'International Law Is No Match for Cannons': Independence activist's calligraphy returns to Korea

A calligraphic work by Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, written after Japanese authorities rejected his plea for a trial under international law, has been returned to Korea from Japan, the Korea Heritage Service said Thursday. The eight-character hanja inscription, "Manguk Gongbeop Buryeo Daepo," or "International Law Is No Match for Cannons," was unveiled at Deoksugung in Seoul ahead of National Liberation Day on Saturday. The work was recovered through a joint effort by the Korea He

2026-08-13 15:31:46:00

Why it's never too late to try something new

Perhaps the essence of life lies in refusing to settle, says actor Cha In-pyo. He would know. The 59-year-old rose to fame on television in his 20s and 30s, made his debut as a novelist in his 40s and now, on the cusp of 60, takes on his first theater role. "As we get older, trying something new makes us feel more anxious and self-conscious. But I've found that the joy you get from doing something new can be tremendous," said Cha during a group interview with reporters in Seoul Tuesday. Cha is c

2026-08-12 14:00:13:00

Korean ballet's next challenge: Moving beyond technique

Korean ballet dancers have achieved world-class technical standards, but the country's dance education should now move beyond technical mastery and place greater emphasis on artistry and individuality, ballet star Kim Ki-min said Tuesday. "Korean dancers have incredibly strong fundamentals, and I always tell my colleagues that the Korea National University of Arts offers the best dance training," Kim told reporters at a press conference marking the 30th anniversary of his alma mater's School of

2026-08-12 14:00:04:00

Who are we? Writers gather in Seoul to explore humanity in the AI age

Who are we to invent artificial intelligence, only to immediately start biting our nails over its technological proficiency? Who are we to come together and protect one another, while surrounded by conflict and violence? Those questions underpin this year's Seoul International Writers' Festival and its theme, "Who Are We?" bringing together writers from around the world to explore identity, humanity and literature. The Literature Translation Institute of Korea said Monday that this year's festiv

2026-08-11 07:22:00:00

What are the most popular searches on Korean culture?

"Valentine's Day" was the most-searched term on the Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture website between 2021 and 2025, according to the National Folk Museum of Korea's analysis of search trends during the period, released Thursday. Among the most-viewed entries were Chuseok, Korea's autumn harvest holiday, and "sambok," the three hottest days of summer in the traditional calendar. Other frequently searched topics included Hangeul Day and the anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement. Nearly

2026-08-07 17:01:59:00

Admission fees for royal palaces, Joseon tombs to rise from January 2027

Admission fees for Korea's major royal palaces, including Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung, as well as the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, will increase beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the Korea Heritage Service said. The agency announced Wednesday during its second-half policy briefing at the presidential office that it plans to unveil a new admission fee schedule in November after holding a public forum to gather opinions. Admission fees for the palaces and royal tombs have remained unchanged since the

2026-08-07 14:02:21:00

After a season at the Mariinsky, Jeon Min-chul brings new artistry home

Fresh off his debut season with Russia's prestigious Mariinsky Ballet, Jeon Min-chul returns to Korea this summer as Prince Siegfried. The ballet sensation arrives eager — and quietly determined — to show Korean audiences how he has evolved. "I'm genuinely excited about these performances," Jeon said at a press conference Thursday at the Seoul Arts Center. "I think these performances will allow me to show what I brought back from my first season at the Mariinsky. I experienced, learned and absor

2026-08-06 15:07:15:00

The summer that stayed with RM finally reaches English readers

That summer I stood in the centers of storms That summer my despair burst out into crimson but still I weathered the wind and rain These lines come from "That Summer's End," the title poem of Lee Seong-bok's celebrated poetry collection. When BTS' RM shared a photo of the book on social media in September 2022, the 1990 poetry collection found a new generation of readers at home and abroad. Nearly four years later, the work that captured the artist's attention is finally available in English.

2026-08-04 18:06:36:00

Acoustic 'Onggi Concert' offers premium Pansori experience for international audiences

The Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation is offering an intimate pansori concert series for international visitors, featuring unamplified performances in a salon-style setting designed to highlight the genre's natural acoustics. The foundation, led by its president, Bae Young-ho, is hosting the "Onggi Concert: Pansori Season" every Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. through Aug. 13 at Gwangmudae, a stage inside the Korean Traditional Performing Arts Creation Maru in Seoul. Limited to 40 a

2026-08-04 13:57:59:00

Can 'waiting' become performance? Here, you wait 3 hours for eclipse

Can waiting itself become something worth watching? The question lies at the center of "Waiting for Totality," an experimental theater work presented as part of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts' contemporary performance series Sync Next, where the act of waiting becomes the performance itself. Set in a fictional scenario in which the audience and performers gather inside a theater to wait for a total solar eclipse that will not occur for another 375 years, the three-hour production tran

2026-08-03 17:49:47:00