[Latest Read] Feeling stressed? Shanna Tan translates 'healing' Korean books

SINGAPORE -- A wave of "healing" Korean literature has gained momentum this year, with a growing number of titles winning hearts and more to come just over the horizon. At the center of the wave stands Shanna Tan, the Singaporean translator who debuted with runaway bestseller "Welcome to Hyunam-dong Bookshop" by Hwang Bo-reum, followed by bestseller after bestseller, including "Yeonnam-dong's Smiley Laundromat” by Kim Ji-yun and the latest, “Marigold Min

BooksDec. 13, 2024

Nine in 10 Koreans use streaming platforms, with YouTube dominating

Nearly nine in 10 Koreans have used over-the-top video platforms in the past year, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, Thursday. The survey revealed that 4,495 of the 5,033 survey respondents, or 89.3 percent, reported using OTT platforms in the past year. Among these platforms, YouTube had the highest rate of usage, reportedly viewed by 84.9 percent of respondents. Among subscription platforms, Netflix led the way

CultureDec. 13, 2024

Documentary film ‘First Lady’ on Kim Keon Hee draws sold-out crowds

The documentary film "First Lady," which delves into the controversies surrounding Kim Keon Hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol, is drawing sold-out crowds nationwide following its release on Thursday. According to the Korean Film Council, the film attracted 4,822 moviegoers on Thursday, ranking eighth at the box office. The film's cumulative audience count stands at 7,048, as of Friday. "First Lady," by director Ae-mong, is currently running at major theater chains

FilmDec. 13, 2024

Edward Lee's cookbook sizzles its way to Korea

Korean American celebrity chef and restaurateur Edward Lee from the Netflix hit "Culinary Class Wars" will have his debut cookbook "Smoke & Pickles" translated and published in Korea next month, according to the book's Korean publisher, Wisdom House. In the cookbook, Lee shares his culinary journey through more than 130 recipes and essays that offer a unique patchwork of flavors that combine his Korean heritage with Southern cuisine from the US. This approach reflect

FoodDec. 13, 2024

Omakase, bagels, barbecue, 'Culinary Class Wars': Food trends in 2024

Restaurants run by chefs who appeared in Netflix's "Culinary Class War" came into the spotlight this year, while the most popular dining trends were sushi omakase, bagels and Korean barbecue, according to the 2024 gourmet trend report published by restaurant reservation platform Catch Table on Friday. The trend analysis is based on reservations made between January and October to determine customers' dining habits and preferences. Riding the wave of the Netflix cooking battle

FoodDec. 13, 2024

'When the Phone Rings' sparks renewed interest in original web novel

The growing popularity of the drama series "When the Phone Rings" has led to a surge of interest in the original web novel that inspired it and the simultaneously produced webtoon. The eponymous web novel on Kakao Page saw its sales increase 14.6-fold and its views grow five-fold following the drama's premiere, according to Kakao Entertainment. The data compares the figures 14 days before the drama's premiere (Nov. 8-21) and the 14 days that followed (Nov. 22-Dec. 5). The web

TelevisionDec. 13, 2024

Han Kang says South Korea's martial law crisis is 'not that awful,' praises citizens' courage

Han Kang, this year's Nobel Prize laureate in literature, said South Korea's political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration is "not that awful," highlighting the courage and sincerity of citizens who have mobilized in response. Han, author of "Human Acts," which is about the stories of survivors and victims of the May 18, 1980, pro-democracy Gwangju uprising in South Korea, spoke about the situation during the Nobel Ni

BooksDec. 13, 2024

[Well-curated] Upside down and back in time

A Taste of Britain in Seoul Tucked away in an Euljiro alley, where old buildings, high-rise towers, and a variety of eateries coexist, there’s a cozy, inviting space that’s easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Follow a small, modest sign, climb a narrow staircase, and you’ll find yourself in a warm and homey cafe. Cafe Eulji Lewis is run by Lewis, the British owner, together with his Korean wife. The red-toned wallpaper, curtains, and a collection of vintage ornam

CultureDec. 13, 2024

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights across Korea

Gwanghwamun Square market At Gwanghwamun Square through Jan. 5, craft shops and food stalls will be open for year-end celebrations. Open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., starting and ending 30 minutes later from Friday to Sunday, the market festival in its third year hosts over 100 mom-and-pop shops and 80 stalls. Installations are set up for photo spots, with some lighting through the night. Check out more information at stolantern.com. Hampyeong Winter Festival A winter festival is runni

TravelDec. 13, 2024

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

"Firefighters" (South Korea) Opened Dec. 4 Drama Directed by Kwak Kyung-taek Rookie firefighter Chul-woong (Joo Won) and his veteran teammate Jin Seop (Kwon Do-won) find their relationship pushed to the brink after a rescue operation ends in tragedy. The duo must face their greatest challenge yet that will test not only their courage but also their fractured bond. Based on a true story. “Moana 2” (US) Opened Nov. 27 Fantasy/Adventure Directed by Dana Ledoux Miller, Jason

FilmDec. 13, 2024

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel presents six-course meal with premium hanwoo For the month of December only, Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Songdo, Incheon, has introduced a six-course meal highlighting premium Korean beef, or hanwoo, and exquisite cooking. The “Holiday Symphony of Hanwoo” begins with a hanwoo tartar starter, followed by a snow crab and avocado salad, soup of the day and porcini mushroom ragu with ravioli. The main dish is hanwoo filet mignon roasted on charcoal until

FoodDec. 13, 2024

From protest songs to K-pop, generations unite through ‘protest playlist’

Nationwide protests calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment have brought a notable change from previous demonstrations: a connection across generations through music. Recent protests have seen a wide range of music transcending generational boundaries. Shared through platforms like YouTube and X, the so-called "protest playlist" includes everything from K-pop hits beloved by younger Koreans, to traditional protest songs that were the anthems of the democratization moveme

Social AffairsDec. 12, 2024

Share New Year's wishes, help children at MMCA's wishing tree

If you have New Year's wishes or resolutions to share with others and want to help underprivileged communities, you may want to visit the wishing trees at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea in Seoul. The state-run museum collects donations to be used to provide art therapy to children. In the lobby, you can choose a paper flame in one of four colors, write a note on it expressing your hopes, and hang it on a wishing tree. A donation box is set up nearby to collect con

Arts & DesignDec. 12, 2024

Global Biz Forum discusses perspectives on how to spread happiness, navigate challenges

Sean, best known as one half of hip-hop duo Jinusean, as well as Lee Hee-bum, minister of commerce, industry and energy from 2003 to 2006 and currently the chair of Booyoung Group, shared their perspectives on navigating global and local challenges at the Global Business Forum on Wednesday. The GBF, organized by The Korea Herald, serves as a platform for experts from various fields, including business leaders, diplomats and public figures. The forum convenes weekly to foster insightful discussio

CultureDec. 12, 2024

Nobel Prize winner Han Kang hopes 'Human Acts' will be access road to understanding Gwangju uprising

Han Kang, this year's laureate of the Nobel Prize in literature, hopes her novel "Human Acts" will be an access road to understanding the May 18, 1980, pro-democracy people's uprising in Gwangju to many people. "I was all the more cautious since this novel depicts a real incident," the South Korean author said during a meeting with Korean reporters at a publishing house in Stockholm on Wednesday (local time). "I hoped this book would be something like an access

CultureDec. 12, 2024

[Herald Gallery] Serenity 24-002-007

Gallery Joeun in Yongsan-gu is hosting a solo exhibition by Seong YeonHwa (born 1986) through Jan. 4, 2025. This marks the artist’s 9th solo exhibition, featuring 25 new works centered on the theme of “identity.” The pieces reinterpret traditional Korean hanji paper and calligraphy into a unique sculptural language, capturing the harmony of lines and surfaces that connect the past and present, as well as the energy of spontaneous brushstrokes. Seong’s artistic world

CultureDec. 11, 2024

Evolution of Korean and Chinese ink paintings on display at MMCA

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea has brought together masterpieces of modern and contemporary ink art from South Korea and China at its Deoksugung venue in Seoul. The exhibition “The Modern and Contemporary Ink Art of the Republic of Korea and the People’s Republic of China” was jointly curated with the National Art Museum of China. The two museums agreed to co-host the exhibition in 2022 in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Arts & DesignDec. 11, 2024