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From 'The Rainfall Market,' coming-of-age fantasy adventure explores wish-fulfilling journey
"The Wishseekers" By You Yeong-gwang Clayhouse You Yeong-gwang, author of the breakout bestseller "The Rainfall Market,” returns with a YA novel that intertwines self-discovery, fantasy and adventure. The author wrote the draft of “The Wishseekers” eight years ago and shared it with just 350 readers through a 2021 crowdfunding campaign. Now, it's seeing its official release. The story follows Paul, a blind boy struggling to survive each day with his alcoholic father in the desolate Castle of Wan
Jan. 11, 2025 -
Start new year with new exhibitions
As the new year starts, galleries in Seoul have opened doors with interesting exhibitions. At Pace Gallery and G Gallery – located in Hannam-dong and Cheongdam-dong, respectively – you can experience art created by both internationally acclaimed artists and a young Korean artist. Sam Gilliam, Kenneth Noland at Pace Gallery The gallery shows a two exhibitions of American artists Sam Gilliam and Kenneth Noland who pushed boundaries. Gilliam – recognized as one of the innovators of postwar American
Jan. 11, 2025 -
South Korea's year-end blockbusters face box office headwinds
High-profile ‘Harbin,’ ‘Bogota’ falling short of breakeven goals despite star power The commercial viability of South Korea's two major year-end film releases is being tested by streaming platforms and pandemic aftershocks that continue to threaten theatrical prospects. Even with star power and heavyweight promotion, these productions are struggling to recoup their large-scale investments in an increasingly risk-averse market. "Harbin," CJ ENM's period epic starring Hyun Bin, has accumulated 3.8
Jan. 10, 2025 -
From 'Culinary Class Wars' chef's burger to persimmon ice cream: New fast-food highlights
Lotteria to launch new burger with ‘Culinary Class Wars’ winner on Thursday As the new year begins, fast-food chains in Korea are introducing fresh flavors and menu items to delight customers' palates. Fast-food chain Lotteria is teaming up with Kwon Sung-joon -- better known as "Napoli Matfia," the winner of Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars," to unveil a new burger on Thursday. Known for his Neapolitan-inspired creations, Kwon is expected to bring an Italian twist to the collaboration project. Wh
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Activist calls for action on Australian museum for ‘misleading’ display of Korean clothing
Complaint to correct ‘hanbok’ display unanswered, Seo Kyoung-duk says A prominent Korean activist has renewed his demand for action over an Australian exhibition that he claims misrepresents a Chinese garment as Korean. Seo Kyoung-duk said Friday that the Australian War Memorial has yet to respond to his complaints from last year, which called on the Canberra-based museum to remove a top displayed as traditional Korean clothing. “The collar, hems, color and embroidery of the piece all suggest Ch
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Culture Ministry's 2025 goal: supporting economic recovery, advancing AI content strategy and promoting hallyu
Ministry aims for “Culture for all, a cultural power connecting the world” The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced on Friday that it will implement a series of policies under the theme “culture for all, a cultural power connecting the world” for 2025. With a focus on overcoming domestic and global economic uncertainties through cultural initiatives, the ministry aims to support vulnerable businesses and individuals. Recognizing challenges in the tourism sector, a special loan prog
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Bong Joon-ho's 'Mickey 17' to hit Korean theaters next month
Lead star Robert Pattinson to kick off global press tour in Seoul on Jan. 20 Bong Joon-ho's highly anticipated sci-fi adventure "Mickey 17" is set to premiere in Korea on Feb. 28, a week ahead of its global release, Warner Bros. Korea announced Friday. The $150 million blockbuster marks Bong's first directorial project since his Oscar-winning masterpiece, "Parasite." Adding to the buzz, lead star Robert Pattinson will visit Seoul on Jan. 20 for the first major promotional event for the film. The
Jan. 10, 2025 -
'Beasts of a Little Land' author delves into Russian ballet in new novel
'City of Night Birds' on ballerina’s rise, fall and potential return Kim Ju-hea, acclaimed author of the international bestseller, "Beasts of a Little Land," returns with her bold and luminous second novel, "City of Night Birds." The novel, which hit US bookshelves in November 2024, became available in the UK on Thursday. The incandescent tale of redemption and love centers on Natalia Leonova, a once-celebrated prima ballerina whose life is at a crossroads. She returns to St. Petersburg two year
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Curator-led tours open at National Museum of Korea
Korean celadon, Vienna paintings headline in-depth tour program Curator-led tours of exhibitions at the National Museum of Korea began Wednesday, offering visitors a 12-week program designed to provide a deeper understanding of the collections on display. The highlight of the program is a tour of two special exhibitions held every Wednesday during the first three weeks. The exhibitions -- “Sculpted Celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty” and “Vienna 1900: The Dreaming Artists” -- delve into the beauty of
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Winter sports and art for Seoul's coldest weekend yet
Try a figure-skating class, go sledding in Yeouido or explore up-and-coming artists One-day skating classes for all levels Ice Works, a large skating facility on the fourth floor of the E-Mart Yeoksam branch near Hanti Station in Seoul, offers one-day classes to those interested in trying ice skating. The venue spans approximately 5,000 square meters and boasts the largest ice rink in Gangnam. Ice Works offers a variety of activities on its four separate rinks, including figure skating, ice hock
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Movies in theaters this week
"Forbidden Fairytale" (South Korea) Opened Jan. 8 Romance/Comedy Directed by Lee Jong-seok Fairy tale writer-turned-content moderator (Park Ji-hyun) tasked with tracking adult content stumbles into the world of online erotic fiction when a chance encounter with a publishing executive leads to an unlikely side gig. "Bogota: City of the Lost" (South Korea) Opened Dec. 31 Action Directed by Kim Seong-je After his family immigrates to Colombia in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, 19-
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Packages and promotions
Winter strawberry promotion at The Lounge, Park Hyatt Seoul The Lounge, located on the 24th floor of Park Hyatt Seoul, is celebrating winter with a special winter strawberry promotion. The Strawberry Afternoon Tea Set, which is priced at 68,000 won ($46.59) per person, includes savory options such as hanwoo (Korean beef) tartare, lobster crostini, crab meat choux, and strawberry and burrata cheese salad, along with desserts like strawberry tart, strawberry yogurt cake, vanilla gateau de voyage,
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Festivals, sights across Korea
Bricktopia at Legoland Discover the unexpectedly soothing experience of colorful Lego bricks passing by on an 80-meter conveyor belt, the longest in the country, at Legoland Korea Resort. The theme park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, invites children and adults alike to Bricktopia, offering a variety of baked goods and desserts. The lounge, which can accommodate up to 200 people, will be open through February. Legoland is open Friday to Sunday. Check the latest information at legoland.kr. Ice f
Jan. 10, 2025 -
Greenery in the dead of winter
Gardens, forests to visit across country Freezing temperatures make lingering indoors evermore enticing, but a trip out to the woods could be refreshing, especially for plant and flower lovers. Even if you’re neither, a walk in the woods to breathe in forest air -- which some claim is therapeutic -- might just help you beat the mid-winter blahs. 1004 Island Garden Opened in 2004 in Shinan, South Jeolla Province, this garden runs an annual winter festival touting walking trails and a field of ca
Jan. 9, 2025 -
Ju Ji-hoon debuts as heroic doctor in 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'
Popular webtoon depicting lives of doctors gets series adaptation Ju Ji-hoon, a Hallyu sensation known for his roles in cinematic hits such as "Light Shop" and "Kingdom," is set to debut as a courageous doctor in Netflix’s highly anticipated series, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call." Based on the wildly popular Naver Webtoon, the series delves into the high-octane world of heroic doctors as they navigate life-and-death situations involving criticially ill patients. Netflix unveiled stills from t
Jan. 9, 2025