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Kim Se-jeong

Korea Times K-Culture Reporter

I am covering trend, food and fashion. Previously, I covered diplomacy, city, environment and unification.

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People & Events

Ballerina Seo Hee marks 20 years at ABT, gives back to young dancers in Korea

Ballerina Seo Hee, 38, joined the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the United States, in 2005. She worked her way up the ranks and became a principal dancer in 2012. Now marking her 20th year with ABT, Seo says she has much to be grateful for. “Twenty years flew by. I approached every performance with a spirit of craftsmanship, and I am proud that I dedicated myself to dance for two decades,” Seo said in a statement. “When I was a student, I received financial support from people whose names I didn’t even know. I told myself then that I would help others as much as I had been helped.” True to her word, Seo has already been giving back. The Hee Seo Foundation, a nonprofit she founded 10 years ago, supports aspiring ballet dancers in Korea. Each year, she returns home to offer free ballet classes across the country, while her foundation also provides scholarships to students at art schools. What Seo is most proud of, however, is that her foundation hosts Youth Grand Prix Korea, the Korean qualifying round of the Youth America Grand Prix

Aug 22, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Ballerina Seo Hee marks 20 years at ABT, gives back to young dancers in Korea
Arts & Theater

Colors, symbols and tradition: What to watch for in ‘One Dance’

As part of "Jongmyo Jerye," the the royal ancestral ritual of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, “Ilmu” was performed at Jongmyo, the royal Confucian shrine for ancestors, with kings and aristocrats in attendance. One striking feature of the dance, which is now recognized on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, was its formation. Dancers assemble in rows, then shift into lines and circles before returning to their original positions. Meticulousness, restraint and union were its other defining characteristics. In 2022, the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre premiered “One Dance,” a modern reinterpretation of "Ilmu," helmed by designer and director Jung Ku-ho. The production showcased not only a reenactment of the ancient line dance but also a contemporary reimagining of it. Following a sold-out performance at Lincoln Center in New York City in 2023, the work became a sensation in the Korean dance scene. "One Dance" returns to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul from Thursday through Sunday, with all tickets sold out for its four-day run well in advance. Encouraged by

Aug 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Colors, symbols and tradition: What to watch for in ‘One Dance’
Music

KNSO Academy students showcase talent in orchestral debut

For many, the Seoul Arts Center’s prestigious main concert hall feels like a space reserved for world-class musicians and orchestras — from pianist Lim Yun-chan to the Berlin Philharmonic. But that isn’t always the case. The venue also opens its stage to aspiring musicians, as demonstrated by Wednesday night’s "Colorful" concert, presented by students of the Korea National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) Academy, to mark the midpoint of their program and showcase their training. About 50 musicians, dressed in formal wear, delivered a nearly two-hour performance with strong harmonies, demonstrating the discipline and professionalism that orchestral music demands. The program featured Saint-Saens’ Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64, and the Asian premiere of Korean composer Kim Eun-sung’s "Kaleidoscope for Orchestra," commissioned by the KNSO. The evening was led by conductor Christoph Poppen, who currently directs the Cologne Chamber Orchestra in Germany and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Chinese American Violinist Kevin Zhu stepp

Aug 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
KNSO Academy students showcase talent in orchestral debut
Korean Heritage

Culinary experts stress education in global promotion of Korean temple food

Education is key to bringing Korean temple food to the world, according to culinary experts gathered in Seoul this week. Speaking at an international symposium organized by the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism (CCKB) on Tuesday, professor Yang Jong-jip of the Culinary Institute of America in New York emphasized that educating people is the most effective way to promote temple cuisine. “By educating people through experiences and books, you can leave a lasting impact,” Yang said, noting that his students are largely unfamiliar with temple food. “But when I explained what it is, they showed interest and said they were keen on learning more about it.” Tuesday’s symposium followed the Korean government’s recent designation in May of temple food as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Korea Heritage Service cited temple food’s historical continuity, its development into a unique culinary culture rooted in the Buddhist spirit, its diverse cooking methods reflecting regional and climate conditions, and its contribution to cultural diversity and creativity as key reasons f

Aug 20, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Culinary experts stress education in global promotion of Korean temple food
Others

Seoul Metropolitan Ballet to stage contemporary pieces

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet (SMB) will stage the contemporary tango ballet "5 Tango's" at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul this weekend. Choreographed by Dutch master Hans van Manen, the piece was inspired by a piece by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992), “Tango Nuevo.” Choi Young-gyu, a Korean principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet, will participate in the performance as a guest artist. “This work was solely inspired by music,” Choi said during a press conference at SMB's rehearsal studio in Seoul on Monday. “The performance is both passionate and sentimental. I enjoy dancing this work and hope the audience will enjoy it too.” Van Manen was said to be so moved by Piazzolla’s music that he completed the choreography for "5 Tango's" in just two weeks. The work premiered in 1977. The program is a fitting choice for SMB, which was founded only last year with the aim of introducing contemporary ballet to Korean audiences. In its inaugural season, the troupe presented nine contemporary works across 27 performances, drawing a total au

Aug 20, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Seoul Metropolitan Ballet to stage contemporary pieces
Others

2 upcoming festivals bring global dance troupes to Seoul

Two upcoming festivals will transform Seoul into a stage for renowned choreographers and dance companies. The 31st Changmu International Arts Festival, running from Aug. 22 to 30, will feature Sankai Juku, the internationally acclaimed Japanese dance company known for its butoh dance. Butoh is a form of Japanese dance theater that features slow, intense movements. Amagatsu Ushio, the group’s co-founder and choreographer, has described butoh as “a dialogue with gravity.” Composed entirely of male dancers, Sankai Juku is recognized for its striking stages featuring performers with shaved heads and bodies covered in white powder and adorned with garments. For the festival, the troupe will present “KOSA – Between Two Mirrors” (2022), a work that reflects on rebuilding the world by looking to the future while enduring the uncertainty and anxiety brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The performance is scheduled for Aug. 26 at ARKO Arts Theater. The festival will also stage “Something Else,” a blend of dance and circus by Dutch company Collectief MAMM. Following Changmu, the Seoul

Aug 19, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
2 upcoming festivals bring global dance troupes to Seoul
Music

Veteran pianist Paik Hae-sun reflects on Lim Yun-chan’s rise to stardom

Renowned pianist Paik Hae-sun, 60, admitted Monday that sensational young pianist Lim Yun-chan possesses an indescribable energy on stage that captivates audiences and has elevated him to idol status. “Lim Yun-chan is certainly an idol in classical music … Yun-chan is completely crazy about music,” Paik said during a press conference with local journalists in Seoul. “As some jokingly say, it feels like he has a connection with an alien (when he plays the piano).” Lim studies at the New England Conservatory where Paik teaches piano — Lim studies under pianist Sohn Min-soo. Lim rose to international fame in 2022 after winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Texas. A video of his performance in the competition’s final round has since become one of the most-viewed classical music videos on YouTube. The pianist recalled a friend telling her that Lim’s playing was so compelling it made her stop washing dishes while watching him on YouTube. Paik herself attended three of Lim’s recitals, trying to make sense of his energy. Yet, Lim’s popularity reminds Paik

Aug 18, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Veteran pianist Paik Hae-sun reflects on Lim Yun-chan’s rise to stardom
Korean Heritage

'Wednesday' stars bring Korean twist to Gothic style in Seoul

Earlier this week, the production team of "Wednesday," the Netflix drama series, visited Korea to promote its second season, released on Aug. 6. The drama follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega), an unusual girl attending the eerie Nevermore Academy, where she gets embroiled in solving a string of mysterious murders. "Wednesday" became Netflix’s most-watched English-language drama after its 2022 premiere, racking up over 1.7 billion viewing hours worldwide. In Seoul, actors Ortega and Emma Myers (who plays Wednesday’s roommate, Enid Sinclair) and director Tim Burton participated in a special photo shoot, combining the series’ gothic aesthetics with traditional Korean flair. The shoot, held at the Seoul Furniture Museum, showcased elements of traditional Korean culture, from crafts to costumes. The red and black flower-shaped fans held by Myers and Ortega were created by Merdefils, the atelier of textile artist Park Jung-yeon. Her work was recently featured at the Hanbok Expo, an annual exhibition dedicated to hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and related crafts. More of her desi

Aug 14, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
'Wednesday' stars bring Korean twist to Gothic style in Seoul
Health

Koreans debate right amount of water to drink

For many health-conscious Koreans, last week was awash with debate over the right amount of water to drink. The controversy began on Aug. 6, when a biochemist claimed on the popular TV variety show, "You Quiz on the Block," that drinking 2 liters of water a day, a long-standing health tip in Korea, could actually be harmful. “If you consistently drink 2 liters of water a day, your health will deteriorate," Lee Kye-ho, analytical food chemist and honorary professor of chemistry at Chungnam National University, said during the show. "Some people believe consuming large quantities of water is good, even drinking up to 4 liters daily. Also, people eat excessive amounts of vegetables and fruit, believing they are always beneficial, or consume too much low-salt foods. These habits can lead to hyponatremia, which can cause sudden cardiac arrest and even death.” Lee is a known figure among health-conscious audiences and the founder of “In the Beginning Food,” a group promoting healthy eating. He gives health lectures and sells organic ingredients through his website. Following the show’

Aug 14, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Koreans debate right amount of water to drink
Others

Seoul museum traces 140 years of Protestant Christianity in Korea

As 2025 marks the 140th anniversary of Protestantism's arrival in Korea, a new public museum dedicated to the history of the faith opened in Seoul. The Korea Christian History and Culture Museum held an opening ceremony Tuesday at its new building at the foot of Mount Bukhan in northwestern Seoul. The facility was partially funded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. In 1885, American Presbyterian missionary Horace Underwood (1859-1916) and American Methodist missionary Henry Appenzeller (1858-1902) arrived in Korea. The Korean Protestant church community regards that year as the beginning of Protestant Christianity in the country. “This museum is a cultural space that transcends denominations and encompasses the entire history of Korean Christianity,” said Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church and chairman of the Korea Christian History and Culture Foundation. “As it was funded by taxpayers' money, we will make sure it remains a public space open to all citizens.” It is the first Christian museum in Seoul suppo

Aug 13, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Seoul museum traces 140 years of Protestant Christianity in Korea
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