With stricter COVID-19 social distancing measures kicking in on Saturday, 45 days after the country had adopted a plan for a gradual return to normalcy, theaters and the arts sector are bracing for a difficult year-end -- again. From Saturday through Jan. 2, movie theaters, performing arts theaters and internet cafes nationwide will have to close by 10 p.m., while restaurants, bars and cafes are...

The court ruled in favor of construction companies embroiled in a suit over construction of high-rise apartment buildings near the UNESCO-listed royal tomb Jangneung, in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, on Thursday, allowing the construction to continue. On Dec. 10, a Seoul court ruled in favor of the construction companies who were fighting the Cultural Heritage Administration’s order to suspend const...

From the dramas "Squid Game" and "Hellbound" to superband BTS, South Korean pop culture drew fans from all over the world throughout 2021, raising hopes about what is in store in the coming year. "Squid Game," a dystopian Korean drama series, has become the most-watched Netflix content of all time with more than 1.65 billion hours of viewing in the first four weeks after its release in September...

The Korea Creative Content Agency seeks to become an effective channel for the content related stakeholders in creating and developing projects aimed at local and overseas markets. “Just a few years ago, the local market and audience were the prime target for the content creators. But, after Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ became a global phenomenon, a number of aspiring directors have started to priorit...

Home-styling, camping among the most-used hashtags on Instagram in S. Korea, official says

The Korea Image Budding Youth Award will be presented to Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Kim Je-deok. Kim, 17, the youngest on the men’s archery team, helped South Korea make history after winning two archery golds in the Olympics. A nonprofit organization promoting Korea’s image abroad, CICI has sought to recognize individuals from various sectors in Korean society. Singer Rain, golfer Pak Se-ri ...

Donggyeongyi, the Gyeongju Donggyeong Dog, Natural Monument No. 540, was the latest to join the ranks of the protected native breed. On the outside, Donggyeongyi look identical to Jindo dogs except for the naturally docked tail. Like other Korean native breeds, Donggyeongyi is gentle with children and people but fiercely dominant among dogs. By Hyungwon Kang ( hyungwonkang@gmail.com ) --- K...

The Cultural Heritage Administration on Thursday withheld its final review decision on Daebang Construction’s plan to resolve the controversy surrounding apartments near the UNESCO-listed royal tomb Jangneung in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. This controversy started after the agency found out in May that three construction companies -- Daebang Construction, Daekwang Construction and Kumsung BaekJoe ...

Among the winners in other categories were Loopy, a pink character in “Pororo the Little Penguin,” created by Iconix; Pinkfong by Smartstudy; Naver Webtoon’s “The Whale Star”; and Kakao Page’s “Solo Leveling.” “I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to the individuals who have worked hard to develop and promote the Korean contents on a world stage. The creative contents in broadcast, films, ...

Peter Chung Soon-taick was officially installed as Seoul’s new Roman Catholic archbishop after an inaugural Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul on Wednesday. The last inaugural Mass was held nine years ago, in 2012, when Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung became the 13th archbishop of Seoul after the late Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk retired from the post. In February 2014, Yeom was appoi...

Titles of the four sections have been inspired by Si Mok’s poem ”Gogungdanyeong,” printed in Donggwang magazine in 1927. The poem depicts the sorrowful mood of Gyeongbokgung after it was damaged during Japan’s colonial occupation. The exhibition runs through Feb. 27. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, with the last admission at 5 p.m. By Kim Hae-yeon ( hykim@heraldcorp.com )

Korean ondol which the American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867 -1959) popularized has since permeated into mainstream US and European cultures. Underfloor heating systems using warm water between floor joists and electric radiant heating systems under hardwood floors bring indescribable warmth and comfort for indoor barefoot cultures all over the world. During my four plus decades in the US...

Looking back on what we have consumed over the year could be one way to wrap up the year 2021, while preparing to make better choices in the new year. Whether an impulsive purchase or a considered decision, consumption patterns show what we desire and what cultural codes and trends are leading the society today. The pandemic challenges the once taken-for-granted in-person connections and communi...

The Seoul exhibition has the original wooden sign for his store, his early paintings, sculptures, prints, and a signature mural. The pop-up exhibition continues until Dec. 25, and is open from noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sundays. ( sj_lee@heraldcorp.com ) ( yunapark@heraldcorp.com ) ( hykim@heraldcorp.com )

A Korea Herald reporter takes the job of pretending to be one’s friend at a wedding