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Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Why record numbers flocked to MMCA Seoul for Ron Mueck
Korean audiences moved by exhibition's hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure, such as the wrinkles on their faces. The documentary about the artist's process of creating handcrafted works was even more striking, especially in this age when digital technology makes hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high attendance of 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's iconic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is attributed to two elements: hyperrealism and the medium of sculpture. Rarely seen in contemporary art exhibitions here, the combination offers a fresh experience to audiences. These qualities were further amplified by social media: A popular Instagrammable installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram, and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot, although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Mueck's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Audiences seem to be drawn to their overwhelming scale and astonishing realism," said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. "Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space is thought to have allowed for full immersion for the audiences," she added. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.
Korea Herald
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Ron Mueck's hyperrealistic works draw record numbers to MMCA
Exhibition appeals to Korean audiences with heart-touching hyperrealist sculptures When a 29-year-old Seoulite, surnamed Jung, arrived at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul at 2 p.m. for a last chance to see the exhibition on Ron Mueck on Sunday, she was surprised to see the crowd waiting to enter the gallery. 'It was quite impressive to see the hyperrealistic details of each figure such as the wrinkles on their face. The documentary about the artist's process to create handcrafted works at the museum was even more striking ― especially in this age when digital technologies make hyperrealism easier,' she said. 'Ron Mueck' drew more than 530,000 visitors during its three-month run, marking a decade-high number of daily visitors at 5,671 people per day. The exhibition ran from April 11 to Sunday, showing Mueck's conic hyperrealist sculptures such as 'Man in a Boat,' 'In Bed' and 'Mask II,' among others. The popularity of Mueck's works in South Korea is partly attributed to the combination of two elements: hyperrealist quality and the medium of sculpture, which have rarely been seen in exhibitions here, offering a fresh experience to audiences. Such qualities of the exhibition were further amplified by social media. A popular 'Instagrammable' installation of 'Mass,' which comprises 100 giant human skulls, went viral. Created in 2018, the title of the installation can refer either to a heap of something, a crowd of people or a religious ceremony. 'I first came across the exhibition on Instagram and I found it compelling. I did not know much about the artist before I went to the show last month,' said Kim Sung-hyun, 27, from Seoul. 'I go to exhibitions from time to time, and sculpture exhibitions are sort of rare in Seoul, so I enjoyed it a lot ― although it was extremely crowded. It made it hard to focus on the show.' Another Seoul resident surnamed Yoon saw the exhibition twice, in both April and May. 'I find contemporary art a bit difficult, but I found myself more connected to Ron Muech's works than other conceptual art, as it is expressed realistically,' she said. The exhibition was the artist's first major show in the country. Mueck is known to have created sculptural works by sticking to the time-intensive, traditional sculptural process of clay molding and casting in silicon, according to the museum. 'Ron Mueck's works immediately evoke emotional responses and empathy from viewers, as they depict familiar forms and universal aspects of the human experience. Interestingly, the absence of wall text in the exhibition space allowed for full immersion,' said Hong Iji, a curator at MMCA Seoul. Park Young-sin, a Korean-language instructor in her late 30s, said she was curious how hyperrealism could be interpreted in visual art, in comparison to hyperrealism and realism in literature. 'I also really appreciated one particular piece that seemed to depict a couple on a date. I felt the emotional tension and pressure the woman was experiencing. The narrative I found in the sculpture was subtle, yet powerful,' she said.
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul cultural spending hits $157 per person as live arts overtake cinema
Seoul residents are returning to theaters, galleries and concerts in growing numbers, spending more on cultural activities and diversifying the way they engage with the arts, according to new survey data released Wednesday by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture. In 2024, the average Seoulite spent 214,000 won ($157) on arts and cultural experiences. Last year's figure is up 27 percent from 2022, when pandemic-related restrictions still lingered. People also went out more often, attending an average of 7.2 events over the year, up from 4.6 two years earlier. The foundation surveyed over 10,000 residents aged 15 and older for its latest biennial report, which tracks how citizens interact with the arts. The 2024 figures show that 76.1 percent of people attended a cultural event in person, a full recovery to pre-COVID levels and slightly higher than 2018's 75.6 percent. One of the biggest shifts is in what people are choosing to see. For the second time in the survey's history, attendance at live performances and exhibitions has surpassed moviegoing. In 2024, 65.2 percent of respondents said they visited a theater or gallery, while 47.9 percent went to the movies. That's a notable jump from 2022, when those numbers were 56.2 percent and 48.4 percent, respectively. Digital consumption of culture is also on the rise. More than 8 in 10 people said they had accessed cultural content online in the past year, including films, dramas, animation, music, webtoons and novels. Most users (69 percent) reported doing both online and offline cultural activities. Just 7 percent said they stuck to in-person events only. Interest in AI-generated content is emerging, though opinions remain mixed. About 46 percent of respondents said they would attend an AI-produced performance or exhibition, while 36 percent said they'd pay for one. Roughly a third were undecided, and around 23 percent ruled out participating entirely. The survey also highlights persistent gaps in access. Among respondents with physical, hearing, or visual disabilities, 64.5 percent said they had not attended any cultural event in the past year. That contrasts sharply with the 23.9 percent of the general population who reported the same. Only 0.7 percent of people with disabilities said they went to cultural events once a month or more, compared to 13.3 percent of nondisabled respondents. When asked what matters most in making cultural spaces accessible, 45 percent of respondents with disabilities pointed to the ability to move freely through a venue without obstacles.
Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
In upcoming S. Korean presidential race, candidates, their ideological stripes and pledges may not matter
The race will boil down to South Koreans voting on whether they agree or disagree with the short-lived martial law of Dec 3, 2024. PHOTO: EPA-EFE In upcoming S. Korean presidential race, candidates, their ideological stripes and pledges may not matter - As the campaigning for South Korea's upcoming presidential election kicked off officially on May 12, political observers are predicting that the race will not be about the candidates, their policy pledges or even political ideology. It will boil down to South Koreans voting on whether they agree or disagree with the short-lived martial law of Dec 3, 2024 declared by then President Yoon Suk Yeol. He was stripped of his presidential powers on April 4, triggering the June 3 snap election for a new leader. Yoon is currently undergoing a criminal trial on insurrection charges, for the debacle that sparked off the country's worst political upheaval in decades that saw a quick succession of acting presidents, with the latest one being Mr Lee Jun-ho, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister. 'To frame it simply, this election will be about the voters' appraisal of the martial law fiasco,' Yonsei University's Dr Bong Young-shik told The Straits Times. 'Ideological differences have been by and large diluted, at least temporarily,' he added. Referring to opinion polls conducted by various agencies since the martial law incident, Dr Bong said that the results have shown 'the consistent dominant negative views' held by South Koreans over what had happened. Among those with such views is Madam Seo Eun-sook, 68, a Seoulite who has been a conservative all her life. She is choosing to vote against the lines of ideology after being bitterly disappointed by the actions of Yoon, who is from the conservative ruling party, the People Power Party (PPP). She told ST that she could not condone martial law, having experienced the country's military rule in the early 1980s. This leaves her with no other choice but to vote for the liberal candidate, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, instead of the PPP candidate, she said. 'I will only go back to voting for the conservatives once the People Power Party regains its sanity!' she said in a huff. Mr Lee, who is widely tipped to win the race, has pulled further ahead of his rivals since campaigning started, as the latest opinion polls show. Results released by Gallup Korea on May 16 showed that Mr Lee's approval rating has risen to 51 per cent, far ahead of the 29 per cent of the PPP candidate, former labour minister Kim Moon-soo, and the eight per cent of Mr Lee Jun-seok, leader of the minor conservative Reform Party. The same poll also found the biggest opposition party, the Democratic Party, leading with 48 per cent approval, its highest rating in three years, while the ruling PPP is a distant second at 30 per cent. The two main presidential candidates opted to start their campaigns in the traditional conservative strongholds in the south-eastern region of the country which includes the cities of Daegu, Pohang and Busan. South Korea's presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung (left) of the liberal Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, making campaign stops in Iksan and Suwon respectively on May 16. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Both Mr Lee and Mr Kim have put forth similar domestic policy pledges centred on efforts to reboot the country's sluggish economy and ambitions to propel South Korea to be one of the world's top three artificial intelligence (AI) powers. Mr Kim attempted to solidify support in a region which has produced several past conservative presidents such as strongmen Chun Doo-hwan and Park Chung-hee and his daughter Park Geun-hye, and Mr Lee Myung-bak. His rival Mr Lee, meanwhile, sought to sway conservative voters by emphasising national unity in the aftermath of the martial law debacle and pledging to prioritise the nation's future over political ideology. The region is also where Mr Lee had posted his weakest results in the 2022 presidential race which he lost by a very slim margin to Yoon. Speaking at a rally on May 13 in the small city of Gumi near Daegu city, Mr Lee urged voters to transcend political ideological divides and pick 'the other choice for once'. 'Try to give Lee Jae-myung a chance. The future of this country is more important than whichever side you are on,' he said. South Korean politics have traditionally been marked by an east-west ideological divide, with most of the eastern cities favouring conservatives while the western cities tend to favour the liberals. This divide arose during the nation's industrialisation era in the 1970s and 1980s, when the country's early conservative leaders like Mr Park and Mr Chun prioritised their home regions in the east for economic growth. But these days, such a geographical ideological split is increasingly losing its relevance, says political science professor Kang Won-Taek from the Seoul National University. 'While such regionalism still affects South Korea's political landscape somewhat, I believe that the impact has significantly weakened,' he said. 'Previously, such regionalism arose because of the difference in economic benefits received from Seoul, but these days the younger generation no longer think that way,' said Prof Kang at a briefing for foreign journalists on April 16, adding that the regional divide these days is between the developed urban Seoul metropolitan region and the rest of the country. The key to the presidential election victory would lie in the swing voters, says Prof Kang. Swing or moderate voters are estimated to make up about 40 per cent of the voting populace. In a bid to win back moderate voters, Mr Kim, a low-profile minister who caught attention for being the only Cabinet minister who refused to apologise in Parliament for the martial law fiasco, belatedly offered his apology at the National Assembly on May 15. He said that he would have stopped Yoon if he had known in advance Yoon's plans for martial law. But Dr Bong thinks the apology comes too late. 'Voters can see through why Mr Kim is now apologising for martial law when he did not do so earlier. No matter how many apologies they issue during this campaign, it is not going to critically shift the perception of voters at this point, especially with moderate voters,' he said. A moderate voter, teacher Kim Young-in, 50, told ST that her choice was clear ever since the brush with martial law. 'Lee Jae-myung may not be perfect, but I believe he will at least uphold the foundations of our country's constitutional laws,' she said. Wendy Teo is The Straits Times' South Korea correspondent based in Seoul. She covers issues concerning the two Koreas. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
06-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Foodie tour of Namwon uncovers surprises
Meltingly tender pork paired with wine stands out in city best known for mudfish soup NAMWON, North Jeolla Province — Namwon is a foodie city. And that is increasingly palpable as trendy eateries like a gluten-free, sugar-free bakery for the health-conscious and a bar known for pairing wine with jambon, jamon and salami open up around the city. It's worth the roughly two-hour high-speed KTX ride from Seoul to sample the food options in Namwon, because unlike in the capital, venues are much less crowded, meaning more space to kick back and relax while indulging in great food. Namwon classics like a fish soup called chueotang is one way to bring a visit to Namwon to a successful close. The Chop Shop This bar opened in 2019 but dates back by at least two decades, when Park Hwa-chun began raising a new breed of pigs called Berkshire-K. Meats produced here ranges from jambon, dry-cured with sea salt and spices, to jamon, redder and saltier, but still silken, to salami, a rough textured sausage. 'We pair them with wine, which balances out saltiness. Ours isn't that salty in the first place compared to what you might have tried elsewhere. We've figured out 'Korean salty,'' said Park Ja-yeon, Hwa-chun's elder son who runs the shop. The 32-year-old Park doesn't just serve travelers stopping by, he has also been organizing interactive programs for elementary to high school students to see how meat is processed. For college students, such programs are more intense, allowing them to tour processing factories nearby. Factories aside, The Chop Shop is the only establishment in Korea that not only processes meat, but also maintains pig farms, Ja-yeon said, mentioning their pig farm 500 meters above sea level. This means shorter summer weather, which helps with raising the pigs. 'We traveled down here to see if the meats taste as good as online reviews say,' said Lim Young-eun, a 20-something Seoulite who made the trip with friends last year. 'Taste is a bit subjective. What I can definitively say is that they aren't smelly. No aftertaste. I think that alone is a big plus,' she added. Jambon, jamon and salami are not household terms in Korea, yet that does not mean they cannot be everyday foods for Koreans some day, according to the younger Park. 'For some young people I serve every day, this might just turn out to be their comfort food,' Park said. No Sugar Having opened in December, No Sugar is a bakery that seeks to cater to the health-conscious looking to cut back on foods with added sugar. While removing sugar entirely from its lineup, the bakery has not sacrificed variety. On the shelves were rice sticks, brown rice chocolate loaves and madeleines. 'We want bread that's healthy with flavors,' said Lee Sung-hee, who heads the shop that is partially funded by the government. The city of Namwon won a Korean government grant to boost its local economy, and agreed to jointly run the shop with a co-op set up by Namwon farmers. Lee, a native of Namwon, said her bakery advances a bigger cause, noting the proceeds are distributed to residents nearby aged 80 and older as an allowance. The bakery has a high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that afford a view of the surrounding landscape. This offers 'the kind of peace and quite' hard to come by at packed shops in Seoul, said Pyo Ye-lim, a Seoul resident. 'Seoul hot spots with something that tastes just as good are always packed,' she said, noting she deemed No Sugar just as tasty and much less stuffy inside. One complaint, if she were to make one, was how the bakery seemed less invested in actively drawing people in, Pyo added, pointing out it could not be reached by public transportation. Chueotang Chueotang, a soup that highlights loaches, also known as mudfish, is a Namwon classic. Thanks to immediate access to the freshwater fish, the southwestern city offers different varieties of the soup. Prepared with soybean paste and vegetables like radish greens and chives in addition to the mudfish, the soup is generally not spicy. Perilla powder is sprinkled on top to add to the savory taste. 'We come here almost every weekend,' said Kim Nam-jeong, 77, referring to her husband of the same age with whom she has frequented Hwangto Restaurant for the last 15 years. The couple, who have called Namwon their lifelong home, said they feel at peace when visiting the restaurant, which can seat up to 70 people. It is well known among locals — 7 out of 10 customers are locals, according to the restaurant manager. Chueotang is believed to boost stamina, and the squiggly fish is sometimes offered as a separate fried dish. Try the crispy fried fish bone, which crackles when chewed. Gwanghalluwon Strolling through Gwanghalluwon, a garden compound, is a gratifying way to conclude a food tour of Namwon, said Kim Sun-joo, a guide at the city-operated garden with a pavilion. The garden from the early Joseon era (1392-1910) was built to portray the eternal universe envisioned by Joseon officials. 'There's philosophy behind all these pavilions, halls and ponds,' Kim said. 'They're food for thought.'
