Korean pro-baseball fan gets hero’s welcome in Kansas City

Lee Sung-woo, a 38-year-old South Korean office worker, has become an online sensation after visiting Kansas City in the U.S. at the invitation of its pro baseball team the Royals early this month.He was given a hero’s welcome in the city and drew a great deal of attention from citizens and Royals’ officials, players and fans.The club invited him as he has been an ardent fan of the Royals for nearly two decades despite having no connection with the U.S. pro baseball team or the city. Lee Sung-wo

PeopleAug. 19, 2014

Tang Wei and Kim Tae-yong marry

A wedding photo of Tang Wei and Kim Tae-yong Bom Film ProductionChinese actress Tang Wei and Korean filmmaker Kim Tae-yong recently tied the knot in a formal wedding ceremony in Hong Kong, Kim’s agency Bom Film Production said on Tuesday.Earlier, the couple secretly held a private, informal wedding event on July 12 at the estate of legendary filmmaker Ingmar Bergman on Faro Island, Sweden. This time, their wedding ceremony in Hong Kong was attended only by their families. “As we began our new jo

Aug. 19, 2014

G-Dragon’s birthday party scene appeared online

The model Soo Joo, who has appeared at major fashion shows, including that of Chanel, wrote “Happy Birthday G-Dragon!” on her Instagram account alongside a picture of him on Monday.In the photo, G-Dragon is sitting in a chair with a big smile and happy expression. His charismatic good looks and fashion sense caught people’s attention.G-Dragon had already celebrated his birthday with the members of Big Bang during “YG Family Concert” at Jamsil stadium on Friday.In response to congratulatory messa

Aug. 19, 2014

JYJ, neither fear nor worries to become 30s

Jaejoong, Yoochun, and Junsu of K-pop group JYJ said that they were not afraid to turn 30 at a press conference last Friday, opening up on their feelings about getting older. “Now I am at the end of my 20s and I started to feel exhausted when I dance hard. Nevertheless, age is just a number,” Jaejoong said.“It has been more than 10 years since we started working together and I have started to feel grateful to my friends and the people around me. I wish I could get along with them for the rest of

Aug. 19, 2014

'Roaring Currents' surpasses record 15 mln viewers

A homegrown action film about a 16th-century Korean naval hero's astonishing victory over Japan exceeded 15 million in attendance on Tuesday for the first time in local Korean box-office history, the film's promoter said."Roaring Currents" hit the milestone at 1:30 p.m., the 21st day since it opened on July 30, 1st Look said, citing box-office figures from the Korean Film Council.On Friday, it became the most-watched film movie at theaters in the country, breaking the previous record held by Hol

Aug. 19, 2014

Romance to spark between Yunho and Go Sung-hee

Actor Yunho and actress Go Sung-hee are to spark a romantic relationship in the drama “The Night Watchman.”MBC revealed pictures of the two on Tuesday. In the photos, the couple are holding hands and looking at each other, leading viewers to anticipate the start of a romantic relationship. The scene is to be broadcast in the sixth episode of the drama. “The Night Watchman” is broadcast every Monday and Tuesday on MBC. By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: MBC]

Aug. 19, 2014

2PM‘s Taecyeon enjoys solo trip

Taecyeon of 2PM expressed his wish to travel alone without group members on Monday.Appearing on the SBS radio program “Choi Hwa-jung’s Power Time,” Taecyeon expressed his thoughts about traveling alone.“I believe the biggest breaking away I have ever done was traveling alone. I bought a plane ticket and also reserved a hotel room all by myself when I went to Japan to watch Junho’s concert. It is a lot of fun to go alone. Usually I am surrounded by members and our manager, so sometimes I felt lik

Aug. 19, 2014

Sistar members Soyou, Dasom’s Saipan pictures

Pictures of Sistar members Soyou and Dasom in Saipan were revealed on the girl group’s official Twitter page to promote their new album “I Swear.” The two idols are shown by the sea. Both wear “natural” makeup and vintage beach outfits. Their special album “I Swear” will be released Aug. 26.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Starship Entertainment)

Aug. 19, 2014

Yunho saves Jung Il-woo’s life in ‘The Night Watchman’

Yunho, an actor and member of TVXQ, saved Jung Il-woo’s life in the MBC drama “The Night Watchman” on Monday.In the fifth episode of the drama, Kim Heung-soo, who plays Prince Kisan, tries to attack Jung after realizing his ability to see ghosts.Yunho, who plays a man who was made Jung’s royal guard prior to the scene, stops Kim and saves Jung’s life.“I am doing this for you, your highness. You are to become a great king someday. I cannot let this become your burden,” Yunho told Kim.The drama “T

Aug. 19, 2014

Suzy being glam in sporty outfits

K-pop idol Suzy glams it up in a new fashion editorial for casual sports brand MLB. The idol boosted her charm in trendy clothes in black, burgundy, navy and metallic. She gave the look a finishing touch with trendy accessories including snapbacks and bold jewelry. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: MLB)

Aug. 19, 2014

Song Hye-kyo expresses deep regret over tax evasion

South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo on Tuesday apologized for committing tax evasion, stating in a news release that she “deeply regrets mishandling her tax affairs due to ignorance.”Song said that she had not been aware that her accountant had underreported her income taxes until the tax authority told her in 2012 that it could not acknowledge them due to a lack of documents on tax-deductible expenses.Through her accountant, the actress reported 5.5 billion won ($5.4 million), or 92.3 percent, of

FilmAug. 19, 2014

EXO Chanyeol confirms to debut on screen

Chanyeol of idol group EXO confirmed that he will debut as an actor on Tuesday.Film production firm CJ Entertainment announced the cast of the upcoming movie “Last First Love” (working title).Besides Chanyeol, other actors to participate include Park Geun-young, Yoon Yeo-jung, Jo Jin-woong, Han Ji-min, Hwang Woo-seul-hye and Moon Ga-young.In the movie, Chanyeol is to play the role of Minsung, who is the boyfriend of A-young, played by Moon.“Last First Love” is a family movie directed by renowned

Aug. 19, 2014

‘Into the Storm’ short on suspense, plot

Disaster movies are by design not long on character development. Instead they bank on our love of being virtually, vicariously in fear for lives.Still, they need to establish personalities deep enough to care about, or at least halfheartedly root for. Despite spending the first interminable 20 minutes attempting just that in the earnestly unrealistic manner of an after-school special, “Into the Storm” quickly spirals downward into a vortex of vapidity.The action transpires in a single momentous

FilmAug. 18, 2014

Hip-hop, graffiti in Lebanon tag a nation’s woes

BEIRUT (AP) ― In a red-lit bar in Beirut, Nasser Shorbaji and Marwan Alameh try not to knock the microphones over while laughing during the broadcast of their weekly radio show. Moments later, they turn more somber as they introduce a segment on Palestinian hip-hop, discussing the most recent outbreak of war on Gaza. Heads nod in the packed bar to the rhymes of Sati, a Palestinian rapper. The duo are among a host of Lebanese graffiti artists and rappers trying to re-engage disaffected youth in a

PerformanceAug. 18, 2014

‘Turtles’ tops weak debut for ‘Expendables 3’

NEW YORK (AP) ― Moviegoers continued to shell out for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” while Sylvester Stallone’s action ensemble “The Expendables 3” was easily out-gunned in its weekend debut. Paramount Pictures’ rebooted reptiles took in $28.4 million in the film’s second weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. That far surpassed the limp $16.2 million earned by Stallone’s gang of aged but buff warriors. The paltry, fourth-place total for “The Expendables 3” is well below previous debuts

FilmAug. 18, 2014

Gwangju Biennale marred by politics

President of Gwangju Biennale Foundation Lee Yong-woo announced Monday he would resign over controversy surrounding a political painting rejected for an anniversary exhibition of the biennale. “I am taking full responsibility for what happened regarding the special exhibit that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Gwangju Biennale,” he said during a press conference at his office in Gwangju on Monday. He said he would submit his resignation letter after the 2014 Gwangju Biennale opens on Sept.

PerformanceAug. 18, 2014

Kim Soo-hyun performs at Nanjing Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony

Kim Soo-hyun sings during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, Saturday. (Keyeast)Actor Kim Soo-hyun, the star of the hit drama “My Love from the Star,” once again proved his undying popularity in China with a special performance at the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.Kim sang the international sports event’s official theme song “Dian Liang Wei Lai” ― which means “Illuminate the Future” ― at the opening ceremony on Saturday alongside Chinese pop

Aug. 18, 2014

Jay Park releasing new full album ‘Evolution’

Jay Park. (AOMG)Popular hip-hop artist, B-boy star and TV entertainer Jay Park, also known as Park Jae-beom, will be releasing his second full studio album next month titled “Evolution,” according to an announcement by SidusHQ entertainment agency.Despite his packed schedule, with regular appearances on TV programs such as SNL Korea and the second season of “Dancing 9,” Park has managed to consistently release a slew of EPs over the past few years. However, the upcoming album will mark the star’

Aug. 18, 2014

Busker Busker leader to hold solo concerts

Jang Beom-june of Busker Busker. (CJ E&M)Busker Busker leader Jang Beom-june will be holding weekly concerts starting next month to mark his solo debut, according to an announcement by CJ E&M officials on Monday.Jang is slated to put on weekend concerts for four weeks, from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19. The concert series, titled “2014 Jang Beom-june Club Show,” will be held at the YES24 Muv Hall in Hongdae, with the artist performing a total of eight solo concerts. It was previously reported that Jang h

Aug. 18, 2014

Lip Service returning with new addition

Lip Service. (Contents Media Group/Now ENT)The quirky new K-pop female duo that treated listeners to the offbeat sounds of its food-inspired debut single “Yum Yum Yum” earlier this year will be returning to the stage as a trio, according to a statement by Contents Media Group on Monday. Officials at Contents Media Group announced that the members Bipa and Kora will now be joined by Anna ― an additional female rapper and vocalist.“With its debut track ‘Yum Yum Yum’ you could see the standout tale

Aug. 18, 2014