Grammy-winning producer David ‘Yungin’ Kim sets to bridge gaps between music and cultures

David "Yungin" Kim, a Grammy Award-winning mix engineer, hopes to create a bridge between Korea and the US music industries as he continues on his professional and personal journey in both countries. Kim, who goes by his artist name Yungin, is the first Korean-born person to win a Grammy outside of classical music. As a mix engineer, he has worked with many big names including BTS, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Hit-Boy, Post Malone and Ariana Grande. And earlier this year he debuted as a produc

Aug. 2, 2024

[Well-curated] Suwon galbi, alcohol olympics and whisky bar

Kabojung If you've visited Seoul multiple times and are eager to look beyond the capital for an epicurean adventure, Kabojung, in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, is a great place to try the local beef specialty. Suwon is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Hwaseong Fortress, but it is also famous for its delectable regional dish, galbi, or grilled beef ribs. Suwon’s reputation for high-quality beef dates back to the mid-20th century, when a thriving cattle market in the area made t

Aug. 2, 2024

[What to attend] Must-see musicals before summer ends

As the busy summer season unfolds for musical theaters, an array of high-quality productions beckon audiences. While many attendees might find their pockets not particularly deep, these Korean-language shows promise to offer unparalleled experiences that are worth every penny. Here are three standout musicals that should be on everyone’s radar before summer ends. "Hero": A timeless tribute to a national hero Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the musical "Hero" stands a

Aug. 1, 2024

Georg Solti Accademia comes to Korea in search of next Park Hae-sang

The Georg Solti Accademia, a prestigious institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of operatic talent, has finally come to Korea, a decade after the initial concept was conceived. Korean soprano Park Hae-sang, also known as Hera, participated in the Italy-based organization’s master class at The Juilliard School 10 years ago while pursuing a master's degree there after graduating from Seoul National University. Park was later invited to attend the institute's Bel C

July 31, 2024

Buddhism meets new audience

Buddhism is doing all it can to make itself more relatable and relevant. An AI chatbot that reads Buddhist scriptures and gives answers to whatever questions users enter is the latest effort by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism to reach the nonreligious. The man behind this artificial technology creation is Kim Young-chan, a 26-year-old Buddhist, who landed a job as a public relations counselor for Korea’s largest Buddhist sect in June, four months after graduating from college. “I&

July 31, 2024

International EBS festival to feature selection of well-crafted documentaries

The 21st EBS International Documentary Festival, the country's oldest documentary festival, takes place Aug. 19 to Aug. 25, when it will introduce a slew of well-made documentaries from around the world. Featuring 53 documentaries from 32 countries, this year's festival is being held under its slogan: "Bridge the Times." The slogan embodies the hope that humanity can bridge diverse values and cultures to strive for coexistence, said Kim Dong-gwan, director of EIDF, at a press

July 30, 2024

[Better Together] Office workers find life's meaning as amateur musical actors

Kim Min-ji and An Yeon-gyong -- a 28-year-old marketer and a 26-year-old career consultant, respectively -- get off work in the evening like many other workers in South Korea. But their voices and movements change completely when they step into the light-filled, floor-to-ceiling mirrors-covered studio of The Passion Musical -- a local musical group that has been around since 2014 -- in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul. The pair say they are more active after the sunset. “I take an acting lesson o

July 30, 2024

Nodeul Island turns into vacation destination with arts and culture events

The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture is offering a series of art and cultural events, including performances, exhibitions and film screenings, throughout the month of August on Nodeul Island for those seeking a vacation destination within Seoul. The foundation, a pivotal organization under the Seoul city government, tasked with implementing cultural policies, announced that Nodeul Island -- an entertainment hub located in the middle of the Han River featuring a concert hall, bookstore, loun

July 30, 2024

Veteran DJ Kim Chang-wan returns to radio

Singer-actor Kim Chang-wan, also a legendary radio DJ known for his warm, comforting messages, has returned to radio four months after stepping down from a show he had hosted for 23 years. Kim and SBS radio program producer Jung Han-sung held a press conference at the SBS headquarters to celebrate the launch of their new radio program, "6 O’clock Evening Breeze, Kim Chang-wan Ibnida" on July 22. After an emotional farewell shared during the last broadcast of his long-running morn

July 30, 2024

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha, pianist Lim Dong-hyek to perform as duo for first time

Violinist Chung Kyung-wha, a pioneer in Korean classical music, and star pianist Lim Dong-Hyek will hold a duo performance at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Sept. 6. The recital will mark their first as a duo act. The two were previously part of a quintet performing Schubert's "Trout" Quintet in 2017. Chung chose Lim as the pianist for her fall recital tour, having recognized his talent early on and supporting him musically for many years, according to Credia, the recital&#

July 29, 2024

LSO led by Pappano to perform in Korea in 1st Asia tour

The London Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform at Lotte Concert Hall on Oct. 3 with Sir Antonio Pappano, who will begin his tenure as principal conductor starting with the 2024/25 season. The concert will be part of the first Asian tour by the London Symphony Orchestra with Pappano, as well as the conductor’s first visit to South Korea in six years. In his visit to the country in 2018 as the music director of the Santa Cecilia Orchestra of Rome, he performed with Korean pianist Ch

July 29, 2024

[Herald Interview] Two Korean violinists named Ji-yoon on being concertmasters overseas

One of the most anticipated concerts at the annual festival Music in PyeongChang was the PyeongChang Dream Team concert. The PyeongChang Dream Team, consisting of emerging and established musicians from world-renowned orchestras, performed Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581 and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115 on Thursday at the Alpensia Concert Hall and again at PyeongChang Woljeongsa Museum on Sunday as part of the festival's outreach program. In addition

July 28, 2024

Match made in temple

Buddhist monks in South Korea are increasingly embracing a new role -- matchmaking. “To us, monks helping singles match up isn’t all that new. We launched a templestay program for singles in early 2012. It just hadn’t made headlines like today,” an official of the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare said Friday. The official at the foundation, run by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, was referring to a long-running program where participants learn about tradit

July 26, 2024

[Well-curated] Seoul's specialty cafes: tailored drinks, peaceful teahouses, and iconic bingsu

A sip of poetic cocktail, coffee Near Mangwon Station, among small buildings, restaurants, and shops, a secret bar lies tucked away in the basement. Dada Lab transforms from a coffee shop by day to a cocktail bar by night, offering a full range of typical bar menu items. What sets this bar apart are the unique “Text Blending” drinks. “Text Blending” allows customers to write down any phrase or text, from which the bartender draws inspiration to create a personalized drin

July 26, 2024

K-pop industry raked in $900 million from overseas last year, data shows

With all the hype surrounding the K-pop industry, how much does it actually earn? The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute sought to answer this question with data, which revealed that the K-pop industry raked in nearly $900 million from overseas last year. In 2023, the estimated overseas sales of K-pop amounted to 1.24 trillion won ($893 million), exceeding 1 trillion won for the first time, according to the government-run organization's report on Wednesday. Compared to the previous year, K

July 24, 2024

Late Park Bo-ram's music to be re-released on 10th debut anniversary

The music of the late Park Bo-ram will be re-released at the request of her family and colleagues, on her 10th debut anniversary. Xanadu Entertainment, Park's agency, announced it is re-releasing popular tracks by Park, including "As Time Goes," on Aug. 7, her debut date. Park performed "As Time Goes" during the finals of the 2010 Mnet audition program "Superstar K2" which was broadcast live. It was also the last song she recorded while preparing for her 10th-a

July 24, 2024

First licensed Chinese musical attracts Korean audience with resonating story

The first-ever licensed musical from China, "The Butterfly on the Bund 1939," premiered Saturday at TOM Theater in Daehangno, marking a milestone for Chinese production companies and fulfilling the collaborative aspirations of the two countries' creators. The musical, a joint effort between Shanghai-based Focustage and Seoul-based Never Ending Play, revolves around two women living in turbulent 1939 Shanghai. “I think the script and music of ‘The Butterfly on the Bun

July 23, 2024

Korea Heritage Service to extend key independence activist’s tomb

The Korea Heritage Service will expand the tomb of Lee Dong-nyeong, a historic site in central Seoul that the government says needs a makeover to show proper respect for the Korean independence fighter. Lee’s family has long requested the expansion of the site at Hyochang Park in Yongsan-gu where Lee’s comrades are also buried. They argue the former independence activist deserves more space, given his role in the Korean Provisional Government in its fight against Japan’s 1910-4

July 22, 2024

Asia premier of Amir Reza Koohestani's 'Blind Runner' unveils at Sejong Center

On the stage of the S Theater at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, two actors stand on a simple stage set. Their conversation in Persian may sound unfamiliar to many here but as the play evolves, the premiere of “Blind Runner,” by Iranian playwright and director Amir Reza Koohestani, captivates the audience with unconventional directing techniques, such as using a live camera feed on a screen, and actors running through the stage. Although “Blind Runner” was

July 20, 2024

[Well-curated] Mountain retreat, flower studio and Pixar pop-up

Discover true self through nature at Romyzian Garden When life feels dull and everyday routines become tiring and noisy, Romyzian Garden may offer a place of peace and comfort through nature. Located on the serene slopes of Garisan, a mountain in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, the unique garden is a 100,000 square meter sanctuary for healing and reflection. Romyzian Garden was lovingly created by a husband (Zian) for his wife (Romy), taking ten years to complete. Every tree and stone in the garden

July 19, 2024