Latest news with #CulturalHeritageAdministration
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Taecyeon, Seohyun's The First Night with the Duke under police probe for UNESCO heritage site damage, director publicly apologizes
KBS2's recently-released drama The First Night with the Duke has become embroiled in controversy. The series, starring 2PM's Taecyeon and Girls' Generation's Seohyun, is now being investigated by police. Based on a popular web novel, it was expected to charm audiences. However, the production has drawn intense backlash. They are accused of damaging a designated cultural heritage site during its filming process. At the center of the scandal is Byeongsan Seowon, a 16th-century Confucian academy in Andong that was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. Site damaged during filming Reports emerged earlier that the drama's props team had drilled nails directly into the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon while decorating the set. They allegedly hanged filming equipment or props. This action violated the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. It caused physical damage to a structure that is supposed to be preserved and protected at the highest level. Following an internal investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration, three individuals from the production's props team were found to have violated heritage protection laws. They were officially referred to the prosecution. The Seoul Metropolitan Police are now conducting a formal probe into the incident. Production team relocates Amid public uproar and condemnation from cultural experts and citizens alike, the production halted all activities at Byeongsan Seowon and moved filming to a new location in Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province. Despite the swift relocation, criticism has not abated. Many have voiced frustration over the apparent carelessness of the production crew, especially given the known historical value of Byeongsan Seowon. Heritage advocates argue that such negligence could have lasting effects on Korea's reputation for preserving its cultural landmarks. Director speaks out On June 11, the cast and crew held a press conference in Seoul on the same day of the drama's premiere. Director Lee Woong Hee addressed the controversy directly and issued a public apology. He accepted responsibility for the incident. 'We deeply disappointed many people due to the cultural heritage damage incident at Byeongsan Seowon during the production process,' he said. 'I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize. It was clearly our fault.' Lee further revealed that KBS has since discarded all footage shot at the heritage site. He emphasized that the network has now implemented strict new guidelines for filming at culturally sensitive locations. 'I'm not trying to boast about taking responsibility,' he added. 'We're currently under investigation by the Cultural Heritage Administration and the police, and I just want to say we've taken the best possible measures we could at this stage.' Due to the delicate nature of the damage, immediate restoration work has been delayed. Experts advised that the wooden structure of Byeongsan Seowon needs to be monitored closely over time to determine the full extent of the impact.
Korea Herald
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Capital gets crafty for May
Seoul Metropolitan Government to run craft exhibition program next week It's Seoul is celebrating the beauty in the everyday this May with a handful of craft exhibitions. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will run a craft exhibition program dubbed the "Namsangol Home" at the Namsangol Hanok Village in Jung-gu, central Seoul, from May 16-25. The event will revolve around the theme of home, inviting visitors to explore how craft relates to the feeling, function and meaning of home and shed light on the value of crafts in everyday life. The weeklong event will invite visitors to an exhibition titled "Crafts of Today" showcasing modern and traditional craftworks, a market where people can purchase handmade items for daily use and a program where visitors can make their own craft items, such as pottery. It will run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for free. More details are available on the Namsangol Hanok Village's official website. In celebration of May, a craft exhibition titled "Oasis" is also taking place at Soluna Living in Seoul's Jongno district until May 30. The exhibition focuses on how handmade art and crafts can bring calm, beauty and meaning to ordinary, daily experiences, showcasing pieces made from glass, ceramics, metal and lacquerware. The exhibition is open every day from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. except Mondays. The Cultural Heritage Administration and the National Intangible Heritage Functional Association will jointly hold an exhibition on traditional craft masterpieces at the Seoul Center for National Intangible Cultural Asset building in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, from May 16-23. Held under the theme "Embracing Tradition," the exhibition will showcase over 120 traditional craftworks. Admission is free, and the exhibition is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Samgaksan Geumam Art Museum in Eunpyeong-gu, eastern Seoul, is running an exhibition featuring installations and craft works by four female artists born during the 1980s and 1990s, whose creations are inspired by their connection to the mountains. For those wanting to delve into the artists' relationship with nature, the exhibition is open every day from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. except Mondays. Admission is free.
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Policy Watch: Lee Jae-myung forms committee for his soft power initiative
The Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, Rep. Lee Jae-myung, launched a committee dedicated to promoting South Korean popular culture content, his campaign office said Monday. Lee's campaign said the committee will be headed by Yoo Hong-jun, who served as the director of the Cultural Heritage Administration, a Ministry of Culture-affiliated agency for managing the country's cultural assets. Expanding Korea's soft power is one of Lee's key policy pledges. "I want to help turn South Korea into a cultural powerhouse," he said in a statement on his Facebook on April 18.
Korea Herald
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korean Cultural Center in Osaka promotes traditional crafts through exhibition
The Korean Cultural Center in Osaka is showcasing traditional Korean crafts through a yearlong exhibition and program series to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Japan and the upcoming 2025 World Expo in Osaka. The exhibition is structured around the four seasons, with each segment highlighting a different aspect of Korean craftsmanship. Opening the series is 'Reflections of the Season: Spring,' which runs from March 28 to June 4. This segment will feature round white porcelain vessels known as moon jars alongside 'gungjung chaehwa,' or traditional Korean royal silk flowers. Six moon jars created by ceramist Kim Pan-ki will be on display, alongside craftworks by Kim Joo-young, a holder of intangible cultural heritage designated by the Cultural Heritage Administration. The exhibition is curated by designer Kim Ju-il, who last year directed a special showcase at the Blue House focused on traditional Korean attire and ceremonial life. Following the spring edition, the center will continue with exhibitions highlighting gold leaf craftsmanship in summer, traditional earthenware in autumn, and quilted textile artistry in winter. 'The Korean Cultural Center in Osaka aims to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties and reaffirm the friendship between the two nations,' said Kim Hye-soo, executive director of the center, in a press release. 'We hope Japanese visitors interested in Korean culture will enjoy coming to the center throughout the year as the exhibition changes with the seasons.'
