Eun Hee-kyung, Andrew Porter explore words of short stories, novels

On the afternoon of Sept. 10, the third day of the festival, Eun Hee-kyung from South Korea and Andrew Porter from the US met. Although they had never crossed paths before, these literary talents shared a profound appreciation for the written word. Both authors, despite being from different corners of the globe, shared a common thread in their literary portfolios: a dedication to crafting both full-length novels and collections of short stories. For these two writers, the length of a narrative d

BooksSept. 15, 2023

Nibble on royal sweet treats at Gyeongbokgung

Savor delicacies enjoyed by Korean kings and queens at Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul. Organized by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, the "Gyeongbokgung Saenggwabang" program brings to life palace desserts and tea as documented in the "Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty" from the Joseon era (1392-1910). "Saenggwabang," located in the royal kitchen known as "sojubang," was a dedicated space for making desserts and snacks for royals. Stepping ins

FoodSept. 15, 2023

[Well-curated] Exorcist lab, outdoor reading and artsy street festival make for rich fall weekend

“Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman” pop-up store in Seongsu A pop-up store for the upcoming comedy flick,“Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman,” in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, is set to entertain visitors ahead of the film’s opening on Sept. 27. Directed by Kim Seong-sik, “Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman” tells the story of Dr. Cheon (Gang Dong-won), a fake exorcist, and his encounter with a strong demonic possession. Heo Jun-ho, Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Som and Kim Jong-su star in the

CultureSept. 15, 2023

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Iksan World Heritage Media Art Festa The 2023 Iksan World Heritage Media Art Festa, which started on Sept. 9, runs through Oct. 9 at the stone pagoda Mireuksaji, in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. The cultural event features stories of Buddhism in the forms of media facade and drone shows. Various programs, including lighting exhibitions, a flea market and busking by local artists, are set to entertain visitors as well. Admission is free, and visitors of all ages are welcome to enjoy the show. M

TravelSept. 15, 2023

[Around the hotels] Promotions and packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel offers gift packages for Chuseok Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel has prepared gift packages for the Korean Thanksgiving holiday known as Chuseok. The premium set consists of six apple mangos, a melon and a bunch of shine muscat for 280,000 won. The hotel’s premium wine selections are also available at prices starting from 70,000 won. The “special hamper” includes international ingredients and snacks for 230,000 won. For more information, call (032) 8

FoodSept. 15, 2023

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Sleep” (South Korea) Opened Sept. 6 Mystery/Thriller Directed by Jason Yu A pregnant Soo-jin (Jung Yu-mi) discovers that her husband, Hyun-soo (Lee Sun-kyun), has started exhibiting strange behaviors while asleep. Overcome with anxiety that he may be a danger to the family, Soo-jin goes to great lengths to protect them and their baby. “A Haunting in Venice” (US) Opened Sept. 13 Mystery/Crime Directed by Kenneth Branagh Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot returns to his peace

FilmSept. 15, 2023

Bora Chung’s ‘Cursed Bunny’ longlisted for US National Book Award

The English edition of Bora Chung’s short story collection “Cursed Bunny” has been longlisted in the translated literature category for the 2023 National Book Award in the US. Among the 10 nominations announced on this year's long list, "Cursed Bunny" stands as the sole work originating from Asia. Finalists are to be announced on Oct. 3, with the final winner selection coming on Nov. 15. The English edition of “Cursed Bunny” was translated by Anton Hu

BooksSept. 14, 2023

[Herald Design Forum 2023] Architect Lina Ghotmeh's roots in Beirut live on in her work

Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh's architecture philosophy is rooted in her hometown of Beirut. The port city is situated at the midpoint of the country’s Mediterranean coast, with a history of more than 5,000 years. “At my practice, our projects are born from my methodology of design and research called ‘archaeology of the future.’ It is about finding the uniqueness of each situation, so every project talks about where it is. Archaeology of the future is influenced

Arts & DesignSept. 14, 2023

From words to 'pansori' and music : Artistic performances inspired by literature performed at SIWF

Literary works served as an inspiration for various forms of three-dimensional readings, folk songs and "pansori" during the festival. The beauty of literature is that literary worlds can be expanded and reinterpreted into different forms, inspiring artists working in various genres. Two days of evening performances on Sept. 9 and 10 included a pansori performance, a music concert and a reading performance inspired by the works of writers who participated in this year’s SIWF. On

PerformanceSept. 14, 2023

Former Hongik University professor Kim Sung-hee to head MMCA

Former Hongik University professor Kim Sung-hee will lead the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, the Culture Ministry said Thursday. Kim would take office on Monday, the ministry told The Korea Herald. Kim, 65, was one of three final candidates for the position, according to a source. Kim, former associate professor at the Department of Curatorial Studies and Art Management at Hongik University, co-founded CAN Foundation in 2008, a nonprofit art center in Seoul that supports

Arts & DesignSept. 14, 2023

Writers bring their literary worlds, imaginations to life on Nodeulseom

The annual Seoul International Writers’ Festival, organized by the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) kicked off Sept. 8, bringing together 24 Korean and international writers on Nodeulseom, an artificial islet on the Han River in Seoul, for a six-day festival. Under the theme of “Crossing the Bridge of Language,” the 2023 SIWF responded to the heightened sense of isolation and discord brought about by the pandemic. Two captivating storytellers -- Jeong Ji-a

BooksSept. 14, 2023

Film festivals oppose budget cut, raise concerns over inclusiveness

Fifty local film festivals, including the big three of the Busan International Film Festival, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and Jeonju International Film Festival, have joined forces to protest a cut in the budget for programs that support the local film industry. In a statement Wednesday, a group tentatively called the Film Festival Network strongly criticized the government's decision to remove funding earmarked for local film production and distribution, along with a sign

CultureSept. 14, 2023

Korea and Japan can get closer through food, say cartoonists

Two well-known authors of food-themed comic books representing Korea and Japan shared their opinion during a meeting in Seoul on Wednesday that the two Asian neighbors can get closer through each other's delicious food. Huh Young-man, known for the Korean comic book series "Sikgaek," and Masayuki Kusumi, author of the Japanese series "The Solitary Gourmet," met at a traditional Korean hanok house in central Seoul to casually talk about the food cultures of the two coun

CultureSept. 13, 2023

'Putin doesn't own Russian music'

Oksana Lyniv, a Ukrainian conductor who is set to debut in Korea later this week, said, "If Rachmaninoff were alive, he would have opposed the war and Putin." "Putin doesn't own Russian music and it is the cultural heritage of the entire world," Lyniv, 45, told reporters during a press conference held at Seoul Arts Center on Tuesday, when asked about a movement to exclude Russian music amid the ongoing war between her motherland of Ukraine and Russia. She shared the ho

PerformanceSept. 13, 2023

Yu In-chon tapped to serve as culture minister for second time

Yu In-chon, whose nomination as the new culture, sports and tourism minister was announced Wednesday, is no stranger to the position, having served the same post during the Lee Myung-bak administration. This is the former actor's second official position in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. His appointment as special presidential adviser for culture and sports in July had sparked speculation that he might soon be named the next culture minister, replacing Park Bo-gyoon. Yu served as culture

CultureSept. 13, 2023

Grand Mint Festival to kick off on Oct. 20 with 43 acts

The Grand Mint Festival 2023 announced 13 more musicians and bands for its lineup on Wednesday, including Jung Joon-il, The Classic, Young K, Yudabin Band and Hynn, completing the line up of 43 acts. The annual indie music festival will take place from Oct. 20-22 with a variety of performers, ranging from K-pop singers and ballad singers to acoustic bands and modern rock bands. The event organizer Mint Paper announced a total of 30 performers and teams last month, including Nell, Thorn Apple, N.

PerformanceSept. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Gagosian has lots of work to do in Korea'

When the world’s largest art gallery Gagosian newly appointed Lee Ji-young to lead the gallery’s operations in South Korea, just ahead of Frieze Seoul that ended on Saturday, the art community's attention quickly turned to what plan may be behind the gallery's move. Lee, a gallerist with some 15 years of experience, was most recently the director for Sprueth Margers in Seoul. “Korea obviously is a place where we have been active for many years. I came here 16 years ag

Arts & DesignSept. 13, 2023

[Photo News] Princess's wedding gown

More than 100 bridal robes and artifacts related to royal weddings of the Joseon era, including a bridal robe worn by Princess Bogon (1818-1832) shown above, will be on display at the National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul, Friday to Dec. 13 as part of an exhibition entitled "Blooming Hwarot: Bridal Robes of the Joseon Royal Court." Also on display will be a bridal robe from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the conservation of which was made possible by a 100 million won donatio

CultureSept. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Directors say ‘Free Chol Soo Lee’ asks us all to self-reflect

In 1974, Chol Soo Lee, a 21-year-old immigrant from Korea to the US, was sentenced to life in prison, wrongfully convicted for a gang murder in San Francisco’s Chinatown. “Free Chol Soo Lee,” journalist Julie Ha and Eugene Yi’s first documentary film, explores the complicated, “messy” life of Chol Soo who spends 10 years fighting for his life inside California’s prisons. Through unprecedented social justice advocacy by the Asian American community, Cho

FilmSept. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'A Time Called You' star not fazed by success of original

While remakes can bring a fresh perspective to classic TV shows, new interpretations of projects are often met with ruthless criticism by fans loyal to the original work. The pressure that comes with working on such a project can cause a lot of stress for actors and directors, who want to take care to respect the original work while also creating something new and exciting. Actor Jeon Yeo-been, 34, however, was unfazed by the popularity of the original series and seized the opportunity to star i

TelevisionSept. 13, 2023