[Herald Gallery] Night Walk

APOproject presents “Simply a Walk,” a solo exhibition by Lee Lee MiJu, open until Nov. 2. This marks Lee's (born 1982) first solo exhibition in Korea in three years and features six representative works. Her pieces capture the instability and ambiguity of her experiences as an artist, expressed through seemingly surreal yet tranquil imagery. The exhibition also extends her large-scale solo show “Perfect Days,” currently being held in Spain, and includes the nota

CultureNov. 12, 2024

[Rising virtuosos] From Pororo to Paganini: 13-year-old violinist Lee Hyeon-jeong’s journey to the world stage

It all began with a Maxim Vengerov recital: A little girl in the audience, who, like most kids her age enjoyed singing tunes from the Pororo cartoon series, found herself suddenly drawn to the world of classical music. For most Korean children born around 2010, growing up meant loving Pororo the Little Penguin, affectionately nicknamed "President Po" for the power he wielded over the pre-kindergarten set. As they got older, many of these kids would move on to other music genres, often

CultureNov. 12, 2024

An invitation to Jinchan, a royal banquet of the Joseon era

Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater, located in central Seoul, will host a specially curated performance on Friday, with shows at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This event offers audiences a glimpse into the grandeur of Jinchan, or the royal banquets of the Joseon era (1392–1910). These feasts, held to commemorate special occasions for the king, queen and other members of the royal family, were lavish affairs featuring music, dance and exquisite cuisine. For the first time, the venue is presenting a

PerformanceNov. 12, 2024

Violinist Sarah Chang to embark on recital tour

Violinist Sarah Chang will come to Korea in December, making her long-awaited return to the recital stage after five years. Now approaching her 35th debut anniversary, Chang will tour 13 cities across Korea -- Seoul, Seongnam, Ulsan, Goyang, Iksan, Cheongju, Incheon, Daegu, Gyeongju, Pyeongtaek, Busan, Gwangju and Gangneung. The tour will kick off on Dec. 10 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and wrap up Dec. 29 in Seoul. The tour program is centered on works by Brahms and Prokofiev. She will perfo

CultureNov. 12, 2024

Where is LTI Korea headed after Han Kang’s Nobel win?

Winning the Nobel Prize in literature is not the final stop but a beginning, said Chon Soo-young, president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, during a press conference marking her first 100 days in office in Seoul, Monday. “We aim to establish a strong foundation for Korean literature to thrive as a vital part of world literature,” said Chon, who has been leading the government-affiliated institute charged with promoting Korean literature globally since August. The 70

BooksNov. 11, 2024

[History through films] ‘The Spy Gone North’: Real-life espionage story rises above cliches

When it comes to spy flicks, one might think of cat-and-mouse pursuits, action scenes and shootouts. But director Yoon Jong-bin, using very little action, sidesteps the spy formula in his 2018 “The Spy Gone North,” a movie that revolves around a loyal South Korean spy who is caught in a political vortex. “I made it (without a lot of action) because the film is based on a true story,” director Yoon Jong-bin told reporters when the movie came out in 2018. “As a filmma

FilmNov. 11, 2024

Simon Edelmann of Germany wins top prize at KNSO conducting competition

The second edition of the Korea National Symphony Orchestra's International Conducting Competition announced its winners Sunday, ending the five-day competition. The first prize went to German conductor Simon Edelmann, who conducted the first movement of Brahms' Symphony No. 4, the third movement of Rachmaninoff's “Symphonic Dances,” and the first movement of Debussy's “La Mer” in the final round. Edelmann currently serves as the conductor of the Vogtl

CultureNov. 11, 2024

Seoul Opera to present 'La Boheme' for first time

The Seoul Opera Company, celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, will present its first-ever production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” next week. Though it is the debut performance of the classic work for the Seoul Metropolitan Opera, the production will be directed by Eom Sook-jeong, who has staged around 10 versions of the opera. The cast boasts a star lineup of Korean opera singers, including top sopranos Seo Sun-young and Hwang Su-mi, the latter of whom was “shocked&rdq

CultureNov. 11, 2024

[From the Scene] Step inside the world of 'Squid Game 2'

The countdown to "Squid Game 2" has begun as the global hit series is set to return this December. Last December, the press was given a tour of the "Squid Game 2" filming location for an exclusive sneak peek at the new season. Located in Daejeon Expo Science Park, the filming studio for "Squid Game 2" offered reporters a view of the show's iconic "maze corridors" and the massive dormitory for the fictional game’s participants. For the upcoming s

TelevisionNov. 11, 2024

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Oh named for CICI award

South Korean Olympic fencing gold medalist Oh Sang-uk will receive the annual Korea Image Stepping Stone Award presented by the Corea Image Communication Institute in January next year. “Oh elevated South Korea’s global profile by winning two gold medals in the men’s individual and team sabre at the 2024 Paris Olympics,” CICI, a nonprofit promoting Korea’s image abroad, said in a statement Sunday. The Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award went to Korean American c

CultureNov. 11, 2024

Chinese violinist Luo Chaowen wins Isangyun Competition

Chinese violinist Luo Chaowen won first prize at this year's Isangyun Competition on Saturday, performing Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Christoph Poppen. Luo was followed by South Korean violinist Park Eun-joong. Park also took home the UNESCO Creative City of Music Special Prize decided by audience votes. Tongyeong was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Music in 2015. The third prize went to South Korean violinist

PerformanceNov. 10, 2024

[Herald Review] ‘Hear Me: Our Summer’: the power of speaking through the eyes

Watching “Hear Me: Our Summer,” Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo’s latest romance that opened in theaters Wednesday, one may have noticed how the movie lacks three elements typical of romance movies: a villain who sabotages the main characters, a protagonist’s dramatic, near-death experience and, most surprisingly, the pouring out of emotion in heartfelt spoken lines. In director Jo Sun-ho’s coming-of-age romance flick, “Hear Me: Our Summer,” most of the thre

FilmNov. 10, 2024

US scholar calls Japan stance on Dokdo ‘inexcusably hypocritical’

Japan’s position on Dokdo, Korea’s easternmost islets in the East Sea that Japan claims as its own, is “inexcusably hypocritical,” according to a US academic. “Japan doesn’t want that territorial dispute (Dokdo) to go to the International Court of Justice because then China would have moral leverage,” said Walter Hatch, an emeritus professor of government at Colby College in Maine, referring to the Japan-controlled islands in the East China Sea disputed

CultureNov. 10, 2024

Fresh perspectives take top prizes at Korea Picture Book Award

Picture books with contemporary messages and vibrant, imaginative illustrations were recognized on Monday at the second annual Korea Picture Book Award, co-hosted by the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Culture Ministry. In the fiction category, the grand prize went to "How to Be a True Friend" by Park Hyun-min, a dark comedy set in the snowy Himalayas that follows a mythical yeti. The story explores the coexistence of humans and nature, delivering a satirical tak

BooksNov. 9, 2024

Renowned overseas musicians to make much-waited Korean debuts

In November, the Seoul Arts Center and Bucheon Arts Center are set to stage the much-anticipated debuts of overseas artists. The Seoul Arts Center, the country's leading cultural complex, will present the "2024 SAC Baroque Music Series: Theo Othime Langlois de Swarte & Justin Taylor Duo Concert" on Nov. 16, at the IBK Chamber Hall. This performance marks the highly anticipated Korean debut of two rising stars in the Baroque music world: violinist Theo Othime Langlois de Swar

CultureNov. 9, 2024

[What to Watch] Three classic Korean fall films you should watch this month

As the leaves start to turn red and yellow and a chill hits the air, it is about time to curl up with a cozy blanket, a warm beverage and a classic novel, or better yet, a classic autumn film. While early fall may have been more focused on spooky movies, November is the perfect time to enjoy iconic films featuring first loves, farewells and fateful desires. The Korea Herald has picked three must-watch, classic fall films for you to try this month. “Il Mare” (2000) Directed by Le

FilmNov. 9, 2024

OD Company's musical 'The Great Gatsby' to hit West End

The musical “The Great Gatsby” is set to premiere in London’s West End next year, following its Broadway run. To mark the first anniversary of its Broadway debut, the show will begin preview performances at the London Coliseum on April 11, 2025, with an official opening on April 24, according to OD Company, the production behind “The Great Gatsby.” The production will run as a limited engagement until Sept. 7. Shin Chun-soo, CEO of OD Company, who is the driving for

CultureNov. 8, 2024

Korea Artist Prize becomes must-see exhibition at MMCA after renewal

Once shunned by art enthusiasts for its quality, the National Museum of Contemporary Art's annual Korea Artist Prize exhibition is now drawing noticeably bigger audiences this year as it honors four promising artists. Acknowledging the criticism the 12-year-old prize had received for its low recognition and exhibition quality, the museum decided to overhaul the process starting last year. The renewed show now includes major works from each artist’s earlier career along with new commi

Arts & DesignNov. 8, 2024

Dua Lipa pop-up store to open in Seoul

Global pop star Dua Lipa is launching special merchandise pop-up stores for fans as part of promotions for her ongoing world tour "Radical Optimism" -- including one in Seoul. The pop-up store will offer exclusive tour merchandise that won't be available at the concert venues, and American Express cardholders will receive exclusive entry and perks. Additionally, limited-edition Puma Speedcat shoes will be available for purchase at the stores in Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo. The Seo

PerformanceNov. 8, 2024

[Well-curated] Treats for esports fans, galleries and gingko trees at Samcheong-dong

Explore 2024 League of Legends champion's merch shop For those who are still excited about South Korea’s League of Legends team T1’s victory at the 2024 LoL World Championship Finals last week, a visit to T1 HQ Shop may swell their pride even further and give them the chance to dwell a bit longer on the miraculous story that the team has written. Located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, on the first floor of T1's headquarters -- where the T1 esports players are -- T1 HQ Shop is

CultureNov. 8, 2024