Rethinking arts at Craft Trend Fair 2024

Crafts can be cool, too Crafts can be more than pottery, knitwear and handmade knickknacks for the house. Ultimately, crafts are expressions of creativity, and take many forms. This idea was on display at the 19th edition of the Craft Trend Fair, held Dec. 12-15 at Coex in southern Seoul, where visitors were encouraged to think outside the box. The four-day event, held under the theme “Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life,” invited visitors to explore the idea that luxury is not limited t

Dec. 23, 2024

First lady Kim used historic site in private capacity: official

First lady Kim Keon Hee held a tea meeting with acquaintances in a historic site in Seoul that restricts entry to the public, the government agency overseeing the site has said. At a parliamentary hearing on the issue held Friday, Choi Eung-chon, the Korea Heritage Service administrator, told lawmakers that Kim did not go through the proper channels to use Mangmyoru, a space inside Jongmyo that is off-limits to the public, on Sept. 3, a day the royal shrine from the Joseon era was also officiall

Dec. 22, 2024

Hanji Forum discusses breathing life into fading craft traditions

How to breathe life into fading craft traditions and incorporate time-honored works into modern-day products that people enjoy and use daily were among the topics discussed at Korea Craft and Design Foundation's first-ever Hanji Froum, held Dec. 13 at Coex in southern Seoul. Referring to "hanji" -- traditional Korean mulberry paper -- as valuable cultural heritage, KCDF President Jang Dong-kwang, explained that the institution has been promoting the beauty of hanji through various projects. "In

Dec. 22, 2024

[Weekender] Savor the warmth and wonder of the holidays

December is the month when cities light up with festive cheer and cafes and pop-up shops alike transform into magical holiday destinations. From glittering Christmas trees to cozy sunset-inspired interiors, following are some suggestions for those looking for warm and elegant backdrops to the season‘s memorable moments. Christmas festival around Gwanghwamun, Seoul City Hall The Gwanghwamun area and the vicinity of Seoul City Hall, located in the heart of the capital, are filled with Christmas sp

Dec. 21, 2024

Real lives more dramatic than fiction on stage

Sometimes, real life is more dramatic than fiction. Take President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law — an event so intense it might one day inspire artists to create new works. Fascinating stories rooted in real life have always been a source of inspiration, as shown in musicals currently on stage, ranging from productions over two decades old to ones that debuted just two months ago. However, it is important to remember that these works are not documentaries — creators often take artis

Dec. 21, 2024

State of the ark

Visual record of endangered species National Geographic's "Photo Ark" exhibition, now on display in Seoul, opens with a stark warning: Time is running out for many of Earth's wondrous creatures. The ongoing project, helmed by photographer Joel Sartore since 2006, is a global initiative that has captured more than 15,000 species in human care. The exhibition turns out to be a powerful equalizing force. A tiny mantis commands the same frame size as a towering elephant, each sho

Dec. 20, 2024

Heritage agency admits first lady‘s tea meeting at Jongmyo Shrine constitutes personal use

The state-run cultural heritage agency on Friday admitted that first lady Kim Keon Hee's private tea meeting held at a traditional heritage shrine in central Seoul constituted personal use of a state heritage site. During a session of the National Assembly's culture committee, Lee Jae-pil, a senior official at the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA), said there was an element of "personal use" involving Kim's use of a pavilion at Jongmyo Shrine on Sept. 3. The revelation of Kim's use of the p

Dec. 20, 2024

Journalism meets art to show humanity at ‘Walking Korea: Cut Pieces’

Rarely would one consider the connection between long-distance walkers and artists, yet the exhibition “Walking Korea: Cut Pieces” explores this intriguing intersection through visual language, merging journalism and art to tell a deeper story. Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek, who trekked approximately 650 kilometers across South Korea this summer, spearheaded the exhibition. The show brings together six artists -- Kim Ok-sun, Kim Young-rae,

Dec. 20, 2024

Actor Kim Tae-ri to showcase hanbok on Times Square billboard on Christmas Eve

Actor Kim Tae-ri will spotlight hanbok this Christmas Eve with her photoshoot video being displayed on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, announced Thursday that the video will be featured on the Times Square screen on Dec. 24, local time, as part of an initiative to promote hanbok globally. For this year’s project, four domestic brands were selected through a competition to design ha

Dec. 20, 2024

Politics and YouTube in Korea: Intertwined and dangerous

South Korea has descended into political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of emergency martial law on the night of Dec. 3. The move shocked many, particularly after it was revealed that Yoon had ordered troops to the National Election Commission on that chaotic night. Many suspect that Yoon’s actions were influenced by far-right extremist YouTube channels, which have long propagated election fraud conspiracy theories, including claims about irregular

Dec. 19, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Wow

An invitational exhibition by Bae WooMi is currently being held at Gallery BODA in Insa-dong. The artist, known for a "kidult" sensibility, evokes empathy through a character named Gloria. Meaning "smile on Earth," Gloria embodies the intersection of analog and digital aesthetics. The character is brought to life using pop-inspired colors, segmented shapes, and elements from traditional Korean playing cards (hwatu). The journey of rediscovering one's pure self alongside

Dec. 18, 2024

Tough year ahead for K-dramas: KOCCA report

Korean dramas are projected to face challenges in the overseas market in 2025, with export performance expected to be dim due to surging production costs, according to the Korea Creative Content Agency on Wednesday. The Culture Ministry-affiliated government agency released export outlooks for content sectors such as K-pop and webtoons, based on a survey it conducted. The survey gathered insights from 167 content industry experts and directors of KOCCA's overseas business centers. On 7-poin

Dec. 18, 2024

'Text hip': From book covers to book tails, accessories make reading cool

Book stands and other reading accessories that hold your book in a comfortable viewing position have long been favorites for many readers. Now, trendy accessories, from the practical to the cozy and cute, are making waves among bibliophiles by making the hobby not only more enjoyable, but also aesthetically pleasing. Among the most popular "dokseotem," a portmanteau of the Korean word for reading and the English word "item," are book covers. Available in a variety of styles

Dec. 18, 2024

Looking for a Christmas present to wow a Korean friend? Avoid these

Nothing is better than celebrating the holiday season with something to unwrap and enjoy. While finding the perfect gift for that special someone may not be easy, there are some things that should be avoided when giving presents in South Korea. Sharp objects While a beautiful blade seems a sensible gift for for the home cook on your shopping list, giving knives and scissors -- basically, anything that is sharp or used for cutting -- is a no-no. Such gifts risk signaling the cutting off of the

Dec. 17, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Shower Thought in Purple

The solo exhibition "Lucid Dreams" by artist JinHan Lee (born 1982) is on display at Gallery Hyundai in Jongno-gu, Seoul, until Dec. 22. This exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the artist's work over the past 15 years, reflecting both his time living in the UK and his return to Korea. Featuring paintings that navigate the realms of abstraction and figuration, the exhibition captures the artist's intimate experiences and universal emotions. Motifs such as feet, the

Dec. 16, 2024