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Hollywood sequels dominate year-end as Korean films vanish from cinemas
The 2025 year-end slate brings an unusual lopsidedness to Korean theaters. While a trio of highly anticipated Hollywood sequels prepares to take over, major domestic releases have fallen by the wayside — a telling snapshot of where the local film industry finds itself heading into 2026. Leading the charge from Hollywood is James Cameron's "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the third installment in the epic franchise, hitting theaters Dec. 17. Korea gets the film ahead of the US release by two days — a move
Nov. 9, 2025 -
ASEAN-Korea Center to host ‘ASEAN Week 2025’
The ASEAN-Korea Center is scheduled to host ASEAN Week 2025 from Nov. 11-16 in Seoul, on Jeju Island and in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Launched in 2019, ASEAN Week has become a flagship platform strengthening the partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Korea. This year’s event is designed as a comprehensive platform to advance a spirit of cooperation through crucial people-to-people exchanges. This follows the recent ASEAN-Korea summit in Malaysia, where President Lee J
Nov. 9, 2025 -
Cellist Lee You-bien wins top prize at 2025 Isangyun Competition
Cellist Lee You-bien has won first prize at this year’s Isangyun Competition, the Tongyeong International Music Foundation announced on Sunday. Lee was named the top prize winner after performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 with the Tongyeong Festival Orchestra, conducted by Leos Svarovsky, in the final round held Saturday at the Tongyeong Concert Hall. “I’m truly honored and grateful to receive such a prestigious award,” Lee said during the award ceremony. “I learned so much from all th
Nov. 9, 2025 -
Taean offers slower pace on Korea’s west coast
On Korea’s west coast, Taean in South Chungcheong Province promotes a pace distinct from city life. With more than 120 islands, a coastal national park and a designation as an international "Slow City," the county emphasizes quiet nature, local tradition and community-driven tourism. Taean has long been associated with mild weather, abundant seafood and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Three sides of the county face the Yellow Sea, and its economy and identity remain connected to fishing communities
Nov. 8, 2025 -
Budae jjigae festival
On a Saturday afternoon with a gentle breeze and the rustle of fallen leaves, the streets of Uijeongbu were filled with the spicy aroma of budae jjigae — Korean army stew — simmering in steaming pots That irresistible scent came from the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival, which took place along the street named “Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Street,” near Uijeongbu Station, lined with restaurants specializing in the dish. The city, widely known as the birthplace of budae jjigae, was once home to US milit
Nov. 8, 2025 -
Rose's 'APT.,' 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters nominated for Song of the Year at Grammy Awards
"APT.," BLACKPINK member Rose's collaborative single with Bruno Mars, and "Golden" from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," were nominated for key categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, including the Song of the Year. The Recording Academy, which presents the awards, announced the 2026 nominations across 95 categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be held on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Rose's "APT." was nominated for Song of the Year and R
Nov. 8, 2025 -
Riot Games unveils 2026 LoL schedule as T1, KT gear up for Worlds finals
Riot Games on Friday unveiled its 2026 League of Legends global esports schedule, announcing Brazil, South Korea and the United States as hosts for its three major international tournaments. Chris Greeley, global head of League of Legends esports at Riot Games, unveiled the 2026 competitive calendar during a media showcase held Friday in Chengdu, China, detailing the locations of the company’s three major international tournaments -- the First Stand Tournament (FST), the Mid-Season Invitational
Nov. 7, 2025 -
A 7.5-hour game where you fight alongside donkeys to reclaim their jobs — and why it means much more
When the audience files into SFAC Theater Quad in Seoul's Daehangno district this weekend, they won’t just be watching a show — they’ll be playing a video game together. "asses.masses" is a seven-hour-plus video game told over 10 episodes. Designed to be played from beginning to end in a live theater setting, it invites the audience to take turns (or not) holding a single game controller. The story follows a herd of donkeys who have lost their jobs to machines and are trying to rise up and win t
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Kim Deok-han explores new depth through lacquer, time
In traditional East Asian painting, when ink is applied to hanji, Korean mulberry paper, it seeps into the fibers, becoming one with the paper itself. Lacquer artist Kim Deok-han’s works embody a similar principle in his own material language. Even with multiple layers of lacquer, they do not build up, but coalesce into a single, unified surface. The sense of unity is achieved through repeated sanding of the layers with sandpaper. “You can touch it here, if you would like. I layered black, yell
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Culture minister, heritage administrator denounce Seoul’s high-rise plan near Jongmyo
South Korea’s Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and Korea Heritage Service Administrator Huh Min on Friday denounced Seoul’s plan to ease height restrictions around Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, warning that the development could jeopardize its global status. The announcement made at Jongmyo came less than a week after Seoul City approved a plan for the Sewoon District No. 4 redevelopment zone, raising the maximum building height from 71.9 meters to 141.9 meters on the Cheonggyecheon side
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Join the rave of 'The Belt' with Ambiguous Dance Company
The name Ambiguous Dance Company may sound uncertain, but it perfectly captures the troupe’s identity. With movements that transcend genres, an unmistakably charged physical language and an approach that broadens the reach of contemporary dance, Ambiguous Dance Company has carved one of the most distinctive paths in Korea’s performing arts scene. After celebrating the 15th anniversary of its hit signature piece "Body Concert" in February, the company returns with a new work, "The Belt," choreogr
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Korea’s longest trail race kicks off with 18 runners on a 1,200 km journey
Korea’s most ambitious endurance running event, the Korea Dulle Trail 4500 Race, began Thursday as 18 experienced runners set off on a 1,200 kilometer relay along the nation’s longest trail route. Organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, the race runs through No. 23, tracing the coastline from Busan’s Oryukdo Sunrise Park — the starting point of both the Haerang-gil and Namparang-gil trails — to the final course of the Sehaerang-gil. Divided in
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Author Hwang Sok-yong and 16 other cultural figures recognized with national medals
Renowned novelist Hwang Sok-yong, 81, has been awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest cultural honor bestowed by the Korean government, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Korean literature and its global reach. This year, a total of 17 cultural figures were honored with Orders of Cultural Merit across five grades: one Geumgwan, four Eungwan, five Bogwan, four Okgwan and three Hwagan. The Order of Cultural Merit is the country’s most prestigious state award for t
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Korean contemporary art takes center stage in Paris
Korea Herald correspondent PARIS, France — An exhibition presented at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris offers a rare glimpse into the history of Korean modern and contemporary art built over the past seven decades. “Colors of Korea: Spotlight on Korean Contemporary Art,” which opened on Oct. 22, coinciding with Art Basel Paris, shows works by 34 Korean artists and was organized in commemoration of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations next year. “We began the exhibition w
Nov. 6, 2025 -
Forsythe’s 'One Flat Thing, Reproduced' makes Korean premiere in KNCDC double bill
The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will stage a double bill this week, pairing artistic director Kim Sung-yong’s new work "Crawl" with one of the most celebrated pieces by contemporary choreographer William Forsythe, "One Flat Thing, Reproduced." The performance marks the Korean premiere of "One Flat Thing, Reproduced," which is regarded as one of the choreographer’s signature works. Premiered in February 2000 at Ballet Frankfurt, where Forsythe served as artistic director, the piece
Nov. 6, 2025