‘Summer of the Dead’ has powerful plot

Summer of the DeadBy Julia Keller (Minotaur Books)Small towns ― where everyone knows your name and keeping secrets seems unfathomable ― can be hotbeds of concealment. No one really knows what goes on behind closed doors or within a family’s dynamics. Julia Keller’s third novel set in the Appalachian community of Acker’s Gap, West Virginia, expertly explores how people in small towns hide in plain sight many of their flaws, hopes and even a propensity for violence. Keller’s insights into the vaga

BooksSept. 11, 2014

‘Original Sin’ is tense, disturbing thriller

Original SinBy D.P. Lyle (Reputation Books)The dying old man on cardiac surgeon Lucy Wagner’s operating table was bleeding out from an aortic aneurism. As she desperately massaged his failing heart, a chill flowed into her fingers, up her arm and into her chest. And then she fell, collapsing onto the hospital floor. The patient, as it turns out, was John Scully, the pastor of a secretive, snake-handling cult that held services outside Lucy’s small hometown of Remington, Tennessee. As far as Lucy

BooksSept. 11, 2014

Sookmyung Univ. dean named chief of Korea National Ballet

Hwang Sun-hyeHwang Sun-hye, dean of Sookmyung Women’s University in Seoul, has been appointed the new president of the Korea National Ballet, the Culture Ministry announced Thursday. She will run the national ballet troupe for the next four years, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said in a press statement. Hwang, 60, became the president of the Seoul-based college in 2012 after teaching for more than three decades in the department of English language and literature. A graduate of Soo

CultureSept. 11, 2014

WINNER takes it all

“The winner takes it all.”Much like in ABBA’s hit song, rookie K-pop group WINNER really has taken it all.The group most recently took over Japan’s Oricon music chart. WINNER saw 31,114 in album sales, taking second place on the “Daily Album” chart with their debut album “2014 S/S-Japan Collection-” which was released on Wednesday.WINNER’s debut album in Japan includes tracks from the album “2014 S/S,” which was already released in Korea, along with other songs like “Go Up” and “Just Another Boy

Sept. 11, 2014

Lee Byung-hun blackmailer claims they dated

Model Lee Ji-yeon, one of two people charged with blackmailing A-list actor Lee Byung-hun, raised fresh claims that she committed the crime in a fit of rage after the star broke up with her.　The Lee’s lawyer claimed Thursday that she threatened him with a video that could tarnish his image as revenge after the top star split up with her. 　The two started dating three months ago, the lawyer said during the interview with a local media outlet. The Hollywood star is currently married to actress Lee

Sept. 11, 2014

Lee Min-ho to launch fan meeting tour in October

South Korean actor Lee Min-ho will embark on a worldwide fan meeting tour in October, his agency announced Thursday. 　Lee will kick off the tour, titled “RE:boot,” in Seoul and hold the first overseas fan meeting on Oct. 4 in Beijing, where Lee has enjoyed immense popularity following the success of his dramas “Boys Over Flowers” and “The Heirs.” 　 (OSEN)The fan festival is set to move to Guangzhou on Oct. 26, Nanjing on Nov. 1 and Shanghai on Nov. 22. A more detailed itinerary will be available

Sept. 11, 2014

Infinite Challenge members step on Park Myeong-su’s nose

Yoo Jae-suk and Jeong Jun-ha of MBC reality show “Infinite Challenge” teased fellow cast mate Park Myung-su on Thursday, making fun of his “sloppy” DJ skills that he showed in a live radio show. Yoo and Jeong singled out Park because he showed the highest confidence when the entertainers were challenged to host a live radio show.“I am disappointed to hear he was all thumbs in this morning’s radio show,” Yoo said in a phone call with Park while the show aired at 91.9MHz, driving the audience into

Sept. 11, 2014

2PM Wooyoung and Park Se-young to leave ‘We Got Married 4’

Wooyoung of 2PM and actress Park Se-young are to leave MBC real variety program “We Got Married 4,” according to local reports Thursday.“Wooyoung and Se-young participated in their last filming for the program in the end of August,” an official of the program was quoted as saying. “The two will now be focusing on their own careers,” the official added.They appeared in the program for the past nine months as a married couple and were loved by many fans.The next couple to fill in for the two are r

Sept. 11, 2014

Tang Wei beams in ‘The Golden Era’ poster

The official poster of Chinese film "The Golden Era."An official poster of the film “The Golden Era,” starring Chinese actors Tang Wei and Feng Shaogeng, was released on Thursday. The Chinese film, directed by Ann Hui, is a historical romance that depicts the turbulent lives of two Chinese writers in the fast-developing China of the 1930s. In the poster, Tang is wearing a Western-style blouse; has short, wavy hair; and is holding a lit cigarette in her hand -- a rare look for a Chinese woman in

Sept. 11, 2014

Lee Jong-suk’s morning selfie

Actor Lee Jong-suk posted a selfie on his Weibo account on Thursday, adding the words “It’s a lethargic morning for me today. But I will look forward to the exciting afternoon, like I do every day.” The selfie shows Lee, who seemed to have woken up few minutes ago, with a makeup-free face and un-styled hair. The fans showed various reactions by writing “Good morning.” “Finally a Weibo update by Jong-suk” and “We get cheered up by your selfie.” By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.co

Sept. 11, 2014

Chaerim visits Summer Palace with Gao Ziqi’s mother

Actress Chaerim take a Beijing tour with her fiancé, Chinese actor Gao Ziqi, and his mother.Actress Chaerim set out on a Beijing tour with her fiancé, Chinese actor Gao Ziqi, and his mother.The actress on Wednesday uploaded a photo of her soon-to-be husband, mother-in-law and herself, having good time at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. With the photo, Chaerim revealed concerns about the complicated legal process of filing for an international marriage, scheduled for next week. The Korean-Ch

Sept. 11, 2014

Oh Chang-seok was among big 5 Gangnam hotshots with Hyun Bin

Actor Oh Chang-seok (top) appears on MBC`s "Radio Star," aired on Thursday. (MBC)Actor Oh Chang-seok said on “Radio Star” that he used to be one of the five mega-hotshots of Gangnam district with actor Hyun Bin.On the MBC talk show, aired on Wednesday, Oh said he was dubbed one of the “five mega-handsome hotshots” in his high school days, along with Hyun Bin and actresses Lee Min-jung and Jun Ji-hyun. “Also in the big five was actor Hyun Bin of Youngdong High School,” Oh said. “I was not acquain

Sept. 11, 2014

Kahi’s travel pictorial

Kahi, a former member of Afterschool, posed for fashion-beauty book “0/1creativebook.” The former idol posed for the concept “travel.” Kahi was wearing a blue bikini and a white top while lying on a bed of flowers and giving a soft gaze. She also showed off her new short hairstyle. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: 0/1creativebook)

Sept. 11, 2014

JYJ ready to captivate Taiwan with concert

K-pop boy band JYJ’s photo on a plane to Taiwan was released on Wednesday. 　The group’s label C-Jes Entertainment posted a photo of JYJ members posing for a photo en route to Taiwan for their upcoming concert. 　(Facebook)“Hello, Taipei. We are looking forward to meeting you after three years! Dear fans, we will see you tomorrow!” JYJ wrote on Facebook alongside the photo.　Some 200 fans had waited at the airport where JYJ was supposed to arrive, but the band sneaked out through VIP passage. 　The

Sept. 11, 2014

Ok Taecyeon in dandy suits

2PM member Taecyeon, who is set to come back on Sept. 15, posed in dandy suits for fashion brand Sieg Fahrenheit. The idol was wearing classic monotone coats and suits and showed off his manly character. The coats Taecyeon wears can be used in daily life and matched both to formal and casual styles. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Sieg Fahrenheit)

Sept. 11, 2014

N.Y. Fashion Week blends celebrity, sophistication

NEW YORK (AP) ― New York Fashion Week was equal parts celebrity and sophistication Tuesday, with runway shows that included a collection by red carpet favorite Naeem Khan and a new line by Serena Williams.Naomi Campbell made an appearance at Badgley Mischka’s show, which also marked its silver anniversary, while a trio caused a stir with a no-clothes fashion moment. U.S. Open 2014 tennis champion Serena Williams (center) with Vogue editor Anna Wintour (left)during New York Fashion Week. (AP-Yonh

Arts & DesignSept. 10, 2014

Conductor Chang parts with Qatar Philharmonic

Chang Han-naCellist-turned-conductor Chang Han-na has resigned from her position as music director of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, citing “irreconcilable differences with the management.” Her abrupt departure was announced Monday, only one day after the 32-year-old Korean led the Qatari state orchestra’s BBC Proms debut. She said her resignation was effective immediately and that she would withdraw from a scheduled performance on Tuesday in Rome and all subsequent performances with the Arab

CultureSept. 10, 2014

Gyeongju Expo to bring attention to region’s culture, industry

With the joint cultural festival between Istanbul and Gyeongju, Istanbul in Gyeongju 2014, kicking off festively, a variety of events will be taking place from this weekend in the historic South Korean city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The events, taking place alongside the 10-day festival introducing Turkish culture, seek to promote the host city’s various appeals as a place to travel, do business in or just live in. “A lot of events will be held alongside ‘Istanbul in Gyeongju 2014.

CultureSept. 10, 2014

No surprise the surprise U2 album shines

Everything about U2’s new album is unexpected. Like it’s very existence, for one, after the Irish rock band dropped it on iTunes users Tuesday in a surprise move. Then there’s its intriguingly narrow and personal scope. And its playful musical adventurousness, which amounts to a smooth shifting of gears over variable terrain on a road course as the group works through songs inspired by things that seemingly have little do with each other. Each, however, is an experience from youth and young manh

PerformanceSept. 10, 2014

With 2 new films, Pacino keeps experimenting

TORONTO (AP) ― Introducing one of Al Pacino’s two films at the Toronto Film Festival, artistic director Cameron Baily remarked that perhaps an “Al Pacino Day” was in order, just as it had been for Bill Murray. At 74, Pacino debuted his latest batch of work at the festival, both films that find him exploring the regrets, ambitions and ruts of old age. In David Gordon Green’s “Manglehorn,” he plays a lonely Texas locksmith, mourning a bygone romance despite the interest of a friendly bank teller (

FilmSept. 10, 2014