[Herald Review] ‘About Family’ warms hearts this winter

This winter, family comedy “About Family” is set to leave moviegoers feeling warm and fuzzy with its unique blend of humor and emotion. Directed by Yang Woo-seok, known for “The Attorney” and “Steel Rain,” the film invites viewers to rediscover the value of family. Set in 2000, the story follows Moo-ok (Kim Yoon-seok), the gruff yet successful owner of a popular dumpling shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Having amassed a fortune through generations of hard work, Moo-o

FilmNov. 25, 2024

Actor Jung Woo-sung admits to being father of model Moon Ga-bi’s child

Actor Jung Woo-sung admitted Sunday that he was the father of a model Moon Ga-bi’s child. Moon, 35, had announced about her recent childbirth on her social media on Nov. 22. While local media reported that Jung was her child’s father, Jung on Sunday admitted through his agency that he is the baby boy’s father. However, he chose not to disclose details about his relationship with Moon. According to a media report on Sunday, Moon and Jung first met at a gathering in 2022 and kept

FilmNov. 24, 2024

[More than APT] Residents, architects together design homes

In Korea, presale of apartments prevails, meaning home buyers base their purchases on model houses and blueprints. Apartment units of a certain size generally have similar floorplans and buyers have an idea of what they will look like when completed. Construction companies, which are also developers in most cases, sell apartment units that are considered investments as well as dwellings. The hope is that apartment prices will rise, at which point some homeowners may choose to sell, only to begin

Arts & DesignNov. 24, 2024

Top actors heat up December box office

As the year draws to a close, the South Korean box office is gearing up for a fierce, star-studded showdown featuring the country’s top actors. Song Kang-ho, Kim Yoon-Seok, Hyun Bin and Song Joong-ki will each bring their star power to highly anticipated films, ranging from an underdog sports drama to a heartwarming family comedy, a historical epic and a gritty survival tale. Kicking off December is director Shin Yeon-sik’s sports comedy-drama “One Win.” The film follows

FilmNov. 24, 2024

[From the Scene] Immersive heritage exhibit opens in Gangneung, Las Vegas

GANGNEUNG, Gangwon Province -- An immersive exhibition highlighting Korean cultural heritage including intangible cultural properties has opened in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. The eight-minute multimedia show entitled “Heritage Garden: Threads of Connection” showcases 146 items, from Goryeo celadon and Joseon moon jars to the Jinkwansa Bronze Bell and the Seokguram Grotto on the walls of Arte Museum, a private museum operated by d’strict design company. Eight such museums oper

Arts & DesignNov. 24, 2024

Gyeongju blends old with new

Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–935 AD) in today's North Gyeongsang Province in the southeastern Korean Peninsula, is sometimes called a “roofless museum” for its centuries-old temples, palaces, royal tombs and treasures scattered around different areas of the city. With great accessibility to Silla’s legacy along with a blend of nature, history and culture, the city enjoys a reputation among Koreans as a must-visit tourist destination. The

TravelNov. 23, 2024

At Gwangcheonok, try North Korean-style sundae gukbap

Nestled in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Gwangcheonok is known for its authentic North Korean-style soups and traditional flavors. It is a hidden gem for those seeking to explore the subtle yet comforting taste of North Korean cuisine, known for more restrained seasoning compared to its South Korean counterpart. One of Gwangcheonok’s signature offerings is the sundae gukbap, a hearty soup featuring slices of Korean blood sausage — sundae — served with rice. While many Koreans are familiar

FoodNov. 23, 2024

Oasis confirms first Korean concert in 16 years

Legendary Britpop group Oasis confirmed it would perform in South Korea next year, marking the band's first concert here in 16 years. Event organizer Live Nation Korea announced on Friday that Oasis will hold a concert on Oct. 21 next year at the Goyang Sports Complex. Tickets for the event will go on sale exclusively through Interpark Ticket from Nov. 29 at noon. Oasis confirmed the news via the band's official social media, posting, "South Korea, Our new best friends. Hold on. O

PerformanceNov. 22, 2024

Naver Webtoon promises creative freedom, responsible webtoon platform

Naver Webtoon, South Korean tech giant Naver’s online platform for comics, manga and webtoons, announced Friday that it will improve policies to create an appropriate environment for its creators and readers, while apologizing for the recent controversy involving webtoon series “Pong Pong Man From Another World.” The series follows the story of a 39-year-old man and his wife, who married a financially stable man purely for economic gain. It came under fire for misogyny in Sep

CultureNov. 22, 2024

Culture ministry, KTO to focus on barrier-free tourism

Turning South Korean cities into a barrier free, mobility-friendly tourist destination will be one of the major objectives of Korea Tourism Organization next year. According to the KTO, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the travel organization will be accepting applications from metropolitan cities and local governments that are aimed to improve convenience for tourists, starting from Friday to Jan. 16. KTO is scheduled to name a third barrier-free tourism area, following Gangneung

TravelNov. 22, 2024

[Photo News] Winter at Legoland Korea Resort

From Friday to Christmas Day, Legoland Korea Resort -- a theme park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province -- will be holding its seasonal winter festival, “Merry Brickmas.” The event features musical performances, lighting ceremonies for a 9-meter Lego Christmas tree, special quests for visitors, and the new Holiday Snow Play and Bricktopia Lounge attractions. Musical shows featuring Legoland mascots Mike and Amy will take place twice a day at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Ninjago Theater, while

TravelNov. 22, 2024

AKMU, NewJeans to perform at Yoasobi's year-end concert

Japan's trendsetting duo Yoasobi will feature local special guests at their upcoming year-end concert in Korea. The Korea act of Yoasobi Asia Tour "Cho-Genjitsu," meaning surrealism in Japanese, set to take place on Dec. 7-8 at Inspire Arena in Jung-gu, Incheon, will feature performances by sibling duo AKMU and girl group NewJeans as guest artists. NewJeans will perform on Dec. 7, while AKMU will take the stage on Dec. 8. Unlike their first concert in Korea last year, which showca

PerformanceNov. 22, 2024

Cho Seong-jin album a tribute to Ravel

South Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin is set to release a series of recordings celebrating the 150th anniversary of French composer Maurice Ravel, marking the first time the 30-year-old pianist has recorded a composer’s complete works. The project takes the form of two albums, produced by record label Deutsche Grammophon. The first, "Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works," will launch on Jan. 17, 2025, in digital and CD formats. This will be followed by the release of a second album

CultureNov. 22, 2024

[Well-curated] Cimer down, design at Wappen, familiar space

Swim and sauna in paradise For those torn between swimming and a sauna experience, Cimer provides a luxurious retreat with its combination of swimming pools and spa facilities. Located in Jung-gu, Incheon, Cimer is primarily divided into two zones: the Aqua Spa Zone, which features a variety of swimming pools, and the Jjimjil Spa Zone, with spa facilities. In Korean, "jjimjil" refers to heat therapy, emphasizing relaxation and wellness. This luxurious destination is ideal for friends,

CultureNov. 22, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul presents enchanting Christmas cakes Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul, a serene retreat on the slopes Namsan in central Seoul, is offering four decadent Christmas cakes from Dec. 14 to 25. Indulge in the signature Noel C’est la Vir, a pistachio and berry creation that tastes as delightful as it looks. Vanilla lovers will swoon over the Noel Fraise, featuring custard cream and strawberries. For chocolate aficionados, the Neige is a rich pairing of cassis and

TravelNov. 22, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Devils Stay” (South Korea) Opened Nov. 14 Mystery Directed by Hyun Moon-seob Cardiologist Seung-do (Park Shin-yang) believes his daughter is still alive after an exorcism. During her funeral, he comes into conflict with Hae-shin (Lee Min-ki), a priest, over her fate. “Gladiator II” (US) Opened Nov. 13 Action/Adventure Directed by Ridley Scott The story of Lucius (Paul Mescal), the former heir to the Roman Empire, continues 20 years after he takes on Maximus’ lega

FilmNov. 22, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Mums at Jeju Folk Village Find fields of chrysanthemums at their peak at Jeju Folk Village, where visitors can also get an idea of how life on the island looked in the 19th century. Flower installations make for a perfect setting to take a few snaps. The flower festival ends on Sunday. Admission for adults is 15,000 won, discounted for seniors, teens and children. Visit jejufolk.com for more information. Light festival at Ansan Star Village A light festival is running year-round in Ans

TravelNov. 22, 2024

Disney+ offers sneak peek at 2025 lineup of Korean originals

SINGAPORE — Disney+ offered a sneak peek at its highly anticipated lineup of Korean originals for 2025 during a series of press conferences, giving fans of Korean content an early look at next year’s star-studded releases. As part of the Disney Contents Showcase Asia Pacific 2024 event held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center on Thursday, the platform unveiled details about several upcoming titles, with the slate including "Unmasked," "Hyper Knife," "Kn

TelevisionNov. 21, 2024

[More than APT] On our own, but together: Shared housing points to new possibilities

One might easily surmise that there are only a few types of housing in South Korea, and rightly so. The urban landscapes in the country are dominated by towering apartment blocks and low-rise multi-unit buildings called "villas." What is less well known is that new types of homes are being built that aim to break the isolation and monotony of apartments by creating shared spaces. These buildings, while still few in number and mostly hidden from sight in the densely packed city of Seoul

CultureNov. 21, 2024

[More than APT] Home as personal manifesto in a sea of apartments

Winston Churchill's observations on architecture suggest that we shape our buildings, thereafter, they shape us. In today's Korean society, the buildings shaping many people's lives are cookie-cutter apartment complexes, practical havens that prioritize convenience, safety and investment value over individual expression. These standardized structures have become the go-to choice for many, reflecting the priorities of a fast-paced urban lifestyle. However, there are those challen

CultureNov. 21, 2024