‘Fake royal seal’ controversy mars special exhibition

What was supposed to have been a ceremonious occasion marking the return of long-lost Joseon-era royal seals has turned into a dogfight between the state-run Cultural Heritage Administration and civic groups over the legitimacy of one of the artifacts.Last week, the CHA held a press conference heralding an exhibition of royal artifacts from the Korea’s Joseon era (1392 to 1910). The Golden Royal Seal for the Bestowal of Honorific Title upon Queen Munjeong and Royal Seal of King Hyeonjong are amo

CultureAug. 24, 2017

Ha Ji-won to attend Venice Film Fest for John Woo’s ‘Manhunt’

Ha Ji-won will be attending the 74th Venice International Film Festival, taking place from Aug. 30-Sept. 9 this year.Ha stars in “Manhunt,” an upcoming film directed by Chinese-born Hong Kong film director John Woo. The film is a joint project by Chinese, Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Japanese crew members. It stars Chinese actor Zhang Hanyu and Japanese actor Fukuyama Masaharu.Ha plays an enchanting killer and will be showing off an action-ridden performance.  Ha Ji-won in ”Manhunt“ (Asia Media Grou

FilmAug. 24, 2017

BTS to release new EP on Sept.18

BTS announced Thursday it will release its latest EP next month, the first of the upcoming “Love Yourself” series.According to Bit Hit Entertainment, “Love Yourself Seung Her“ will be released on Sept.18. The agency said the album’s theme will be youth falling in love.The record will be released in four different versions, and will include a bonus track produced by member Rap Monster. BTS poses at Billboard Music Awards in this May 21 file photo. (Big Hit Entertainment)“Love Yourself” is a serie

PerformanceAug. 24, 2017

Teen-spirited Pristin returns with rebellious ‘Schxxl Out’

It has been almost five months since 10-piece K-pop act Pristin introduced itself to K-pop fans by shouting out their group slogan “We are Pristin!” in March. The group’s debut EP “Hi! Pristin” was successful on both local and world albums charts, leading the rookie group to be tapped as a rising K-pop act to watch for this year by Billboard.  Reloaded with cheerful energy and confidence, the budding K-pop darlings have returned with their second EP, “Schxxl Out,” and the band seems to have part

PerformanceAug. 24, 2017

Seo Tai-ji tribute album to be released next month

A remake album celebrating the 25th anniversary of groundbreaking Korean pop musician Seo Tai-ji's debut will be released next month, according to a record label Wednesday."Time: Traveler," an album consisting of covers of Seo's past catalogue, will come out on Sept. 2, Seo Tai-ji Company said. (Seo Taiji Company)The record will be a collection of songs produced by today's leading K-pop artists, including BTS, Suran, Younha and Heize. The numbers include "I Know," the breakout track for idol tri

PerformanceAug. 23, 2017

Celebrity couple Bae Yong-joon, Park Soo-jin expecting second baby

Actors Bae Yong-joon and Park Soo-jin are expecting their second baby, some 10 months after the celebrity couple welcomed their first son, the two stars' agency said Wednesday.Keyeast Co. said Park is very early into the pregnancy so her due date hasn't been confirmed yet. (Bae Yong-joon`s Instagram)The two stars married in July 2015. (Yonhap)

TelevisionAug. 23, 2017

Dazzling cast of ‘Fortress’ takes serious approach to historical film

To say the upcoming historical flick “The Fortress” is star-studded would be an understatement. The king of Joseon is played by Park Hae-il. His two loyal advisers are played by Korean cinema heavyweights Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok. Also starring are Go Soo and Park Hee-soon. The film’s director is Hwang Dong-hyuk, whose 2013 comedy “Miss Granny” and 2011 drama “Silenced” were well-received. The film is based on a novel by writer Kim Hoon, one of Korea’s most acclaimed novelists. 　“If these

FilmAug. 23, 2017

Actress Lee Young-ae donates to victims of military accident

Actress Lee Young-ae on Monday made a donation to help those affected by an artillery accident last Friday, the Army said Wednesday.“I hope parents can be reassured about safety in the military, and I hope this country becomes a safer place for our children to grow” said Lee.Lee, a mother of twins, said she decided to make the donation upon learning that a sergeant who died in the incident left behind an 18-month-old son.The sergeant was among two soldiers killed when a K-9 Thunder self-propelle

Aug. 23, 2017

Taeyang climbs to top of Billboard’s world albums chart

Taeyang means “sun” in Korean, and the K-pop star has shined as bright as anyone on the international stage, topping Billboard’s world albums chart with “White Night.”As of Wednesday, the Big Bang singer had claimed the No. 1 spot with his third studio album “White Night,” released Aug. 16. It also took the top spot on iTunes album charts in 24 countries, according to YG Entertainment. Taeyang (YG Entertainment)The R&B vocalist went out of his way to explore new possibilities with the album, fro

PerformanceAug. 23, 2017

[Herald Review] Electrifying show by Gallagher, Foo Fighters; could’ve been more?

The fans waited a very long time for a kick-ass show, which they got but not for very long.Liam Gallagher and Foo Fighters sent tremors down the city of Seoul and shivers down the spines of music fans gathered at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul on Tuesday. “Live Forever Long” offered Korea a chance to see Gallagher and Foo Fighters for the first time in five and two years, respectively. And it did not disappoint.Liam Gallagher performs during the “Live Forever Long” concert in Seoul on Tuesda

PerformanceAug. 23, 2017

Luc Besson explains why ‘Valerian’ is a bit unusual

Iconic French director Luc Besson’s recent film “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” showcases his own brand of space adventure, but the epic sci-fi flick ultimately aims to deliver a message of diversity and humanity, the director says.“I’m sorry to be so naive and not cynical, but I think if we put money first and humans second, we are all going to go to war and die,” said the acclaimed filmmaker, best known here for “Leon: The Professional” (1994), “The Fifth Element” (1997) and “Tax

FilmAug. 23, 2017

Dia returns full of love with ‘Love Generation’

K-pop act Dia returned fully charged with powerful energy with its third EP “Love Generation.” Clad in black-and-white school uniforms, the group’s nine singers sparkled as they took to the stage at a media showcase for their new EP in Seoul on Tuesday. Dia is short for “Diamond.”(Yonhap)“Love Generation” marks Dia’s first release since its second full-length album “YOLO” four months ago. The EP delves into the feelings of a teenage girl dabbling in love. Each track features a different musical

PerformanceAug. 23, 2017

Finding common ground in diversity

New Filipino association aims to foster a better understanding of Korea’s growing diversity It’s just past noon and the stretch of road occupied by the Sunday Filipino Market in Hyewha-dong is already bustling. Amid clatter of conversations taking place in Korean, English and Tagalog, stall owners selling fresh, homemade and imported goods, try to draw in passersby with friendly smiles.“Hyewha-dong is very popular for Filipinos,” Jambo, 39, said while helping out at a friend’s stall. He arrived

Expat LivingAug. 22, 2017

Vietnamese-Korean exhibition explores upheavals of modernization

Over a dozen Vietnamese and Korean artists and art groups have gathered for an exhibition looking at the rapid changes the two countries have experienced in recent decades. Hosted by the Korea Foundation to mark the 25th anniversary of ties, “Salt of the Jungle” examines the results of their sometimes destructive urbanization, industrialization and migration.The title of the exhibition is borrowed from the novel by the Vietnamese writer Nguyen Huy Thiep, in which it refers to a flower as white a

Expat LivingAug. 22, 2017

48-hour film challenge taken nationwide

Filmmakers after a challenge will be in luck next month, when a 48-hour film event awaits them, hosted by the team behind the Korea Independent Expat Film Festival.KIX48 is designed similarly to the 48-hour Film Project, an international competition that Seoul filmmakers have entered in the past, but is a separate event. Like the other event, crews are given elements they have to include -- in this case, a line of dialogue, a prop and a type of location -- and a deadline for submission. (KIXFF)“

Expat LivingAug. 22, 2017

[Herald Interview] Lee Jong-suk on playing a delicate serial killer

Actor Lee Jong-suk has very pale skin. It’s so milky white that for his television drama roles, his makeup artist uses a darker foundation to give him more color, Lee says.　But in the new thriller “V.I.P,” which opens in local theaters Wednesday, director Park Hoon-jung decided that Lee’s pearly complexion would suit his role as the chilling North Korean serial killer Kim Kwang-il. “I was filming a Chinese drama when I came across the script for ‘V.I.P.’ I wanted the role so badly that I sought

FilmAug. 22, 2017

BTS, Seo Taiji to sing 8 songs together

Boy band BTS and Korean pop legend Seo Taiji have revealed the songs that they will perform together at Seo’s upcoming 25th anniversary concert.Seo’s label Seotajji Co. revealed the eight songs in the set list, consisting of his biggest hits including “Nan Arayo,” “Hayeoga,” “Kyoshil Idaeyo” and “Come Back Home.”  The set list for Seo Taiji’s upcoming concert (Seotajji Co.)The songs are from four albums Seo released as the leader of Seo Taiji and Boys, a trio which consisted of Seo, Lee Juno and

PerformanceAug. 22, 2017

Jang Dong-gun to cameo in teaser for new K-pop band

Actor Jang Dong-gun, star of the upcoming political noir film "V.I.P.," will cameo in a teaser video for rookie K-pop band Le Ciel, according to the latter's agency Tuesday."Jang Dong-gun will star in the teaser video for 'Thank You So Much,' the debut song of Le Ciel," said Kang Min, head of management agency Van Demn Tiger. (SM C&C)Kang added: "I asked for him to cameo as we've known each other for a long time since Jang's debut. I'm grateful for him accepting the offer without hesitation."Le

FilmAug. 22, 2017

KBS rolls out round-the-clock English radio broadcast

KBS World Radio, an international radio broadcast run by the public network of KBS, will launch a 24-hour English broadcast next month, the network said Monday.The radio channel has recently reorganized to create several new English programs that will go on air starting Sept. 4, including "One Fine Day," a music show run by Korean-American singer Park Jung-hyun, "KOREA 24," a news show by Henry Shinn, and "K-Pop Connection" by Angela Park and Oneway Peter.The move is in line with growing demands

TelevisionAug. 21, 2017

[Next Wave] DJ duo Garenz hopes to fill clubs with own music

Dance music fans may recall Garenz at the 2017 Seoul World DJ Festival in May, an energetic and funky Korean DJ duo that danced atop the DJ booth while spinning one of the anthems for this year’s annual electronic dance music festival.   The DJ duo that produced “Wanna Get You Closer,” chosen as one of two official tracks for this year’s festival at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, said it was time for DJs to move beyond the ailing local club scene and explore their options as artists.  (DCTOM)Consisting

PerformanceAug. 21, 2017