Interview: ‘Concerned Others’ sheds light on addiction's silent fallout

South Korea is no longer the drug-free society many believe it to be. In 2023, the number of drug-related offenses surpassed 27,000, the highest on record, with a staggering rise among teens and young adults. Korean National Police Agency data for 2018-2023 showed that over 1,400 teens were investigated for drug offenses — more than triple the number from the previous year. Additionally, a recent report from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on Thursday showed that methamphetamine has been de

June 13, 2025

What comes next for Hallyu? New book investigates its future

From BTS and "Squid Game" to the Oscar-winning "Parasite" and the recent Tony-winning musical "Maybe Happy Ending," Korean cultural content continues to capture global attention. Now, experts are asking: What comes next? A new book by Ko Sam-seog, a leading expert in Korean content and IT policy, explores this very question: Can the Korean Wave, or Hallyu, sustain its momentum in an era defined by transformative technologies such as generative AI? And beyond sustainability, what role can Korean

June 13, 2025

'No tickets left': Seoul Int'l Book Fair sells out before opening

All available tickets for the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair, set to kick off next week, completely sold out during the early-bird ticketing period, leaving no option for on-site purchase, according to its organizer, the Korean Publishers Association, on Thursday. The early-bird tickets, offered at a discount, were part of an initiative to encourage reader participation and advance reservations. But overwhelming demand during the presale period means that most walk-in visitors to the fair wi

June 13, 2025

Summer is for chill bingsu, rooftop pork belly and a cool bookstore stop

Here's your guide to a fun weekend from culture desk reporters at The Korea Herald. We're midway through June, with the hottest time of the year just around the corner. While air conditioning can be a real blessing in the summer heat, making your taste buds tingle with a cold treat is a deliciously chill way to keep cool in the hot weather. Myosa Seoul, located near Seoul Forest in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, serves bingsu, a summertime staple of shaved ice that comes in a variety of styles, one featur

June 13, 2025

Interview: Dancing Mongryong, Russian dancer steps into Korea's most romantic role in 'Chunhyang'

In ballet, there is Prince Siegfried in “Swan Lake,” Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and, in Universal Ballet’s repertoire, there is Mongryong in “The Love of Chunhyang.” This weekend, Russian-born ballerino Igor Kontarev will step into one of Korea’s most beloved folkloric roles, as the company brings its signature reinterpretation of the classic tale. The production returns to the stage for the first time in three years, with the soloist making history as only the fourth foreign dancer to take on

June 12, 2025

Yes24 down for third day, as ransomware attack disrupts major ticketing, book retail platform

Yes24, the country’s largest online book retailer and a major ticketing platform, remained inaccessible for a third consecutive day Wednesday, following what the company confirmed was a ransomware attack. The outage, which began in the early hours of Monday, brought down all of Yes24’s services, including book searches and orders, e-book access, digital library functions, community forums, and concert and performance ticketing. The homepage displayed an apology: “We sincerely apologize to all us

June 11, 2025

Interview: Romance and solidarity in one, a perfect gateway to changgeuk

“The Merchants of Venice,” the changgeuk adaptation of Shakespeare’s famed comedy, returns to the stage two years after its 2023 premiere with renewed focus and deeper camaraderie among its cast. For actors Min Eun-kyung and Kim Soo-in, this reprise has brought more rigorous rehearsals and a deeper sense of artistic collaboration. Min plays Portia, the witty and wise heiress in Belmont. Her commanding vocals and expressive phrasing add rich dimension to a character who is at once a romantic hero

June 9, 2025

The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet head to Seoul for July galas

Two of Europe’s most storied ballet companies — The Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet — are set to take to the stage in Seoul next month, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to witness their grandeur, tradition and artistic evolution through back-to-back galas. From July 4 to 6, The Royal Ballet returns to Korea for the first time in two decades, performing "The First Gala in Seoul" at the LG Arts Center in Magok-dong, western Seoul. The company’s much-anticipated visit features ei

June 8, 2025

Different layers of motifs, puzzles bring stylish take on 65-year-old female killer

"The Old Woman with the Knife" by Gu Byeong-mo follows a female assassin nearing the end of her career — a striking and compelling premise that has proven irresistible for adaptation. The hardboiled Korean action-thriller novel, originally published in 2018, was reimagined as a musical last year and its film adaptation premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. It follows the story of Hornclaw (played by Lee Hye-young), a 65-year-old assassin whose age is beginning to catch up wit

June 7, 2025

Interview: Korean adaptation of 'Carthage' draws steady support for universal themes

For British playwright Chris Thompson, “Carthage” holds a special place in his heart. It was his debut work, the first of his plays to be adapted into another language and an honest response to his 12 years of service as a social worker in London. Now, the third Korean-language production of "Carthage," staged by theater company Secret Base under the direction of Shin Ji-ho, is enjoying yet another sold-out run. In Korea for the first time to see a performance, Thompson described the experience

June 3, 2025