Doctor who performed lipoma procedure on actress Han Ye-seul admits fault

The doctor who performed a lipoma removal procedure on actress Han Ye-seul apologized for the botched operation in an interview uploaded to YouTube, Saturday.Dr. Lee Ji-hyun of the Cha Medical Center in Gangnam admitted to damaging skin from the inside while he was removing the lipoma.A lipoma is a noncancerous tumor of fat tissue beneath the skin. Han Ye-seul (Instagram)“It’s easier to remove the tumor if surgery is done right around the lipoma. But considering that she is an actress, I suggest

TelevisionApril 22, 2018

Not leaving anything to chance

The arrival of spring is heralded by a slew of wedding invitations in the mailbox and weekends from late April to early June are filled with the ceremonies to attend. While the size and style of weddings differ, many couples, or rather their parents, do one identical thing for the big day -- consult a fortuneteller for the couple‘s “gunghap.” Fortunetellers predict “gunghap” at street stalls in eastern Seoul. (Photo by Im Eun-byel / The Korea Herald)While many people no longer believe in destiny

CultureApril 22, 2018

[Video] Take a break with ‘Space-out Competition’

The “2018 Space-out Competition” took place at Yeouido Han River Park on Sunday, under the pitch “Let your exhausted brain relax for a while.” Despite the rainy weather on Sunday morning, about 150 contenders seen in the park stayed blank-faced for 90 minutes without talking, sleeping, eating or checking their phones. The contest rule is simple, a person who maintained the most stable heartbeat rate becomes the winner.(Related article: Seoul City to hold ‘space-out’ contest on April 22)(Shot and

CultureApril 22, 2018

Yoo Jae-suk aims for global market in upcoming Netflix series

Netflix’s upcoming variety show “Busted!” starring comedian Yoo Jae-suk, is aiming at the global market. According to the popular global video-streaming platform, the show will feature seven celebrity sleuths tackling different mysteries in each episode. The star-studded cast of the show also includes EXO’s Sehun, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Jong-min, Park Min-young, Ahn Jae-wook and Gugudan’s Kim Se-jeong. The first-ever Korean original variety program to be launched by Netflix, “Busted!” is expected to

TelevisionApril 22, 2018

Lee Moon-sae wraps up tour series in New York

Veteran singer Lee Moon-sae wrapped up the last leg of his world tour in New York on Friday, according to his agency KMOONfnd. During his performance in Lincoln Center in New York on Friday, Lee said, “This is my first visit in New York in four years. Thank you for greeting me as if I were your first love.”“I was happy being a singer, and it has been a tour that received more love than I expected. I will remember your love for a long time. Thank you,” he added.  Lee Moon-sae performs at Lincoln

PerformanceApril 22, 2018

Things to look out for in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

Ever since “Iron Man” in 2008 launched the grand adventure that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie franchise has galloped toward the final show-down between the MCU’s biggest superheroes and the “Mad Titan Thanos.”With the “Avengers: Infinity War” expected to be the culmination of 10 years, 18 movies and numerous tie-in TV products, here are some of the tidbits to consider before viewing the film.(Walt Disneay Company Korea)Who is Thanos? Supervillian Thanos is easily one of the stronge

FilmApril 20, 2018

[Photo News] Back to the Joseon era

While time machines are the stuff of movies and fairy tales, it is possible to get a taste of what life was like in the Joseon era (1392-1910) at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, this spring.The living history museum is holding the “Welcome to Joseon” festival until June 24, under the pitch “Would you time travel to Joseon Dynasty with us?” vThe Korean Folk Village, which was once most commonly associated with school field trips, found a new lease of life in 2013 when it sta

CultureApril 20, 2018

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Cheongsando Slow Walking FestivalDesignated as the first Slow City in Asia, Cheongsando in Wando-gun hosts the annual Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival, this year until May 7.April is the best time to enjoy the canola blossoms and barley with the sea in the background. During the festival, visitors can participate in various cultural events and exhibitions.The event is open to visitors of all ages, and there are seperate charges for hands-on programs.Call the travel hotlines at 1330 for more inf

TravelApril 20, 2018

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

Intensions(Korea)Opened April 12Documentary Directed by Kim Ji-yeongFour years have passed since the Sewol ferry sank on April 16, 2014, leaving 304 dead or missing. A documentary team tracks down and analyze records from the day of the sinking -- including the ship’s AIS record -- to come up with their own answer to why the ship went down.Rampage(US)Opened April 12Action, Sci-Fi, AdventureDirected by Brad PeytonPrimatologist Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) shares an unshakable bond with silverback

FilmApril 20, 2018

Bistro uses fermented ingredients to craft borderless eats

After racking up experience in the realm of fine dining, Joo Woo-seok struck out on his own as head chef of Ferment B nearly six months ago.“I wanted to see what I could do,” Joo, 32, explained his decision to take a risk and helm his own kitchen. At Ferment B, which is located in Seoul’s Sinsa-dong, Joo channels a fine dining aesthetic into semi-casual plates that are beautifully presented, delicate and flavorful. “We aim to use fermented ingredients freely to create dishes inspired by various

FoodApril 20, 2018

Around the Hotels

Urban picnic from Park Hyatt Seoul Park Hyatt Seoul’s Italian restaurant Cornerstone offers to deliver picnic sets for guests who opt for an urban picnic from May to June. The basic picnic set presents salads and sandwiches prepared in an Italian manner. A sweet dessert and a drink is included in the price of 13,500 won. For those who desire a more luxurious picnic, champagne set is offered, including caviar and smoked salmon. Customers can chose between Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, Louis Roede

FoodApril 20, 2018

[Video] New generation of naengmyeon makers rises in stronghold of masters

Bongmilga’s owner Kwon Hee-seung is one of a new breed of young chefs serving up Pyongyang-style naengmyeon, opening his small restaurant five years ago. Kwon’s personal love for Pyeongyang naengmyeon by Woo Lae Oak -- the oldest naengmyeon restaurant in Seoul, established in 1946 – inspired him with a mission to serve the best naengmyeon in the country. He turned his diner that specialized in makguksu -- a dish using noodles with more buckwheat content than those in traditional naengmyeong -- i

FoodApril 20, 2018

[Weekender] Pyongyang vs. Hamhung: Naengmyeons of Korea

Naengmeyon -- icy cold noodles typically served in a broth made of beef, or marinated in a sweet-spicy sauce -- is a popular traditional dish in Korea, with demand particularly peaking in the summer.　The cold noodles are sometimes eaten as a standalone dish at restaurants specializing in naengmyeon, or consumed as a refreshing food to finish off a meal of grilled meat. Typically, naengmyeon is divided into two types: mul-naengmyeon, cold noodles served in a clear broth that typically combines be

FoodApril 20, 2018

[Weekender] Slurping cold bowl of nostalgia

Many Asian countries have long been home to cold noodle dishes, and in contemporary times, they have become a popular way to fight the heat during summer. And in Korea, naengmyeon is the cold noodle dish of choice to fight the humid summer. Long lines of people brave the heat outside for at least 30 minutes to get into Seoul’s top restaurants for cold noodles -- their decades of history keeping them popular despite their unfashionable locations in run-down inner-city areas.  A typical bowl of na

CultureApril 20, 2018

Kim Joo-hyuk’s energetic performance to be a factor in ‘Believer’

It has been half a year since Kim Joo-hyuk passed away in a car crash, but the Korean actor’s character acting has left a lasting impression via his filmography.“Believer,” directed by Lee Hae-young, is a crime action film that will give the audience one of the last -- and supposedly the most impressive -- glimpse of his talents.“He is the most heated character, and it is impossible to know what his boiling point is. He makes the others nervous as he is impossible to predict,” said director Lee

FilmApril 20, 2018

Super Junior to hold 4-nation tour in Latin America

K-pop group Super Junior will kick off a four-nation tour in Latin America this week, its agency said Friday.The South Korean boy band will launch the tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Friday (local time), according to S.M. Entertainment. The group will later head to Lima, Peru, and Santiago, Chile for shows on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Super Junior will cap off the regional tour in Mexico City in Mexico next Friday. (S.M. Entertainment)The series of shows is the band's first tour in th

PerformanceApril 20, 2018

K-pop video streaming service Mubeat launches in Brazil

Mubeat, a new K-pop video streaming service, has opened its service in Brazil, according to the company Friday.The app developed by Vlending, a joint entertainment venture formed by MBC and SBS Contents Hub, started its service in the South American country this month, the company announced. A screen grab of Mubeat site as of 1:30 p.m., April 20, 2017.The service provides K-pop related programs and content produced by South Korea's three major networks -- KBS, MBC and SBS -- along with their cab

PerformanceApril 20, 2018

[K-Talk] SHINee tops Oricon daily album chart

Boy band SHINee landed the No.1 spot at Oricon’s daily album chart, impressing fans with its first best of album released in the country. “SHINee The Best From Now On” climbed to the top of the Japanese chart upon its release on Wednesday. It also notched No.1 on iTunes album charts in 15 countries, including Japan, Romania, Chile, Peru, Thailand and Malaysia. The cover image for “SHINee The Best From Now On” (S.M. Entertainment)The album includes the lead track “From Now On,” along with its pre

PerformanceApril 19, 2018

[Herald Review] Putting perspective on reality through ‘Claire’s Camera’

A camera is a curious thing. One may think he or she is making a copy of reality, but it is in fact a modified version of it. A photograph may show a happy couple, but they could be smiling to cover their animosity toward each other. It is only through a person’s perspective that a photograph takes meaning.“Claire’s Camera,” directed by Hong Sang-soo, is a film emblematic of the Korean auteur’s style, conjuring up a vague air of mystery for what is captured through the titular character’s lens.

FilmApril 19, 2018

[Video] Future food source evokes nostalgia for old days

Taking a spring stroll along riverside parks, passersby might be startled by a steaming pot of brownish worms. Called “beondegi,“ the wormlike creatures are boiled silkworm pupae. While the insects are considered a possible future food source, Koreans have been eating silkworm pupae for half a century. Beondegi was a common street food in the late 20th century. (Produced and narrated by Lim Jeong-yeo/Reporter Im Eun-byel appears in this video)During the country‘s rapid industrialization, Korea’s

FoodApril 19, 2018