[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Toy Story 4(US)Opened June 20Animation, Adventure, Comedy Directed by Josh Cooley When Bonnie’s (Madeleine McGraw) beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (Tony Hale), declares himself “trash” and not a toy, Woody (Tom Hanks) takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (Anni

FilmJune 27, 2019

Song Hye-kyo, Park Bo-gum’s latest drama, ‘Boyfriend,’ gets renewed attention

With Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo heading for divorce, Song Hye-kyo’s comments at a press conference to promote the tvN drama “Boyfriend” have come under the spotlight.The romance drama, starring Song Hye-kyo and Park Bo-gum, aired from November to January.  “The script was great. Along with producer Park Shin-woo, I thought the results could be beyond imagination,” she said at the event in November. “With Park Bo-gum, I knew the production would be gre

PeopleJune 27, 2019

Song Hye-kyo says divorce comes after ‘careful thinking’

As the “Song-Song” couple files for divorce after some 20 months of marriage, Song Hye-kyo, through her agency, said it is coming after “careful thinking.”  “The divorce proceedings between Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo come after careful thinking,” UAA Korea, the agency representing Song Hye-kyo, said, adding the marriage has come to an end due to irreconcilable differences.The two actors met through the “Descendants of the Sun” drama series

PeopleJune 27, 2019

Song-Song couple’s divorce sheds light on wedding ring incident

With Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo filing for divorce, an incident involving the couple’s wedding rings has resurfaced. The famed “Descendants of the Sun” couple were married for less than two years. In February, Chinese media outlets suggested the two actors may not be getting along well, as Song Hye-kyo was spotted not wearing her wedding ring on various occasions. In early June, Song Hye-kyo was seen at Incheon Airport by herself without her wedding ring after a vacation in

PeopleJune 27, 2019

Song-Song couple start divorce proceedings

Actors Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo have started divorce proceedings. On Thursday, Song Joong-ki’s attorney Park Jae-hyun announced that his law firm had filed for divorce on behalf of the actor on Wednesday. “Rather than criticizing one another and arguing over who is to blame, both of us hope that the divorce process can be wrapped up smoothly,” Song said through his agency, Blossom Entertainment.“I ask for your understanding that it is difficult to go into details of

PeopleJune 27, 2019

Song Hye-kyo, Song Joong-ki taking legal steps for divorce

Top-profile Korean star couple Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki are taking legal steps to part ways, two years after their much-celebrated marriage, the latter's management agency said Thursday.A law firm representing the actor Song Joong-ki filed for court mediation for his divorce from the actress Song Hye-kyo with the Seoul Family Court on Wednesday. "I decided to start a court mediation procedure for my divorce from Song Hye-kyo," the actor said through his management agency, Blossom

TelevisionJune 27, 2019

Matthew Stone: Longing for something real in this digital age

People listen to digitally rendered music, but most people are not familiar with digital paintings.Choi & Larger Gallery in Seoul is holding a solo exhibition of works by London-based artist Matthew Stone, featuring some 20 digital paintings under the title “Small Awakenings.”  Stone utilizes both traditional painting tools and new technologies in his art, which usually requires twice as much time to make because of the additional processes involved.Stone first makes brushs

Arts & DesignJune 26, 2019

‘The Divine Fury’ eyes start of occult-themed film universe

Director Jason Kim’s upcoming film “The Divine Fury” seeks to break ground in Korean cinema by starting a cinematic universe, though the concept has not arrived here yet. Even more daring is Kim’s attempt to do so with an occult film -- a genre that has been a hit and miss when it comes to Korean movies.“During my visit to France, I saw a statue of an angel suppressing the devil. (The statue) embodied an enormous struggle, which got me thinking (about the possibilit

FilmJune 26, 2019

[Best Brand] Grand Hilton Seoul seeks to be venue for MICE events

In addition to offering accommodation, Grand Hilton Seoul promotes itself as a venue to host MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) events. Large conferences have been held at the convention center of the hotel in northwestern Seoul. The Grand Hilton Seoul Convention Center, the first major convention center operated by a hotel in Korea, is the second-largest convention venue in northern Seoul, after Iksan Kintex.The convention hall spans 8,264 square meters with seven floors.

TravelJune 26, 2019

WJSN to kick off Japan tour

K-pop girl group WJSN, also known as Cosmic Girls, is set to go on a Japan tour for the first time since the band’s debut. The tour -- titled “Would You Like? Zepp Tour in Japan” -- kicks off in Tokyo on Aug. 17 and will also involve concerts in Osaka and Nagoya on Aug. 24 and 25, respectively.  According to Starship Entertainment, the band’s management agency, WJSN has been enjoying great popularity in Japan. The K-pop act has performed at KCON Japan, a Korean cultu

PerformanceJune 26, 2019

‘Sommeliers are no longer just about serving good wine’

Though sommeliers are evaluated on their expertise on wine and service skills, for hotel sommeliers, there are other qualities to consider, too. Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas’ sommelier Yoo Seung-min, 43, was recognized for his competence in May, being honored as the Asia Winner of Sommelier of Stelliers. The Stelliers is formally known as the Hotelier Awards. Hoteliers from more than 100 hotels from 19 countries participated in the event, competing in 19 different categories related

FoodJune 26, 2019

BTS to globally release third movie on its world tour

A new documentary film on K-pop band BTS' 2018 world tour will be globally released in Aug., the band's management agency announced Wednesday. "'Bring The Soul: The Movie' will have its global release on Aug. 7," Big Hit Entertainment said. The latest film is the third of its kind, following "Burn the Stage: The Movie" on the band's 2017 world tour and "Love Yourself in Seoul" on its 2018 concert in Seoul, which were released in Nov. and Jan., respectively."Bri

PerformanceJune 26, 2019

‘Berlin Portraits’: Kim Ok-sun spotlights Korean nurses who began new lives in Germany

Portraits are not the most favored of items for art collectors. Not many people want strangers’ photos hanging on their walls. But artist Kim Ok-sun continues to take photographs of people because she is drawn to them. Atelier Hermes in Seoul is holding a solo exhibition of Kim’s works under the title “Berlin Portraits,” featuring some 25 large portraits of Korean nurses who went to work in West Germany in the 1960s and ’70s and settled there, starting new lives. Th

Arts & DesignJune 25, 2019

‘Autobiography of Death,’ about deaths of people who are still alive, takes poetry prize

With her poetry collection “Autobiography of Death,” Kim Hye-soon brought Asian women’s voices to the forefront of the international literary scene by winning the 2019 International Griffin Poetry Prize earlier this month.It marked the first time the Canadian prize, founded in 2000, had ever gone to two Asian women -- Kim shared the honor with Choi Don-mee, who translated the book into English.  Kim and Choi were not expecting the prize. “At the ceremony, the transla

BooksJune 25, 2019

Conductor Osmo Vanska hopes to formulate ‘Seoul strategy’ for SPO

The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra is set to take the next leap in 2020 under the baton of Osmo Vanska, building a “Seoul strategy” together. Vanska was appointed as music director of the SPO in May. He has been chosen for his “affection for orchestra members and broad-minded leadership,” according to SPO CEO Kang Eun-kyung.  Also, Vanska’s fame as an “orchestra builder” was taken in account, Kang said. Leading the Minnesota Orchestra for about 20 yea

PerformanceJune 24, 2019

Chungha releases first self-composed song on new album 'Flourishing'

K-pop diva Chungha on Monday released her fourth EP, "Flourishing," whose title track is the first song she has composed.    The fourth track, "Flourishing," is a trap soul number written in English that sends out a message of self-confidence.     The fifth song on the EP, and its main track, "Snapping," is an intense, seductive number that diverges from Chungha's previous summer singles such as "Love U," a track off "Blo

PerformanceJune 24, 2019

Cannes-winning 'Parasite' becomes most-watched Korean film in France

"Parasite," winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, has set a new record in admissions in France among Korean films released there, the film's overseas distributor said Monday. As of Saturday, the comedy-thriller by Bong Joon-ho had drawn 681,122 moviegoers since its French release on June 5, CJ ENM said. The ticket sales are the highest for any Korean film released in the European country, surpassing the previous record of 678,049 set by Bong's 2013 fea

EntertainmentJune 24, 2019

Major tourist spots on Jeju Island to raise entrance fees starting July

Two of Jeju Island’s most famous tourist spots and natural heritage sites, Seongsan Ilchulbong and Manjanggul, will begin charging higher entrance fees starting next month.The Jeju World Natural Heritage Center said Sunday that general admission to Seongsan Ilchulbong, a volcanic peak formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions, will be increased from 2,000 won ($1.73) to 5,000 won. Tickets to Manjanggul, a huge cave created by basalt lava flows, will double in price from the current 2,000 won, the

TravelJune 24, 2019

Restaurant mogul amasses 1.8m subscribers in 12 days

With just 16 videos, one YouTuber gained 1.8 million subscribers and 20 million views in less than 12 days.Those are stats one might expect from K-pop stars, who often get millions of subscribers right away. But this channel belongs to 52-year-old food specialist and restaurant entrepreneur Paik Jong-won. Paik is the founder and CEO of Theborn Korea, Korea’s biggest food franchise, which operates 1,300 restaurants under more than 20 chains. He became a TV personality in 2015 when he a

TelevisionJune 24, 2019

Culture Ministry plans to expand art infrastructure

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Monday rolled out a five-year plan to make Korean art and artifacts more accessible to the general public. The plan includes building more art galleries and museums, expanding the conservation system for the collections and creating online and mobile systems for people to acquire information on exhibitions.According to the ministry, the government plans to build an additional 140 museums and 46 art galleries by 2023, which will bring the number of s

CultureJune 24, 2019