Goncourt-winning author Jean-Baptiste Andrea speaks about writing, recognition and resistance For writer Jean-Baptiste Andrea, winning literary awards -- including the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 2023 -- felt like finally becoming "visible." "I've wanted to be a writer since I was 9 years old. But we live in a world that doesn't exactly encourage anyone to become a novelist. I was lucky to succeed, but before that, I was invisible. Because until we gain recognition, we are, in a sense, transpa

The Literature Translation Institute of Korea is calling for submissions to the 2025 LTI Korea Award for Aspiring Translators, aimed at discovering emerging talent in translating Korean literary and cultural content. This year’s award will be held across two categories -- literature and film/webtoon. The literature category is open to translations in nine languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indonesian. The film category covers four languages --

Oversized handbags have once again become the must-have accessory in the fashion world. Leading luxury brands have pioneered the trend, with spacious bags gaining popularity among influencers and celebrities. As A-list stars embrace the style, mainstream brands have followed suit, fueling the demand. Just a few years ago, micro-mini bags dominated fashion, barely fitting a smartphone or lipstick. However, large bags have made a strong return, driven by consumers’ growing need for practicality an

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea brings light to Korean watercolor paintings at its first-ever exhibition of watercolors Compared to other art genres, watercolor paintings have been relatively ignored, often underestimated because of the easy accessibility of watercolors compared to oil paintings, for example. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has opened its first exhibition that solely focuses on watercolor paintings at its museum in Cheongju, No

From Mona Hatoum's first solo show in Seoul to rising Japanese and Chinese artists, Seoul is full of exhibitions in March It seems spring has finally arrived in Seoul after the cold snap of the past few days. If the cold weather kept you away from galleries, it is now time for some gallery hopping. Here are three exhibitions in southern and central Seoul you might visit this sunny weekend. White Cube Seoul Mona Hatoum, a British Palestinian multimedia artist, is renowned for poetic and political

In recent years, Korean barbecue has become a global phenomenon, with its sizzling sounds and smoky flavors captivating food lovers around the world. However, there are a few exceptional spots in Seoul that have attracted attention from local foodies as well as Korean celebrities. From Nariuijip in Hannam-dong to Namsan Makchang, these restaurants are proving that good food and a little bit of star power are the perfect ingredients for success. Nariuijip Located in the heart of Hannam-dong, Nari

Here is a look at how Bong Joon-ho's SF film adapts Ashton Edwards' original novel Bong Joon-ho’s latest sci-fi satire "Mickey 17" continues to top box offices. Starring Robert Pattinson in the title role, the film explores the existential dilemmas of an expendable worker who is endlessly recreated upon death until Mickey finds himself face-to-face with an unexpected duplicate of himself. The film is based on "Mickey 7," the 2022 novel by American writer Edward Ashton, but Bong’s adaptation take

Sani Garden ideal for sun seekers; Jindo Tower best for dizzying cable car rides HAENAM AND JINDO, South Jeolla Province — A trip down to this province at the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula can be both peaceful and thrilling, if you make the right stops. The first destination is the Sani Garden in Haenam, a county that has been upping efforts to take on new cultural relevance. Sani Garden in Haenam Since May last year, the garden has been drawing a steady stream of visitors from across the

Boarding houses, once considered a thing of the past, are making a comeback, offering affordability, safety and nostalgia for today’s university students In the past, out-of-town university first-years looking for housing often turned to boarding houses called "hasukjib" run by women typically around the same age as their parents. These homeowners would prepare breakfast and dinner for boarders, creating a communal space for students to gather and eat together. Before the school year began, boar

Actress Kim Sun-young takes on formidable role of mother torn by complex emotions A teenage boy commits three rapes in a single night. While he remains under de facto house arrest, the media dredge up past school incidents, and reporters camp outside his home. Public outrage mounts, yet his mother fights to have him sentenced as a juvenile, ensuring a lighter punishment. How far can a mother go in defending and protecting a son who has committed such a horrific crime? And can she still love him?

Korean-American writer Brandon Lee reflects on cross-cultural storytelling and the unexpected journey to web comic stardom Despite the virtual empire built under his pen name, TurtleMe, Brandon Lee still prefers the simple pleasure of writing in coffee shops. "I always try to get my writing done in the morning," he explains from his home in Seattle during a interview via video with The Korea Herald on Friday. "I like going to cafes and using my creative brain there. I get kind of stuffy if I alw

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art said Friday that it will conduct academic research on modern wood lacquerware in its first- and second-generation crafts collections. The study will examine 94 artworks created by 16 artisans and artists specializing in wood lacquerware, aiming to uncover the stories, techniques and historical context behind each piece. The museum plans to publish the findings on its official website once the research is completed. Further details on the timeline and scope of the st

South Korea's premier animation festival continues to cement global standing with Academy Award qualifying status The Bucheon International Animation Festival (BIAF) has kicked off its submission period for its 27th edition, scheduled to run October 24-28. The festival is accepting works completed after Jan. 1, 2024 that haven't previously screened at BIAF. Deadlines vary by category: June 30 for shorts (including student films, TV and commissioned works and Korean shorts) and July 31 for featur

The release of Disney+'s Korean original series "Know-off" has been postponed amid an ongoing controversy surrounding its lead actor Kim Soo-hyun. "After careful consideration, we have paused plans to release 'Knock-Off,'" the streaming company told Yonhap News Agency on Friday. Kim faces allegations of having dated late actress Kim Sae-ron when she was underage. The series was initially expected to premiere as early as April, with filming nearly completed. Set during the economically tumultuous

Ballerino Jeon Min-chul to perform as Albrecht before joining Mariinsky Universal Ballet will present "Giselle," one of the most beloved romantic ballets, at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater from April 18 to 27. A timeless tale of love, betrayal and devotion beyond death, "Giselle" follows the tragic love story of a beautiful peasant girl, Giselle, and a nobleman in disguise, Albrecht. When his true identity is revealed, Giselle is driven to madness and dies of heartbreak. The ballet’s libr