Lee Min-ki reveals past romance with older woman

Actor Lee Min-ki revealed a past relationship with an older woman on JTBC’s talk show “Witch Hunt” on Friday.When an emcee asked, “How much older?” Lee answered “6 years older,” surprising members of the audience.“As time passed by, we became sort of a couple naturally,” he said about they started dating. When asked about his current relationship status, Lee said he was still single. “I could not date women a lot when I was a model,” Lee said. Lee starred in a movie “For the King,” which was rel

June 17, 2014

Psy to perform on street cheering for Korea’s victory

Psy will perform onstage Wednesday in front of crowds gathered on the Yeongdong road in southern Seoul to watch the Korea-Russia World Cup match. The South Korean pop star, is expected to perform his new song “Hangover” live for the first time. The exact time of his appearance and content of the performance are not yet decided.  As the grassy square in front of City Hall, the usual spot for street cheering during the World Cup, has turned into memorial altar for the victims of the Sewol tragedy,

June 17, 2014

SIBF to explore communication with readers

Last year, the average Korean adult read 9.2 books, according to an annual report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, a gradual decrease from 10.8 books in 2011 and 9.9 books in 2012. Today, with smartphones no longer just gadgets for the tech-savvy, but necessities for everyone, society’s attention has been diverted from books. In light of the changing environment, an international book fair will begin in Seoul this week to promote reading and expand the Korean publishing industry w

BooksJune 16, 2014

Inca trails, French cave vie for World Heritage status

DOHA (AFP) ― Inca trails spanning six countries and a French cave with some of the earliest known paintings are among the sites expected to get World Heritage status at a UNESCO meeting that started Sunday in Doha.Altogether at least 30 natural and cultural sites, including the Arbil Citadel in Iraq’s Kurdistan, are vying to get the United Nations cultural body’s prestigious distinction and add their names to an already 981-strong list.The June 15-25 World Heritage Committee gathering will also

CultureJune 16, 2014

[Herald Review] Kim Joo-won reprises role of Giselle in compelling performance

Encompassing nearly every aspect of human emotion ― love, joy, agony and tortuous regret leading to an ultimate scene of forgiveness ― it’s no wonder why “Giselle” is one of the most popularly reprised and haunting ballet masterpieces of the Romantic era. A young peasant girl with a weak heart, both figuratively and literally, is caught in a love triangle between fellow villager Hilarion and the handsome Albrecht. Yet, even with Hilarion’s full-hearted confession of love to Giselle, the emotiona

PerformanceJune 16, 2014

[Herald Review] Fiery performances electrify Ultra Music Festival

Over 100,000 EDM fans and music lovers came out to Olympic Stadium at Sports Complex in Seoul last weekend for the heart-thumping beats produced by the world’s top DJs at this year’s Ultra Music Festival Korea.On Friday and Saturday, the entire ground floor of the Olympic arena was transformed into the nation’s largest outdoor club. Spread out over four stages, thousands of festival attendees enjoyed an array of electronica music delivered by big-name DJs including Steve Angello, Above & Beyond,

PerformanceJune 16, 2014

No six-party talks without progress: Korean diplomat

South Korea has not given up on the six-party talks, but there must be tangible progress before talks can be resumed, a senior diplomat said Monday at the World Journalists Conference in Seoul.“The history of the six-party talks has seen far more failure than success. North Korea should be more responsible with its actions and words,” South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong told journalists from around the world at a special lecture during the second World Journalists Conference, hosted

PeopleJune 16, 2014

Rain and Kim Tae-hee go on restaurant date

South Korean singer Rain and actress Kim Tae-hee were spotted at a Korean BBQ restaurant in Seoul, according to local news reports on Monday. The two were seen having BBQ together after separately arriving at the restaurant, located in southern Seoul. The famous star couple Rain and Kim recently flew to China to attend the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival and shoot the upcoming Chinese drama “Saint Wang Xizhi,” respectively. 　(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

June 16, 2014

What if idols were soccer players?

The World Cup has finally kicked off, attracting billions of fans to stadiums in Brazil. In time with the opening of the games, the “Idol Futsal World Cup Competition” was broadcast nationwide. Idol group members became the topic of the day by showing off skill close to that of the real pro players and their great passion. (1) FW: Idol soccer icon, Yoon Doo-joon and Minho  Minho of SHINee and Yoon Doo-joon of B2ST (OSEN)SHINee’s Minho and B2ST’s Yoon Doo-joon are idol soccer icons. Min-ho’s fath

June 16, 2014

Infinite Challenge hosts Jung Il-woo, B1A4 plan guerilla rally in Gwanghwamun

The hosts of MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge” and Korean celebrities will strike a guerrilla rally in Gwanghwamun, adding to the frenzy of the Korea-Russia World Cup match on Wednesday, TV Report reported Monday.  Infinite Challenge rally team. (MBC)The show hosts Yoo Jae-suk, Ha Ha and Park Myeong-su as well as actor Jung Il-woo, actress Son Ye-jin and boy band B1A4 will watch the match together at a guerrilla rally, mostly likely in Gwanghwamun, the production staff reportedly said. After

June 16, 2014

‘Heirs from the Star?’ China makes parody movie of 2 Korean dramas

A Chinese production company has completed the film “Heirs from the Star,” which is creating controversy over the title -- a combination of two popular Korean dramas “My Love from the Star” and “The Heirs.”Chinese portal site Sina reported that the filmmaker held an event for the new movie on June 9, but it did not reveal any specific details.Some Chinese viewers showed negative reactions online to the alleged parody, according to news reports.Chinese media, including Sina, has been criticizing

June 16, 2014

Main cast members of ‘The Heirs’: What are they doing now?

Six months have passed since the SBS drama “The Heirs” ended. But its popularity still hasn’t died down. The Kpop Herald has tracked down the main cast members of “The Heirs” and found out what they are doing now.1. Lee Min-ho (Kim Tan)After “The Heirs,” Lee Min-ho went on his 10-month “My Everything” tour till May, starting from Seoul and visiting Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and Japan. Lee also starred in a promotional minidrama for the messenger app LINE in China. Lee Min-ho in mi

June 16, 2014

Jun Hyo-seong’s sporty fashion editorial

K-pop star Jun Hyo-seong posed for Sure magazine in May, wearing sporty fashion outfits including shorts and white shirts and showing off her glamorous body. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo Credit: Sure)

June 16, 2014

Park Ji-sung’s fiancee spotted in ‘Running Man’

The fiancée of retired soccer player Park Ji-sung was spotted on SBS variety show “Running Man,” cheering on Park as he played an away game in Indonesia. Kim Min-ji, the fiancée of retired soccer player Park Ji-sung. (Running Man)Kim Min-ji, a former SBS announcer, accompanied her star player fiancé to Jakarta, Indonesia, to support Park’s team who played against the Indonesian all-star team. The match is the Indonesian leg of special segment “2014 Dream World Cup Asia,” aired on Sunday. Kim Min

June 16, 2014

Song Hye-kyo declares opening of Shanghai Film Festival

South Korea’s actress Song Hye-kyo launched Shanghai International Film Festival on Saturday.Song took the microphone following Jackie Chan as a representative of all Asian actresses.“A movie is like a trip for me. I find joy discovering the variety of sceneries in the film. I hope you find wonderful (new insights into your) self through Asian movies,” Song said in her congratulatory address, which moved the whole crowd.In addition to SIFF’s exceptional love for Song, her dress and style also ca

June 15, 2014

Psy’s new music video tops 50m views on YouTube

South Korean rapper Psy’s music video for his new song “Hangover” surpassed 50 million views on YouTube on Saturday, just six days after its release, his agency said.As of noon on Saturday, the video had some 53 million views on Youtube after debuting on Monday, according to YG Entertainment.The music video, which was shot in Seoul, depicts South Korea’s drinking culture and nightlife. In the video, Psy and American hip-hop star Snoop Dogg have drinks to cure their hangovers and visit some late-

June 15, 2014

Art struggles to find space in Ulsan

ULSAN ― Every summer for the past eight years, art sculptures and installations popped up along the Taehwa River that cuts through this port city, home to the world’s largest automobile assembly plant and its largest shipyard. But the Taehwa River Eco Art Festival seems to have had little impression on citizens of Ulsan, despite its stated aim of stimulating public interest in art. “We’ve met opposition and complaints from citizens and local businesses in organizing the art festival. Even though

PerformanceJune 15, 2014

No curfew: Saturday night Bangkok-style is back

BANGKOK (AP) ― The generals who seized power in Thailand disrupted one of the country’s most lucrative industries ― the go-go bars that were forced to close early because of a curfew. Now the junta has lifted the curfew, giving a green light for Bangkok’s red-light districts and other evening activities to roar back to life. For the first time in a month, Saturday night freedom returned to the Thai capital.“This is a party city, that’s why we’re here,” said Dan Moore, a 40-year-old visitor from

TravelJune 15, 2014

[Band Uprising] After three-year hiatus, Phonebooth returns with ‘Wonder’

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 16th installment of a series of interviews with Korean rock, acoustic and alternative bands. ― Ed.After completing their stint in the military as part of the country’s mandatory service, the five friends of punk-rock band Phonebooth have been eager to resurrect their music and return to the stage. Having to put thei

June 15, 2014