Legendary diva and singer Lee Mi-ja released a new album to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her debut. “I want to thank everyone’s parents. Without them, I would not have made it until here,” Lee said at a press conference held Thursday at the Westin Chosun Seoul.  Singer Lee Me-ja speaks during a press event held Thursday at the Westin Chosun Seoul. (Yonhap)Lee, 79, was full of emotions at the event. Though there was a chair prepared for her, she refused to sit down, saying, “It is not a day

Staycation with pets at Vista Walkerhill Seoul　Vista Walkerhill Seoul presents the Oh My Pet package deal for guests who do not wish to leave their furry friends at home. The package deal includes a one-night-stay in the hotel’s pet-themed room. It includes a bed, pillow, table, tableware, bathrobe and towel specially designed for pets. Also, the minibar includes food and drinks for pets. The package deal is available only for pets under 15 kilograms. One pet is allowed per room, and the feed is

Where do you buy cheese? Supermarkets are the easiest option, while department stores offer more refined products. Cheese shops provide a more upscale option. What if you are searching for not just any cheese, but cheese made in a traditional way? Room for affinage, or cheese-aging process (Park Hyun-koo / The Korea Herald)Finding high quality cheese here can be a challenge, but Cho Jang-hyun may be the person you are looking for. Cho is an owner-chef and cheesemaker at Cheeseflo in Hannam-dong,

Haydn’s legendary 1798 oratorio “The Creation” will be put on stage by La Fura dels Baus, an experimental theater troupe from Spain, at Art Center Incheon on March 1 and 2, offering both a musical and visual treat.The production depicts the Biblical seven days of creation with visual art installations. The soloists are lifted up in the air, then submerged in a water tank, and the choristers hold up tablet computers. Soprano Im Sun-hae speaks during a press conference held Wednesday at a restaura

Korean YouTubers are making their way into the global market in partnership with DIA TV, a multichannel network for online content creators affiliated with local entertainment mogul CJ ENM.According to DIA TV’s announcement Wednesday, its partner creators are carving out successful careers overseas, promoting Korea’s entertainment culture.  Korean YouTuber Banzz with Chinese internet celebrity Mizijun (DIA TV)The firm partners with creator Banzz, a major “meokbang,” or eating broadcasts, creator

Tongyeong International Music Festival 2019 hopes to pay homage to the late composer Yun I-sang by hosting classical music as well as innovative musical attempts. The annual festival commemorates Yun, the city’s native son known for his attempts to bridge the music of the West and East. At this year’s festival, world-class musicians will introduce musical works by the composer and others. This year’s TIMF will be held from March 29 to April 7 under the theme of “Destiny” at the Tongyeong Music H

While the “Fantastic Beasts” series has been achieving its own success, the spinoff has us missing the original “Harry Potter” series even more. And now there is good news for fans: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” has returned after nearly 20 years -- in 4DX. House elf Dobby (Warner Bros.)The motion picture technology 4DX has been developed by CJ CGV and stimulates the senses with special effects such as motion seats, wind, water, lights and scents.When this roller coaster of a cinema

K-pop boy band B.A.P has disbanded, with all six of the original bandmates leaving its agency. TS Entertainment released an official announcement Monday saying that the agency’s exclusive contracts with Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae and Jongup have expired. (TS Entertainment)“The B.A.P members’ exclusive contracts with TS Entertainment have ended, and we came to an agreement to go separate ways,” the announcement read. The boy band debuted in 2012 with the single “Warrior.” With hit tracks “1004” a

An industrial design student from Costa Rica who developed a kimchi timer during her time at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is set to receive her master’s degree on Friday. Maria Jose Reyes Castro from Costa Rica (KAIST)Maria Jose Reyes Castro, 25, conducted a study to develop the device, which uses a mobile app and a smart sensor to check the pH level of kimchi as it’s fermenting. With the app, users input the desired levels of fermentation and salinity. The app then for

In memory of the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, publisher Catholic Book has released a handwriting style modeled after his penmanship.Based on the handwritten scripts of the cardinal who passed away a decade ago on Feb. 16, 2009, the publisher re-created his handwritten font, also minding the texture of his pen.  A new handwritten font is modeled after the style of the late Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan. (Catholic BookThe late cardinal still stands as an emblematic figure in the Catholic sc

A stage production of Haydn’s 1798 oratorio “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus, an experimental theater group from Spain, will have its Korean premiere at the Art Center Incheon on March 1 and 2 at 5 p.m. The production will kick off the center’s 2019 season. The Barcelona-based theater troupe is known for its innovative performances that mix modern technology with classical music.  Haydn’s “The Creation” by La Fura dels Baus (Art Center Incheon) Art Center Incheon (Art Center Incheon)For Haydn

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is holding an exhibition that looks into traditional Korean culture, in conjunction with designer Teo Yang. Yang is a celebrated interior designer who creates modern space designs based on inspiration from traditional Korean culture. Furniture designed by Teo Yang (Yeol) Pieces of furniture designed by Teo Yang are displayed at Yeol Bukchonga in central Seoul. (Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)For the exhibition, Yang reinterpreted the concept of “sa

Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz and Korean violinist Kim Bomsori are to set off on a worldwide tour with a recently released album. 　The album, released under the Deutsche Grammophon label in January, has a French and Polish flair. The track list includes Faure’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A Major, Debussy’s Violin Sonata in G Minor, Szymanowski’s Violin Sonata in D Minor and Chopin’s Nocturne No. 20 in C Sharp Minor, arranged by Nathan Milstein. 　 Violinist Kim Bomsori (left) and pianist Rafal Blecha

Two different concerts highlighting the violin will take place in the next two weeks -- a chamber orchestra concert and a recital by a seasoned duo. Violinist Yang In-mo will take the stage Thursday and Friday with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra at the Seoul Arts Center. He will perform Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor, the only violin concerto piece written by the musician, one of the greatest composers from northern Europe.  Violinist Yang In-mo (Yonhap)In 2015, Yang, 24, became the

“Music in PyeongChang - Winter Festival” has begun its 10-day run, introducing classical music to local audiences in celebration of the first anniversary of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.On Friday, the first part of the main concert series, “NOwhere: NOWhere” took place at the Seoul Arts Center to a fully packed house. One highlight from Friday’s performance was “Suite in Jazz Style” by Maxim Rysanov (viola) and Park Jong-hai (piano). Composed by Bulgaria’s Dobrinka Tabakova, the piece consist

Stepping inside chocolate shop Piaf, the aroma of chocolate fills the nose. The smell is captivating, exciting even those who are not sweet-toothed. The floor plan of the chocolate paradise is relatively simple, without chairs or tables. The furnished atmosphere resembles that of a fine jewelry boutique. A lone refrigerated showcase stands at the center, open without a glass cover on top. Inside, the stainless steel case is jeweled with a variety of chocolate confections. A chocolatier picks up

Romantic night at Grand Hilton SeoulGrand Hilton Seoul presents its Valentine’s Day package. The package includes one night’s stay at the hotel, a 30 percent discount for a breakfast buffet for two, a 20 percent discount for a cake at the Alpine deli and white wine. Gift sets from women’s lingerie brand Vivian will also be offered. For the Deluxe Room, the gift will be a set of lingerie valued at 120,000 won. For the Executive Room, a set of sleepwear and lingerie valued at 200,000 won will be i

Last year, there was an unexpected buzz on TV about several people who were not big-name actors, singers or TV personalities. They were non-celebrities who had not been exposed to media before. From matchmaking to restaurant mentorship, reality programs featuring non-celebrities have risen in popularity, with viewers seemingly tired of celebrity-centric reality show formats.Viewers say they like watching non-celebrities for their natural behavior. Though the outlines of the shows are laid out, t

Lunar New Year holiday is just around the corner. While the word “holiday” may cheer some up, there are also those who don’t welcome the season. The two big traditional holidays in Korea, Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (fall harvest holiday), mean days of kitchen labor for many Koreans, particularly married women, to prepare food for their families and their ancestors.But with the popularity of ready-to-eat meals increasing steadily, food companies are looking to Seollal dinner tables as t

Designer Song Zio plans to go international this year, promoting his flagship brand Songzio Homme in and out of Korea.　Songzio Homme -- a contemporary menswear collection brand -- is currently looking into distribution channels, aiming to supply its products to the Chinese market by the second half of this year. The specific details have not been set yet. Photo from Songzio Homme’s 2019 spring-summer collection (Songzio) Designer Song Zio (left) with model-actor Bae Jung-nam at backstage of Seou