'Kingsman 2' claims biggest S. Korean opening ever for R-rated film

The British-American spy comedy "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" had the biggest opening day for an R-rated film in South Korea, data showed Thursday.According to the real-time box-office tally from the Korean Film Council, the Fox movie sold 481,891 tickets on 1,686 screens across the country, taking the box-office crown on its first day.It surpassed the first-day record of 475,482 set by the South Korean crime action film "Asura: The City of Madness" last year.  (21st Century Fox Korea)The "Kings

FilmSept. 28, 2017

Wanna One's agency to take legal action over online bullying

K-pop entertainment agency C9 said Thursday it will take legal action over vicious and sexual online comments made towards underage pop star Bae Jin-young, a member of popular idol group Wanna One."We've confirmed that malicious rumors, comments attacking his personal character and posts amounting to sexual harassment were made in several online communities towards Bae Jin-young," C9 said in a statement.The company said it sought legal counsel on the matter and decided to press charges against t

PerformanceSept. 28, 2017

Organic cosmetics Rootree expands beyond domestic market

“Made in Forest” organic cosmetics brand Rootree is planning to promote its overseas expansion to the Vietnamese market, following the recent advancement to the market in Russia.Rootree is expected to host a brand launching event and press conference in Hannoi, Vietnam, next month. The announcement makes clear the brand’s intentions of advancing to the Asian market. Rootree signed a $420,000 contract with Goshen Korea, one of Russia’s cosmetics distributor company, as well as finalized its entra

Arts & DesignSept. 28, 2017

Oldest recorded Arirang to be on display in Seoul

“Arirang” is the most well-known and beloved folk song in Korea, and a festival next month will feature the oldest recorded version of the song dating back to the 19th century.Among the highlights of the fifth annual Seoul Arirang Festival, which will be held at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul from Oct. 13-15, will be an exhibition of 60 pieces of recording devices and cylinder recordings of various versions of “Arirang.” The phonograph, a device that uses cylinders to record and reproduce sounds, is

CultureSept. 27, 2017

BTS moved by Billboard Hot 100 entry, thanks fans for support

Members of K-pop band BTS said Wednesday they were deeply moved by their first-ever entry into the Billboard Hot 100 chart, tipping their hats off to fans for support, according to its agency Wednesday.On Tuesday, BTS' latest song "DNA" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, the American music publication's main music chart, at 85th, backed by 5.3 million first-week US streams and 14,000 downloads."Love Yourself: Her," the EP record that holds "DNA," debuted on the Billboard 200, which tracks US albu

PerformanceSept. 27, 2017

Highlight to ‘Celebrate’ 8th anniversary

Five-piece boy band Highlight will release a mini album to celebrate its eighth anniversary.The group’s agency Around Us Entertainment announced Wednesday the release of the new EP “Celebrate” on the band’s official website. A teaser image features the hand-written title “Celebrate” alongside the members wearing black suits. According to the agency, the title reflected Highlight’s hopes to ease the regret that the group could not be with fans on its anniversary last year. A teaser image for High

PerformanceSept. 27, 2017

[Herald Interview] Kim Yoon-seok on playing principled Joseon minister

Kim Yoon-seok’s criteria for choosing film projects is simple. 　“I pick the best scripts,” he said in an interview Tuesday at a cafe in Palpan-dong, Seoul.　The acclaimed actor, known for his gloomy gravitas, has starred in films such as Na Hong-jin’s 2008 thriller “The Chaser.” 　French novelist Guillaume Musso proclaimed himself a fan of Kim, which is how Korean producers were able to obtain remake rights for Musso’s novel “Will You Be There?” The film, with Kim taking the lead role, opened in K

FilmSept. 27, 2017

Super Junior to mark 12th year with album

Celebrating its 12th anniversary, global K-pop act Super Junior is set to return to the spotlight on Nov. 6, according to its agency Label SJ.The agency said Wednesday that Super Junior would release a new album that marks the first from the group since its albums “Devil” and “Magic” in 2015. A D-day logo shared on Super Junior’s website teasing the group’s return on Nov. 6 (Label SJl)Super Junior also set a D-day countdown clock on its official website that shows the logo “SJ returns” with the

PerformanceSept. 27, 2017

‘Korean agencies need to adopt US business style’

When in the United States, do as the Americans do: James Minor, a music manager of the South by Southwest festival, believes that Korean agencies should adjust to how the local people do business in order to succeed in the US terrain. Having served as a general manager of the Austin-based international music festival for six years, Minor said there are major differences between the business styles of Korea and the US, with the key for those Korean agencies’ success in the US being “overcoming th

CultureSept. 26, 2017

[Graphic News] United States leads global music industry

　According to the IFPI Global Music Report 2016, the United States’ music industry generated $4.9 trillion in 2015, ranking top in the world. 　Japan’s music industry generated $2.63 trillion in 2015, ranking second behind the US. Meanwhile, South Korea’s music industry generated $266 billion in the same year. 　The following are the 10 largest music industries in the world, according to data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

CultureSept. 26, 2017

[Photo News] Traditional markets busy ahead of Chuseok

Gyeongdong Market, a traditional market, in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, saw brisk foot traffic on Monday, with people shopping for their Chuseok offerings and food for the upcoming 10-day-long holiday. This year’s holiday is a record stretch of 10 days that begin Saturday, linking National Foundation Day on Oct. 3 with the Chuseok holiday from Oct. 4-6 and Hangeul Proclamation Day on Oct. 9.People purchased food such as dried fish, fruits and vegetables at Gyeongdong Market. Traditional markets offer

TravelSept. 26, 2017

1,000-year-old flushing toilet found in Silla remains

Archaeological remains of a bathroom equipped with a flushing toilet used during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC to 935) have been discovered, the Cultural Heritage Administration said Tuesday.The state-run body has been conducting a dig since 2007 at the remains of Donggung and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, which was home to key government buildings of the ancient kingdom.Among the relics revealed Tuesday were toilets and a plumbing system. The toilets were tilted so that excretio

CultureSept. 26, 2017

G-Dragon kicks off Europe tour with UK concert

G-Dragon excited fans gathered in Birmingham and London this weekend, kicking off his first European tour.The K-pop superstar held concerts at Genting Arena and The SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, according to YG Entertainment. The Wembley Arena concert was like a blast from the past for the artist who had performed at the iconic venue with Big Bang in 2012. Sunday’s concert also marked the first time for G-Dragon to perform in London as a solo artist.G-Dragon performs a

PerformanceSept. 26, 2017

S. Korea's largest film studio opens doors to support Hallyu

South Korea's largest film studio complex equipped with state-of-the-art facilities formally opened its doors for film and drama productions on Monday after two years of construction.The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and its affiliate the Korea Creative Content Agency celebrated the opening of Studio Cube in a ceremony attended by central and local government officials led by Culture Minister Do Jong-whan and film industry figures.Located in the EXPO Science Park in Daejeon, 164 kilom

FilmSept. 26, 2017

Fireworks to color Seoul sky this weekend

The annual Seoul International Fireworks Festival, more commonly known as the Yeouido fireworks festival, will take place Saturday from 7 p.m. at Yeouido Hangang Park. The event organizers promised the festival will showcase “the most exuberant and magnificent” fireworks to brighten up the night sky of Seoul.  (Hanwha Corporation)This year’s theme will be multimedia fireworks. Each firework will be based on cutting-edge technology. Following the show, there will be an after-party featuring a DJ

TravelSept. 26, 2017

Former Wonder Girls member Ha:tfelt to release new single

Park Ye-eun, known by her stage name Ha:tfelt, will release a new single in mid-October, her agency Amoeba Culture said Tuesday. The upcoming track will mark the singer’s first release since she signed with Amoeba culture in April after the disbandment of Wonder Girls in January. For the new release she will use the stage name Ha:tfelt, which she had used when she released solo tracks with her previous agency JYP Entertainment.  Ha:tfelt (Amoeba Culture)Park debuted with Wonder Girls in 2007 wit

PerformanceSept. 26, 2017

Why celebrities are turning to YouTube

From comedians to singers, a handful of Korean celebrities are crossing over to YouTube to create content in their respective fields or share their hobbies.　K-pop duo Akdong Musician’s Suhyun opened beauty channel “Mochi Peach” in June; girl group f(x)’s Amber started comedy and daily life channel “What The Pineapple!” in 2015; former girl group 2NE1’s Sandara Park launched a channel of her daily activities, called “Dara TV,” in June.　A range of other channels are also available, set up by comed

TelevisionSept. 26, 2017

Upcoming film imagines a North Korea upended by coup

The setting is North Korea. The day is Christmas in an unspecified near future. The notorious hermit kingdom has collapsed from a coup d’etat.This is the premise of upcoming film “Steel Rain,” set to hit local theaters in December. 　The film stars actor Jung Woo-sung as Uhm Cheol-woo, a top North Korean special agent who flees to South Korea with the North’s leader to escape the uprising. 　 Jung Woo-sung stars in “Steel Rain.” (NEW)The film is written and directed by Yang Woo-seok, who previousl

FilmSept. 26, 2017

Sea-to-sky cable car begins operation along Samcheok coastline

A marine Cable Car over the coastline of Samcheok in Gangwon Province began operations on Tuesday.The cable car will run 874 meters between Yonghwa-ri and Jangho Port which is known for its charming coastal scenery.Equipped with a glass bottom, the cable car offers an unobstructed bird’s-eye view of the sea to passengers on board.The standard adult fare for a cable car ride is 8,000 won for a round-trip and 5,000 won one-way. Samcheok Marine Cable Car (Samcheok City)(mjk625@heraldcorp.com)

TravelSept. 26, 2017

'DNA' by K-pop act BTS enters Billboard Hot 100 chart

K-pop boy band BTS' latest song "DNA" was ranked among the top 100 tracks on American music publication Billboard magazine's main chart, according to its agency Tuesday."DNA" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at 85th, backed by 5.3 million first-week US streams and 14,000 downloads sold, Big Hit Entertainment said, citing Billboard's online report.BTS became the second K-pop act to have a Korean-language song on the Hot 100, following South Korean rapper-singer PSY, whose smash hit "Gangnam

PerformanceSept. 26, 2017