Who is lying about Nichkhun’s future?

A Chinese news agency reported that 2PM member Nichkhun hopes to work in China. But 2PM’s management agency in Korea immediately denied the report, saying “it was exaggerated.”According to a report from China News, Nichkhun expressed his hope to grow as an actor in China during a meeting with reporters on Monday ahead of the launch of the Chinese drama “One and a Half Summer,” starring the K-pop idol.The media also reported the drama director hopes that his work will gain as much popularity in C

June 18, 2014

Pictures of EXO concert in China disclosed

Photos of K-pop idol group EXO taken at a recent concert were unveiled Monday by its label SM Entertainment.  (SM Entertainment)The photos offer a glimpse into the heated-up atmosphere at the concert held on June 14 in Wuhan, China, part of the Asian concert series “EXO FROM EXOPLANET #1 -- THE LOST PLANET.” (SM Entertainment)The group captivated Chinese fans with an array of hit songs including “Growl” and the new song “Overdose,” garnering around 10,000 spectators.  (SM Entertainment)A slew of

June 18, 2014

Krystal and Jessica in New York

K-pop starlets Krystal of f(x) and Jessica of Girls’ Generation, also known as the “Jung Sisters,” posed for fashion magazine 1st Look in New York. Both wear various outfits such as high waist pants, crop tops, jumpsuits and dresses. The editorial can be seen in 1st Look magazine, which will be released on June 19. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: 1st Look)　　

June 18, 2014

2NE1‘s album ’Crush‘ named among Fuse TV’s top 25 albums of 2014

“Crush,” K-pop girl group 2NE1’s second full-length album, was picked by a U.S. music TV channel as one of the 25 best tracks of the year on Monday. Fuse TV rounded up the strongest tracks of 2014 so far, and 2NE1 was the only Asian group to make this year’s chart. The U.S. media outlet chose the group’s three songs -- “Come Back Home,” “Baby I Miss You” and “Gotta Be You” -- as outstanding tracks worth listening. The broadcaster described a slew of 2NE1’s songs on the album “Crush” as “forward-

June 18, 2014

Jun Hyo-seong shows off curves in sexy black and white editorial

  Secret member Jun Hyo-seong showed off her sexy curves in a black and white editorial. The K-pop singer looked glamorous in a lace outfit and black dress. The whole editorial and interview on her confidence about her body can be seen in @star1 magazine, released on June 20.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: @star1)　　

June 18, 2014

Daegu Softball League runs match for local orphanage

Daegu Softball League hosted a charity softball event Saturday in partnership with a local orphanage. The event itself involved 15 members of the DSL and 21 children from a local orphanage. It was funded by donations, weekly raffles and money raised from league merchandise sales this year. The DSL donated the necessary softball equipment, as well as jerseys and hats for each of the children. After arranging the kids into teams, some of the league’s veterans held introductory training sessions to

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014

Language class helps Filipino-Korean kids stay in touch with their roots

A Filipino language class program for Filipino-Korean children was launched in Seoul on Saturday by the Philippine Embassy.The Wika Nga! Filipino Language Classes for Filipino-Korean Children, run in partnership with the Seoul Global Center, Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) Inc. and Seoul Filipino Parents and Children Organization, will run for 10 weeks at the Seoul Global Center.“We hope we could continue this project not only until August, but make it the cornerstone of a more comprehensive and

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014

KISSA to host students’ cultural festival

Korea International Students Support Association will hold its first Seoul International Students Cultural Festival on Sunday.The festival will feature booths from 12 countries including Nepal, Guatemala and Kenya, as well as Espanol en Espanol and Revista N.There will also be a parade of nations, dance and music performances, a national costume fashion show and other activities. The festival will take place from 2-6 p.m. in Cheonggye Plaza in central Seoul.(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014

Daegu Theatre Troupe to stage original work

Daegu Theatre Troupe will stage “Glitch,” a play by one of its members this weekend.Written and directed by Cara Markewicz, the play explores the relationship between two siblings -- Chloe and Richard. Chloes's obsessive compulsive disorder affects her relationship with her younger brother, who finds himself pressed into a protective role. This indirectly affects the relationships he has with others, too.“Because Richard has taken on a ‘guardian’ type role for his sister, any relationship he has

Expat LivingJune 17, 2014

A musical treat in store this summer

Musicals of diverse genres, themes and origins await fans this summer, taking the stages of almost all major performing arts venues in Seoul. From a Broadway classic and an Australian drag show getting a Korean premiere to a suspensful thriller and a jukebox show, this season’s musical lineup has something for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated shows this season. Broadway classics Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical “Cats” is back, with an international cast. As in many

CultureJune 17, 2014

A ballet to tickle the funny bone

Though it was written during the time of Shakespeare, Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” is still considered one of the greatest literary works ever written. The Korean National Ballet is following up its April staging of “Swan Lake” with its latest production of “Don Quixote” ― a resurrection of Marius Petipa’s choreographed classic tale of adventure and humor based on the eponymous novel.The ballet made its premiere more than 260 years ago and has since become one of the ballet

PerformanceJune 17, 2014

Portraying ‘life and time’ for 30 years

Zhang Xiaogang is one of the most successful living Chinese artists, with his works setting records at international auctions. His famous “Bloodline ― Big Family” sold for HK$94.2 million ($12 million) at the Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong in April last year. The artist, who led the unprecedented growth of the Chinese art market in the 2000s, is now looking back on his 30-year art career. “It’s hard to sum up my 30-year art career in one word. But if I have to explain, the retrospective is about

PerformanceJune 17, 2014

g.o.d. expands anniversary concert nationwide

Reunited K-pop idol group g.o.d. has decided to expand its 15th anniversary reunion concert, originally scheduled to be held only in Seoul, into a nationwide concert tour, according to the group’s agency sidusHQ on Monday.g.o.d. had been slated to hold just two celebratory concerts on July 12 and 13 at the Auxiliary Stadium at Sports Complex in Jamsil, Seoul. When ticket sales opened last month, both concerts sold out within 30 minutes, testifying to the group’s undying popularity. In response t

June 17, 2014

Crayon Pop’s agency debuts male duo Zan Zan with ‘Chicken Feet’

Known for assembling quirky girl group Crayon Pop, Chrome Entertainment launched the new male duo Zan Zan with the debut single “Chicken Feet” on Monday.Zan Zan consists of Yang Jung-mo, who starred on MBC’s audition program “Star Audition: The Great Birth,” and Park Min-goo. Unlike Crayon Pop or Chrome’s new girl group Bob Girls, the two members of Zan Zan are soulful ballad singers, similar to popular R&B duo 2BIC.Therefore, though its title may seem silly or even comical, “Chicken Feet” is ac

June 17, 2014

Korea’s World Cup chant owned by Shin Hae-chul, singer’s agency claims

South Koreans are known for their immense zeal for soccer. And come every World Cup season, the nation unites to cheer for the national team together, shouting the now-familiar chant: “Dae-Han-Min-Guk (Republic of Korea)!” followed by five claps. For those wondering how the cheer came into existence, it has been disclosed that the signature chant was taken from a song titled “Into the Arena” by singer Shin Hae-chul. Shin wrote the song at the request of the nation’s official soccer fan club Red

PerformanceJune 17, 2014

Cancellation of MBLAQ concert in Peru angers fans

MBLAQ’s management agency was criticized by fans of the K-pop boy band for what they claimed was a “lukewarm” response to the sudden cancellation of its concert in Peru.“They (J. Tune Entertainment) have been quiet for days and now they are saying something about the matter,” a Korean fan wrote on Nate, one of Korea’s largest portal sites.An official from the agency told OSEN, a Korean entertainment news provider, that “Due to a local promoter’s error, the concert in Peru was abruptly cancelled,

June 17, 2014

Chaerim to marry Gao Zi Qi in fall

Actress Chaerim is to tie the knot with Chinese actor Gao Zi Qi this October, according to local news reports on Tuesday. (Weibo)“Chaerim will marry Gao zi Qi this October. The couple’s parents already met for the marriage arrangements,” an official from Chae’s agency SidusHQ told a local media outlet. The exact date for the wedding ceremony is yet to be decided. The two went public with their romantic relationship in March, confirming that they had been dating for three to four months. They fir

June 17, 2014