Boomers had their turn. Now it's 'young 40s' getting roasted for acting half their age
Actor Lee Dong-gun diagnosed with rare progressive illness on air
In Seoul over Chuseok holiday?
Kim Go-eun, Park Ji-hyun unpack emotional layers of 'You and Everything Else'
'8 in 10 female trainees don't menstruate': Hidden costs of K-pop stardom
Trump revives threat of 100% tariff on foreign-made films. Koreans are unfazed – for now
K-dramas that will bring families together this Chuseok
With a rare seven-day break this Chuseok, families have time to slow down and reconnect. With everyone gathered together, it’s the perfect chance to discover a new binge-worthy drama. This Chuseok, gather around the TV with your family and enjoy dramas that cross generations, offering stories that are as engaging as they are heartfelt. From shows that make you laugh to those that tug at your heart, these K-dramas will give you moments to connect, reminisce and even shed a few tears with your lov
Oct. 4, 2025
Film scholar Pyeon Jang-wan named new president of Korea National University of Arts
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Friday the appointment of Pyeon Jang-wan, 61, a professor at the School of Film, TV and Multimedia, as the 10th president of the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts). His four-year term runs through Oct. 1, 2029. Pyeon was elected as the university’s presidential candidate in June, securing 65.2 percent of the votes in a direct election involving students, faculty and staff. His appointment was finalized upon Culture Minister Chae Hwi-y
Oct. 3, 2025
National Theater revives Greek tragedies in 5-part epic 'Anthropolis'
The ancient city of Thebes has long been a stage for the great dramas of Greek mythology. Founded, legend has it, by the Phoenician prince Cadmus as he searched for his abducted sister Europa, the city became a birthplace of gods, a center of worship and the setting for some of the most enduring tragedies. Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, was said to have been born there, while King Oedipus fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother. Aeschylus, Sophocles and Eurip
Oct. 3, 2025
Immersive 'Solo Leveling' exhibition to open in Seoul in November
Step into a dungeon, shout “Arise,” and watch a legion of soldiers come to life before your eyes. That’s the promise of the upcoming “Solo Leveling” exhibition, opening Nov. 22 at DUEX Hongdae in Seoul, where fans don’t just view the megahit franchise’s fictional universe, they level up inside it. Running through March 1, 2026, the immersive exhibition will cast visitors as novice hunters fresh from training, exhibition organizer Waysbe said. After a welcome from the fictional Korea Hunter Assoc
Oct. 3, 2025
National Museum of Korea partners with Hybe to bring Korean heritage to the world
The National Museum of Korea said Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Museum Foundation of Korea and Hybe to promote Korea's cultural heritage. The agreement sets out plans to integrate traditional heritage with entertainment. Initiatives include developing merchandise, expanding sales overseas through Hybe’s global distribution network and launching joint promotional campaigns to highlight the museum’s collections. “Sharing our traditional culture — the root a
Oct. 3, 2025
Packages and promotions
Paris Bar at Grand Hyatt Seoul launches exclusive Black Sheep Society Paris Bar at Grand Hyatt Seoul has unveiled its premium Black Sheep Society membership program. This invitation-only club is granted to guests who purchase bottles worth over 1 million won in a single visit, offering two tiers: White Sheep (1 million won, valid for two months) and Black Sheep (2 million won, valid for three months). Members receive exclusive benefits, including welcome snacks, signature cocktails, personalize
Oct. 3, 2025
Festivals, sights across Korea
See history come alive at the 2025 Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival, running through Saturday. Hosted at Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this festival celebrates King Jeongjo’s historic 1795 royal procession with immersive performances and vibrant cultural events. Highlights include the majestic King Jeongjo’s Royal Parade, Korea’s largest royal reenactment. Don’t miss signature shows like "Suwon Fantasy – Yajo," the immersive art performance "Jinchang" and the water perfo
Oct. 3, 2025
Retro refinement
Indulge in nostalgia this weekend. In Euljiro, travel back in time at a cozy bar-restaurant that takes music requests. For good old-fashioned family fun, head to a playground set up inside a department store in where kids and adults alike can play with toys that are made with all-natural materials. Finally, over at Mapo, high culture comes with very affordable tickets. From music of the great romantic composers to indie music, dance and culture talks, there is a wide range from which to choose.
Oct. 3, 2025
Movies in theaters this week
"Boss" (South Korea) Opened Oct. 3 Action/Comedy Directed by Ra Hee-chan A mob boss's sudden death triggers a desperate competition among his potential successors (Jo Woo-jin, Jung Kyung-ho) to avoid inheriting the leadership position, each hoping to pursue their own dreams instead. "One Battle After Another" (US) Opened Oct. 1 Action/Thriller Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson An ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) living in witness protection must protect his teenage daughter from a corrupt mil
Oct. 3, 2025
From Emmys to Seoul, ‘Severance’ and ‘Adolescence’ continue their winning streak
Marking its 20th anniversary, the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards wrapped Thursday night in Seoul, with Apple TV+’s “Severance” and Netflix’s “Adolescence” emerging as one of night’s biggest winners. The ceremony, hosted by the Seoul Drama Awards Organizing Committee and the Korean Broadcasters Association at KBS Hall in Yeouido, spotlighted 276 submissions from 50 countries. Honors were divided into three main sections: International Competition, K-Drama Competition and International Invi
Oct. 2, 2025
President Lee Jae Myung, first lady Kim Hea Kyung to guest star on JTBC’s 'Chef & My Fridge' Chuseok special
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung are set to guest star on the hit JTBC cooking variety show “Chef & My Fridge,” the presidential office announced Thursday. Airing Sunday at 9 p.m. local time, the special holiday installment is titled “Chuseok Special: Please Take Care of My K-Refrigerator” (translated). In the episode, the presidential couple will spotlight seasonal produce from Korea’s farms and seas while celebrating traditional Chuseok dishes, weaving in perso
Oct. 2, 2025
'OMG is this photoshopped?' BTS’ RM stunned by snaps with President Lee Jae Myung
BTS leader RM was apparently caught off guard when a photo appeared online showing him posing with the South Korean president. His first reaction: “OMG is this photoshopped?” The image came from a photo booth session at the launch of the Presidential Committee on Popular Culture Exchange, held Wednesday at Kintex in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. President Lee Jae Myung and Park Jin-young, the founder of JYP Entertainment and co-chair of the new committee, stopped by an instant photo booth. The boot
Oct. 2, 2025
Extended Chuseok holiday brings theatrical smorgasbord
This year's Chuseok arrives bearing an unusual gift. Thanks to a fortuitous alignment of the lunar calendar with National Foundation Day (Oct. 3) and Hangeul Day (Oct. 9), Koreans are staring down a luxurious seven-day break — the kind of extended holiday that comes around once in a blue moon. With all that extra time on their hands, industry watchers are cautiously optimistic that people will venture beyond their streaming services and into actual theaters. The lineup itself is eclectic, offeri
Oct. 2, 2025
Media artist Choi Chan-sook's first book to be published in English
Conference, exhibition to be held in Berlin, marking publication of catalog showcasing Choi's work A catalog titled “The Non-Statistical Body,” offering a comprehensive overview of Korean-born artist Choi Chan-sook’s oeuvre, will be published in October by Berlin-based contemporary art publisher Distanz Verlag. Based in Seoul and Berlin, Choi won the Korea Artist Prize 2021, the annual prize given to emerging Korean artists by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, in recogni
Oct. 2, 2025
In Seoul over Chuseok holiday?
Whether you are staying put in the capital or visiting Seoul over the extra-long holiday period, rest assured, you won't be bored. Oct. 3-9 is your chance to explore the royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs for free with no reservation required. The palaces and Jongmyo Shrine will remain open through Oct. 12, but the royal tombs will be closed on Oct. 10. Of course, Seoul has more to offer than just strolling through old palaces. The Korea Herald has put together a brief introductio
Oct. 2, 2025
