Free temple admissions require more government funding: Jogye Order

South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said that the government should provide financial support in order for the group to implement free admissions to Buddhist temples, backtracking on its earlier commitment to free admissions made at the New Year’s press conference in January. "If the authorities do not comply with our demands, it (the fee) may not be abolished," Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order, said Friday at a press conferenc

April 16, 2023

[Herald Interview] The 'Mamma Mia!' journey after 20 years in Korea

When the "Mamma Mia!" musical's associate producer, Paul Garrington, and associate choreographer Leah-Sue Morland first came to Korea, it did not occur to them that the trip would foster a connection that would last more than 20 years. Garrington vividly remembers his first visit to Korea in 2002, when his company was putting on a production in Japan. They were still exploring possible production opportunities in Korea, where the musical industry was in a very early stage. Garri

April 15, 2023

Pianist Lim yun-chan US tour canceled due to health

Pianist Lim Yun-chan's US concerts scheduled for this month have been canceled due to the artist's health issue, according to management company Moc Production on Friday. "We regret to inform you that the US tour schedule for the Cliburn Winners Concert, which was supposed to begin in Scottsdale, (Arizona,) USA from next week, has been canceled due to the performer's circumstances," the production said. Lim has been diagnosed with an ear infection caused by a cold, and i

April 14, 2023

[Photo News] Nighttime palace tour

Traditional Korean musicians perform at Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul on Thursday. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to offer spring nighttime tours of the royal palace between Wednesdays and Sundays, from April 15 to May 13. Visitors carrying lanterns take a tour of Gyeongbokgung in central Seoul on Thursday. The Cultural Heritage Administration plans to offer spring nighttime tours of the royal palace between Wednesdays and Sundays, from April 15 to May 13. Visitors carrying la

April 14, 2023

[Well-curated] Pop-up restaurant, museum and local brews

Reservation to begin for Louis Vuitton pop-up restaurant Reservation begin Monday at 6 p.m. via dining reservation app CatchTable for Louis Vuitton’s pop-up restaurant in Seoul that opens in May, a collaboration with a double Michelin starred restaurant in London called Ikoyi. Customers can enjoy daily multicourse menus for lunch, dinner and tea. When Louis Vuitton opened two pop-up restaurants in Seoul at the same venue in May and September last year, bookings filled in less than five min

April 14, 2023

[Scholars and their spaces] Reading, a way of soothing wounded hearts

“When sadness strikes me, I look around, but I am still at a loss. I just want to dig myself into the ground, no longer having the desire to live. My broken heart will steady if, fortunately, I have a book in my hand.” Yi Deok-mu (1741-1793), a Silhak scholar and poet of the late Joseon era (1392-1910), is said to have read almost 20,000 books in his lifetime. He had a nickname -- "ganseochi," meaning "a fool who only reads books." He said he was able to forget hu

April 14, 2023

[Herald Interview] Mephisto is an irresistible role for versatile actor Park Hae-soo

South Korean actor Park Hae-soo emerged as an international star with his unforgettable performances in "The Squid Game" in 2021 and "The Accidental Narcos" last year. Park is a familiar face on TV now but he’s currently taking the stage at LG Art Center every night in front of some 1,300 people in the audience as Mephisto, the devil, in “Faust.” Park said the role of Mephisto was too tempting an opportunity to pass up and so he returned to the stage for the

April 12, 2023

Culture Ministry plan emphasizes Hangeul, traditional culture

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday unveiled its second five-year plan, which emphasizes Korean language and traditional culture. The announcement of the plan, which follows the first plan, which ended in 2019, had been postponed as the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The new plan includes support for business activities related to traditional culture and Hangeul. To this end, the ministry will conduct research on traditional materials including Hanji, or traditional mulberry

April 12, 2023

Joseon pavilion burned to the ground in Gangneung wildfire

A wildfire in Gangneung that has raged for more than eight hours Tuesday damaged a number of important cultural heritage sites in the eastern coastal city. Sangyeongjeong, a Joseon-era pavilion located by the scenic Gyeongpoho Lake, was burned to the ground while another Joseon-era pavilion, Banghaejeong, built in 1859 by Yi Bong-gu, a retired official, was partially burned. Parts of Inwolsa Temple, located near the two pavilions, were also damaged in the fire. Meanwhile, seven old signboards

April 11, 2023

Black Hawk Village, an American town in the middle of Seoul

On a recent Tuesday morning, a sense of calm pervaded Black Hawk Village, a remnant of the Yongsan Garrison, the old headquarters of the US Forces Korea. Once home to American soldiers and their families, the village of 18 buildings is a relic from a time when the foreign military had its headquarters right in the heart of Seoul. For Hwang, a bride-to-be in her 20s, however, it is the perfect backdrop for her pre-wedding photo shoot. “The hues of the brownish-red buildings, green lawns and

April 11, 2023

World's oldest movable metal print book 'Jikji' to be shown in Paris

"Jikji," acknowledged by UNESCO as the world's oldest book printed in movable metal type, will be presented to the public for the first time in 50 years at a major exhibition in France. The book will be on display at the National Library of France from Wednesday until July 16, at an exhibition that focuses on the history of printing technology. "Jikji" is the shortened title of "Jikjisimcheyojeol," a text written by Baegun Gyeonghan, a Buddhist monk, in 1372.

April 11, 2023

As visitors wane, culture ministry aims to turn Cheong Wa Dae into 'dynamic space'

The former presidential office Cheong Wa Dae will be a more "dynamic place" in the hands of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the ministry announced on Monday. To promote Cheong Wa Dae as a cultural attraction, the ministry will prepare new exhibitions, performances and exploration programs related to four key areas -- presidential history, culture and arts, cultural heritage and trees -- to offer a unique and interesting experience for visitors, a ministry official said Mon

April 10, 2023

[Well-curated] Museum SAN, Tongyeong classical music fest and churros tried and tested

Japanese architect Tadao Ando's work at Museum SAN Museum SAN, designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is nestled in the mountains of Wonju, Gangwon Province and much appreciated for its striking building and beautiful surroundings. In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the museum has opened a solo exhibition on the architect titled, “Tadao Ando – Youth,” the architect’s first show at the museum, shedding light on his artistic career since the 1970s.

April 7, 2023

‘Moonlight Tour’ at Changdeokgung to resume with foreign language guide

The first part of Changdeokgung's biannual “Moonlight Tour” program will kick off on April 13. Foreign language guided tours will also resume after a three-year hiatus. The “Moonlight Tour” at Changdeokgung is a nighttime program where visitors can enjoy an evening stroll around the royal palace holding “cheongsachorong,” or a traditional lantern to light the way. Changdeokgung was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The guided tour is organi

April 6, 2023

tvN celebrates Earth Day with ‘Photography Class in Jeju’

Cable channel tvN is set to air “Photography Class in Jeju,” a special wildlife documentary that will highlight the nature of Jeju, later this month. Featuring actor Ryu Jun-yeol, who have been an activist with the environmental group Greenpeace, “Photography Class in Jeju” revolves around Ryu’s journey as a nature photographer with six other high school students living on Jeju Island. The smartphone-filmed, 50-minute documentary presents Ryu and the rookie photogra

April 4, 2023

National Hangeul Museum embarks on European tour

Amid enhanced global interest in the Korean language, along with the increasing number of avid Hangeul learners, the National Hangeul Museum is hosting a series of special exhibitions across Poland, Germany and Austria this year. After an exhibition in Hungary last year, the museum announced Tuesday its Polish chapter of the tour, "Hangeul Design Project," working in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Warsaw, Poland. The exhibition will open from Wednesday to May 31 at

April 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] S. Korea’s creative content looks to international market from get go

The Netflix original drama series "Squid Game" was the spark which changed everything. While Jo Hyun-rae, president of the Korea Creative Content Agency, was confident about the power of Korean pop culture and recognized its potential when the KBS drama series "Winter Sonata" and its lead actor Bae Yong-joon achieved popularity in Asian markets outside of Korea in 2002, it was not too long ago that he began to feel Korea could play a more active role in the highly competitive

April 2, 2023

NMK to host outdoor music performances

The National Museum of Korea in Seoul's Yongsan-gu is hosting a series of live music performances from April to October. Titled "The Cultural Feast of the Museum," the series will showcase a variety of music genres including gugak, classical music, jazz and martial music for free at the museum's performance venues, the Open Plaza and Eutteum Hall. Launched in 2014, this year’s series will feature a total of 16 performances. At the Open Plaza at 3 p.m. on April 8, well-k

March 31, 2023

[Well-curated] Enjoy cherry blossoms and veggie food; watch Korean stew series at home

Cherry blossoms at Jamsil Cherry blossoms are in full bloom earlier than usual to welcome spring. This weekend is the perfect time of the year to enjoy cherry blossoms with your beloved ones across the country. One of the most popular spots is Seokchon Lake in Jamsil, southeastern Seoul, which was once shut down during the pandemic. The lake is surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms during the springtime, visited by people strolling around the 2.5-kilometer road round the lake with their belove

March 31, 2023

More green, less distractions

"When the world wearies and society fails to satisfy, there is always the garden." A quote from Minnie Aumonier, a 19th-century poet, still seems valid today, as can be seen at the Suncheon International Garden Expo, which opens Friday evening. With the pandemic finally nearing its end, the Suncheonman International Garden Expo, which runs through Oct. 31, aims to attract 8 million visitors. Launched in 2013, the initial plan of the exposition was to preserve the Suncheon Bay wetland

March 30, 2023