[Herald Interview] Creating a world of imagination

Creatures and characters from “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” come to life at an exhibition in Seoul. Some 300 other mythical creatures also have been on display at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza since last week, fascinating fans of fantasy films and novels.What draws attention aside from the diverse imaginary characters is the profile of the creative director behind these creations, Richard Taylor, CEO of Weta Workshops. The New Zealand-based special effects company has provided physical

FilmJune 11, 2014

Kim Ae-ran receives French literary award

Korean author Kim Ae-ran’s short story “I Go to the Convenience Store” received this year’s French literary award “Prix de Linapercu.” (Literature Translation Institute of Korea)Korean novelist Kim Ae-ran has received a French literary award, the Prix de Linapercu, for her short story “I Go to the Convenience Store,” the Literature Translation Institute of Korea said Monday. The Prix de Linapercu, meaning “Prize for the Unnoticed,” is presented for work that received less attention than it deser

BooksJune 11, 2014

Seo In-guk back in summer rom-com

“Superstar K” winner Seo In-guk has come a long way from when he first won audiences over in 2009, emerging from relative obscurity to instant fame. Instead of letting the bloom fade from that initial success, Seo went on to cement his status as a bona fide actor in both television dramas and films, starring in tvN’s hit series “Reply 1997,” three years after he won the first season of Mnet’s music competition. Seo then followed it up with roles as a bodyguard in SBS’ “Master’s Sun” and as a tal

June 11, 2014

Sweet Sorrow appointed UNEP Korea goodwill envoys

Members of male vocal group Sweet Sorrow were appointed goodwill ambassadors for the Korean National committee for the United Nations Environment Programme on Tuesday. As UNEP National committee for the Republic of Korea ambassadors, Sweet Sorrow will be partaking in diverse activities to raise public awareness and understanding of environmental issues.Sweet Sorrow was appointed as UNEP National committee for the Republic of Korea goodwill ambassador on Tuesday. (Music&New)“We are very happy to

June 11, 2014

Korean animated film wins top honor at Zagreb festival

A still cut from “Love Games”A South Korean director has won a top prize at the world festival of animated films in Zagreb, Croatia, becoming the first Korean winner of the festival, according to the festival’s website.Joung Yu-mi received the grand prize in the short film category of the 24th Animafest Zagreb that wrapped up its six-day run on Sunday for her 15-minute-long film, “Love Games” (2012). She also took home a 2,500 euro ($3,389) cash reward.The film that explores young and immature l

CartoonJune 11, 2014

Park Bo-young acts as mentor for young Vietnamese

Actress Park Bo-young. (Fides Spatium)South Korean actress Park Bo-young headed to Vietnam on Wednesday to be a mentor for aspiring filmmakers.Park is participating in “Toto’s Workshop,” an annual project run by South Korean film industry giant CJ CGV. The 2014 workshop is being held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from June 6-12 with 56 Vietnamese middle and high school students attending. They passed a competitive selection process and created films with 11 film industry mentors from Korea.Accor

June 11, 2014

Artist has her first show ― at age 82

PHILADELPHIA ― Patricia Ray Guckes’ husband never wanted her to work. So she painted.Up at 5 every morning, before her husband and two daughters, Guckes sat on a stool facing her easel in the kitchen of her Lower Moreland, Pennsylvania, home.She imagined pretty pictures and painted them, many smaller than a playing card. Then the chaos of the morning took over.For decades, Patty Ray Guckes’ routine yielded portraits, ocean scenes, and paintings of delicately rendered birds, but only recently did

PeopleJune 11, 2014

Cuban uncovers Mexico’s secrets with new tour company

ANN ARBOR, Michigan ― “A person born to be a flowerpot will not go beyond the porch.” ― Mexican proverbStephanie Schneiderman quit her job seven years ago and went adventuring in Mexico.Now life is rich. Not money rich. Enjoyment rich.Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised partly in Mexico City, Schneiderman is known as Tia (Aunt) Stephanie. And Mexico is the secret gem she loves to share with others. Stephanie Schneidermann of Tia Stephanie Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan, wears some of the textiles she

TravelJune 11, 2014

Bug-free, cooler fabrics highlight summer apparel lines

Shopping for a summer wardrobe can be tricky. Style choices are simple: it’s either short-sleeve or sleeveless shirts, normal-length long pants for men and shorter pants for women. The trick is how to look chic while staying cool in the hot, sticky weather. To achieve both style and cool effects, one essential is a summer fabric that uses the latest innovative technologies to keep the body temperature down. Some basic fabrics that give wearers a cool feeling include linen, fabric made from the f

Arts & DesignJune 11, 2014

Love triangle kicks off in ‘Doctor Stranger’

A love triangle finally touched off in the SBS medical series “Doctor Stranger,” involving Lee Jong-suk and the two heroines, Kang So-ra and Jin Se-yeon.In the 12th episode, aired on Tuesday, Han Seung-hee (played by Jin Se-yeon) found herself disturbed as she spotted Oh Soo-hyun (Kang So-ra) smiling happily while talking about Park Hoon (Lee Jong-suk),  Actress Kang So-ra plays Oh Soo-hyun in the SBS medical series “Doctor Stranger.” (SBS)When with Park, Oh becomes her true self, freeing hersel

June 11, 2014

Ha Jung-woo calls Kang Dong-won a ‘macho’

Actor Kang Dong-won has an extremely masculine way of thinking, said actor Ha Jung-woo, who costarred with him in the historical blockbuster “Kundo: Age of the Rampant.”Actor Ha Jung-woo (left) and actor Kang Dong-won attend the press conference for their latest movie “Kundo: Age of the Rampant” on Tuesday. (OSEN)“Kang Dong-won was far more attractive than I expected,” Ha said on Tuesday at a press conference for his latest film, which is set to launch on July 23. “Above all, he is a huge macho

June 11, 2014

K-pop boy groups match-up this month: Who will win?

K-pop boy groups Infinite, VIXX, ZE:A, U-Kiss, B.A.P, and Boyfriend are preparing to square off on music charts with new releases this month. Infinite (Woollim ent.)Infinite continues to promote its second single “Season 2” that was released on May 21, with the title track “Last Romeo.”  VIXX (Jellyfish ent.)VIXX also released its fourth single album “Eternity” last month with the title song “Miracle.” It’s been six months since the release of the group’s last full album.  ZE:A (Starempire ent.)

June 11, 2014

Super Junior’s Sungmin delays enlistment for showbiz activities

Actor and K-pop singer Lee Sung-min, also known by his stage name Sungmin, 28, postponed his compulsory military service, according to his management company on Wednesday.Sungmin was on course to join a promotional unit of Seoul Metropolitan Police as an alternative service to military duty. But he reportedly opted out from the final round of recruitment for PR personnel for police. (Musical "Jack The Reaper")“Sungmin didn’t apply for the final round. He is going to focus on (his) celebrity care

June 11, 2014

Love triangle among Kim Jae-joong, Baek Jin-hee, and Lim Si-wan

Popular MBC drama “Triangle“ is attracting a lot more interest as its storyline shifts to the three main characters’ love triangle. In its 12th episode aired on Tuesday, Huh Young-dal (played by Kim Jae-joong) misunderstood the relationship between Oh Jung-hee (Baek Jin-hee) and Yoon Yang-ha (Lim Si-wan).While Huh is locked up in prison, his feelings for Oh grow, but he resists expressing them because he does not want to catch up with her. After he is released from prison, he hovers around Oh‘s

June 11, 2014

Choi Ji-woo to star in ‘Temptation’ with Kwon Sang-woo

Actress Choi Ji-woo will appear in SBS drama “Temptation” together with actor Kwon Sang-woo, the broadcaster said on Monday. The “Temptation” story line is already catching watchers’ attention as it revolves around a man who accepts an offer that was an irrevocable choice. The offer leads to the characters’ complicated love affair. Cha Suk-hoon, Kwon Sang-woo’s role, gets into an elite university, but ends up standing on the edge of a cliff due to debt. Yoo Sae-young, played by Choi Ji-woo, is t

June 11, 2014

Lee Seung-gi apologizes for cancellation of ‘You’re All Surrounded’

Actor Lee Seung-gi apologized on Wednesday to fans for the postponement of the 10th episode of SBS drama “You’re All Surrounded” this week due to his eye injury.While filming an action scene on Monday, he was poked in his left eye by a fake sword and immediately taken to a nearby hospital. He was found to have corneal damage and an intraocular hemorrhage. A doctor suggested that he rest for a few days. “Lee Seung-gi expressed his apology for such an unfortunate situation and will try his best to

June 11, 2014

Siwon tweets Super Junior photo

Siwon of Super Junior posted a picture of himself with fellow group members on Twitter on Tuesday.Eight members of the idol group -- Kangin, Kyuhyun, Shindong, Eunhyuk, Sungmin, Donghae, Ryeowook and Siwon himself -- posed in the photo.With the picture, Siwon wrote, “Brothers, love you all always.” Siwon was recently confirmed to be starring in Jackie Chan’s upcoming film “Dragon Blade,” along with Jackie Chan, Mel Gibson and John Cusack. By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com

June 11, 2014

Park Min-young shows off natural beauty in selfie

Actress Park Min-young released a selfie on Twitter on Wednesday, wowing fans of her latest MBC television series “A New Leaf.”                       Actress Park Min-young (Twitter)In the photo, Park is wearing a simple white blouse with naturalistic makeup.The actor plays Lee Ji-yoon, an upstanding attorney, in the drama. By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)

June 11, 2014

Park Shin-hye debuts as singer with brother’s song

 Actress Park Shin-hye captured her audience’s hearts with the sweet and appealing voice of a girl who confesses her love to a boy in a new song, “My Dear,” released on Wednesday.The multitalented celebrity also sang on the original soundtracks for her shows, including SBS’ TV series “You’re Beautiful” and “The Heirs.” 　A distinctive feature of “My Dear” is that Park’s brother, Park Shin-won, composed the song and the duo wrote the lyrics together. Moreover, the rhythm guitar in the song was pla

June 11, 2014