[Photo News] Han Chae-ah looks fashionable and cool in swimwear photo shoot

Han Chae-ah proved that she can look nonchalant and fashionable at the same time with her recently-released photos, in which she is clad in rash guards. The actress looks to be enjoying the photo shoot, which took place in the resort province of Phuket.In the shots released Thursday, Han holds poses in different sportswear. She looks off into the distance in the forest, on a surf board and on a tree, with the beautiful scenery in the background.(Mystic Entertainment)(Mystic Entertainment)The act

Arts & DesignJune 29, 2017

[Herald Review] Music, lust, betrayal swirls around female spy in ‘Mata Hari’

Europe, in 1917, is torn apart by a raging World War I, but exotic dancer Mata Hari remains glamorous as ever, jumping between countries and captivating imaginations -- and sometimes more -- of high-profile personnel struggling with the battles at hand.The dancer’s world is abruptly interrupted by a French intelligence official Col. George Ladoux, who forces her to become a spy by using her intimacy with high-ranking German military officials. Young pilot Armand Gilot enters the mix, and a plot

CultureJune 29, 2017

K-pop singer Lee Chang-min collaborates with Solidemo for “Aitai”

Lee Chang-min of the duo Homme worked with Japan’s Solidemo to release “Aitai.”According to his agency Bighit Entertainment, the song was released on Japanese online music websites Wednesday. The song is a ballad about a man longing to meet his loved one. From left: Takeshi Mukaiyama, Lee Chang-min and Schnell (Big Hit Entertainment)Lee is best known for his works as a member of Homme and K-pop group 2AM. In addition to singing, the versatile artist has also taken on radio, TV shows and musical

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

T.O.P attends first hearing for marijuana charges, apologizes to mother

Prosecutors are seeking a suspended sentence against a top boy band rapper charged with marijuana use.On the first day of the trial Thursday, the prosecution said it is seeking a 10-month jail sentence suspended for two years for Big Bang rapper T.O.P, who has been charged with using marijuana on four occasions.T.O.P entered the Seoul Central District Court at around 11:31 a.m. clad in a black suit and read a statement of apology in front of press. T.O.P of Big Bang reads a statement in front of

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

Kim Ki-duk, Chung Chung-hoon invited as new members of Academy

A handful of Koreans, including filmmaker Kim Ki-duk, director of photography Chung Chung-hoon and CJ Group Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi-kyung, have been invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.　Also included are animator Lee Sang-jun, who worked on the 2013 animation “Epic,” and Korean-American Helen Lee-Kim, president of international sales at film production company Good Universe. The organization, whose members decide the recipients of the annual Oscars, announ

FilmJune 29, 2017

Lee Hyo-ri to appear on JTBC’s ‘Newsroom’

K-pop singer Lee Hyo-ri will appear on JTBC’s “Newsroom” on Thursday to promote her upcoming sixth full-length album “Black,” her agency Kiwi Media Group said. The former member of girl group FIN.K.L had remained mostly out of the spotlight after her marriage with musician Lee Sang-soon in 2013. She signed with her current agency late last year and has been busy producing her new album. (Yonhap)She prereleased “Seoul,” a track from her comeback album Wednesday. The rest of the album is scheduled

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

VIXX’s Ravi to perform in Australia

Rapper Ravi of VIXX will show off his groove at a hip-hop concert down under as part of the “Rapbeat Show 2017 in Australia” to be held in Sydney on Saturday.According to his agency Jellyfish Entertainment, Ravi will perform onstage alongside other top Korea-based artists including Jay Park, Zion. T, Loco and Heize. In addition to his activities as a member of the boy band VIXX, Ravi has an impressive solo career as a hip-hop artist.  Ravi (Jellyfish Entertainment)Last year, he released his firs

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

Twice marks No. 2 on Oricon chart

Twice is making a splash in Japan, with its debut album there, “#TWICE,” notching the No. 2 spot on Oricon’s daily album chart.In just a day after its Wednesday release, the K-pop group sold an estimated 46,871 records in the country. The top spot on the chart belonged to “Jam” by Japan’s Kanjani8.It marked smooth sailing for one of Korea’s most popular girl groups. Twice’s album had topped the iTunes top album charts in the country almost immediately after its midnight release Wednesday.Accordi

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

Psy, IU to throw free concerts at Boryeong Mud Festival

Leading K-pop stars Psy and IU plan to throw free stand-alone concerts at this year's Boryeong Mud Festival, according to organizers Thursday.Psy will hold a concert July 25 at Daecheon Beach, 170 kilometers southwest of Seoul, the venue for the mud festival, celebrating its 20th year, according to Boryeong City. This year's festivities will be held from July 21-30.The singer, star of the 2012 smash hit "Gangnam Style," released his eighth full-length album in May, performed at last year's openi

PerformanceJune 29, 2017

Dali’s ‘daughter’ says she wants her identity

BARCELONA, Spain - Pilar Abel, the woman claiming to be Salvador Dali’s daughter, said Tuesday she wanted to recover her identity more than anything else, a day after the artist’s exhumation was ordered.For a decade, the 62-year-old who long worked as a psychic in the northeastern region of Catalonia where Dali was born, has tried to prove she is the painter’s child.Her paternity claim, however, has raised skepticism, with Dali biographer Ian Gibson writing in El Pais that he had doubts, saying

PeopleJune 28, 2017

Twice tops Japanese iTunes album chart

Twice‘s Japan debut set off on a successful path, as its first album “#TWICE” topped the iTunes top albums chart for Japan after its midnight release on Wednesday.It also took the No.1 spot on the same chart in nine countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru and Thailand, as one of Korea’s hottest girl groups. (JYP Entertainment)The recently-released album consists of the Korean and Japanese versions of Twice‘s biggest hits including “Cheer Up,” “Knock Knock,” “TT” and “Signal.Having made a s

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

Black Pink tops Billboard’s world digital songs chart yet again

Black Pink has topped the international chart at the Billboards with its single “As If It’s Your Last,” notching the No.1 spot at the chart for the third time since the group’s sensational debut last year.(YG Entertainment)As of Wednesday, the song edged out “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel “Iz” Kamakawiwo‘Ole for the top spot. The K-pop act is on fire on local and international charts, which include topping the iTunes chart in 18 countries. It has also featured on the “Best of the Week” l

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

Nine Muses reveals practice for ‘Remember’

Nine Muses‘ agency on Wednesday revealed a video of the K-pop act practicing the dance moves for its recently-released song “Remember.”In the video, the four members are seen honing the moves in a practice facility, showing off both their skills and looks. It is customary for K-pop groups to release a video of themselves practicing songs, in a bid to offer fans a closer look at the stars.The four-member group released its new EP “Muses Diary Part2: Identity” earlier in the month, which marked it

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

Sojin of Girl's Day, Eddy Kim confirm relationship

Sojin, a member of K-pop group Girl's Day, and singer-songwriter Eddy Kim admitted to being in romantic relationship on Wednesday. The couple had denied the rumors earlier in the day.Her agency Dream Entertainment said that Sojin has denied the reports, and said that she and Kim are just good friends. Sojin (Dream Entertainment)Kim‘s agency Mystic Entertainment also denied the reports.Earlier in the day, a local outlet reported that Sojin is dating the singer-songwriter, who is four years her ju

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

Musical ‘Napoleon’ looks at human behind the hero

A war hero, a leader, a dictator, a tactical genius; many words describe the French titan known as Napoleon Bonaparte, but one thing that is certain is that he was a human being with many different -- sometimes conflicting -- aspects. “I feel he is a perfect choice for a musical. He was admired, he was feared, he was revered, and he was loved. These are all the kind of emotions that we like to feel when we go to a musical,” said Richard Ouzounian, who directed several versions of the musical “Na

CultureJune 28, 2017

[Herald Interview] Bong Joon-ho on ‘Okja’ and the omnivore’s dilemma

Bong Joon-ho’s “Okja,” which centers on the struggles of a genetically modified super-pig, has been described as an environmentalist film and a proponent of veganism and animal rights, among other things.But some have said that the well-being of animals can seem a distant issue when food is lacking and basic survival is still a battle in many countries. 　“It’s true. The perspective can be very different in Third World countries, where it is difficult for people just to get by,” Bong told The Kor

FilmJune 28, 2017

Im Si-wan to enlist July 11

Im Si-wan will begin carrying out his mandatory military service next month. 　“On July 11, Im Si-wan will be enlisting as an active-duty officer at a training center located in Gyeonggi Province,” the actor’s management agency Plum Entertainment said Wednesday. 　“He plans to meet with fans briefly on the day of enlistment,” the agency added.　Im Si-wan (Hohoho Beach)“I’m leaving for a short while in order to fulfill my military obligations,” Im said in a message to fans through the agency. “I fee

FilmJune 28, 2017

Idol singer Chanmi wins acting contest

K-pop star Chanmi proved that she can do more than dance and sing by winning an acting contest that pitted the nation’s idol singers against one another. In the final episode of “I’m An Actor,” aired Tuesday on cable channel K Star, Chanmi clinched the top spot based on the results of past matches that had the participants re-enacting famous scenes from TV shows. She finished first twice in a total of six matches on the show. Chanmi (FNC Entertainment)For her final performance, she played a part

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

K-pop star Bora dating Feeldog of Big Star

Another K-pop star couple had been born, as Bora -- formerly of the now-disbanded Sistar -- confirmed her romantic relationship with Feeldog, of boy band Big Star.Bora’s agency Hook Entertainment told local media she has “a serious relationship with Feeldog,” confirming earlier reports. It did not elaborate on how long the relationship has been going on.  Bora (right) and Feeldog (Yonhap)Brave Entertainment, Feeldog’s agency, also confirmed the two have been dating for months. The relationship s

PerformanceJune 28, 2017

Apink makes dramatic return with ‘Pink Up’ amid bomb threat

K-pop group Apink made a dramatic return to the music scene, undeterred by a bomb threat that had heightened tension at a media showcase for its new EP in Seoul on Monday. A few hours before Monday’s showcase, Apink was threatened by an unidentified man who claimed to have set up explosives at the event venue. After a sweeping search at the venue, police said that no evidence or trace of explosives were found. Despite the bomb scare, Apink decided to proceed with the event and talked about its n

PerformanceJune 27, 2017