Yun Ho-jin, the man behind Korea’s two most successful original musicals “Last Empress” and “Hero,” has offered a sneak preview of the musical “Woyzeck,” his most ambitious undertaking in a more than 20-year career in theater.The cast performed five of the songs ― composed by an obscure British band called The Singing Loins ― at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, Monday, giving a glimpse into the much-anticipated show slated for a world premiere here in October. If Monday’s sampling is any indication,

CultureJuly 22, 2014

The National Library of Korea has disclosed a rare document showing the military capability of the Joseon era (1392-1910), Monday.Joseon officials prepared manuscripts to complete “haeyu,” the process of transferring duties to a successor.The library’s disclosed haeyu document was compiled by Yoon Bin, an army second deputy of the West North Camp in Giljumok, North Hamgyong Province, during the ninth year of King Jeongjo’s reign (1785), for his successor Kim Se-hui. Kim then confirmed the report

CultureJuly 22, 2014

Theater playwright and performer Wolfe Bowart has dedicated his life to engaging audiences of all ages and nationalities through thought-provoking, physical comedy. Bowart admitted that he was always a “goofball” as a kid, wanting to share stories in front of an audience and engage a crowd to elicit one of the most satisfying reactions a physical comedian can receive ― laughter. However, after studying theater and receiving his degree, the actor ended up in Hollywood ― the mecca for most of the

PerformanceJuly 22, 2014

(From left) Irene, Seulgi and WendySM Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it is preparing to debut a new girl group in August. The group will consist of four members including current SM trainees Seulgi, Irene and Wendy, all from the predebut team SM Rookies. The last member is a high school senior who resembles actress Kim Yoo-jung, according to the agency.It will be the first girl group debuted by SM since it launched f(x) in 2009.Local news media say SM will likely place the concept of th

July 22, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Attention pop stars: If “Weird Al” Yankovic shows up at your concert or has tracked down your personal email address, you’re likely his next parody conquest. Such was the case for artists like Pharrell and Iggy Azalea, who are covered by Yankovic in his latest album, “Mandatory Fun.” For his 14th studio effort, released last week, Yankovic had his heart set on Williams’ No. 1 smash “Happy.” When he didn’t hear back from Pharrell’s camp, he decided to go straight to the source.

PerformanceJuly 22, 2014

Internationally renowned electronic music acts Knife Party and Krewella will be making their way to Seoul to perform at this year’s edition of the electronic dance music festival Global Gathering Korea, organizers said Tuesday.Global Gathering Korea 2014 will take place on Oct. 4 at Olympic Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex, unlike previous editions, which were held at Caribbean Bay waterpark in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. More information about the artist lineup will be announced in the coming mo

PerformanceJuly 22, 2014

Jeong Jin-woon of K-pop boy band 2AM revealed his masculine side in his latest pictorial in the fashion magazine Arena Homme Plus. The men’s magazine released pictures of 23-year-old idol showing off his new six-pack. The full pictorial will be available in the August edition of the magazine. Jeong, the youngest member of the K-pop ballad group, is now starring in the tvN drama “Marriage over Love.”　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

July 22, 2014

K-pop boy band JYJ’s teaser video for its new tune “Back Seat” was released Tuesday, raising expectations for its upcoming studio album.The group’s agency C-Jes Entertainment dropped the video at noon, Tuesday, on YouTube and music streaming charts online.In the video, fans can get a glimpse of the urban R&B song that will focus on showing off the idols’ sensuality.  The group’s long-awaited comeback is imminent, with their second studio album, “Just Us” and the music video for the title track “

July 22, 2014

Hyorin, a member of the K-pop girl group Sistar, came back on stage with a new tattoo on her abdomen.During the showcase for Sistar’s newly released EP “Touch & Move” on Monday at 2 p.m., Hyorin revealed the reason way she got a cross tattoo.“The scar on my belly was my biggest complex. Whenever I wanted to wear pretty clothes I couldn’t (because of the scar) so rather than showing off the scar, I looked for a way to cover it,” Hyorin explained.The singer also explained the meaning behind the ta

July 22, 2014

Korean actress Park Shin-hye started her Asian tour “2014 Story of Angel” in Japan on July 19 and 20.The event was held in Osaka and Tokyo, and was comprised of a live performance and a talk show.In the first part, Park beautifully sang six songs including her own and her drama soundtrack. In the middle of her performance, Park’s brother Park Shin-won, the composer of her recently released song “My Dear,” appeared unexpectedly. Park sang three songs, “Pitch Black,” “Arm Pillow,” and “My Dear,” a

July 22, 2014

Lee Ki-gwang of K-pop boy band B2ST showed off his sensuality in a selfie he took after having a shower. Lee disclosed the photo on Monday on his Twitter account. “Moisturized after shower. I am going to bed. Bye to you all,” he wrote in the caption.He is topless and his hair is still wet as if he took the picture right after he got out of the shower.Lee’s group B2ST plans to meet fans at the upcoming concert “Beautiful Show 2014” in August. 　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

July 22, 2014

 Ok Taecyeon from the K-pop boy group 2PM released a selfie taken along the Hangang River in Seoul at 4 a.m. on Tuesday. In the photo, he is smiling and wearing a sleeveless shirt and a cap with the tranquil river in the background. “I cannot sleep well these days ... so I came to the river. I feel like drinking beer before going to bed, but I would gain weight if I did that ... I am refreshing my mood by listening to g.o.d’s song ‘0%,’” the idol wrote in the caption. (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.co

July 22, 2014

(OSEN)The star agency of Baek Jin-hee, the heroine of MBC’s “Triangle,” on Tuesday denied rumors that the actress has been dating actor Park Seo-joon.Baek’s agency Snowball Entertainment told a local online tabloid, “We contacted Ms. Baek Jin-hee and were informed that the two are intimate but not dating.” Park’s agency, KEYEAST, also denied the dating rumors, stating, “The two have participated in the same drama for a long time and naturally became close. But we believe the two are not in a lov

July 22, 2014

South Korean singer and actress Yoo Chae-yeong is suffering from advanced gastric cancer, a Korean media outlet reported Monday. According to the reports, Yoo was first diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer last October during a medical check-up. The 36-year-old entertainer then underwent surgery, but her condition did not improve.  Yoo Chae-yeong (150 Entertainment)　She is now in critical condition as the cancer has spread. She is still undergoing treatment. 　“My wife Chae-yeong made many peop

July 22, 2014

Miss A Suzy’s feminine fashion spread for Marie Claire has been release. The K-pop idol and actress shows her feminine and mature side by wearing simple dresses, emphasizing her bodyline. Most of the pieces have a soft white tone and lace details. The whole editorial can be seen in the August issue of Marie Claire. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: marie claire)

July 22, 2014

K-pop idol band Big Bang’s G-Dragon posted a photo on Instagram on Monday of him drinking wine with fellow members Taeyang and Daesung.　In the caption, he wrote “FAM,” presumably short for “family.” 　The trio pose freely for the camera, with G-Dragon making a funny face. 　Big Bang, along with their YG Entertainment labelmates, will take part in the “AIA Real Life Now Festival” to be held on Aug. 15 in Seoul. 　(laeticia.ock@hearldcorp.com)

July 21, 2014

South Korean actor and singer Seo In-guk said that it would be too difficult if his drama came true. In the rom-com “The King of High School Manners,” Seo plays a high school student who masquerades as an executive in place of his missing older brother, who looks as though he could be his twin.  Seo In-guk (Yonhap)In the drama, Seo captures the hearts of two sisters. “If I am loved by two sisters like in the drama, I would feel flattered but also confused,” Seo said.  “(If I ever get into such a

July 21, 2014

On Jan. 1, 1984, Nam June Paik celebrated New Year’s Day with a transcontinental live broadcast that began with the greeting “Good Morning Mr. Orwell.” It spanned New York, Paris, Berlin and Seoul, involved more than 100 artists, and was viewed by 25 million people. Paik carried out the project to rebut George Orwell’s “1984.” The novel warns against electronic technology and a totalitarian state taking advantage of media to control people.Saying “George Orwell, you were half right,” the artwork

PerformanceJuly 21, 2014

Korean author Bae Su-ah’s novel “Cheolsu” will be published in English in the United States next April, LTI Korea announced.“I hope that American readers will be able to discover Bae’s creative and superb collection of works. We would like to publish her works in the years to come,” said Sarah Jane Gunter, publisher at Amazon Crossing imprint, an American publishing house that mainly focuses on translations of foreign language books.“Cheolsu” is Bae’s 1998 novel, set in 1988, about the protagoni

BooksJuly 21, 2014