Ha Jung-woo to make horror debut with ‘The Closet’

While the last film of 2019 featuring Ha Jung-woo as the lead act, “Ashfall,” still tops box offices, the actor is making a swift return with the first horror movie of the year -- and also the first of his career.“As it’s my first attempt at the genre, acting surprised was the most difficult part of making the movie. You’ll be seeing me act with about 13 to 15 types of surprised faces in the film,” Ha said at a press event for “The Closet” on Thurs

FilmJan. 2, 2020

Super Junior's Hee-chul, TWICE's Momo in romantic relationship

Kim Hee-chul of boy band Super Junior and girl group TWICE's Japanese member Momo are in a romantic relationship, the artists' management agencies confirmed Thursday."After getting along as close colleagues of show business, the two have recently started liking and dating each other," Kim's agency, Label SJ, said. The relationship was also confirmed by JYP Entertainment, the talent agency of TWICE.The artists from some of South Korea's most loved idol bands make them one of the highest

PerformanceJan. 2, 2020

BTS perform at Times Square on New Year's eve

K-pop sensation BTS were the second South Korean pop artists to perform live in New York City's Times Square on New Year's eve, in a spectacle packed with crowds set for a countdown to the new year.The seven-member boy band showed up on the stage in the heart of Manhattan just before midnight on Tuesday (New York time), giving an eight-minute performance of two of their best hits: "Make It Right" and "Boy with Luv."When their part ended, the group shouted to the crowd, "

PerformanceJan. 1, 2020

After struggles, Yoo Jae-suk in his second heyday

Yoo Jae-suk had been the nation’s most popular entertainer for more than a decade, but after the hiatus of his signature show “Infinite Challenge” on MBC in 2018, his star seemed to be on the wane. The weekly variety show was beloved by Korean viewers for 13 years. Yoo and producer Kim Tae-ho rose to stardom with the show, earning top spots in the entertainment industry.  However, after the show ended almost two years ago, Yoo seemed to be experiencing difficulties with hi

TelevisionJan. 1, 2020

Korean film scene goes experimental in 2020

Encouraged by the astounding achievements of 2019, the Korean film scene is set to go more adventurous this year, bringing zombies, clones and spacecraft to the big screen. Though such subjects have sometimes been a taboo in the local film industry -- due to past failures -- it looks like the achievements of 2019 have encouraged such experimental items to take part in the major entertainment scene. In the past, Korea’s film scene had been focused heavily on periodical works, romance or com

FilmJan. 1, 2020

Return of long-forgotten singer Yang Joon-il brings middle-aged fans to music scene

Following a short-lived music career in the early 1990s, Yang Joon-il disappeared into obscurity, leaving many fans without a clue about the star.A JTBC TV show has recently brought the long-forgotten star back to the public consciousness, summoning his old fans, now in their 40's, back to the K-pop scene. Fans' reaction was ecstatic and tickets for Yang's comeback fan meeting on Tuesday sold out, making him one of the most talked-about celebrities of today within the span of one month.In hindsi

PerformanceDec. 31, 2019

Momoland returns as six-piece girl group with retro music

Momoland has dropped a new retro-inspired digital single as a six-member girl group, following the departure of three members.In a media showcase held in central Seoul on Monday, Momoland officially unveiled the digital single "Thumbs Up," another addictive number following its captivating hits, such as "Bboom Bboom" and "Baam."It is the group's first music release as a six-piece unit after three members -- Taeha, Yeonwoo and Daisy -- left Momoland. The reconfigurat

PerformanceDec. 31, 2019

‘Secret Zoo,’ comic survival of a zoo with no animals

Movies featuring animals as the main characters are often CGI-heavy. But director Son Jae-gon chose instead to make actors wear animal masks and outfits in the upcoming movie “Secret Zoo.”Two other animal comedy movies will hit theaters here in January -- South Korean film “Mr. Zoo” and “Dolittle” featuring Robert Downey Jr. However, Son expects the meticulously designed animal costumes and the chemistry between the animal and human characters to differentiate

FilmDec. 31, 2019

‘Fansumers’ emerge as social media power brokers

In a KakaoTalk group chat gathering 300 fans of Pengsoo, users vented their anger when the character appeared at a promotional event for a movie on Dec. 16. Some of them insisted they should send emails of protest to the production team at Educational Broadcasting System and ask them to refrain from commercial uses of Pengsoo -- a costumed live-action penguin character that has quickly gained popularity in Korea for its straight-talking wit.  “We can’t stand Pengsoo’s imag

CultureDec. 31, 2019

2020 pays homage to Beethoven

As 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s birth, various recitals and concerts are taking place across the world in remembrance of the great musician from the 18th century. Korea is of course no exception in paying tribute to Beethoven. The classical music scene has already been pumped and primed in anticipation, gearing up for a big celebration. Although Beethoven’s music has already been frequently played in musical presentations here, such instances have double

PerformanceDec. 31, 2019

From glory of BTS, ‘Parasite’ to untimely deaths; highs and lows of 2019

January 2020 will decide if “Parasite” becomes the first South Korean film ever to win at the Golden Globe Awards. The next month, a run at the Oscars will wrap up an impressive series of wins for director Bong Joon-ho’s work, which bagged the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.This year, Korean pop culture experienced highs like the Bong film taking the world by storm and depressing lows such as the untimely deaths of beloved celebrities. Here&rsquo

PerformanceDec. 30, 2019

‘Little giant’ Park Na-rae grabs grand prize

Comedian Park Na-rae wrapped up 2019 in triumph, winning the grand prize at the MBC Entertainment Awards. Park, 34, appreciated for her achievements on TV shows “I Live Alone,” and “Where Is My Home,” was awarded the top prize at a ceremony at the broadcasting station’s headquarters in Sangam-dong, western Seoul, Sunday.  “I honestly did not think that I deserved the prize, but as a human, I really wanted to receive it,” she said in her acceptance s

TelevisionDec. 30, 2019

CJ ENM to compensate victims of audition show vote fixing

CJ ENM, the operator of K-pop-oriented music channel Mnet, on Monday issued an apology for the vote-fixing scandal of its high-profile idol competition show and vowed to financially compensate K-pop trainees victimized in the case."We will absolutely take responsibility to compensate trainees who sustained damage from the vote fixing of Mnet's audition shows, including the 'Produce' series," CEO Heo Min-heoi of CJ ENM said in a press conference.  "(CJ ENM) will take necessary

PerformanceDec. 30, 2019

Singer-songwriter Younha to release music featuring BTS' RM

South Korean singer-songwriter Younha will release a new album next week that includes a track featuring RM, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, her management agency said Monday. The five-track album, "Unstable Mindset," is set to hit major online music stores next Monday, C9 Entertainment said.  Of the five tracks, the first, "Winter Flower," is a collaborating song, featuring RM, according to C9.The second, "Black Cloud," is the lead track of "Unstable Mind

PerformanceDec. 30, 2019

Korean content drawing interest in Korean culture in US

The rising popularity of South Korean cultural content is drawing interest among US consumers in Korea’s culture and its products, according to a recent survey by a state-run agency.The Korea Creative Content Agency on Friday released the results of a survey it conducted from July to September on consumer trends in the US market related to Korean content. The online survey had three categories -- Korea pop, Korean dramas and Korean variety shows. In all three sections, respondents wer

TelevisionDec. 29, 2019

Gamut of big name orchestras onstage in 2020

Fans of classical music in Korea have a lot to look out for in 2020, as the stage will be packed with celebrated orchestras led by old masters and rising stars.For start, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is set for a new beginning with its new maestro Osmo Vanska. The Finnish conductor begins his term at the SPO with inaugural concerts at the Lotte Concert hall Feb.14-15.  The Mahler and Sibelius specialist will be presenting Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor “Resurrection.&rdq

PerformanceDec. 29, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ wraps up ‘Star Wars’ with fool’s gold

At first, I was enraged. Then, I thought it wasn’t so bad. And then, I was confused. The latest and final entry in the famed franchise, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” was as multifaceted as my reaction to the film. It had an ample amount of kick-ass moments, but ultimately came up short in satiating what amounted to comically bloated expectations from the fans.Rey (Daisy Ridley) continues her training under Leia Organa -- Carrie Fisher -- but is distracted by Ren’s o

FilmDec. 29, 2019

Number of moviegoers in S. Korea exceeds 220m in 2019

The aggregate number of moviegoers in South Korea set a new annual record in 2019, surpassing 220 million, industry data showed Sunday.Cinemas across the nation drew around 225 million people between Jan. 1 and Dec. 28, according to the ticket sales tally system of the Korean Film Council. The previous record was set in 2017 with 220 million moviegoers. The number of moviegoers in South Korea first broke the 200 million mark in 2013.This year, five films screened here attracted more than 10 mill

FilmDec. 29, 2019

Artist Koo Jeong-a selected one of 100 most inspiring individuals by OOOM Magazine

Koo Jeong-a, a South Korean artist, was selected as one of the world’s most inspiring people in 2019 by OOOM Magazine -- the sole Korean to figure in the list. The German magazine each year announces 100 individuals who have been influential in each field. In its fourth annual announcement, Koo -- ranked at 32nd -- was one of the four artists on the influential individuals list, according to PKM Gallery. The Seoul-based gallery is currently holding an exhibition, “Eternal Now,”

Arts & DesignDec. 27, 2019

Hwacheon ice-fishing festival opening delayed

Organizers of a world-famous ice fishing festival on Thursday decided to delay its opening to Jan. 11 from the originally announced Jan. 4 due to safety issues.On Wednesday, the organizers -- local government of Hwacheon and Nara Foundation -- tested the ice condition of Hwacheon River, where the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival’s signature program that allows visitors to catch sancheoneo -- a species of trout known to live only in very clean freshwater-- takes place. “We normally c

TravelDec. 27, 2019