Journalist
Yoon Ju-hye
jujusun@ajunews.com
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National Theater Company, LG Arts Center to Stage Rival Takes on Chekhov’s 'Uncle Vanya' in May Two big-stage productions will put different faces on Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” this May, as the National Theater Company of Korea and LG Arts Center mount new versions with overlapping runs. According to the theater community on April 10, the National Theater Company of Korea will stage “Vanya Ajjae,” while LG Arts Center will present “Uncle Vanya.” The source text is the same, but the titles signal different points of view. Both productions will play in theaters with more than 1,000 seats, a rare head-to-head matchup for large-scale plays. “Vanya Ajjae” runs May 22-31, and “Uncle Vanya” runs May 7-31. In “Vanya Ajjae,” Cho Seong-ha plays Vanya and Shim Eun-kyung plays Sonya. In “Uncle Vanya,” Lee Seo-jin plays Vanya and Go Ah-sung plays Sonya. The split is not only in casting but also in how the central figure is addressed: “ajjae,” a colloquial Korean term roughly akin to “middle-aged guy,” versus “uncle.” A National Theater Company of Korea official said that while the term may have appeared in small venues or student productions, using “ajjae” in the title of a major-stage production is effectively a first. The directors say they see Vanya through personal lenses. “Vanya Ajjae” is directed by Jo Gwang-hwa, born in 1965, who said he came to recognize himself — and the men around him — in the character. “Uncle Vanya” is directed by Son Sang-gyu, born in 1977, who said Vanya reminded him of his father. Jo said he once preferred works driven by solemn, lofty ideas and disliked Chekhov’s focus on ordinary, sometimes bumbling people. With age, he said, Chekhov’s everyday life began to feel like his own story, bringing to mind the “uncles” who are part of daily life. He said even the seemingly shabby neighborhood “ajjae” once had a time of intense passion. From that perspective, Jo said, “ajjae” can mean “me” and “us,” extending to family and the force that has held society together. He said he put the term front and center so audiences can relate without barriers and find comfort, while translating the original’s emotional tone into a Korean context. Son said he saw his father in Vanya — someone who complains yet quietly fulfills responsibilities before finally erupting in anger. That view also shaped the casting, he said, citing Lee’s image from variety shows as someone who grumbles but follows through on what he takes on. At a recent production presentation, Son said, “My father worked late and retired. Because he had to support the family, he used to say, ‘I’ve never even been able to take a trip.’” He added, “Who can casually judge that kind of life?” Son said he wondered whether people, like trees accepted as they are, might at least be more generous about their own lives. Son said he focused on the relationship between Uncle Vanya and his niece Sonya, choosing “uncle” rather than “mister” for the title. An LG Arts Center official said there was no special intent, noting the original is “Uncle Vanya,” but added that because the uncle-niece relationship is central to the plot, Son also concentrated on that dynamic. The official said the production is expected to emphasize universality while presenting a modern, minimalist mise-en-scene. Some in the theater world are also framing the pairing as a contest between experience and novelty. Jo is known as a veteran director who has worked across musicals and plays and has led large productions. Son, by contrast, is a newer director who debuted with the 2024 play “The Lives of Others,” and this “Uncle Vanya” will be his first large-theater production. Observers expect a freer perspective and a fresh reading of the classic. 2026-04-10 12:30:17 -
Libraries Emerge as Hubs for Digital Shift, Inclusion and Local Partnerships, Panel Says Libraries are increasingly serving as key hubs for digital transformation, social inclusion and stronger ties to local communities. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday that the presidential National Library Committee’s review of 2025 implementation results under the Fourth Comprehensive Library Development Plan (2024-2028) found 31 items rated “excellent,” up 11 from 2024. Another 17 items were assessed as proceeding as planned, and one was rated not implemented. No items were classified as insufficient or needing improvement, indicating the policies are being carried out steadily. By institution, 23 of 48 agencies received an “excellent” rating and 25 were rated as proceeding normally. The evaluation was conducted to gauge the effectiveness of library policy and how well it is applied in the field. The committee used performance reports and self-assessments submitted by each agency and followed a three-step process: written reviews by a 21-member evaluation panel, a review of objections, and a full committee meeting. At a Library Day ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning, the government plans to honor 13 initiatives from 12 top-rated institutions — four central government bodies, six metropolitan or provincial governments, and two basic local governments — with 2 million won per project in prize money. Among central government agencies, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Information Society Agency built and operated a “Digital Jiphyeonjeon” platform to integrate dispersed policy and academic information and to upgrade AI-based search, strengthening the foundation for using national knowledge resources. The Rural Development Administration built an agricultural science academic information database and expanded links to open-access papers to provide tailored information services and bolster research support. The National Library of Korea introduced AI and robotic process automation to streamline repetitive tasks and cut processing time as it shifts to a digital work environment. The National Library for the Disabled expanded international sharing and cooperation on alternative materials, improving access to information for people with disabilities and helping narrow information gaps. Among metropolitan and provincial governments, the Seoul Metropolitan Government built a cooperation system linking libraries, bookstores and publishers to energize the local reading ecosystem. The Busan Metropolitan Government created a “Memory of Busan” repository to strengthen the preservation and use of local records. Jeju Special Self-Governing Province used a Jeju-language storytelling program to support preservation of the regional language and cultural transmission across generations. Basic local governments were selected for awards for the first time since the Fourth Comprehensive Plan began. Nowon Central Library in Seoul’s Nowon District established an operating system based on library big-data analysis (LIBanalysis) to improve data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency. Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province held a Korea-Japan book concert tied to the Toji Literature Festival, expanding international exchange rooted in local literature and promoting local identity. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-10 08:27:17 -
Jeon Woo-yong Named Head of King Sejong Institute Foundation; Kim Seung-su to Lead Korea Publishing Agency The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Thursday it appointed Jeon Woo-yong as chair of the King Sejong Institute Foundation and Kim Seung-su as president of the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency. Both terms are three years. Jeon is a historian who earned a doctorate in Korean history from Seoul National University. He has served as a research fellow at the University of Seoul’s Institute of Seoul Studies, a research professor at Hanyang University’s Institute of East Asian Cultures, and a visiting professor at the Academy of Korean Studies. The ministry said he has also communicated with the public through social media, columns and broadcasts. Kim has worked to strengthen local publishing ecosystems and expand book culture, serving as mayor of Jeonju and as the first chair of the National Association of Book-Reading Cities. During his tenure as mayor, he declared Jeonju a “city of books” and promoted reading and local bookstores by introducing the Jeonju Book Love Point program, “Bookkung 20,” and building library infrastructure, among other policies. In recognition of those efforts, he received a special prize in 2021 from the Korean Publishers Association’s “Publisher of the Year” awards. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:48:15 -
Korea’s Longest-Running Art Fair Draws Young Collectors to COEX South Korea’s longest-running art fair is also one of its youngest in feel. While wealthy collectors in their 50s and early 60s often wait for the fall’s Kiaf-Frieze Seoul, newer collectors led by the MZ generation have been turning out for the spring Hwarang Art Fair. Major galleries lowered the entry barrier with more works by midcareer and emerging artists, while bringing in pieces rarely seen by the public. According to the Korea Galleries Association on April 9, about 4,500 people visited on opening day the previous day, down from about 6,000 a year earlier. Even so, the turnout was viewed as better than expected given external uncertainty such as war in the Middle East and a spike in oil prices. “Galleries had major concerns because global conditions are unstable due to war and other factors,” a Korea Galleries Association official said. “But we saw better-than-expected results, with long lines from the entrance on opening day.” Hosted by the Korea Galleries Association, the Hwarang Art Fair is in its 44th edition and is the country’s oldest art fair. This year’s event, running through April 12 at COEX in Seoul, is the largest yet, with 169 galleries participating. Galleries said they aimed to differentiate the fair from Art Basel, held recently, and from Kiaf-Frieze scheduled for September by emphasizing fresh works from established midcareer and emerging artists, encouraging first-time buyers to purchase without feeling priced out. On opening day, interest was spread across blue-chip, midcareer and emerging names. An official at Kukje Gallery said visitors showed strong interest in works by emerging and midcareer artists such as Lotus Kang and Jang Pa, and focused on pieces that are hard to see in Korea or being shown publicly for the first time, including Julian Opie’s tile work and a 1955 work by Ahn Kyuchul. The official added that inquiries continued for scarce works even if they were not blue-chip, and that couples and young married visitors were touring booths regardless of whether they planned to buy. The association also pointed to a shift in public attitudes toward collecting. A Korea Galleries Association official said perceptions of owning art became more positive after special exhibitions of the Lee Kun-hee Collection in 2021-2022, helping spread the idea that art can be purchased and held, not only viewed, and accelerating younger people’s entry into the market. Some in the market are also looking for a trickle-down effect. At a recent Seoul Auction sale, a work by Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara sold for 15 billion won, setting a record for South Korea’s art auction market, fueling expectations that more beginners will enter and look to midcareer and emerging artists. Jung Tae-hee, head of Seoul Auction’s auction business team, said the market has been confirming “stable fundamentals” as the sell-through rate recovered to the 70% range since the second half of last year. He said news of the record price has prompted novice collectors to seek works they can afford, increasing interest in midcareer and emerging artists, and he expects the positive trend to broaden after the first half of this year. Risks tied to Middle East tensions and other factors have increased caution, but many in the market do not see them as enough to reverse the overall direction. Jung said high inflation was largely anticipated, and that a weaker won has instead drawn overseas collectors’ attention to Korea’s auction market, with the share of foreign bidding rising. He added that while shipping costs are a burden, relatively lower prices are expanding interest in both overseas and Korean artists from Europe, the Chinese-speaking world, mainland China and the United States.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 15:30:18 -
Korea Heritage Service Finds Ramses II Name on Ramesseum Temple Pylon in Egypt The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage said on 9 that they have made major academic findings during a restoration project at the pylon gate of the Ramesseum Temple in Luxor, Egypt, including the discovery of a cartouche bearing the name of Ramses II. The work is part of the Korea Heritage Service’s official development assistance project, titled “Capacity building for sustainable cultural heritage tourism resource development in Luxor, Egypt.” A cartouche is an oval enclosure used in ancient Egypt to set apart and emphasize a pharaoh’s name, which otherwise would be written in a line of hieroglyphs. The discovery was confirmed during an excavation survey on the north side of the pylon. Investigators also identified multiple layers spanning from the period when the pylon was built through modern times, securing materials that help reconstruct how the Ramesseum was built and altered over time. A French research team previously found a cartouche of Ramses II while excavating the temple’s innermost sanctuary, but this is the first time one has been discovered at the pylon, the agencies said. Hisham El Leithy, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the newly found cartouche differs in form from those previously identified and is expected to provide an important clue for determining the construction sequence of structures within the Ramesseum. He also said researchers confirmed a carved stone element bearing a new place name that supports the extent of Ramses II’s territorial expansion. The Korea Heritage Service and the university said they also identified soil layers that could help estimate how stone was transported and how the structure was built, providing baseline data for restoring the pylon to its original form. A temporary protective shelter is now being installed, and once completed, dismantling and full-scale restoration of the pylon are expected to accelerate. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 09:21:06 -
Isabelle Huppert, Lee Hye-young to read from Han Kang novel at Avignon Festival Nine South Korean performing arts works have been selected for the official “IN” program of the 80th Avignon Festival. The festival’s organizing committee said on April 8 (local time) that nine works by seven Korean companies will be presented in the official lineup at venues across Avignon, France, from July 4 to 25. It will be the first time Korean works have been officially invited since 1998’s “Désir d’Asie,” about 28 years ago. A staged reading based on Han Kang’s novel “I Do Not Bid Farewell” will be performed at the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais des Papes, one of the festival’s signature venues. The production is a joint project of the Avignon Festival and the Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) and features French actor Isabelle Huppert and South Korean actor Lee Hye-young. It is also scheduled to be presented at SPAF in October. Italian director Daria Deflorian’s new work, “The dolore terrible e l’amore,” also draws on “I Do Not Bid Farewell” and is set to premiere at the festival. Three works by playwright Gu Ja-ha, the first Asian recipient of the International Ibsen Award, will also be staged. They include “Cuckoo” and “A History of Korean Theater,” two parts of his Hamartia trilogy, and “Haribo Kimchi.” The works were previously shown at SPAF in 2023 and 2025, respectively. Other invited productions include the audience-participation piece “Material,” part of “Elephants Laugh” directed by Lee Jin-yeop; “Island Story” by Creative Vaki, directed by Lee Kyung-sung, set against the backdrop of the Jeju 4.3 incident; “1 Degree Celsius” by choreographer Heo Seong-im’s Heo Project on the climate crisis; “Gin: Yeonhui Deconstruction Project I” by Liquid Sound, directed by Lee In-bo, blending traditional performance with contemporary dance; and Lee Ja-ram’s “Snow, Snow, Snow,” a pansori adaptation of a Tolstoy short story. During the festival, Arts Management Support Center will host a tentative event titled “K-Stage Rendezvous” at the Cloître Saint-Louis, the festival’s main hub. More than 50 performing arts professionals, programmers and critics from around the world are expected to attend to explore collaboration, co-production and distribution opportunities with Korean artists. The center will also support participation in “Transmission Impossible,” a residency and training program for young artists, aimed at strengthening skills and expanding international exchange opportunities for the next generation, including university and graduate students in arts majors. Kim Jang-ho, head of the Arts Management Support Center, said the organization will “introduce the global potential of Korean arts through collaboration across genres, including literature and visual arts,” and will work to expand international distribution of Korean performing arts through platforms such as SPAF and the Seoul Art Market (PAMS). The festival also selected Korean as its guest language, the first time an Asian language has been chosen. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 09:00:00 -
Suwon Museum of Art Expands Accessible Viewing for Deaf and Blind Visitors Gyeonggi Province’s Suwon Museum of Art said Thursday it is running exhibition-viewing programs for deaf and visually impaired visitors as it pursues a “barrier-free museum that everyone can enjoy.” The museum has provided sign-language interpretation videos for exhibitions since 2020 and has produced braille leaflets for visually impaired visitors since 2023, it said. For its current collection exhibition, “Blanc Black Panorama,” the museum planned and produced sign-language interpretation videos. Starting this year, it will significantly increase the share of on-screen exhibition explanations in those videos, expanding them so not only deaf visitors but also the general public can follow artwork descriptions more comfortably and intuitively. The videos will be available from April 17 on the museum’s official YouTube channel and Naver TV. In June, the museum plans to offer an on-site sign-language tour for members of the Suwon branch of the Gyeonggi chapter of the Korean Association of the Deaf. For visitors with visual impairments, the museum has prepared audio guides and braille leaflets for use in the galleries. Director Nam Ki-min said the museum will further improve accessibility through a range of content development and facility upgrades aimed at a barrier-free museum for all residents.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-09 08:39:15 -
New Books: Why You Keep Tuning In to Romance ‘Frequencies’ Problematic Love That Unknowingly Ruins You and Helps You Grow=By Kim Ji-yong, Dplot. If you find yourself searching YouTube for tarot readings like “Does that person still think about me?” or listening to romance “frequencies” promising “They’ll text in eight minutes,” this book argues it may be time to look inward instead. For readers who avoid dating out of fear of heartbreak — or who cannot leave relationships that repeat the same wounds — the author urges them to stop blaming fate, a fixed destiny or past love and to examine their own unconscious patterns. Kim, a psychiatrist, draws on cases from his clinic involving people struggling with love and dating. He describes the counseling process as using a “T-hammer” to bring up what lies beneath the surface, analyzing patterns ranging from people who cannot start relationships to those who cannot deepen them, those who cycle through frequent breakups, and those who repeatedly end up in unequal power dynamics. Citing Sigmund Freud’s line that “in a married couple’s bedroom there are six people,” Kim writes that early attachment to parents can shape adult romance. One example is a woman in her early 30s — with striking looks and a stable job — who has never dated; raised by a tyrannical father, she unconsciously built a wall around herself with the rule that any man “like Dad” was unacceptable. Other cases include L, who cannot stand loneliness; W, who wants to be loved exclusively; and G, who is “too nice,” inviting readers to recognize themselves in past or current relationships. Kim also warns readers to break free from the “gaslighting” of the idea that “your true other half is out there.” He argues that warmth in love comes not from destiny but from reasoned self-reflection, honest conversation with a partner and growth that expands each person’s sense of self. If that kind of love feels unfamiliar, he writes, start now. He recommends the book to prospective parents and those raising young children, saying the attachment types described can help readers assess their own tendencies and consider whether they may be passing on insecure attachment. “‘Life is not something you explore and then live; it is something you live while exploring.’ Yang Gui-ja, , Sseuda, 2013, p. 296. Life is not time spent searching for a fixed answer. There is no correct answer to begin with. It is unpredictably complex, and every moment is contradictory. By living through those contradictions and paradoxes, we gain unexpected insight and grow. That was true for me, and for everyone I have met. (Omitted) Near the end of , I found a line that confirmed my changed thinking. ‘What do you think the completion of love is?’ ‘Marriage?’ ‘Love is complete in itself. If you loved unbelievably well, that’s enough.’” (pp. 244-245) Mind Study With Mencius=By Jang Hyun-geun, Hangilsa. Jang, a professor in the Department of Chinese Studies at Yongin University and an adjunct professor at Jilin University in China, explains that Mencius’ concept of “budongsim” — an unshakable mind — is not about suppressing emotion. He describes it as internalizing principles that do not collapse under pressure, arguing that people waver because of outside influences despite an inherently good nature. Based on Mencius’ answer to how to remain steady, Jang lays out 22 everyday principles. They include holding to one’s intent and center without meddling in small matters; not lingering too long at the door of someone who has closed off conversation; keeping principles while judging what is most important and urgent; and setting rules to rely on when judgment blurs or emotions take over. For readers who feel shaken day after day, the book offers a standard for self-review. “Mencius was different. Rather than simply following fate, he opened the possibility of ‘seeing’ fate differently through self-cultivation and effort. He accepts that some fate cannot be helped, but also recognizes that some things are not fixed, and he sought ways to find happiness and joy on that side. He offered the path of seeking the nature within people — benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom — as a ‘useful’ solution. What is useful in life is not money or power but cultivation of the mind. Happiness gained through character cultivation is more important in life than a fate that brings fortune.” (p. 273) 2026-04-08 14:12:23 -
Korea Disability Arts Foundation to Open Exhibitions, Concert for Disability Day The Korea Disability Arts & Culture Center said Tuesday it will mark April 20, the Day of Persons with Disabilities, with a slate of exhibitions and a performance at three venues in Seoul: the I-eum Center in Daehangno, Modu Art Space and Modu Arts Theater. The programs are designed to present a broad look at disability arts across history and contemporary practice. At the I-eum Center, the special exhibition “History of Korean Disabled Artists — People Who Became a Path” will run from April 20 to May 10. The center said it is the country’s first archive-style exhibition to trace the lives and work of disabled artists from the Joseon Dynasty through the modern era and into the first generation. Built around 38 figures, it follows the historical development of disability arts using records and source materials. At Modu Art Space, the planned exhibition “The Art of Relationship: Willingly, Relentlessly, Leaning On” will open April 16. It approaches disability arts through relationships and collaboration, exploring creative possibilities that expand through close solidarity. Six artists and teams, including Kim Jin-woo, Dungji and Raumcon, will present works in formats such as painting, installation, performance and participatory programs. On April 20 at 7:30 p.m., Modu Arts Theater will host the commemorative performance “Modu’s Concert: Together, Spring.” The concert is a crossover stage rooted in Korean traditional music, featuring disabled artists and other performers in a program blending traditional and contemporary elements. Performers include gayageum player Seon Yeong-suk, piano byeongchang performer Choi Jun, pansori singer Heo Jeong, the samulnori group Ttamdtti, the Dream On dance company, Gyeonggi folk singer Lee Ji-won and the fusion gugak band Akdan Gwangchil. Gugak musician Oh Jeong-hae will serve as host. Chairwoman Bang Gwi-hee said the Day of Persons with Disabilities should be more than a commemoration and should serve as a chance to view disability arts anew within today’s culture. She said she hopes the events will connect disability arts with more audiences and provide a place to share its value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-08 09:18:18 -
Newspapers Must Ask ‘Good Questions’ to Create Fresh Perspectives, Korea Newspaper Association Chief Says "Asking good questions and creating new perspectives through public debate is both the duty and the right of newspapers." Park Jang-hee, chairman of the Korea Newspaper Association, made the remarks on 7일 at the Korea Press Center during the 70th Newspaper Day ceremony. He said machines cannot raise doubts on their own or empathize with the values of the times and the pain of neighbors. The ceremony was co-hosted by the Korea Newspaper Association, the Korea Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association and the Journalists Association of Korea. In his address, Park said artificial intelligence can produce answers instantly from vast data, while biased claims spread through algorithms on platforms “as if they were the correct answer.” He called the current moment “an era of answers.” He said high-quality journalism grounded in facts and balance is “a journey with no final destination.” Citing this year’s Newspaper Day slogan — “Beyond the algorithm, read the real world” — he urged newspapers to dig into truths that cannot be reduced to calculation and to build spaces for unity and public discussion. Lee Tae-gyu, president of the editors association, stressed responsibility in his opening remarks. “Technology cannot judge and verify what is true, nor does it take responsibility for results,” he said, adding that newspapers exist to put accuracy over speed, trust over sensationalism and responsibility over trends. He said the power to read the real world lies in journalism — in reporters’ on-the-ground verification, editors’ standards and the media’s sense of duty to the community. Park Jong-hyeon, president of the journalists association, also emphasized rebuilding trust in a message to readers. “AI and algorithms deliver information quickly, but they do not guarantee the truth,” he said. He called on the media to ask more questions, verify more and keep records more responsibly, pledging to choose substance over breaking news and accuracy over speed while staying in the field. A reception followed the ceremony, drawing about 300 guests including National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik; Jeong Cheong-rae, Democratic Party leader; Jang Dong-hyeok, People Power Party leader; Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon; and Lee Gyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication. In welcoming remarks, Park said that when the world is unsettled, society needs clearer standards of truth, and that newspapers have the strength to push back against falsehoods and extremism. He said that strength comes from trained reporters in the field and rigorous fact-checking. Park added that while the AI era is unlike the past, AI is built on learning, and learning depends on refined accumulations over time — meaning the standing of original journalism and the value of carefully produced works will rise. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-07 19:54:19