[Herald Interview] GOT7 veers away from past to embark on new chapter

Veering away from its hip-hop-focused past, GOT7 is all set to embark on a new chapter with its recently released seventh EP “7 for 7,” which features the lead track “You Are.” This time, the seven-piece group is more laid-back and introspective in its musical style, with JB and Jinyoung -- members of the group’s subunit JJ Project -- joining GOT7 for the latest album after wrapping up the duo’s most recent activity for “Verse 2” in August.“It’s true that the sonic path of ‘7 for 7’ was somewhat

PerformanceOct. 12, 2017

K-pop fans pinpoint source of stars’ charm: contrasting personas

Korean fans have pinpointed the source of K-pop celebrities’ charm: the contrast between stars’ onstage and offstage personas.Online K-pop fan communities have been recently flooded with compilations of clips featuring stars, from EXO’s Baekyun to BTS’ V, and their different attitudes on and off stage.Wanna One’s Kang Daniel, who is enjoying massive popularity after nabbing first place in the second season of the K-pop idol audition program “Produce 101,” is said to embody the epitome of such co

PerformanceOct. 11, 2017

Hollywood's long ugly history with sexual harassment

For anyone thinking the days of the so-called casting couch were long gone, this past week has been eye-opening. The growing list of women directing allegations at Harvey Weinstein suggests they never left Hollywood. Here‘s a look at some cases from the past and present. First major sex scandalIn the first scandal to shake Hollywood, the comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle attended a wild party in San Francisco in 1921 that ended in the death of actress Virginia Rappe. Rappe, writhing in pain from

FilmOct. 11, 2017

Details of first lady’s clothes offer pleasant surprise

The presidential Blue House released detailed information on first lady Kim Jung-sook’s outfits via its official social media Monday, offering a rare glimpse into her shopping style that surprised many Koreans. A photo of the suit on the left (G Market) and Kim (Yonhap)The post read, “Kim purchases ready-made clothes and mends clothes herself. The white suit, which she often wears at official events, was purchased through a television home shopping channel.” After the post, the suit, which costs

Arts & DesignOct. 11, 2017

Nonprofit magazine sells out with Park Hae-jin as cover model

Nonprofit magazine The Big Issue sold out thanks to Park Hae-jin, who modeled for its cover, the actor’s agency said Wednesday. Park modeled royalty-free for the magazine’s two October issues, contributing to a charitable cause. 　(The Big Issue)The Big Issue helps the sustainable rehabilitation of homeless people by hiring them as magazine sellers dispatched in front of major subway station exits. Park was featured on the two-part October issues, the first of which sold out within four days of i

Arts & DesignOct. 11, 2017

Hyun Bin, Yoo Ji-tae team up in ‘The Swindlers’

Hyun Bin and Yoo Ji-tae embark on an unusual partnership in the upcoming film “The Swindlers.” Hyun plays Hwang Ji-sung, a scam artist who only pulls tricks on other scammers. Yoo plays prosecutor Park Hee-soo, who teams up with Hwang to catch another notorious scam artist. “What I talked about the most with the director was how to express the fluidity of the character,” Hyun said at a press conference Wednesday. “The setup that he only scams other scammers was interesting. Hyun Bin (left) and Y

FilmOct. 11, 2017

Composer Chin Un-suk wins Sibelius Prize

Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s composer-in-residence Chin Un-suk has won the prestigious Wihuri Sibelius International Prize, the orchestra said Tuesday.Established in 1953 by the Finland-based Wihuri Foundation for International Prizes, the Sibelius Prize, one of the highest recognitions in classical music composition, is awarded when a suitable recipient has been found. Chin, the first Asian winner of the prize, is the 20th winner. The prize carries a cash award of 150,000 euros ($177,130).The

PerformanceOct. 11, 2017

[Newsmaker] In polarized society, documentary lends ear to Park supporters

A documentary that sheds light on the ardent defenders of impeached former President Park Geun-hye will hit theaters on Oct. 26 -- the date of her military dictator father’s 1979 assassination. The film’s title is “Mis-President.” When said out loud, the first syllable is intentionally meant to be mistaken for either “miss” or “myth,” director Kim Jae-hwan said a press statement issued Tuesday. 　“I explained to a foreign correspondent friend that the generation that shares the ‘myth’ of Park Chu

FilmOct. 11, 2017

BTS remains on Billboard main charts for third-straight week

BTS keeps on with its chart-slaying streak as it has stayed on Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 chart and Billboard 200 chart for three consecutive weeks.On the week of Oct. 21, the band’s latest album “Love Yourself Seung Her” secured the No. 35 spot on the “Billboard 200” chart while its lead track “DNA” remained on the No. 87 spot on “The Hot 100” chart. It is the first time a Korean artist has stayed on the American music publication’s two main charts for three weeks. (Big Hit Entertainment)“It

PerformanceOct. 11, 2017

SSC ratchets up the drama with ‘Garage’

Seoul Shakespeare Company will make an uncharacteristically modern return to the stage this weekend with the contemporary play “Garage,” a claustrophobic tale of past grudges.The play starts as high school English teacher David returns to his hometown with his wife for the funeral of his estranged, alcoholic father. While visiting his father’s emptied-out garage, they unexpectedly encounter Brandon, David’s childhood bully. The scenario -- the whole play takes place in the garage -- makes for a

Expat LivingOct. 11, 2017

Daejeon Arts Collective to host group show ‘Twelfth Night’

Daejeon Arts Collective is holding a weeklong exhibition at the Daejeon Gallery from Thursday. The exhibition, “Twelfth Night,” is a group show by the DJAC, a group of expat and Korean artists. Work displayed at the show includes print work, painting, photography and sculpture from 14 artists, with a performance at the show’s reception on Saturday.“Twelfth Night” was chosen as a catchy title more than a theme, though DJAC president Rosalie Knaack says two artists used it for inspiration in their

Expat LivingOct. 10, 2017

Itaewon gears up for Global Culture Festival

Itaewon will close its main strip this weekend for the Itaewon Global Culture Festival.The festival is an annual celebration combining live performances with foods and products from various foreign communities.Stalls selling food, craft beer and other items will fill the area between Itaewon and Noksapyeong stations and some of Itaewon Antique Street, with stages at each end.The main festivities will start with a parade at 3 p.m. on Saturday, and an opening concert with pop music headlined by ro

Expat LivingOct. 10, 2017

Ahn Do-hyun to join Seoul Book Club for Q&A

The covers of "The Salmon Who Dared to Leap Higher" and the new translated poetry collection by Ahn Do-hyun.Seoul Book and Culture Club will be hosting best-selling author and poet Ahn Do-hyeon on Saturday.Ahn’s main activity is poetry, for which his accolades include the Poetry and Poetics Young Poet Award, the Sowol Poetry Award, and the Baekseok Literary Award. But his best-known work in translation is “The Salmon Who Dared to Leap Higher,” a multimillion-selling story that has been made in E

Expat LivingOct. 10, 2017

SHINee’s Taemin to drop 2nd solo album next week

Taemin of the boy band SHINee on Tuesday dropped the first teaser video for “Move,” the title track for his upcoming solo album of the same name.According to S.M. Entertainment, the vocalist is slated to release the songs at 6 p.m. Monday via local music streaming and downloading websites including Melon, Genie and Naver Music.  A promotional image for “Move” (S.M. Entertainment)It will mark the singer’s second album as a solo artist, after releasing his first solo album “Press It” in January 20

PerformanceOct. 10, 2017

Korea's film scene not free from allegations of sexual exploitation of women

Hollywood has been shaken by last week’s New York Times expose on major film producer Harvey Weinstein‘s alleged history of sexual harassment of actresses and employees spanning nearly three decades. Weinstein has since been fired from the Weinstein Company, which he cofounded, and actresses, film industry insiders and friends have been voicing their opinions on the issue, condemning or defending the film industry bigwig. The so-called “couch casting,” where actresses are forced to trade sexual

FilmOct. 10, 2017

Girls' Generation in crisis

Having reached the 10-year mark, which is very rare for any K-pop act, Girls’ Generation is considered a textbook example of how to succeed in the K-pop industry. The iconic group’s influence is enormous, notching countless awards and numerous hits. The revelation Monday night that three members of Girls‘ Generation are leaving their agency raises questions about the group‘s future: Will the group weather the storm intact or will it be the final straw for this legendary brand? On Monday evening,

PerformanceOct. 10, 2017

[Photo News] Tourists enjoy chrysanthemums at Jogyesa temple

Tourists enjoy the multicolored chrysanthemums at the Jogyesa temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Tuesday. Chrysanthemums are one of the representative flowers for fall in Korea.(phko@heraldcorp.com)

TravelOct. 10, 2017

2018 S/S HERA Seoul Fashion Week set for biggest event yet

The upcoming 2018 S/S HERA Seoul Fashion Week will focus on increasing support for emerging designers, inviting more quality buyers and creating a festive mood throughout the city. “More companies are interested in backing new artists. This is inspirational, and we aim to follow the trend,” said Kim Yoon-hee, the director of fashion and creative industry division at Seoul Design Foundation at the press conference held Tuesday at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.  Kim Yoon-hee, the director o

Arts & DesignOct. 10, 2017

Non-verbal show Nanta's theater will close due to lack of Chinese tourists

Popular non-verbal show “Nanta” will close one of its exclusive theaters in central Seoul as the number of Chinese tour groups, its main customers, plummeted due to a diplomatic feud between Seoul and Beijing over a US anti-missile system, its production company said Tuesday.PMC Production said it will close the Chungjeongno theater, one of four “Nanta” theaters in the country, at the end of this year.The theater has been heavily used by Chinese tour groups. (PMC Production)“We‘ve notified the b

CultureOct. 10, 2017