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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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Arts & Theater

William Kentridge brings interdisciplinary performances to GS Arts Center

As part of its opening festival, GS Arts Center will spotlight the work of South African interdisciplinary artist William Kentridge, reflecting the center’s mission to highlight artists who blur the lines between genres. Kentridge visited Korea to present two of his acclaimed works — "Sybil" and "Oh to Believe in Another World: Shostakovich 10" — this month. “It’s a pleasure to be back in Korea,” he said during a press conference at GS Tower in southern Seoul, Wednesday. Known for blending genres and challenging artistic boundaries, Kentridge emphasized that his creative process is less about delivering answers and more about asking questions — whether it is music, theater or visual art. “I think we are in a very strange world,” Kentridge said when asked how shifting global affairs influence his work. “I don't quite understand the details of the immediate politics in South Korea, but I know that there's been a lot of crises and transformations and questions recently here. The state of martial law and the impeachment of President [Yoon Suk Yeol] — it’s a complicated

May 7, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
William Kentridge brings interdisciplinary performances to GS Arts Center
Arts & Theater

'Maybe Happy Ending' earns 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical

The Korean hit musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” which debuted on Broadway last year, has been nominated in 10 categories at the 78th Tony Awards. The musical received nominations for Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Costume Design, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Sound Design and Best Orchestrations, according to the official website. Actor Darren Criss was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor, while director Michael Arden earned a nomination for Best Direction of a Musical. The Tony Awards are held annually to recognize excellence in Broadway theater. Originally premiering as a one-act musical in Korea in 2016, “Maybe Happy Ending” tells the story of two Helperbots, Oliver and Claire, as they form a connection while exploring themes of companionship, mortality and meaning. For the Broadway production, creators Hue Park and Will Aronson collaborated on the music and lyrics. The winners will be announced on June 8 during an award ceremony in New York City. In Korea, the musical won Musical of the Year at the Korean Musical Awards in 2019. It has a

May 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
'Maybe Happy Ending' earns 10 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical
Korean Heritage

Korean imperial luncheon recreated for public tasting

On Sept. 20, 1905, in Jungmyeong Hall of Deoksu Palace, Emperor Gojong of Korea hosted a luncheon for Alice Roosevelt, daughter of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. She was visiting the Korean Empire as part of a broader East Asian tour. At the time, the empire was hanging by a thread — caught in geopolitical tensions between Russia, China and Japan. Just two months later, the empire and Japan signed the Eulsa Treaty, which laid the foundation for Japan’s colonial rule over the peninsula. For more than a century, few gave thought to what had been served at that luncheon — until 2019, when Deoksu Palace launched an exhibition titled "The Emperor’s Dining Table." This week, the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) presented an immersive and flavorful event, bearing the same title, inviting guests to experience the imperial menu firsthand. The program is part of the ongoing K-Royal Culture Festival. Of the 17 dishes reportedly served that day in 1905, six were recreated for Thursday’s tasting event — each plated in small portions. These included "goldongmyeon," noodles tossed with assor

May 2, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korean imperial luncheon recreated for public tasting
Music

Pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy to perform Mozart, Prokofiev in Seoul

Russian pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy will give a recital at the Seoul Arts Center on May 16, featuring works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Sergei Prokofiev. Titled "Mozart, Prokofiev," the program includes Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K.310 and No. 12 in F major, K.332, alongside Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82 and No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83. "The pianist will perform piano sonatas by Mozart — one of his favorite composers, whose works he has never played in Korea before — as well as Prokofiev’s sonata 'War' (No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83), composed in the 20th century," according to Opus, the concert's promoter. “Mozart’s Sonata K.310 is considered one of the most dramatic among his sonata repertoire, while Prokofiev’s two sonatas offer contrasting depictions of the human inner world in times of conflict.” Born in Russia, Rashkovskiy made his debut at the age of eight with the Irkutsk Chamber Orchestra. From 1993 to 2000, he studied at the Novosibirsk Specialized Music School, the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover and the École Normale de

May 1, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Pianist Ilya Rashkovskiy to perform Mozart, Prokofiev in Seoul
People & Events

New int'l ballet competition to launch in Korea this November

A new international ballet competition is set to debut in Korea this November, with its founder hoping to usher in a fresh culture of ballet through live competitions. “In Korea, there’s no real culture of watching ballet competitions,” said Choi Jun-seok, president of Ballet & Model AI, who will oversee the new competition, during a telephone interview Tuesday with The Korea Times. “But it’s actually much more fun to watch a competition than a traditional performance. You get to see different works, top performers and the drama that naturally unfolds among the competitors — something you don’t get in a regular performance.” In ballet, unlike many other art forms, professional dancers often compete alongside aspiring performers in competitions. As a ballet dancer himself, Choi also believes the competition could serve a diplomatic purpose: easing tensions between the U.S. and Russia in the ballet world. “Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, American dancers no longer participate in competitions held in Russia and vice versa,” he said. “But if Seoul hosts an internat

Apr 30, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
New int'l ballet competition to launch in Korea this November
People & Events

Korea appoints 2,800 global content creators to promote culture, tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed nearly 2,800 foreign content creators to promote Korean culture abroad through videos and articles. During a ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday, the ministry marked the official launch of their 2025 campaign by recognizing 1,303 YouTubers as K-Influencers and 1,498 writers as Honorary Reporters, together representing almost 100 countries. “They will serve as messengers, connecting Korea to the world,” a ministry official said. “These YouTubers and writers have already proven their passion and dedication. We look forward to working closely with them and helping them gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture.” The Honorary Reporter program, which began 15 years ago, produced over 7,000 reports last year alone, with 1,325 articles published on Korea.net, a government-run website promoting Korea in 10 languages. Longtime participants Salwa Elzeny Mostafa Mohamed and Esraa Elzeny Mostafa Mohamed, both from Egypt, have been part of the program for 11 years, and were recognized for their outstanding contributions. The K-Influencer progr

Apr 29, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Korea appoints 2,800 global content creators to promote culture, tourism
People & Events

Reconstructed 'Joseon Tongsinsa' boat sets sail to celebrate Korea-Japan relations

A reconstructed wooden boat to reenact the voyages of diplomatic envoys during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) set sail from Busan on Monday for Osaka, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the normalization of Korea-Japan relations. Called "Joseon Tongsinsa," the diplomatic missions involved envoys sent from the Joseon Dynasty to Japan to promote bilateral ties. Each mission typically included between 100 and 500 members, consisting of government officials, scholars, artists, musicians, writers and others. The reconstructed boat will head to Osaka, where it is expected to arrive on May 13. Historically, the mission would disembark there before continuing their inland journey to Tokyo. “A Tongsinsa boat is setting sail to Osaka for the first time in the 261 years since the last voyage ended. I’m excited, but also nervous because of the historic significance of what we are doing,” Hong Soon-jae, a researcher at the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage who helped start the project, told The Korea Times by phone from aboard the boat. A ceremony will be held for the boat's arr

Apr 28, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Reconstructed 'Joseon Tongsinsa' boat sets sail to celebrate Korea-Japan relations
  • Historic Korean diplomatic boat arrives in Osaka, rekindling cultural ties
People & Events

Cardinal You Heung-sik dismisses speculation about becoming next pope

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, often mentioned as a potential candidate for the next pontiff, dismissed the speculation and urged the media to stop guessing. “When I heard that, I just laughed and moved on. It’s an honor ... but the speculation will certainly prove wrong. Nobody knows who will succeed Pope Francis. Never in history has a news media outlet guessed that right. This is a historical fact,” You said Thursday (local time) to Korean journalists who were visiting the Vatican to cover the pope’s funeral. His comments came after an Italian newspaper earlier last week named him, along with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, among 12 likely papal candidates after Pope Francis' death. Asked about the qualifications the next pontiff needs, You emphasized the ability to listen. “Nowadays, people speak up, but don’t like to listen to others. When you walk together, the most important thing is to listen well. If you love your companions, you would listen. If you don’t, you don’t liste

Apr 27, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
Cardinal You Heung-sik dismisses speculation about becoming next pope
Books

5 book cafes in Seoul to celebrate World Book Day

There's no better time to highlight the cozy corners of Seoul where book lovers can escape the city’s bustle for a quiet read than on World Book Day. While bookstores and libraries are classic havens, some readers crave a bit more — serenity paired with a warm latte or a refreshing iced Americano. That’s where book cafes come in: part sanctuary, part café, these spaces blend the joy of literature with the comfort of a good drink. These aren’t just places to grab coffee — they’re immersive environments where the scent of espresso mingles with the rustle of turning pages, offering both refuge and inspiration. We hope you'll enjoy World Book Day! 1. Deosup Chosochaekbang (@deosup_chosochaekbang on Instagram) Tucked away on the side of Mount Inwang, Deosup is set off beautifully by its tranquil location, surrounded by forest and mountain views. The remote setting makes it a bit harder to access than other cafes on this list, but that’s part of the charm. Housed in a former military guard post, it boasts a spacious outdoor area and is highly recommended for readers who enjoy hi

Apr 23, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
5 book cafes in Seoul to celebrate World Book Day
Arts & Theater

ARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event

"Look! The protest is just as peaceful as a K-pop concert," said Choung Byoung-gug, chairperson of the Arts Council Korea (ARKO), recalling how he reassured international officials worried about political unrest in Korea after former President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law declaration. For Choung, the short-lived martial law and the nationwide rallies that followed were not just political headlines — they reflected Korea’s deeply rooted culture of nonviolence and democratic expression. Choung and ARKO are currently preparing to host the 10th World Summit on Arts and Culture next month — a major international gathering of arts councils, organizations and policymakers from some 70 countries with around 500 international visitors expected. It is a rare opportunity for ARKO, an affiliate of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism dedicated to supporting artists and fostering cultural exchange, to host such a large-scale global event. For Choung, a seasoned politician and expert in arts policy, the pressure is on to ensure everything unfolds seamlessly. “Immediately after Dec

Apr 21, 2025By Kim Se-jeong
ARKO chief to showcase Korea’s creative roots at global arts event
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