[Herald Interview] Chung Myung-whun’s featured violinist Lee Soo-been strives for consistent greatness

Violinist Lee Soo-been, who is set to take the stage with One Korea Orchestra under the baton of Chung Myung-whun on Sunday, said she is looking forward to collaborating with the maestro for the first time in 11 years. The 24-year-old recalled her first performance with him in 2013 for a Children's Day outdoor concert, hosted by the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and also featuring pianist Cho Seong-jin, then 19 years old. At the time, 13-year-old Lee performed the third movement of Tchaikovs

CultureDec. 11, 2024

Porcelain on show exhibits power of characters

An exhibition exploring the meaning of letters on everyday objects from ancient to modern times is running at an open storage facility of the National Folk Museum of Korea in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, through March 3. The exhibition “A Journey Around the Characters” features some 290 household objects, mainly porcelain and earthenware. The collection ranges mostly from the Joseon era (1392-1910) to Korea’s 1945 independence from Japan. The latest showing by the state-run museum

Arts & DesignDec. 11, 2024

'Literature stands in opposition to all acts that destroy life': Han Kang

In a historic night for South Korea, Han Kang received the Nobel medal and diploma from King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden during the award ceremony held at the Concert Hall in Stockholm. "Just as inevitably, the work of reading and writing literature stands in opposition to all acts that destroy life. I would like to share the meaning of this award, which is for literature, with you -- standing here together," said Han in English during her acceptance speech at the banquet following the a

BooksDec. 11, 2024

Film on 1979 coup sees surge in viewers amid political unrest

A film related to Korea's contemporary history has seen a remarkable surge in viewership following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3. According to the Korean Film Council, "12.12: The Day" attracted 1,150 views on Dec. 4 across Internet Protocol Television platforms, including SK Btv, LG U+ TV, and Genie TV. IPTV services provide online access to live broadcasts, films and TV shows. The data represents a 1,085 percent increase from the 9

FilmDec. 11, 2024

Hue for the year ahead? It's Mocha Mousse

The Pantone Color Institute, which has declared a Color of the Year since 2000, has chosen "Mocha Mousse" for 2025 -- a shade that evokes a sense of comfort and warmth. The institute explained that the hue for the year ahead is "an evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires" that could create a comfortable environment for those wanting respite from life's daily demands. The Pantone Color Institute is a US-based consu

CultureDec. 11, 2024

Shares linked to Lee Jung-jae soar following 'Squid Game' Golden Globe nomination

Shares linked with South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae are soaring after the announcement that "Squid Game 2" has been nominated for Best Television Series at the Golden Globes, ahead of its release. As of Wednesday, shares of Artist United— Lee's agency in which he is the largest shareholder with a 23.49 percent stake -- closed at 13,320 won ($9) per share, marking a 29.25 percent increase from the previous day. Meanwhile, shares of Artist Studio, the Korean drama production co

TelevisionDec. 10, 2024

Woman who helped those in need for 20 years dies, donates organs to 4

The family of a 67-year-old woman, who dedicated much of her life to volunteer work, respected her wishes by donating her organs and tissues to those in medical need after her death, the state-run organ donation agency said Tuesday. Jang Song-gu died on Nov. 6 after falling critically ill five days earlier, according to the Korea Organ Donation Agency. Shortly after she passed away at the Keimyung University Donsan Medical Center, her liver, right kidney, right eye and left eye were donated to f

PeopleDec. 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] Jeju Biennale is at crossroad: artistic director Lee Jong-hoo

Jeju Biennale marked its fourth edition in November with the theme of “drift,” inviting some 87 artists from 14 countries to participate. The regional biennale is a latecomer in South Korea's biennale scene, following far behind the Gwangju Biennale and the Busan Biennale. Since its inauguration in 2017, it has continuously suffered from internal conflicts over whether it should continue. Jeju Province's budget for this year's biennale was around 1.2 billion won, a cut

Arts & DesignDec. 10, 2024

[Herald Interview] Ock Joo-hyun and Frank Wildhorn: Soulful composer meets his soulful singer in ‘Mata Hari’

K-pop idol-turned-musical actor Ock Joo-hyun has experienced events that made her wonder, "Can something like this really happen?" "That was the case with MERS, and later with COVID-19," she noted. "When the entire nation is shaken, the arts are always hit the hardest. In a way, it’s only natural because we can’t afford that kind of ease." The actor shared these thoughts during an interview with reporters on Friday, immediately after the opening performa

CultureDec. 10, 2024

'Squid Game' nominated for Golden Globes, even before release

The second season of "Squid Game" has been nominated for best TV series by the prestigious Golden Globes, even before its release. The 2025 Golden Globes, to be held Jan. 5, 2025, required submissions by Nov. 4 for shows that premiered within the 2024 calendar year. With its Dec. 26 premiere, the second season of "Squid Game" narrowly qualified, with Netflix reportedly submitting the series early for consideration. In the best TV drama series category, for which the show was

TelevisionDec. 10, 2024

Jeju Biennale shows stories of 'drift' from across the world

Jeju Island -- Rows of plastic waste found in the ocean hang from the ceiling of the Jeju Museum of Art as though they are chandeliers. Korean artist Kim Soon-im collected the plastic pieces while walking on Jeju beaches to make up the installation titled "Sea_Scape_Jeju." The fourth edition of Jeju Biennale “The Drift of Apagi: The Way of Water, Wind and Stars” kicked off Nov. 26, under the theme of the “drift” to explore the diverse aspects of South Korea'

Arts & DesignDec. 10, 2024

Ahn Eun-jin returns to stage as astronomer in 'Silent Sky'

Trust in director Kim Min-jung, the Myeongdong Theater, the single-cast format and the compelling script were actor Ahn Eun-jin's key reasons for choosing "Silent Sky" for her long-awaited return to the stage. “I was nervous about getting back on stage after so long, unsure how I would even manage rehearsals,” Ahn said during a press conference Monday at the National Theater Company’s Myeongdong Theater. “But I had absolute trust in director Kim Min-jung. P

PerformanceDec. 10, 2024

Explore 'everyday luxury' at Craft Trend Fair 2024

The 19th edition of the Craft Trend Fair will kick off Thursday at Coex in southern Seoul, shedding light on "everyday luxury," from luxury goods crafted by artisans to items of everyday use. The four-day event, which will be held under the theme "Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life," is organized by Kang Jae-young, the artistic director of the 2023 Cheongju Craft Biennale. Some 280 exhibitors, including international and overseas galleries and related craft institu

CultureDec. 10, 2024

Korean restaurant in New York awarded three Michelin stars

Jungsik, the fine-dining Korean restaurant helmed by Chef Yim Jung-sik, was awarded three Michelin stars Tuesday, becoming the first Korean restaurant in New York to receive the recognition. The Michelin Guide 2024 New York ceremony was held Tuesday at The Glasshouse in Manhattan, New York. Jungsik is the New York branch of the Korean restaurant Jungsikdang in Seoul, which opened in 2011. It first earned its two Michelin stars in New York in 2014. According to Michelin, the restaurant’s

FoodDec. 10, 2024

Culture minister vows to ensure travelers' safety amid martial law turmoil

South Korea's culture minister vowed Monday to make efforts to ensure the safety of travelers to address concerns over the ongoing political turmoil over the botched martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol last week. Culture Minister Yu In-chon said "The government will do its utmost for the safety and convenience of all visitors (to the country)" during the South Korea-Japan tourism business forum held in Seoul. Vice Culture Minister Jang Mi-ran also said South Koreans

TravelDec. 9, 2024

[Herald Interview] Saudi's Red Sea Film Festival chief sees growing presence of Korean cinema in MENA region

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia -- The 4th Red Sea International Film Festival, taking place through Dec. 14 in the historic Al-Balad district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is out to cement itself as a hub for global cinema. Held under the theme of “The New Home of Film,” this year’s RSIFF highlights a diverse program with 120 films from over 80 countries, including 16 competing in the Red Sea: Competition section. At the center of this celebration of global cinema is a notable focus on Korean

FilmDec. 9, 2024

Violinist Sarah Chang excited about long winter recital in Korea

Violinist Sarah Chang, who will celebrate the 35th anniversary of her debut next month, is marking the occasion with a long winter recital in South Korea. She kicks off the 13-city tour on the day of her 43rd birthday, Tuesday, in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, wrapping it up on Dec. 29 in Seoul. Bringing back her winter performances in South Korea after five years, Chang said she is delighted to once again enjoy the year-end festivities with Korean audiences. “For this tour, I’ll be v

CultureDec. 9, 2024