[Herald Interview] 'AI success hinges on local nuances and governance, not just silicon'

The evolution of generative AI must equally weigh up technological, ethical and regulatory complexities, said Richard Yonck, an American futurist with over 25 years of experience in computer systems and program analysis. Yonck expressed concerns over the mounting global enthusiasm for AI while sharing insights on the challenges of cultivating a localized AI ecosystem in South Korea in a recent interview with The Korea Herald. "The pressure to yield immediate results is tangible, especially

TechnologySept. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] Cravity says 'follow your gravity' in 'Sun Seeker'

Through its new album, "Sun Seeker," boy band Cravity tells its fans to follow their sun and go toward where their hearts gravitate. Ahead of the new album release on Monday, the nine-piece group on Thursday held a joint press interview with local media in Seoul and introduced the new album. According to the members, it continues the story they had rolled out through its previous album, "Master: Piece," released in March. "With the last album, we asked our listeners, �

K-popSept. 11, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Korea's 5G leadership to continue with 6G'

South Korea will likely become a leader in promising technology sectors, including the sixth-generation telecommunications network and artificial intelligence, say executives of UK-based mobile industry nonprofit, the GSM Association, or GSMA, the organizer of the Mobile 360 series, citing Korea‘s track record as a leader in digital innovation. “When I first came here for the 5G leaders event, the ICT minister (of Korea) said it was Korea’s ambition to export 5G. I expect the s

TechnologySept. 8, 2023

[Herald Interview] From his fingertips, composer and conductor Choi Jae-hyuck brings music to life

Choi Jae-hyuck, winner of the first prize in composition at the Geneva International Music Competition in 2017, is set to unveil his first organ concerto next month. Choi has been working on the piece since 2020 when he first came up with the idea to create an organ piece, after feeling captivated by the instrument. "I spent one year redoing the first page several times. After that it got easier," Choi told reporters during an interview on Tuesday. Part of the challenge stems from the

CultureSept. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Magical goblin twins set out on whimsical adventure

In Seoul, a 601-year-old goblin twin finds itself embarking on an unexpected Halloween adventure in New York City. The enchanting tale is brought to life in the children’s book “Goblin Twins,” written by Frances Cha and illustrated by the New York Times bestseller Jaime Kim. The book just hit the shelves Tuesday, and is published worldwide in English by Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Best known for her critically acclaimed debu

BooksSept. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Frieze CEO sees permeating local cultural scene as key to fair's success

As the date for the second edition of Frieze Seoul approached, museums and galleries in Seoul unveiled their plans to ensure the fair becomes the highlight of the year. At the same time, galleries and global auctioneers are exploring opportunities to establish permanent spaces within the city. “I was absolutely overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that everybody in Seoul has for Frieze Seoul, and of course for Kiaf Seoul, by the number of events that are happening around the city. It is not somet

PeopleSept. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] 'Making harmony is the same' both for Korean and Western classsical music: Year Ja-kyung

South Korean conductor Year Ja-kyung recently ventured into a new sphere of music when she took the baton for the National Orchestra of Korea, a musical ensemble that specializes in traditional Korean music, on Sept. 1. Year was the inaugural artist in NOK's "Discovery," a series that delves into traditional Korean orchestral masterpieces from the perspective of accomplished conductors who have built their own unique musical worlds. "I realized gugak has become something quit

PerformanceSept. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Chronicling KMA graduates' war in Vietnam: 'From Hill 92 to Nui Hon Ba'

The Vietnam War officially ended on April 30, 1975. From September 1964, when the South Korean government began to deploy its troops to Vietnam, to March 1973, when it completely withdrew them, the Korean Army fought alongside the US military and allied forces for over eight and a half years. Many young Koreans lost their lives. The same was true for officers who graduated from the Korea Military Academy. Their turbulent wartime experiences have been chronicled in English by Chung Youn-son, a re

BooksSept. 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] Queen of performance Lee Chaeyeon says dance is what defines her

K-pop performance queen Lee Chaeyeon wanted to show her true self in her first single album, “The Move: Street,” which will be released Wednesday. “After the success of my previous single, ‘Knock,’ I contemplated what to present next. I figured the public would love me the most if I showed my true self. In that sense, I put more emphasis on 'dance.' The message of the title track, 'Let’s Dance' is to enjoy the moment by dancing freely with

K-popSept. 6, 2023

[Herald Interview] Siemens ready to accelerate Korea's digitalization

Siemens Korea, the Korean unit of German industrial giant Siemens, has supported accelerating its domestic partners’ digital transformation a step further to create innovations for various industrial sectors here that are sustainable. With companies undergoing digital transformation globally and capitalizing on the opportunities, Korea, as a global manufacturing powerhouse, still needs to play catch-up, according to Siemens Korea’s vice president. “We have the world's best

TechnologySept. 5, 2023

[Herald Interview] Mercedes-Benz strives to be iconic

MUNICH -- For over 100 years, Mercedes-Benz has looked to embody luxury in its vehicles, and the German automaker has lived up to expectations, seeing its iconic logo become one of the most beloved symbols across the world Through the unveiling of the new Concept CLA Class -- an electric vehicle complete with extraordinary technologies and a remarkable design -- at the IAA Mobility in Munich, Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener says the brand is now looking to personify youth. &ldq

MobilitySept. 5, 2023

[Herald Interview] Mercedes-Benz focused on enhancing EV technologies

MUNICH -- Mercedes-Benz introduced the new CLA Concept Class for the first time in the world ahead of IAA Mobility, which is taking place in Munich from Tuesday. According to the German carmaker, the new concept vehicle has a driving range of over 750 kilometers per charge, which it claims to be the longest distance in the same segment based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. Markus Schafer, chief technology officer of Mercedes-Benz, says the company has been focusing on d

MobilitySept. 5, 2023

[Herald Interview] Kang Ki-young feels his acting career has entered new chapter

Many drama fans were closely watching Kang Ki-young -- especially what his next work would be -- after he made a name for himself and won countless drama fans’ hearts in the hit legal drama, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” (2022). Some people thought Kang would have a hard time choosing his next project, but the 39-year-old actor said it wasn't difficult. “‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ was certainly a turning point in my 14-year acting career. I always had a

TelevisionSept. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] Young K of Day6 hopes to be an artist that people look forward to hearing more from

Singer-songwriter Young K hopes people to look forward to what he does next. “I love when people compliment me as a promising artist, or an artist to look forward to, because I wouldn’t be able to continuously present new songs without these people that wait for me,” Young K told The Korea Herald. Young K, who is also a member of K-pop boy band Day6, returned to the music scene with his first full-length solo album “Letters With Notes” on Monday, after a 2-year hiat

K-popSept. 4, 2023

[Herald Interview] Baekho starts digital single project with 'Elevator' remake

Baekho on Thursday unveiled a new single, "Elevator," marking the start to a new musical journey. “Elevator” is a remake of the eponymous 1995 hit by singer-producer J.Y. Park. With its risque lyrics singing about making love in the elevator and spicy performances with female dancers onstage, the song became an instant sensation back in its day. In opening up a new chapter of his career, Baekho picked this song same in age with him. "The feeling I had when I first hear

K-popAug. 31, 2023

[Herald Interview] Kang Full says popularity of ‘Moving’ still feels unreal

While the superhero action series “Moving” has made history by becoming the most watched Korean original series on Disney+ and Hulu, topping TV series charts in various countries, including Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian nations, screenwriter Kang Full confessed that the series' success doesn't yet feel real. Instead of relishing in the show's positive reviews, Kang said he spends more time worrying about viewers' reactions after new episodes ar

TelevisionAug. 29, 2023

[Herald Interview] Musical actor Cha Ji-yeon hopes to tell her story in first solo concert

Korean actor Cha Ji-yeon made her debut on the musical stage in 2006 as Rafiki, the wise monkey and advisor to the king, in “The Lion King." She was working as an office worker when she got the role after years of discouraging auditions and falling victim to scams in her attempt to rekindle her passion for music and performance. As a child, she had performed alongside her maternal grandfather and uncle, both esteemed masters of "pansori gosu," the skilled drummers who perfor

CultureAug. 28, 2023

[Herald Interview] Proud Korean Peggy Gou aims to make 'timeless' music

Peggy Gou is a superstar DJ doing tours around the world year-round. Her shows are always sold out across mostly European cities. Gou’s latest single “(It goes like) Nanana” has been on the UK top 10 singles chart for 10 straight weeks, and topped the charts in the Netherlands and Belgium over the summer. Although she may not be as widely known as BTS in her home country, Gou is a proud South Korean, born and bred in Incheon. “When people see other Asian performers and as

PeopleAug. 27, 2023

[Herald Interview] Go Youn-jung finds familiarity in playing Hui-soo

It can take a lot of analysis and effort for an actor to transform into a character. But for rising star Go Youn-jung, playing Hui-soo -- a high school girl with a superhuman healing ability in Disney+’s latest action fantasy series “Moving" -- came naturally. She was auditioning for "Moving" not for a particular role, but when she read Hui-soo’s lines, she felt comfortable. “Playing a character or reading lines without knowing the background story is alway

TelevisionAug. 26, 2023

[Herald Interview] Lee Sun-kyun credits director Jason Yu of ‘Sleep’ for allowing him to just focus on acting

Prolific actor Lee Sun-kyun said the experience of working with rookie director Jason Yu on the soon-to-release “Sleep” gave him the opportunity to just focus on acting, with no need to concern himself with unnecessary things. “After a long interval, ‘Sleep’ was a project that allowed me to just focus on acting, liberated from concerns about characters or being sidetracked by other things like changes in the plot (thanks to the director’s preparedness),”

FilmAug. 24, 2023