Song Seung-hwan, creator of the famous percussion performance “Nanta,” will direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the organizing committee said Thursday. Song, 58, was chosen as artistic director of the ceremonies, the committee said in a press announcement, citing his “directorial skills” and “understanding of the audience, media and human network.”Song Seung-hwan (Yonhap)An acclaimed show producer, Song runs PMC Production Co. in

  “Democracy Delayed”By Daniel Tudor(Munhakdongne) 　For Daniel Tudor, a former Korea correspondent for the Economist, Korean politics seems a bit strange. 　With blurred ideological differences between the right-wing and left-wing parties, the left is mired in the past and lacks professionalism while the right has no concrete agenda other than a pro-conglomerate, me-first policy.　“Is Korean democracy in retreat?” Tudor, 33, asks in his latest book “Democracy Delayed,” which was recently published

A wine label is more than a pretty marketing device. Most of the information printed there is highly regulated and can tell you a lot about what to expect. (Handout/TNS)Trumping whatever aesthetic value a wine label may have, its main function is to impart legal information to the consumer. As such, the bottler, winery or winemaker, as well as the legal authority in the country where the wine is sold, have an interest in shaping that information. For their part, the people who put the wine in th

 GOAT basketball players pose at a fund-raiser tournament for a local children’s welfare center. GOATCombining sport with fun and a little community goodwill, “GOAT” has quickly become one of the most popular sports groups in Seoul’s expat community.The most recent spring season of the GOAT ― “greatest of all time” ― basketball league brought the largest turnout so far. The eight-week league was composed of teams of eight picked in a draft. The teams ― capped to six due to space constraints ― pl

A page from “Worth the Wait,” with illustrations by Sol LeeBlending luscious illustrative messages about patience, Ilsan-based writer Georgia Scott has recently released “Worth the Wait,” a children’s book tailored for English teachers here. It will be the first book of a trilogy created by the former New York Times art director, in collaboration with Korean native Sol Lee. “Worth the Wait,” a story about the value of waiting, began when Scott spoke with Sol Lee, a student in Scott’s adult Engli

Innovative design products of emerging young designers in Korea will go on display at Hi Design Festival from July 3-5 in Seoul. The festival, co-organized by Herald Corp., publisher of The Korea Herald, and shopping mall Hi Brand, offers young designers a chance to market their creations directly to customers, while inviting visitors to participate in open do-it-yourself making sessions. Various eye-catching products will be up for sale on the first floor of the Hi Brand mall and on the outdoor

Exercise regimes that focus on stretching and deep breathing for health and beauty

Cinema, concert, theater attendance returning to pre-MERS levels

Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri (Cultural Heritage Administration)A vast historic site that belongs to the ancient kingdom of Baekje is expected to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming Korea’s 12th item on the coveted list. A motion to inscribe it is scheduled for a final vote at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee on July 4 in Germany, following a recommendation from the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration

Models present creations of Korean designer Juun.J during the 2016 spring-summer collection during Paris Fashion Week on Friday. Inspired by naval uniforms, the collection, held at Palais de Tokyo, presented 36 pieces that spun a new interpretation on classic tailoring by incorporating wool and denim into oversized silhouettes. The Juun.J show was attended by some 600 fashion experts, including major buyers from SAKS New York, Paris’ Galerie Lafayette and London’s Harrods. Juun.J has been partic