Director Kim Jee-woon says ‘Age of Shadows’ is ‘heated’ noir

When director Kim Jee-woon first started filming his newest historical thriller “The Age of Shadows,” he had set his mind on making a “cold” noir flick featuring a ruthless world of spies. 　But the film turned out to be much more “heated” than originally intended, he told reporters after a press screening of the film in Seoul on Tuesday.　His original references had been classics like the 1949 black-and-white thriller “The Third Man” and the 1965 Western espionage flick “The Spy Who Came In from

FilmAug. 26, 2016

[Highlights] Arts and entertainment calendar

Classical Music  “Ivan Fischer & Budapest Festival Orchestra”: Budapest Festival Orchestra is returning to Korea for the fourth time in six years. Conducted by Hungarian conductor and composer Ivan Fischer, the ensemble will be performing at the Seoul Arts Center on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. Accompanied by Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires, the 33-year-old orchestra will be presenting three pieces from Mozart, Chopin and Dvorak. Tickets range from 50,000 won to 250,000 won and can be reserved at tick

PerformanceAug. 26, 2016

[Weekender] Koreans more adventurous with wine

For many Koreans of a certain age, hearing the word “Majuang” will bring a wistful smile. It is difficult to recall the taste, but in the days when imported wines were a rarity, Majuang ruled. 　The story has it that Majuang, launched in 1977, was created at the behest of the late President Park Chung-hee, who, while visiting Germany, hit upon the idea of producing grape wine in Korea as an alternative to the traditional rice wine. The country suffered from a rice shortage at the time and the man

FoodAug. 26, 2016

Mamamoo to unveil first subunit tracks

K-pop quartet Mamamoo will be releasing its first subunit tracks this month, the group announced on its official social media channels on Friday.The first subunit, Angel Line, consisting of members Solar and Whee-in, will be presenting “Angel,” while the remaining duo Rapper Line with Moon-byul and Hwa-sa will be releasing “Dab Dab.”　Although the promotional posters feature the four members in matching outfits, the tracks capture two different sides of Mamamoo, according to a statement from the

PerformanceAug. 26, 2016

[Travel Bits] Round up of travel news from around the world

Water splash parade at EverlandEverland is hosting the Summer Splash and Fantastic Summer Night festival, which is packed with programs such as splash parades, fireworks and a 3-D mapping show every night. During the day, guests can enjoy Jack’s Splash Parade, which sprays 84 tons of water from 40 water cannons and six floats, three times a day. At night when the heat dies down, the park’s Rose Garden will be turned into a midsummer night’s dream paradise as the garden is transformed into a fest

TravelAug. 26, 2016

[Herald Interview] Wine master Jeannie Cho Lee talks pairing for Asian palate

When it comes to wine, most people would envision the sun-kissed vineyards of Italy, France or California. In contrast, Asia and its cuisine are not often brought up when discussing wine culture. 　But Korean-American wine critic Jeannie Cho Lee is looking to change this perception and put Asia on the international wine map. Based in Hong Kong, the author, journalist, consultant and wine educator is a highly regarded wine master in Asia.  Master of Wine Jeannie Cho Lee (Jeannie Cho Lee)　In 2008,

FoodAug. 26, 2016

Surfer heaven: Kauai’s north shore

The surf instructor Rick, sitting next to us, points out to vast ocean as we sit in the crystal-clear water, where he’s pushing a few beginners into waves.“A few months ago, there were 60-foot (18-meter) waves crashing right here,” he said, gazing out to where it looked more like a lake on a recent day in May. “This past winter was one of the best we’ve had for waves.”As summer started this year, locals were still feeling a hangover from their epic El Nino-driven winter. Stories flowed of how wi

TravelAug. 26, 2016

Zucchini tart recipe will make you wish you had planted more, not less

Houseguests can be ingrates. Once, I invited an asparagus family to the garden and the whole clan stalked away. Perhaps my hostess skills need some work.Apparently to make asparagus feel at home, you have to cultivate loose soil, deep trenches and patience. So this summer, years after my first failure, I fluffed a comfy bed and opened a sack of “crowns,” which is to say roots. Each looks like a small, dehydrated octopus. I spread the tentacles, sprinkled dirt and practiced patience.Which was unn

FoodAug. 26, 2016

[Around the hotels] Round up of hotel events and news

Relaxing Chuseok Package at Banyan Tree Club & Spa SeoulIn celebration of Chuseok, Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul will be offering the Relaxing Chuseok Package for those staying at the hotel from Sept. 9-18. Starting at 590,000 won per night, guests who choose to stay at the Banyan Full Deluxe Room, Namsan Full Deluxe Room, Namsan Full Premier Room, Namsan Full Suite or the Namsan Full Premier Suite will be offered free breakfast for two at the Granum Dining Lounge, discount coupons to the Banyan

TravelAug. 26, 2016

[Album Review] Crystal Castles bring the noise on ‘Amnesty (I)’

Crystal Castles“Amnesty (I)”Casablanca RecordsElectro-punk noisemakers Crystal Castles return with a lineup that‘s 50 percent new and a sound that’s still 100 percent uncompromising. Original vocalist Alice Glass left amid reports of acrimony in 2014, and on “Amnesty (I)” producer-maestro Ethan Kath is joined by new singer Edith Frances.The essentials of Crystal Castles’ ethos remain. Frances’ vocals -- ranging from ethereal to insistent -- counterpoint Kath’s sonic assault on an album that blen

PerformanceAug. 26, 2016

[Album Review] Dolly Parton’s ‘Pure and Simple’ is just that

Dolly Parton“Pure and Simple”(Dolly/Sony Music Nashville)In the ebbs and flows of her nearly lifelong career, Dolly Parton is at high tide again.The 70-year-old is on her biggest American tour in 25 years and last year’s movie “Coat of Many Colors” drew the biggest TV audience for an original movie in five years. So it only makes sense that the new album “Pure and Simple” (Dolly/Sony Music Nashville) is getting the biggest rollout for an album of hers in decades.“Pure and Simple” refers both to

PerformanceAug. 26, 2016

[Album Review] Lisa Hannigan in striking control on ‘At Swim’

Lisa Hannigan“At Swim”(ATO)What is most striking about Lisa Hannigan is her control.It’s an unexpected skill considering how the Irish singer first gained attention as part of the band that brought Damien Rice’s raw, unpredictable emotional folk to life. And, for fans of a certain age, there are times when Hannigan’s lower range sounds just like a young Sinead O’Connor, which sets up a wait for the Sinead-ish banshee shrieks that never come.Instead of wild emotion, Hannigan offers gorgeous, well

PerformanceAug. 26, 2016

[Box Office] Latest movie releases

Truth(US)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by James VanderbiltControversy begins to brew when anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mape (Cate Blanchett) broadcast a report about President W. George Bush and his military service.Florence Foster Jenkins(UK)Opened Aug. 23Drama. Directed by Stephen FrearsNew York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) dreams of becoming an opera singer. The problem is her limited talent: while others are not at all impressed with her voice, it

FilmAug. 26, 2016

Frenzied visuals lead to middling remake of ‘Ben-Hur’

Neither a sterling remake nor the disastrous camp hoot some were anticipating, those punks, the new “Ben-Hur” arrives in theaters beaded with flop sweat. Its box office forecast calls for gray skies followed by red ink: It cost about $100 million to make and the tracking data puts the weekend haul at $14 million to $15 million, which is grim like the Charlton Heston jawline under pressure was grim.The movie arrives in the supplicant position, begging for unfavorable comparisons to the 1959 Willi

FilmAug. 26, 2016

Yeo Jin-goo, Lee Jung-jae cast as prince, army leader in upcoming period flick

Actors Yeo Jin-goo and Lee Jung-jae have been cast for the upcoming movie “Opposition Forces” (tentative title), set to begin shooting on Sept. 5, Fox International Productions confirmed Thursday.The film, set for release next year, chronicles the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, during which Crown Prince Gwanghae, played by Yeo, struggled to defend Joseon while King Seonjo fled to the Ming dynasty in China.Lee will play the leader of the opposition forces, which served as soldiers in the place

FilmAug. 25, 2016

NCT Dream releases new music video

NCT Dream, the third subunit of Neo Culture Technology, unveiled both Korean and Chinese versions of the music video for its debut single “Chewing Gum” on Aug. 24.Within less than a day of the release, the group’s official YouTube videos received a total of over 1 million views.The latest group from entertainment agency S.M. Entertainment, NCT Dream consists of seven boys -- Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Hae-chan, Jae-min, Chenle, and Ji-sung -- between the ages of 14 and 17. Boasting a youthful and playf

PerformanceAug. 25, 2016

Giant cruise ship heads to Arctic on pioneering journey

LOS ANGELES (AFP) -- It is a voyage explorers only dreamed of not so long ago.But thanks to climate change, a luxury cruise ship has undertaken a pioneering journey that will see it sail through the once impassable Northwest Passage during a monthlong trip that is drawing much excitement but also criticism from environmentalists.The Crystal Serenity, which set off from Seward, Alaska on Aug. 16 with nearly 1,000 passengers, is scheduled to dock in New York on Sept. 17.The ship made its last Alas

TravelAug. 25, 2016