Articles by Hwang Dong-Hee
Hwang Dong-Hee
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[Weekender] Can't get a date? Try a temple ... or city hall
On a chilly Saturday afternoon, a group of people dressed in Buddhist vests and pants strolled slowly around a pagoda at Jogyesa, making wishes and touring different corners of the Buddhist temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. What seemed like a customary temple stay turned out to be an unusual affair. The 20 men and women were participating in a “dating” temple stay. They were gathered for the purpose of finding potential romantic partners over the weekend. "Meeting Temple Stay," o
Culture Dec. 2, 2023
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[Well-curated] Eccentric art, 'hanji' mobiles and Christmas ornaments
Reflect at must-see MSCHF exhibition Thought-provoking artworks by MSCHF, an art collective that refuses to be confined by gallery walls, are on show at Daelim Museum in Anguk-dong, Seoul. Titled “Nothing Is Sacred,” the exhibition brings together 130 works by MSCHF including paintings, interactive games and fashion objects created by the group since 2016. At a glance, the collective's pieces look like playful and funny graphic designs. However, the works are designed to challen
Culture Dec. 1, 2023
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Ilyon Woo's nonfiction lands on NYT's 10 best books of 2023
Korean American author Ilyon Woo’s nonfiction work has been recognized as one of the New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2023. “Deeply, deeply honored for this recognition from the (New York Times), on the eve of the 175th anniversary of Ellen and William Craft’s heroic escape from slavery,” Woo wrote on her Instagram. "Master Slave Husband Wife" follows the true story of Ellen and William Craft, an enslaved couple in Georgia. In 1848, the couple made a daring
Books Nov. 30, 2023
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National Orchestra of Korea's 'Winter Concert' to bring harmony of tradition, musicals
The National Orchestra of Korea, a traditional Korean music orchestra affiliated with the National Theater of Korea, is set to present "Winter Concert" at the Haneul Round Theater in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, on Dec. 16-17. This year-end performance has been a sold-out event for the National Orchestra of Korea every year since 2018. This year's program offers a diverse range of music that suits the end-of-year ambiance, including traditional Korean instrumental classics, movie soundt
Performance Nov. 29, 2023
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[Herald Interview] Strings of inspiration: Classic guitarist Deion Cho talks about decadelong journey to victory
The story reads like a movie script where the protagonist, after 10 attempts, finally clinches a grand prize. Such is the story of classical guitarist Deion Cho, who emerged triumphant at the 56th Francisco Tarrega International Guitar Competition in Spain this September. Previous winners of the prestigious competition established in 1967 in honor of Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909), the composer of “Memories of the Alhambra,” includes world-renowned guitar virtuoso David Russell. Cho,
Performance Nov. 28, 2023
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[Herald Review] Korean and Welsh dance companies share creativity in 'Wales Connection'
The striking costumes of the three dancers immediately captured the audience's attention. From hats to sunglasses, and even socks, everything appeared to be mismatched, yet the patterns were vibrant and eye-catching. In “Catachory,” the dancers existed in their own bubbles, at times making rhythmic leaps while sitting or lying down, wriggling like caterpillars, at other times appearing like broken mannequins. The scene is from "Wales Connection," a collaborative projec
Performance Nov. 27, 2023
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‘The Nutcracker’ to bring year-end magic to stage
The iconic ballet “The Nutcracker” is set to make a festive return for year-end magic on the stage, as major ballet companies gear up for the holiday season. The classic Christmas spectacle wraps up the year with a colorful stage, glittering costumes and familiar melodies from Tchaikovsky’s score. Based on children’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (1816) by German writer Ernst Hofmann, the heroine (Marie or Clara in different renditions) receives a
Performance Nov. 26, 2023
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Story of first female leader of traveling entertainers reimagined
Meet Baudeogi, who was born to a poor peasant in Anseong in 1848 and joined the Namsadang, a traveling entertainment troupe, at age 5. Anseong was one of the largest marketplaces during the Joseon era. Raised by a troupe of male acrobats, she mastered the art of singing, dancing and jultagi, or a traditional Korean performance of tightrope-walking. Before long she made a name for herself, captivating audience hearts with her looks and unparalleled talent and earning a reputation that echoed thro
Performance Nov. 23, 2023
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Heritage expert You Hong-june pens new cultural travelogue series
Our entire country is a museum, wrote You Hong-june a professor emeritus of art history at Myongji University, at the very beginning of his 1993 bestseller travelogue series, “My Exploration of Cultural Heritage.” It means every corner of the country is a breathing and living museum of history and culture, said the author. You, who is also the chair of the executive board of the Academy of Korean Studies and former head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, has been at the forefro
Books Nov. 22, 2023
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S. Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae embarks on final chapter of his journey as writer
South Korean literary giant Jo Jung-rae said his latest novel, “Golden Paper,” marks the beginning of the ultimate chapter in his literary journey. Reflecting on his extensive career since his debut in 1970, Jo categorized his years so far into two phases: The initial phase of short stories and novellas and the second phase which he dedicated to exploring the country's turbulent history through a number of epics -- “Taebaek Mountain Range,” “Arirang” and
Books Nov. 21, 2023
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NTCK to celebrate 100th Seoul performance of ‘The Orphan of Zhao’
The National Theater Company of Korea is set to captivate audiences once more with its signature production, "The Orphan of Zhao: Seeds of Revenge," returning with its sixth run at the Myeongdong Theater in central Seoul from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25. Premiered in 2015, “The Orphan of Zhao” is a reinterpretation of the Chinese "Zaju" drama script of the same title, written by the Yuan Dynasty playwright Ji Junxiang. Among the six Zaju plays he wrote, “The Orphan o
Performance Nov. 20, 2023
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[New in Korean] Historical mystery adventure by writer of 'School Nurse Ahn Eun-young'
"Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong" By Chung Serang Munhakdongne Publishing Chung Serang, the author behind "School Nurse Ahn Eun-young," which was the base for the Netflix series "The School Nurse Files," ventures into the realm of historical mystery adventure with her latest novel, "Seol Ja-eun Returns to Geumseong." The novel marks a shift toward the historical and detective genres for the star writer who previously explored speculative fiction and scien
Books Nov. 19, 2023
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[New in Korean] Kim Hye-jin of 'Concerning My Daughter' brings housing issue to the fore
"A Heart Wishing for Blessings" (a literal translation of the Korean title) By Kim Hye-jin Moonji Publishing In Kim Hye-jin's short story, "Mokhwa Mansion," protagonists Man-ok and Sun-mi share a complex relationship of landlord and tenant, finding themselves in equally precarious situations. They look out for each other, extending neighborly assistance in the beginning. But when things get rough, Man-ok demands that Sun-mi vacate the house as soon as possible. Sun-mi re
Books Nov. 18, 2023
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[New in Korean] Seven minds share single body in '7-day rotation system'
"A Day of Your Existence" By Park So-young Changbi Publishers In the latest novel by emerging sci-fi writer Park So-young, titled "A Day of Your Existence," readers are transported to a captivating future society. The story unfolds in a world with a "human 7-day rotation system," where seven individuals share a single body -- due to environmental destruction and food scarcity. Within this system, known as “Bodymates,” each person utilizes the shared bo
Books Nov. 17, 2023
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Han Kang says novels were form of resistance against violence
GWANGJU -- To capture humans in works of literature is a pledge against violence, according to award-winning writer Han Kang. Han, who recently won the Prix Medicis for foreign literature in France and was the first Korean to do so, delivered a keynote speech on Wednesday at the 9th International Congress of Writers Writing in Korean. The event, organized by the PEN Korean Center, a member of PEN International, a worldwide association of writers founded in London in 1921, took place at the Kim D
Books Nov. 16, 2023
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