Coinciding with the Incheon Asian Games, the inaugural K-pop Expo in Asia will kick off a two-week live music expose to highlight Korean music. With international eyes on Incheon during the two-week sports competition, which starts Friday, Incheon will also host Asia’s biggest K-pop showcase, hoping to attract participants and visitors of the games.“The K-pop Expo is the largest pop expo in Asia, and aims to create a huge festival for the 4.5 billion Asians in the world,” said concert director S

Sept. 16, 2014

As the hot and sultry summer gives way to fall, Korea’s major TV networks are revamping their primetime roster with new series. From a period piece retelling the story of an ill-fated Joseon crown prince to heartthrob Rain’s rom-com comeback, the fall TV lineup looks as diverse as ever. Here’s a closer look at some of the most anticipated dramas. ‘Secret Door’ A suspenseful period drama with a fresh premise, SBS’ new Monday and Tuesday night series aims to repeat the success of its critically ac

Sept. 16, 2014

PARIS (AFP) ― Jean Paul Gaultier, showman of Paris fashion, is to bow out of ready-to-wear later this month after nearly 40 years of over-the-top, sometimes provocative collections.The 62-year-old former “enfant terrible” of fashion, who famously designed Madonna’s cone bras, will devote himself to couture, the brand’s perfume business and other projects, the fashion house said in a statement.Gaultier’s last ready-to-wear collection will be shown on September 27 during the spring/summer 2015 fas

Arts & DesignSept. 16, 2014

K-pop idol group Girls’ Generation recently renewed the contract with its current label SM Entertainment, Korean news outlets reported Monday. 　All of the group’s nine members -- Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun, Sunny, Jessica, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung and Yoona -- extended the management contract with SM before it expired in August. 　With the renewed contract, Girls’ Generation will stick together for at least three more years, K-pop insiders said. 　The nontet first signed the seven-year contract with

Sept. 16, 2014

Girls’ Generation spin-off trio TaeTiSeo unveiled its new EP, “Holler,” on Tuesday. 　The group -- consisting of Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun -- dropped the long-awaited album online at noon earlier in the day, more than two years after the release of its debut EP “Twinkle.” The CD will be available in stores two days later. 　 (SM Entertainment)The album is comprised of six tracks, including the title song “Holler” which has a funky dance groove that mixes well with the girls’ vocals. The tune ca

Sept. 16, 2014

Actress Shim Eun-kyung appears on the official poster of KBS’ upcoming rom-com “Cantabile Tomorrow.” (KBS)The second batch of official poster for KBS’ new rom-com “Cantabile Tomorrow” was released on Tuesday, showing the sparkly naivete of actress Shim Eun-kyung as the heroine, Seol Nae-il. In the poster, Shim is barefoot, wearing a loose chiffon dress. In her hand is a copy of a music score -- part of the daily life of every music school student, her role in the rom-com. The award-winning actre

Sept. 16, 2014

K-pop diva Ailee, with her powerful voice and gorgeous stage manners, is releasing her third mini-album, “Magazine,” on Sept. 25.The singer revealed teaser images from her third mini-album on Tuesday morning, prior to its official release next week.In the two teaser images, Ailee turns into a cute pierrot clown, wearing her hair in two braids.“This album shows a more matured and evolved side of Ailee. The singer’s various aspects that are distinct from other K-pop singers will draw fans’ attenti

Sept. 16, 2014

Fans of Park Yoochun, an actor and a member of the idol group JYJ, opened a children’s library on Heuksando Island, South Jeolla Province, on Tuesday.Yoochun’s fan community “Blessing Yoochun” celebrated its fourth anniversary by building a library named after the singer. The community donated 10 million won ($9,600) as well as 6,600 books for children. The library will also have a beam projector so that children can watch movies.“Blessing Yoochun” opened its first Yoochun Library in Shinan, Sou

Sept. 16, 2014

 Actor Yoo Yeon-seok has posed for a fashion shoot for outdoor brand The North Face. The high-end clothing company released a new everyday wear collection, called The North Face White Label for the fall season.  Company officials say Yoo suited the brand’s active image perfectly, as he enjoyed a range of sporting activities. Yoo’s kind and humorous manner also appealed, they said. 　By Yoon Ji-soo, Intern reporter (thankque@heraldcorp.com)[Photo Credit: The North Face]

Sept. 16, 2014

Actress Park Shin-hye was hailed as a “hallyu queen” when she attended a fan meeting in Taiwan on Sunday.The first half of the fan meeting was a collaboration stage with the actress and her brother Park Shin-won. The two sang songs including Park’s recently released single “My Dear” and “Story,” from the original soundtrack of her popular drama “The Heirs.” Park’s brother also shared stories about his sister.The second part was comprised of events related to her character Cha Eun-sang in “The He

Sept. 16, 2014

Singer-actor Jung Yunho’s crying scene in MBC drama “The Night Watchman” has caught viewers’ attention.Aired on Monday, Jung encountered the spirit of his dead younger sister who has possessed the body of Doha, played by actress Go Sung-hee. Jung then flashed back to the past when he lost his sister to illness. Seeing his sister pass away, Jung wept tears of sorrow, calling out his sister’s name.The emotions of grief expressed by the actor were praised by viewers, boosting the popularity of the

Sept. 16, 2014

The idol group 2PM is gaining worldwide popularity with its new studio album “Go Crazy.”　The party version of its music video ranked the first place in Chinese biggest music video site Inweitai as soon as it was released on Monday. The previously released version of MV also ranked first on its revealed date, Sept. 10.“Go Crazy” is also to be released in Japan on Sept. 17 as the group’s eighth single album. The songs were ranked in first, fifth and seventh in Tower Records’daily reservation chart

Sept. 15, 2014

G.o.d singer Kim Tae-woo has apologized for his recent belittlement of boy band Shinhwa.“I apologized for my imprudent mistake. I felt shame and reflected on myself while I read the comments about me, but I wish you to know that the bad words I said were not from my heart. The members of Shinhwa and g.o.d have been friendly than anyone in the K-pop scene and our fans has felt the same. I am afraid that my bad mistake might affect the relationship between two groups,” Kim said on his Twitter acco

Sept. 15, 2014

South Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong made an official apology Monday to his former girlfriend, fully admitting his assault charges. In response, his ex-girlfriend agreed to unconditionally drop the charges she pressed against him on Sept. 2, Kim’s lawyer said. Kim left a message on his official homepage to apologize to the woman. “I am really sorry that I mentally and physically hurt the person I loved and trusted for two years,” he wrote. “I feel so ashamed that I did what a man was not

Sept. 15, 2014

Writers from 13 countries will come together in Seoul’s historic neighborhood of Bukchon and the southern resort island of Jejudo to communicate through literature at the 2014 edition of the Seoul International Writers’ Festival.The fifth biennial literary festival, which launched in 2006, will run for seven days from Sept. 21-27, and will include presentations and readings by writers, diverse performances and cultural events, under the theme of “Eros and Dream.”  The official poster for the 201

CultureSept. 15, 2014

The double C logo, the signature little black dress with a white collar, and cuffs and fine jewelry collections. The list goes on for Chanel’s iconic styles that make women’s hearts flutter. Ever wondered where the inspirations came from? The “Culture Chanel, The Sense of Places” exhibition, currently on display at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, offers answers to this question. The exhibition reveals the inspirations that Chanel’s pioneering designs were based on throughout the 88 years of Gabrielle C

Arts & DesignSept. 15, 2014