Exhibition 'Hanbok, Revisited' offers modern tastes on traditional Korean clothing

A special exhibition titled "Blurring Boundaries: Hanbok, Revisited" is underway at Areumjigi in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, in central Seoul, featuring traditional Korean clothes, or hanbok, with a modern touch. The nonprofit private foundation Areumjigi, dedicated to preserving South Korea's cultural heritage, is holding the hanbok exhibition through Nov. 15. The highlight of the exhibition are nine sets of hanbok by designer Christina Kim, who presents modern interpretations of the

Arts & DesignSept. 28, 2023

Chuseok’s celestial journey: Best spots for full moon gazing in Seoul

In traditional Korean culture, the full moon is a symbol of life's essence and the passage of time, embodying abundance and fortune in its luminous splendor. Chuseok, or Hangawi, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, captures this heritage through traditions like crafting songpyeon -- half-moon shaped rice cakes symbolizing unity -- and, of course, making wishes under the harvest moon. For those planning to immerse themselves in this celestial treat, here are some of the top

TravelSept. 28, 2023

Explore the culture of Joseon during Chuseok

In celebration of Chuseok, a traditional Korean holiday, major cultural tourist attractions such as palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and Joseon Royal Tombs will be open to the public for free. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration, four major palaces (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace) of Joseon, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs of Joseon will all be open to the public for free from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3. While Jongmyo Shrine usually ope

CultureSept. 28, 2023

Tving streams 2023 MTV VMAs

Tving released Thursday footages of K-pop artists who participated in this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. MTV VMAs 2023, which was held at Prudential Center in New Jersey on Sept. 12, are one of the four major US music shows -- along with the Billboard Music Awards, Grammy Awards and American Music Awards, honoring the biggest music videos and artists. The show featured two of the popular K-pop boy groups Tomorrow X Together and Stray Kids’ live performances, singing their latest sin

TelevisionSept. 28, 2023

Action-packed series lined up for Chuseok

Different styles of Korean action series are being released during the six-day Chuseok holiday this week. Disney+, the flagship streaming service of US media giant Walt Disney Co, showcased a new crime thriller “The Worst of Evil” on Wednesday. The 12-part series tells the story of the biggest drug ring in Northeast Asia and its boss, Jung Ki-cheol, played by “Squid Game” star Wi Ha-jun. Co-starring actor Ji Chang-wook takes the role of an undercover police officer, who i

TelevisionSept. 28, 2023

[From the Scene] Whimsical circus workshop offers fun workout

If you've ever wanted to juggle, spin plates or soar through the air like a circus sensation, then the "Circus Playground" workshop was the place to be last weekend. As part of LG Arts Center Seoul's fall season education programs, the one-day workshop, co-organized by the circus education experts at "Jumpers," provided an exciting experience for beginners of all ages, including the young-at-heart adults. The morning session catered to adventure-seeking adults, whil

PerformanceSept. 27, 2023

JTBC drama ‘Reborn Rich’ goes to Emmys

“Reborn Rich,” hit drama on local cable channel JTBC that aired in December last year has been nominated to the finalist of International Emmy Awards’ TV drama and series category. According to the production firm SLL, “Reborn Rich” will compete along France’s “Infiniti,” Mexico’s “Dive,” and UK’s “Life and Death in the Warehouse.” “Reborn Rich” revolves around Yoon Hyun-woo (Song Joong-ki), a loyal s

TelevisionSept. 27, 2023

Auteur Chung Ji-young returns with another high-profile case-based film in ‘The Boys’

South Korean auteur Chung Ji-young returns for the first time in four years with the crime flick “The Boys,” another work based on a real-life high-profile case. The new film follows “Unbowed” (2011) and “Black Money” (2019), which dealt with the true stories of a professor who went against a corrupt Korean judicial system in 2007 and the 2012 sale of the Korean Exchange Bank to American equity firm Lone Star Funds, respectively. “The Boys” revolve

FilmSept. 27, 2023

At 93 and on quest to become Korea's oldest Ph.D. grad

Ninety-three years old and still chasing his dreams, Kwon No-gab, the chairman of the Kim Dae-jung Foundation and adviser to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, recently attended his first class as an English Literature doctoral student. He said he aims to complete his dissertation by the time he turns 95 in two years' time, an ambitious goal for any doctorate pursuant. The record for the oldest Korean to earn a Ph.D. is held by Lee Sang-suk, who obtained the degree at the age of

PeopleSept. 27, 2023

Intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, performances head overseas

Korea's intangible cultural heritage is to be showcased overseas in special events being held in France, Vietnam, India and Guam from late September to November. The series of exhibitions and performances will kick off at Cernuschi Museum in Paris, Sept. 29. Kim Jeong-ok, the Intangible Cultural Heritage title holder for the craft of pottery, also known as a sagijang, will demonstrate his expertise in traditional Korean earthenware live onstage. Meanwhile, an exhibition of his works has bee

CultureSept. 27, 2023

Seoul streets transform to open stage for Seoul Street Arts Festival

Seoul's streets are to become a festive outdoor venue for various street arts, circus performances, dance, multidisciplinary shows and art installations this weekend. The outdoor performing arts festival organized by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, known as the Seoul Street Arts Festival, kicks off Friday at Seoul Plaza, along with a Chuseok full moon viewing event. The opening performance, “Full Moon,” starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, featuring artists from this year&rsqu

PerformanceSept. 27, 2023

Nam June Paik Art Center to be led by new director Park Nam-hee

The Nam June Paik Art Center in Gyeonggi Province -- the only museum in the world dedicated to the video art pioneer Paik Nam-june -- will be helmed by its newly appointed director, Park Nam-hee, for the next two years. Park was appointed to the position and began work in her role as of Tuesday, according to the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation. The position allows for consecutive terms. “I will do all my best to globally promote the Nam June Paik Art Center, a place the artist himself named a

Arts & DesignSept. 27, 2023

Immersive, digital art shows to enjoy during extended holiday

If you are looking for a place to spend some quality family time during the six-day holiday that starts this Thursday, check out the digital exhibitions in Seoul that can be enjoyed regardless of one’s age. Salvador Dali’s surrealist paintings are digitally reproduced at Walkerhill Hotel & Resorts in Seoul's Gwangjin-gu, inviting audiences to the immersive space full of the Spanish painter’s iconic images such as melting clocks. The 3,400-square-meter Theater des Lumie

Arts & DesignSept. 27, 2023

[Our Museums] Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum shows artistic essence of ceramics throughout history

GWANGJU, Gyeonggi Province -- Korea's ceramic heritage dates back 8,000 years, with a lineage of artisans refining their craft across generations. At the Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, visitors have the opportunity to follow the evolution of Korean ceramics from ancient times to the present day. During the Joseon era, Gwangju emerged as an important ceramics supplier to the court as its rich soil and abundant firewood that were conducive to making high-quality cerami

CultureSept. 26, 2023

[Herald Review] ‘Carmen’ redefines iconic femme fatale as stalking victim

Breaking away from the traditional portrayal of the iconic femme fatale, Carmen, Seoul Metropolitan Theatre's theatrical rendition of the classic character meets audiences with the haunting specter of dating violence. Seoul Metropolitan Theatre Artistic Director Koh Sun-woong undertook the adaptation of “Carmen” to reevaluate the character in a new light and to deliver a powerful message: Obsession is not love. Based on Prosper Merimee's 1845 novella and Bizet's opera

PerformanceSept. 26, 2023

Orchestra composed of players with visual impairment to perform Oct. 4

The Hyegwang Blind Orchestra, composed of individuals with visual impairments, is gearing up for a special performance titled “International Music Concert with Hyegwang Blind Orchestra” on Oct. 4. The orchestra has continued its musical journey for 15 years since the Incheon Hyegwang School for the Blind established a wind instrument program for high-schoolers in 2008. Currently, the ensemble includes members from various backgrounds, such as massage therapists, teachers, rehab worke

PerformanceSept. 26, 2023

[Feature] The rise and fall of terrestrial TV dramas

For countless South Korean actors, getting a role on a local broadcaster's TV drama series was a ticket to stardom. However, this notion is rapidly becoming a thing of the past, as local TV channels like SBS, MBC and KBS now compete with a slew of streaming platforms and changed viewing habits. Weekly television program schedules, typically filled with multiple drama series up until a number of years ago, is now filled with reality shows and pilot programs. Among local braodcasters, SBS has

TelevisionSept. 26, 2023