GOT7 returning with new EP

The new kids on the block GOT7, JYP Entertainment’s newest boy band, will be releasing their second EP since debuting in January. The upcoming EP is slated to drop on June 23 and according to an announcement by JYP representatives on Thursday, the seven members will hold a one-night fan showcase prior to the official release of the album. The upcoming fan showcase will be exclusively for “IGOT7” fan club members on June 18 at Uniqlo AX Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The fans will not only have the

June 5, 2014

‘The Farm’ cultivates little suspense for a thriller

Tom Rob Smith’s fourth novel, “The Farm,” opens with a vivid conflict: A Londoner named Daniel receives a phone call from his father with troubling news. “Your mum’s in hospital,” the older man says. “She’s been committed.” Then the phone rings again and it’s his mother, who offers a conflicting tale. “I’m on a payphone and I don’t have much credit,” she announces. “I’m sure your father has spoken to you. Everything that man has told you is a lie.”This, of course, is the very definition of high

BooksJune 5, 2014

How a quiet father of 6 became one of America’s most important spies

I never met CIA officer Robert Ames, though our paths overlapped in the Middle East, particularly in Beirut during some of the worst months of Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war. The ruins of the U.S. Embassy building where Ames met his demise in April 1983 was just down the street from my first residence when I moved to Beirut four months later.His favorite restaurants became mine. We had talked to a lot of the same figures whose names, at the time, were synonymous with Middle East danger and intrigue

BooksJune 5, 2014

‘The Vacationers’ takes readers on an affecting, funny ride

The VacationersBy Hannah Sampson (The Miami Herald)Readers meet a kindred spirit on the opening page of Emma Straub’s winsome new novel when Jim Post worries about the contents of his suitcase: “Had he packed enough books?”Yes, this is the sort of person you ― or at least I ― wouldn’t mind passing a fictional vacation with. The fact that he is disgraced when the novel opens, forced to retire from his job as a men’s magazine editor after an affair with a 23-year-old editorial assistant, dampens t

BooksJune 5, 2014

Nobody is innocent in compelling story of murder, race in the South

Natchez BurningBy Cindy Bagwell (The Dallas Morning News)It doesn’t pay to be one of the good guys in Greg Iles’ world.Villainous or heroic, you’re equally likely to meet a painful ― and painfully described ― end.“Natchez Burning,” the first of a trilogy and the fourth outing for Iles’ protagonist Penn Cage, begins with a warning against deifying mere mortals. Even gods have feet of clay, and in Iles’ South, they’re likely to have blood on their hands, too.Cage’s father, Tom, is suspected of kil

BooksJune 5, 2014

Wardrobes of Korean celebs getting ‘hotter’

The dresses of Korean female celebrities are getting shorter and hotter as the temperature rises. (OSEN)Korean actress Ko So-young wore a short one-piece dress at a film preview event last weekend. While the design was simple and normal, the color of the dress -- nearly florescent green -- grabbed the attention of the fans. Ko toned downed the vivid color by wearing a black cardigan and a black handbag. (OSEN)Korean Barbie girl Han Chae-young also showed off a short one-piece. The black dress, h

June 5, 2014

HyunA to take legal action against fabricated nude photos

Hallyu star HyunA decided Thursday to take stern legal action following the circulation of fabricated photos of her. “We found the original source of the photo fabrication and reported it to the police,” said HyunA’s agency. “We asked for stern punishment.” (OSEN)Pictures of the 4minute leader wearing only underwear massively spread online. The explanation written with the pictures said they were extracted from an idol group member’s lost cell phone. Later, however, a netizen found the original

June 5, 2014

2PM Chansung sued by ultra-right online community site

Controversial picture of 2PM Chansung on the left, altered on the right(Twitter)Members of Korean far-right online community site “Ilbe” filed a complaint against 2PM member Chansung with the National Election Commission, claiming that he violated an election law soon after casting his ballot for the local elections on Wednesday.After voting at a polling station, Chansung posted a picture of himself holding up a “V” sign, showing his exercise of voting rights.However, some of the “Ilbe” site mem

June 4, 2014

[Herald Interview] A feline state of mind

Even if you never saw “Cats,” you would probably recognize the musical if you saw the actors, with their facial paint, furry tails and unitards, or heard “Memory,” one of the most popular songs from any musical. Staged numerous times in numerous cities, including Seoul, for more than 30 years since its London premiere, the Andrew Lloyd Webber show has become something of a musical milestone.The original production first came to Korea in 1994, and returned in 2003, 2007 and 2008, drawing some 1.2

PerformanceJune 4, 2014

[Herald Review] Exemplifying poetry in motion, ‘Scent of Ink’ explores harmony, heritage

Inspired by the works of celebrated choreographer Choi Hyeon, “The Scent of Ink,” in which stunningly lavish Korean costuming clashes with chic and contemporary choreography in a modernized dance production, is a much-needed homage to time-honored traditions. In an hour-long performance that is as aesthetically pleasing as is it moving, the National Dance Company of Korea’s latest rendition of “The Scent of Ink” attempts to approach the framework of Korean philosophy via nonverbal yet expressive

PerformanceJune 4, 2014

When music meets film

Music has been an indispensable element of movies from the very beginning. In the era of silent film, it played an important role of adding emotions and vitality to scenes as well as masking background static. Now, it is beyond such mere seasoning. It supplements, enhances and expands upon the meaning of a film’s narrative. KT&G Sangsang Madang is highlighting the combination of film and music with its annual music film festival, which will begin Friday.The festival, in its seventh year, will op

FilmJune 4, 2014

[Art of Diplomacy] Envoy puts Indonesia on art world map

This is the second in a series of articles in which foreign envoys to South Korea show the art of their countries displayed in their homes. ― Ed.It is no accident that guests visiting the residence of the Indonesian ambassador here are greeted by art works from some the most sought-after East Asian artists.Signature works by South Korea’s Park Sae-bo, Indonesia’s Arin Dwihartanto Sunaryo ― who was one of the hottest artists last year in April at a Sothby’s auction in Hong Kong ― and Yue Minjun o

CultureJune 4, 2014

First lady’s fashion raises question: Who pays?

WASHINGTON (AP) ― Michelle Obama’s fashionable clothing has become something of a given in her five-plus years as first lady. Yet her wardrobe still is the subject of endless public fascination and one long-simmering question: Who pays for those incredible outfits? It’s no small matter. Her high-low fashion choices mix everyday, off-the-rack fare with custom creations from top designers whose gowns can run into five figures. In recent weeks, Mrs. Obama has turned heads with a forest-green Naeem

Arts & DesignJune 4, 2014

‘Roommate’ reveals its additional posters

SBS’ “Roommate” revealed unseen posters of its cast members.The pictures included shots of all the cast: Shin Sung-woo, Lee So-ra, Park Bom of 2NE1, Nana of After School, Chanyeol of EXO, Lee Dong-wook, Seo Kang-jun, Song Ga-yeon, Park Min-woo, Hong Soo-hyun and Jo Se-ho.“Roommate” is a new SBS reality show featuring 11 Korean celebrities of different ages, from idols to actresses, living together in a shared house. By Kim Minjin, Intern Reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: SBS]

June 4, 2014

Krystal tells Jessica not to get married

K-pop sisters Jessica Jung of Girls’ Generation and Krystal Jung of f(x) gave viewers a glimpse of how close a sisterly bond they have on the first episode of their new reality show “Jessica & Krystal.”In the show, Krystal was asked how she would feel if Jessica were to get married. She began crying and responded, “I think that cannot happen,” as she covered her face with a cushion.Jessica also shed tears and covered her face after quietly contemplating being separated from her sister after her

June 4, 2014

Childhood photo of Jessica and Krystal goes viral

Girls’ Generation’s Jessica Jung revealed a photo of herself and her younger sister, f(x)’s Krystal Jung, taken when they were young, attracting much interest from fans of the two girl groups. The two are known as South Korea’s “Olsen twins.”“Don’t forget to watch ‘Jessica & Krystal’ on OnStyle tonight,” Jessica added on her SNS account, Weibo.In the photo, Jessica is smiling toward the camera with Krystal, who was then an infant, in her arms. The duo’s well-defined features even as young childr

June 4, 2014

Suzy gives sneak pick into new pictorial

Actress and Miss A member Suzy revealed pictures from the fashion magazine “Oh Boy” on Tuesday.Suzy consecutively uploaded three pictures of herself posing for the camera with the explanation, “Oh boy! Oh Suzy,” building up the anticipation for the upcoming issue of “Oh Boy.”The black-and-white photographs captured Suzy’s uniquely sensitive and emotional look. Three photos are to be featured in the current issue of “Oh Boy.”As an actress who has the image of a college sweetheart, Suzy’s pictures

June 4, 2014

Lee Da-hee‘s Mi-ra turns vengeful on ‘Big Man’

Lee Da-hee turns against her lover Choi Daniel in the latest episode of KBS television series “Big Man” upon finding out that his family falsely incriminated her late father.  Mi-ra (played by Lee Da-hee) turns vengeful on KBS television series "Big Man." (KBS) Clockwise from top left: Ji-hyuk (played by Kang Ji-hwan), Mi-ra (Lee Da-hee), Dong-seok (Choi Daniel) and Jin-ah (Jeong So-min). (KBS)In the 12th episode aired on Tuesday, Mi-ra (played by Lee) teams up with Ji-hyeok (Kang Ji-hwan), who

June 4, 2014

Kim Woo-bin chosen as ’most likely good worker‘

Actor Kim Woo-bin and actress Song Ji-hyo were chosen as the celebrities “most likely to be good workers,” according to a survey released by job portal site Alba Cheongook on Tuesday.In the poll, 1,223 participants aged 20 to 30 selected the two celebrities.Of women, Song received 47.7 percent of the vote, followed by actresses Go Ara (24.9 percent) and Gong Hyo-jin (13.5 percent). Among the male celebrities, Kim Woo-bin (29.8 percent), So Ji-sub (25.2 percent), and Onyou (25.2 percent) received

June 4, 2014

Lee Byung-hun receives Asia Pacific Screen Award

Actor Lee Byung-hun has received the Asia Pacific Screen Award for his acting in the 2012 period movie “Masquerade.”The award was given by the chairman of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy Michael Hawkins on Tuesday at the Australian Embassy in Seoul. The Asia Pacific Screen Academy is a body of 650 respected filmmakers in the Asia Pacific region. “Lee Byung-hun has received this award -– his first APSA win -– for his two starring roles, as a king and acrobat in Masquerade, which was the fourth-hi

June 4, 2014