T-Ara’s Ji-yeon in summer eye wear editorial

Fashion magazine Elle has run an eyewear editorial with T-Ara’s Ji-yeon. The K-pop singer wore white combined with patterned prints with dark glasses. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Elle)

June 27, 2014

Lost in translation?

The year 2011 was a great year for Korean literature abroad. Writer Shin Kyung-sook’s “Please Look After Mom,” originally published in Korean in 2009, achieved international acclaim, a first for a Korean literary work in translation. The following year, Shin received the prestigious 2011 Man Asian Literary Prize, the first Korean and the first woman to receive the prize, which recognizes the best work of fiction by an Asian writer in English or translated into English. After years of disappointm

CultureJune 26, 2014

Rowling has spun a web of publishing mystery in a fun hall of mirrors

J.K. Rowling. (J.K. Rowling Official Site)If J.K. Rowling had as much fun writing “The Silkworm” as I did reading it, she had a blast.As the woman who created Harry Potter, Rowling became one of the most famous authors on the planet. But she was known as a writer for kids. Her first book for adults, 2012’s “The Casual Vacancy,” made headlines and was a bestseller, but critics were not impressed.For her next venture, Rowling decided to write in secret. She invented a pseudonym, Robert Galbraith,

BooksJune 26, 2014

‘Zhivago Affair’: CIA’s literary Cold War

The book came in on two rolls of microfilm ― an unusual way to submit a literary manuscript. Then again, the recipient was not your ordinary publisher: It was the CIA, the year was 1958, and the agency was about to lob a grenade onto the battlefield of the cultural Cold War.The grenade was “Doctor Zhivago,” by Russian writer Boris Pasternak. It would be his only work of fiction, but the controversial circumstances of its publication would spark a furor in the Soviet Union, where it was officiall

BooksJune 26, 2014

Bird soars to greatness in new novel

“Above the East China Sea”By Joy Tipping(The Dallas Morning News)I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching Sarah Bird’s career flourish during the past few years. Her books, sometimes serious in tone, sometimes lightly comedic, have a loyal Texas following.Her latest novel, “Above the East China Sea,” should be the one that lands the Austin writer among the literary elite. This is the rare tome that has the goods for both popular and critical acclaim at the highest level.“East China Sea,” like Bird’s 200

BooksJune 26, 2014

‘Ruin Falls’ an intense family thriller

“Ruin Falls”By Oline H. Cogdill(Sun Sentinel)In her second novel, Jenny Milchman delivers an intense family thriller that touches on all the hot-button fears of a parent while keeping the threat of violence on the periphery of the story. Although “Ruin Falls” lags a bit in the middle, Milchman’s strength in creating characters who grow and change keep the story on track.Liz Daniels, her husband, Paul, and their children, Ally, 6, and Reid, 8, are taking a road trip to visit Paul’s estranged pare

BooksJune 26, 2014

(Photo News) 15th anniversary of Beyond Donga

Kwon Chung-won, CEO of Beyond Donga, a cable TV channel of Herald Corporation, speaks at the 15th anniversary of the opening of Beyond Donga (formerly Donga TV) at La Vie Douce in Jung-gu, Seoul, Wednesday. (Park Hyun-koo/The Korea Herald)

PeopleJune 26, 2014

Documenting Asian Games history through photography

For over 30 years, South Korean sports photographer Kim Min-jae has taken pictures at major international sports events, including the Olympics and the Asian Games, capturing iconic moments in sporting history.As Korea undertakes the final preparations to host the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, Kim seeks to document, for the first time, the decades-long history of the biggest global sports event in Asia through a photography exhibition to be held in Incheon during the upcoming games.“The exhibit s

PeopleJune 26, 2014

Delicious mix of food and crafts

Cooking doesn’t end when the food comes out of the oven. The finishing touch ― serving it on stylish dishes ― is necessary to elevate the culinary experience.Refined and creative tableware by Korean craft designers and artisans, which create a sophisticated dining experience, is now on display.Organized by the Korea Craft and Design Foundation and opened on Wednesday, the event is the biggest market and showcase of various craftwork made by Korean artisans across the nation. It is easily accessi

Arts & DesignJune 26, 2014

Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival opens in Seoul

The 13th Mise-en-scene Short Film Festival opened Thursday at Megabox Cinema Isu and Art Nine Seoul, both near Isu Subway Station, southern Seoul. A total of 57 short films, which were selected from 852 entries through three evaluation rounds, will be screened.The festival jury consists of 10 film directors and five honorary judges. The directors include Yoon Jong-bin (“Berlin”), Min Kyu-dong (“All About My Wife”) and Kim Yong-hwa (“200 Pounds Beauty”). The honorary judges are actors Kang Dong-w

FilmJune 26, 2014

Sun as Glastonbury gates open but mud likely later

Festival goers arrive ahead of Glastonbury music festival, England, Wednesday. (AP-Yonhap)London (AFP) ― Sunshine greeted Glastonbury revellers on Wednesday as Worthy Farm threw open its gates for the music festival but rain forecast in coming days means the traditional mud is set to return at the weekend. “There’s a steady flow of arrivals. Spirits are high,” said the @GlastoLive Twitter feed. Headline acts scheduled to perform at this year’s musical extravaganza range from Metallica, Kasabian

PerformanceJune 26, 2014

Jung Joon-young wants to turn back the clock with ‘Teenager’

Popular singer, DJ and TV entertainer Jung Joon-young is reprising his rock star ways with the unveiling of his latest EP, “Teenager.” Conceptually based on the fictional Lost Boys adage of never wanting to grow up, Jung’s latest album is all about trying to recapture one’s youth through rock and roll. Dressed in a business suit and tie, Jung introduced the concept of his new record through a corporate-style PowerPoint presentation during a press showcase at the IFC Mall on Thursday. “The songs

June 26, 2014

Finding the joy in work

This is the sixth in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.Chances are you have heard Kelly Frances’ voice at one point or another ― whether listening to the radio, pulling money from an ATM or playing a video game. Her roles as a voice actress are wide and varied.Regardless of what she is voicing, Frances said being a voice actor and working in media had given her opportunities that she would have never expected. A

PerformanceJune 26, 2014

Photos of Jung Joon-young at showcase ‘Teenager’

Jung Joon-young held a showcase on Thursday staging fervent and unique performances with a house band. Presenting three songs from his new mini album “Teenager,” Jung showed his tenacity and pride for rock.Jung thoroughly explained his album to reporters who came to the showcase in a gray suit and glasses, his fashion in line with the album’s concept -- a white collar worker who dreams of being a rock star.Following the detailed presentation, Jung promptly changed into distressed jeans and a cas

June 26, 2014

Jinwoon shares his true thoughts on ‘marriage’

2AM’s Jinwoon revealed his perspectives regarding marriage during a press conference for his upcoming drama “Marriage over Love.” The new tvN drama is about three men and three women who have different opinions on marriage. In the drama, Jinwoon plays Han Yeo-reum, a man who does not want to get married.During the interview, Jinwoon revealed that his actual thoughts about marriage differ from his character. (The Korea Herald)“I want to get married soon. She can help me get it together when I am

June 26, 2014

Yeon Woo-jin, Huh Jeong-min talk about ‘some culture’

Two handsome and mature men shared their thoughts on “some culture,” a popular date-without-relationship trend for Koreans in their 20s. “I want to get married in my mid-late 30s,” actor Yeon Woo-jin, 30, said in a press conference for the tvN rom-com series “Marriage over Love,” which he’s starring in.“I am very candid (about my feelings) -- I am not the kind of man who engages in emotional tricks between lovers,” he added. His philosophy on love contrasts sharply with his role as an elite plas

June 26, 2014

Yeon Woo-jin and Han Groo reveal each other’s charms

Actor Yeon Woo-jin and actress Han Groo talked about one another’s attractive traits during the press conference for their upcoming drama “Marriage over Love.”During the conference held on June 26, the two actors were asked what they found charming about each other.“I think Han (is charming) for her energy. She has a bright and optimistic personality and it helps (her) to work hard, too. Her real personality is very similar to her character in the drama,” Yeon said.“When I first saw Yeon, I thou

June 26, 2014

2AM's Jinwoon admits it’s hard being a ‘bad guy’

 Jinwoon, a member of idol group 2PM, opened up about the challenges he faces playing a “bad guy” in the upcoming drama “Marriage over Love.”In the tvN drama, he plays Han Yeo-reum, a man who does not believe in love. While speaking at a news conference for the show on Thursday, Jinwoon said, “It was very hard. I am actually a very nice guy.” The singer also revealed details about the main character, Han Yeo-reum. “Yeo-reum is not some kind of playboy who seduces women. He suffers from an emotio

June 26, 2014

Jung Joon-young says ‘mainstream K-pop isn’t my style’

Jung Joon-young expressed his pride in being a rock singer and not part of typical mainstream K-pop during a showcase for his new EP in Seoul on Thursday.“I didn’t really take mass appeal into account when making this album. I think what appeals to the public (typical K-pop) isn’t my thing. And that’s why it was more fun (preparing the album) and I liked it more when it was released,” the 25-year-old rocker said.Jung continued to express his devotion to rock.“Of course, some may not like the son

June 26, 2014

"Marriage over Love" has both reality and romance: director

TvN’s new television series “Marriage over Love” aims at catching both reality and heart-throbbing romance, director Song Hyun-wook said in a press conference held in southeastern Seoul, Thursday. “You will find the drama is fun, heart-throbbing and sometimes touchy and a perfect match for the upcoming hot summer,” director Song Hyun-wook said. Huh Jeong-min“The ‘fun’ comes when the drama has the audience sympathize with the characters… We tried to keep the drama totally distant from reality,” h

June 26, 2014