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Gayageum artist Kim Do-yeon on K-pop and gugak: 'True fusion comes from deep understanding, not decoration'
When K-pop artists sprinkle bits of traditional Korean instrumentation or melodies into their music, audiences often call it “fusion.” But for Kim Do-yeon, a 34-year-old gayageum player and vocalist leading a jazz quintet in New York, the term feels outdated. “Fusion and crossover were meaningful once, but we’ve gone beyond that,” Kim said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Oct. 21. “Today, music is fluid. Genres interact all the time — but real harmony only happens when artists truly unde
Nov. 12, 2025 -
Seoul, Paris finalizing state visit by President Macron to mark 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year
"The 140th anniversary is more than a cultural celebration," French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux told reporters Tuesday at the French Embassy in Seoul. "It encompasses every dimension of the two countries' relationship -- political, military, economic, scientific and cultural." Tuesday's press conference marked the official launch of programming for 2026, when Korea and France will commemorate 140 years of diplomatic ties since the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation was signe
Nov. 11, 2025 -
Samsung Foundation receives top prize at Mecenat Awards
Samsung Foundation of Culture has been awarded the Grand Prize at the 2025 Mecenat Awards, hosted by the Korea Mecenat Association, marking the foundation’s second win in the awards' 26-year history. The Samsung Foundation of Culture, founded in 1965, was recognized for its contribution to broadening Korea’s cultural landscape and enhancing the global presence of Korean arts. In addition to operating the Leeum Museum of Art and the Hoam Museum of Art, the foundation has been supporting Korean ar
Nov. 11, 2025 -
Korea recovers 600-year-old cargo ship in underwater excavation
A 600-year-old tax ship has resurfaced off Korea’s west coast. South Korean archaeologists have recovered the full remains of a Joseon-era (1392-1910) cargo vessel, shedding light on how a premodern kingdom managed national taxation, logistics and sea-based infrastructure with surprising complexity. Announced by the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage on Monday, the 15th-century vessel — named Mado 4 by researchers — was raised from the seabed in October following nearly a decade of
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Othoniel’s poetic journey across Avignon connects art, history and the infinite
Korea Herald correspondent AVIGNON, France — Upon entering Calvet Museum in Avignon, France, a stainless-steel lotus installation can immediately be spotted resting quietly in the courtyard. Stepping closer, you might begin to contemplate infinity as you find yourself endlessly reflected in the mirrored beads alongside reflections of the beads themselves and the surrounding landscape. “You see yourself thousands of times, and you see the piece also reflected by itself,” French artist Jean-Michel
Nov. 10, 2025 -
Ven. Pomnyun won’t 'answer' thousands of questions
The Ven. Pomnyun walked onstage to a rock beat Friday afternoon, moments after the singer Maya energized the opening of Youth Festa. Before hundreds of young people, he launched into his signature live dialogue — often mislabeled as an “instant Q&A.” “I cannot trust my senses because I’m disabled. I kind of realized that I have to live differently from those without a disability, but I don’t know what to do next,” a person in the audience posed. “I’m struggling in my relationship with my mother.
Nov. 10, 2025 -
T1 reigns at 2025 LoL World Championship
T1 captured the 2025 League of Legends World Championship title Sunday night, securing an unprecedented third consecutive Worlds victory. The tightly contested finals stretched to a full five-game series, with T1 edging out fellow Koreans KT Rolster 3-2 after some five hours of play. KT struck first, capitalizing on early-game pressure in the opening match, but T1 regained control after jungler Moon “Oner” Hyun-joon stole the dragon — a neutral objective that grants a teamwide buff. In the secon
Nov. 10, 2025 -
T1 makes history with first-ever World Championship three-peat
T1 clinched the 2025 League of Legends World Championship title, marking its third consecutive Worlds victory -- a historic first for the tournament. In some intense five-hour showdown against KT Rolster, who made its debut appearance in a Worlds final, the two teams battled to a 2-2 tie before T1 ultimately seized the championship in the decisive fifth game. Since the competition’s inception in 2011, no team had ever secured three straight wins. After its initial triumph in 2013, T1 went on to
Nov. 9, 2025 -
ASEAN-Korea Center to host ‘ASEAN Week 2025’
The ASEAN-Korea Center is scheduled to host ASEAN Week 2025 from Nov. 11-16 in Seoul, on Jeju Island and in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Launched in 2019, ASEAN Week has become a flagship platform strengthening the partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Korea. This year’s event is designed as a comprehensive platform to advance a spirit of cooperation through crucial people-to-people exchanges. This follows the recent ASEAN-Korea summit in Malaysia, where President Lee J
Nov. 9, 2025 -
Budae jjigae festival
On a Saturday afternoon with a gentle breeze and the rustle of fallen leaves, the streets of Uijeongbu were filled with the spicy aroma of budae jjigae — Korean army stew — simmering in steaming pots That irresistible scent came from the Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Festival, which took place along the street named “Uijeongbu Budae Jjigae Street,” near Uijeongbu Station, lined with restaurants specializing in the dish. The city, widely known as the birthplace of budae jjigae, was once home to US milit
Nov. 8, 2025 -
Rose's 'APT.,' 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters nominated for Song of the Year at Grammy Awards
"APT.," BLACKPINK member Rose's collaborative single with Bruno Mars, and "Golden" from the original soundtrack of the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," were nominated for key categories at the 68th Grammy Awards, including the Song of the Year. The Recording Academy, which presents the awards, announced the 2026 nominations across 95 categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be held on Feb. 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Rose's "APT." was nominated for Song of the Year and R
Nov. 8, 2025 -
Riot Games unveils 2026 LoL schedule as T1, KT gear up for Worlds finals
Riot Games on Friday unveiled its 2026 League of Legends global esports schedule, announcing Brazil, South Korea and the United States as hosts for its three major international tournaments. Chris Greeley, global head of League of Legends esports at Riot Games, unveiled the 2026 competitive calendar during a media showcase held Friday in Chengdu, China, detailing the locations of the company’s three major international tournaments -- the First Stand Tournament (FST), the Mid-Season Invitational
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Kim Deok-han explores new depth through lacquer, time
In traditional East Asian painting, when ink is applied to hanji, Korean mulberry paper, it seeps into the fibers, becoming one with the paper itself. Lacquer artist Kim Deok-han’s works embody a similar principle in his own material language. Even with multiple layers of lacquer, they do not build up, but coalesce into a single, unified surface. The sense of unity is achieved through repeated sanding of the layers with sandpaper. “You can touch it here, if you would like. I layered black, yell
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Culture minister, heritage administrator denounce Seoul’s high-rise plan near Jongmyo
South Korea’s Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and Korea Heritage Service Administrator Huh Min on Friday denounced Seoul’s plan to ease height restrictions around Jongmyo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, warning that the development could jeopardize its global status. The announcement made at Jongmyo came less than a week after Seoul City approved a plan for the Sewoon District No. 4 redevelopment zone, raising the maximum building height from 71.9 meters to 141.9 meters on the Cheonggyecheon side
Nov. 7, 2025 -
Author Hwang Sok-yong and 16 other cultural figures recognized with national medals
Renowned novelist Hwang Sok-yong, 81, has been awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest cultural honor bestowed by the Korean government, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Korean literature and its global reach. This year, a total of 17 cultural figures were honored with Orders of Cultural Merit across five grades: one Geumgwan, four Eungwan, five Bogwan, four Okgwan and three Hwagan. The Order of Cultural Merit is the country’s most prestigious state award for t
Nov. 7, 2025