[Herald Interview] What it was like to be ‘the most unruly Korean’: Lee Je-hoon

In his latest film, Lee Je-hoon was tasked with expressing a complex historical character, the anarchist and independence activist Park Yeol who lived in the early 1900s.　The film, “Anarchist from Colony” and directed by Lee Joon-ik, traces Park’s turbulent life in Tokyo during Japan’s occupation of Korea. 　Park had moved abroad after the March First Movement of 1919 to further his education and protest against the Japanese colonizers on their home turf. He became the leader of a group of anarch

FilmJune 18, 2017

Lee Hyo-ri shows off yoga skills on ‘Infinite Challenge’

K-pop diva Lee Hyo-ri appeared on Saturday’s episode of variety program “Infinite Challenge” for the first time in three years, proving she was still a bundle of laughs. The members of the variety show traveled to Jeju Island to meet up with the singer, who lives there with her husband, singer-songwriter Lee Sang-soon.　Lee was seen joking with the comedians of “Infinite Challenge” and demonstrating her yoga skills, which she had honed for the past three years. Lee Hyo-ri practices yoga on Saturd

TelevisionJune 18, 2017

Over 70% of Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs

More than 7 out of 10 South Koreans no longer listen to music on CDs as consumers increasingly turn to smartphones and computers, a poll showed Sunday.The Korea Creative Content Agency released the results of its 2016 survey of 1,200 Koreans aged between 10 and 59 on their music listening habits, which allowed multiple responses.According to the survey, included in the "2016 Music Industry White Paper," 91 percent of the people listen to music on their smartphones, followed by television (78.8 p

CultureJune 18, 2017

[Around the Hotels] Promotions and packages

Summer package at Sheraton Seoul D Cube CitySheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel is offering a summer package that includes a one-night stay in a Club Room, express check-in at the Club Lounge on the 38th floor overlooking the city, continental breakfast for two and happy hour coffee, tea and snacks. Guests also receive an eco bag with a teddy bear, skincare products and other goodies. The package starts from 290,000 won and runs until Aug. 31. For information and reservation, call (02) 2211-2100.Ja

FoodJune 16, 2017

[Home Cooking] Curry Rice

Made with instant curry mix, Korean curry rice is a stew-like curry sauce served over rice. It’s one of those dishes that was introduced to Korea by the Japanese, and has since become a staple in Korean homes. The Korean version of the sauce is generally lighter, which makes it so good eaten with kimchi. It’s a hearty, comfort food we all grew up eating! 　 The instant curry mix makes this dish very easy to make. The curry roux is made with fat, so it has a richer taste and makes the sauce thicke

FoodJune 16, 2017

Fresh eats at new Korean deli

If one walks in at the right moment, one will be greeted by the mouthwatering scent of chicken grilling over smoldering charcoal at “Mamalee Market,” a Korean deli that opened in Samseong-dong, Seoul, two months ago. That barbecued chicken, which is basted with doenjang (fermented soybean paste) and grilled to smoky succulence, is one of the most popular eats at this new takeaway spot. Mamalee Market in Samseong-dong offers an array of dishes, from Korean "namul" (vegetable dishes) to salads and

FoodJune 16, 2017

Shoes for Hope project connects Korean and Sri Lankan youth

Hundreds gathered in Gwanghwamun Square earlier this week to paint sneakers with colorful messages of hope in an effort to connect with Sri Lankan youth. The “Shoes for Hope” initiative is a worldwide sharing project, where shoes are painted with messages of peace and love in one country and distributed to people elsewhere who may not otherwise have the ability to purchase them.  Shoes on display included ones designed by President Moon Jae-in and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon  (MIZY: Seoul Youth Ce

CultureJune 16, 2017

[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

 Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju“Cultural Night Walk in Jeonju,” a program selected by the Cultural Heritage Administration in a competition offers visitors chance to walk through hundreds of hanok in the Jeonju Hanok Village under the moonlight.Programs include a moonlight photography competition, traditional music night, Jeonju traditional opera, shadow orchestra and night views of Jeonju.The event is held until Sept.13. For more information, visit www.jeonju-night.kr for information in Korean,

CultureJune 16, 2017

[Box Office] Movies in theaters this week

A Day(Korea)Opened June 15Drama. Directed by Jo Sun-hoJoon-young (Kim Myung-min) is a world-famous doctor who volunteers to work in Third World countries. His busy schedule forces him to neglect his 12-year-old daughter Eun-jung (Jo Eun-hyung), who becomes angry and refuses to answer his calls. It is Eun-jung’s birthday the day Joon-young returns to Seoul after treating patients abroad. After a frenzied press conference at the airport, he rushes over to celebrate his daughter’s birthday when he

FilmJune 16, 2017

Bucheon Film Fest to spotlight Jeon Do-yeon, screen ‘Okja’ and more

 The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Asia’s largest genre film event, is set to broaden its horizon this year with more programmers and strong films.“We’ve been striving to present diverse programs,” said the festival’s chairman Jung Ji-young, who was appointed to the position last year. “This year especially, a large number of staff and programmers have made great efforts to present new types of events.” 　 A press conference for the Bucheon International Film Festival takes place

FilmJune 16, 2017

[Eye] Acoustical engineer marries arts and engineering

DAEJEON – Although he has not taught classes in the spring semester, the office of KAIST professor emeritus Kim Yang-han looks busy, books stacked on the desks. He was reading about how Friedrich Nietzsche’s use of a typewriter changed his writing style when I arrive for the interview on June 7. The German philosopher’s switch from writing longhand to using typewriter profoundly influenced how he wrote, says Kim. Kim is preparing for his class next semester where he will teach about the relation

PeopleJune 16, 2017

Ji Chang-wook, Kim So-hyun to dub Japanese film ‘Your Name’

Actors Ji Chang-wook and Kim So-hyun will dub the 2016 animated film “Your Name.”Ji will immerse himself in the role of Taki, a high school boy living in Tokyo who aspires to become an architect. Meanwhile, Kim will play Mitsuha, a high school girl who lives in a rural town and wishes to move to Tokyo.  Ji Chang-wook (left) and Kim So-hyun (Glorious Entertainment/Sidus HQ)“Your Name” tells the story of the two high school teenagers who have never met, but get their bodies swapped and fall in lov

FilmJune 16, 2017

EXO to drop new album in summer

K-pop group EXO plans to release its latest album this summer, S.M. Entertainment said Thursday. “EXO will make its return in summer, but a specific timeline has not been set up yet,” said an official from the boy band’s agency in response to an earlier report that EXO’s release would be in July. EXO (S.M. Entertainment)EXO, one of the most popular K-pop acts both locally and internationally, recently wrapped up its global tour “EXO Planet #3 - The EXO’rdium.” During its concert in Seoul last mo

PerformanceJune 16, 2017

Megabox follows CGV, Lotte Cinema in not screening 'Okja'

Megabox has decided not to show internationally acclaimed South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's Netflix film "Okja" following the country's two other major cinema chains, movie industry sources said Friday."We reached the conclusion after much discussion that it's hard to accept a plan to simultaneously release the movie on Netflix and in movie theaters," a Megabox official said. "We informed Next Entertainment World of our final position," it said, referring to the movie's local distributor. (NE

FilmJune 16, 2017

Boracay: Island of beauty and adventure

Under a cluster of pink and white coral reefs, a small orange fish emerged from among a group of sea anemones swinging their tentacles like a curtain designed to hide a magician preparing a spell for the spectators.“I’ve just seen Nemo,” said Lee Jong-hyun, 17-year-old high school student who finished scuba-diving with a group of seasoned Filipino divers. “See? It is exactly the same fish as I saw in the movie ‘Finding Nemo’.” Otherwise known as clownfish or anemonefish, Nemo is one of the most

TravelJune 16, 2017

‘No look pass’ and Korea’s culture of excessive protocols

Korea’s culture of upholding meticulous protocol has come into the spotlight since a video featuring a Korean lawmaker’s “authoritarian no-look pass” went viral last month.　In the clip, Rep. Kim Moo-sung is seen nonchalantly passing his suitcase to an assistant waiting at the airport arrival gate, without even looking to see where the bag will roll. The assistant receives the suitcase and hurriedly removes himself from the camera frame.(Yonhap)The internet buzzed with criticism of Kim, noting hi

CultureJune 15, 2017

Hong Sang-soo’s ‘Day After’ to hold press screening, but no conference

Hong Sang-soo’s “The Day After” will be screened to local press on June 22, but the film’s director and cast will not attend the screening, according to production company Jeonwonsa on Thursday.　“No press conference will take place subsequent to the screening,” the company said in a statement.　The screening will take place at Lotte Cinema near Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.　Jeonwonsa gave no reason for the lack of a press conference. 　 A still from “The Day After” (Jeonwonsa)Th

FilmJune 15, 2017

G-Dragon’s ‘Kwon Ji Yong’ going strong in China

G-Dragon’s solo album “Kwon Ji Yong” has set the charts on fire in China.As of 10:55 p.m. on Wednesday, the singer has set the record of selling over one million copies of his latest album on QQ Music, the biggest music site in China.  Big Bang’s G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)“Kwon Ji Yong” set the record within six days of its release, the shortest time ever for an artist, as well as selling the most number of albums so far this year on the website. The digital album is being sold at 10 yuan ($1.5

PerformanceJune 15, 2017

Apink says 'can't laugh off’ death threat

K-pop group Apink remains shaken up by the death threat made Wednesday, its agency said Thursday.“It’s not just the members who are shocked, it’s all of us. It (the death threat) is not something that we can just laugh off as a joke,” said an official from Plan A Entertainment. “The threat just happened, so we’re keeping a keen eye on it. We’re still waiting on what the police investigation finds out.” Jeong Eun-ji of Apink (Plan A Entertainment)Around 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, an unidentified man

PerformanceJune 15, 2017

T-ara returns as quartet asking ‘What’s My Name’

Back from brink of disbandment, T-ara unveiled its 13th album, “What’s My Name,” Wednesday. The nine-track record is the 13th from the K-pop group, and the first since Boram and Soyeon left last month. It contains seven songs, including four solo tunes from Qri, Eunjung, Hyomin and Jiyeon, along with a Chinese version and an instrumental version of the title track.According to the group’s agency MBK Entertainment, the latest album carries a significant amount of each members’ messages. T-ara per

PerformanceJune 14, 2017