The National Library for Children and Young Adults has released two additional storytelling videos based on picture books in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday. A total of 341 different stories are available on the library's official website in six languages: Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Mongolian. Some videos also include subtitles in Russian, Khmer and Tagalog. The multilingual storytelling video service, launched in 2009, features Korean original fairy tales, trad

ARKO Selection's fourth set of productions, scheduled to kick off in mid-February, showcases five works -- three plays, one music concert and one ballet -- that stand out for notable directing techniques. The play "Teddy Daddy Run," slated to run Feb. 16-25, is a road trip action drama following 16-year-old Korean teen Yoon-seo and 15-year-old Korean Filipina Nina as the two search for their missing father across various locations in Manila, the Philippines. “We wanted to ad

The National Gugak Center, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Deoksugung Palace Management Office, is set to host nighttime concerts at Seokjojeon in the palace, Feb. 21-22 and 28-29, at 7 p.m. Built during King Gojong’s reign (1863-1907), Deoksugung’s Seokjojeon is the first European-style stone building built in Korea. Since 2015, several concerts have been performed at the historic venue. The one-hour-long nighttime concert, “Deoksugung Yayeon

The Korean production of the play “Kiss of the Spider Woman” kicked off its fourth run on Jan 21 with Jung Il-woo stepping into the role of Molina, a trans woman. Adapted from the 1976 novel by Argentine author Manuel Puig, the play revolves around two prisoners -- Molina and Valentin, a political prisoner. The two inmates with differing ideologies share a cell in the prison and gradually come to accept each other. Also cast in the role of Molina are Yi Youll and Jeon Bak-chan. Jung

The Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays are a time when there is more than the usual offering of traditional performances. The National Dance Company of Korea, National Gugak Center and Seoul Namsan Gukakdang are set to create special ambiances which capture the essence of the traditional holiday. 'Festival' with National Dance Company The National Dance Company of Korea, affiliated with the National Theater of Korea, is ushering in the Year of Blue Dragon with a special holiday produc

Three contemporary literary bestsellers are set to undergo a spectacular transformation this year as they move from the page to the stage. Embracing new genres such as musicals, music dramas and theater productions, these adaptations offer original fans a fresh and enjoyable avenue to experience the stories. ‘The Old Woman with the Knife’ In a much-anticipated adaptation, Gu Byeong-mo’s bestselling noir novel “The Old Woman with the Knife” is making its theatrical

Han Kang's "I Do Not Bid Farewell" and Ma Yeong-shin's graphic novel "Moms" have been nominated as finalists for the Emile Guimet Prize for Asian Literature in France, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea announced Monday. "I Do Not Bid Farewell" delves into the tragic events of the Jeju April 3 incident through the perspectives of three women. Translated into French by Kyungran Choi and Pierre Bisiou, the novel garnered attention particularly aft

The sepia-toned stage stands vacant except for a leafless tree and a solitary rock. The actors appear equally disheveled in their muted, grubby suits, sporting scruffy grey hair. And nothing dramatic unfolds. The two characters, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), wait and wait for Godot, who never arrives. While one might ask where's the fun in watching someone simply waiting, waiting and waiting, the Korean production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot,” which kicke

"The Girl in a Phone Booth" By Lee Su-yeon Clayhouse Imagine having the ability to hear the last thoughts of those who have left this world. The psychological autopsy center is the backdrop for a touching human fantasy novel that hit the shelves last week. Those left behind by a suicide experience profound grief, guilt and resentment with lingering questions like "why" and "how could this happen." The psychological autopsy center investigates a person's suici

"Path of Humanity" By Han Seung-won Munhakdongne Publishing Since 1997, Han Seung-won, writer and poet, has been living in his hometown of Jangheung in South Jeolla Province. A winner of numerous literary awards, Han writes daily in his studio. He is best known for the novel "Aje Aje Bara Aje" (1985), which was adapted into a film titled "Come Come Come Upward" featuring the late Kang Soo-youn and Yu In-chon, the current culture minister. At the age of 85, the vet

“Marigold Mind Photo Studio” By Yun Jung-eun Book Romance The "Marigold" series is back with a sequel. In her latest work, author Yun Jung-eun writes, "Life is filled with sadness, yet living is also about finding joy amid the sorrow," as she opens the door to a new story set in the magical village of "Marigold." The enchanting days in Marigold Village continue, with a notable addition: a new photo studio on the first floor of the laundry building. At

ARKO Selection will unveil its third set of productions in early February, offering two traditional performances, one musical, one dance performance and one music concert, which reinterpret classics and transcended traditions. Such works are among the 28 new repertoires funded by Arts Council Korea, an organization committed to fostering diverse arts and cultural activities in the country. The male "changgeuk" performance, "Salome," which is a reinterpretation of Oscar Wilde&

The English translation of acclaimed poet Kim Hye-soon's poetry collection, “Phantom Pain Wings,” has been selected as a finalist in two categories -- poetry and translated literature -- at the National Book Critics Circle Awards in the US. “Phantom Pain Wings,” translated by Don Mee Choi, was shortlisted along with four other finalists in the poetry category. Contenders include “All Souls” by Saskia Hamilton, “The Gathering of Bastards” by Ro

"I am no longer your wife." With these final words, Nora in Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" leaves her home and husband, discarding from her identity as someone's wife and mother, while determined to be just herself. Nora hints at her journey to discover herself as the play concludes. And it is from this point, that the story of the play "Wife" unfolds. Written by British playwright Samuel Adamson, "Wife" draws inspiration from Ibsen's

The Culture Ministry, in partnership with the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation, will establish the National Museum of Korean Literature, in Eunpyeong-gu, northern Seoul. Culture Minister Yu In-chon held a meeting with officials at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Monday, and signed the agreement with SH Corporation, the owner of the museum site. “The museum has long been an aspiration in the literary community,” said Yu. “It is also significant tha

Children's book and young adult novelist Lee Geum-yi has made the shortlist for the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award, a prestigious accolade often referred to as the "Nobel Prize" of children's literature. The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) recently announced the shortlist for this year’s award, listing Lee among the six finalists. This is the first time a South Korean novelist has been shortlisted for the literature biennale, which started in 19

In the vibrant season of youth, Tom dashes eagerly to catch up with his school crush, who rides ahead on her bicycle. Next moment, he finds himself in the lead, with her at his back, their heartbeats echoing the fluttering memories. Through an ordinary moment, the audience gets a glimpse of Tom’s most cherished memories. But the recollections are gradually slipping away as he grapples with dementia. Maybe it’s the fleeting nature of the memories that renders the beauty, or its poigna

As interest in Korean literature surges around the world, the publishing industry is actively participating in international book fairs to introduce Korean books. However, ongoing conflict between the publishing sector and the government regarding subsidies is expected to lead to a reduction in the scale of book-related events and their participation this year. Korean Publishers Association Chairman Yoon Chul-ho addressed the press Tuesday at the KPA office in Jongno, central Seoul, emphasizing

ARKO Selection's second set of six productions scheduled for mid and late-January includes two family-friendly musicals, two contemporary dance performances and two music concerts. The topics covered in the productions range from borderline personality disorder to the life story of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time. Other themes include human brutality and humanity in the digital age. The works are among the 28 new repertoires funded by Arts Council Korea, an

South Korean singer and actor Tei embarked on his journey as a ballad singer in 2003, leaving a strong impression on the public with chart-topping hits such as "Love Leaves Its Scent" and "Same Pillow." Transitioning to musicals, Tei made his debut on the stage in 2012's "Sherlock Holmes.” His career has steadily continued with productions like "Gone With the Wind" (2018) and "Gwangju" (2020). Recently, the 40-year-old actor took on the rol