Day6 to release new Japanese single in July

Day6 is set to drop a new Japanese single in July.The band’s agency JYP Entertainment said Saturday that the act’s second Japanese single, “Stop the Rain,” will be released on July 25. The upcoming record has been produced by Shinichi Ubukata, a guitarist known for his activities as a member of Japanese rock band Ellegarden and Nothing’s Carved in Stone.  Poster for Day6’s upcoming Japanese single “Stop the Rain” (JYP Entertainment)Day6 has also participated in writing and composing the new song

PerformanceMay 13, 2018

'Avengers 3' tops 10 mln admissions in S. Korea

"Avengers: Infinity War" surpassed 10 million in attendance on Sunday, the 19th day since it hit South Korean theaters, its local distributor said.The latest release from Marvel Studios became the fastest foreign film to break 10 million in South Korea, according to Walt Disney Company Korea.It also became the 21st film ever to hit the milestone in the country and the fifth non-Korean film to do so, following "Avatar" (2009), "Interstellar" (2014), "Frozen" (2014) and "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (

FilmMay 13, 2018

Korean production of megahit Broadway musical Chicago sets its own records

Since its launch in 1975, the Broadway musical Chicago has set a string of boundary-pushing records: the show was revived Broadway in 1996 and the ongoing revival became the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.In South Korea, the show was first staged in 2000 with local casting. Since then, the South Korean production has set its own share of unprecedented records in the South Korean musical market and the history of Chicago.For one thing, Park Kolleen, after directing the local

PerformanceMay 11, 2018

‘Secret Mother’ to draw attention on Korean education

Upcoming SBS drama series “Secret Mother” hopes to draw attention to the overheated Korean education environment, adding elements of mystery along the way. The Saturday-Sunday TV series features Kim So-yeon and Song Yoon-ah as the main leads. The story is set around “Gangnam mothers,” referring to moms excessively committed to their children, especially for their academic achievements.  Song Yoon-ah (left) and Kim So-yeon pose for photos at a press event held for “Secret Mother” at SBS headquart

TelevisionMay 11, 2018

Red Velvet recounts on performance in NK

Red Velvet talked about what it was like to perform in North Korea.The K-pop act attended a luncheon hosted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday, as the girl band had visited Pyongyang last month to stage an art performance along with several other artists.  Red Velvet (South Korean joint press pool in Pyongyang)Before the lunch meeting, Red Velvet recounted the performance of their hit tracks “Bad Boy” and “Red Flavor” in Pyongyang to the press.“The North Koreans were unfamiliar

PerformanceMay 11, 2018

Ha Ji-won signs on for sci-fi reality series

Ha Ji-won has agreed to become a full-time cast member of a new tvN sci-fi series, according to her agency on Friday. Ha Ji-won (Yonhap)TvN’s new sci-fi reality show is designed to bring viewers information regarding Mars. The cast will visit the Mars Desert Research Station in the US state of Utah to film in June. The station offers a simulated Mars environment and space missions for Earth-based research. Girl group Gugudan’s Kim Se-jung and well-known celebrity explorer of “Law of the Jungle”

TelevisionMay 11, 2018

[Eye Plus] Ever-changing liberation village HBC

Up the long escalators from the depths of Noksapyeong Station, along the barbed wire-topped walls of the aged US Yongsan Garrison and left at the kimchi pots; HBC unfolds from beneath the gaze of Namsan Tower. At one time a shooting field for the Japanese Army during colonial rule, the area became a refuge for those returning after Japan's 1945 expulsion with nowhere to return to, forming Haebangchon: “Liberation Village.” Over the years it’s seen shifts in populations and industries time and ag

CultureMay 11, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Samgwangsa Temple Lantern FestivalSamgwangsa Temple holds an annual lantern festival, attracting over a million visitors each year. It is known for displaying some 3 million lanterns of various types. The lanterns bear hope and sincere love toward Buddha and create spectacular views as the wave of lanterns lighten up the dark sky with their brilliant colors.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and will be held until May 22.Call the travel hotlines at 1330 for more information in Korean, En

TravelMay 11, 2018

Seventeen to hold exhibition for 3rd anniversary

K-pop act Seventeen will hold a special exhibition to celebrate their 3rd anniversary since debut. The band’s management agency Pledis Entertainment released an official poster for the exhibition titled “17’S CUT – The Shining Moments of Seventeen and Carat for the Past 3 Years.” Carat is the nickname for Seventeen’s fans. Seventeen (Pledis Entertainment)The exhibition will take place at Teamwork Design at Seongdong-gu, Seoul from May 26 to June 3. A total of 11 groups of visitors will be permit

PerformanceMay 11, 2018

[Herald Interview] Breathing value into animation character

In Gangnam-gu of southern Seoul, there is a unique cafe decorated with a character named Pucca. Countless Pucca dolls are placed in the cafe and framed paintings of Pucca hang on the walls. But the cafe isn’t bright and pastel-hued. The light is dim, the walls are black and the menu may not appeal to those with a sweet tooth. Puccafe, set to open mid-May, will serve vegetarian dishes along with healthy juices. By night, the cafe will be transformed into a jazz bar. The cafe reflects the values a

Arts & DesignMay 11, 2018

Around the Hotels

City barbeque at Grand Hyatt SeoulPoolside Barbeque, an outdoor buffet restaurant at Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel, recently reopened. The restaurant will present a unique gourmet experience, only on summer nights. On the side of the emerald-colored outdoor pool, buffet stations are prepared, filled with varieties of fresh salad, grilled dishes and desserts. Grilled dishes -- from meat, vegetable to seafood -- are immediately cooked upon order over charcoal. An unlimited beverage package, including be

FoodMay 11, 2018

BTS' latest Japanese album becomes platinum, topping 250,000 in sales

Sales of K-pop sensation BTS' latest Japanese album topped the 250,000 threshold, grabbing the platinum record status from the Japanese record industry, its agency said Friday.The third full-length BTS album in Japan, "Face Yourself," has recently surpassed 250,000 copies in sales and won the certification from the Recording Industry Association of Japan, according to Big Hit Entertainment.The record was released in the Japanese market on April 4. (Big Hit Entertainment)It is the fifth highest o

PerformanceMay 11, 2018

[Epicurean challenge] Blood soup for non-vampires, seonjitguk

Seonjitguk, literally translated, means soup made with cow blood. But no worries, the soup is not as intimidating as its name. At first glance, seonjitguk is far from bloody red and looks rather mild. The visual is as ordinary as any other Korean soup, as the broth is made by simmering ox bones with shreds of Napa cabbage. The soup’s name originates from chunks of congealed blood called seonji.  Seonjitguk (By Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)Making seonji is simpler than it seems. Scoop cow’s blo

FoodMay 10, 2018

‘The Heiresses’ wins top international prize at Jeonju film fest

The 19th Jeonju International Film Festival announced a total of 12 awards across five categories, in a closing ceremony held in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Wednesday. The grand prize for the international competition and Korean competition went to Marcelo Martinessi’s “The Heiresses” and Jung Hyung-suk’s “The Land of Seong-hye,” respectively. Kwon Ye-ji’s “Dong-a” grabbed the grand prize in the Korean Competition for Shorts section, which saw 21 short films compete. (Jeonju IFF)“The Heiresse

FilmMay 10, 2018

Dreamcatcher wraps up ‘nightmare’ series with new EP

Unlike many K-pop girl groups that promote princess-like images with their singsong voices, fledgling act Dreamcatcher has embraced a darker side. Its work has often been spooky, yet hauntingly beautiful, weaved into its “nightmare” concept. And the seven-piece act put a final dot on its dark “nightmare” series with new EP “Escape the Era” staying true to its dark nature. “While our past songs have been themed around ‘nightmare,’ our new album is an album that puts an end mark to that project,”

PerformanceMay 10, 2018

[Photo News] A carpet of canola blossoms

Visitors were seen basking in early summer’s sunlight on Wednesday in the field of brilliant yellow canolas carpeting the Dangnamri Island in Daeshin-myeon, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province.In a 140,000 square-meter field, canola blossoms began to blossom last week.The peak season for a trip to the small island is expected to be between May 12 and 22.Photo by Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)Written by Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

TravelMay 10, 2018

Wind in the air at Seoul Jazz Festival

The annual Seoul Jazz Festival returns from May 19-20 with a lineup of musicians from Korea and abroad, at Olympic Park in eastern Seoul.Wind instruments take center stage this year with the presence of several internationally acclaimed wind instrumentalists, including Cuban-American jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, American solo trumpeter Chris Botti, American funk and soul jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker and American saxophonist and bandleader Branford Marsalis.In addition to the top names in win

PerformanceMay 10, 2018

Seungri joins DJ Walkzz, Julie Bergan for new song

Seungri of Big Bang will release a new song at midnight Friday, in collaboration with the Norwegian pair of DJ Walkzz and Julie Bergan.According to YG Entertainment, “Ignite” is the first in a line of collaborations with electronic dance music label Liquid State, for which Seungri is a promotional ambassador.It was announced earlier this year that Sony Music and Tencent Music Entertainment Group would found the label as a joint venture. Liquid State is planning a “Liquid Nights” EDM tour across

PerformanceMay 10, 2018

Enjoy beer and music at N Seoul Tower

For craft beer lovers, N Seoul Tower will be the place to visit next week.CJ Foodville announced Thursday that it will host the Beer Week & Music Festival at N Seoul Tower on Namsan from May 14 to 20.  (123RF)Beer specialists will hold special classes during the week. Beer tasting programs will also be held in front of the tower starting on May 18, along with indie band performances from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.A pairing service to recommend the right beer for your meal will also be provided throughout

CultureMay 10, 2018

Experiments, collaboration at Jeonju international film competition

JEONJU, North Jeolla Province - Out-of-focus camerawork through cracked doors, surging sounds of the ocean, bending genre and form -- this year‘s international competition at the Jeonju film fest has all the hallmarks indie cinema audiences could expect. The 19th Jeonju International Film Festival, which features 241 films showing over 10 days, sees 10 films produced in 20 different countries compete in a veritable exhibition of experimentation and collaboration.  "Distant Constellation" (JIFF)“

FilmMay 9, 2018