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Books
[Herald Interview] Andersen award-winning Lee Suzy chronicles her picture book journey in debut essay

For quite some time, celebrated picture book artist Lee Suzy has been writing on her blog as if it were a personal diary. However, when the blog platform shut down last year, all of her writing was at risk of disappearing into thin air. "We often believe records in the digital realm will be there forever, but that was not the case. I realized then that what I've been doing with my books was gathering those fleeting thoughts and words into tangible forms," said Lee. Her latest book, “Touchable Th
April 16, 2024 - 20:09:35
Arts&Design
[Herald Interview] Choi Byung-hoon's 'art furniture' carved with past, present

DOHA, Qatar -- Strolling outside the National Museum of Qatar, pieces of black basalt just outside the museum entrance come into sight -- seemingly rough but polished, the installation looks like artwork and, at the same, like chairs. The installation "Afterimage of the Beginning 2023," collected by the museum, was created by Korean artist Choi Byung-hoon who pioneered his own genre of art, so-called “art furniture,” and has pursued it for the past 30 years. The work was installed at the desert
April 16, 2024 - 16:38:07
Economy
[Herald Interview] Weak consumption, property risk could delay Korea’s recovery: ADB economist

Korean economy forecast to grow by 2.2% in 2024, 2.3% in 2025 While recent figures indicate the Korean economy is on the path of recovery, weak household consumption and a fragile property market could remain challenges for the country, an economist from the Asian Development Bank projected. In its Asian Development Outlook report released Thursday, the international organization based in Manila forecast Korea's gross domestic product to grow by 2.2 percent in 2024 and 2.3 percent in 2025, signa
April 12, 2024 - 17:55:16
K-pop
[Herald Interview] K-pop at forefront of changing music consumption: Hello82 founder

LA-based K-pop record label aims to foster K-pop-inspired lifestyle K-pop is leading a new generation of music consumers for whom social media platforms, such as TikTok and YouTube, have become the leading outlets for experiencing music, says Choi Jae-yoon, the founder and CEO of Hello82, a Los Angeles-based K-pop record label and distributor established in 2018. “K-pop artists are like social influencers with a fan community. That fan community consumes content related to the artist available o
April 11, 2024 - 15:20:35
Foreign affairs
[Herald Interview] Kazakhstan needs Korea's expertise via joint research, education: minister

Kazakhstan needs Korean expertise through joint partnerships to realize the Central Asian country's potential in education, research and technology, said Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan's minister of science and higher education, in an interview with The Korea Herald on Monday. Nurbek was on a two-day visit to South Korea to deepen Kazakhstan-Korea collaboration in research and higher education. “We are buying a supercomputer this year. So we'll have computing power. But mostly we want to use it in j
April 10, 2024 - 17:46:37
Culture
[Herald Interview] Son Yeol-eom and Svetlin Roussev perfect couple for 'Love Music'

In terms of personalities, celebrated Korean pianist Son Yeol-eum and Bulgarian violinist Svetlin Roussev are polar opposites. Son, an introvert who loves solitude, prefers not to engage in frequent phone conversations. She typically spends less than an hour on personal calls. Roussev, on the other hand, is an extrovert who loves to connect with people and enjoys spending time outside. He easily spends an hour on the phone. “He’s so energetic. Nothing matches outside of music,” Son said during a
April 10, 2024 - 17:18:00
Culture
[Herald Interview] With musical 'Il Tenore,' Seo Kyung-su 'couldn't be happier'

The strong and positive audience reaction to the new musical, "Il Tenore," has led to a rerun just a month after the two month-long premiere concluded on Feb. 25. Additionally, the musical led Seo Kyung-su, who plays the lead role of Yun I-seon, a medical student with a passion for classical singing, against the backdrop of 1920s Korea during the Japanese colonial occupation, to volunteer to do an interview. Seo alternates the role with two other top actors, Hong Kwang-ho and Park Eun-tae. Last
April 10, 2024 - 16:44:14
Culture
[Herald Interview] 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' countertenors aim to win over Verdi, Puccini, Wagner fans

When "A Midsummer Night's Dream," an opera adapted by Benjamin Britten, premieres in South Korea later this week in a production by the Korea National Opera, it will represent two rarities here. An opera with a libretto from William Shakespeare's play of the same title, it will stand out as a rare English-language opera in a country where the works of Verdi, Wagner and Puccini are beloved. Additionally, the opera is one of very few to include countertenors in the leading roles. The KNO’s product
April 9, 2024 - 16:55:16
Mobility
[Herald Interview] Porsche zeroes in on making more fans with new Panamera

Head of Porsche’s Panamera product line underscores young Korean customers’ will to see innovation The chief of the Porche's Panamera line said building a bigger local fandom will be the carmaker's most important goal as the sporty sedan's third-generation was rolled out in Korea. “The question is not only ‘how do we get the customers to the brand and how do we get them not only as customers and drivers of our cars' (but also) 'How do we get them as fans of the brand?’” said Thomas Friemuth, the
April 8, 2024 - 17:13:24
Travel
[Herald Interview] Thai chef brings savory flavors of her home to Seoul

Tipaporn Phianthong, the head chef of Saffron -- the modern Thai cuisine restaurant at Banyan Tree Phuket -- has ventured beyond her home turf Thailand to bring the gastronomic excellence of Thai cuisine to Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul and its guests. The 31-year-old Thai chef arrived in Seoul last week with excitement to connect with Korean diners via Thai dishes. “Many people might be familiar with Thai cuisine’s spicy flavor. But, what makes our food tasty is the aroma of Thai herbs,” Phianth
April 5, 2024 - 17:25:27
Television
[Herald Interview] 3rd season of 'Physical 100' with international contestants being considered

The third season of global hit survival series "Physical: 100" may be underway with a revamped format and the inclusion of some international contestants. The "Physical: 100" series showcases 100 contestants engaging in various survival matches to determine the most physically fit individual. The winner receives a prize of 300 million won ($228,000). The series' first season became a global success by becoming the first Korean variety show to claim the number one spot on Netflix's global top 10
April 5, 2024 - 17:11:49
K-pop
[Herald Interview] NCT Wish aims to live up to group name

It would be a lie for the bandmates of SM Entertainment rookie K-pop boy band NCT Wish to say they did not feel the pressure of their debut as a subunit of NCT. Yet, NCT Wish hopes to continue to do its best to live up to the group’s name. “Our seniors from the group NCT are outstanding live performers, so we try our best to live up to their name by practicing hard for our performance and monitoring our rehearsals meticulously for improvement. We still have a long way to go,” Sion said in a grou
April 5, 2024 - 13:57:35
Culture
[Herald Interview] Countertenor Philippe Jaroussky to go on spiritual journey of 'St. Matthew Passion'

In the upcoming performances of “St. Matthew Passion,” BWV 244 by J.S. Bach, in South Korea, renowned countertenor Philippe Jaroussky will join forces with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra conducted by Francesco Corti. Jaroussky will sing “Erbarme dich” in the three-hour-long performance. “I’ve been working specifically on this aria for more than 6 months! I think the difficulty is to express the powerful expression of regret and the dramatic aspect of it, with an instrumental approach too, as it
April 3, 2024 - 17:05:34
Performance
[Herald Interview] 'Age is not a limit,' says young cast of changgeuk 'Lear'

Kim Jun-soo, Yu Tae-pyung-yang perform roles of King Lear, Earl of Gloucester in traditional Korean music-drama adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy Among Shakespeare's tragedies, "King Lear" stands out for its portrayal of one of the oldest protagonists. Betrayed by his daughters, losing his kingdom, his sanity, and ultimately his life, the stage is filled with the anguished cries of a monarch in his twilight years. In a groundbreaking departure from convention, young "changgeuk" performers took
April 3, 2024 - 16:47:49
K-pop
[Herald Interview] Babymonster sets out to target global listeners with YG ‘DNA’

Dropping the group's first EP, “Babymos7er,” Monday, YG Entertainment’s latest girl group, Babymonster, made its official debut. “We are announcing our new beginning as a group of seven with Ahyeon joining us for the promotion of this album,” said Rora of Babymonster during a group interview with local reporters on Monday. Babymonster previously debuted with a digital single, “Batter Up,” on Nov. 27, 2023 as a group of six -- Ruka, Pharita, Asa, Rami, Rora and Chiquita. Ahyeon who was among the
April 2, 2024 - 17:24:06