Summer shelter erected in museum

Under the blazing summer sun, rows of loosely hanging reed blinds create shade, inviting passersby on the heated streets of Seoul to cool down.The reeds form the main part of a “park with a roof” set up outside the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea."Roof Sentiment" by SoA (MMCA)It was designed and constructed by architect duo Lee Chi-hoon and Kang Ye-rin – together known as Society of Architecture – and won this year’s Young Architects Program, jointly organized by the MMCA,

Arts & DesignJuly 8, 2015

Lee Joon-gi, TVXQ Changmin turn vampire, prince in new TV drama

Korean period drama meets “Twilight” in a new MBC drama, starring two popular Hallyu stars -- Lee Joon-gi and Changmin of TVXQ.In “Scholar Who Walks the Night,” actor Lee Joon-gi takes on the role of vampire scholar Kim Sung-yeol. A year since “Gunman in Joseon,” Lee returns to the small screen with a vampire role that seems fit for the actor with pale skin, sharp features and substantial experience with period dramas.Lee Joon-gi (MBC)“My looks aren’t what they once were, unfortunately,” said Le

July 7, 2015

[Herald Review] ‘Non-summit’ sees fresh change of pace

Popular JTBC variety talk show “Non-Summit” welcomed six new cast members into its fold Monday, marking a new beginning for the show with more cultural diversity and loaded discussions. The new cast members -- Andreas Varsakopoulos (Greece), Nikolai Johnsen (Norway), Przemyslaw Krompiec (Poland), Carlos Gorito (Brazil), Yuta Nakamoto (Japan) and Sami el-Baz (Egypt) -- proved to be a multitalented bunch, introducing fresh insights into different cultures and displaying entertaining personal skill

TelevisionJuly 7, 2015

Korea tourism industry strives to bounce back from MERS slump

Despite July customarily being one of Seoul’s busiest holiday months, on a bright sunny Monday afternoon the city’s largest palace and tourist hot spot, Gyeongbukgung Palace, was virtually devoid of international tourists.Myeong-dong -- Seoul’s shopping mecca that is typically teeming with tourists -- and the duty-free shops in Lotte Department Store’s main branch are experiencing rare quiet months in the height of the summer season.Following the start of the peninsula’s Middle East respiratory

TravelJuly 7, 2015

Hello Venus joins heated girl group competition in July

(Twitter)K-pop girl group Hello Venus is set to drop its new single in July. Ahead of the release, they posted two photos of members Alice and Lime on their official Twitter account. The pictures, in which the two gaze into the camera with colorful hair and nails, were taken at the same studio where they shot their new album cover.  It has been six months since they released single “Wiggle Wiggle” in January. Since their debut, Hello Venus has garnered attention with sexy dance moves and addicti

July 6, 2015

Big Bang’s July songs reign over local charts

K-pop boy band Big Bang ranked No.1 on major local music charts for the sixth consecutive day Monday with its latest track “If You.”　Released on July 1, “If You” has topped the real-time K-pop chart of Melon, the largest online music service site in Korea. On the chart, fellow July release “Sober” followed in a close second place. The two songs -- which are part of the EP “D” -- are ranked near the top on other major charts as well, including Genie, Olleh and Bugs.  Big Bang (YG Entertainment)Th

July 6, 2015

Junsu mulls lawsuit over online defamation

Junsu of K-pop boy band JYJ is considering taking legal action against netizens who have made hateful comments against him in the past. 　The 28-year-old singer tweeted Sunday that he has recently received multiple requests from people through his personal email and his label’s legal team to take legal actions against online slander. 　“I have dealt with (hateful comments) for the past 10 years,” he wrote on his Twitter. “I tend to be optimistic and strong so I am less affected by the comments. I

July 6, 2015

Im Sang-soo hopes to stoke the fire of rebellion

Throughout his interview with The Korea Herald at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul, 53-year-old director Im Sang-soo had a wary smile on his face. His personal ambience was in many ways what one would expect after watching his most well-known movies such as “The Housemaid” or “The Taste of Money” -- caustic, satirical depictions of society‘s ultra-elite.  Filmmaker Im Sang-soo (Yonhap)So it was surprising that he was able to shed his brand of biting wit in his latest crime thriller comedy “Intimate En

FilmJuly 6, 2015

Ancient Baekje historic areas named a UNESCO world heritage site

Eight ancient Baekje historic areas were collectively named as a UNESCO World Heritage site Saturday, becoming Korea’s 12th item on the much-coveted World Heritage list. It joins the ranks of the volcanic island of Jeju, Seoul’s Changdeokgung Palace and the mountain fortress of Namhansanseong. The Baekje historic areas are a collection of sites built over the different periods of Baekje, spanning nearly 700 years from B.C. 18 to A.D. 660. The sites, including royal palaces and fortresses, tombs,

CultureJuly 5, 2015

Award-winning U.S. video series spotlights ‘hansik’

Every year for the past decade, the Culinary Institute of America -- one of the U.S.’ most prominent professional cooking schools -- releases a video series that teaches chefs, food experts and other industry insiders about a region’s cuisine.The program, called “Savoring the Best of World Flavors,” has already earned its street cred in the foodie stratosphere, nabbing not one but two James Beard Awards for its coverage of India, Spain, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam and Sicily.Now, the institute has

FoodJuly 5, 2015

Box Office

Madonna (Korea) / Opened July 2 Drama. Directed by Shin Su-wonHae-rim (Seo Young-hee), a jaded nurse working in the VIP ward of a luxe hospital, is approached by Sang-woo, the son of a wealthy patient awaiting a heart transplant. He asks her to acquire a signature for a comatose young woman’s organ donation papers in exchange for a handsome sum. While tracking down the woman’s next of kin, Hae-rim discovers a world of hurt in the young woman’s past. Terminator Genisys (U.S.) Opened July 2Action.

FilmJuly 3, 2015

‘Magic Mike’ sequel should have stuck to what it does best

You can’t tease everyone.Unfortunately, the hotly anticipated stripper sequel “Magic Mike XXL” tries to do just that, resulting in a Bud Light version of Steven Soderbergh’s original, surprise-hit home brew. By trying to appeal to young women, middle-aged moms, gay men and spring-break bros at the same time, the movie spreads itself too thin, filling time better spent on manly moves with too much talk and obvious demographic pandering.Still, it’s pointless to resist the five-pointed charisma bom

FilmJuly 3, 2015

Eyelike: Joy Williams, Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Pete Rock

Joy Williams goes solo and bares soulJoy Williams “Venus” (Sensibility/Columbia)Nearly 20 minutes into “Venus,” an acoustic guitar emerges from the computer clamor that fills most of the album. The refreshing sound of an actual musical instrument nudges Joy Williams into the set’s best song, the soul-baring ballad “What a Good Woman Does.”“I can’t carry the weight of this war,” she sings.Williams’ acrimonious split with Civil Wars partner John Paul White is at the core of “Venus,” her first solo

PerformanceJuly 3, 2015

Around the Hotels

Summer bargains at Lotte Hotel BusanLotte Hotel Busan is offering a series of bargain summer promotions from July 1-Aug. 31. The “Summer” package, which is limited to 10 rooms per day, allows visitors to stay in the deluxe room for the affordable price of 160,000 won a night. The “Cool” package, priced at 180,000 won, includes one night in the deluxe room plus an ice tumbler and one glass of ice coffee. The “Cool Beach” package, priced at 220,000 won, includes one night in a deluxe room, breakfa

FoodJuly 3, 2015

Elegant French sweets at Maison M’O

Maison M’O opened in Seoul’s Bangbae-dong in March. (Chung Hee-cho/The Korea Herald)In a quiet, unassuming corner of Seoul’s residential Bangbae-dong, pastry chefs Tetsuya Otsuka and Lee Min-sun craft elegant French pastries with a subtle modern twist at Maison M’O.Madeleines are coated in a citrusy lemon glaze, arranged, plump and inviting in their baking trays for passersby to stop by and pop into their eager mouths, while chaussons shed their more conventional apple filling for tart apricots

FoodJuly 3, 2015

Ambassadors revel in Korea’s bucolic beauties

BONGHWA, ANDONG, North Gyeongsang Province ― A group of foreign envoys traveled to Korea’s countryside last weekend, discovering the country’s unexplored treasures, while taking a break from their industrious diplomatic duties. The “2015 V-Tour for Ambassadors and Foreign Correspondents” took a trip to Bonghwa County and Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The two-day trip from June 26-27 was organized by the Herald Corp. and supported by the North Gyongsang Province Tourism Corporation, Bonghwa

TravelJuly 3, 2015

Kim Hye-soo, Ahn Sung-ki, JK Youn to receive Asia-Pacific film awards

Actress Kim Hye-soo (“Coin Locker Girl”), actor Ahn Sung-ki (“Revivre”) and director JK Youn (“Ode to My Father”) have been chosen by the Asia-Pacific Producers Network to win this year’s APN Award.  The award is given to those in the film industry to recognize achievements that further the advancement of Asian cinema. Kim Hye-soo (BiFan) Ahn Sung-ki (BiFan)The awards will be given on July 18, during the 10th APN Congress to be held from July 17-19 at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Fes

FilmJuly 3, 2015

Nine Muses jumps into heated summer girl group scene with heavy club beats

The leggy, statuesque eight-member group Nine Muses has made a comeback with a special summer album, “9 Muses S/S Edition,” jumping into the heated summer K-pop scene a mere few days after fellow girl groups Sistar and AOA.  The title track “Hurt Locker” is a throbbing Euro-electronic dance beat, written by Swedish songwriter Erik Lidbom -- who also composed “Genie,” the massive 2009 hit by Girls’ Generation -- British producer Herbie Crichlow and Norwegian songwriter Anne Judith Wik.  　The lyri

PerformanceJuly 3, 2015

Hanwha Classic 2016 to headline French baroque

Following its recent staging of the distinguished Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century for the annual Hanwha Classic 2015, representatives have revealed that next year’s concert series will feature French conductor Marc Minkowski and the Musicians of the Louvre orchestra. The Musicians of the Louvre orchestra is an internationally renowned French baroque music ensemble, which originally formed in 1982 in Paris by Minkowski. Since 1996 the orchestra has been based in Grenoble, southeastern France

PerformanceJuly 2, 2015

Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute’ opera reborn, aiming for family fun

Soprano Lee Yoon-geong (left to right), bass Attila Jun and tenor Kim Woo-kyung to take part in the upcoming production of Mozart‘s “The Magic Flute” opera. (Seoul Arts Center)The Seoul Arts Center is getting set to unveil its upcoming production of Mozart’s enchanting opera “The Magic Flute.”The upcoming show will be the center’s first opera production in six years, following another Mozart’s classic -- “The Marriage of Figaro.” From 2001 to 2009, “The Magic Flute” was staged at the SAC every y

PerformanceJuly 2, 2015