VIXX, Gugudan to attend Seowon Valley K-pop charity concert

Seowon Valley, a golf club on the northern outskirts of Seoul, will hold its annual K-pop charity concert this week, bringing together leading artists from a wide range of genres, according to the company Thursday.This year's Seowon Valley Charity Green Concert will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at the country club in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, with the largest-ever lineup in its 17-year history. (Jellyfish Entertainment)Idol stars, including VIXX, Gugudan, Momoland and Lee Teuk of Super Junior, alon

May 25, 2017

Che Guevara’s son, poet Omar Perez, comes to Seoul

Poet Omar Perez, the son of the late Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, visited Korea to attend the Seoul International Literature Forum on Tuesday, according to reports.Perez, 53, spoke at a session titled “Us and Others” at the event, hosted by the Daesan Culture Foundation. The poet said that misunderstanding between people rises when one is unable to clearly express one’s thoughts. “We need to foster the ability to express our thoughts as they are,” he said.  Omar Perez in the studio of Denn

PeopleMay 25, 2017

Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin to star in ‘Negotiation’

Actors Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin have confirmed their roles in the upcoming film “Negotiation,” according to an official related to the project Thursday. On May 10, both the actors’ agencies said they were considering the offers in a positive light. Hyun Bin (left) and Son Ye-jin (VAST Entertainment/MSteam Entertainment)The crime-thriller film tells the story of a confrontation between a negotiator and hostage-taker. Son will play Ha Chae-yun, the best negotiator in a crisis negotiation team, whil

FilmMay 25, 2017

‘Merciless’ receives rave reviews, lengthy standing ovation at Cannes

“The Merciless (Bulhandang)” met with an avid response at the Cannes Film Festival’s midnight screening Thursday, receiving a seven-minute standing ovation from the audience, according to reports.It was the longest duration of applause that a Korean film had received at Cannes this year, reports said.Hong Sang-soo’s “The Day After,” “Claire’s Camera” and Jung Byung-gil’s “The Villainess” received applause that ranged from two to five minutes. Bong Joon-ho’s Okja met with applause that lasted fiv

FilmMay 25, 2017

Kids are the break-out stars of Cannes film festival

Young actors are making waves at this year‘s Cannes film festival -- often in films that are hardly suitable children’s viewing.AFP takes a look at some of the kids who are making a splash:Starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell, family horror “The Killing of a Sacred Deer” has shocked audiences at the world‘s biggest film festival but features a standout performance from Irish actor Barry Keoghan as obsessive teenager Martin. (From left) British actress Raffey Cassidy, US actor Sunny Suljic, A

FilmMay 25, 2017

Why Korea’s ‘film noir’ movies are wowing Cannes

Beyond the gleaming towers of modern high-tech Seoul, it is the dark past of South Korea’s years of dictatorship, violence and upheaval that have inspired the country’s staggering rise as a cinematic powerhouse.No fewer than five South Korean movies are showing in the elite selection of this year’s Cannes film festival. British actress Tilda Swinton, French-Iranian cinematographer Darius Khondji (rear), US actor Paul Dano, South Korean actor Byung Hee-bong, South Korean actress Ahn Seo-hyun, Sou

FilmMay 25, 2017

[Herald Interview] Heo Min-seon removes Crayon Pop helmet, embarks on theatrical career

As a member of the once-sensational K-pop group Crayon Pop, Heo Min-seon used to dance in a helmet and bright tracksuit that recall the Power Rangers. She has now moved on to acting onstage. Also known by the name Way, Heo recently took on her first theater gig with a role in the historical play “Jjamppong,” acclaimed for its depiction of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in Korea. “I used to act in a high school theater club and had always wanted to try acting, even during Crayon Pop activities,”

FilmMay 24, 2017

Sistar bids farewell in video

Tuesday marked the end of an era for soon-to-be disbanded Sistar and its fans, to whom the group said a sentimental goodbye on social media. A video uploaded by its agency Starship Entertainment featured images of what appears to the four members Hyolyn, Bora, Soyou and Dasom enjoying their everyday lives. It also included farewell messages starting with each letter of the band’s name: “See you again. It’s not goodbye. Separate ways we may go. To achieve new dreams. All the memories together. Re

PerformanceMay 24, 2017

'Grandpas over Flowers' exported to Italy, Turkey

A popular variety show featuring grandfathers traveling overseas has been sold to Italy and Turkey, a local cable channel said Wednesday.The network tvN said it has sealed a deal to export the format of "Grandpas over Flowers" to Italy and Turkey. In 2014, the same program was sold to the U.S. as the first Korean variety show to be exported to the country. (Yonhap)The show, which aired on tvN from 2013-15, features four veteran actors in their 70s and 80s going on a backpacking tour.It is in tal

May 24, 2017

[Herald Interview] Yeo Jin-goo at ease with transition from child to adult actor

For most of his career, Yeo Jin-goo has played the younger versions of characters.He acted out the childhood of a Robin Hood-esque hero in the 2008 TV series “Iljimae.” He played a youngster who grows up to be a gambler in the crime film “Tazza: The High Rollers.” His character in the TV drama “Giant” later became the charismatic founder of a building company. In 2012, he stole viewers’ hearts with the younger role of a Joseon-era king in the period series “Moon Embracing the Sun.” 　Although man

FilmMay 24, 2017

FT Island to release remake of single ‘Lovesick’

K-pop boy band FT Island is set to return with a remake of its digital single “Lovesick” on Sunday, according to its agency.“FT Island will drop the remake of its debut song ‘Lovesick,’ ahead of releasing a new album on June 7, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its debut,” FNC Entertainment said. A teaser image for the special digital single “Lovesick” (FNC Entertainment)Since its debut in June 2007 with its first studio album “Cheerful Sensibility,” the five-member band has enjoyed popularit

PerformanceMay 24, 2017

Tom Cruise says Top Gun 2 in the works

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise revealed Wednesday he plans a sequel to the cult action film Top Gun, with filming set to begin next year.Rumours have swirled for years that he would revisit the 1986 movie that made him a household name, and Cruise finally spoke out while in Australia to promote his latest flick "The Mummy".Asked by a Channel Seven breakfast TV host about whether a second instalment of the action drama was on the cards, he replied: "Yes, it's true." Poster of the original "Top Gu

FilmMay 24, 2017

BTS makes new friends on Billboard red carpet

While Sunday may have marked an all-time best moment for BTS, the winner of Top Social Artist at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, the group‘s euphoria probably doubled with the amount of friends who shared in the group’s joy. Billboard Music Award always brings artists together, and BTS also seems to have made some new pals on the global event’s magenta carpet. (Yonhap)Here is a list of new friends spotted at the group’s historic moment on site. 1. The Chainsmokers(BTS` Twitter)The Sunday award

PerformanceMay 23, 2017

With catcalls and applause, Cannes debates rise of Netflix

This year’s Cannes Film Festival has been a sprawling, international referendum on Netflix, with votes registered in catcalls and applause, and some of the biggest names in cinema staking out their positions. As the world’s largest and most prestigious film festival, Cannes has often been a kind of glitzy, French Riviera town hall that measures the fluctuations of the movie industry. This year, the seismic impact of Netflix and its swelling movie ambitions have taken center stage. The festival f

FilmMay 23, 2017

3,000-year-old grave shows ancient people used fire during burial

South Korean researchers have found remnants of an ancient cave formed around 10th century BC, which suggest Bronze Age people conducted a ritual with fire before burying their dead.Scientists from Yonsei University Museum uncovered a burial site in an ancient cave in Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon Province, where they found bones of at least four people along with relics. The excavation was conducted under the authority of the Cultural Heritage Administration. Human bones recovered at a Bronze Age buri

CultureMay 23, 2017

'Produce 101' tops TV chart, 'Ruler' enters at No. 2

Season two of "Produce 101," Mnet's all-male idol audition show, topped a benchmark TV popularity index for the sixth straight week, while new period drama "Ruler: Master of the Mask" made a splashing entry at No. 2, according to data Wednesday."Produce 101" scored 264.3 points on the Content Power Index (CPI), becoming the most popular TV program from May 8-14. (Mnet)CPI, developed by entertainment company CJ E&M and Nielsen Korea, measures the popularity of TV shows based on the number of view

May 23, 2017

Seoul night market lights up city with delicacies, performances

The nightscape of Seoul offers a wealth of pleasant surprises, one of which is Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market, a special weekend market being held in five locations throughout the city. The night market set up at Seoul Color Park in Yeouido encourages visitors to explore multiple facets of the metropolitan city. It consists of food trucks, handmade craft stores and unique performances. Visitors enjoy the Seoul Bamdokkaebi Night Market at Seoul Color Park in Yeouido on weekends. (Seoul Bamdokkaeb

CultureMay 23, 2017

Kim Tae-hee, Rain expect first baby

Kim Tae-hee and Rain are expecting their first child.“Kim Tae-hee is currently 15 weeks pregnant. She needs to take care of herself. We believed that it’s the right thing to let the fans who have been supporting the couple know first,” said Kim’s agency, Ruach Entertainment. “She will focus on prenatal care and prepare to become a mother.” (Harper's Bazaar Korea)On Jan. 19, Kim and Rain got married in a small, private ceremony after dating for five years. Rain recently finished his Japan fan mee

TelevisionMay 23, 2017

The women of Psy’s music videos

Son Na-eun is basking in the glowing limelight of the “Psy effect” since her appearance in the singer’s music video for “New Face.”The Apink member is being bombarded with requests for advertisements and photo shoots, her agency Plan A Entertainment said Tuesday. The music video for “New Face” has reached over 3 million views on YouTube since its May 10 release. Son stars in it as the poker-faced subject of Psy’s fervent advances.Other female K-pop singers and actresses who have starred in Psy’s

PerformanceMay 23, 2017