Nobel Prize winner Han Kang hopes 'Human Acts' will be access road to understanding Gwangju uprising

Han Kang, this year's laureate of the Nobel Prize in literature, hopes her novel "Human Acts" will be an access road to understanding the May 18, 1980, pro-democracy people's uprising in Gwangju to many people. "I was all the more cautious since this novel depicts a real incident," the South Korean author said during a meeting with Korean reporters at a publishing house in Stockholm on Wednesday (local time). "I hoped this book would be something like an access

Dec. 12, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Serenity 24-002-007

Gallery Joeun in Yongsan-gu is hosting a solo exhibition by Seong YeonHwa (born 1986) through Jan. 4, 2025. This marks the artist’s 9th solo exhibition, featuring 25 new works centered on the theme of “identity.” The pieces reinterpret traditional Korean hanji paper and calligraphy into a unique sculptural language, capturing the harmony of lines and surfaces that connect the past and present, as well as the energy of spontaneous brushstrokes. Seong’s artistic world

Dec. 11, 2024

[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

Dec. 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

Dec. 11, 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

Dec. 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

Dec. 10, 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

Dec. 9, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Information

At the Kukje Gallery in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a solo exhibition of Bill Viola (1951–2024), titled “Moving Stillness,” is being held until Jan. 26. This exhibition highlights the artistic world of Bill Viola, a pioneer of video art, showcasing seven of his video installations and works. Notably, the piece “Moving Stillness: Mount Rainier,” displayed in Exhibition Hall K3, explores themes of change, balance and the passage of time. Through the shimmering movement of water

Dec. 9, 2024

Questions that drive Nobel laureate Han Kang in her own words

In her highly anticipated Nobel Prize lecture on Saturday, this year’s Nobel Laureate in Literature, Han Kang, shared the profound questions that have shaped her writing and reflected on the connections among her works and their readers. Delivering her lecture "Light and Thread" in Korean over 25 minutes, Han delved into the questions that compelled her to immerse herself in the creative process, often at the expense of her personal life. Writing a novel, which has taken her a

Dec. 8, 2024

Chopin Competition director shows dedication to both participants and audience

The International Chopin Piano Competition, where Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin won the first prize in 2015 and rose to international stardom, will celebrate its 19th edition next year. According to Artur Szklener, director of the Polish National Fryderyk Chopin Institute, this edition of the nearly century-old competition promises to be the most audience-friendly yet. To this end, the organizers have added a journalist to the jury panel of 16 musicians, educators and more. “The opinion of

Dec. 7, 2024

Christian groups to hold prayer meeting calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment

A coalition of over 160 Christian organizations, including the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and the Christian Action for the Current Situation, announced they will hold a prayer meeting on Saturday at 1 p.m. in front of the NCCK’s headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to demand the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. “Emergency martial law was declared without legitimate procedure or justification, and has reversed the clock on democracy,” the group said in a st

Dec. 6, 2024

'Long-term damage on K-culture limited,' says Culture minister

DAEGU -- Yu In-chon, the minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said Friday that he believes the martial law declaration chaos will have limited negative impact on Korean culture's popularity among the globe, as he resumed his activities just two days after the president's fiasco. “There may be some short-term shocks, but I don't believe this will lead to any long-term damage. Some countries have issued travel advisories, likely out of concern that the situation might esca

Dec. 6, 2024

[Well-curated] Book fest at Seoul Forest, espresso bar and Christmas markets

Picture book fest at Seoul Forest library Throughout Dec. 15, Seoul Forest will turn into a magical winter haven with its "Picture Book Library in the Woods" festival. Held at the Seoul Forest Community Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event offers enchanting exhibitions, live music and interactive activities, creating a cozy and festive experience for all ages. The event features performances involving storytelling with music, such as "I love you today as well," and a pict

Dec. 6, 2024

Culture Minister Yu In-chon urges focus on cultural goals amid crisis, resumes activities

Yu In-chon, minister of culture, sports and tourism, talks during a meeting with the ministry staff on Thursday at Government Complex Sejong. (MCST) Yu In-chon, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, who temporarily suspended outside engagements amid the aftermath of the martial law declaration, urged ministry staff on Thursday to remain focused and committed while preparing for upcoming events. “The current external conditions may make it difficult to implement policies. However, t

Dec. 5, 2024

Poet Na Tae-joo and Pulitzer-winning photojournalist speak at Global Business Forum

Poet Na Tae-joo and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Kang Hyung-won highlighted the significance of culture and journalism during a session titled "Night of Poetry and Journalism" at the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. Addressing an audience of business leaders, Na emphasized the importance of caring for others and appreciating the value of everyday life, as expressed in his famous poem "Grass Flower." Na said he often takes walks with his wife, and after a long wal

Dec. 5, 2024

Celebrities raise criticism amid martial law chaos

As South Koreans reeled from the political drama prompted Tuesday night by President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law, various celebrities raised their voices, expressing concern over the turmoil. Actor Park Ho-san took to social media Wednesday morning after Yoon lifted the martial law, writing, “Last night felt like stepping into a time machine back to the 1980s, a time when dissent against those in power would lead to accusations of being a communist sympathizer. I couldn

Dec. 4, 2024

South Korean journalists condemn Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law

"This is no mere criticism -- we're waging war against President Yoon Suk Yeol." These words rang out outside the Korea Press Center in central Seoul Wednesday morning, where media representatives had gathered to decry Yoon's overnight attempt to place press operations under military control as part of his extraordinary emergency martial law decree. The press conference reaffirmed the South Korean media's unequivocal opposition to the martial law decree that, though sh

Dec. 4, 2024

Martial law turmoil unsettles South Korean entertainment schedules

Schedules of performances and interviews in South Korea have been thrown into a state of uncertainty by a sudden martial law declaration that was lifted only a few hours later. On Wednesday morning, the promotional team for the Netflix series “The Trunk” announced that the media interview with actress Seo Hyun-jin, which was originally set to take place from 11 a.m. Wednesday in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, was rescheduled to Friday. Interviews with other cast members, including

Dec. 4, 2024

‘Jang-making’ gets UNESCO recognition

The traditional Korean ways of making fermented pastes and sauces, known as “jang,” have been listed by UNESCO as a living heritage that needs protection. The UN body on cultural heritage officially added jang-making to its list of intangible cultural heritage at a meeting Tuesday in Asuncion, Paraguay, where a 24-country Intergovernmental Committee approved the latest listing during a six-day gathering that started Monday. “Jang-making is a legacy rooted in everyday Korean cul

Dec. 4, 2024

[Herald Gallery] An Aqueduct and a Small Boat

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in collaboration with the China Art Museum, is presenting the exhibition "The Modern and Contemporary Ink Art of the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China" until Feb. 16, 2025. The exhibition highlights selected masterpieces and modern works of ink art from both nations, structured into four sections — two each for Korea and China. It aims to illustrate the distinct developmental paths of ink art in both cou

Dec. 2, 2024