-day classes. These short-term programs offer a convenient and efficient way to explore diverse hobbies and discover new passions. From flower arranging and jewelry making to perfume

TravelAug. 22, 2024

'Influencer' winner disqualified from W300m prize for leaking outcome

Korean YouTuber Oh Byeong-min, better known as Oking, the winner of Netflix TV competition "The Influencer," will not be eligible to claim the 300 million won ($225,000) prize after leaking information about being the final winner, according to Netflix on Thursday. "Maintaining confidentiality before a title's release is essential in order to ensure that the efforts of everyone involved in the production are rewarded and that the intended enjoyment is fully delivered to the a

TelevisionAug. 22, 2024

BIFAN-winning director Francis Galluppi says ‘don’t go to film school’

“I would argue that this movie is not a Western,” Francis Galluppi, director of “The Last Stop in Yuma County,” said about his first feature film just hours before it won the audience award and top competitive Best of Bucheon title at Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival on July 12. The film takes place deep in the desert of 1980s Arizona at a diner next to the only gas station in a hundred miles. More than one mysterious stranger makes an entrance, denim and cow

CultureAug. 22, 2024

Newest Netflix Korea thriller to depict 'frogs' coping with sudden calamities

Inspired by the Korean saying "A carelessly thrown stone can kill a frog," the newest Netflix Korea series unfolds the stories of "frogs," or ordinary individuals, who are suddenly faced with terrible misfortune, the director said Wednesday. "The Frog" is an 8-part mystery thriller featuring Young-ha (Kim Yun-seok), who runs a bed and breakfast in the woods. Young-ha seeks a peaceful life in isolation, but his tranquility is disrupted by a mysterious guest, Sung-ah

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

Traditional crafts and their contemporary adaptions to be shown at Changdeokgung

An exhibition of Korean artifacts and contemporary artworks from clothing to window wallpaper will take place Sept. 3-8 at Nakseonjae in Changdeokgung, one of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces in Seoul. Around 50 intangible cultural heritage title holders and contemporary artists will show some 80 pieces at the “Korean Heritage Art Exhibition.” Clothing made using the “nubi,” or quilting, known for distinctive, tightly spaced rows of stitches, and celadon will be on

Arts & DesignAug. 21, 2024

Gyeongju to offer nighttime walking tours

Gyeongju has announced that the city will offer nighttime walking tours for families from early September to November. The trip is available for children above age 9 and their parents, allowing participants to explore Gyeongju’s iconic cultural heritage sites -- such as the Daereungwon complex of 23 ancient tombs dating to the Silla period and the Gyerim, a small forest -- with a guide to the city’s cultural heritage and history. Travelers are asked to make their reservations online

TravelAug. 21, 2024

They went for the gold, They're now ads' golden ticket

This year's Olympics may be over, but star players continue to appear on TV -- through advertisements. Convenience store chain GS25 launched "Shin Yu-bin's Snack Time" on Wednesday in collaboration with the table tennis player. Shin's viral on-camera moments at the Paris Games famously showed her snacking. OB Beer, an official sponsor of the Paris Olympics, has selected fencing champion Oh Sang-uk, who won gold in both the individual and team saber events, to promote its

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

Season 2 of 'The Acolyte' reportedly cancelled, following low ratings

Disney+'s original "Star Wars" series "The Acolyte," starring Lee Jung-jae from "Squid Game," will not be renewed for a second season, said US media outlets Wednesday. According to Deadline, a Hollywood entertainment news outlet, Lucasfilm has recently decided to cancel further production of "The Acolyte." Lucasfilm is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios and the producer of the "Star Wars" series. "The Acolyte" had the biggest debu

TelevisionAug. 21, 2024

‘I, the Executioner’ exudes ‘new kind of energy’: director, actors

Ryoo Seung-wan, who directed the 2015 action blockbuster “Veteran,” is returning with sequel “I, the Executioner” this fall. The movie picks up the story of veteran detective Seo Do-chul (Hwang Jung-min) nine years after the first installment, as he is joined by rookie detective Park Sun-woo (Jung Hae-in), who is full of passion and a sense of justice. Do-chul and Sun-woo investigate a high-profile murder case of a professor which seems to be in line with the previous mur

FilmAug. 21, 2024

International acts across genres to thrill Korean music fans

As the hot summer slowly comes to an end, several international artists announce their concerts in Korea. On Aug. 28, Emotional Oranges, a California-based duo, will hold their first concert in Korea at the Yes 24 Live Hall, Seoul. Emotional Oranges was formed in 2017 in California, by audio engineer Azad Right and vocal coach Vali. The group has gained a large following in Korea, particularly for tracks from their second album, such as "West Coast Love" and "Sundays," which

PerformanceAug. 20, 2024

Exhibition juxtaposes iron, glass -- two products of intense heat

A bowler-turned-blacksmith, Jeong Hyeong-goo finds it surreal to hear people call him an artisan, a description he says he will probably get used to by the time the two-month exhibition of his metal works ends in October. “The Craft of Temperature and Sound: A Guide to the Four Seasons,” which opens Thursday at the Yeol Korean Heritage Preservation Society showroom, is this year’s annual showcase of works by the Yeol artisan of the year and Yeol young craftsperson of the year,

Arts & DesignAug. 20, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kim Seon-ho says he was scared to take on entirely different character in 'The Tyrant'

Actor Kim Seon-ho described taking on the role of a cold-hearted elite agent in "The Tyrant" as a "scary" experience, but said he is eager to face more challenges that will help him become a versatile actor across genres. "The Tyrant" follows the story of individuals vying to secure the last sample vial of the Tyrant Project, which endows living organisms with immense powers. Kim portrays Director Choi, the hard-hearted head of the National Intelligence Service, w

TelevisionAug. 20, 2024

Ahn Ae-soon to explore minimalism in traditional dance with National Dance Company

Choreographer Ahn Ae-soon, a leading figure in contemporary dance in South Korea, is set to premiere her latest work with the National Dance Company of Korea later this month. The company will present "Hang PlusMinus" at the Haeoreum Grand Theater from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, in their first joint production. "Hang PlusMinus" draws from the royal court dance "Chunaengmu,” the only solo dance among court dances, which captures the minimalistic essence, according to Ahn.

PerformanceAug. 19, 2024

Busan Biennale sheds light on pirate utopias, Buddhist enlightenment

Busan Biennale 2024 kicked off Saturday in the port city, moving up the opening date from its regular fall opening as part of the Culture Ministry’s Korean Art Week centering around the upcoming Frieze Seoul. Curated by two artistic directors -- Vera Mey and Philippe Pirotte -- the biennial took the theme of “Seeing in the Dark.” The curators drew upon the idea of pirate utopias as early forms of autonomous societies that served as a refuge for the socially or politically exile

Arts & DesignAug. 19, 2024

Rapper San E under police investigation for alleged pedestrian assault

Rapper San E is under police investigation for allegedly assaulting a pedestrian. The Seoul Mapo Police Station said it started an official investigation of San E last Saturday on charges of aggravated assault. The 39-year-old rapper is accused of assaulting a pedestrian with a mobile phone and other objects at a park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, at around 8:30 p.m. July 28. San E reportedly told the alleged victim, “Walk your bike properly,” before the alleged assault. The alleged victim clai

PeopleAug. 19, 2024