BTS' new Japanese release tops Oricon album chart

K-pop group BTS on Thursday clinched the top spot on the main album chart for Oricon, Japan's main music sales tracker, with its latest Japanese release."Face Yourself," BTS' third Japanese studio album released Wednesday, was on top of the Oricon Albums Chart as of Thursday morning, according Oricon's website.  (Yonhap)The record also reached No. 1 on Apple iTunes album charts in 49 regions, while "Don't Leave Me," part of the album's tracklist, conquered 35 iTunes song charts."Face Yourself" i

PerformanceApril 5, 2018

[Video] Finding peace with So Ji-sub, Park Shin-hye’s solitude

In this hustling and bustling world where people are connected through social media even when we are physically alone, finding complete solitude can be a luxury. One may think of it, but mostly find it a far-fetched dream. For those who’ve ever dreamed of removing themselves from their overloaded routines, tvN’s new reality show “Solitary Stay” is a decent alternative. Featuring two big-name actors So Ji-sub and Park Shin-hye, the documentary-formatted program follows their off-grid lives in a h

TelevisionApril 5, 2018

Showcase of halal products kicks off in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – The global halal industry’s eyes are on Malaysia, as World Halal Week 2018 takes place in the nation’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.The opening ceremony of World Halal Week 2018 was held Wednesday, stressing the aim of bringing halal brands around the globe together and gather insight, under the concept of “Building for the Future.”Halal, meaning “permissible” in Arabic, refer to what can be permitted in Islam. It can apply to any aspect of life, including food and beverages, finance, co

CultureApril 4, 2018

[Video] ‘Meokbang’ streamers embracing amplified sounds to create new stories

One of the latest fads in Korea’s ever-evolving culture of “meokbang” (also spelled “mukbang” ) or eating videos, is “real sound,” where YouTubers capture their chewing noises. Lee Tae-goon and Lee Min-joo are brothers who run the YouTube channel Ddeonggaeddeong, devoted to the siblings and their friends eating and carefully chewing in front of a high-quality microphone. The soundbites of food being savored in the mouth are clearly delivered to the viewers’ earphones. According to chef Park Jun-

FoodApril 4, 2018

Violinist Park Ji-yoon appointed concertmaster of Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra

Korean violinist Park Ji-yoon was selected Tuesday as the new concertmaster of the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Mikko Franck.She is the first Korean musician to take the concertmaster post at the acclaimed French orchestra. Her tenure will be decided after four months of probation.Violinist Park Ji-yoon (MOC production)Park was previously a member of the Pays de la Loire National Orchestra, as well as the Trio Jade. She won the first prize at the Tibor Varga International Violin C

PerformanceApril 4, 2018

[Photo News] Cherry blossom season has arrived

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom near the Yeouido area in Seoul, as of Wednesday. The cherry blossom festival of Yeouido, a popular event in early spring, begins Saturday and runs until April 12. There is a flower-filled road located around Yunjung-ro, near the National Assembly Station on Subway Line No. 9. People usually stroll along the road prior to the festival, amid the flourishing trees. Written by Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)  Photos by Park Hyun-koo (phko@heraldcorp.com)

CultureApril 4, 2018

Yeol holds exhibition shedding light on craftworks informed by tradition

Yeol, the Korean Heritage Preservation Society, is currently holding an exhibition of craftworks inspired by Korea’s tradition. The retrospective exhibition that highlights the foundation’s support of local craftsmanship over the last 16 years also marks the opening of its new building, Yeol Bukchonga in the Bukchon area in Seoul. Yeol, since its foundation in 2002, has supported various cultural heritage conservation efforts. It also has provided financial support and exhibition opportunities f

Arts & DesignApril 4, 2018

[K-Talk] Jung Dong-ha announces new release for April 17

Singer Jung Dong-ha will return later in the month with a new single album, his agency said Wednesday.It marks his first release since signing with Music 1 Company last month, and first since releasing the album “Life” in October.The single album will consist of cover songs.“As the release date coincides with Jung‘s birthday, we think it will be particularly special for Jung and his fans. We are putting in special effort preparing it,” officials at his agency said. Jung Dong-ha (Music 1 Company)

PerformanceApril 4, 2018

[Herald Review] Despite potential, weak payoff for ‘Snatch-Up’

In its set-up, “Snatch-Up” looks quite promising: The premise of seven men, each with his own share of troubles, their destinies entangled around a gigantic wad of cash and a cast of actors with resumes ranging from promising to superb seemed to spell comedic gold. But the film -- directed by Heo Jun-hyeong -- soon falls flat due to the obvious plot, weak directing and jokes that sometimes work and other times are just annoying. A scene from “Snatch-Up” (LittleBig Pictures)The film starts with M

FilmApril 4, 2018

BusinessKorea appoints Yu Kun-ha new president

BusinessKorea, Korea’s first English business magazine, appointed Yu Kun-ha, former editor-in-chief of The Korea Herald, as new president and CEO on Wednesday.Yu joined The Korea Herald in 1982 and had served as its business editor, managing editor and editor-in-chief before retiring in 2016.BusinessKorea has also named Youn Won-chang, former editor of the Electronic Times, as its new managing editor.(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

PeopleApril 4, 2018

TVXQ has most #1 among foreign artists on Oricon DVD chart

K-pop juggernaut TVXQ has set another record on Japan’s Oricon Chart, topping the weekly DVD chart for a record ninth time. The duo’s “Tohoshinki Live Tour 2017 ～Begin Again” placed No. 1 on this week’s DVD chart, overall DVD chart and chart of combined sales of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. “Tohoshinki Live Tour 2017 ～Begin Again” (S.M. Entertainment)It marked the ninth DVD by TVXQ to top the weekly overall chart. The DVD and Blu-ray Disc contain a recording of TVXQ’s Jan. 21 concert at the Kyocera D

PerformanceApril 4, 2018

[Album review] Primary and Anda’s weird collaboration

Primary & Anda“Do Worry Be Happy”(Stone Music Entertainment)Primary and Anda blend about as well as oil and water. Anda, Primary’s new muse in recent project album “Do Worry Be Happy,” was better known for rumors surrounding her relationship with a member of the Middle Eastern billionaire Mansour family than as a singer. So when the hit producer tapped this lesser-known musician to be his partner, one might have wondered why it had to be “her.” Unfortunately, Primary’s first collaboration album

PerformanceApril 4, 2018

[K-Talk] Hwang Chi-yeol to release EP in April

Singer Hwang Chi-yeol confirmed the release date of his new record as April 24, his agency said Tuesday.According to HOW Entertainment, Hwang will release the EP “Be Myself,” which is his first release in 10 months since the EP “Be Ordinary” in June of last year.“If ‘Be Ordinary’ focused on the various genres of music in Hwang’s everyday life, ‘Be Myself’ focuses more on depicting Hwang himself, of who he is,“ officials from the agency said.The record is available for online pre-order from Tuesd

PerformanceApril 3, 2018

Yun Sang wishes there’d been more idol singers in NK performance

Sunday’s performance in Pyongyang by a South Korean art troupe was deemed largely satisfactory by the authorities of both Koreas, but music director Yun Sang said that including more K-pop stars could have improved the show.Yun Sang (left), musical director of a South Korean art troupe, speaks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Sunday in Pyongyang. / Yonhap“I wish more idol singers would’ve come. There were some concerns from the North, over an overflow of things that may look alien (to Nor

PerformanceApril 3, 2018

Oh My Girl returns as seven monkeys

A few months ago, K-pop darlings Oh My Girl was a group of seven young women secretly whispering “Inside me I have a precious place only for me” in its shimmering single “Secret Garden.” Who would have thought those ladies would turn into monkeys dancing to a comical tune with a banana in their hands?The seven-piece act Oh My Girl returned with its new EP “Banana Allergy Monkey” Tuesday, aiming for a dramatic change in the group’s image. The album, which is the group’s first pop-up album, featur

PerformanceApril 3, 2018

EXO-CBX to release new EP on April 10

EXO-CBX, a subunit of EXO, will release an EP on April 10.The group’s agency S.M. Entertainment said Tuesday that the act’s second EP is titled “Blooming Days,” fronted by a lead track with a similar name.The lead track “Booming Day” will be a light-hearted dance pop love song that suits the warm weather of spring, the agency said.  (S.M. Entertainment)The subunit, consisting of three members from EXO -- Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin -- debuted with an EP titled “Hey Mama!” in October 2016. It also

PerformanceApril 3, 2018

Anne Teresa's ‘Violin Phase,' act of writing movements

Belgian dancer and choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker introduced her postmodern dance work “Violin Phase” -- the third of four movements set to the music of Steve Reich -- at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts on Monday and Tuesday.A square-shaped sheet of white sand was placed in the middle of a white cuboid space while the late afternoon sunlight streamed in. De Keersmaeker entered, stood erect on the side and soon walked into the square. As Reich’s “Violin Phase” began,

Arts & DesignApril 3, 2018

‘Mavely’ shadows hero Sylvester Stallone in arm wrestling film ‘Champion’

Ma Dong-seok occupies a unique place in the hearts of Korean movie fans: the 18-inch arms, rock-solid exterior and rugged looks immediately spell a tough guy, but the Korean-American actor also packs a friendly demeanor that has earned him the nickname “Mavely,” a combination of his surname “Ma” and “Lovely.” The upcoming film “Champion,” directed by Kim Yong-wan, is one that seems tailor-made for Ma, as it follows the story of Korean adoptee Mark on his journey to become an arm wrestling champi

FilmApril 2, 2018

2018 Dream Concert to be held in May

The 2018 Dream Concert, an annual K-pop concert held since 1995, will be take place in Seoul in May. K-pop stars at Dream Concert 2017, held in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, in November last year. (Yonhap)The K-pop event now in its 24th year will be staged at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on May 12, according to the organizer, the Korea Entertainment Producer‘s Association. Last year’s event was held on Nov. 4 in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province, where the 2018 Winter Olympics took place. It fe

PerformanceApril 2, 2018

Legacy of Yun I-sang celebrated at Tongyeong fest

TONGYEONG, South Gyeongsang Province -- The Tongyeong International Music Festival 2018 began Friday, marking the return of the late composer Yun I-sang to his hometown. Conductor Steven Sloane led the Bochum Symphony Orchestra in its first-ever performance of Yun I-sang’s “Exemplum in Memoriam Gwangju,” an homage to the Gwangju Uprising composed in 1981 while Yun was living in Berlin. “I watched him giving vent to his frustration and sorrow. He often burst into tears while he was composing the

PerformanceApril 2, 2018