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Busan Biennale 2026 to be led by Amal Khalaf, Evelyn Simons
Curators Amal Khalaf and Evelyn Simons will collaborate to lead the Busan Biennale 2026 — the second-largest art biennale in South Korea — to be held from September to November next year. Khalaf has expanded her curatorial experiences globally, most recently serving as co-curator of the 16th Sharjah Biennale that concluded in June and directing the Bahrain Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2019 as a co-curator. The London-based curator is preparing to open “Ghost 2568: Wish We Were Here,” a vid
July 22, 2025 -
Learn traditional ironmaking at NRICH's summer camp
The National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Korea Cultural Heritage Association are jointly recruiting participants for a special iron-making camp to be held next month. Applications for the three-day camp, slated for Aug. 20-22 at the Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, will be open from Monday through July 31. The camp is open to anyone interested in iron-making, regardless of nationality. While the program will be c
July 21, 2025 -
Gen.G clinches 2025 EWC championship, following MSI victory
South Korean League of Legends juggernaut Gen.G cemented their status as esports royalty by capturing the 2025 Esports World Cup title on Monday, following hot on the heels of their recent Mid-Season Invitational triumph. In a best-of-five grand final, Gen.G edged out China's Anyone’s Legend, securing the championship with a 3-2 victory and a $600,000 prize. The series featured notable performances from mid laner Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon and top laner Kim “Kiin” Ki-in, who contributed to early wins
July 21, 2025 -
Seasoned art scholar You Hong-jun appointed director general of National Museum of Korea
You Hong-jun, a chair professor of art history at Myongji University in Seoul and a prominent advocate for Korean cultural heritage, has been appointed director general of the National Museum of Korea, the presidential office announced Sunday. The appointment came as President Lee Jae Myung named four vice ministerial-level officials, including You. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung highlighted You’s long-standing efforts to foster public interest in Korea’s cultural legacy, citing his wide
July 20, 2025 -
Denny Taegeukgi lights up Seoul to mark 80 years of liberty
The oldest remaining prototype of the Taegeukgi, South Korea's national flag, is being displayed on large screens in Seoul to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. An immersive video featuring the historic flag will be shown on the National Museum of Korea's outdoor light-emitting diode screen until Oct. 12, as well as at Shinsegae Square in Myeong-dong every 10 minutes through Aug. 15, which is the Liberation Day holiday. The "Denny" version of the Taegeuk
July 20, 2025 -
Incheon airport offers hands-on class in 'norigae' making
Incheon International Airport is offering travelers a unique opportunity to engage with Korean culture through a one-day norigae-making class, inspired in part by the hit animated film, KPop Demon Hunters. Norigae are traditional Korean pendant accessories worn with hanbok for beauty, good fortune and spiritual protection. Organized by the Korea Heritage Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Incheon International Airport Corporation, the program will run
July 20, 2025 -
Airports awash in art in summer
Travelers passing through South Korea's three major airports during the peak holiday season will have impressive artworks to gaze at as they wait to check in or board their flights. Some 30 artworks by 14 Korean artists will be on display at the Incheon, Gimpo and Gimhae international airports ahead of the busy summer and influx of travelers visiting for Frieze Seoul (Sept. 3-6) and related events during Korea's art week. The initiative seeks to promote works by emerging or mid-career Korean art
July 18, 2025 -
Jacky Cheung to perform first-ever concert in South Korea at Inspire Arena
Jacky Cheung will be bringing his celebrated "60+ Concert Tour" to South Korea this fall, marking his first time performing in the country. The performance will take place at Inspire Arena on Sept. 13, marking Cheung’s debut concert in South Korea after more than four decades of international stardom. Tickets will be available starting July 22 via Nol Interpark Ticket and on July 23 through Damai.cn. Cheung, 63, rose to fame after winning the 18th District Amateur Singing Festival in Hong Kong i
July 18, 2025 -
Former MMCA Director Youn Bum-mo appointed as Gwangju Biennale Foundation president
Youn Bum-mo, the former director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, has been appointed president of the Gwangju Biennale Foundation and will lead the organization ahead of the upcoming Gwangju Design Biennale in August and the 2026 Gwangju Biennale. The foundation's board made the decision in a meeting on Thursday, according to the foundation, in recognition of Youn’s contribution to Minjung art and his service as director of the state-run museum from 2019 to 2023. As
July 18, 2025 -
Robert Beavers heads to Seoul to discuss his films screening at MMCA
Robert Beavers, a master of lyrical filmmaking known for his poetic use of light and rhythm, will meet Seoul audiences for the first time at a talk held on July 29 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea. At the meeting, the avant-garde filmmaker will share insights into his experiences and filmmaking process, as well as his works screening July 25-30 at the state museum. The 15 short films to be played at MMCA Film and Video show Beavers’ distinctive cinematic language thro
July 17, 2025 -
At Lotte Hotel, Kim opens up Seoul's artistic identity
Entering the Lotte Hotel Seoul’s executive tower, paintings by Kim Tschang-yeul, whose iconic water-drop paintings are globally known, immediately catch the eye. The artist, who died in 2021 at age 91, expressed his traumatic experiences by painting water drops. He fled from the North to the South during the 1950-53 Korean War. Presenting the paintings at the five-star hotel is gallerist Kim Soo-hyun, who runs The L. Collection located inside the hotel. “I happened to see Kim’s water-drop painti
July 16, 2025 -
Why record numbers flocked to MMCA Seoul for Ron Mueck
When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. “It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure such as the wrinkles on their face. The documentary about the artist’s process to create handcrafted works at the museum was even more striking ― especially in this age when
July 14, 2025 -
Will Kumgangsan UNESCO listing open path for inter-Korean cooperation?
Hopes for renewed inter-Korean cooperation grew Monday after North Korea's Kumgangsan was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on Sunday. This marks the North's third entry on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, following Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong in 2013 and the Complex of Koguryo Tombs inscribed in 2004. In 2021, North Korea submitted its application to have Kumgangsan recognized by UNESCO as a mixed heritage site
July 14, 2025 -
Naver Webtoon's 'Wind Breaker' joins growing list of plagiarism cancellations
A decadelong franchise came to an abrupt end last week when Naver Webtoon pulled one of its most popular series from the platform after plagiarism allegations were confirmed. "Wind Breaker," a sports webtoon about a high schooler who discovers his passion for competitive cycling, had amassed over 600 million views since its 2013 debut. Created by Jo Yong-seok, the series followed protagonist Jo "Jay" Ja-Hyun as he broke into amateur racing circuits and built friendships through a cycling team. C
July 14, 2025 -
N. Korea's Mount Kumgang listed as UNESCO World Heritage site
A scenic mountain known for its beauty that changes with the seasons, North Korea's Mount Kumgang has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. UNESCO added Mount Kumgang to its World Heritage list following the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris on Sunday. The official name of the place entering the list is "Mt. Kumgang - Diamond Mountain from the Sea." In May this year, the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the International Union for Conservation of Nat
July 13, 2025