[Herald Review] ‘Hear Me: Our Summer’: the power of speaking through the eyes

Watching “Hear Me: Our Summer,” Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo’s latest romance that opened in theaters Wednesday, one may have noticed how the movie lacks three elements typical of romance movies: a villain who sabotages the main characters, a protagonist’s dramatic, near-death experience and, most surprisingly, the pouring out of emotion in heartfelt spoken lines. In director Jo Sun-ho’s coming-of-age romance flick, “Hear Me: Our Summer,” most of the thre

FilmNov. 10, 2024

US scholar calls Japan stance on Dokdo ‘inexcusably hypocritical’

Japan’s position on Dokdo, Korea’s easternmost islets in the East Sea that Japan claims as its own, is “inexcusably hypocritical,” according to a US academic. “Japan doesn’t want that territorial dispute (Dokdo) to go to the International Court of Justice because then China would have moral leverage,” said Walter Hatch, an emeritus professor of government at Colby College in Maine, referring to the Japan-controlled islands in the East China Sea disputed

CultureNov. 10, 2024

Fresh perspectives take top prizes at Korea Picture Book Award

Picture books with contemporary messages and vibrant, imaginative illustrations were recognized on Monday at the second annual Korea Picture Book Award, co-hosted by the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea and the Culture Ministry. In the fiction category, the grand prize went to "How to Be a True Friend" by Park Hyun-min, a dark comedy set in the snowy Himalayas that follows a mythical yeti. The story explores the coexistence of humans and nature, delivering a satirical tak

BooksNov. 9, 2024

Renowned overseas musicians to make much-waited Korean debuts

In November, the Seoul Arts Center and Bucheon Arts Center are set to stage the much-anticipated debuts of overseas artists. The Seoul Arts Center, the country's leading cultural complex, will present the "2024 SAC Baroque Music Series: Theo Othime Langlois de Swarte & Justin Taylor Duo Concert" on Nov. 16, at the IBK Chamber Hall. This performance marks the highly anticipated Korean debut of two rising stars in the Baroque music world: violinist Theo Othime Langlois de Swar

CultureNov. 9, 2024

[What to Watch] Three classic Korean fall films you should watch this month

As the leaves start to turn red and yellow and a chill hits the air, it is about time to curl up with a cozy blanket, a warm beverage and a classic novel, or better yet, a classic autumn film. While early fall may have been more focused on spooky movies, November is the perfect time to enjoy iconic films featuring first loves, farewells and fateful desires. The Korea Herald has picked three must-watch, classic fall films for you to try this month. “Il Mare” (2000) Directed by Le

FilmNov. 9, 2024

OD Company's musical 'The Great Gatsby' to hit West End

The musical “The Great Gatsby” is set to premiere in London’s West End next year, following its Broadway run. To mark the first anniversary of its Broadway debut, the show will begin preview performances at the London Coliseum on April 11, 2025, with an official opening on April 24, according to OD Company, the production behind “The Great Gatsby.” The production will run as a limited engagement until Sept. 7. Shin Chun-soo, CEO of OD Company, who is the driving for

CultureNov. 8, 2024

Korea Artist Prize becomes must-see exhibition at MMCA after renewal

Once shunned by art enthusiasts for its quality, the National Museum of Contemporary Art's annual Korea Artist Prize exhibition is now drawing noticeably bigger audiences this year as it honors four promising artists. Acknowledging the criticism the 12-year-old prize had received for its low recognition and exhibition quality, the museum decided to overhaul the process starting last year. The renewed show now includes major works from each artist’s earlier career along with new commi

Arts & DesignNov. 8, 2024

Dua Lipa pop-up store to open in Seoul

Global pop star Dua Lipa is launching special merchandise pop-up stores for fans as part of promotions for her ongoing world tour "Radical Optimism" -- including one in Seoul. The pop-up store will offer exclusive tour merchandise that won't be available at the concert venues, and American Express cardholders will receive exclusive entry and perks. Additionally, limited-edition Puma Speedcat shoes will be available for purchase at the stores in Seoul, Singapore, and Tokyo. The Seo

PerformanceNov. 8, 2024

[Well-curated] Treats for esports fans, galleries and gingko trees at Samcheong-dong

Explore 2024 League of Legends champion's merch shop For those who are still excited about South Korea’s League of Legends team T1’s victory at the 2024 LoL World Championship Finals last week, a visit to T1 HQ Shop may swell their pride even further and give them the chance to dwell a bit longer on the miraculous story that the team has written. Located in Gangnam, southern Seoul, on the first floor of T1's headquarters -- where the T1 esports players are -- T1 HQ Shop is

CultureNov. 8, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo offers child-friendly package DoubleTree by Hilton Seoul Pangyo, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, is collaborating with the makers of the hit animated series “Catch! Teenieping.” The “Teenieping Adventure” package offers a one-night stay with breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Demeter, for three guests, along with an animated character-themed camera set and access to a photo booth, hotel swimming pool and fitness center. Children w

CultureNov. 8, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Pink muhly at Hueree The Pink Muhly Festival is running at Hueree Park on Jeju Island through Nov. 17. Relish in the shining pink muhly grass -- a tall, flowering variety known for its mauve-hued inflorescences. Admission costs 13,000 won for adults with discounts available for those younger and those participating in group tours. For more information, go to hueree.com. Autumn colors at Hwadam The Autumn Colors Festival is taking place at Hwadam, a botanical garden bursting with fall f

TravelNov. 8, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

“Venom: The Last Dance” (US) Opened Oct. 23 Action/Sci-fi Directed by Kelly Marcel Former journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his gooey, alien symbiote Venom, conclude their journey as Venom tries to stop the creator of the symbiotes Knull (Andy Serkis) from escaping his celestial prison. “Amazon Bullseye” (South Korea) Opened Oct. 30 Drama/Adventure Directed by Kim Chang-joo Former archer Jin-bong (Ryoo Seung-ryong) crash-lands in Boledor where he meets members of

FilmNov. 8, 2024

[Herald Interview] Take a step back, ponder what’s ‘in our nature’

The 27th edition of the Singapore Writers Festival kicks off this weekend, inviting audiences to explore the theme “In Our Nature.” Running from Friday through Nov. 17, this year’s festival will be held across venues throughout Singapore, offering over 200 programs that delve into humanity’s relationship with the natural world. For Yong Shu Hoong, the newly appointed festival director, poet and educator with a background in computer science, this theme took shape during h

BooksNov. 7, 2024

Moliere-winning Joel Pommerat’s 'Tales and Legends' brings story of human-android coexistence

Acclaimed French playwright and director Joel Pommerat, celebrated with nine Moliere Awards, has brought one of his original productions to Korea for the first time. His 2020 production “Tales and Legends,” set in a near future that features androids, is onstage at the LG Arts Center from Thursday to Sunday. While several of Pommerat’s works, such as “This Child” and “The Reunification of the Two Koreas,” have been translated and performed in Korea by lo

PerformanceNov. 7, 2024

French beef import to resume after 24 years

The import of French beef to Korea resumed for the first time in 24 years on Monday, with the French embassy in Korea and French experts touting it as a good opportunity for Koreans to enjoy diverse and quality meat produced in a sustainable way. Of the 22 kinds of beef produced across France, the country’s most representative and common Charolais beef is to be sold in Korea, both frozen and refrigerated. France, the largest producer of beef among EU countries with 17 million heads of catt

FoodNov. 7, 2024

Samuel Youn to offer unique performance beyond recital

The day will soon come when Korean audiences can enjoy opera arias and lieder without resorting to subtitles, bass-baritone Samuel Youn said Wednesday during an interview. This will not be due to any technological advancement, but because Youn and many other artists aspire to create pieces that can be sung in Korean, allowing Korean audiences to feel them deeply without the need for translation or subtitles. Although Youn says there aren't enough Korean art songs, also known by the german

CultureNov. 7, 2024

Song So-hee to show broad music spectrum as a singer-songwriter in first solo concert

Folk singer Song So-hee will hold her first solo concert as a singer-songwriter. Song So-hee’s solo concert, "Aesthetic Flow," will be held on Dec. 1 at Gurumare Theater. Seodo Band, known as the pioneer of "Joseon Pop," a genre influenced by Korean traditional music, will appear as a special guest. This concert marks Song's first solo performance under her name as a singer-songwriter. Active as a "Gyeonggi Minyo" -- a traditional Korean folk music genre

PerformanceNov. 7, 2024

Over 1,600 flock to city of Seoul's matchmaking program

Well over 1,000 applicants have applied for the city of Seoul's matchmaking program, which will bring together 100 unmarried men and women to find their match near the Han River on Nov. 23. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, 1,673 people had applied for the program as of Wednesday. Applications for the program opened Oct. 21. Those wishing to participate can throw their hats into the ring until Friday. The gender ratio of the applicants so far is about 55 percent men and 45 per

CultureNov. 7, 2024

[Herald Interview] Irish ambassador and literary critic discuss power of translation

The Ireland Literature Festival in Korea provided a platform to explore the rich tapestry of the Irish and Korean literary landscapes. During a recent interview with The Korea Herald, Michelle Winthrop, Irish ambassador to Korea, and novelist and literary critic Ronan Hession emphasized the critical role of translation in bridging cultural divides and enriching global literature. Ambassador Winthrop, an avid reader herself, talked about how this year’s festival was inspired by the legacy o

BooksNov. 7, 2024

Jewelry exhibition pays tribute to sacrificed souls of UN veterans

Artists Bae Sun-hee and Park Sung-jin have opened an exhibition that sheds light on the souls of UN veterans of the 1950-53 Korean War and pays tribute to the soldiers with jewelry works featuring skeleton crafts with diamonds. The exhibition “Life, Death and Joy” kicked off Monday at Gallery and Cafe G-Arche in Gangnam, southern Seoul. The artists’ works at the exhibition feature eternal diamonds and blood-red ruby pieces dedicated to those who left with “youth and blue

Arts & DesignNov. 6, 2024