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Director Joung Yu-mi's 'Glasses' invited to Cannes Film Festival
Director Joung Yu-mi’s short animated film “Glasses” has been invited to compete in the short film category at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, making it the only South Korean work selected for this year’s prestigious event so far. “Glasses” will be showcased in the Critics’ Week short film competition, a parallel section of the Cannes Film Festival dedicated to highlighting emerging voices in global cinema. The 15-minute animation follows Yu-jin, who, after breaking her glasses, visits an opticia
April 18, 2025 -
Jongmyo procession reservations to open Friday
Online reservations for a Joseon-era (1392-1910) ancestral rite ceremony combining royal music and dance at Jongmyo shrine in central Seoul on May 4 are scheduled to open Friday. Jongmyo Daeje, the ritual, began as a royal procession to honor Joseon kings and queens. It was held five times annually before being discontinued under Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule. Korea revived the practice in 1969, having since held it every year in early May. In 2001, UNESCO added the ritual to its list of intangi
April 17, 2025 -
Religious leaders urge solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday
Religious leaders in South Korea called for solidarity ahead of Easter Sunday to confront the unprecedented challenge posed by Yoon Suk Yeol’s Dec. 3 declaration of martial law that led to the former president's ouster. Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said solidarity is slowly taking root in the face of deepening political confusion that has yet to be resolved. “What we need most now is hope and conviction, one that transcends this darkness,” Chung said in a statement. The National Counc
April 17, 2025 -
Korea Craft Week 2025 to kick off May 16
South Korea's largest annual local craft festival is returning bigger than ever next month. The Korea Craft and Design Foundation and the Culture Ministry said Thursday that the eighth annual Korea Craft Week 2025 will take place May 16-25 nationwide, with three counties and 12 provinces hosting major craft events and programs for visitors. In its eighth edition, this year's fair will run under the theme, "Living Together, Craft Together," to connect people through craft and bring happiness to e
April 16, 2025 -
Ron Mueck's hyperrealist sculptures evoke fear, compassion
Australian artist Ron Mueck’s handmade sculptures of humans are stunningly realistic. One features a mother carrying her baby in a sling almost completely hidden by her large overcoat as she carries bags of groceries -- a scene you might encounter on any street. The artist titled the sculpture “Woman with Shopping.” Mueck’s first major exhibition in South Korea opened Friday at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, where 24 of the artist’s selected sculptures and documentary
April 16, 2025 -
Yang Sung-won reflects on 50 years with cello
Unlike many musicians who celebrate the anniversary of their public debut, South Korean cellist Yang Sung-won is marking something more personal: 50 years since a life-altering performance inspired a 7-year-old to trade the piano for the cello. That moment dates back to March 10, 1975, when Hungarian American cellist Janos Starker gave a performance in Seoul — one that would set the course of Yang’s life. Years later, he became not only his student, but also his assistant, entrusted to teach in
April 16, 2025 -
ArtToken to join upcoming Art Dubai 2025
Art Token, an online non fungible token art trading platform, will join Art Dubai 2025, scheduled to take place Friday to Sunday. The trading platform will introduce four Asian artists based in Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo to the digital section of the art fair. Among the artists is Genesis Kai, a chiral twin and AI-infused alter ego created by Ming Shiu, who will show a meditative digital installation inspired by Korea’s traditional moon jar. Painter Oh Ji-yoon, whose works feature layers of "han
April 15, 2025 -
Step into 100 years of Disney magic
Walt Disney Archives will be opening its vault of treasures through a special docent program to share stories about the animation powerhouse's 100-year history on the sidelines of "Disney 100: The Exhibition" at the K Museum of Contemporary Art in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul. The special program, led by Walt Disney Archives' Exhibitions Creative Lead Kelsey Williams, runs daily at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. from April 29 to May 1. Each session lasts around an hour and a half and will be limited to 20 peo
April 15, 2025 -
Qatar Philharmonic makes resonant Korea debut with cultural fusion
The Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra made its long-anticipated Korean debut over the weekend with two performances in Goyang and Seoul, meeting Korean audiences for the first time since its founding in 2008. On Sunday evening, the orchestra -- comprising 96 musicians from more than 30 countries -- took the stage at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater. Held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Qatar and Korea, the concert was attended by notable gu
April 14, 2025 -
Noncompetitive, low-stress games take center stage for Korean gamers
Shifting away from the battle-heavy titles, games focused on personal growth, emotional healing and everyday life simulation are emerging as the latest trend among gamers in South Korea. At the forefront of this trend is Nexon’s Mabinogi Mobile, which launched March 27. The game is rapidly gaining traction as a standout title in the Korean gaming scene, attracting nearly 400,000 daily active users during its launch week. The number makes the game the most-played mobile massively multiplayer onli
April 14, 2025 -
Two Korean sites named UNESCO Global Geoparks
Danyang-gun in North Chungcheong Province and the east coast of North Gyeongsang Province have been added to UNESO’s list of Global Geoparks, a designation given for their geological heritage of international significance. The entire county of Danyang-gun will now be protected, including its 43 scenic areas of geological importance such as Dodamsambong, a peak comprising three rock pillars on the Namhan River. Valleys, caves, cliffs and rocks make up the rest of the scenic sites, according to th
April 14, 2025 -
Musical on Joseon queen to be staged at royal shrine
Reservations for a musical revisiting a ceremony from the Joseon era (1392-1910) to be staged at Jongmyo from April 26-30 are now open. “The Queen’s Story” focuses on Queen Inwon — the second wife of King Sukjong (1674-1720) — observing the ancestral rite at Jongmyo, the royal shrine where the tablets of Joseon kings and queens are enshrined, following her wedding ceremony. The visit to the shrine to pay respects to royal ancestors was the only state event in which women were allowed to particip
April 14, 2025 -
At Expo 2025 in Osaka, nations wear their identities up front
OSAKA, Japan — “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” the saying goes. But at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, the exteriors of many national pavilions offer a clear preview of what lies within. South Korea’s pavilion, sprawling over 3,500 square meters, makes a bold statement with a massive 27-by-10-meter digital media façade created by LG Electronics. It underscores the nation’s strong focus on technological innovation. The screen covers the entire front wall and features video of shifting cultural
April 14, 2025 -
Suspect arrested in burglary of comedian Park Na-rae’s home, police say
Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a recent burglary at the home of South Korean comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae, local reports and police said Monday. According to officers at Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, the suspect has a criminal record that includes multiple theft-related offenses. Investigators suspect the individual broke into Park’s home and stole valuables. Contrary to some media reports and rumors, the suspect is not an acquintance of Park and Park does not kn
April 14, 2025 -
KFPI to add new eateries to list of excellent Korean restaurants overseas
In an effort to recognize high-quality Korean eateries outside of South Korea, the Korean Food Promotion Institute and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs hope to add new names to their Excellent Overseas Korean Restaurants list this year. Korean restaurants in Paris, London, Los Angeles and Singapore can apply via email until May 19. More information is available on the KFPI's official website. To apply, restaurants must have been operating for the past three years in the respec
April 14, 2025