The Korea Herald

S.M. sues EXO's Chinese member over breach of contract

S.M. Entertainment, one of South Korea's leading talent agencies, said Thursday it has filed a damage suit with a Chinese court against a Chinese member of the popular K-pop boy band EXO for an alleged breach of contract. Luhan, 24, a member of the band consisting of four Chinese and eight Korean members, was accused of appearing in various films, TV commercials and performances in his home country without prior permission, S.M. said. The legal action came in response to lawsuits filed by Luha

Feb. 5, 2015

Amid 'Mockingbird' sequel buzz, worries about Lee's wishes

Hometown friends and fans of "To Kill A Mockingbird" author Harper Lee are struggling to reconcile a publisher's sensational announcement -- that her decades-old manuscript for a sequel had been rediscovered and will be released -- with the image of the reclusive writer at her sister's recent funeral. Grieving, ill and seated in a wheelchair, Lee talked loudly to herself at awkward times during the service for her beloved older sister and attorney, Alice, according to two family friends who atte

BooksFeb. 5, 2015

Sony says studio hack cost $15 mln, trims loss forecast

Sony Corp. trimmed its forecast of losses and estimates the Sony Pictures hack cost it about $15 million, but expects no significant harm from the cyberattack in the long run. Sony also issued new earnings forecasts for the fiscal year ending in March and said it was benefiting from strong sales of the PlayStation 4, other devices and network services. The hack became public in December when the Hollywood studio's computers were crippled and sensitive documents were posted online. "We don't exp

FilmFeb. 5, 2015

Monet means money: Auction nets record $280 mln total

A Venetian waterscape by Claude Monet has sold for more than $35 million at a London auction as the high-end art market shows resilience in a bumpy global economy. "Le Grand Canal," fetched 23.7 million pounds ($35.6 million) at Sotheby's, though it didn't reach the top of its pre-sale estimate of 20 million pounds to 30 million pounds. Monet's "Poplars at Giverny," sold by New York's Museum of Modern Art, fetched 10.8 million pounds ($16.2 million). Tuesday's Impressionist, Modern and Surrealis

PerformanceFeb. 5, 2015

Saving dogs an inch at a time

There is a group of about 40 Korean expats living in North America that you may not have heard of. Despite the extremely hard times they’ve been through, they’re a happy, healthy and beloved group. They’re also all dogs. Veterinarian Steve Ganton poses with Inch after his relocation to Canada. (Team Inch)Team Inch, the organization responsible for relocating them, was set up in 2013 by likeminded foreigners and Koreans who all shared a love for sighthounds ― a family of dogs that includes greyh

Expat LivingFeb. 4, 2015

Daegu Softball League prepares for spring season

Daegu Softball League opened signups for new players to the league on Feb. 4.In its ninth year, the coed league has 10 teams of 11 players, chosen through a draft system. A rookie game before the draft gives the captains a chance to evaluate new players.“The league is truly amazing and gets better every year,” said Rob McClure, one of the organizers. McClure said that there were no skill requirements in the league, just a need for commitment. “The only requirement we ask is that folks set their

Expat LivingFeb. 4, 2015

Pre-Valentines event to help children

The Filipino American Korean Association is holding a fund-raiser Saturday for good causes in the three countries.Edina Dix, one of the event’s organizers, said that the love-themed fund-raiser was timed to take place just ahead of Valentine’s Day.“It’s the best time to share love by reaching out to others,” she said. “More than sweet candies, flowers and chocolates, let’s celebrate love in a better way. Love is meant to be shown and be shared to others.” Jeol Closa, another organizer, said that

Expat LivingFeb. 4, 2015

Expat growing ‘digital forest’

A British expat living in Korea has started a project that he hopes will become the world’s largest “digital forest.” One of the trees in the “digital forest,” drawn by Martyn ThompsonPhotographer and artist Martyn Thompson has asked artists to draw a picture of a tree, which he will then feature on his website in a continuous line with all the other submissions in a project aptly called “The People’s Forest.”“I have always had an interest in trees, and the unique characteristics that each one h

Expat LivingFeb. 4, 2015

‘Fiction can tell larger truth’

Anchorwoman and author Baik Ji-yeon talks about her new work of fiction “Handstand” in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Tuesday. (Bookfolio)Baik Ji-yeon is the epitome of a successful modern woman. Having become the youngest-ever news anchorwoman in Korea at age 24, she possesses a refined appearance, elegance, confidence and celebrated career that many young women admire.While earning her many different titles ― anchorwoman for local TV channel MBC, interviewer in a talk show and host of current affairs pro

BooksFeb. 4, 2015

It’s snack time in Korea

Japanese enjoy wasabi rice crackers that bring tears to your eyes. In New Zealand, the succulent flavor of roast lamb can be found inside a bag of potato chips. And ketchup-flavored chips are very popular in North America.Just like food, snacks vary across countries ― from flavor to size, shape and even texture. In a way, a bag of chips says something about cultural differences and ethnic tastes. What about Korea? A visit to the packaged snack corner of local supermarkets reveals one noticeable

FoodFeb. 4, 2015

Disney has magical 1st quarter on 'Frozen,' parks revenue

Disney might be lapping the hugely successful theatrical release of "Frozen," but magic lives on in its media networks and parks and resorts. Revenue from Disney parks and resorts rose 9 percent to $3.9 billion in the last three months of 2014, as more people visited its California and Florida properties than in any quarter and spent more money there. In an interview with CNBC, CEO Bob Iger said the entertainment company is seeing no discernible impact on attendance or bookings from the measle

FilmFeb. 4, 2015

'Mockingbird' author Harper Lee to publish second novel

American author Harper Lee is to publish a second novel, more than half a century after the release of her much-loved classic "To Kill a Mockingbird," HarperCollins announced Tuesday. "Go Set a Watchman" was written in the 1950s and features many of the same characters as "Mockingbird." It was rediscovered last year and will be released on July 14, the publishing house said. Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for "To Kill a Mockingbird" -- a searing tale of racial injustice in the Great Depression-era

BooksFeb. 4, 2015

McKay Kim from K-pop Star 2 to debut under Shin Seung-hun

McKay Kim, who starred in season two of the SBS singing audition program K-pop Star, will officially make his debut in the local music scene this week as part of Shin Seung-hun’s new project aimed at cultivating budding singers.Kim will release his first single “Angel 2 Me” on Friday, according to an announcement by Shin’s agency Dorothy Company Tuesday. An official black-and-white photo of Kim has been uploaded on the agency’s website as well. McKay Kim (Dorothy Company)Kim’s upcoming single w

Feb. 4, 2015

McKay Kim from K-pop Star 2 to debut under Shin Seung-hun

Local film industry passes W2tr milestone

The Korean film industry enjoyed the most vibrant year in its history, raking in over 2 trillion won ($1.84 billion) in box-office sales for the first time. The sales increased by 7.6 percent from the previous year thanks to box office revenues and overseas and digital sales, according to the state-run Korean Film Council’s yearly report. The record-breaking figure was mainly buoyed by the robust box office sales, which accounted for about 82 percent of the total sales, and a rapidly growing dig

FilmFeb. 3, 2015

Local film industry passes W2tr milestone

New National Opera director defends qualifications amid intense opposition

The newly appointed Korea National Opera director Han Ye-jin has assumed office under heavy fire, with her appointment being opposed by the opera community following allegations that the 44-year-old former soprano exaggerated her professional qualifications.Han Ye-jin, director of the Korea National Opera group, at a news conference in Seoul on Tuesday. (Yonhap)Han was appointed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in December causing an uproar among members of the local opera communit

PerformanceFeb. 3, 2015

New National Opera director defends qualifications amid intense opposition

Michelangelo’s last surviving bronzes ‘identified in Britain’

LONDON, (AFP) ― The only two surviving bronzes by Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo are thought to have been identified with the help of a tiny clue in a 500-year-old sketch, British researchers said Monday.The bronzes, “Bacchants Riding On Panthers,” date from 1506-08 and show a muscular pair of nude male revelers, arms raised in triumph to the sky, astride snarling panthers. One of two bronze statues named “Bacchants Riding on Panthers,” thought to be by Italian Renaissance master Michel

CultureFeb. 3, 2015

Michelangelo’s last surviving bronzes ‘identified in Britain’

Alexander, Santat win top children’s book prizes

NEW YORK (AP) ― Kwame Alexander’s “The Crossover,” a novel in verse about basketball and coming of age, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year’s best children’s book. Author-illustrator Dan Santat’s “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” a fantasy featuring an island for pretend playmates, received the Randolph Caldecott Medal for best picture book. Kwame Alexander’s “The Crossover.” (HMH Books for Young Readers) Dan Santat’s “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.”

BooksFeb. 3, 2015

Alexander, Santat win top children’s book prizes

Comedian Park Myeong-su, After School’s Lizzy to release duet

Funny man Park Myeong-su of the popular reality show “Infinite Challenge” will be returning to the mic this month with his latest music collaboration project, alongside K-pop starlet Lizzy of After School and Orange Caramel.According to a representative from Universal Music, the duo will unveil its digital single later this month, marking Park’s first musical endeavor of the New Year. Park and Lizzy appeared together on a special World Cup edition of MBC’s “Infinite Challenge” program last year.

Feb. 2, 2015

Comedian Park Myeong-su, After School’s Lizzy to release duet

Exhibit highlights actions that create art

Artist Jeong Ki-hoon spent eight hours a day from 9 to 5 like any other office worker, sitting at a desk doing an assigned job ― he repeatedly ground nails until they were too short to use; broke soju bottles and crushed them until they became fine glass powder. “Wood, Big Nail, Volleyball, Brush, Soju Glass, Spoon, Cloth, Table and Name Tag” by Jeong Ki-hoon. (Kumho Museum of Art)This seemingly pointless act is what the artist committed to do for months for his performance that attempts to port

PerformanceFeb. 2, 2015

Exhibit highlights actions that create art

Myanmar coffee scene fueled by middle class caffeine high

YANGON (AFP) ― Behind a wooden counter in downtown Yangon’s Coffee Club, the unmistakable hiss of a barista steaming milk briefly drowns out a funky soundtrack piped through a store filled with students glued to their smartphones.In any other Asian capital it would be a ubiquitous sight. But in Yangon, this is something new.Long absent from the region’s booming cafe culture, Myanmar’s commercial capital is now witnessing a surge in swish coffee bars providing an alternative to the treacly instan

CultureFeb. 2, 2015

Myanmar coffee scene fueled by middle class caffeine high