Journalist
Yoon Juhye
jujusun@ajunews.com
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Gyeongbokgung to Host King Danjong-Themed Programs Tied to Royal Tomb Sites As the film 'The Man Who Lives With the King' draws audiences, visitors will be able to follow the traces of King Danjong and Queen Jeongsun through programs at major heritage sites including Gyeongbokgung, Jangneung, Sareung and Jongmyo. According to the Korea Heritage Service on the 14th, a special program will run at Gyeongbokgung's Saenggwabang from April 27 to May 3, three times a day for seven days. Each session lasts 70 minutes. The program, held 18 times in total, features a hands-on experience with simple foods made using ingredients linked to Danjong, along with stories from his childhood. It includes segments titled Meeting Danjong, Being With Danjong (a simple meal experience using wild greens), Connecting With Danjong (writing a letter) and Returning to Everyday Life. Participation is free by advance reservation. Starting at noon on April 20, applicants can reserve up to two tickets per Ticketlink account on a first-come, first-served basis. A separate two-day, one-night field trip program will be offered three times — in April, May and October — tracing what organizers described as the tragic yet affectionate path of Danjong and Queen Jeongsun. The itinerary begins at Changdeokgung and continues to Cheongnyeongpo and Jangneung in Yeongwol, then to Sareung in Namyangju, and ends at Yeongnyeongjeon Hall at Jongmyo, where the couple's spirit tablets are enshrined. From April 20 to April 30, a quiz will be held on the Royal Culture Festival's official Instagram account asking participants to identify the name of the Gyeongbokgung building where Danjong stayed in the film. Twenty winners will be selected by drawing to receive a coupon for the K-Heritage online mall and tickets to the closing ceremony of the 2026 fall Royal Culture Festival. In July, organizers will also hold a public contest seeking videos and photos that use generative artificial intelligence to reinterpret 'life with the king' in a modern way. Detailed schedules and participation instructions for each program will be announced in stages on the websites of the Royal Tombs and Palaces Heritage Headquarters and the Korea Heritage Agency Foundation.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-14 09:21:36 -
Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival spotlights young Mozart-era prodigies Classical music prodigies will take the spotlight in Seoul this spring, performing works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — often cited as history’s greatest child prodigy — alongside older, established musicians. Violin prodigy Kim Yeon-a, 11, spoke at a news conference April 13 at the Yun Posun House in Seoul for the 21st Seoul Spring Chamber Music Festival, known as SSF. “I’m so excited and nervous — and happy,” she said. Kim, a widely watched young violinist whose YouTube videos have surpassed 160 million views, called the violin “a lovely friend that listens to the sound of my heart.” She said she hopes the festival will help her learn chamber music by “breathing together, listening to other people’s sound, and learning how to do chamber music.” SSF is regarded as a launching pad for rising musicians. Performers now active on international stages — including Cho Seong-jin, Sunwoo Yekwon, Kim Sunwook and Son Yeol-eum — also appeared at the festival when they were young. Artistic director Kang Dong-suk, who has led the festival for 21 years, is also a former prodigy who won the top prize at the Dong-A Music Competition at age 12. Marking the 270th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, SSF is putting “prodigies” at the center of this year’s programming. Under the theme “Mozart and Prodigies,” the festival will run from April 21 to May 31 with 13 performances featuring works by Mozart as well as other early-blooming composers, including Camille Saint-Saens — sometimes called “the Mozart of France” — and Claude Debussy, who entered the Paris Conservatory at age 10. The lineup also includes works by later-blooming masters such as Joseph Haydn and Antonin Dvorak. A May 2 program titled “Family Concert: Prodigies” will feature Kim along with other young performers — Kim Jeong-a, Lee Do-young, the Appassionato Trio (Jeong Hyeon-jun, Jeon Seo-woo and Kim Ju-ho), and Lee Ju-eon — with an average age of 15, performing with senior musicians. The festival said the young artists were recommended by institutions including the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts and the Kumho Foundation. Kang said the festival will also introduce short pieces Mozart wrote at ages 5 and 6. “When you listen, you’ll feel, ‘He really was a genius,’” Kang said. He added that chamber music can teach young musicians about life and how to see “the overall flow of music,” and he hopes SSF will help them grow. Kim said she hopes to become a world-class violinist like Chung Kyung-wha and Kang. “Someday I want to play on the world stage with a Stradivarius, release recordings, and become a violinist who gives people comfort and happiness,” she said. Kim said applause helps her onstage. “It doesn’t matter if there are many people or not, but when there are more people, I actually don’t get as nervous,” she said. “If you clap a lot, I relax.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 15:21:20 -
Korean Picture Books Target Global Market at Bologna Children’s Book Fair The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Publishing Industry Promotion Agency said Sunday they will take part in the 63rd Bologna Children’s Book Fair, running April 13-16 at BolognaFiere in Italy, to step up efforts to expand the global market for Korean children’s publishing content. Korea will operate a 352-square-meter area centered on an export consultation zone and an author promotion zone, aiming to showcase the strength of Korean picture books and children’s literature and deliver tangible export results. In the export consultation zone, organizers will focus on one-on-one business meetings between Korean and overseas publishers. A total of 39 Korean publishers, including Changbi Publishers, Sakyejul Publishing and Dasan Books, will run individual booths. A professional agency will also handle export consultations for 100 titles submitted on behalf of 27 companies that cannot attend in person. Last year, 40 Korean publishers joined the consultation zone and held 556 export meetings. Organizers said they will support talks by arranging pre-scheduled meetings with overseas buyers, providing professional interpreters and producing an English directory introducing participating companies’ books. A “Networking Day” is set for April 14 to promote exchanges among publishing professionals. After the fair, displayed books will be donated to King Sejong Institutes and local universities to broaden access to Korean publishing content. The author promotion zone will highlight Korea’s creative range in children’s publishing by exhibiting representative works and original illustrations from 15 Korean authors. A total of 109 books, including key titles by 10 authors attending the fair, will be displayed. Organizers will run 16 author programs to introduce the writers’ work in greater depth. A special lecture will feature author Lee Geum-yi, a finalist in the writing category for the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award, often described as the “Nobel Prize of children’s literature.” Organizers will also host book talks and a special exhibition centered on works that won the BolognaRagazzi Award in March, aiming to underscore the international standing of Korean children’s publishing. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:36:16 -
NongHyup Bank Joins K-Content Loan Interest Support, Completing Six-Bank Network The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency said Monday they signed a business agreement with NongHyup Bank on April 10 to expand an interest-subsidy program for cultural content companies, together with the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp. Under the “content company interest-subsidy support” program, the government covers up to 2.5 percentage points of loan interest for small and midsize content firms that struggle to raise production funding. The agreement allows companies to secure financing more smoothly by using an “agreement guarantee” issued by the guarantee institutions and receiving interest support. The five participating organizations said they will cooperate for the next three years, each using its own expertise. The culture ministry will provide policy funding, and KOCCA will form a consultative body among the partners and oversee the program’s overall implementation. The Korea Credit Guarantee Fund and the Korea Technology Finance Corp. will issue dedicated agreement guarantees for content companies. NongHyup Bank will provide loans to eligible firms at rates 2.5 percentage points below standard rates. The program targets small and midsize cultural content companies that receive the agreement guarantee, and the funds are to be used for K-content production and distribution. The ministry and KOCCA said the deal completes a nationwide content-finance support network with participation from the country’s six major commercial banks. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 09:30:14 -
Veteran Actors Shin Goo, Park Geun-hyung Back Youth Theater Project in Seoul "Theater is about people, and it’s our story," said 90-year-old actor Shin Goo, speaking April 7 to young actors gathered at Daehangno Arts Theater in Seoul. He described theater as work that expresses what happens in relationships and stressed that the expression "must be honest." Without that, he said, the effort becomes meaningless, urging the actors to keep making strong work. That day, 30 young actors in the Theater Tomorrow Project presented key scenes from three original productions: "Tandem," "The Birth of a Queen" and "Firdaus." The works were developed through training, creation and collaboration within the project. The productions are scheduled to meet audiences April 24-26 at Arko Dream Field Theater, and tickets sold out as soon as sales opened. The Theater Tomorrow Project began after veteran theater artists Shin Goo and Park Geun-hyung, 86, joined forces to pass on stage experience and know-how to younger performers. The two donated proceeds to the Arts Council Korea, known as ARKO, from a special benefit performance of the play "Waiting for Godot" in March last year, helping create the Theater Tomorrow Fund. The project then moved into full operation. In early January, organizers held an open call and auditions and selected 30 young actors from 1,000 applicants. The group studied Park’s acting philosophy and stage experience through his master class, then went through directing workshops, actor training, creation and rehearsals before preparing to take the stage this month. Park said "Waiting for Godot," which he performed with Shin, drew enough love to sell out nationwide and made them feel they should do something more. He said the project now seems to have produced a small first result and asked ARKO to help ensure it continues rather than ending as a one-time effort. To keep supporting the project, the two veteran actors plan to appear in the play "The Merchant of Venice" in July, continuing their donations. A separate audition will be held for the 30 project participants, and selected actors will perform in "The Merchant of Venice" alongside Shin and Park. After watching the young actors, Shin said it felt like going back 60 years. "I was so flustered at my first performance that I can’t even remember how I got through it," he said. He added he was grateful younger performers now have a better environment for taking the stage than his generation did. Park said the present looks hopeful compared with a time when he felt they were searching for a path without light. But he warned that pursuing the work requires accepting financial hardship, adding, "Welcome to the hard road." Young artists said the project helped them grow. Actor Ahn Seung-gyun, who took part in "Tandem," said he came to realize "nothing can be done alone" and that the process of questioning, clashing and building the work together was a joy. Actor Ryu Ji-o, who appears in "The Birth of a Queen," said the key lesson was that people matter. "I realized again that theater is made by rubbing shoulders with people," Ryu said. "I was happy to meet friends who share the same dream and to work closely with them." * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 00:04:26 -
National Theater Company, LG Arts Center to Stage Rival Takes on Chekhov’s 'Uncle Vanya' in May Two big-budget productions based on Anton Chekhov’s play “Uncle Vanya” will go head-to-head on Seoul stages in May, with the National Theater Company of Korea and LG Arts Center each unveiling a new version. The source material is the same, but the two productions signal different approaches, starting with their titles. According to the theater community, the National Theater Company of Korea will present “Banya Ajae,” while LG Arts Center will stage “Uncle Vanya.” Both will be mounted in large venues with more than 1,000 seats, a rare “major production” matchup in Korean theater. Their runs overlap: “Banya Ajae” is scheduled for May 22-31, and “Uncle Vanya” for May 7-31. In “Banya Ajae,” Cho Seong-ha plays Vanya (Park I-bo), and Shim Eun-kyung plays Sonya (Seo Eun-hee). In LG Arts Center’s “Uncle Vanya,” Lee Seo-jin plays Vanya and Go Ah-sung plays Sonya. The split in naming — “ajae,” a colloquial term akin to “middle-aged guy,” versus “uncle” — reflects how the directors view the character. “Banya Ajae” director Cho Kwang-hwa said he saw himself in Vanya, while Son Sang-gyu, who leads “Uncle Vanya,” said the character reminded him of his father. Cho was born in 1965 and Son in 1977, a difference that may shape their perspectives. Cho has said he once preferred works with solemn, lofty ideas and disliked Chekhov’s focus on ordinary people. As he grew older, he said, his view changed. Through Vanya, he began thinking of “the uncles around us now,” and Chekhov’s everyday life felt like his own story. He emphasized the term “ajae,” aiming for a Korean-inflected adaptation that audiences can relate to without barriers and find comfort in. Son said Vanya’s grumbling sense of duty — and the anger that finally breaks through — overlapped with his image of his father. He said that helped inform his casting of Lee, whose public persona includes complaining while still seeing tasks through to the end. 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,’” adding, “Who can casually judge a life like that?” Son said he wondered whether people, like trees accepted as they are, could 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 the production would aim for universality while delivering a modern, minimalist mise-en-scene. Some in the theater world are also framing the pairing as a contest between experience and novelty. Cho is known as a veteran director who has worked across musicals and plays. Son is a newer director who debuted with the 2024 play “The Lives of Others,” and “Uncle Vanya” will be his first production in a large theater.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-13 00:03:17 -
Seo Seung-man Named CEO of National Jeongdong Theater The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Seo Seung-man was appointed CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater foundation, effective April 10. His term is three years. Seo is a performing arts and content planner with experience in broadcasting, stage production and theater operations, the ministry said. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theater, film and visual media at Kookmin University and a doctorate in public administration. His past roles include head of the theater troupe Sangsan Naneum, head of the small theater Sangsan Naneum Theater, president of the Korea Safety Culture Association, publicity committee chair of the Korean Association for Public Management, and a public relations ambassador for the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. He has directed productions including the madangnori works “Ondal-a, Pyeonggang-a” and “Ppaengpa-jeon,” and the musicals “Nono Story” and “Tunnel.” The National Jeongdong Theater foundation was established in 1997 to promote the restoration ideal of Wongaksa, described as Korea’s first modern-style theater, and to produce and stage traditional performing arts while expanding exchanges at home and abroad. More recently, it has presented works rooted in Jeongdong-gil’s modern cultural heritage — including traditional performance, theater and musicals — contributing to tourism in central Seoul. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said he expects Seo to strengthen the theater’s role as a tourism asset in the Jeongdong-gil area and to play a key role in promoting high-quality performances to audiences worldwide.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-10 14:12:15 -
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
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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