Korea’s hottest stars are in love

Actor Kim Woo-bin and actress Shin Min-a confirmed Wednesday that they’ve been dating, becoming the latest celebrity couple to publicly admit their romantic relationship. 　Just like the newly announced couple, a growing number of Korean celebrities are going public with their relationships -- though in the many cases, it was first disclosed against their will. 　Here’s a look at the hottest stars in love in the Korean entertainment scene. 　Kim Woo-bin, Shin Min-a  Kim Woo-bin (left) and Shin Min-

July 23, 2015

[Herald Review] Musical ‘Arirang’ gives raw reflection of Japan’s harsh colonial rule

A scene from the new musical “Arirang,” an adaptation of Korean novelist Jo Jung-rae’s eponymous 12-volume novel, which is at the LG Arts Center in Seoul until Sept. 5. (Seensee Company)Beyond the tale of budding young love and the painstaking struggles of a village and its people, the musical “Arirang” is an emotional roller-coaster of artistic beauty, unrelenting sorrow and the glimmering of hope. From the painful-to-watch scenes depicting the rape of women by Japanese soldiers, to the brutal

PerformanceJuly 23, 2015

[NEW BOOK] ‘IS Report’

“IS Report” By Samuel Laurent, Korean translation by Eun-Jung Felsner / (Hanul Publishing Group) Since it declared statehood about a year ago, the Islamic State, a jihadist militant group, has been making headlines with beheadings of hostages, terrorist attacks and other nefarious activities to push for its religious causes.Despite the U.S.-led fight against the radical group, the IS has been strengthening its clout in Iraq, Syria and beyond, as if to confirm the revival of a “caliphate,” a poli

BooksJuly 23, 2015

Jun Ji-hyun is 10 weeks pregnant

Jun Ji-hyun (Yonhap) Korea’s top-notch actress Jun Ji-hyun is 10 weeks pregnant, due early next year, according to her agency Culture Depot on Wednesday. 　 “To be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. But I’m glad to see my family happy for me,” said Jun, asking fans for continued interest and support for her recent film “Assassination.” 　 The 33-year-old actress married a Korean banker in April 2012

FilmJuly 23, 2015

‘Christmas in July’ event kicks off orphanage gift campaign

Showing contempt for the calendar, expats in Gwangju are holding a Christmas-themed family event at the height of summer in aid of disadvantaged children. Saturday’s “Christmas in July” event will raise money for Adopt a Child for Christmas, a campaign that provides gifts to children each Christmas at orphanages in the Gwangju area.Christmas in July will include a Hawaiian shirt contest, paper snowflake lessons, Christmas card making, and a water balloon toss and other party games, while a conce

Expat LivingJuly 22, 2015

Itaewon center hosts forum for Islamic, African expats

As part of ongoing efforts to help expats integrate into Korean society, the Itaewon Global Village Center held its first town meeting specifically for Islamic and African residents on Friday. There are now 270,000 foreign residents in Seoul, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Muslim and African residents make up a small minority of the total, but are two communities that have thrived in the Yongsan district. The Itaewon Global Village Center is one of several operated by the Seoul

Expat LivingJuly 22, 2015

Gaelic football enters Korean schools

A group of Korean children play an exhibition game of Gaelic football during halftime at the Connaught final at MacHale Park in Ireland as part of a program organized by Seoul Gaels to promote the sport. (Seoul Gaels)Ask Korean students what sports they play and you will usually hear the stock responses: soccer, basketball or baseball. However, 15-year-old Lee Si-hun plays an unusual sport ― Gaelic football. The sport, originating from Ireland, can be described as an interesting cross between ru

Expat LivingJuly 22, 2015

‘Channel Girls’ Generation’ caters to female audience　

　K-pop octet SNSD’s cable show “Channel Girls’ Generation” aired its first episode Tuesday on OnStyle, with the idols shedding their lofty image to take on a more approachable style. 　In the episode aired Tuesday, the unassuming starlets took to laugh-inducing games, such as spitting watermelon seeds onto their faces and guessing the members’ ideal man.  (OnStyle)　Producer Oh Kwan-jin of OnStyle said the show would delve into the “real SNSD,” and the singers will actively take part in pitching a

July 22, 2015

Building the world’s edgiest art collection

Among the thousands of stamps that Dutch philatelist Wim van der Bijl has gathered from all over the world, the image on a small North Korean stamp left on him a strong impression. The stamp collector soon found out that similar images in bigger sizes were on North Korean propaganda posters. He decided to buy more of them. His colleague Ronald de Groen, who is also an avid stamp and painting collector, joined him in the building of a dangerous, yet thrilling collection of North Korean art. From

PerformanceJuly 22, 2015

[Herald Interview] Ha Jung-woo brings romance to dark era in ‘Assassination’

Ha Jung-woo has never been an actor to turn down a challenge. For “Kundo: Age of the Rampant” (2014), he shaved his head and played the part of a lowly 19th-century butcher who ferociously avenges his family. In “The Terror Live” (2013), he was an anchorman rigged with an armed bomb. “The Berlin File” (2012) transformed him into a deadly North Korean agent.Despite Ha’s chameleon talents, when director Choi Dong-hoon (“The Thieves”) tapped him for the film “Assassination,” he asked him to play a

FilmJuly 22, 2015

Peruvian cuisine draws connoisseurs at Hyatt

Peruvian cuisine, famous for its diversity and creativity, has come to the fore of international attention in recent years, abetted by experimental efforts and proactive promotion. Eight Peruvian restaurants were listed last year in a list of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants sponsored by mineral water brand Acqua Panna S. Pellegrino, and two were included in its list of the top 50 in the world. Peru’s disparate ecosystem, biodiversity and climate from the Pacific Ocean, Lake Titicaca, Andes M

FoodJuly 22, 2015

Art project to create conversations with North Koreans via postcards

Postcards offer a taste of the foreign and exotic, giving the recipient a chance to share in the scenery experienced by the sender. Some of them, however, are about more than eye candy.　This is the case with Uri Tours’ upcoming art project, “Conversations with North Korea,” which will involve sending postcards from North Korea to people across the world.　Uri Tours is a U.S.-based North Korea tourism company. CEO Andrea Lee was inspired to host the project after witnessing tour participants’ reac

PerformanceJuly 21, 2015

Zombies, ghosts and all things horror at BiFan

Zombies, ghouls and the horrific of all kinds abound as the biggest genre film festival in Asia stirs into life in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Branching out from the European genre film festivals on which it is based ― typically focused on horror and the grotesque ― the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival takes a wide view of the term “fantastic” to encompass “all that we cannot experience in the real world,” including sci-fi, suspense and action, according to organizers.In recent year

FilmJuly 21, 2015

TVXQ's Yunho begins military service

Yunho, a member of K-pop duo TVXQ, enlisted for his mandatory military service on Tuesday. The 29-year-old singer arrived at the training camp located in Yangju, Gyeonggi province around 2 p.m. to begin his term. He was accompanied by his family, friends and his manager, his label SM Entertainment said. 　Earlier, he had withheld the exact time and place of the enrollment from the public with the intention of having a low-key enlistment, but many fans still gathered outside the camp to see the si

PerformanceJuly 21, 2015

Ex-EXO member Tao sets out as solo artist

(Tao's Instagram)Tao, a former member of boy group EXO, uploaded a selfie with a message saying “My dreams finally came true” on Weibo Tuesday, signaling his solo debut.Tao announced his withdrawal from EXO in April this year and is already running his own solo activities since he set up his own agency on Saturday. However, SM Entertainment has not released any formal announcement about his status yet. Tao is scheduled to drop his first EP “T.A.O.” on Thursday in China.By Kim Yu-jin (kimyujin@he

July 21, 2015

Super Junior's new album 'Devil' is hyper-trendy

Super Junior is all style and sophistication in its new album “Devil,” a special release celebrating 10 years since the group’s debut. Featuring bouncy, stylized beats and collaborating with an eclectic bunch of musicians, the new album sees the band branching out musically and appealing to a wider audience.In more than a few ways, Super Junior has arguably been a group atypical to SM Entertainment. At a label known for producing ultramodern pop beats and veiling its artists in a pristine public

PerformanceJuly 20, 2015

[Herald Interview] Ascott Limited to open country’s first Citadines property in Busan

The Ascott Limited is gearing up to open the Citadines Haeundae Busan next month, marking not only the first Citadines in Korea, but also the largest Citadines-branded “apart’ hotel” in its vast stable of global properties.The soon-to-be opened 468-room, fully serviced residence Citadines Haeundae Busan will officially open its doors on Aug. 15 and will become the property of its kind in the port city. “We will be the first international serviced residence brand in Busan,” said Max Phillips, are

CultureJuly 20, 2015