An intricate novella of the mundane, the otherwordly

“Springtime: A Ghost Story” 　By Michelle de Kretser　Catapult (85 pages, $11.95)　Disturbing ripples run through this novella from an award-winning Sri Lankan author who grew up in Australia. We join the life of lead character Frances as she moves to modern-day Sydney to pursue her studies of elements of composition in 18th-century art. She’s a keen observer of details, researching the significance not only of what’s in a painting, but what’s not.　Her story is both simple and intricate. Our first

BooksApril 20, 2016

Understated novel observes family dynamics

“Miller’s Valley” 　By Anna Quindlen　Random House (257 pages, $28)　When society’s volume seems cranked to 11, there’s something to be said about a quiet book. Understated almost to a fault, Anna Quindlen’s eighth novel pulls together themes of rural life, Vietnam, mental illness, eminent domain, abortion and ambition in prose that never shouts, yet still explores a family’s depths. 　We meet Mimi Miller as a child growing up in Miller Valley, the family history flowing across the land as surely as

BooksApril 20, 2016

[Herald Interview] Crystal accessories in digital age

Earlier this month, the crystal brand Swarovski launched a wearable activity-tracking device that women might actually consider wearing. 　The device had a sparkling faceted crystal the size of a coin, which can be inserted into a crystal-studded bracelet, sport band or necklace. Embedded within the crystal is software that monitors your activities during the day and tracks your sleep pattern at night. 　“Our mission has been to beautify smart devices,” said Robert Buchbauer, CEO of Consumer Goods

Arts & DesignApril 19, 2016

A bazaar of last resort in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES –– Claudia Flores and her husband were months past due on $60 phone and $80 electricity bills.　So they packed their minivans with strollers, car seats, used T-shirts and assorted other things and drove to a stretch of Figueroa Street just blocks from Imperial Highway in South Los Angeles.　There, they spread their wares on the sidewalk and opened for business.　This part of Figueroa Street has become a shopping bazaar of last resort for people living on the margins.　Every weekend, doze

TravelApril 19, 2016

‘Simple Song #3’ performed by soprano Sumi Jo wins Italian film award

A song from movie “Youth,” which was performed by Korean soprano Sumi Jo, won an Italian film award, PR company PRM said Tuesday.　The song “Simple Song #3” from Paolo Sorrentino’s movie “Youth” won the Best Original Song at the 60th David di Donatello Awards on Monday.　The Italian comedy-drama film was nominated in 14 fields of the Italian award, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Soprano Sumi Jo holds the award for Best Original Song at the David Di Donatello Awards at Rome

PerformanceApril 19, 2016

Korean artist files copyright suit against designer

Artist Lee Myung-ho has sued London-based Greek fashion designer Mary Katrantzou for copying one of his iconic tree series, calling it “intentional plagiarism.” 　The artist claims the celebrated fashion designer, known for her use of bold prints on clothes and accessories, took part of Lee’s 2013 work for her T-shirts and handbag designs without his permission. 　“The designer took the image and altered it a little, such as expanding the width of the image, editing a few details. The pixels in th

Arts & DesignApril 19, 2016

Twice to move on to 'Page Two'

K-pop girl group Twice has unveiled the teaser video and image for its second mini album “Page Two,” the group‘s agency JYP Entertainment announced Monday.　In the teaser image, all the members appear in mint-colored cheerleader’s outfits. Teaser image of K-pop girl group Twice’s second mini album “Page Two” (JYP Entertainment)　The nine-member international girl group -- five Koreans, three Japanese and one Taiwanese member -- debuted with “The Story Begins” in October last year. The group will p

PerformanceApril 19, 2016

Lee Hi releases ‘My Star’

Singer Lee Hi released a teaser video and poster for her upcoming song “My Star” on Monday.　Uploaded on YG Entertainment’s official blog www.yg-life.com, the poster and video features rapper One as the singer’s romantic partner. One was a contestant on Mnet’s hip-hop competition show “Show Me the Money 4” last year, and signed with the agency in September. Promotional image of Lee Hi’s “My Star” (YG Entertainment)　Lee Hi, who bagged second prize in season one of SBS audition show “K-pop Star,” d

PerformanceApril 19, 2016

[Herald Review] Korean family observed in ‘End of Winter’　

“End of Winter” tells the story of a Korean family. 　This family is forced to stay together longer than originally intended when a snowstorm hits the northern city of Cheorwon, where its members have gathered for the retirement ceremony of the father, played by Moon Chan-gil, who is wrapping up his teaching career. 　There’s the newlywed daughter-in-law, played by Lee Sang-hee, struggling to find favor with her new family; her husband, the eldest son played by Kim Min-hyuk, a pharmaceutical sales

FilmApril 19, 2016

Haebangchon to become ‘Green Culture Village’

The government announced plans Monday to transform Seoul’s Yongsan 2ga-dong, better known by the expatriate community as Haebangchon or HBC, into a “Green Culture Village,” where nature will blend with the region’s unique culture.A total of 38 billion won ($33 million) will be invested by the government to build a food street and a strolling path along Mount Namsan for culture and history tours that include a walk through a sweater factory that once was the economic motor of HBC between 1960 and

Expat LivingApril 19, 2016

Technology meets tourism at new K-Style Hub

Seoul’s newest culture tourism facility, the K-Style Hub, is technology at its finest, offering the very best in information and education on Korea’s traditional culture as well as one-stop shop for hallyu. 　The hub, which hosted President Park Geun-hye and hallyu star Song Joong-ki at its opening ceremony last Monday, is one of the city’s most sophisticated and technologically advanced tourism centers. 　Located on the second through fifth floors in the former headquarters of the Korea Tourism O

CultureApril 18, 2016

Park Hae-jin depicted on Chinese stamps

Actor Park Hae-jin will be featured on Chinese postage stamps, Chinese media reported Monday.　The stamps are part of the Dream China project jointly organized by China’s Ministry of Communications and China Post to recognize the 100 most influential cultural figures in China.Chinese postage stamps featuring Korean actor Park Hae-jin (Mountain Movement)　Though other Korean stars have had their faces on limited editions of Chinese stamps, Park is the first Korean to be on Chinese stamps that are r

April 18, 2016

AOA to drop fourth single in Japan

K-pop girl group AOA’s fourth Japanese single will hit record stores in Japan on April 20, the group’s agency FNC Entertainment announced Sunday.　“Give Me the Love” was released on Recochoku, one of the biggest music websites in Japan, in advance, and immediately topped the K-pop weekly chart. A short version of the music video also topped the Japanese video website Gyao, said the agency. K-pop girl group AOA‘s fourth Japanese single “Give Me the Love” (FNC Entertainment)　Besides AOA, the song a

PerformanceApril 18, 2016

Female photographers explore femininity

Photographs that explore women and femininity are on view at exhibitions held as part of the 2016 Woman Photo Festival. 　Some 22 professional female photographers, who are members of the Korean Women Photographers’ Association, are showcasing their works at touring exhibitions in Seoul and Paju, Gyeonggi Province.  “Three Generations” by J. Ahn (Courtesy of the artist)　“The KWPA has held exhibitions annually since it was founded in 1998 to foster and introduce female photographers. Starting this

PerformanceApril 18, 2016