[Foreigners Who Loved Korea 15] Mowry, ardent supporter of Korean independence

Eli Miller Mowry was born Jan. 23, 1880, as the third of nine children to Samuel Mowry and Mary Miller in a suburb of Bellville, Ohio. 　He participated in the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions in his college years and resolved to become a missionary. After being ordained in May 1905 by the American Presbyterian Church of Worcester, he and his wife came to Korea on Oct. 2 and mainly worked in the Pyongyang Mission chapter.  　After learning Korean, he taught general biology, genetics

CultureApril 25, 2016

U.S. Web drama explores world of Korean TV

A new U.S.-produced Web drama series could potentially expand the reach of K-dramas around the world.　San Francisco-based streaming site Viki last week launched “Dramaworld,” a series centered on a U.S. fan of Korean dramas. The response from viewers around the world has been enthusiastic, according to Viki CEO Tammy Nam.  Tammy Nam, CEO of Web-streaming site Viki (Viki)　“The reaction ... has been amazing,” Nam told The Korea Herald in an email interview Saturday. “Our community of fans translat

TelevisionApril 25, 2016

Chung Myung-whun to conduct SPO for Lotte Concert Hall opening

Former Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Chung Myung-whun is tentatively slated to lead the SPO in the orchestra’s performance marking the opening of the Lotte Concert Hall.　The concerts, scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19, would be the first time Chung is leading the orchestra since resigning last December amid a whirlwind of controversy.　“Having former conductor Chung conduct the Lotte Concert Hall’s upcoming opening concerts has actually been in the making for the past three years,” an SPO spo

PerformanceApril 25, 2016

[Herald Review] ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase’ musical gives food for thought

Recognized as one of the U.K.’s most exciting and innovative touring theater companies, Kneehigh came to Korea for the first time with “Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs),” which features its latest avant-garde choreography and a compelling narrative.　Written by Carl Grose and directed by Mike Shepherd, and with a new score of live music written by Charles Hazelwood, “Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs)” was performed at the LG Arts Center last Thursday to Sunday.    A scene

PerformanceApril 25, 2016

Revisit Joseon era at royal culture festival

At the 2016 Royal Culture Festival, visitors to major royal palaces in Seoul will be able to immerse themselves in the royal lifestyle of the Joseon era (1392-1910). 　From April 28 to May 8, Joseon-era palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung -- and Jongmyo Shrine will host a 10-day celebration of Joseon royal life. 　In its second year, the festival will hold some 30 programs consisting of concerts, performances, culinary events and exhibitions at the four major pa

CultureApril 25, 2016

Hadid's oyster-shaped ferry terminal to open in Italy, weeks after death

ROME (AFP) - One of the final works of Zaha Hadid, the acclaimed Iraqi-British architect who died suddenly last month, was posthumously inaugurated in Italy on Monday.　Inspired by an oyster, the new maritime terminal at the southern port of Salerno features a hard shell above a soft, fluid interior and the wavy lines that were Hadid’s signature.　It is her first major project to come to completion since her death from a heart attack at the age of 65. A view of the port of Salerno, south of Italy,

Arts & DesignApril 25, 2016

Sechs Kies to make comeback after 16 years

Legendary idol boy band Sechs Kies may release a new album, 16 years after the six-member group disbanded in May 2000.　Sechs Kies, a first-generation K-pop boy band which debuted in 1997, held a reunion concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 14, as part of a project for MBC’s reality show “Infinite Challenge.”　The reunion concert was held one day before the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut. Despite the short notice, more than 5,000 fans gathered to see the group, with many showing u

PerformanceApril 25, 2016

Park Bo-gum meets Taiwan fans

Actor Park Bo-gum held a fan meeting at Taipei International Convention Center in Taiwan on Saturday.　Park, who rose to stardom with the tvN drama series “Reply 1988” last year, attracted about 2,500 international fans for his first overseas fan meeting, said the actor’s agency Blossom Entertainment.　The tickets sold out seven minutes after ticket sales started, demonstrating the actor’s popularity, the agency added. Actor Park Bo-gum at a fan meeting held at the Taipei International Convention

TelevisionApril 25, 2016

[Herald Review] Ok Joo-hyun dazzles as seductress Mata Hari

Tackling the highly-anticipated role of the world’s most notorious female spies, Ok Joo-hyun is simply unforgettable as leading lady in the new musical, “Mata Hari at the Moulin Rouge.”　　In a world premiere production brought to us by the collective the minds of Tony Award-winning Broadway megastars – director-choreographer Jeff Calhoun, with music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy and writer Ivan Menchell – all eyes were on the former K-pop star-turned-musical actress as the sinfully all

PerformanceApril 24, 2016

‘Uncontrollably Fond’ to simulcast in China, U.S.

Still from teaser video of "Uncontrollaby Fond" (KBS)The upcoming KBS TV drama “Uncontrollably Fond” will be simulcast in various countries, according to its production company, Samhwa Networks.In an interview with a local media outlet, Samhwa announced its plans to simultaneously broadcast the TV drama in both South and North America, as well as in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.In China, the drama will air on video-streaming service Youku, while it will be broadcast in the U.S. via DramaFever. Fo

TelevisionApril 24, 2016

Bae Yong-joon slanderers slapped with W30m fine

The CEO and internal director of a ginseng product company who called hallyu star Bae Yong-joon “crazy for money” were slapped with a fine of 30 million won ($26,000) for defamation, Sunday. The Seoul Central District Court said the two were responsible for maliciously defaming a well-known celebrity to gain public attention and influence the court decision on then-ongoing lawsuits with Bae’s former food brand Goshire. (Bae Yong-joon's Instagram)The court said, “Although Bae was not the person d

TelevisionApril 24, 2016

‘Okja’ begins shooting in Seoul, Steven Yeun joins cast

Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s upcoming monster-fantasy flick began shooting in Seoul last Friday, according to Netflix Korea, while another actor member -- Korean-American Steven Yeun -- has joined the film’s eclectic cast, reports say.　The film, set to be released by Netflix in 2017, is the most recent project of director Bong, whose previous feature “Snowpiercer” achieved worldwide critical acclaim.　“I wanted to tell a story about the beautiful friendship between humans and animals and the fe

FilmApril 24, 2016

[Weekender] Tea fields in Boseong beckon with natural green splendors

BOSEONG, South Jeolla Province -- While nearby tropical nations like the Philippines and Indonesia have their hanging rice terraces in Banaue and Tegalalang that serve as major tourist attractions, Korea also has its own natural green splendors for tourism. 　Located at the southern tip of the peninsula is the Daehan Dawon Tourist Tea Plantation -- more often known as Boseong Green Tea Plantation -- in Boseong, South Jeolla Province.  　The lusciously vibrant green tea fields of Boseong is the nat

FoodApril 22, 2016

[Weekender] Tea resurgence brews

Long before the invasion of western coffee, Korea was a tea-drinking country with a rich ceremonial tea culture and heritage preserved for more than a thousand years.　Tea has always been at the center of the country’s tradition, culture, poetry, drama, art and song. But little attention was often paid to it in the post-war era, making it difficult to maintain its significance in society.  　Korean tea eventually lost its once prominent role to coffee, as the product of the West became more access

CultureApril 22, 2016

[Weekender] At one with nature, tea, others

Traditional Korean tea-drinking is not just about the beverage. 　It’s based on the harmony of all aspects involved in the process, including nature, attire, interior setting, teaware and people, explains Kim Eui-jung, who is recognized as Korea’s 27th intangible cultural asset for her expertise in traditional royal tea ceremonies. 　Kim’s mother, Kim Mi-hee, in 1980 helped restore Korea’s unique tea tradition which had been passed down for hundreds of years since the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) but

FoodApril 22, 2016

[Eye Interview] Fashion maven Suzy Menkes talks big trends of 21st century

For more than a quarter-century, Suzy Menkes has crisscrossed the globe, reporting from the front rows and back stages of fashion shows, giving the layperson intimate insights into the baffling world of fashion with her astute observations, and predicting the next big trend. 　“Today, there is a lot of mindless fashion, churning out of fast fashion,” said Menkes matter-of-factly during an interview with The Korea Herald at Hotel Shilla on Monday. A doyenne of fashion journalism, as well known for

Arts & DesignApril 22, 2016

Lee Seung-hwan showcases ‘Signal of One Billion Light-years’

Rock singer Lee Seung-hwan showcased his new song “The Signal of One Billion Light-years" at a concert held at Ewha Womans University Samsung Hall on Thursday.　The song is a slow-tempo modern rock tune featuring the dramatic sound of an orchestra. The track will be included in his upcoming 11th full studio album, “Fall to Fly - Latter.” 　The song has garnered attention with its chorus line “Let’s go home now, don’t stay alone in the cold,” which seems to console the victims of the Sewol ferry di

PerformanceApril 22, 2016

[Foodie’s Seoul] Editor’s choice for dinner: Sundaeguk

When it comes to blood sausages, Korea has a special take on this international delicacy: sundae. The Korean blood sausage, which is cooked with vegetable fillers until it becomes thick enough, is a perfect combination of pork blood and potato starch noodles. Like with many other Korean recipes that have a lot of regional variations, food lovers will be hard-pressed to agree on which sundae to taste first -- from kimchi sundae with soybean paste to sundae stuffed with squid. But as is always the

CultureApril 22, 2016

Jin Goo becomes new face of cosmetics brand Enprani

Actor Jin Goo has been picked as the new face of cosmetics company Enprani, the actor’s agency BH Entertainment said.　Jin, who debuted with the SBS drama series “All In” in 2003, has starred in numerous films, TV dramas and music videos, rising to stardom with the KBS2 hit drama series “Descendants of the Sun.” Actor Jin Goo is featured in a promotional image for Enpriani’s brand Holika Holika. (Enprani)　“We picked Jin Goo because of his natural vibe, which reflects our new image,” said the cosm

TelevisionApril 22, 2016