Choi Min-sik kicks butt in Hollywood film ‘Lucy’

Korean actor Choi Min-sik (top) plays Mr. Jang, an evil ganster, in U.S. sci-fi action film "Lucy" starring Scarlett Johansson (bottom). (Captured from Lucy)Korean acting guru Choi Min-sik successfully debuted in Hollywood with the Universal Pictures’ movie “Lucy,” which raked in about $44 million in its first week, U.S. media outlets reported on Sunday.International movie critics highly praised the 54-year-old Korean actor, who gained international fame for his role in the mystery-thriller “Old

July 28, 2014

EXO’s Tao injured during TV show shooting

It was belatedly revealed Monday that Tao from the K-pop boy band EXO-M was injured during the filming of a TV reality show about two weeks ago.　According to Korean news reports, Tao injured his right foot at a coral reef in the Solomon Islands on July 14 during the filming of the SBS reality show “Law of the Jungle.” 　The Chinese member received urgent treatment from a local doctor and stopped over in Singapore for a medical checkup and treatment on the way back to China. 　Fortunately, the woun

July 28, 2014

Top 7 Korean stars with best wedding photos

Their wedding is one of the most memorable and grateful moments in life for many people, and such is the case for celebrities. Many stars attempt to take “one and only” wedding photos in their own unique style. The photos gives a glimpse of what kind of style the stars pursue. Against this backdrop, The Korea Herald has put together this list of the top seven hallyu stars who took unique and stylish wedding photos. 1. Lee Hyori K-pop diva Lee Hyori did not follow the Korean wedding photo traditi

July 28, 2014

Jung Il-woo, Jung Yun-ho beam in ‘The Night Watchman’ posters

Four official posters for MBC’s upcoming historical drama “The Night Watchman” were revealed on Monday.Actors Jung Il-woo, Go Sung-hee, Seo Yea-ji and actor-singer Jung Yun-ho of TVXQ appeared on the posters, dressed as ghost-busters from the Joseon era. The Monday-Tuesday drama will air from Aug. 4 on MBC at 10 p.m.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 28, 2014

KARA’s new member Young-ji’s album picture

KARA’s new member Heo Young-ji’s picture for their new album “DAY & NIGHT” has been released on KARA’s official Facebook page. Heo is wearing a white dress, giving her a pure and innocent look. It’s the first time that Heo was introduced as official member. KARA’s showcase for their album “DAY & NIGHT” is going to be held on Aug. 18. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: DSP Media)

July 28, 2014

Redefining meaning of family

For Kim Tae-hoon, a 38-year-old man who takes care of ten North Korean defectors like a mother, the meaning of family goes far beyond blood ties. Little had he imagined that he would have a family like that until 2006, when he met Ha-ryong at Hanawon, a resettlement center for North Korean defectors located outside of Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, where he served as a volunteer.Ha-ryong, 10-years-old back then, asked Kim when he was packing his belongings to go home after spending a night with him

FilmJuly 27, 2014

Joint committee to seek UNESCO status for Buddhist mountain temples

South Korea is stepping up efforts to inscribe the nation’s traditional Buddhist mountain temples as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites with the founding of a new association to facilitate and oversee the inscription process until 2018.The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism will join hands with various actors including the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea and 12 regional organizations, to form a joint committee for the inscription project by signing a memorandum of understanding on Aug. 6

CultureJuly 27, 2014

National outdoor art show to hit billboards

A display in New York’s Times Square features Chuck Close’s “Phil” (top) and Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” (AP-Yonhap)NEW YORK (AP) ― Famous artwork is about to hit America’s streets and public places. “Art Everywhere US” is billed as the world’s largest outdoor art show. Images of American artworks will appear on billboards, bus stops, digital display boards and subway platforms. The kickoff is in New York’s Times Square on Aug. 4. The project runs through Aug. 31. The 58 works were selected af

PerformanceJuly 27, 2014

Legendary Hip-hop Show combines old with new

For fans of Korean hip-hop, Legendary Hip-hop Show on Saturday lived up to its name. It was a night full of the biggest names in underground hip-hop from newer artists like Swings to first-generation artists such as Verbal Jint and Bulhandang Crew, nearly filling the Indoor Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex. The show opened up with performances by students in dance and hip-hop at Korea International Institute of the Arts and New Champ, Ven and Kye-bum Zu from PJR Entertainment.Spinning for severa

July 27, 2014

Suzy in dispute over alleged sexual harassment

MissA member Suzy was mired in controversy over an alleged case of sexual harassment on Saturday. In the opening event for a water gun festival, held by a beverage company in Sinchon, Seoul, Suzy showed up to declare the start of the festival as the model for a beverage commercial. After the event, some fans claimed that Suzy was sexually harassed by the event host, who stood next to her in the opening ceremony.In the video clip, which is going viral online, the host grazed her hip and upper leg

July 27, 2014

AOA’s revealing GQ pictorial

AOA members Choa, Hyejeong and Seolhyun posed for GQ magazine. The members are wearing crop tops, leather skinny jeans and miniskirts which highlight their bodylines. The idol group recently released their new song “Short Hair” and their first summer pictorial which was released on July 24 is also beloved by fans.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: GQ)

July 27, 2014

HyunA’s pictorial in spotlight again

4Minute member HyunA’s pictorial for the fashion magazine Cosmopolitan is back in the spotlight again. HyunA is wearing various clothes ranging from sporty to sexy. The K-pop idol has embarked on her solo comeback and will release her new album on July 28. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Cosmopolitan)

July 27, 2014

Legendary singer returns, kinder, gentler

It is early afternoon on July 14, one of the hottest days of the year so far, and I am panicked at the thought of having to ask singer Shin Hae-chul to pose in the white-hot heat in a tiny park where there would surely be gawkers. Arranging the interview, I had insisted on a photo shoot and Shin’s manager only reluctantly agreed, politely explaining that Shin usually does not do photo shoots. But Shin is cool about it. As we wait at the crosswalk opposite the park, a young female assistant holds

PerformanceJuly 25, 2014

Calendar

FestivalsThe Great Battle of Hansan Festival: The festival commemorates Korea’s historic victory in the Hansan sea battle during the Joseon period. The Joseon fleet commanded by Adm. Yi Sun-sin battled Japanese invaders in waters off Tongyeong near Hansando Island in 1592. The city of Tongyeong commemorates Yi’s victory with a parade, musicals, dances and cultural programs involving visitors. The festival will take place from Aug. 13-17 at various venues of the city, including Yi Sun-sin Park an

CultureJuly 25, 2014

Eyelike: Sistar brings summer sounds on new EP

Sistar brings summer sounds on new EPSistar“Touch & Move” (LOEN Entertainment)Known for their sexy dance moves and powerful vocals, K-pop girl group Sistar has returned with the new summertime-inspired EP “Touch & Move.”The lead single “Touch My Body,” a dance-pop track, features a catchy and repetitive chorus, during which the four girls continuously sing “touch my body, touch my body, touch my body.” Though its cool, summery tones are at times reminiscent of Sistar’s past hit “Loving U,” “Touc

PerformanceJuly 25, 2014

[Weekender] Box Office

Roaring Currents (Korea)Opening July 30Action, Drama. Directed by Kim Han-min“Roaring Currents” is a story about Yi Sun-sin, the most revered admiral in Korean history. The film focuses on the historic 1597 Battle of Myeongryang during the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598), in which Yi, played by veteran actor Choi Min-sik, uses strategy to destroy 133 Japanese warships with only 12 ships under his command. This battle is regarded as one of Yi’s greatest victories. Director Kim Han-min retu

FilmJuly 25, 2014

‘A Most Wanted Man’ dwells on spy games in post-9/11 world

You can sense a John le Carre spy novel adaptation, often before his name turns up in the credits. The hero’s cynicism at war with his skepticism, the professionalism at war with personal demons ― in the spy master’s gloomy, overcast world they’re all spies “Who Came in from the Cold.”That’s especially true in “A Most Wanted Man,” a New World Order/old-school espionage thriller built around one last magnificent performance by the late Philip Seymour Hoffman.It’s a modern story of spy games in po

FilmJuly 25, 2014

To the end of the line

On a recent Friday evening at Seoul Station, tickets for almost every train, including standing tickets, were sold out. At the Express Bus Terminal, meanwhile, tickets had been gobbled up for buses to the coast. Such is the urge to get out of the city, and the helplessness of the transportation system to cope with the huge numbers of recreational travelers, that it’s become necessary these days to purchase tickets a week or more in advance.But ticket sellouts need not be cause for despair as a s

TravelJuly 25, 2014