With the major November snowstorm, students, workers and drivers might have started the day with a frown while walking on the icy roads, waiting for delayed public transportation and unexpectedly hit by snow falling from trees and buildings. However, passionate hikers may feel somewhat differently. “I never expected to bring out my winter mountain gear this early,” Hong Young-sik, a Guro-gu resident in his 70s, who visited Gwanaksan told The Korea Herald on Thursday. Though Hong knew

Historic sites in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, including royal palaces, royal tombs and the Jongmyo royal shrine, will be closed Thursday over safety concerns prompted by record snow. According to the Korea Heritage Service, the four of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeongung and Deoksugung -- and Jongmyo, all in Seoul, will be closed. The royal tombs in the capital and Gyeonggi Province will also be closed. The state-run agency cited concerns over

The "Thirty-Three Blooms" solo exhibition by artist Hwang Do-you (born 1987) is on display at Art Side Gallery in Jongno-gu, Seoul, until Dec. 28. This exhibition delves into abstract floral forms through simple brushstrokes and vivid colors, featuring approximately 10 works that reflect the artist's distinctive sense of flatness. Hwang conveys floral forms through areas of color and rhythm, emphasizing the purity and autonomy of painting. Notably, the exhibition showcases works c

The Genie is out of the bottle in Korea, a decade after the hit musical "Aladdin" hit Broadway. The Korean edition of "Aladdin," which debuted on Friday, delivers a winning combination of Disney’s beloved story and tunes, standout performances by Korea’s top actors, and humor that resonates with local audiences. The role of the Genie is shared by three actors: Jung Sung-hwa, Kang Hong-seok and Jeong Won-yeong. Aladdin is played by Kim Jun-su, Park Kang-hyun -- kno

“Harbin,” which has been confirmed for a Christmas release, is poised to redefine Korean cinema by reimagining the legendary historical figure Ahn Jung-geun with world-class visuals and sound. While Korean films revisiting the period of Japanese colonization and the independence movement are nothing new, “Harbin” takes a fresh approach. Instead of portraying Ahn Jung-geun solely as a martyr and activist, the film reimagines him as a military leader commanding the Korean I

With just a month to go until the highly anticipated release of Netflix's "Squid Game 2," a stunning new game venue has been revealed -- an unexpected yet striking addition to the show’s roster of deadly arenas: a Ferris wheel. On Wednesday, Netflix unveiled the main trailer for "Squid Game 2" on its official YouTube channel. The 108-second video showcases never-before-seen footage, including a haunting glimpse of the Ferris wheel, which is seen bloodstained, as co

After an unusually warm fall season, the first snow of the winter arrived in most parts of the country Wednesday. With the arrival of winter, many of South Korea's popular tourist destinations are scheduled to go on a long winter break, closing down for the season. Jinan, a rural county in North Jeolla Province, announced Tuesday the closure of the mountain trail for its iconic Maisan starting Wednesday. The 600-meter-long walking trail that stretches from Guardians Gate to Ammai Peak and t

An exhibition of some 130 “maedeup,” the traditional Korean knots used as ornaments, is running at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila in the Philippines through Jan. 29. The “Maedeup: Korean Knots” presentation, which opened Friday, is jointly hosted by the National Folk Museum of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippine capital. Among the items on display are “buchae,” or traditional handheld fans, with maedeup, and “norigae,” decorat

Singer Lee Eun-mi is set to celebrate her 35th debut anniversary with a nationwide tour concert titled “Move On,” offering audiences a meaningful stage that bridges her past and present. Her timeless music, which has captivated listeners for decades, will be reimagined with fresh sensibilities and emotional depth in this series of performances. Affectionately called the "Barefoot Diva" -- the ballad singer is known for singing barefoot on stage -- Lee is known for her soulf

Actors Bae Doo-na and Ryoo Seung-bum return in Coupang Play’s “Family Matters,” in the roles of a mom with a special ability to edit memories and a dad who supports her in defeating evildoers. The six-part thriller drama revolves around this unique family, each of whom has unusual traits and secret abilities, embarking on a mission to confront and take down villains. Bae, whose latest Korean work was the 2023 film “Next Sohee,” takes on the role of Han Young-soo,

The stereotype of Rotary International as just another elite social club quickly dissolves upon meeting its leadership. In Seoul this week for a leadership training summit, the organization's presidents — past, present and future — spoke with lively conviction about transforming lives through service, their enthusiasm matching their distinguished profiles. The gathering, which brought together 500 district leaders from across Korea, serves as preparation for both upcoming leader

The lecture had begun, but the 83-year-old director stood silently at the lectern on the stage in the 500-seat auditorium. He looked straight ahead, occasionally turning his gaze to observe the audience. The weight of the silence filled the space. Only after five full minutes did he finally speak, breaking the tension with a brief greeting. A wave of relief and small laughter rippled through the audience. Robert Wilson, the legendary avant-garde theater director and one of the most innovative vi

On Monday, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and cellist Han Jae-min will kick off the inaugural Korean edition of London’s leading summer festival BBC Proms, a week-long festival of classical music, choral music and music from West End musicals. South Korean composer Chin Un-suk’s “Subito Con Forza" ("Suddenly With Power") written in 2020 will open Monday's concert, followed by “Nachtergebung” (“Surrender to the Night”), a cello co

The traditional calligraphy of the Korean alphabet Hangeul will be designated as part of the country's National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Korea Heritage Service said Tuesday. The state-run agency announced the plan to include "Hangeul Calligraphy (Hangeul Seoye)" in the new list of intangible cultural heritage, following a 30-day period in which it will receive opinions from experts in related fields, and a deliberation by the Intangible Heritage Committee. Hangeul Calligr

A mobile map that locates vendors of the fish-shaped bun bungeoppang has returned, making it easier for locals to find Korea’s beloved winter treat. Karrot Market, South Korea’s largest community marketplace platform, announced Tuesday the return of its seasonal map for winter snacks, rebranded as the “Bungeoppang Map” this year. Originally launched in 2020, the service allows users to share the locations of food stalls selling winter snacks. While previous maps included

Actor Gong Yoo returns to the Netflix original series with a mystery melodrama “The Trunk,” set for release Friday. His last Netflix series was the 2021 thriller “The Silent Sea.” Gong Yoo plays Jung-won, a music producer who marries In-ji (Seo Hyun-jin), an employee at a wedding company called NM, on a fixed-term contract basis. The drama is helmed by Kim Kyu-tae behind the hit series “It’s Okay, That’s Love” (2014) and “Our Blues” (20

Skiiers and snowboarders can get their adrenalin rush starting this weekend as the recent drop in temperature has many of the ski resorts in South Korea ready to open their slopes. Phoenix Snow Park, a popular ski resort in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, announced that its slopes will open Friday, almost a week later than last year. Six of its slopes were used for freestyle skiing and snowboarding in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and snowboarders will appreciate the Olympic-standard half-

Actor Jung Woo-sung, who was recently revealed to have fathered a child out of wedlock, is reportedly discussing with his agency whether to attend the Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday. The 51-year-old actor, who is under intense public scrutiny over his private life, is said to be deliberating on the matter with his team, his agency Artist Company said Tuesday. Some local media reported on the same day that Jung has decided to forgo attendance at the film award. Jung has been nominated for best

A young couple in their 30s, surnamed Lee and Park, exhausted from enduring persistent noise from neighbors above, is hunting for a new place to live. But even as they search, they are hesitant. Moving into another apartment means facing the same uncertainty: Who lives upstairs? What kind of neighbors will they encounter? Their concerns reflect a common dilemma in South Korea, where apartment complexes dominate urban living, making up 62.9 percent of all housing types. Living in high-rise apartm

Lee So-jeong (born 1993), an artist based in Dusseldorf and gaining attention across Europe, explores the unconscious and dreams, capturing the depth of emotions with delicate precision through her focus on human figures as the primary subject. Through her painted narratives, the artist reveals the emotions and experiences inherent in the human psyche, presenting works that intertwine autobiographical memories and sentiments. The exhibition is on view at DIA Contemporary, located in Samcheong-do