Most Popular
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Korean labor force to shrink by 10 million by 2044: report
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[AtoZ Korean Mind] Does your job define who you are? Should it?
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Allegations surrounding BTS resurface, enraged fans demand apology
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Students with history of violence will be barred from becoming teachers
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Top prosecutor pledges 'speedy, strict' probe into first lady's luxury bag allegations
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Medical feud leaves hospitals in financial crisis
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Samsung mocks Apple over iPhone alarm glitch
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'Queen of Tears' riding high on Netflix chart
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Chip up cycle won’t stay long: SK chief
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Speaker floats dual citizenship as solution to falling births
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[Herald Interview] ‘Creative industries spur cycle of innovation’
The National Theatre of Great Britain in London -- one of the United Kingdom’s most prominent, publicly funded performing arts venues -- is a seedbed of artistic expression and commercial innovation producing world-class plays.Established in 1963 as the National Theatre Company, the organization has thrust Britain’s cultural prowess onto the world stage with imaginative interpretation of classical and contemporary performances. Some of its finest productions have been played in London’s West End
June 22, 2017
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Up-close with rare animals at cafes in Seoul
In recent years, a host of cafes with furry creatures rarely seen in the city have popped up around Seoul. Most of the cafes are owned by enthusiasts who began raising the animals at home as pets, but decided to open a shop when their numbers got out of hand. Dozens of local visitors and foreign tourists were spotted in such cafes, concentrated in the Hongdae area, on a Tuesday afternoon. Some cuddled the animals, while others observed with curiosity. There were also those who just sat and sipp
June 22, 2017
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Culture Minister promises film industry ‘no more blacklist’
Do Jong-hwan, the newly appointed minister of culture, sports and tourism, was to meet with figures from the independent and art film circles Wednesday evening to pledge more support. The move was intended to bring some form of consolation to those ailed by the previous Park Geun-hye administration’s blacklist of cultural figures thought by the authorities to be anti-government.“Independent and art films are the foundation of the movie industry, and carry out a very important role in people enjo
June 21, 2017
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Musicals that focus on identity fill summer musical calendar
Popular musicals are returning this year, treating fans to locally produced shows ranging from a home-borne story of Korea to a legend about a supposed female super-spy.“Mata Hari” is already being staged at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Continuing on until Aug. 6, the production is based on the true story of the Dutch dancer who was accused of being a double agent and a spy during the World War II and was executed. A promotional image for “Mata Hari” shows Ock Ju-hyun
June 20, 2017
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Over 70% of Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs
More than 7 out of 10 South Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs as consumers increasingly turn to smartphones and computers, a poll showed Sunday.The Korea Creative Content Agency released the results of its 2016 survey of 1,200 Koreans aged between 10 and 59 on their music listening habits, which allowed multiple responses.According to the survey, included in the "2016 Music Industry White Paper," 91 percent of the people listen to music on their smartphones, followed by television (78.8 p
June 18, 2017
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Shoes for Hope project connects Korean and Sri Lankan youth
Hundreds gathered in Gwanghwamun Square earlier this week to paint sneakers with colorful messages of hope in an effort to connect with Sri Lankan youth. The “Shoes for Hope” initiative is a worldwide sharing project, where shoes are painted with messages of peace and love in one country and distributed to people elsewhere who may not otherwise have the ability to purchase them. Shoes on display included ones designed by President Moon Jae-in and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon (MIZY: Seoul Youth Ce
June 16, 2017
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[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea
Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korean,
June 16, 2017
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‘No look pass’ and Korea’s culture of excessive protocols
Korea’s culture of upholding meticulous protocol has come into the spotlight since a video featuring a Korean lawmaker’s “authoritarian no-look pass” went viral last month. In the clip, Rep. Kim Moo-sung is seen nonchalantly passing his suitcase to an assistant waiting at the airport arrival gate, without even looking to see where the bag will roll. The assistant receives the suitcase and hurriedly removes himself from the camera frame.(Yonhap)The internet buzzed with criticism of Kim, noting hi
June 15, 2017
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Blacklisted artists banned from state support in over 440 cases: state auditors
South Korea's state audit agency demanded disciplinary actions against 28 officials from the government and public organizations on Tuesday for irregularities related to the so-called artists blacklist under the ousted President Park Geun-hye. The Board of Audit and Inspection confirmed more than 440 cases in which the blacklisted artists and other figures were denied state support or other opportunities under the direction of the presidential secretariat.The BAI announced the results of its mon
June 13, 2017
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‘Chicago’ brings vanity, crime and cynicism to Seoul
The musical ”Chicago“ needs no introduction: from being the second-longest running show in Broadway history after “Phantom of the Opera,” to its six Tony Awards with its 1996 revival. The song and style feels as modern now as it did upon its unveiling, with its clever cynicism and winks at the audience standing out today as it did in 1975.The US production of the musical -- running in Seoul until July 23 -- seeks to capture the magic of the original show through Broadway casting and staff. Hoste
June 13, 2017
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[Seoul Saunter] Art brings life into historic Ihwa Mural Village
Perched at the top of Naksan is an old hillside community filled with steep stairways and narrow backstreets that are reminiscent of 1980s Korea. Known as Ihwa Mural Village, the mountainside village offers visitors fresh air, expansive views of the city, and most importantly, an array of colorful paintings and sculptures that are hidden behind every corner. The mural village, which is a 10-minute uphill walk from the bustling student district of Daehangno, has become one of the most frequented
June 12, 2017
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Korean pianist wins top prize at Van Cliburn competition
Sunwoo Yekwon has won the top prize at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, marking the first time a South Korean pianist has won at the prestigious event.Sunwoo, a 28-year-old graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, was announced the gold medalist at the quadrennial event held at Fort Worth, Texas, from May 25 to June 10. He played a competition repertoire that included the Dvorak Piano Quintet in A Major, op. 81 and Rachmanioff Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30 to cap
June 11, 2017
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[EYE PLUS] Rediscovering inner self
In pitch-black darkness before dawn, a group of foreigners walk up the stone steps of Daewoongjeon, the main hall of Geumsunsa Buddhist temple. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)With shoes left at the door, they kneel on pillows and clasp hands. At the sound of a gong, they bow their foreheads to the floor, stand upright and then bow again. Only the crickets outside provide a dawn soundtrack. With that, another day at a Korean temple stay has begun. (Photographed by Park Hyun-koo)Here at Geumsunsa,
June 9, 2017
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Cho Na-yon to join SICAF with ‘Susurrus’
US-based Korean animator Cho Na-yon’s “Susurrus” has been selected for the upcoming 21st Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival slated for July 26-30. “Susurrus” was the 23-year-old artist’s thesis work for her bachelor’s degree in film and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design where she graduated with honors. Cho Na-yonThe film, which is less than five minutes in length, is one of Cho’s most representative works. “I once came across a dead man lying in his own pool of bloo
June 8, 2017
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Contemporary plays examine Korean diaspora
Five plays written by playwrights of Korean descent will be staged at the National Theater Company of Korea in June and July, contemplating on the identity, family and other issues related to Korean diaspora.Korean Diaspora Session, which opened last Thursday and will continue until July 23, sets the focus on those who often feel alienated.“We were curious as to how the Korean diaspora is retaining their identity as Koreans, or how they are relinquishing it, and how they are changing. I felt tha
June 4, 2017
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[Weekender] Beat the heat, get sporty indoors
About a century ago, a Canadian-American teacher was struggling to find a sport his students could play during the harsh New England winter. He decided to take the activity indoors, introducing to the world what came to be known as “basketball.”In the spirit of James Naismith, a growing number of people across the world are enjoying sports that can be done within the comfort and shelter of an indoor space. Traditionally outdoor sports are now being carried out inside as well. In Korea, one of th
June 2, 2017
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‘Romeo and Juliet’ retold with wit, humor and dance
The moment Mercutio makes an appearance as a drag queen, you know you are in for a different kind of treat. Director Oh Tae-suk’s interpretation of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” takes on a completely new form; one of Korean traditional madanggeuk (outdoor play and performance) that combines humor and almost musical-like dance performances.Promotion images for “Romeo and Juliet” (National Theater Company of Korea)Staged to the sound of gugak -- traditional Korean music -- the scene ope
May 30, 2017
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Relishing a piece of Central Asia in heart of Seoul
Behind the bustling Dongdaemun shopping district in Seoul lie streets teeming with life, a remote replica of the Silk Road in the modern and dynamic Korea. The streets are collectively called the Central Asian street, or the Mongolian street, or the Russian street, depending on whom one asks. Their equivocal names speak of the disparate identities that have left their traces, as well as the diverse industries that throng there.Underneath Cyrillic signboards, people tinker with tools of their tra
May 29, 2017
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Hollywood raids bookshelves in search of good stories
CANNES, France (AFP) -- Hollywood has always adapted the classics but film and television's voracious appetite for new material now has film-makers raiding the bookshelves like never before.Six of the movies in the running for the Cannes film festival's Palme d'Or top prize -- which will be awarded Sunday -- are taken from books.Sofia Coppola drew from Thomas Cullinan's classic Southern Gothic novel for "The Beguiled" starring Colin Farrell as a handsome Union officer who stokes sexual tension a
May 27, 2017
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[Eye Plus] Party for the family
Pets have become an important part of our lives, welcoming us when we return home and showering us with affection at all times, happy or sad. To return the unfaltering love, many people turn to lavish things, buying high-end pet food, cool toys and equipment for their pets. But pets do not want material things. They need your time.A new campaign where owners can spend quality time with their pets is gaining traction in South Korea -- the D.Pet Party organized by D.Media & Company and sponsored
May 26, 2017