Big Bang promises fans to return as fivesome

Rounding out 2017, K-pop act Big Bang on Sunday wrapped up its last concert as a group before members’ upcoming military enlistment, with a promise to return as the complete five-piece.“Big Bang 2017 Concert Last Dance in Seoul,” the two-day concert that kicked off Saturday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, was especially meaningful to both the K-pop act and fans, as it marked Big Bang’s last performance before it goes on hiatus due to members G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung’s upcoming enlistment. And

PerformanceJan. 1, 2018

Hwacheon Sancheoneo festival to open this weekend

A world-famous ice fishing festival will open in Hwacheon this weekend to animate the economy of this remote mountainous town near the border with North Korea, organizers said Monday.The annual Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival will kick off Saturday on a frozen river in the town, about 120 kilometers northeast of Seoul, for a run ending Jan. 28. The event will feature a wide variety of winter activities.More than one million people are expected to flock to the town to drop a fishing line through

CultureJan. 1, 2018

[Eye Plus] Sapsaree, beloved Korean native breed of dogs

The long, shaggy hair of Sapsarees flutter against the wind as they run across a hillside pen in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province.The Korea Sapsaree Foundation compound houses more than 300 Sapsarees, a once-endangered Korean native breed of dogs brought back through decades of preservation efforts.These bear-like Sapsarees, whose name means “one that dispels evil spirits,” have traditionally been kept as guard dogs as well as beloved pets.Characterized by abundant hair that falls over their

CultureDec. 29, 2017

[Box office] Movies in theaters this week

1987(Korea)Opened Dec. 27Historical drama. Directed by Jang Joon-hwan The year is 1987. Former Army Gen. Chun Doo-hwan is in power, and a harrowing series of events follow the torture and death of student activist Park Chong-chul. In an attempt to cover up the crimes that led to the killing, corrupt officials list Park’s cause of death as an unlikely heart attack. Investigator Park Cheo-won (Kim Yoon-seok) staunchly fends off reporters, believing cruelty is justified for the sake of bettering th

FilmDec. 29, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Swellfish dishes at Millennium Seoul HiltonMillennium Seoul Hilton’s Japanese restaurant, Gengi, is offering a promotion of swellfish dishes, which are considered a delicacy in the Japanese cuisine. The finest flavors and tender texture of swellfish, or fugu, are brought to life by the hotel’s veteran chefs. Genji’s chefs are offering various swellfish dishes on both the a la carte menu and Kaiseki menu. The dishes will include swellfish sashimi, swellfish in a stone pot, grilled swellfish, deep

FoodDec. 29, 2017

[Travel bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Seoul Christmas FestivalSponsored by Seoul Metropolitan City and Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Christmas Festival is taking place at Cheonggye Plaza, the center of Cheonggyecheon Stream. Visitors can enjoy fancy illuminations, a Christmas tree and photo zones. Various events and programs are also prepared for a heartwarming end-of-the-year experience for everybody.A New Year’s Eve music performance and New Year’s Countdown will take place to commemorate the new year. The event lasts until Tu

TravelDec. 29, 2017

Seoul to hold ‘Hot Winter Market’ in Yeouido

“Seoul Hot Winter Market” is set to take place at Yeouido Han River Park from Tuesday to Friday, Seoul Metropolitan Government said Friday.The market will feature about 30 food trucks that sell exotic dishes from all around the world, such as tacos, pad thai, sushi and steak. (Yonhap)Visitors can buy handmade accessories and home decorations from 130 market booths installed at the park. Musicians will busk every 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.The market will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.

TravelDec. 29, 2017

After Hoya’s departure, 6-piece Infinite stands tall

Preparing for the first release since the departure of member Hoya, Infinite on Friday revealed a teaser image for its upcoming album “Top Seed.”The image, which was released via Woolim Entertainment’s official social media services, has the members staring at a camera as a group, which the agency said was to hint at the chemistry of the six. The album will be released on Jan. 8. Inifite (Woolim Entertainment)The K-pop act’s new album will mark its third full-length studio album, and the first r

PerformanceDec. 29, 2017

[Video] Top 10 Korean beauty YouTubers of 2017

Korea’s beauty YouTubers are the ambassadors to the complex world of ever-expanding K-beauty products. If you are looking to vamp up your beauty bag, check the vloggers below for reviews and tips on how to get the K-beauty look. PONY (Screencaptured from YouTube)1. PONYWith over 3 million subscribers on YouTube, Pony has gained “beauty guru” status with a huge following around the world, particularly in her native Asia. Formerly in charge of CL’s makeup, PONY is known for her glam looks powered

CultureDec. 29, 2017

After a blockbuster year, K-pop looks to keep momentum into 2018

From an unprecedented mega-hit debut to groundbreaking overseas successes, K-pop had one of its biggest years in 2017 in terms of diversity, substance and global outreach. And it will continue to be at the forefront of the resurgence of “hallyu,” or the global popularity of Korean pop culture, into 2018, according to industry watchers. From the start, the 2017 K-pop calendar was filled with back-to-back releases, with the first half and early summer highlights predominantly coming from female st

PerformanceDec. 29, 2017

BTS’ V named the most handsome face of 2017

Another record was added to BTS’ collection as its member V was named the most handsome face of 2017. The Independent Critics led by TC Candler unveiled its annual lists of the 100 Most Handsome Faces of 2017 and the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2017 on Thursday.  (Screen captured from YouTube)On this year’s list, the K-pop superstar cruised to the top from last year’s No. 60. His bandmate Jungkook took the No. 13 spot while Jimin reached No. 64. The list was filled with many of other K-pop stars

PerformanceDec. 28, 2017

Musicals to usher in the New Year

The year-end is a time for family, and visiting the local theater for a musical can please all generations.With 2018 just days away, here are some of the musicals you might want to check out to celebrate the New Year.Sister ActThe only English-language production on our list, this piece brings the 1990s comedy-classic movie to the stage. Packed with humor, disco and the soulful music of 1970s Philadelphia, the musical stars Dene Hill as the protagonist Delores Van Cartier, a nightclub singer who

CultureDec. 28, 2017

Balladeer Park Hyo-shin to return with wintry ‘Winter Sound’

Veteran balladeer Park Hyo-shin will return with the new wintry single “Winter Sound,” according to his agency Glove Entertainment. The agency said Thursday that Park’s upcoming new single, penned and composed by the singer himself, marks his first release since “I am a Dreamer” in October last year. Park is said to have recorded the song while recalling the person he missed most and focusing on the sound of winter. The release date for “Winter Sound” is yet to be revealed. The seasoned singer,

PerformanceDec. 28, 2017

Producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung to nurture K-pop idols

Black Eyed Pilseung, a prominent K-pop producer duo, will kick-start its K-pop management agency by holding nationwide auditions in January next year. In June, Rado and Choi Kyu-sung joined forces with CJ E&M to establish their own K-pop agency called High-up Entertainment.  Black Eyed Pilseung (High-up Entertainment)On Thursday, Black Eyed Pilseung announced the official launch of the agency, along with a plan to hold auditions in eight cities, including Gwangju, Busan and Seoul, in January nex

PerformanceDec. 28, 2017

[Video] Capturing unseen beauty of Gangneung

Bae Hyo-sun, 32, is living a lifestyle that is slightly different from most Koreans her age.With an architecture degree under her belt, Bae has led the construction of Budnamu Brewery, a homegrown craft beer joint in Hongje-dong, Gangneung, Gangwon Province. In the three years since it was built, the brewery has soared in popularity among the locals and turned into a hot spot for tourists visiting the coastal city.  Bae Hyo-sun (Lim Jeong-yeo/The Korea Herald)“I never thought I would work in the

PeopleDec. 27, 2017

[Best Brand] Sesigan Dental Clinic offers best quality of cosmetic dentistry

Dental reshaping, a procedure to change a tooth‘s length, shape or surface, is common especially among celebrities to improve the appearance of their smile. However, nowadays, dental veneer treatment is much preferred for aesthetic purposes since the conventional orthodontic treatment, which involves braces and wires, takes an average of one year or more to complete. Sesigan Dental Clinic’s Sun Jong-yeonDental veneers are a thin porcelain shells that are used to cover the front of the teeth. The

PeopleDec. 27, 2017

TV networks hold year-end awards after protracted strikes

It is that time of the year again: the country’s three biggest TV networks will air their annual year-end award shows this week. In September, members of the National Union of Media Workers at KBS and MBC went on strike simultaneously, calling for the removal of the networks’ management and the restoration of independent, fair reporting.Singers IU and You Hee-yeol host annual year-end music show “SBS Gayo Daejun” at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Monday. (SBS)The two-month strike at MBC ended in N

TelevisionDec. 27, 2017

‘A Korean Odyssey’ dealt another blow with accident on set

Still recovering from a series of broadcast mishaps on Sunday’s episode, tvN’s “A Korean Odyssey” was dealt another blow as one of its staff was seriously injured after falling on the set. On Wednesday, local media reported that a staff member of the drama had fallen from a height of more than three meters while setting up a chandelier at the set in the early hours of Sunday morning. He is said to have broken his spine and pelvic bone in the fall and was transferred to the hospital unconscious.

TelevisionDec. 27, 2017

JYP confirms MissA’s disbandment

K-pop group MissA will be ending its seven-year career, its agency JYP entertainment said Wednesday. The announcement did not come as a surprise, as the originally four-piece group only consisted of Suzy and Fei, who renewed their contracts with JYP in August this year and May last year, respectively. (JYP Entertainment)Industry insiders had also anticipated that MissA’s disbandment was only a matter of time, with the group taking a long break since the release of its EP “Colors” in 2015. Former

PerformanceDec. 27, 2017