[Herald Gallery] POP

The two-person exhibition featuring Sangin Kim (born 1980) and Sangyoon Yoon (born 1978) is being held at Gallery Joeun in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, until Feb. 15. The two artists explore a multidimensional worldview by infusing a dreamy and romantic atmosphere into their pieces. Additionally, using an unplanned, primal visual language and an original painterly style, they present a fantastical world that one might have dreamed of. In this exhibition, "Impromptu Fantasies," visitors can experience the

Jan. 15, 2025

Shopping platforms unveil Seollal promotions

With the Lunar New Year approaching, shopping platforms are rolling out enticing promotions, helping customers find the perfect gifts and lock in big discounts on popular items Many shopping platforms are introducing special Seollal promotions ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, curating the best gifts for loved ones. Musinsa, one of the largest online fashion platforms in the country, has announced a major discount event running through Jan. 30. The Musinsa 2025 Seollal Big Sale will

Jan. 15, 2025

Solar returns as emotional 'Mata Hari'

Mamamoo singer aspires to become trusted stage performer Solar, known as part of K-pop girl group Mamamoo, boasts 10 years of experience captivating audiences through singing and dancing. However, her journey in musical theater began only relatively recently in 2022, when she took on the role of Mata Hari in the eponymous musical. The singer's musical debut came about through a recommendation from renowned music director Kim Moon-jeong. Known for embracing challenges with a unique style througho

Jan. 15, 2025

Taiwanese teen classic 'Secret' gets fresh Korean spin

Musical romance that inspired a generation returns with new notes for contemporary audiences For many Korean millennials who grew up in the 2000s, Jay Chou's "Secret" brings back memories of grainy bootleg downloads and impromptu music class screenings. The 2008 Taiwanese romance about young musicians at an elite conservatory carved out an unlikely niche here, where Chinese-language films rarely break through. Even those who couldn't tell their Chopin from their Liszt know the film's famous pian

Jan. 15, 2025

Ha Jung-woo returns in series delving into property ownership and crime

Veteran actor tied to 'Building Owner,' 3 years after Netflix's 'Narco-Saints' Veteran actor Ha Jung-woo will star in a new series centered on crime and real estate, marking the actor's first dramatic role in three years, following Netflix’s sensational crime hit "Narco-Saints." Ha is set to headline thriller series "Building Owner" with Jung Soo-jung — better known by her stage name Krystal of the K-pop group f(x) — reportedly in talks to join him. Ha’s management agency, Walk House Company, co

Jan. 15, 2025

Kim Whan-ki's New York-period paintings go on the block at K Auction

Korea’s pioneering abstract artist Kim Whan-ki’s paintings completed in New York in his late years will go under the hammer Jan. 22 at K Auction's headquarters in Seoul. A total of 118 works worth some 7 billion won will be offered at the auction, ranging from Korea’s art masters to leading contemporary artists such as Kim Whan-ki, Cheon Kyeong-ja, Kim Tschang-yeul, Lee U-fan, Ha Chong-hyun, Yun Hyeong-keun, Chung Sang-hwa, Lee Bae and Yang Hae-gue. Among the works are 8 paintings and drawings b

Jan. 15, 2025

[Graphic News] 6 out of 10 Koreans prefer in-person cultural events

Sixty percent of surveyed Koreans prefer attending movies or cultural events in person, and they spend an average of 187,000 won ($127) per month on leisure activities, according to a recent survey. The study, conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, surveyed Korean nationals’ attendance at cultural and arts events. It found that 63 percent of respondents engage in these activities in nonvirtual formats. The rate of in-person attendance at cultural events has steadily increased

Jan. 15, 2025

In 'Silver Apricot,' blood ties tested by money struggles

Jang Man-min's feature debut finds modern family caught between affection and self-interest "Blood is thicker than water," goes the age-old saying, a truth long held as unquestionable by many Koreans. But what if that blood becomes literal sustenance, and family members must feed off each other to survive? That question drives Jang Man-min's "Silver Apricot," a nuanced exploration of family bonds in a modern Korean society driven by material desires. The premise is simple enough, as a slice of w

Jan. 14, 2025

CJ ENM brings back musical classics

Fan favorites '42nd Street,' 'Kinky Boots' return South Korean entertainment giant CJ ENM is set to revive a string of beloved musical classics this year. Returning after five years, the musical "Werther," based on Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther" and revolving around the story of Werther's sublime love for Charlotte, will feature a a star-studded cast that includes Um Ki-joon, Jeon Mi-do, Yang Yo-seob, Kim Min-seok, Lee Ji-hye and Ryu In-ah. Having premiered in 2000, the musical has been

Jan. 14, 2025

'Il Tenore' takes home grand prize at Korea Musical Awards

Hong Kwang-ho, Kim Soo-ha shine as best actor and actress, 'Hadestown' takes home six awards The musical "Il Tenore," or "The Tenor" in English, won the Grand Prize at the 9th Korea Musical Awards ceremony held at the Universal Arts Center in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Monday. Premiered in Seoul in 2023, the musical tells the story of a medical student aspiring to become Korea’s first opera tenor during the 1930s Japanese colonial period. Inspired by the real-life story of Lee In-sun (1907–1960), the n

Jan. 14, 2025

PulsePick aims to secure early lead in Korean short-form series market

Short-form dramas, films show possibilities of untapped market in Korea Short-form video is already popular globally, including in China and the United States. It has tremendous potential in Korea when paired with the production expertise of K-drama creators to make short-form series, industry officials said Tuesday. PulsePick, a streaming platform specializing in servicing short-form series which soft-launched last December, announced a series of upcoming originals during a media event in Gangn

Jan. 14, 2025

Fashion industry targets sports fandoms

'Blockcore' trend drives fashion companies to partner with sports teams Sports teams are the latest collaborators with the fashion industry, as clothing companies seek access to the teams' loyal fan bases. By sponsoring the teams, the fashion industry hopes to turn loyal fans who collect official uniforms and merchandise into potential consumers. On Monday, Adidas announced an official sponsorship agreement with the KBO's Doosan Bears, unveiling the baseball team’s new uniform. Adidas also recen

Jan. 14, 2025

'Thunderstruck Cop' press event a final bow for beloved screen mother

Shin Hyun-joon pays tearful tribute to late co-star Kim Soo-mi At Monday's press event for "Thunderstruck Cop" at CGV Yongsan in Seoul, emotional tributes to the late actor Kim Soo-mi overshadowed the typical prerelease discussions. "Mom always hoped this would open during Lunar New Year," said Shin Hyun-joon, who consistently referred to Kim as "mom" throughout the conference ― a testament to their bond forged through multiple on-screen mother-son pairings. Kim, who passed away in October at 75

Jan. 13, 2025

'Let's compete, Berlin Philharmonic': New Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO

Jung Jae-wal aims to make the Seoul-based orchestra as competitive as the city, fully backing SPO Artistic Director Jaap van Zweden To become a leading ensemble capable of competing with the Berlin Philharmonic: This is the ambitious goal announced by Jung Jae-wal, the new CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, during a press conference Monday. "Seoul ranks sixth on the Global Power City Index. It is inevitable for an orchestra in such a city to be equally competitive," said Jung, 60, in layin

Jan. 13, 2025

'The Lives of Others' explores humanity beyond ideology in Korean stage adaptation

'Placing respect, compassion and humanity above any ideology,' says German film director What does it truly mean to understand another human being? This is the question that lies at the heart of the Korean stage adaptation of “The Lives of Others,” currently running at the LG Arts Center. Based on Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s acclaimed 2006 German film -- which won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film -- the production marks actor Sohn Sang-gyu’s directorial debut. Set in

Jan. 13, 2025