Herald Philharmonic Orchestra to debut

An ensemble with the mission to spread the joy of music will launch next week with a debut concert at Seoul Arts Center. The orchestra ― the Herald Philharmonic Orchestra ― was established by media group Herald Corp., the publisher of The Korea Herald, as part of its efforts to give back to society. Directed and conducted by Kim Bong-mee, it is comprised of about 70 mostly young musicians who were educated at some of the finest music institutions in Korea and abroad. It aims to expand the reache

PerformanceSept. 30, 2014

Paris fashion says non to ‘Normcore’

PARIS (AFP) ― Self-aware blandness, aka “Normcore,” may be the latest high street buzzword, but for the world of high fashion ― currently gathered in Paris ― the trend is something to be resisted.U.S. retailer Gap’s latest advertising campaign ― with the slogan “Dress Normal” ― has been seen by some as an example of the Normcore trend.Coined by the K-Hole trend forecasting group, the term is a combination of the words “normal” and “hardcore.”Wikipedia defines Normcore as a “unisex fashion trend

Arts & DesignSept. 30, 2014

Crayon Pop unit group to debut ‘Break Out’ EP

Quirky girl group Crayon Pop’s first unit group Strawberry Milk, featuring twin sisters ChoA and Way, is gearing up to release its debut, four-track EP “Break Out,” according to an announcement by Chrome Entertainment on Monday. The identical twins’ upcoming EP is slated to drop on Oct. 15, and will include lead track “OK,” as well as three other singles: “Let Me Know,” “Hello” and “Feel So Good.” According to Chrome officials, both sisters took part in the concept, costumes, choreography and al

Sept. 30, 2014

SM confirms Jessica’s removal from Girls’ Generation

Representatives from K-pop’s largest management agency, SM Entertainment, have officially confirmed that popular K-pop starlet Jessica will no longer be a part of the girl group Girls’ Generation, according to a statement released on Tuesday.The announcement came about eight hours after Jessica revealed on her Weibo account that SM had unilaterally dismissed her from the group without “justifiable reason.” “I was excited about our upcoming fan events only to shockingly be informed by my company

Sept. 30, 2014

Marketplace for performing arts to open in Seoul

The Performing Arts Market in Seoul will run from Oct. 7-11 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, central Seoul.The annual event, organized by the state-run Korea Art Management Service, provides a marketplace for people in the performing arts industry to buy and sell performances, while exchanging resources and industry information. The festival aims to help diverse Korean shows advance to other countries, while enhancing a creative collaboration network among participants. “Marki

CultureSept. 30, 2014

Women demanded house from Lee Byung-hun: prosecutors

Lee Byung-hun’s two celebrity blackmailers had requested he give them a new house and cash before threatening to release a lewd video of him, prosecutors alleged on Tuesday.  Actor Lee Byung-hun. (KBS)The 24-year-old model surnamed Lee and 20-year-old Dahee of girl group Glam attempted to blackmail the 44-year-old married man after he turned down the request, according to prosecutors. The women were detained on charges of conspiracy. The prosecutors said the women were introduced to Lee Byung-hu

Sept. 30, 2014

g.o.d. to celebrate 15th anniversary with first U.S. concert tour

g.o.d. (sidusHQ)g.o.d., Korea’s first generation K-pop boy band, will hold its first U.S. concerts in California and New Jersey, the group’s label Sidus HQ said on Tuesday. The five members, now in their 30s and 40s, will highlight their 15-year careers with two U.S. concerts at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Nov. 7 and in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Nov. 9.In the U.S. concert, g.o.d. plans to introduce a variety of new performances that it has not shown at

Sept. 30, 2014

Girls’ Generation leaves for China without Jessica

K-pop idol group Girls’ Generation left for China on Tuesday without Jessica, backing up claims that she was forced out of the group by her label SM Entertainment.　Eight members of the group -- Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung and Yoona -- turned up at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday morning before flying to Shenzhen, China, to attend a fan meeting.　Jessica, however, was not sighted at the airport. 　(OSEN)The other girls did not respond to any of the questions f

Sept. 30, 2014

Jessica removed from Girls’ Generation

Jessica, member of K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation, revealed Tuesday that her label SM Entertainment had unilaterally dismissed her from the group. “I was preparing myself for the upcoming schedule, but I was notified today that I am no longer a member of Girls’ Generation as of today,” Jessica wrote on her Weibo at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday. In the message she left both in English and Korean, she could not hide her confusion. “I have put Girls’ Generation first and actively focused on our act

Sept. 30, 2014

Fashion, food and JYJ in Gangnam

Gangnam is hosting its annual hallyu festival from Thursday to Sunday, presenting a K-pop concert, fashion shows, a food festival and an international marathon for expats and locals. In its eighth year, the Gangnam Festival celebrates hallyu culture, featuring K-pop group JYJ, top fashion designers and stores from the district’s hip and trendy Garosu-gil street. It also invites expats, foreign tourists and local residents to run together in a charity marathon. In celebration of the festival, dep

Sept. 29, 2014

Fashion made in China: Fine for everyone but the Chinese

MILAN (AFP) ― It has been called fashion’s dirty little secret but according to Miuccia Prada, soon everybody will be doing it.Made-in-China’s just fine with Prada’s supremo and a host of other influential industry figures.But for Chinese companies and designers seeking to become global style players, producing high-end clothing on home soil is complicated.Trade barriers, brand perception issues and the sourcing of certain fabrics combine to form an obstacle to them competing internationally wit

Arts & DesignSept. 29, 2014

Book festival returns to Paju

An annual literary festival will be held at Paju Book City in Gyeonggi Province, bringing over 500 writers from home and abroad to present and discuss a wide range of literary works. “Paju Booksori Festival,” marking its fourth year, will kick off this week from Oct. 3-12 for a 10-day run at different venues in Paju Book City, a cluster of some 260 Korean publishing houses in Paju. “Last year, in its third year, the festival was selected as a representative festival by the Ministry of Culture, S

CultureSept. 29, 2014

Prolific Prince goes funk, rock, sci-fi with two albums

NEW YORK (AFP) ― As the funky bass quiets down near the start of one of Prince’s two new albums, a soothing female voice informs that medication has put him in “suspended animation” for 45 years.Is the 56-year-old megastar speaking of his own career, or does the song imagine his body being frozen? No matter ― the voice explains that he is now “in a place that does not require time.”The themes of science fiction and timelessness ― as well as plenty of sex ― run throughout the album “Art Official

PerformanceSept. 29, 2014

Revisiting old Seoul

The simple rectangular building in Gwanghwamun, which looks identical to the U.S. Embassy building in Seoul, was a symbol of a power shift in the modern history of Korea. Initially built using an aid fund in the 1960s, the building was a center of political power, functioning as the headquarters of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction, a military committee led by President Park Chung-hee, who had taken over the South Korean government in a coup d’etat. Governing legislative, administr

Arts & DesignSept. 28, 2014

[Herald Interview] Soprano bridges two ends of music spectrum

To say that Suh Yeree has a versatile voice is an understatement. In one stage, the soprano was the living messenger of Handel, dressed like women found in 17th-century European paintings and singing church music with a crystal clear voice and all the right spirituality. Then in another, she was a whip-wielding cop in a leather outfit, the embodiment of the satirical wit in the music of 21st-century composer Gorge Ligeti. Not only does she cross back and forth between two very different territor

PerformanceSept. 28, 2014

Change afoot in Pyongyang? In fashion, yes

PYONGYANG (AP) ― High heels, with sequins. Brightly colored, tight-fitting dresses. Hairstyles and makeup that are almost like what you would expect on streets of Beijing or Seoul. Something is definitely afoot in the style scene of North Korea’s capital. Most North Koreans remain too poor to think much about fashion, and the country in general maintains a deep-rooted resistance to outside influences. But in Pyongyang, where the standard of living is relatively high, clothes and styles have been

CultureSept. 28, 2014

[Herald Review] Exploring blurred line between truth and national interest

Which comes first, truth or national interest?This question is asked several times in the film “Whistle-Blower” by director Yim Soon-rye (“The Best Moment of Our Lives,” “Southbound”). “The truth,” the TV producer of an investigative journalism program answers in less than a second. “Because truth ultimately contributes to the national interest.” But what if the truth is ugly, unwanted or tarnishes the national image? In that case, how many people would give the same answer without a second thou

FilmSept. 28, 2014

[Weekender] Natural wonders of Jeju

Every fall, Jejudo invites visitors to take part in a walking festival to explore the island’s fascinating landscape through the popular Olle walking trails.This year’s Jeju Olle Walking Festival, scheduled for Nov. 6-8, takes visitors to oreum (volcanic cones), unique rock formations and a white sand beach dotted along three of the 21 Jeju Olle walking trails. The trails lead to every nook and cranny of the island and reveal unspoiled natural wonders. Visitors witness stunning landscapes formed

TravelSept. 26, 2014