The Korea Herald

Boutique gyms offer workout alternative

Jul 30, 2014

It’s a Wednesday evening at the Pop Physique studio in downtown Baltimore, and a dozen women ― most clad in leggings, T-shirts and socks ― are rotating their hips while trying to hold an exercise ball between their thighs.“Great job, guys!” says instructor Smithy Onattu, directing her students via a headset as a playlist with songs such as Lana Del Rey’s “Florida Kilos” and “Tumblr Girls” by rapper G-Eazy pumps through the art-filled space.Over the course of an hour, the group will tackle a seri
Preserves, parks offer memorial trees, benches ― for a price

Jul 30, 2014

Nearly every day in the last years of his life, Casimir Paugys drove to Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve in suburban River Forest, Illinois, sat in his car, read the paper and enjoyed the placid pond and nature center there.He often remarked on his visits when talking to his daughter. He enjoyed the variety of bird species he spotted in the woods, like kingfishers and red-headed woodpeckers. One day he saw a doe nursing its fawn.So when Paugys died at age 68 last year, his three children knew wher
Some 90 bishops to accompany pope to S. Korea

Jul 28, 2014

About 90 bishops from around the world will accompany Pope Francis on his visit to South Korea next month, the preparation committee for the papal visit said Monday."Some 90 bishops, including 30 in the pope's entourage and 60 from other Asian countries, will attend various events during the pope's visit to South Korea," the committee told reporters.The pope is scheduled to visit South Korea on Aug. 14-18, during which he will celebrate four Masses, including one for the beatification of 124 Kor
Joint committee to seek UNESCO status for Buddhist mountain temples

Jul 27, 2014

South Korea is stepping up efforts to inscribe the nation’s traditional Buddhist mountain temples as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites with the founding of a new association to facilitate and oversee the inscription process until 2018.The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism will join hands with various actors including the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and 12 regional organizations, to form a joint committee for the inscription project by signing a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 6
Calendar

Jul 25, 2014

FestivalsThe Great Battle of Hansan Festival: The festival commemorates Korea’s historic victory in the Hansan sea battle during the Joseon period. The Joseon fleet commanded by Adm. Yi Sun-sin battled Japanese invaders in waters off Tongyeong near Hansando Island in 1592. The city of Tongyeong commemorates Yi’s victory with a parade, musicals, dances and cultural programs involving visitors. The festival will take place from Aug. 13-17 at various venues of the city, including Yi Sun-sin Park an
'Faceless' artist from N. Korea to hold exhibition in Beijing

Jul 25, 2014

A North Korean defector known for his satirical paintings on North Korean society plans to hold a rare exhibition in Beijing this week, an organizer of the exhibition said Friday. The painter from North Korea, who uses the pseudonym Sun Mu, fled the North in 1998 and resettled in South Korea in 2001, has been called a "faceless" artist as he does not allow himself to be photographed out of fears that his family left behind could suffer retribution. Sun Mu, who was trained to paint propaganda pic
Joseon royal’s endeavor for longevity

Jul 24, 2014

National Palace Museum exhibits medical records, devices of Joseon Dynasty kings and families
[Herald Review] ‘Dracula’: Blood, love and a red-haired Jun-su

Jul 24, 2014

Musical adaptation of vampire love story is full of spectacle, but lacks dramatic clout
It’s a Barbie world

Jul 24, 2014

Celebrities not limited to singers and actors, says Mattel brand manager
Creating the world of ‘Romeo & Juliette’

Jul 23, 2014

The man who created the African savanna on stage for the Broadway musical “Lion King” is trying to revive his sense of a romantic, atmospheric setting, working on the world’s most famous love story, “Romeo and Juliette.” In his first Korean venture, Richard Hudson is designing the set and costumes for the Korea National Opera’s upcoming production of “Romeo et Juliette” to be staged at Seoul Arts Center in October. The Korea Herald on Monday sat down with the designer, who was in Seoul for a 10-
Young leukemia patient stars in his own ‘Godzilla’ film

Jul 23, 2014

A 4-foot-tall boy became an 800-foot-tall lizard in a Chicago production studio recently, battling monsters and wreaking havoc on a miniature cityscape.Five-year-old Maddex, aka “Madzilla,” stomped in costume through a meticulously designed set that volunteers had built as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation project. Cameras rolled as he roared and took directorial cues in front of a green screen. Local celebrities, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel and ex-Bears football coach Mike Ditka, also participa
First glimpses into musical ‘Woyzeck’

Jul 22, 2014

Local guru’s first global project to premiere here in October
Historical manuscript reveals Joseon military capability

Jul 22, 2014

The National Library of Korea has disclosed a rare document showing the military capability of the Joseon era (1392-1910), Monday.Joseon officials prepared manuscripts to complete “haeyu,” the process of transferring duties to a successor.The library’s disclosed haeyu document was compiled by Yoon Bin, an army second deputy of the West North Camp in Giljumok, North Hamgyong Province, during the ninth year of King Jeongjo’s reign (1785), for his successor Kim Se-hui. Kim then confirmed the report
[Herald Interview] Representing tradition

Jul 20, 2014

Jeongdong Theater aims to reach out to global audiences with high-quality traditional shows
Kenya’s tradition: Bead work still vital to tribes

Jul 20, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Susana Daniel Chemakwany sits quietly under a white tent near the U.S. Capitol, stitching tiny, multicolored beads together into a colorful array of necklaces, wristlets and earrings laid out before her on two tables and behind her pinned to a wall. Not far from where Chemakwany sits is another tent, a marketplace where some of her work is for sale. Clothes, shoes and baskets, all with beading incorporated into the design, are available. A price tag hangs from each item, but th