Some of the exhibited works for Korea Artist Prize 2020 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, are under fire for including sex dolls. Works by visual artist Jung Yoon-suk are part of the exhibition for Korea Artist Prize 2020, co-organized by the MMCA and SBS Foundation. Four visual artists were selected earlier this year, and their works were unveiled at the MMCA Seoul venue on Dec. 4. At the center of the controversy is the two-hour documentary film “Tomorrow&

KBS investigative TV show to look into alleged forgery cases of painting master

Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri Park in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, is located about 7 kilometers south of the cease-fire line.  Developed right after the South-North joint communique of 1972, the park has become a tourist spot.  Relics with sorrow and pain from the Korean War that broke out on June 25, 1950 and confrontation between the two Koreas still exist there.  A steam locomotive preserved and exhibited as a cultural heritage in the park is one of the symbols of the tragic history o

Bagel expert brings 23 years of tradition to Korea

Leaves remain in vibrant red and orange colors on Thursday, as the cold hits Galsan Park in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. People take walks along the waterside with the clear winter sky painted across the background. The air looks to be free of fine dust, with buildings afar easily visible. Mulsorigil is covered in long reeds with hints of white snow covering the tips. Mallards fly through the sky, with some swiftly dipping into the water. (Photos: Yonhap) By Song Donna (donnadsong@heraldco

A luminous Christmas tree with various decorations stands in solitude in the streets of Myeong-dong, central Seoul.  Under the tightened Level 2.5 social distancing rules in Seoul, indoor activities have a curfew of 9 p.m., which traces the views of empty streets.  In an effort to curb further spread of the new coronavirus, the year-end season is expected to present unprecedented sights of Christmas. (Photos: Yonhap) By Lee Jae-Eun (leeje16@heraldcorp.com)

The heartwarming Japanese novel “The Miracles of the Namiya General Store,” written by mystery writer Keigo Higashino, is coming to life in the real world. The novel, which centers on general store owner Namiya who communicates with neighbors through handwritten letters and offers sincere advice, has been a steady seller in South Korea since its 2012 release. In commemoration of the 100th printing, publisher Hyundae Munhak kicked off a project inspired by the story in collaborati

The body of South Korean filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, who died from COVID-19 complications in Latvia, is likely to be cremated in the Baltic country, a diplomatic source familiar with the matter said Saturday. Kim's family has asked the South Korean Embassy in Latvia to take care of the funeral process, the source said, citing difficulties in travel over the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Korean Embassy is in talks with the family over the funeral process. The 59-year-old director died early Friday (l

Filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, who is known to have died from COVID-19 complications in Latvia, was one of South Korea's most decorated film directors, especially on the international stage. He rose to global fame after winning best director and best film awards at two of the three major international film festivals. But he left his home country after becoming embroiled in the #MeToo movement, facing accusations of sexual and physical abuse from an actress in 2017. Born to an impoverished family in th

Indie Jeonju Festival Indie Jeonju Festival will be held online Dec. 25-27. The festival is titled “Still Alive” this year, according to organizers, aiming to show that Jeonju-based musicians are still living passionately, despite the monthslong blackout in the culture sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 15 music acts will take to the stage, performing a wide range of music, from pop, folk, rock, jazz, hip-hop and classical music to innovative traditional Korean musi

JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul launches ‘Sweet Moments’ experience JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul presents the “Sweet Moments” experience until May 2021. “Sweet Moments” includes one night in a Deluxe, Executive Deluxe or Executive Suite room, breakfast for two at Tavolo 24, and complimentary use of the swimming pool and fitness center.  The “Salon de Strawberry with Barbie” is also offered, which is an in-room afternoon tea set

Standards for advanced nation status will change after COVID-19 pandemic, says Korea Foundation President Lee Geun

As pandemic keeps people from dining out, restaurants turn to meal kits

A surgeon at a hospital in Seoul has become the first South Korean to receive the Linnaeus Medal. The Hallym University Medical Center said Wednesday Dr. Yoon Dai-won, the chief director of the hospital’s Ilsong Foundation, has been awarded the Linnaeus Medal in gold for 2020. The medal is organized by Uppsala University in Sweden. The university said Yoon was recognized for his contributions in creating opportunities for research exchanges between Korea and Sweden, one of which is joi

Sohn Chang-kun, who has donated more than 300 important cultural heritage items that he collected throughout his life, was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit Geumgwan on Tuesday, becoming the first recipient of the country’s highest honor for cultural heritage preservation. “The honor is given to a contributor who has devoted at least 15 years to preserving Korea’s cultural heritage,” an official from the Cultural Heritage Administration told The Korea Herald. “