Big Bang to release new album in May

K-pop boy group Big Bang will make a grand return to the music scene in May, its agency YG Entertainment said Wednesday. Big Bang will release a new album on May 1, more than three years after putting out its mega-hit album “Still Alive” in 2012, the label said on Facebook. The announcement was made with a poster titled “Big Bang,” with the dates from May 1 to Sept. 1 listed, suggesting the group will unveil a new song on the first day of every month from May.  A poster announcing Big Bang’s com

April 1, 2015

Park Si-hwan gives fans ‘Rainbow Taste’ with first album

Singer Park Si-hwan of “Superstar K5” fame is widening his musical horizons with his first full-length album, hoping to show fans his full range of charm.“The album was a chance for me to sing songs from many different genres,” Park said at a press showcase Wednesday at Rolling Hall in Mapo-gu, Seoul, ahead of the album‘s official release at midnight. “I wanted to reach as many people as I could by offering them a wider variety of songs. I tried to show them all the different sides of me.” Park

PerformanceApril 1, 2015

Korea, France to launch cultural exchange programs

Korean culture will be on display throughout France starting this September as part of a cultural exchange program to mark the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France next year. The first lineup of 85 Korean cultural programs were announced Tuesday by the Korean committee of the cultural exchange program. Programs range from concerts, performances and exhibitions of major modern and contemporary Korean artists to a retrospective of revered filmmaker Im Kwon-taek.

CultureMarch 31, 2015

Love lies between life and death

In the film “Revivre,” a middle-aged man who has been looking after his dying wife suddenly finds himself attracted to a younger, beautiful woman. In the backdrop of the man’s tireless emotional struggles, the contradicting themes of life and death, youth and maturity, and desire and responsibility continue to alternate throughout the film. “Revivre” is the 102nd film of veteran director Im Kwon-taek, who wanted to the explore symbolic, ideational meanings of death.  Kim Ho-jung (left) and Ahn S

FilmMarch 31, 2015

Suzy and Miss A return

The unexpected news that mega celebrities Suzy and hallyu star Lee Min-ho are dating has been all the buzz in the local entertainment industry this past week.Exactly one week since the story broke, K-pop star Suzy returned to the stage Monday alongside the other members of Miss A, to promote the album “Colors,” the act’s first EP in more than a year. Despite Miss A reigning at the top of the charts with its latest single, “Only You,” during a press conference at the Seoul Olympic Park’s K-Art Ha

March 31, 2015

JYJ’s Jaejoong, Super Junior’s Sungmin join the Army

JYJ’s Jaejoong and Super Junior’s Sungmin both enlisted in the Army Tuesday for their mandatory military service.Jaejoong made a low-key enlistment. It is not known where he will receive his weeks-long training before entering active military duty. (Yonhap)He will be discharged from service 21 months later on Dec. 30, 2016. The 29-year-old singer-actor previously bid farewell to his fans at the two-day concert “The Beginning of The End” at Korea University in Seoul. Ticket prices for Sunday’s sh

March 31, 2015

Comedy ‘Twenty’ tops Korean box office

Local comedy flick “Twenty” was the most popular film at the theaters over the weekend, stimulating the sluggish Korean box office dominated by Hollywood movies. “Twenty,” directed by Lee Byung-hun and starring heartthrobs Kim Woo-bin, Lee Jun-ho and Kang Ha-neul, nabbed the top spot by garnering more than 1 million viewers since it premiered Wednesday. As of Monday, the film attracted 1,136,866 viewers and earned 8.74 billion won ($7.93 million), according to the official box-office tracker Kor

FilmMarch 30, 2015

Long-awaited homecoming for violinist Yumi Hwang-Williams

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province ― The southern port city of Tongyeong is the hometown of one of the country’s most beloved classical music composers, Isang Yun. Now, the city’s backdrop of a crisp blue coast and vibrant seaside life is being reinvigorated with the kickoff of the annual Tongyeong International Music Festival.In its annual homage to the late Yun, TIMF opened its curtains this season on March 27 for a 10-day, 19-performance run, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the patron

PerformanceMarch 30, 2015

All eyes on EXO with ‘Exodus’ return

Fresh off EXO’s massive five-day, sold-out solo concert series in Seoul earlier this month, 10 of the biggest names in K-pop have returned to the airwaves with the release of the group’s second full-length album, “Exodus,” on Monday. “We think that through this new album, you will be able to see a brighter and more evolved side of each of the members,” said EXO leader Suho, during a press conference held at the SMTOWN@coexartium Theater in Gangnam-gu prior to the album’s release. EXO’s highly aw

PerformanceMarch 30, 2015

‘We Got Married’ star under pressure to quit

South Korean singer-actress Yewon, or Kim Ye-won, is under increasing pressure to quit the popular television show “We Got Married” over her squabble with actress Lee Tae-im.“We Got Married” is a popular MBC TV show that puts celebrities in a mock marriage situation. The show, now in its eighth year on air, is also attracting keen attention in Asia, with two global editions and one Chinese edition successfully launched. Lee Tae-im (left) and Yewon. OSENThe controversy over Yewon, which occurred

March 30, 2015

[Herald Interview] Managing director of COS stresses timeless design, functionality

In the era of fast fashion, the life cycle of clothing is becoming shorter. People consume clothes as if they are disposable goods, driven by the supply of low-cost, trendy clothes offered by fashion giants such as Zara and H&M. However, the philosophy of COS goes against this fashion trend ― it believes fashion and longevity should go hand-in-hand, said Marie Honda, managing director of the company, a sister brand of H&M. “We have an approach to design that is timeless and permanent. Garments s

Arts & DesignMarch 29, 2015

[Up & Coming] Violinist sounds happy note

Up & Coming is a series of interviews with emerging artists in various fields of arts and entertainment ― Ed. Strictly speaking, Park Ji-hae is not an emerging artist. She is a reemerging artist. Having recovered from years of depression and a subsequent hiatus in her violin career, she is now performing actively and has just released an album on label Decca.“The other day I was crossing the Hangang River (by car), it struck me that I am so happy these days. The thought almost brought tears to m

PerformanceMarch 29, 2015

Kim Jae-joong to unveil second album

Kim Jae-joong, a member of K-pop band JYJ, will release his second solo studio album shortly after enlisting for his military service on March 31. The exact release date of the album is not yet confirmed.  “I didn’t want to have a gap (during the service period) so I prepared a lot for a month prior to entering the service,” Kim told fans on Saturday during his fan meeting concert, titled “The Beginning of the End,” held at Hwajung Gymnasium of Korea University in Seoul. It was his last concert

PerformanceMarch 29, 2015

Psy’s ‘Father’ tops Chinese music chart

“Gangnam Style” star Psy topped a Chinese online music chart with his latest Chinese version of “Father,” his agency YG Entertainment said on Saturday. “Father,” which was released on the QQ Music site, nabbed the first place on the QQ popularity chart for two consecutive days since its release on March 26.  As of Saturday, Psy’s “Father” was streamed a total of 1,872,566 times on the website. The popularity chart is based on the changes in number of streamings each week on the Chinese portal si

PerformanceMarch 29, 2015

From branding guru to traditional arts patron

At the hill of Mount Namsan, where a sprawling metropolis of 10.5 million starts to give way to a forest of leafy trees, a small museum opened in December. Nestled inside are wooden chests, tables, jewelry boxes and other intricate craftworks lacquered and decorated with exquisite mother-of-pearl inlays. Everything inside is the private collection of Sohn Hye-won. “I never thought that I would really do this -- open a museum,” said Sohn, 60, in an interview at the Korea Mother-Of-Pearl Art Museu

CultureMarch 27, 2015

Box Office

Revivre (Korea)Opening April 9Drama. Directed by Im Kwon-taekBased on Korean author Kim Hoon’s award-winning novel “Hwajang” (a Korean word meaning makeup and cremation), “Revivre” is veteran director Im Kwon-taek’s 102nd film. The film centers on top marketing executive Oh Sang-moo (Ahn Sung-ki), who works at a major cosmetic company. He is attracted to a young, beautiful woman called Choo Eun-joo (Kim Gyu-ri), while his wife is dying of a brain tumor. The film has already been invited to a num

FilmMarch 27, 2015

Eyelike: Jussie Smollett, Kendrick Lamar, Richie Furay

Jussie Smollett wears crown on ‘Empire’ soundtrackVarious artists“Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire”(Columbia)If there‘s one thing that could have sunk Fox’s “Empire” faster than bad acting, it‘s bad music. But ratings for the record-breaking hip-hop drama are soaring, thanks to its addictive storyline and entertaining cast, as well as its slew of catchy tunes, which are now included in the “Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire.”Not every song on the compilation is a gem, but th

PerformanceMarch 27, 2015

Travel bits

Lotte Hotel Moscow awarded ‘Best City Hotel in Russia’ Lotte Hotel Moscow has been awarded for “Best City Hotel in Russia” for three consecutive years by the luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Opened in 2011, the hotel is the first overseas chain of the Korean hotel group Lotte Hotel. Located near the Red Square, Kremlin Palace and Bolshoi Theater, it has emerged as a luxury spot in Moscow. “We have committed to providing service of the highest standards to our guests. This award is exc

TravelMarch 27, 2015

Sushi to be savored one piece at a time

When that glistening morsel of sushi, a thin slice of ruby-fleshed tuna resting over snow white rice, is served by Koji Nakamura, head chef of Sushi Koji, it is melt-in-your-mouth good. The “akami” tuna is gleaned from near the spine of the fish and is not as expensive as “toro.” It is particularly memorable because Nakamura has taken that more common cut of tuna, one that has probably been enjoyed at countless sushi restaurants time and time again, aged it and then allowed it to briefly marinat

FoodMarch 27, 2015

Kimchi sundubu jjigae (kimchi soft tofu stew)

Sundubu jjigae is a stew made with uncurdled tofu. Here, the tofu is paired with kimchi and meat. You can use any meat you want. Mushrooms are a good substitute if you don’t like meat. For the best results, always use fully fermented kimchi to cook with. Also, if you have some salted shrimp (saewujeot) leftover from making kimchi, use a little to season the stew instead of salt. It adds a wonderful layer to the flavor. Keep a package or two of sundubu in the fridge and whip up this bubbling pot

FoodMarch 27, 2015