LTI Korea awards recognize excellence in literary translation

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced on Monday the winners of its translation awards this year, recognizing their contributions to the promotion of Korean literature worldwide. The 17th LTI Korea Translation Awards went to Yoon Sun-me, who translated Han Kang’s novel “Human Acts” into Spanish as “Actos Humanos”; Sora Kim-Russel, who translated Kim Un-su’s novel “The Plotters” into English; and Li San-lun and Kim Hwan, who transla

Dec. 16, 2019

Police refer BTS' Jungkook to prosecutors for potential indictment

Police have referred BTS' youngest member Jungkook to prosecutors for a potential legal indictment over a car accident in October, police officials said Tuesday.Yongsan Police Station in charge of Jungkook's case said it has sent the case to the prosecution, advising it to lay formal charges of violating the Road Traffic Act and related laws against the K-pop star.A sedan driven by the 22-year-old rammed into a taxi in central Seoul in October, causing minor injuries to Jungkook and the taxi dri

Dec. 10, 2019

[Photo News] Nature conservation project

W-Foundation Chairman Lee Wook speaks at the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid on Monday, explaining the eco-friendly HOOXI project, which includes the HOOXI app, designed to help preserve nature, and paper-packaged HOOXI Water. Established in 2012, W-Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization spearheading nature conservation projects in partnership with state institutions and organizations from around the world. (W-Foundation)

Dec. 10, 2019

Ex-Daewoo Group chief Kim Woo-choong dies at 82

Former Daewoo Group Chairman Kim Woo-choong, once touted as one of the most successful businessmen in South Korea, died late Monday at age 82, an organization affiliated with the now-defunct conglomerate said.Kim, the founder of the trading-to-automobile conglomerate, died of a chronic disease at a local hospital late Monday night, according to Daewoosky Institute, which represents former employees of Daewoo Group.He launched Daewoo Corp. in March 1967 to export textiles to Southeast Asian marke

Dec. 10, 2019

[Feature] Frank penguin becomes new star of year, breaks stereotype of EBS characters

A 210-centimeter-tall penguin walks into a room for an audition at Educational Broadcasting System, insisting he wants to be a star creator. The penguin, who has a strand of seaweed and a seashell on its head, explains that he swam all the way from the South Pole. The 10-year-old’s ultimate goal is to become as popular as BTS.Speaking in a cute -- sometimes husky -- voice, Pengsoo raps, breakdances and even yodels -- a skill he picked up in Switzerland on his way to Korea. When the judges

Dec. 9, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘Koreans are like the Latin people of Asia’

A fitness instructor who challenged the notion that workouts are supposed to be painful and boring, now runs a successful global fitness brand that focuses on making people healthy and happy. Colombia-born Beto Perez, 49, created Zumba, the calorie-burning fitness dance, by “accident.” One day, he forgot to bring music to an aerobics class and had to improvise with a Latin American dance music cassette in his car. That was the beginning of Zumba. Later, he moved to Miami, Florida, an

Dec. 9, 2019

'Benson,' 'Star Trek' actor Rene Auberjonois has died at 79

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Rene Auberjonois, a prolific actor best known for his roles on the television shows "Benson'' and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' and his part in the 1970 film "M.A.S.H.'' playing Father Mulcahy, has died. He was 79. The actor died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles of metastatic lung cancer, his son Remy-Luc Auberjonois told The Associated Press.Rene Auberjonois worked constantly as a character actor in several golden ages, from the dynamic theater of the 1960s t

Dec. 9, 2019

Plastic surgeon devotes decades to facial rejuvenation

Dr. Kim Jong-hwan, a South Korean plastic surgeon who has devoted 26 years to developing facial rejuvenation procedures, says he has made the search for beauty his life’s mission.Dr. Kim is founder and president of Gold Happy Mirae Aesthetic Clinic, located in Gangnam, southern Seoul.“I was an orthopedic surgeon, but I abandoned the field because personally, I felt there was no ‘beauty’ there,” he said. Dr. Kim, a graduate of Korea University College of Medicine, sa

Dec. 4, 2019

‘Facial rejuvenation therapy revolutionized’

Plastic surgeon Dr. Kim Jong-hwan, who specializes in facial rejuvenation, says anti-aging is fundamentally about defying gravity.“First thing one must understand about anti-aging procedures that I pursue is that they are about making you actually younger, rather than making you ‘look’ younger,” he said. Kim emphasized that plastic surgeons “should not focus merely on making patients temporarily ‘look younger,’” but instead seek to revitalize the s

Dec. 4, 2019

[Herald interview] Women’s colleges relevant in world where men enjoy privileges

What is the relevance of a women’s college today? “The world is still a place where males have tremendous privileges. Smith is an intervention,” said Kathleen McCartney, president of Smith College, a private women’s liberal arts college in Massachusetts, in an interview with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Nov. 22.“What I hear from alumnae is that they found their voice at Smith,” said McCartney, who was in Seoul as part of an Asian tour, meeting with alumnae and

Dec. 3, 2019

[Photo News] CICI hosts winter welcoming gathering

Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) hosted the “CICI-Korea CQ Winter Welcoming Gathering” at the Intercontinental Seoul Coex, in southern Seoul on Tuesday. At the event, Korea CQ Cooperation Award went to Hungarian Ambassador Mozes Csoma (third row, sixth left) and his spouse Sunmi Nam (first row, second left). Korea CQ Friendship Award was given to James Park, director of BIO Plastic Surgery (second row, fourth right). Around 50 guests, including Kuwaiti Ambassador

Nov. 28, 2019

[Herald interview] Star ballerina Seo Hee talks on loving yourself and others

She may be the principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, but Seo Hee didn’t always have such lofty ambitions. As a student at Sunhwa Arts Middle School, she simply wanted to be part of a group of friends who would go out to eat tteokbokki (stir-fried spicy rice cake) after class. Having started ballet at a relatively late age of 13, she was shy and timid, thinking she fell behind her classmates. However, things began to change when it turned out she took the third place at a school

Nov. 27, 2019

Foreign Language Newspapers Association head Ryu appointed honorary Hungarian consul to Korea

The Hungarian government has appointed Ryu Kwon-ha, chief of the Foreign Language Newspapers Association of Korea, as an honorary consul of Hungary. Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma presented the letter of appointment to Ryu on Friday at a ceremony at the country’s embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.  Around 40 guests from the diplomatic and business communities attended the event, including former Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo and Kim In-chul, president of Hankuk University of Forei

Nov. 25, 2019

K-pop diva Goo Ha-ra found dead at her home

Goo Ha-ra, a K-pop diva and member of girl band KARA, was found dead Sunday at her home, police said.An acquaintance of the 28-year-old found her dead at around 6 p.m. at her home in Seoul's Gangnam Ward and notified the police and firefighters, the police said.The police said they are currently looking into the exact cause of and reason for the death, keeping the possibility of suicide in consideration. Goo debuted in 2008 as a member of the female K-pop band, which enjoyed sensational populari

Nov. 24, 2019

[ASEAN-Korea summit] Busan aims to be hub of exchange, cooperation between Korea and ASEAN

The mayor of Busan expressed hope that the 2019 ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit will elevate the city into a hub of exchanges and cooperation between South Korea and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don said the regional summit, which will draw heads of state from the 10 ASEAN member countries, can be expected to establish Busan’s place firmly as a global city that links Korea with foreign nations. “This summit symbolizes our governme

Nov. 24, 2019

BTS' Jungkook booked for alleged involvement in car accident

Jungkook, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, was booked as a suspect for allegedly causing a car accident last month, police said Friday.A car driven by the 22-year-old singer crashed into a taxi on a road in central Seoul in October, according to police. Both Jungkook and the taxi driver suffered minor injuries. Police said they booked Jungkook on charges of violating the traffic law, adding that they will call in him in the near future for questioning.Police earlier said he was not driving under

Nov. 8, 2019

BTS’ Jungkook involved in car crash after traffic violation

Jeon Jung-kook, better known as Jungkook of K-pop boy band BTS, was involved in a car accident Saturday.Big Hit Entertainment issued an official statement Monday, saying, “As the case has not been closed yet, further details cannot be revealed, but Jeon was involved in a car accident due to his mistake. Both Jeon and the victim (other driver) did not suffer a major injury.” “After the accident, Jeon immediately admitted that he violated the traffic law, made his statement

Nov. 4, 2019

Bill proposed to offer anti-cyberbullying education programs

A South Korean lawmaker has proposed a revised bill aimed at promoting positive online messages and countering cyberbullying through education programs in schools and workplaces. Rep. Kim Su-min of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party said she has drafted a proposal to amend the Framework Act on National Informatization in a way that would introduce “sunfull” (referring to positive comments) education programs at a press conference held at the National Assembly on Tuesday. “T

Oct. 30, 2019

[Herald Interview] Nine cups of tea with Ven. Myoudeok

Ven. Myoudeok cut quite a conspicuous figure at last week’s coffee and tea fair in Yangjae-dong, southern Seoul.  In her light-gray Buddhist robes, she sat among coffee and tea masters who had come from across the country to discuss the latest trends in brewing and blending. Her trade is the centuries-old tradition of Korean green tea. “I see a lot of confusion in our tea culture -- what makes good tea, how tea should be made and consumed,” the Buddhist nun said. “I

Oct. 25, 2019

Korean literature prize goes to Albanian writer

Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare is the winner of the 2019 Pak Kyong-ni Prize, in recognition of a lifetime of socially relevant writing that delves into the historical experiences of the Albanian people.The writer, 83, has been one of the most influential literary figures in Europe since his debut in the 1960s. In 2005 he became the first winner of the Man Booker International Prize for the full body of his work. He is also an often-mentioned nominee for the Nobel literature prize.  The Par

Oct. 23, 2019