[PyeongChang 2018] Korea rolls out transit passes for foreign visitors

Time-limited transit passes for the upcoming 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics have been launched, the government announced Thursday.The passes, which the officials said are aimed at aiding those visiting Gangwon Province for the Winter Games, have been launched jointly by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization and Visit Korea Committee.Three types of passes are available: two for foreign visitors and one for Koreans. PyeongChang Korail Pass can be used from Feb.

CultureDec. 21, 2017

Indonesian fan attempts suicide following Jonghyun‘s death

Following Jonghyun’s untimely death that spread grief around the globe, an Indonesial female fan’s recent suicide attempt has sparked a possible copycat suicide alert. According to Indonesian media reports Thursday, the fan was found unconscious from an overdose and hospitalized in an apparent suicide attempt. On Monday she left suicidal posts on her Twitter account, the day Jonghyun passed away. She wrote, “I can‘t endure it anymore. Mom, dad, Jonghyun oppa, we’ll meet really soon” in both Kore

PerformanceDec. 21, 2017

IU named singer of the year in survey

IU has been chosen as the top singer of the year in an annual poll.Gallup Korea canvassed 4,200 people aged 13 to 59 across the country from July 6-26, Sept. 1-29 and Nov. 8-28, and the singer took the top spot, racking up 15.2 percent of total votes. Having debuted in 2008, IU released many chart-sweeping songs, including “Good Day,” “You & I” and “The Red Shoes.” In 2014, the singer was named best singer of the year in the survey as her cover album “A Flower Bookmark” gained popularity among a

PerformanceDec. 21, 2017

SHINee members, fans bid goodbye to Jonghyun

SHINee members, K-pop stars and fans gathered at Jonghyun’s funeral at Seoul Asan Hospital on Thursday morning to bid the late singer farewell. Hundreds of fans from across the country watched as the casket of Jonghyun -- whose real name is Kim Jong-hyun -- was carried out. Onew, Key, Taemin and members of Super Junior were pallbearers, while Minho and Jonghyun’s sister walked ahead of the procession holding his photo.  Members of SHINee and Super Junior carry Jonghyun’s coffin at Seoul Asan Hos

PerformanceDec. 21, 2017

A look inside largest Starbucks store in Korea

Starbucks opened its biggest store in Korea in downtown Seoul, Wednesday, which is designed to do much more than simply serve coffee. Its former largest in the nation was the “Cheonho Rodeo branch” in Gangdong, Seoul.The 1,097 square-meter compound, named “The Jongno branch,” is located across the street from Bosingak, at Jongno Tower, Jongno-gu, one of the oldest districts in Seoul, dotted with traditional attractions. The store is four times larger than the average size of other branches in Ko

FoodDec. 20, 2017

Why are K-pop stars susceptible to depression?

For decades, K-pop stars have been the envy of teenagers here due to the seemingly glamorous and lucrative lifestyle show business has to offer. But a note written by the main vocalist of SHINee, who took his life Monday, showed the depth of their struggles and lives in the public eye, shedding a critical spotlight on the multibillion-won industry where some artists are crushed under depression. In his letter, Jonghyun wrote, “I’m broken from the inside. The depression that has slowly eaten away

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

K-pop stars withdraw from activities after death of Jonghyun

K-pop stars delayed, downscaled and even canceled promotional activities in the wake of the unexpected death of SHINee lead singer Jonghyun. EXO, signed under the same label as SHINee, announced Tuesday it would postpone the release of its winter album “Universe” to Dec. 26 from the originally slated Thursday. Twice also delayed the release of the music video for “Merry & Happy” from Thursday to Friday, it announced via Twitter on Tuesday. Kim’s burial service is to be held Thursday. Seventeen c

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

[Herald Interview] Ha Jung-woo talks about tackling first fantasy role

Ha Jung-woo has come to be known for his intensely natural performances, from the dejected taxi driver in “The Yellow Sea” to the exasperatingly optimistic slacker in “My Dear Enemy.” 　Though he had debuted years earlier on television, Ha began garnering attention with Na Hong-jin’s 2008 thriller “The Chaser,” which achieved box office success and was invited to screen at the Cannes Film Festival. In the film, Ha gives a forcible performance as a psychopathic serial killer. In past interviews, H

FilmDec. 20, 2017

Trading personal life for fame

The note left behind by late singer Jonghyun showed that the main vocalist of SHINee suffered severe depression.Following the initial shock, calls to revamp the competitive, controlled and stressful ecosystem of idol singers are resonating in the K-pop scene.“Once (our agency) took our phone, so we used a prepaid phone. We also snuck out of our living quarters when we weren’t supposed to. We made the shape of a person on the bed. But we had nowhere else to go, so we just talked for hours at a ca

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

Hyolyn sings soundtrack for ‘Black Knight’

Hyolyn, a former member of now defunct girl group Sistar, sang “Spring Watch,” which was featured in the soundtrack of KBS’ fantasy romance drama “Black Knight: The Man Who Guards Me.” The latest addition to the soundtrack is set to be released Wednesday at 6 p.m. on online music streaming platforms such as Melon and Naver Music.  The cover of Hyolyn’s “Spring Watch” (Leon Korea)It is the first song released by the singer since she founded her own label “Brid3” in November after leaving her form

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

EXO postpones winter album amid passing of singer Kim Jong-hyun

K-pop group EXO has delayed the release of its winter album "Universe" in light of the tragic passing of SHINee lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, the group announced Tuesday.EXO announced on its official Web site that the release of "Universe" will be delayed to Dec. 26. The album was originally slated to come out on Thursday. (S.M. Entertainment)S.M. Entertainment appears to have postponed the release amid the death of Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun. EXO and SHINee are both signed to S.M

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

Groups mark International Migrants Day

 Migrant workers and other foreign residents gathered in central Seoul on Sunday to mark International Migrants Day, observed Dec. 18, calling for stronger protection of their rights.Workers, foreign spouses and international adoptees gathered in front of Seoul Finance Center near City Hall, with similar events held in Busan and Daegu on the same day. Several migrant workers carried signs showing the conditions of their accommodation and how much they were charged for it, following a change in t

Expat LivingDec. 20, 2017

Vegans invited to Nutty New Year party

This article has been edited to clarify that the the items in the gift set have not been tested on animals. - Ed.Those planning to go vegan in 2018 can get a head start on their New Year’s resolution at a Nutty New Year Party in Seoul.In August, organizers Nutties held their first event, a Vegan Cruise Night, and have built on this to bring together a lineup of performances, food and music. The organizers say they have also tried to give the event “a more vibey and trendy style to show that vega

Expat LivingDec. 20, 2017

Seoul global village centers offer free Korean classes

Geumcheon Global Village Center is offering pronunciation workshops for Korean language learners at the end of this month.The classes run from 10-11:30 a.m. on Dec. 27, 29 and 30, and places are open on a first-come, first-served basis. Korean language class (Geumcheon Global Village Center)Elsewhere, global village centers in Seorae, Yeoksam, Yeonnam, Ichon and Itaewon are opening registration for the first term of their free Korean classes for foreign residents.Schedules for classes and regist

Expat LivingDec. 20, 2017

Free health checks offered in Itaewon

The Itaewon Global Village Center will be offering free health checkups in cooperation with Yongsan District Office Health Center. It will be offering the free metabolic syndrome and health check-up for foreign residents. Foreign residents aged from 20 to 64 years old are invited to undergo the checkup, which will include tests for metabolic syndrome, such as blood sugar, blood pressure, neutral fat, cholesterol and body mass index. The session is for examination purposes only. No medical care o

Expat LivingDec. 20, 2017

‘Okja’ makes shortlist for VFX Oscar

Bong Joon-ho’s latest film “Okja” has advanced to the 10-film shortlist in the visual effects category for the 2018 Oscars race.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday the 10 films that are to compete for the five nomination spots Best Visual Effects at the 90th Academy Awards.Shot with a budget of under $50 million, “Okja,” along with Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water,” stands out on the list dominated by tentpole Hollywood blockbusters like “Dunkirk” and “Star W

FilmDec. 20, 2017

SHINee's Jonghyun joins the ill-fated '27 Club'

PARIS (AFP) - With his suicide, Kim Jong-Hyun, lead singer of South Korean boyband SHINee, joins an ill-fated group of famous rock stars who passed away at 27 -- the so-called "27 Club".He was found on Monday in a hotel room in the South Korean capital Seoul in what police said was suicide.  (Yonhap)Rolling Stones founding member Brian Jones, guitarist Jimi Hendrix, singer Janis Joplin, The Doors singer Jim Morrison, Nirvana singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, and British soul singer Amy Winehouse

PerformanceDec. 20, 2017

[Video] Jonghyun’s death sends shock waves through K-pop scene

The death of Jonghyun, the talented main vocalist of SHINee, sent shock waves among fans and peers that resonated throughout the country and the K-pop scene. Jonghyun, whose real name was Kim Jong-hyun, was found in a rented studio apartment in Cheongdam-dong, southern Seoul at 6:10 p.m., Monday. The 27-year-old singer had suffered a cardiac arrest upon discovery and was taken to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead after attempts to revive him failed.Police confirmed Tuesday that his deat

PerformanceDec. 19, 2017

Government awards promotion of Korean culture to outside world

Korean government on Tuesday awarded nine individuals for their contribution on promoting Korean culture to other countries.The state-run Korean Culture and Information Service announced this year’s winners for the annual award which included Walter-Wolfgang Sparrer for his commemorative work on Korean composer Yun I-sang (Isang Yun) in Germany. Yun, considered one of the most influential composers in modern Korea was born in Korean under Japanese colonization and made his later career in West G

CultureDec. 19, 2017

K-pop act SHINee mourns loss of singer Kim Jong-hyun

K-pop group SHINee on Tuesday mourned the death of lead singer Kim Jong-hyun, who reportedly took his own life, on social media. Kim, better known by his stage name Jonghyun, died in southern Seoul on Monday. He was rushed to a hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead. The singer left behind a painful note describing his harrowing fight against depression."Jonghyun is the best artist who loves music, enjoys the stage and cherishes communicating with fans through music,

PerformanceDec. 19, 2017