'Text hip': From book covers to book tails, accessories make reading cool

Book stands and other reading accessories that hold your book in a comfortable viewing position have long been favorites for many readers. Now, trendy accessories, from the practical to the cozy and cute, are making waves among bibliophiles by making the hobby not only more enjoyable, but also aesthetically pleasing. Among the most popular "dokseotem," a portmanteau of the Korean word for reading and the English word "item," are book covers. Available in a variety of styles

CultureDec. 18, 2024

World-class opera stars including Placido Domingo, unite for 'Turandot'

World-renowned opera singers and artists are coming together to revive the grandeur of large-scale opera productions in Korea, a rarity outside dedicated opera theaters. Park Hyun-joon, artistic director of the “Again 2024 Turandot project,” aims to deliver a production that echoes the success of its predecessor two decades ago. “Bringing together world-renowned singers like this cast was almost impossible,” Park said Tuesday during a press conference held at Coex Hall D,

PerformanceDec. 17, 2024

From bags to shoes, expressing identity through decorating personal items

Personalizing everyday items with accessories has emerged as a major fashion trend. Whether it’s decorating backpacks and purses with doll keyrings and chains or adding charms to shoes, customizing items has become a new way for people to express themselves. The trend has even led to the coining of a new term, “decodentity,” a combination of the words “decoration” and “identity.” The trend began with teenagers and young adults in their 20s, who populariz

Arts & DesignDec. 17, 2024

Character actor Ra Mi-ran receives Women in Film honor

Actor Ra Mi-ran was awarded the Film Artist of the Year honor at the Women in Film Korea festival on Monday, in recognition of her achievements as one of the industry’s most versatile and reliable performers. Known for her seamless transition between comedy and drama, Ra has built a reputation for portraying characters with authenticity and depth, often stealing scenes with her nuanced performances. Ra’s rise has been anything but overnight. After years in theater, she spent nearly a

FilmDec. 17, 2024

Korea Tourism Organization pitches tech tourism

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is ramping up technology-driven initiatives to support tourism companies grappling with persistent labor shortages, a key challenge since the post-pandemic recovery began in early 2023. Kwon Jong-sool, executive director of the KTO’s company support division, said this year’s focus on funding businesses to implement food delivery robots has shown promising results. One success story is St. John’s Hotel, a 1,901-room facility in Gangneung, Ga

TravelDec. 17, 2024

Popular Korean entertainment shows return with new series

A wave of Korean entertainment show sequels is set to dominate television screens at the end of this year and early next year. JTBC’s popular entertainment show "Chef & My Fridge," one of the first programs to spotlight chefs in Korea, made a long-anticipated comeback with its first episode on Sunday. Known for its unique premise -- celebrities' actual refrigerators are brought to the studio, where chefs engage in an intense cook-off using only the ingredients inside --

TelevisionDec. 17, 2024

Looking for a Christmas present to wow a Korean friend? Avoid these

Nothing is better than celebrating the holiday season with something to unwrap and enjoy. While finding the perfect gift for that special someone may not be easy, there are some things that should be avoided when giving presents in South Korea. Sharp objects While a beautiful blade seems a sensible gift for for the home cook on your shopping list, giving knives and scissors -- basically, anything that is sharp or used for cutting -- is a no-no. Such gifts risk signaling the cutting off of the

CultureDec. 17, 2024

'Namib' marks return of Ko Hyun-jung to small screen

Ko Hyun-jung, renowned for her performances in iconic series such as "The Great Queen Seondeok" and "Sandglass," is returning to TV with the Genie TV original drama "Namib." In "Namib," Ko takes on the role of Su-hyun, a celebrity recruiter with a disabled son. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she is abruptly fired from her job and crosses paths with long-time trainee Jin-woo, played by Ryeoun. When asked what inspired him to cast Ko, director Kang Min-

TelevisionDec. 16, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Shower Thought in Purple

The solo exhibition "Lucid Dreams" by artist JinHan Lee (born 1982) is on display at Gallery Hyundai in Jongno-gu, Seoul, until Dec. 22. This exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of the artist's work over the past 15 years, reflecting both his time living in the UK and his return to Korea. Featuring paintings that navigate the realms of abstraction and figuration, the exhibition captures the artist's intimate experiences and universal emotions. Motifs such as feet, the

CultureDec. 16, 2024

In 'Dark Nuns,' Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-been face down demonic shadows

The shadow of "The Exorcist" (1973) haunts every occult film daring to tread the path of demonic possession. "The Priests 2: Dark Nuns," coming to theaters Jan. 24, takes on that specter by shifting the lens to territory rarely explored -- the world of nuns wrestling with dark forces beyond the church's sanctions. This spin-off of the 2015 Korean hit "The Priests" pivots from its predecessor by bringing two women to the fore. Where the original played like a su

FilmDec. 16, 2024

Whanki Museum reopens after 10-month renovation

The Whanki Museum in Seoul has reopened its doors with the exhibition “Kim Whanki_The Immortal Nature,” following an extensive renovation of the 33-year-old building and gallery spaces. The museum had closed in February. Located on a hill in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, the museum is dedicated to Korea’s pioneering abstract artist known for his unique dotted paintings. Born in 1913, Kim died of a stroke in 1974 at the age of 60. Kim’s painting “05-IV-71 #200 (Universe),&rd

Arts & DesignDec. 16, 2024

[Beyond the Screen] Indie films losing ground amid shifting cinema trends

Actor Lee Dong-hwi, known for his indispensable supporting roles in the mega-hit blockbusters “Extreme Job” (2019) and “The Roundup: Punishment” (2024), recently starred in the independent film “Will We Get Married?,” which opened on Oct. 23. Despite a production budget of approximately 1 billion won, Lee accepted little to no payment for his work. The film’s break-even point (BEP) of 100,000 admissions was high for an indie movie. “I’ve be

FilmDec. 16, 2024

Top musical acts vie for top honors at 9th Korea Musical Awards

Competition at the 9th Korea Musical Awards will be fierce, with musical big-names Kim Jun-su, Jo Jung-suk, Michael Lee, Yoo Jun-sang, Lim Gyu-hyung and Hong Kwang-ho eyeing the award for best male actor. The Korea Musical Theater Association unveiled the nominees for the awards, slated for January next year, during a press conference held at the Artist House in Seoul on Monday. A total of 81 musical productions were considered for the nominations. In the grand prize category are "Gloomy

CultureDec. 16, 2024

National Folk Museum marks year of snake in exhibition

The National Folk Museum of Korea will open a special exhibition on Wednesday celebrating the Year of the Snake, one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. The exhibition “The Snake with a Thousand Faces,” running through March 3, will showcase some 60 items related to the animal from Africa to North America, exploring the conflicting human nature that views snakes as both scary and sacred, according to the state-run museum. “The Wise Snake” is one of the three zones set up, l

Arts & DesignDec. 16, 2024

News viewership surges amid political turmoil, MBC ranks first as go-to news broadcaster

With all eyes on the National Assembly’s second vote to impeach President Yoon Suk following his unexpected declaration of martial law, South Korea witnessed a significant surge in news viewership ratings on Saturday. According to Nielsen Korea, "MBC News Desk," the flagship program of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, recorded the second-highest household viewership on Saturday at 11.7 percent. This figure nearly doubled the 5.9 percent it logged on Nov. 30, the Saturday before t

TelevisionDec. 15, 2024

‘May 1980 saved December 2024’: DP floor leader invokes Han Kang to persuade lawmakers

As South Korean lawmakers prepared to vote for a second time on impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol, questions posed by this year's winner of the Nobel Prize in literature, Han Kang, took center stage -- “Can the present save the past? Can the living save the dead?” During Saturday's plenary session at the National Assembly, Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, referenced Han Kang’s Dec. 7 lecture as he presented the case for impeaching Preside

CultureDec. 15, 2024

KBS orchestra to round out year with Pietari Inkinen

Pietari Inkinen, the KBS Symphony Orchestra’s ninth music director, is set to bid farewell with the last regular concerts of the year set to take place on Dec. 21 at Lotte Concert Hall and Dec. 24 at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. The Finish conductor and violinist will conclude his three-year tenure, with a program featuring Beethoven's “Choral Fantasy” and “Symphony No. 9.” Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy in C minor, Op. 80” is a unique wor

CultureDec. 15, 2024

[Latest Read] Feeling stressed? Shanna Tan translates 'healing' Korean books

SINGAPORE -- A wave of "healing" Korean literature has gained momentum this year, with a growing number of titles winning hearts and more to come just over the horizon. At the center of the wave stands Shanna Tan, the Singaporean translator who debuted with runaway bestseller "Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop" by Hwang Bo-reum, followed by bestseller after bestseller, including "Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat” by Kim Ji-yun and the latest, “Marigold Min

BooksDec. 13, 2024

Nine in 10 Koreans use streaming platforms, with YouTube dominating

Nearly nine in 10 Koreans have used over-the-top video platforms in the past year, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, Thursday. The survey revealed that 4,495 of the 5,033 survey respondents, or 89.3 percent, reported using OTT platforms in the past year. Among these platforms, YouTube had the highest rate of usage, reportedly viewed by 84.9 percent of respondents. Among subscription platforms, Netflix led the way

CultureDec. 13, 2024

Documentary film ‘First Lady’ on Kim Keon Hee draws sold-out crowds

The documentary film "First Lady," which delves into the controversies surrounding Kim Keon Hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol, is drawing sold-out crowds nationwide following its release on Thursday. According to the Korean Film Council, the film attracted 4,822 moviegoers on Thursday, ranking eighth at the box office. The film's cumulative audience count stands at 7,048, as of Friday. "First Lady," by director Ae-mong, is currently running at major theater chains

FilmDec. 13, 2024