Modern take on lacquer and mother-of-pearl art

Artist Kim Young-jun, known for his modern interpretations of traditional lacquer and mother-of-pearl art, is holding a solo exhibition at Hankyung Gallery in Seoul until Oct. 3. The exhibition showcases 30 pieces, including lacquer paintings, inlaid mother-of-pearl wall hangings and craftworks. Kim has taken a fresh approach to traditional Korean lacquer and mother-of-pearl art. His lacquer paintings have vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and blues ― unusual colors for traditional black lacquerwar

PerformanceSept. 23, 2014

9 Muses documentary to make Korean premiere

9 Muses. (Star Empire Entertainment)Prior to their debut in 2010, 9 Muses teamed up with famous Korean film director Lee Hark-joon for a year to film a behind-the-scenes documentary on the K-pop industry, while chronicling the group’s every move.The documentary, titled “9 Muses of Star Empire,” is finally slated to make its Korean premiere on Thursday, after being shown at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2012, as well as being invited to 12 other international film festi

Sept. 23, 2014

‘Sea Fog’ to represent Korea at Academy Awards

Korea has selected the film “Sea Fog” to represent the country at the upcoming Academy Awards in the category of best foreign-language film.The announcement was made on Friday by a special selection committee organized by the Korean Film Council. “Out of 10 competitive films, ‘Sea Fog’ was selected because the film had already received high acclaim at the recent Toronto Film Festival’s gala presentation. Also, as the film is based on a real-life event, it will be of great interest to the members

Sept. 23, 2014

Crayon Pop to debut unit group, delay album

Crayon Pop will be jumping and jumping onto the K-pop subunit bandwagon, with the debut of the popular girl group’s first group next month, according to an announcement by Chrome Entertainment on Tuesday. The agency has not yet revealed exactly which of the five members will be included in the upcoming group nor has it revealed the name of the new act.  Crayon Pop. (Chrome Entertainment)Although Crayon Pop was initially scheduled to release its first full studio album next month, according to Ch

Sept. 23, 2014

Roy Kim to drop new album next month

Roy Kim. (CJ E&M)Popular Superstar K4 winner Roy Kim is gearing up to drop his latest album “Home” sometime in the first half of October, according to an announcement by CJ E&M. The upcoming album will be Kim’s second full studio album after releasing his first “Love Love Love” last year. The new album is produced by singer-songwriter HUE, as was the singer’s debut album. “Roy Kim’s second album will be an important album because it will show his natural character and the direction he wishes to

Sept. 23, 2014

Fans of SHINee’s Key join good deeds in Cambodia

SHINee fans donated a well to Cambodia in Key’s name to celebrate the singer’s 23rd birthday on Sept. 23.　Members around the world of the K-pop group’s fan page “Hello My Sunshine” collected about 2 million won ($1,900) and delivered it through the NGO World Share, according to news reports. A donation certificate uploaded on the fan club’s Twitter page (Twitter capture)　The fan club said, “Key has made contributions to support four children since 2009, we wanted to share his warm heart together

Sept. 23, 2014

Will Psy move to China?

World star Psy has been frequently spotted in Shanghai with his family, sparking speculation that he may move to China.“Psy and his family often appear in Shanghai, so there was a rumor that they may move here,” a residence in the city was quoted as saying.“Actually, he hasn’t moved here, at least, yet. I heard that he occasionally came to China to learn the culture and language. Even his children have been with him learning Chinese,” another residence was quoted as saying.Hallyu experts said th

Sept. 23, 2014

Apink’s fan site members exceed 100,000

K-pop girl group Apink’s online fan club Panda has surpassed 100,000 members, and the group wrote a thank-you letter to their fans.“I can’t believe it. And I think I should consider it as a new start. I will try my best to return our fans’ love,” Bomi said.“PANDA~, my dear old friends and mentors. I swear that I will never disappoint our fans,” Eun-ji said.It is rare for a K-pop girl group to have more than 100,000 fans in their online fan community. Apink has topped online and offline music pro

Sept. 23, 2014

Japanese top model Shiho shows her charisma

Yano Shiho, wife of K-1 fighter Choo Sung-hoon, showed her charisma as a Japanese top model in LEBEIGE’s F-W collection. Appearing on the KBS reality show “Superman Is Back,” she has been gaining popularity in Korea because of her lovely personality.　Shiho also had a couple shoot with Korean top model Lee Hye-jung. Shiho’s captivating eyes and chic look complimented Lee’s stylish look.　The photos will appear in the October issue of the fashion magazine Marie Claire.　By Yoon Ji-soo (thankque@hera

Sept. 23, 2014

Shining Asian stars with Swarovski bracelet

Several Asian stars recently came together for a jewelry pictorial. Xiumin and Tao from EXO, Henry from Super Junior-M, Victoria from f(x), Seulgi and Irin from Red Velvet, and actress Go Ara all posed for jewelry brand Swarovski. By wearing bracelets from the newly released Star Dust line, the stars showed their individual style. The new bracelet line is made with 1,460 tiny clear crystals and released in 12 colors.Xiumin chose the sky blue bracelet and Tao singled out the black one, which both

Sept. 23, 2014

Tense action scene of Yunho expected

The actor and singer Jung Yunho will have a tense action scene with the actor Yoon Tae-young in the upcoming episode of the drama “The Night Watchman.”MBC, the drama’s broadcaster, revealed pictures on Monday of the two actors. In the photos, the two are exchanging fierce glances and pointing swords at one another, foreshadowing another action scene in the drama.The MBC drama “The Night Watchman” is broadcast every Monday and Tuesday at 10 p.m.By Kim Min-jin (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Cred

Sept. 23, 2014

Jung Yong-hwa aims to go solo

Jung Yong-hwa, a South Korean actor and member of boy band CNBlue, has revealed that he plans to become a solo artist in the future.“I am currently preparing for my solo album and concerts. I wish to hold my own world tour and fan meeting soon,” the singer was quoted as saying during “Sweet Melody,” the first of his two solo fan meetings held in Tokyo on Sunday.Jung Yong-hwa. (FNC Entertainment)The meetings were held at 1:30 p.m and 6 p.m., and the 5,000 and 10,000 tickets alloted for the events

Sept. 23, 2014

Baro’s hidden modeling talent

B1A4’s Baro recently posed for fashion magazine ELLE. The singer showed off his modeling talent in the shoot, using a wide range of expressions from serious to humorous. In an interview with the magazine this week, he said, “I felt sad because I thought I lost myself in front of the cameras. However while traveling in Laos, I could be myself (again). Now I’m determined not to lose myself even though I’m back.” 　The record of Baro’s Laos trip with actors Yoo Yeon-suk and Son Ho-jun was aired on t

Sept. 23, 2014

[Herald Interview] Making art available to anyone

The Internet has reshaped our daily life in almost every aspect. And it has been redefining the traditional art viewing experience, too. To view masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” the Louvre is not the place to be anymore. The painting can be viewed on a personal computer, without having to pay thousands of dollars on an overseas trip. The Google Art Project, launched in 2011, has enabled art lovers around the world to view masterpieces without visiting actual museums and art

PerformanceSept. 22, 2014

Kim Young-ha probes into modern Korean society in new essay

Kim Young-ha, one of South Korea’s most celebrated novelists of his generation, has published a book of essays titled “See,” collating his thoughts and observances of changes in Korean society since his return from New York in 2012.The much-awaited book came five years after his previous collection of essays “Remember What You Have Lost” was published in 2009. “I used to live like a radio station from a government in exile,” Kim wrote of his motivation for the book. “I once believed that my job

BooksSept. 22, 2014

‘Nutcracker’ set in desert

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) ― It’s danced to Tchaikovsky’s famous melody, but it’s not your traditional Christmas “Nutcracker”: the Joburg Ballet has set it in the Kalahari desert among ancient Bushmen paintings.The winter theme has been replaced with sun, sand and baobab trees.The role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is instead played by a sangoma or traditional healer, and the famous “Russian Dance” is performed in overalls and gumboots.“The Nutcracker Reimagined” comes with the original music and story line o

CultureSept. 22, 2014

Super Junior hits 100-concert milestone

On top of being the first K-pop act to hold a solo concert in France and being recognized as the only Korean group to have been invited to perform in four South American countries, Super Junior has now become the only K-pop group to hold 100 solo concerts as part of a concert series.This year’s “Super Show 6” world tour kicked off on Friday with the K-pop group hosting three separate solo shows at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, attracting a total of around 25,000 fans. On Sunday, thousands

Sept. 22, 2014

Doug E. Fresh highlights hip-hop awards

ATLANTA (AP) ― With a picture of his mother on a large screen behind him, Doug E Fresh struggled to complete his sentence. The rapper dubbed “The Human Beat Box” choked up and shed tears as he received the “I Am Hip-Hop Award” at the ninth BET Hip-Hop Awards on Saturday.Fresh eventually told the crowd that his mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, died five months ago.“I have to acknowledge her,” Fresh said at the taped award show at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. “I want to thank t

PerformanceSept. 22, 2014

Seoul gears up for MU:CON 2014

MU:CON Seoul on Monday announced this year’s lineup of 45 music acts, including 29 Korean teams, which will get the much-coveted chance to showcase their music during the three-day international music fair to be held here next month. Some 70 music industry gurus from the U.S., the U.K. and elsewhere are to attend the conference which will take place in Seoul’s Itaewon area from Oct. 6-8. “It’s the third year for MU:CON. I hope that this year MU:CON takes it up a notch and firmly establishes itse

PerformanceSept. 22, 2014

Italian conductor Muti quits Rome Opera

ROME (AFP) ― Italian conductor Riccardo Muti has thrown in the towel as the primary conductor of the Rome Opera after six years, amid funding problems and strikes, Italy’s media reported Sunday.“The conditions are lacking to ensure the necessary serenity to my leading successful productions,” Muti said in a letter published by the media, which said he had pulled out of planned productions of Verdi’s “Aida” and Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”The 73-year-old said he made the decision to pull ou

PerformanceSept. 22, 2014