'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' breaks all-time opening day record in Korea

"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" charted the biggest opening day ever in South Korea, breaking the previous record set in April by "Avengers: Infinity War," data showed Thursday.The Hollywood action blockbuster brought 1.18 million people to theaters on its opening day, Wednesday's Memorial Day, according to a computerized box office tally from the Korean Film Council.When it opened in South Korean theaters on April 25, "Infinity War" set the previous record by collecting 980,052 admissions. (Un

FilmJune 7, 2018

[Video] Private perfume pioneer aims to bring solace through scents

[Herald Interview]A scent can be described as the last garment to complete one’s ensemble -- with Korea no exception to the trend.Among a slew of perfumes displayed at department stores, however, Korean brands rarely make the list. French and other European fragrances dominate the market with the iconic Chanel, Dior, Nina Ricci, Yves Saint Laurent and Lancome as the leading players.The products of Korean perfume houses, such as Perfumelifer, Edenique, Better Than Alcohol and Soohyang, can be fou

Arts & DesignJune 6, 2018

[Video] Small bookstores draw book lovers with specialty-driven curation

Lee Hyun-min, 31, frequents a small bookstore Mystery Union whenever he feels like reading a spine-chilling thriller book. “The store is small and hard to find, but I bet almost every mystery lover in Korea would know this place,” Lee told The Korea Herald.Just like Lee, a growing number of Koreans are hunting for books at small yet specialized bookstores.While large bookstores continue to dominate the market, small players are discovering their own profitable niche.  Poetry bookstore `Wit n Cyn

CultureJune 6, 2018

[Herald Review] ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ takes a creepy turn

New film about doomed dinosaur park packs plenty of action and potentially interesting plot twist, but needs more development for it to workThis should have been expected when you hand over the helm to a guy whose most notable work includes a film about a haunted orphanage and a tree monster. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” the second installment in the trilogy by J.A. Bayona, takes the blockbuster franchise down a creepy path that adds horror elements to the dino action. The plot takes off th

FilmJune 6, 2018

BTS charts on Billboard 200, Hot 100 for 2nd straight week

BTS charted on Billboard two main charts for the second straight week, becoming the first K-pop artist to do so.The recently-released charts show that “Fake Love,” a single off the group’s third studio album “Love Yourself: Tear,” was ranked No.51 on the Billboard Hot 100. It marked a 41 spot drop from the week before, which saw the boy band reach No.10 on the main singles chart. BTS (Big Hit Entertainment)“Love Yourself: Tear” took the sixth spot on Billboard 200, after it became the first K-po

PerformanceJune 6, 2018

Seungri soars as solo artist

While K-pop act Big Bang is on a hiatus with four of its members serving their military service, Seungri is pursuing a solo career on and offstage.Seungri has become the CEO of a hip-hop label under YG Entertainment, according to Yang Hyun-suk, the head of the agency, who made the announcement Tuesday through his social media account, dropping an image of Seungri’s business card.As the CEO of YGX Entertainment, Seungri will work on recruiting talented hip-hop rookies and running entertainment bu

PerformanceJune 6, 2018

Time-traveling detective to search for identity

Another drama series featuring a time-traveling detective is on its way, but its producers claim it does not rely too much on the instrument of going back in time, describing it as a “journey of finding one’s identity between dream and reality.” Perhaps buoyed by past successes in the genre -- “Signal” and “Tunnel,” for example -- CJ E&M’s OCN network is to air yet another time travel series in “Life on Mars,” a remake of the popular British BBC production of the same name that aired 2006-2007. 

TelevisionJune 6, 2018

Park Sae-eun wins best female dancer at Benois de la Danse

MOSCOW/SEOUL -- Park Sae-eun, a "premier danseur" of the Paris Opera Ballet, has won best female dancer at one of the ballet world's most prestigious awards.The South Korean dancer picked up the award at the Benois de la Danse awards ceremony in Moscow on Tuesday (local time), beating five competitors from ballet companies all around the world.She was recognized for her lead role in "Diamonds," which is part of the "Jewels" trilogy from choreographer George Balanchine."Thank you a lot for the pr

CultureJune 6, 2018

Viktoria Mullova, David Greilsammer to bring rich musical diversity

Internationally acclaimed violinist Viktoria Mullova and rising conductor David Greilsammer’s chamber music orchestra Geneva Camerata will introduce an unusual classical music program on Friday at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall.From Beethoven Symphony No. 8 to Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” the audience will be provided a chance to listen to pieces that are rarely performed in the local classical music scene. Violinist Viktoria Mullova (Credia)  Pianist and conductor David Greilsammer (Credia)The

PerformanceJune 5, 2018

‘If Wonder Girls’ music was red, mine is blue,’ says Yubin

“Wonder Girls, it was everything about my 20s. It’s a huge part of my identity,” Yubin said, looking back on the days when she toured the US on a bus as a member of one of the most legendary K-pop girl groups. Eleven years after her debut, the former Wonder Girls rapper has returned as a solo vocalist with her retro-themed debut EP “City Woman.” Sporting a vivid pink blouse and large accessories that matched the theme of her album, Yubin sat down with The Korea Herald in Seoul on Monday to talk

PerformanceJune 5, 2018

Despite rumors, 20th Century Fox not ceasing production of Korean films

20th Century Fox Korea on Wednesday denied recent reports that it is withdrawing from producing Korean films, saying that there are no such plans as of now. “There are several movies currently in production or waiting to be released (by Fox Korea),” an official from the company said. “20th Century Fox is currently undergoing reform at a structural level, so there will be some redistribution of work within the organization. But it is just not true that the company will be moving away from produci

FilmJune 5, 2018

Yoon Mi-rae confirms July release, solo concerts

Hip-hop legend Yoon Mi-rae on Tuesday confirmed the release of her studio album next month, along with concerts that will be her first as a solo artist in 12 years.According to Feel Good Music, Yoon will perform at Jangchoong Stadium in Seoul from July 14-15. The concerts are titled “YOONMIRAE,” which carries the meaning that they will feature music that only she can make.“The solo concerts will be filled with ‘Yoon Mi-rae’ as she is,” the agency said. Yoon Mi-rae (Feel Good Music)Yoon is curren

PerformanceJune 5, 2018

Lee Seung-gi, Suzy reunite for drama ‘Vagabond’

Lee Seung-gi and Suzy have been cast in the upcoming drama “Vagabond” as a stuntman and a secret agent respectively, reuniting the Joseon-era lovebirds from the drama “Gu Family Book.”The new drama, which commenced production Saturday with a read-through by the cast, revolves around an action star-wannabe, Cha-gun, who gets involved in a grand conspiracy after a plane crash.Suzy -- whose full name is Bae Suzy -- plays Go Hae-ri, an official of the National Intelligence Service who chose the life

TelevisionJune 5, 2018

[Video] Five iced drinks to quench summer thirst

Summer has suddenly arrived in Korea after an untimely wet and humid May. Temperatures soared up to 31 degrees Celsius Friday, prompting many Koreans to either head outdoors to enjoy the sun or indoors to avoid the heat.Korea is becoming increasingly known for its myriad of themed cafes and equally diverse drinks served in cafes. The following are five iced drinks recommended by Cafe Huamdong, located in Seoul‘s Yongsan-gu. Ice cream cafe latte (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald) Ice in a cup (Rumy

FoodJune 5, 2018

When art meets technology

In October 1966, a groundbreaking event took place at the Armory in New York. “9 Evenings: Theater & Engineering” was a multidisciplinary performing art event, where 10 artists and 30 engineers collaborated to present works that integrated dance, music and theater. The New York-based Experiments in Art and Technology was founded the following year. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art‘s exhibition “Experiments in Art and Technology: Open-ended” is an exhibition highlighting the gro

Arts & DesignJune 4, 2018

Director Kim Ki-duk sues rape, harassment accusers

Arthouse filmmaker Kim Ki-duk has sued three actresses and a TV show for falsely accusing him of sexual assault and sexual harassment.According to industry sources, Kim recently filed a suit with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office against an actress for falsely accusing him of sexual harassment. He also sued two more actresses, one of whom accused him of rape and the other of sexual harassment, and the MBC show “PD’s Notepad” for defamation. Director Kim Ki-duk attends the red carpet

FilmJune 4, 2018

SPO to hold outdoor concert along Han River

The 2018 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Riverside Concert will be held on Saturday at Yeouido Hangang Park, featuring a wide range of music, from classical music concertos to collaborations with renowned local folk musicians. Conductor Christopher Lee will lead the orchestra for the evening concert, while singer-songwriter Jang Phil-soon, and guitarist Haam Choon-ho will perform with the orchestra. cap - 2017 Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra Riverside Concert (SPO)The evening concert will start at 7:3

PerformanceJune 4, 2018

[Feature] Young Koreans redefine play culture at noraebang

Jang Seon, a 37-year-old real estate developer in Seoul, moved to the capital city from Busan and has lived alone for nearly a decade. Jang said loneliness crept up on him at seemingly random times throughout the day. But, after discovering his new favorite pastime of singing, he learned to embrace solitude within the four walls of a coin-operated karaoke booth, known in Korea as noraebang. The entrance to a room at “Superstar Coin Noraebang” Gangnam Station branch. (Catherine Chung / The Korea

CultureJune 4, 2018

Lee Joon-ik’s new film focuses on upsides of harsh reality of youth

Today’s young generation faces issues that make it difficult for them to see themselves as being in the prime of their lives. But Lee Joon-ik, the director of “Sunset in My Hometown,” which caps off his “youth trilogy” movies, advises youngsters to go with the flow and maintain a positive attitude.“There seems to be efforts to ponder the joys and sorrows of youth. Is it something to be concerned about? I think the wisest thing to do to overcome (the hardships in youth) is to accept it as it is,

FilmJune 4, 2018

Twice set for Japan tour, 1st album

Marking the one year anniversary of its debut in Japan, Twice is gearing up to boost its popularity there with an arena tour and the release of its first album in the country.JYP Entertainment on Monday announced that it will hold nine concerts in four cities in Japan in September and October. It will commence with concerts on Sept. 29-30 in Chiba Prefecture, which will move to Aichi Prefecture, Kobe and cap off with Tokyo concerts on Oct. 16-17.  Twice performs in Osaka, Japan. (JYP Entertainme

PerformanceJune 4, 2018