‘To the Moon With Snoopy’: Uplifting ‘Peanuts’ characters arrive in Seoul

Lotte Museum of Art’s exhibition featuring the “Peanuts” gang will satisfy not just family visitors but also fans of fine art and pop art. “To the Moon With Snoopy” shows a wide range of works, from the original cartoon and animation works by Charles M. Schulz and Snoopy-themed decorations to contemporary Korean artists’ works featuring the “Peanuts” characters.  The first section of the show celebrates the 50th anniversary of Snoopy’s

Arts & DesignOct. 16, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Rambo’ series wheezes to an exhausted end in ‘Last Blood’

Old soldiers never die; they simply fade away. And old heroes die hard, leaving a bitter taste in our mouths.I always thought of the “Rambo” franchise as one of those series that went downhill after the iconic first film, and “Rambo: Last Blood” -- which seems to be the last one -- does nothing to change that. While the ’80s action by one of my childhood heroes was somewhat satisfying, it became routine a few scenes in.The film picks up where the events of the previ

FilmOct. 16, 2019

Second to top Billboard, SuperM proves K-pop’s growing potential in US

Propelled by the decadeslong expertise of K-pop powerhouse S.M. Entertainment, coupled with the distribution network of Capitol Music Group, SuperM scored a No. 1 on the main Billboard albums chart with its debut album.Billboard said on its official website Monday that the septet’s debut album, “SuperM: The 1st Mini Album,” topped the Billboard 200 for the week of Oct. 19.Until Monday, BTS had been the only K-pop music act that had topped the main Billboard albums chart, scorin

PerformanceOct. 16, 2019

Korea National Opera looks forward to greater stability, end to turbulence, under a new leader

The Korea National Opera’s newly appointed Artistic Director Park Hyung-sik, 66, announced four areas he intended to focus on during his term, at a press event held Tuesday at the Seoul Arts Center. They are balance and harmony; fairness and solidarity; expansion of the company; and social responsibility.Park, a former singer with more than 20 years of experience, previously led the Jeongdong Theater and the Uijeongbu Arts Center. He will be heading the state opera company for three years.

PerformanceOct. 15, 2019

BTS leader RM's special love of Korean paintings

When South Korea's biggest annual art show, the Korean International Art Fair, was on its course at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul on Sept. 26, a tall young man came to the venue, his face shaded under a cap.He turned to the show's booth allotted to Johyun Gallery and stood planted for a long while in front of flower and bird paintings by Korean master painter Kim Chong-hak. A gallery employee walked him through the collection, but it was only after the man left the exhibition that

PerformanceOct. 15, 2019

[Herald Review] Classical music lifted up by circus performance

Accompanied by Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” an aerialist in red trousers flew high above the conductor, the orchestra and the audience. He danced in the air -- suspended midair as he held onto a piece of red silk fabric -- looking like an incarnation of a true Valkyrie.Circus troupe Cirque de la Symphonie took the stage at the Lotte Concert Hall over the weekend, giving three performances. The Georgia-based production company, founded in 2005, presents circus movements cho

PerformanceOct. 15, 2019

Zoe Kravitz to play Catwoman in new 'Batman' film

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- US actress Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman in the new "Batman" film starring Robert Pattinson, a Warner Bros. source told AFP on Monday.Kravitz, who recently starred in HBO's hit TV drama "Big Little Lies" and is the daughter of rock musician Lenny Kravitz, will portray the whip-wielding cat burglar who is both Batman's foe and love interest in the comics. She follows A-listers such as Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Pfeiffer in portraying Catwoman

FilmOct. 15, 2019

Sulli leaves behind 15-year entertainment career

Singer and actress Sulli, also known as Choi Jin-ri, was found dead Monday at her home outside Seoul. She was 25. 　Sulli entered the entertainment industry at just 10 years old, making her debut in 2004 in SBS drama “Ballad of Seodong.” In 2009, Sulli joined the highly competitive K-pop scene as a member of five-piece girl group f(x). She was 15 at the time. While she was the youngest of the act, she was also the tallest, leading fans to affectionately call her “Giant Baby

PeopleOct. 14, 2019

[Update] Singer and actor Sulli found dead

Singer-actor Sulli, 25, was found dead Monday at a house in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Provice, police said.　Her manager found her dead on the second floor of the house at around 3:21 p.m. He visited the house as he had been unable to reach Sulli after their last phone call, which ended at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. 　Police are investigating the case, but suspect suicide. A suicide note had not been found as of late Monday afternoon.　“It seems that Choi was living alone at the house,”

PeopleOct. 14, 2019

[Newsmaker] K-pop superband SuperM tops Billboard 200

Brand new K-pop act SuperM topped a main Billboard chart upon its debut in the United States, according the chart result re-released on Monday.The supergroup's first release, "SuperM: The 1st Mini Album," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the week of Oct. 19, making the septet the first K-pop band to do so following global phenomenon BTS, Billboard said.The achievement was made only two weeks after the group's official release on Oct. 4."The set ... launches w

PerformanceOct. 14, 2019

‘Traces of Black Sand,’ choreography looks at life, memories

The Korea National Contemporary Dance Company will perform a new production that fuses contemporary dance with traditional Korean music at Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater from Nov 1-3. “Traces of Black Sand” is a collaboration between composer Ra Ye-song and KNCDC Artistic Director Ahn Sung-soo. The two have worked together on contemporary dance and traditional sounds since the 2017 KNCDC production of “Music for Rites - The Afterimages of the Rose.”“‘Trace

Arts & DesignOct. 13, 2019

Online streaming giants battle for Asian audiences

BUSAN (AFP) -- Acclaimed director David Michod's epic "The King" was one of four major Netflix productions screened at Asia's largest film festival this week, underlining how streaming services are increasingly challenging Hollywood and traditional media for the attention of artists -- and viewers.Asia is seen as an important part of the global streaming industry's growth plan. In conjunction with the main event, Busan International Film Festival also hosted its first Asia Contents Awa

FilmOct. 13, 2019

[Herald Review] ‘Journalist’ an imperfect, but worthy attempt to take pulse of society

While watching director Michihito Fujii’s “The Journalist,” I had to keep reminding myself that this is a movie based in Japan, not South Korea, so reminiscent was it of a similar incident here just a few years ago in which the government went rogue to abuse its might and sway public opinion in its favor.Having said that, I have mixed feelings on the end product. I was not a fan of the performance by Shim Eun-Kyung -- an accomplished actress held back by speaking in a foreign l

FilmOct. 13, 2019

Busan film festival closes with eye on industry trends

BUSAN -- The 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) came to a close on Saturday, successfully keeping up with changing market trends and staying afloat after years of setbacks.    This year's BIFF, which opened on Oct. 3 for a 10-day run, screened 300 films from 85 countries and drew a total of 189,115 attendees, slightly down from the previous year's 195,081, according to organizers. Along with the opening film, "The Horse Thieves. Roads of Time," 118 films

FilmOct. 12, 2019

Famed skater Lee Sang-hwa, singer Kangnam get married

Former South Korean star speed skater Lee Sang-hwa and singer Kangnam tied the knot on Saturday, their management agencies said.    The two held the wedding at a hotel in Seoul, according to Lee's agency, Bonboo Entertainment, and Kangnam's management, Dmost Entertainment.     They first met on SBS' reality show "Law of the Jungle" in September last year and became a couple. They confirmed their relationship in March.    "We plan t

PeopleOct. 12, 2019

[Newsmaker] BTS rocks capital of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The strong religious culture in Saudi Arabia couldn't stop abaya-covered fans from springing up in their seats to dance as K-pop superband BTS performed its latest mega hit, "Boy With Luv," in the country's capital, Riyadh, Friday evening.     Religious restraints and Islamic doctrine melted away as the K-pop septet took the stage of Riyadh's King Fahd International Stadium and opened up its nearly three-hour concert to a rapt audience.  

PerformanceOct. 12, 2019

Ku Hye-sun says she will stop writing about Ahn Jae-hyun

Ku Hye-sun said Friday she would stop writing posts about Ahn Jae-hyun on social media amid a monthslong online feud between the high-profile couple, who are in the middle of a divorce. Ku has been revealing their marital problems on social media, highlighting Ahn's faults. “It is really strange. He was not committed to our marriage, there were situations that made me doubt his fidelity, and he became violent when drunk ... yet people still think I am the one who made him go

PeopleOct. 11, 2019

[Photo News] Fortress festival kicks off

Children pose for pictures with a contraption used for punishment in the Joseon era during the Haemieupseong Fortress Festival in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, on Friday.  The “juri” punishment, often featured in period dramas set in the era, involves breaking a person’s legs by tightening two pieces of wood.  Running through Sunday, the festival introduces folk culture and the history of the fortress through performances and hands-on activities.The old Army pos

CultureOct. 11, 2019

Busan film fest runs smoothly but makes less-than-expected buzz

Leaving buzzing and hectic days behind, the 24th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is wrapping up its 10-day run Saturday.    The festival, one of the largest in Asia, opened Oct. 3 in the southern port city of Busan, 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, featuring 303 films from 85 countries. Among the invitations, 120 films, including 97 feature-length movies, were world premieres.    Although its pre-opening event was canceled due to a typhoon, the curtain ro

FilmOct. 11, 2019

Riyadh abuzz with excitement ahead of BTS concert

    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Major landmarks in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, were lit up in purple late Thursday as the city welcomed global K-pop act BTS and its upcoming concert here.     The septet arrived in Riyadh early Thursday for their historic "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" concert in the Middle Eastern city's King Fahd International Stadium, set for Friday evening.     One day before the first-ever stadium concert by non

PerformanceOct. 11, 2019