US citizen, ‘Chinese blood’: top biologist Yuan Junying caught in debate over returnees

South China Morning Post - Nov 11, 2026

A top Chinese-American biologist who left Harvard University to take up a position in China is facing an online backlash amid a growing debate over whether senior returnees are squeezing out the country’s young scientists. Yuan Junying, a pioneer in the study of how cells die, drew attention in China late last month when she defended her US citizenship after winning a major science prize at the World Laureates Forum in her hometown of Shanghai. “I’ve always said my blood is Chinese blood,” said...

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MMCA exhibition to highlight iconic American modernist painter Georgia O'Keeffe

Nov 11, 2026

MMCA exhibition to highlight iconic American modernist painter Georgia O'Keeffe

Celebrated as the "Mother of American Modernism," Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) is known for her pioneering works featuring motifs of flowers, animal bones and desert landscapes. She was a leading figure in a new artistic wave in the first half of the 20th century that turned to American cities and landscapes when Paris was largely considered the center of the art world. "Georgia O'Keeffe and American Modernism," an upcoming exhibition by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), brings together O'Keeffe's own paintings, as well as works by other key figures in American modernism. The exhibition, set to begin Thursday at the Gwacheon branch of the MMCA, features nearly 120 artworks, including 16 paintings by O'Keeffe, according to the museum. It also highlights the works of other artists, including Alfred Stieglitz, O'Keeffe's husband and an accomplished photographer; Arthur Dove; Marsden Hartley; and Charles Demuth. The exhibition comprises three sections, beginning with the Alfred Stieglitz Collection, which O'Keeffe donated to the Art Institute of Chicago after his deat

Seoul rolls out 6 night coupon packs to keep tourists exploring after dark

Nov 11, 2026

Seoul rolls out 6 night coupon packs to keep tourists exploring after dark

Seoul is looking to turn its nights into a bigger draw for international visitors, introducing six themed discount packages designed to encourage tourists to stay out longer and spend more across the city. The Seoul Tourism Organization announced Wednesday that it is expanding nighttime attractions available through its Discover Seoul Pass and launching six Night Coupon Packs covering dining, shopping, wellness, sightseeing and cultural experiences. The initiative follows growing demand for after-dark activities among foreign visitors. According to the organization's analysis of pass usage, nighttime visits between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. accounted for 14 percent of partner-facility visits in 2024 and 15.2 percent in both 2025 and 2026, as of Nov. 1. The pass recorded 98,880 nighttime visits over the past three years, with observation decks and Han River cruises drawing particular interest, alongside spas, saunas and water-based leisure facilities. The six packages are designed to make those experiences easier to discover. They include the Seoul Night Taste Pack for Korean food and dining, Nig

Seoul to bring 150 singles together in latest bid to encourage marriage

Nov 11, 2026

Seoul to bring 150 singles together in latest bid to encourage marriage

Seoul is giving singles more chances to find a match this year, expanding its final city-run matchmaking event of 2026 to 150 participants for the first time. The event will take place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) on Dec. 12, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday. The matchmaking initiative is part of a broader policy push to reverse the country's demographic decline by encouraging people to form relationships, marry and have children. In Korea, where childbirth remains closely tied to marriage, fewer and later marriages have contributed to the decline in births. Seoul has incorporated matchmaking events into its broader Birth Encouragement Seoul Project, which also includes housing, child care and financial support for families. The city expanded the number of matchmaking events from one to four in 2025 as part of that effort. The program, called “Seoul-ting,” combines Seoul with “ting,” Korean slang for a group blind date. The program has drawn some 17,700 applicants and produced 179 matched couples since it began in November 2024. The city will select 75 men and

Andrew Lloyd Webber to make 1st visit to Korea

Nov 11, 2026

Andrew Lloyd Webber to make 1st visit to Korea

British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the legend behind the musicals "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Cats," will make his first official visit to Korea this month, officials said Wednesday. Lloyd Webber will meet the cast and producers of an upcoming performance of "The Phantom of the Opera" here and hold a press conference on Nov. 19, according to performing arts company S&Co. His visit comes on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of "The Phantom of the Opera," which debuted on London's West End in 1986. The musical has since attracted some 160 million viewers from 54 countries around the world. In South Korea, 1.5 million have watched it since it premiered in 2001. Lloyd Webber is known for composing hit musicals, such as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Evita" and "School of Rock." He has won numerous accolades, including an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony. In 2024, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter in the first such order given to a British arts and culture figure.

KTO picks 6 promising tourism startups at investor demo day

Nov 11, 2026

KTO picks 6 promising tourism startups at investor demo day

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has recognized six emerging tourism startups for their business potential at an event aimed at connecting innovative companies with investors, the state-run agency said Wednesday. The 2026 Tourism Venture Final Demo Day, held Tuesday in central Seoul, brought together about 100 participants, including startup founders, investors and aspiring entrepreneurs. Fourteen companies presented their business models and growth strategies to potential investors, including managers of tourism-focused funds and funds backed by pension funds. The six selected companies were chosen through a mock investment evaluation. Their businesses span travel technology, retail and marine tourism. RavenL, for instance, developed a tool that analyzes tourist spending patterns using travel videos filmed by foreign visitors, alongside a system that helps retailers turn customer behavior data into sales. Another winner, About Fishing, operates a marine leisure platform combining fishing information, boat reservations and equipment purchases. A third company offers an integrated v

When fake feels real: 'Rohtko' brings one of art's big questions to Seoul

Nov 11, 2026

When fake feels real: 'Rohtko' brings one of art's big questions to Seoul

A painting does not change when it is exposed as a fake. Its price and the way people see it do. That gap between an object and the value attached to it drives “Rohtko,” Polish director Lukasz Twarkowski’s multimedia theater production, which makes its Korean premiere Friday at LG Arts Center Seoul. Inspired by a multimillion-dollar forgery scandal, the production arrives here four years after its world premiere, with its questions about originals and copies taking on fresh urgency amid the increase of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Twarkowski explored multiple perspectives on authenticity, inviting audiences to draw their own conclusions. “I truly believe that we have this possibility in theater to communicate contradictions,” he said, describing art as a way to explore complexity without declaring one single interpretation to be true. Produced by Latvia’s Dailes Theatre, “Rohtko” premiered in March 2022. It won five Latvian theater awards that year, including production and directing honors, followed by Italy’s Ubu Award for

Marcoleta, 3 co-accused seek dismissal of P75-M plunder case

Nov 11, 2026

Marcoleta, 3 co-accused seek dismissal of P75-M plunder case

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Rodante Marcoleta and his co-accused have asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to dismiss the P75-million plunder case against them. Third Division Clerk of Court Atty. Dennis Pulma shared the information with reporters on Wednesday. “All of the accused – Senator Marcoleta, Mike Defensor, Espiritu, Viray – all of the accused already

PCG suspends sea travel in Palawan due to rough seas

Nov 11, 2026

PCG suspends sea travel in Palawan due to rough seas

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard District (PGD) of Palawan said sea travel for small boats was temporarily suspended on Wednesday, Nov. 11, due to the effects of the northeast monsoon, or amihan. In an advisory, CGD-Palawan said vessels of 15 gross tonnage (GT) and below were prohibited from sailing in the following areas:

Rare thumb-sized orchid found in Dinagat mining area

Nov 11, 2026

Rare thumb-sized orchid found in Dinagat mining area

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur— Environmental researchers have documented a rare, thumb-sized helmet orchid for the first time in the Philippines, recording the specimen inside a forested pocket of an active mining concession in Dinagat Islands province. The orchid, scientifically identified as Corybas pictus, was found within a natural forest patch inside Cagdianao Mining Corp.’s

Sherwin Gatchalian flags GenCorp 'conflict of interest' over Sara Duterte payouts

Nov 11, 2026

Sherwin Gatchalian flags GenCorp 'conflict of interest' over Sara Duterte payouts

Senator-judge and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday raised a possible conflict of interest after GenCorp Industries Inc. paid Vice President Sara Duterte P2.14 million as returns of capital while the company held several contracts with the Davao City government.

Witness: Sara Duterte had no GenCorp stake, post from 2022 to 2025

Nov 11, 2026

Witness: Sara Duterte had no GenCorp stake, post from 2022 to 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. on Wednesday testified that Vice President Sara Duterte had no shares or position in the corporation from 2022 to 2025. GenCorp counsel Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay was called to the witness stand to testify on Duterte’s involvement in GenCorp and Metro City Chow Foods Corp. Asked

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