SNSD draws 200,000 fans to 3rd Japan concert tour

South Korean girl band Girls’ Generation garnered a total of 200,000 concert-goers on its third concert tour around Japan, a whopping amount for a K-pop idol group. The nine-member group successfully wrapped up its third concert tour series “Girls Generation ~Love & Peace~ Japan 3rd Tour” that opened in April in Fukuoka. The group performed 17 times in seven Japanese cities including Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo.(SM Entertainment)Through three concert tours in Japan since 2011, the group attracted a

July 14, 2014

f(x) captivates fans with charismatic performance

K-pop girl group f(x) showcased a charismatic performance with their new track “Red Light” on SBS music show “Inkigayo” that aired on Sunday. f(x) members came onto the stage in black and white shorts, flaunting coke-bottle curves. The quintet electrified fans with their powerful yet sexy dance moves. The idol band returned to the local music scene equipped with electro-pop sounds on July 7 in a departure from their usual upbeat and invigorating music. Their new tune immediately climbed to the t

July 14, 2014

Henry takes shower with nothing but wet towel

(MBC)Super Junior-M’s Henry managed to show off his survival skills on MBC’s “Real Man” on Sunday, by taking a “simple” shower using only a wet towel.The K-pop singer took a piece of wet towel and wiped off from head to toe, while his fellow soldiers took a normal morning shower.Henry and the other members of “Real Man” were on deployment to the Philippines.Some watchers pointed out that Henry’s survival skill was in fact “the true portrayal of deployment.” When soldiers are sent abroad, many en

July 14, 2014

Yoona declines ‘Nodame Cantabile‘ for Korea-China rom-com

Yoona of popular idol group Girls’ Generation ultimately declined to play the female lead role in the drama “Nodame Cantabile,” a remake of a Japanese drama.The idol instead chose to play the lead in a Korean-Chinese romantic comedy named “Good-bye, Ani,” making her first big-screen debut.In the movie, Yoona is to play a loving and cheerful girl named Ani. The male lead has not yet been decided, but many popular Chinese actors, including Peng Yuyan, have been mentioned for the part.The movie pro

July 14, 2014

Rainbow showing off chic side

Kim Ji-sook, Cho Hyun-young and Noeul, members of the K-pop girl group Rainbow, appeared in Big Issue, a magazine sold on the streets by homeless people. According to DSP Media, Kim Ji-sook is showing off her mature side, Noeul her elegant side and Cho Hyun-young her sexy side. The magazine is going to be released on July 15. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Big Issue)

July 14, 2014

2PM Junho’s eyewear advertorial

Idol group 2PM member Junho took part in a Karl Lagerfeld eyewear advertorial which was release in bnt magazine recently. The Karl Lagerfeld eyewear collection seen in the magazine is well known for its unique retro design, which suits Junho well. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: bnt)

July 14, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun modeling for ‘rouge and lounge’

  Actress Jun Ji-hyun’s ad for “rouge and lounge,” a fashion brand which designs bags, was made public on Monday. The actress is dressed in all white, emphasizing the bag she is holding. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: rouge and lounge)

July 14, 2014

Park Hyung-sik says goodbye to ‘Real Man’

Park Hyung-sik of idol group ZE:A is to leave MBC’s Sunday reality show “Real Man,” according to local news reports.“Park has decided to leave the program after participating in the last military training that starts today. He is having difficulties handling the loaded schedule,” the staff of the program was quoted as saying on Monday.“A new member to replace Park has not yet been discussed. The program might proceed without one, or we might find a new member,” the staff added.Park has been part

July 14, 2014

Lee Hyori shows off new hairdo

Lee Hyori showed off her new hairstyle on her blog Saturday. “As I had my hair cut, the hairstyle became the same as my husband’s,” she said with laugh.A photo of two take from behind, shows that the couple really does have matching hairstyles.The blog was updated as she returned home after a three-night stay in Seoul. “My husband played a weird song which he composed while I was away. I guess he was bored without me,” she said. “As I come back home, every moment here is a laugh.” (khnews@herald

July 14, 2014

Park Shin-hye, Yoo Yeon-seok shows off chemistry

Actress Park Shin-hye and actor Yoo Yeon-seok showed off their chemistry in a magazine shoot. In photos taken for the magazine Ceci, Park and Yoo changed into an elegant and intimate couple.  (CeCi)The photos will cover the front page of the magazine in Korea, Thailand and China.  (CeCi)More photos are available in the magazine’s August issue. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)

July 14, 2014

Beach getaways less than an hour from Incheon International Airport

Incheon International Airport is not just a gateway to Seoul and other major Asian cities, it is aslo a gateway to clean sandy beaches along Korea’s west coast. Less than an hour from the airport by bus, there are stretches of sandy beaches. Their surrounding areas make ideal vacation spots for those looking for quick and affordable trips away from the bustling cities of Seoul and Incheon.The Korea Railroad Corporation runs the Airport Express Train and the West Sea Beach Train, which provide da

TravelJuly 13, 2014

Georgian film wins top prize at Czech festival

Georgian director George Ovashvili holds the main prize, the Crystal Globe, for his film “Corn Island” at the 49th International Film Festival in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, Saturday. (AP-Yonhap)PRAGUE (AFP) ― Georgian film “Corn Island” won the $25,000 Crystal Globe for best movie at the Czech film festival in the western spa city of Karlovy Vary on Saturday.The film directed by George Ovashvili is a psychological drama about an old man and his granddaughter living on an island on a river sep

FilmJuly 13, 2014

Peering behind people’s social networking masks

Art duo Kang Ji-yun and Jang Gun-hee take on an unusual quest to follow the traces of a man they call Mr. K solely based on his updates on a social networking site.The two artists travel to the gym Mr. K exercises at, a coffee shop he frequents and the apartment complex he lives in, as they put together a video montage. Thanks to the updates he posts every hour, they find the man they’ve never met at a coffee shop. But they never confront him. They simply peek through the window to get a glimpse

PerformanceJuly 13, 2014

[Band Uprising] Staring at the faces of Genius

As the Korean music market begins to receive more international recognition, the local band scene is looking to rise up and represent the next generation of Korean music. This is the 20th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.With their defiant and “stick it to the man” underground rock ’n’ roll vibe, the members of the Busan-based rock band Genius take their lackadaisical, yet party-hard personalities and translate them into headbanging mus

PerformanceJuly 13, 2014

Reliving the glory days of g.o.d.

Though they may be a bit older, a tad less agile and no longer today’s average K-pop idols, the five reunited stars of g.o.d. are more popular, passionate and, most importantly, happier than ever before.“Everyone said it would be impossible. But right now, the five members of g.o.d. are once again standing together in front of you. It is like a wonderful miracle. And you guys are the ones who made this miracle happen,” said Son Ho-young as g.o.d. kicked off the Seoul leg of its 15th anniversary

July 13, 2014

EXO boasts simple yet chic looks

Korean boy idol group EXO boasted Thursday simple yet chic looks at the airport. The group left for Taipei for its Asia tour. EXO-M member Tao Tao showed off an all-black look with a colorful bracelet and earphones.  (OSEN)EXO-M member ChenChen wore a T-shirt with a unique design.  (OSEN)EXO-M member Lay Lay wore a simple look, but carried a purple black bag to add some color.  (OSEN)EXO-K member D.O. D.O. sported a simple casual look with a denim and white shirt.  (OSEN)EXO-K member Chanyeol Ch

July 13, 2014

[Weekender] Bookstores struggle for survival

Korea’s oldest bookstore in Seoul, Jongno Books, was a landmark in terms of numbers of customers and its symbolic significance as the trove and exchange of knowledge. The five-story bookstore was the only large bookstore in Seoul until Kyobo Book Center opened in the 1980s. It was also a popular meeting spot where people browsed books while waiting. Since the 1980s, two new large bookstores, Kyobo and Youngpoong, mounted a tough challenge to Jongno Books, taking a large chunk of its customers, a

CultureJuly 11, 2014

[Weekender] Korea in need of ‘reading movement’

After publishing over 3,000 books in the 39 years of his publishing career, Kim Eoun-ho, president of Hangilsa, one of Korea’s leading publishing houses, believes publishing a book is an act of asking how one should live. Kim attempted to answer this deep probing life question by publishing his own book, “The Forest of Books, Sound of Books.” The book is compiled from his handwritten journals from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in 2013, centering on his day-to-day life as a publisher, and stories about 800 d

CultureJuly 11, 2014

[Weekender] Used books defy market woes

Korea’s bookstore industry is in the doldrums, as dismal sales continue to force many sellers out of business. But at least one bookstore is expanding, defying the broader market downturn. That is Aladdin Used Books ― a used-book franchise of online seller Aladdin. The company, which runs 19 shops, has chalked up an average 30 percent annual growth in sales, said company spokesperson Jo Sun-ah. Aladdin Used Books is not the typical small, “crammed to the ceiling” kind of shop. Rather, it is the

CultureJuly 11, 2014