Children’s musical rethinks disabilities

Giraffes capture the imagination as majestic creatures towering over the African savannah with elongated necks suitable for reaching high branches. But what would life be like for a giraffe born with a short neck? Were such an anomaly to exist in nature, a rough guess based on the notion “the survival of the fittest” would be that it would face many kinds of adversity, all pointing to an early exit from nature’s stage. An inspiring story premised on the same thought experiment questions this gri

BooksAug. 3, 2014

[Herald Review] Fearful battle for the fearless admiral

Audiences were already eager for the film “Roaring Currents,” even before it premiered. Part of it had to do with veteran actor Choi Min-sik (“Old Boy”) starring as the protagonist, Adm. Yi Sun-sin. The rest was the fact that the film is about Adm. Yi, one of the most revered figures in Korean history. His statue stands at the heart of Seoul in Gwanghwamun. The film’s broad road of success was forecast as the film centers on the historic Battle of Myeongryang in 1592, during the Japanese invasio

Aug. 3, 2014

‘And So It Goes’ pretty well for star Michael Douglas

Everyone seems shocked when they find out “And So It Goes” is the first time veteran actors Michael Douglas, 69, and Diane Keaton, 68, have worked together.“I take that as a compliment because it means that we must look very comfortable working together,” Douglas says. “I knew going in the movie that it would be a real treat to work with her, but after the first day I knew that it was just going to be a lot of fun. She’s a sweetheart and so talented.“Diane has a way of making you think you’re th

FilmAug. 3, 2014

[Band Uprising] Saturday night fever stayin’ alive

As the Korean music market receives more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 23rd and final installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.Get down on it and get your back off the wall, because indie band Sultan of the Disco is looking to reintroduce the sounds and moves of the ’70s with gusto.With their flashy Middle Eastern aristocrat-inspired costumes,

Aug. 3, 2014

Dionne Warwick knows her way to San Jose

SAN JOSE, California (AP) ― In 1968, Dionne Warwick had never been to San Jose and didn’t think much of the song. But after the iconic singer recorded “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and the song became a huge hit, the 73-year-old singer says with a laugh that she “cried all the way to the bank.” The catchy tune penned by the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David would become her biggest international seller and won Warwick her first Grammy Award in 1968. This week, Warwick is head

PerformanceAug. 3, 2014

1st Vietnamese Film Festival to open in Korea

A window to South Korea-Vietnam relations, the “2014 Vietnamese Film Festival,” will kick off in Seoul on Aug. 16.Hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea and sponsored by CJ CGV, CJ E&M and the film sector of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the film festival seeks to broaden cultural exchange between the two countries.The festival will show five Vietnamese films ranging from sweet rom-com to chilling horror. Romantic comedy “How To Fight In Six Inch Heels” (2013), horror thr

Aug. 3, 2014

SPICA to make foray in U.S.

Girl group SPICA will soon join the rank of K-pop singers who have broadened their domain into the U.S.The group of five ladies is to drop English song “I Did It” on Wednesday jointly with music giant, Billboard Magazine, SPICA’s management agency B2M said on Friday.The upcoming debut in the U.S. was co-produced by several producers who worked with popular pop stars like Carly Rae Jepson, Shakira, Far East Movement and Madonna.“I Did It” is a fusion of styles, including R&B, hip-hop and funk, to

Aug. 3, 2014

Yoochun wants to spend his lifetime with JYJ members

Idol group JYJ member Yoochun revealed his affection toward his fellow members during the press conference for the group’s new album “Just Us” on Sunday.“I don’t know what fate brought us together, but I am happy that we have each other. I want to spend my lifetime with our members,” Yoochun was quoted as saying.“I also thank everyone who came here today. If it were not for our fans, we could not have this album,” he added. The new album, “Just Us,” along with its lead single “Back Seat” were re

Aug. 3, 2014

Gong Hyo-jin’s vintage look in drama gains popularity

Actress Gong Hyo-jin’s unique fashion style in the drama “It’s Ok, That’s Love” is gaining attention from its viewers.(SBS)During the drama, Gong boasted her style with various blouses, that include not only simple yet chic ones, but also vintage-styled ones with big and unique patterns.(SBS)Gong’s trumpet jeans also received phenomenal reactions from viewers. The trumpet jeans were considered trendy around 1980 in Korea. By matching them with the blouses, Gong was able to efficiently show her v

Aug. 3, 2014

EXO-K to appear on ‘2014 K-drama Concert’

EXO-K, a sub-unit of K-pop boy group EXO, confirmed its appearance at the “2014 Oh Joon-sung K-drama Concert.”According to the host agency One Music Entertainment, the K-pop group’s decision to take part is significant for the show as EXO-K is one group in the industry that leads trends in the market.“A wave of interest from international fans is surging since the news about EXO-K’s appearance on the concert has been out,” an official from One Music Entertainment said on Saturday. (SM Entertainm

Aug. 3, 2014

‘Roaring Currents’ to hit American cinemas on Korea‘s Liberation Day

The period blockbuster “Roaring Currents” will meet U.S. audiences on Aug. 15, Korea’s Liberation Day, even as the film resets the Korean box office record by the day.The record-breaking film is to hit 30 cinemas across the U.S. with its localized title “The Admiral.” “The Admiral” will open with a special preview for Korean-Americans on Tuesday followed by a general audience preview on Friday, finally hitting cinemas next week.“The Admiral” depicts the historical Battle of Myeongryang won by ad

Aug. 3, 2014

Stroke by stroke, Hangeul grows popular in design

With his untamed shoulder-length hair, dark-rimmed glasses and loose-fitting black outfit, calligrapher Kang Byung-in has the quintessential look of an artist. The name of his company, Sooltong, might suggest that he likes his drinks: Sooltong can be translated as “barrel of alcohol.”Indeed, he does like drinking, Kang admits during an interview with The Korea Herald last month at his cramped studio in the artists’ enclave of Hongdae area. As Kang explains it, Sooltong is a double entendre in Ko

Arts & DesignAug. 1, 2014

[Weekender] Calendar

Pop musicIncheon Pentaport Rock Festival: The annual Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival, a three-day rock music fest, is one of the nation’s most popular summer music events. This year’s edition will include performances by popular English psychedelic-rock band Kasabian, Travis, Boys Like Girls and more to be announced soon. The festival will also include performances by a wide range of local bands including Dear Cloud, PIA and Romantic Punch. In its eight-year history, Pentaport has hosted interna

CultureAug. 1, 2014

‘Code Black’ captures ER at best, health system at most bureaucratic

“Code Black” opens in chaos, settles into systemic calm and ends with young doctors struggling against “the failure of the system” to get back some of that chaos.But this isn’t this year’s new variation on TV’s “young doctors, under stress and in love.” It’s a documentary film filled with adrenalin junkies, idealistic Type-A personalities and over-achievers. They’re residents at L.A. County Hospital’s “legendary” emergency room, capturing the urgency and immediacy of this last line of defense ag

FilmAug. 1, 2014

[Weekender] Box Office

The Pirates (Korea)Opening August 6Adventure, Action. Directed by Lee Seok-hoon“The Pirates” takes place on a pirate ship, and tells the story of a royal seal that went missing early in the Joseon era (1392-1910). Based on the true story of a missing seal, the movie fuses history and imagination in recounting the search for the artifact. The searches are conducted by a group of bandits headed by Jang Sa-jung (Kim Nam-gil), a group of pirates headed by Yeo-wol (Son Ye-jin), and government officia

FilmAug. 1, 2014

Eyelike: Block B may lose identity with new concept

Block B may lose identity with new conceptBlock B“Her”(CJ E&M)The seven members of Block B have returned with the love-themed EP “Her,” which moves away from their typical quirky and upbeat style and instead features cutesy tunes best described as “less macho.”Though the boy band understandably steers in this new direction in a bid to show off its wider musicality and boyish charm, it seems that the new EP potentially tarnishes the group’s established style and core identity ― being silly, energ

PerformanceAug. 1, 2014

Lake of Woods wilderness wows for less

With the exorbitant prices often associated with a north woods adventure outside of the continental United States, those interested in exploring a truly remote wilderness might feel it’s out of their financial reach. Private bush plane charters, expedition level supply stocking and monthlong excursions just aren’t in most travel budgets.An affordable and awe-inspiring alternative exists in Lake of the Woods, a massive body of water bordering the state of Minnesota as well as the Canadian provinc

TravelAug. 1, 2014

Italy opens theme park hailing film industry

ROME (AP) ― A new amusement park outside Rome celebrates the world of cinema, taking visitors back to the golden age of Italian film production when the Rome-based Cinecitta Studios ― still in operation ― were known as the “Hollywood on the Tiber.” “Here, the idea is that people will also enter not only sets, but the confusion of a place where we are shooting a movie. Everything will be illusion,” said Emmanuel Gout, president of Cinecitta Parks. “The visitor will become a protagonist for a day,

TravelAug. 1, 2014

Dwaejigogi doenjang gui (doenjang marinated pork)

Dwaejigogi doenjang gui (doenjang marinated pork) (Korean Bapsang)This doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste) marinated pork is another great option for your Korean BBQ this summer. No doubt, pork marinated in a spicy gochujang sauce ― dwaeji bulgogi (aka jeyuk bokkeum) ― is more popular these days. But this preparation, which is also known as maekjeok, dates back to early Korean history, long before chili peppers were introduced to Korea. Maekjeok evolved over time, and it’s believed to be t

FoodAug. 1, 2014