The Korea Herald

(Photo News) Comics Festival

CultureAug 13, 2014

Animation majors from Korea’s Bucheon University and Japan Animation and Manga College hold up their caricatures at the 17th Bucheon International Comics Festival, which opened at the Korea Manhwa Museum on Wednesday. The festival runs until Aug. 17. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)
Expect messages of peace, hope from pope, Korean bishop says

CultureAug 12, 2014

With the arrival of Pope Francis less than two days away, expectations are running high as to what message the leader of the Roman Catholic Church will have for Korea. From the Sewol ferry, clashes over high-voltage power transmission towers to be installed in the rural town of Miryang, to the reunification of the divided Koreas, there is a long list of issues that various groups would like to see the pope address during his historic visit on Aug. 14-18. A high-ranking cleric here on Tuesday tri
Planned art exhibition child’s play for IAC

Expat LivingAug 12, 2014

The International Artist Community and the Professional Artist Network Korea are inviting artists to reflect on their creative growth by recreating art from their childhoods.The idea for the “Revisited: Interpretations of our Past Creations” exhibition came when IAC head Mike Stewart saw a picture he drew at 4 years old posted on Facebook by his mother.“I thought it would be interesting to see what I could do with that image or design at my age now, just as a goof and as a silly personal challen
Ulsan-based kids’ team competes in Norway Cup

Expat LivingAug 12, 2014

A team from Ulsan became the first Korean side to compete in the Norway Cup this year. Here one of the players talks about the experience. ― Ed. On July 24, 11 players and three coaches from Rising Star Football Academy in Ulsan embarked on a quest as the first team to enter the Norway Cup from the Republic of Korea. With a journey full of unforgettable experiences in front of us, we couldn’t wait to get started.The Norway Cup is an international football tournament for youths aged 10-19, held e
Gwangju center seeks volunteers for GIC Day

Expat LivingAug 12, 2014

Gwangju International Center is looking for talent show participants and people to run booths for the 20th annual Gwangju International Community Day in October.Boram Lee said the objective behind GIC Day is to help promote multiculturalism in Gwangju and Korea. Her team hopes to have as positive a turnout as last year’s GIC Day, where people from around the city showcased their cultures.The novelty of the performances, Lee explains, is what makes them exciting.“Last year the Indonesian team won
Catholic singers to spice up papal Masses

CultureAug 12, 2014

Pianist Paik Kun-woo, soprano Jo Su-mi and singer Insooni to perform in Seoul, Daejeon on Aug. 15-16
Manuscript of ancient map reveals cartographer’s endeavor

CultureAug 12, 2014

A newly discovered manuscript offers a new glimpse into the endeavors behind a famous ancient map of Korea which is regarded as the greatest cartographic achievement before the modern period. The manuscript, unveiled by the National Library of Korea on Monday, is believed to be one of several early drafts drawn by 19th century cartographer Kim Jeong-ho before he carved the “Daedongyeojido” on woodblocks in 1861. Part of the manuscript for “Daedongyeojido (The Detailed Map of the Great East).” (
Japan architects sell a lifestyle on global stage

Arts&DesignAug 12, 2014

TOKYO (AP) ― A new generation of Japanese architects is scoring success by reinterpreting the past. Unlike their predecessors, who modernized Japan with Western-style edifices, they talk of fluidly defining space with screens, innovatively blending with nature, taking advantage of earthy materials and incorporating natural light, all trademarks of Japanese design. And their sensibility that speaks to a human-oriented yet innovative everyday life is proving a hit abroad, said Erez Golani Solomon,
Jo Jung-rae wins first Simhun Literary Award

BooksAug 12, 2014

Jo Jung-rae, the author of popular history saga “Taebaek Mountain Range,” has been chosen as the recipient of the first Simhun Literary Award, the organizers of the award said Tuesday. The 70-years-old writer edged out six final contenders, including four Koreans, a Japanese and a Vietnamese, to take the 20 million won ($19,500) in prize money. Korean novelist Jo Jung-rae. (Kim Myung-sub/The Korea Herald)The organizers, the Simhun Sangnok Cultural Festival Committee, praised Jo for his “continu
[Papal Visit] A frenzy to study pope, Catholic history

CultureAug 11, 2014

From gracing TV screens and bookshelves to museums, Pope Francis is the hottest star in Korea now. With his much-anticipated arrival here just two days away, various programs and events vie for the attention of a public curious about the leader of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics worldwide as well as the religion’s small, but strong branch here. For Korea’s 5.4 million-strong Catholic community, which is roughly 11 percent of the population, it is a festival of faith that will culminate in the Aug. 1
Korean teens win silver in world culinary cup

PeopleAug 11, 2014

Korean participants pose in Incheon International Airport before leaving for the Philippine Culinary Cup in Manila on Aug. 3.A group of Korean teenagers aged 15 to 19 won silver medals in the world culinary cup in Manila, Philippines, last week.Six students ― Kim Min-seung, Kim Ji-young, Kim Tae-gyeom, Baek Jang-sun, Jang Hong-chang and Hong Ji-young ― were awarded 10 silver medals in four sections in the 2014 Philippine Culinary Cup. The four sections included pasta, poultry, plated desserts an
[Weekender] High hopes for Pope Francis

CultureAug 8, 2014

An inspirational leader beyond religion, pontiff due here Aug. 14-18
[Weekender] Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine birthplace of Korean Catholics

CultureAug 8, 2014

Pope Francis is to visit Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine before presiding over the beatification Mass in Gwanghwamun Square on Aug. 16. Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine occupies a central place in the history of Catholicism in Korea. During the 19th century, an estimated 10,000 Catholics were martyred across the country as a crackdown on Catholicism intensified amid power struggles, foreign intervention, and ideological conflict that put the converts at odds with the reigning Joseon state. Many Catholics who w
[Weekender] In search of the roots of Korean Catholicism

TravelAug 8, 2014

South Chungcheong is holy ground for Korean Catholicism and symbol of Christian martyrdom
[Weekender] Korea awaits ‘people’s pope’

CultureAug 8, 2014

Last year, a 6-year-old boy in a yellow shirt wandered up on the stage during Pope Francis’ address to the large crowd at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The boy sat on the pope’s chair and hung out on the stage. He then clung onto the pope’s legs and refused to leave, even after promises of candy or cardinals’ other efforts to escort him away. The pope patted the boy’s head and gave him a generous smile as he delivered his speech. It was just another account of what Pope Francis is known fo