Curiosity over ‘Interview’ grows in South Korea

As the row over “The Interview,” a U.S. film making fun of North Korea, took a dramatic turn with Sony Pictures’ surprise release of the flick on Christmas Day, South Koreans are growing more curious about what the fuss is all about. Although many South Koreans have been keenly following the controversy, they are blocked from actually viewing it, because Sony decided on a U.S.-only release. Some may be tempted to circumvent this restriction through illegal downloads, as the movie appeared on the

FilmDec. 26, 2014

The past and future of Seoul as seen through its river islands

It is not easy for the citizens of Seoul today to imagine the idyllic landscapes that once existed in the city. In particular, the city’s main waterway, the Hangang River, had over ten scenic islets, up until as late as the 1960s, as well as wide open beaches that stretched along both sides of the river. During the winter, the river remained frozen for many weeks, providing the citizens with a vast space for winter recreational and sporting activities, such as skating and sledding, while in summ

Life&CultureDec. 26, 2014

Images of 2014

Images of 2014Top 10 national and world news topics of the year selected by The Korea Herald editorsWorld01. IS influence increases in Iraq, SyriaIslamic State, a radical Islamist group controlling parts of Syria and Iraq, has sparked fear and outrage worldwide over its mass killings and abductions of soldiers and journalists.02. U.S., Cuba restore tiesEnding five decades of Cold War hostility, the U.S. and Cuba agreed in December to revive diplomatic ties and to ease a crippling U.S. trade emba

CultureDec. 25, 2014

Life and death in Pompeii

The story of Pompeii, how an ancient Roman city perished in a volcanic eruption about 2,000 years ago, has captured the imagination of many, resulting in a multitude of films, TV series and novels around the world. But what could possibly tell the tragic tale more vividly than the very relics excavated from beneath a thick layer of volcanic ash? In a rare treat for South Koreans, the National Museum of Korea has brought in about 300 artifacts from Italy to reenact the life and death of residents

CultureDec. 25, 2014

‘Interstellar’ draws 10m viewers in Korea

Hollywood space epic “Interstellar” cleared the 10 million viewer mark at the Korean box office on Christmas Day, becoming the third film to achieve the feat this year after Disney animation “Frozen” (10.29 million) and Korean period action flick “Roaring Currents” (17.61 million).Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi film on Thursday joined the 10 million viewership club within 50 days of its release, its distributor Warner Bros. Korea said. Only two other imported films, “Avatar” (13.30 million) and “Fro

FilmDec. 25, 2014

With N.Y. shows, Mariah Carey thrives on Christmas

NEW YORK (AFP) ― The festive wreath above the New York stage bore the insignia “MC” ― at once “Merry Christmas” and the initials of the evening’s attraction, Mariah Carey. Indeed for the pop diva, the holiday and her identity as an artist increasingly go hand-in-hand.It’s been 20 years since Carey released “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which quickly became a seasonal favorite with its bouncy holiday cheer infused by a touch of longing.Carey has put out two full Christmas albums but now has

PerformanceDec. 25, 2014

Author explains our postapocalyptic fears

AUSTIN ― Not long ago, Emily St. John Mandel was known as the author of three well-regarded literary noir novels that not a lot of people read. Call them “critically acclaimed, but terrible-selling,” she says.Then came “Station Eleven.”Publishers fought over the manuscript. The book debuted in September to enthusiastic reviews and cracked The New York Times best-sellers list. It’s being translated into 13 languages. And Wednesday, it’s up for a National Book Award.Her book is set in a world turn

BooksDec. 25, 2014

David L. Ulin looks at the year in books

What was the upshot of my year in reading ― the ideas, the through lines that most stirred or provoked me in 2014? The dominant thread was what we might call that of common experience, work that finds significance in incidental things.Karl Ove Knausgaard has become the poster child for this sort of work; his six-volume autobiographical opus “My Struggle” is all about a deep dive into the mundane. “Over recent years,” he writes toward the end of the second volume, “I had increasingly lost faith i

BooksDec. 25, 2014

Cory Doctorow lays down ‘Laws for the Internet Age’

Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet AgeBy Cory Doctorow (McSweeney’s)Cory Doctorow, who has given away his creative and intellectual work on the Internet for many years, has now published a book with his rationale for doing so.It seems like a sweet incongruity: Doctorow’s manifesto, “Information Doesn’t Want to Be Free: Laws for the Internet Age,” comes from McSweeney’s, the throwback hipster publisher of beautiful printed books. But the hardworking Doctorow takes advantag

BooksDec. 25, 2014

Psycho killer: ‘Night Terrors’ by Dennis Palumbo

Night Terrors: A Daniel Rinaldi MysteryBy Dennis Palumbo (Poisoned Pen Press)It’s no surprise that Dennis Palumbo’s hero in “Night Terrors: A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery,” the third installment of his four-book mystery series, is a psychologist working in an office located among the University of Pittsburgh’s many buildings in Oakland. Though he lives in Southern California, Palumbo is a Pittsburgh native who graduated from Pitt in 1973. He gave up a career as a screenwriter to become a psychotherapi

BooksDec. 25, 2014

‘Guide to Slave Management’: complete picture of cruelty

The Roman Guide to Slave Management: A Treatise by Nobleman Marcus Sidonius FalxBy Jerry Toner (Overlook Press)Want to buy a pet boy? Go to the slave dealer and ask if they have any Egyptians in the back. Don’t want to dirty your hands punishing your slaves? Hire a contractor, who will provide floggings, hot pitch for torture sessions and a crucifixion service, even providing his own cross and nails, all for modest fees. Need to know what to feed your slaves that will cost the least and provide

BooksDec. 25, 2014

Beautifully illustrated history of Italy’s Basilica of St. Francis

The Basilica of St. Francis in AssisiBy Gianfranco Malafarina (Thames and Hudson)Assisi’s famous Basilica of St. Francis consists of two churches stacked on top of each other. Both are pilgrimage sites for followers of the saint, who died in 1226, and art enthusiasts entranced by the frescoes that tell his story. The Lower Church, a kind of Romanesque basement, was built to house Francis’ crypt. The Gothic-style Upper Church is a lighter, taller space designed as a meeting and worship hall for p

BooksDec. 25, 2014

(Photo News) Afrasiab mural

Students view a full-size replica of an Afrasiab mural painting at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on Tuesday. It was drawn in the middle of the seventh century and discovered in Uzbekistan in 1965. The people in the painting are thought to be envoys of Goguryeo, an ancient Korean kingdom. (Yonhap)

Social AffairsDec. 23, 2014

Discover relaxation, retail therapy at the Renaissance

The Renaissance Seoul Hotel in Seoul (Renaissance Seoul Hotel)Hotel / WeddingRENAISSANCE SEOUL HOTELIn celebration of the New Year, the Renaissance Seoul Hotel is offering special “Discover Packages” for those looking for a relaxing weekend without having to deal with the hassle of packing up and leaving town. The “Cinema Paradise Package” is designed for a relaxing time and includes one night in a deluxe room with free in-room Wi-Fi and two Megabox movie tickets. However, for those who prefer

TravelDec. 23, 2014

Business with pleasure at Hotel Hyundai Ulsan

Hotel Hyundai UlsanHotel / Business / ProvinceHotel Hyundai UlsanWhether you’re traveling to Ulsan for business or tourism, Hotel Hyundai Ulsan is the place to stay. As a five-star hotel in Ulsan, an industrial city which is home to the world’s largest shipyard, Hotel Hyundai is ideal for business travel, meetings and seminars as well as weekend getaways. It is renowned for having accommodated many celebrities and internationally famous guests, such as the Brazilian soccer team, including star

TravelDec. 23, 2014

Oakwood Premier Coex Center redefines luxury

The interior of the Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul’s one-bedroom superior apartment. Oakwood Premier Coex Center SeoulServiced Residence /World WideOAKWOOD PREMIER COEX CENTERThe Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul, the city’s first deluxe furnished serviced residence, combines the elegance and services of a luxury hotel with all the comforts of a private home. The property offers 280 furnished apartments including studios and one- to four-bedroom apartments. Each residence has separate living

TravelDec. 23, 2014