JYJ‘s Jaejoong holds farewell party for costar Oh Yeon-soo

Jaejoong of K-pop boy band JYJ posted several pictures taken with the cast of the MBC drama “Triangle” at a farewell party for his costar Oh Yeon-soo. “Before we send off Yeon-soo to the U.S., we gathered at home and had a good time,” Jaejoong wrote on his Twitter on Thursday.  “Regardless of results or process, I appreciate that I could work on this drama that helped me meet good people,” he added. In the photos, the cast and crew are dressed casually, having beer and snacks at Jaejoong‘s home.

July 24, 2014

2NE1’s Park Bom to step down from TV show ‘Roommate’

K-pop girl group 2NE1’s Park Bom, who recently came under fire for an alleged drug scandal, appears to have stepped down from the popular reality show “Roommate,” according to industry watchers. Park, a regular cast member on the show, has not participated in filming for the TV show since her alleged drug smuggling came to light. (OSEN)In light of the scandal, the show’s production team made clear that Park can continue to take part as none of the allegations were proven to be true, but Park has

July 24, 2014

4Minute HyunA posing as ‘hippy’ for fashion magazine

K-pop idol and 4Minute member HyunA posed as “hippy girl” for fashion magazine Grazia. The hippy concept was suggested by HyunA herself. The idol wears denim shirts matched with a hairband and bracelets. The whole editorial can be seen in the August issue, where she also reveals details about her daily life. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit:  Grazia)

July 24, 2014

Heechul selects himself as the ‘most handsome’ member in Super Junior

Heechul of Super Junior chose himself as the “most handsome” member of the boy group.The singer participated in the MBC radio program “Sunny’s FM Date” on Wednesday and revealed his charms as an entertainer. In the section of the program named “Reply from Star,” Heechul was asked to rank the group’s looks.“The first place would be me. The second place is Donghae, because I personally like his sad eyes,” Heechul replied.“Donghae has such deep ones like a sunset. On the other hand, I don’t have a

July 24, 2014

Block B sweeps local charts with latest tune ‘Her’

K-pop boy band Block B’s latest tune “Her” debuted at the top of real-time music streaming charts after the group’s fourth EP “Her” was unveiled on Thursday. The title track “Her” debuted at No.1 on local charts such as Naver Music, Genie and Olleh Music, with other songs on the album also ranked high. The title of the song “Her” has dual meanings -- a woman in English and an interjection used in Korean to express astonishment. The seven-member group released its third EP “Jackpot” in April, but

July 24, 2014

JYJ sings Chris Brown’s song

Famous rapper Chris Brown has participated in composing a song on JYJ‘s upcoming album.“Chris Brown’s song ‘Valentine’ will be the last track on JYJ’s second full album ‘Just Us’,” the agency said. “The recording was done in a studio in Los Angeles.”Chris Brown (Sony Music Korea) and JYJ (C-JeS Ent.)“The song is armed with an addictive melody and sexy lyrics, which will maximize the charm of JYJ’s vocals,” the agency added.Grammy Award-winning producer Lonny Bereal coproduced the song with Chris

July 24, 2014

Entertainer Yoo Chae-yeong dies of cancer

Entertainer Yoo Chae-yeong died Thursday following a months-long battle against advanced gastric cancer, her agency said. She was 41. Yoo was diagnosed with cancer last October and was recently reported to be in critical condition “Her husband and other family stayed by her side until the last moment,” the agency said. “She did not leave any last words.” After debuting as a singer in 1994, Yoo broadened her career into acting.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 24, 2014

A reunion of time, space and movement

More than 30 years have passed since first-generation dancers Lee Jung-hee, Nam Jung-ho and Ahn Shin-hee performed the then post-modern interpretive dance production of “Love of Space” for the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company. Now decades later, the company is revisiting its past choreography and has invited the three original dancers to retrace their movements in their latest production “Roundabout Space,” which will be staged at the Korea Performing Arts Center on July 25 and 26.Altho

PerformanceJuly 23, 2014

Creating the world of ‘Romeo & Juliette’

The man who created the African savanna on stage for the Broadway musical “Lion King” is trying to revive his sense of a romantic, atmospheric setting, working on the world’s most famous love story, “Romeo and Juliette.” In his first Korean venture, Richard Hudson is designing the set and costumes for the Korea National Opera’s upcoming production of “Romeo et Juliette” to be staged at Seoul Arts Center in October. The Korea Herald on Monday sat down with the designer, who was in Seoul for a 10-

CultureJuly 23, 2014

Kim Ku-lim: ‘Trying new things is my job’

Artist Kim Ku-lim has been at the forefront of contemporary art in Korea. He has taken on unprecedented, experimental artistic practices in the conservative world of Korean art. He is the first to have tried many of the independent genres of avant-garde art. His 1970 performance in which he set fire to a vast lawn and then watched the grass grow again is the first example of land art ever practiced in Korea. His 1969 film “1/24 Seconds,” which consisted of 24 still images shown in a one-second t

PerformanceJuly 23, 2014

Psy to team up with ‘Gangnam Style’ director for new ‘Daddy’ MV

International K-pop star Psy is once again joining hands with the director who produced the music video for his viral hit “Gangnam Style” for the upcoming new single “Daddy.” Psy is currently planning out the music video with director Cho Soo-hyun, the man behind the “Gangnam Style” and “Gentleman” music videos, according to an industry official.Psy. (YG Entertainment)“The music video of ‘Daddy’ will feature Psy’s particular humor and comical style,” the source said. Unlike “Gangnam Style” and “

July 23, 2014

Daybreak returns with retro-pop EP album

South Korean rock band Daybreak has returned to the local music scene, equipped with new sounds and fresh musical approaches.The four-piece band, consisting of vocalist Lee Won-suk, guitarist Chung Yoo-jong, bassist Kim Sun-il and keyboardist Kim Jang-won, dropped its latest retro-pop EP “Cube” on Tuesday. With the new five-track album, Daybreak focuses on New Wave music, the dominant music style of the ’80s, a period widely considered the heyday of modern pop. Daybreak’s new EP “Cube.” (Happy R

July 23, 2014

World traveler tallies 100 countries

Douglas Nickson makes lists of goals. Lots and lots of lists.Then, unlike you and me, he accomplishes them.Eighteen years ago, he was financially busted ― bankrupt. He had just gone through an emotional divorce.Nickson decided it was time to pull himself out of “my own Dark Ages.”He gathered a bunch of magazines and travel brochures with photos of landmarks around the world: Buckingham Palace. The Eiffel Tower. The Great Pyramid in Egypt.He cut out the pictures and glued them on 2-by-4-foot card

TravelJuly 23, 2014

Spanish engineers create bookstore, hangout in Dallas

At first glance, the nondescript orange bungalow blends into the neat row of homes lining West Eighth Street in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood.It’s a bright and breezy Saturday, and the glass front door at number 314 creaks and groans as people wander in without knocking. Paco Vique and Javier Garcia del Moral are stretched out on the porch, sipping from sweating bottles of beer. A musician hauls a guitar up the front steps, pausing to give each man a kiss on each cheek. A woman, arms laden with

BooksJuly 23, 2014

Young leukemia patient stars in his own ‘Godzilla’ film

A 4-foot-tall boy became an 800-foot-tall lizard in a Chicago production studio recently, battling monsters and wreaking havoc on a miniature cityscape.Five-year-old Maddex, aka “Madzilla,” stomped in costume through a meticulously designed set that volunteers had built as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation project. Cameras rolled as he roared and took directorial cues in front of a green screen. Local celebrities, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel and ex-Bears football coach Mike Ditka, also participa

CultureJuly 23, 2014

Director calls “It’s Okay, That’s Love” a necessary drama

Director Kim Gyu-tae of SBS’ new rom-com ”It’s Okay, That‘s Love“ talks to press in a drama premiere press meeting in Seoul, Wednesday. (SBS)Director Kim Gyu-tae said SBS’ new rom-com “It’s Okay, That’s Love” is a “necessary drama” regarding its message to society. At a drama premiere conference in Seoul, Wednesday, the director admitted that some of the socially awakening ideas embedded in “It’s Okay, That’s Love” could appear “heavy” and “unfamiliar” to the audience. But dramas with social mes

July 23, 2014

Han Groo’s summer jacket fashion gets spotlight

Actress Han Groo’s fashion in the drama “Marriage Over Love” is gaining attention from its viewers.Han often wore various kinds of light summer jackets in the drama, matching them with shorts, skirts and jeans.Summer is often discussed as the most difficult time of the year to stay fashionable as people wear less items of clothing. However, Han showed the way to stay stylish, and still avoid the hot weather.The jackets like Han’s can be worn indoors with heavy air-conditioning. They are also wor

July 23, 2014