Lee Jong-suk, Park Shin-hye still undecided about ‘Pinocchio’

The star agencies of Korean actors Lee Jong-suk and Park Shin-hye said Thursday that they were still undecided about accepting SBS’ offer to star the new drama “Pinocchio.” Actors Lee Jong-suk (left) and Park Shin-hye (OSEN)“We did get an offer (to star in ‘Pinocchio’) but ‘Pinocchio’ is one of the many works being considered,” Lee’s agency Wellmade Entertainment told a local news outlet. Similarly, Park’s agency Salt Entertainment said, “We received an offer and are looking into it. … Nothing i

Aug. 21, 2014

Actors guaranteed a fortune from “Roaring Currents”

The lead actors of Korean film “Roaring Currents” are expected to rake in billions of won just for the running guarantee, a local news outlet reported on Thursday.“Roaring Currents,” launched in theaters on July 30, has reaped immense success, which is a rarity for an epic film. Starring actors Choi Min-sik and Ryu Seung-ryong, “Roaring Currents” is currently the highest grossing Korean film in theater, surpassing 15.1 million views and about 120 billion won in ticket sales. A scene from “Roarin

Aug. 21, 2014

Teen Top’s fall transformation - from boys to men

K-pop idol group Teen Top’s fashion pictorial for style magazine The Star was revealed. The idols were dressed in dark-toned fall outfits, replacing their boy-like image with manly charm. The rest of the pictorial can be seen in the September issue of The Star. A video of behind the scenes of the shoot will be released on YouTube as well. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Picture credit: The Star)

Aug. 21, 2014

Seo In-guk shows various characters in fall pictorial

Singer and actor Seo In-guk showed off various charming sides in a fashion pictorial for Marie Claire. In one picture, he acts child-like, while in other pictures he gives a sexy smile. Seo was wearing suits and casual outfits while boasting a natural and chic mood. The photos can be seen in the September issue of Marie Claire. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Picture credit: marie claire)

Aug. 21, 2014

Park Shin-hye’s chic fall editorial for fashion brand BRUNOMAGLI

Park Shin-hye showed off her chic side for fashion brand BRUNOMAGLI in a new fall editorial. The actress dressed in black clothes matched with big, wild hair and smoky makeup. Park accessorized with BRUNOMAGLI’s new bag collection and showed off a range of looks from sheer to punk and business wear.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Picture credit: BRUNOMAGLI)

Aug. 21, 2014

JYJ Junsu to open luxurious hotel in Jejudo

JYJ member Junsu is to open a luxurious hotel on Jejudo Island, according to local reports Thursday.“Junsu is to open a hotel on Jejudo Island on Sept. 25. It has always been his dream to open a special hotel, and he specifically selected Jejudo as the location,” an official from his agency C-JeS Entertainment was quoted as saying.The hotel will reportedly be named “Toscana Boutique Hotel.” Junsu has invested 28.5 billion won in the hotel over four years.Comprised of 61 guest rooms in four villa

Aug. 21, 2014

Pictures of Jay Park in ‘The Promise’ MV revealed

Pictures of Jay Park from the music video for his new song “The Promise” were released on Thursday.The singer’s agency, Sidus HQ, posted three photos of Jay Park on its official Twitter account.Along with the picture, the agency wrote “We are releasing b-cut pictures of ‘The Promise!’ The music video is too sexy to express with words.”Jay Park is to release his second full album “Evolution” on Sept. 1. By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: Sidus HQ]

Aug. 21, 2014

Roy Kim and Jung Joon-young on Jejudo Island

Singers Roy Kim and Jung Joon-young have appeared in a fashion shoot for Cosmopolitan. The shoot has a road trip concept, and was shoot on Jejudo Island. Both wear red coats, unique boots, shirts and biker jackets to create fashionable looks for fall. The rest of the pictures can be seen in the September issue of Cosmopolitan, along with an interview with the two stars. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Picture credit: Cosmopolitan)

Aug. 21, 2014

Super Junior to release new album next month

(SM Entertainment)South Korean boy band Super Junior will release its seventh full-length album "Mamacita" on Sept. 1, its agency said Thursday.It is the group's first full-length album since July 2012, when it released "Sexy, Free & Single."The new album's title "Mamacita" means an "attractive, pretty girl" in Spanish, according to S.M. Entertainment.Prior to the album's release, the boys will begin promotional activities, starting with appearances on KBS 2TV's music program, Music Bank.They wi

Aug. 21, 2014

Old and new, East and West pieced together

A 12th-century celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty boasts graceful curves and a delicate jade-green color. Displayed behind the celadon, two 1995-1996 paintings in different shades of celadon green by artist Byron Kim add a modern simplicity to the centuries-old artifact. The two artworks made 800 years apart show a harmony that transcends time in the pursuit of pure elegance. The link between old and new, the East and West runs throughout the 10th anniversary exhibition of Leeum, Samsung Museum of

PerformanceAug. 20, 2014

Korean Film Festival to open in China

The 2014 edition of the Korean Film Festival will open in Beijing and Shanghai, the Korean Film Council said on Wednesday. The fourth biennial festival, which launched in 2008, will screen 10 Korean films with a focus on helping Chinese audiences experience and understand Korean movies better.The festival will kick off at CGV Indigo in Beijing on Aug. 27 and continue until Sept. 3, with the films being shown at different theaters, including CGV Indigo, CGV Qinghe, Lumiere Pavillions and Broadway

FilmAug. 20, 2014

Agencies confirm Sulli and Choiza relationship, deny f(x) departure

Officials from both SM Entertainment and Amoeba Culture have released public statements confirming that popular K-pop starlet Sulli of f(x) and hip-hop artist Choiza of Dynamic Duo are in fact in a romantic relationship. For the past several months, rumors had been widely circulating throughout media and online communities that the two stars had been dating for some time. In June, one netizen posted a photo online claiming that he had come across Choiza’s wallet and found pictures of Sulli insid

Aug. 20, 2014

Sistar to release another summer EP, ‘Sweet & Sour’

Less than a month after the release of summer EP “Touch N Move,” the members of sexy K-pop quintet Sistar will release yet another album next week, the group’s agency, Starship Entertainment, said Tuesday. Officials at the agency said the upcoming EP titled “Sweet & Sour” would drop on Aug. 26. The album will feature six tracks: two new singles as well as “I Swear,” composed by popular producing duo Duble Sidekick; “Hold on Tight,” composed by hip-hop agency Brand New Music; and remixes of the g

Aug. 20, 2014

Kennel at homeless facility keeps pets, families together

AKRON, Ohio ― When people tried to pet her, the cat snuggled closer to owner Susan McIntosh. The cat is the first pet to be housed at the new home of Family Promise, a 10-year-old nonprofit organization that provides services to homeless families. Recently, it opened a kennel so that the families could keep their pets with them.Most homeless shelters do not take pets, forcing owners to find someone to watch a pet, or to give it away. Some would rather live on the streets than give up an animal.“

CultureAug. 20, 2014

After 74 years, burn victim and nurse remain friends

BALTIMORE ― Charlotte Rollenhagen still remembers the first time she saw Dorothy Hutchins at Johns Hopkins Hospital.It was 1940, and the 10-year-old girl had been badly burned when her dress caught fire on the kitchen stove in her family’s Baltimore home. Her entire back was burned, as well as part of her left leg and her left arm, which she flapped in vain to put the flames out.“The picture of this little girl is indelibly placed in my mind,” said Rollenhagen, who at the time was a rookie 21-ye

CultureAug. 20, 2014

In this place, powerful politician is just another quilter

LOS ANGELES ― Women filed into a classroom at an East Los Angeles community center. Some came alone, some in groups of two and three. Most were Latina and edging past middle age. They hauled tote bags full of fabric and rolled suitcases holding sewing machines.One of them was Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina, toting her own bundles of material.As one of the “five kings and queens” who run a sprawling county government, Molina is among the most powerful women in Los Angeles. She wrestl

CultureAug. 20, 2014

Song Hye-kyo sticks to promotional event despite tax evasion fiasco

Actress Song Hye-kyo (OSEN)Actress Song Hye-kyo will attend the movie premiere of “My Brilliant Life” at the Wangsimni CGV in Seoul on Thursday as planned, despite public censure over her 2.5 billion won ($2.4 million) tax evasion fiasco. “Song Hye-kyo will stick to the original interview with the press from Monday through Wednesday to promote the new film,” a local entertainment online media outlet reported on Wednesday, citing a source involved in the film.The news came a day after the actress

Aug. 20, 2014