CMC Chorale welcomes fall with ‘Pops’ concert

The Camarata Music Company Chamber Singers will hold its “Camarata Pops” concert this month to usher in autumn with some easy listening. The concert will be packed with choral arrangements of familiar songs from the last century, including musical numbers and pop hits.It is one of the CMCs four major yearly performances, with a stage musical in the summer and a traditional performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in the run up to Christmas. The CMC’s conductor and artistic director, Ryan Goessl, has a

Expat LivingSept. 2, 2014

Grand Hilton Seoul offers fall retreat package

The Grand Hilton Seoul is presenting fall accommodation packages available from Sept. 6 to Nov. 30. The “Autumn in Hilton I” package includes a one-night stay at a deluxe room and breakfast for two. The “Autumn in Hilton II and III” packages, which target couples, include a one-night stay at an executive room, tickets to N Seoul Tower on Mount Namsan and a heart-shaped love lock which couples can lock onto a metal fence as proof of their love. Two cups of coffee and a slice of cake included in t

TravelSept. 2, 2014

Arrest warrants sought for Lee Byung-hun ‘blackmailers’

GLAM member Dahee. (OSEN)Police requested an arrest warrant for the two women charged with blackmailing A-list actor Lee Byung-hun on Tuesday. Gangnam District Police Station said it took legal action against K-pop girl group GLAM’s Dahee, 20, and a 24-year-old woman only identified by her surname Lee, on charges of attempted threat. Dahee and Lee have been under investigation for alleged blackmailing of the actor to reveal a video clip of the three exchanging lewd jokes unless they were paid 5

Sept. 2, 2014

Gugak in new forms and styles

Efforts to popularize gugak, traditional Korean music, are everywhere. At almost every palace or historic site, there is almost always some kind of free gugak concert. Young gugak musicians are churning out a new style of gugak, chasing their respective ideas of mixing the old and new or the East and West. Some of their music is categorized as a genre called “fusion gugak.”When it comes to quality concerts with a broad appeal, however, the traditional genre seems to be in short supply. Against t

PerformanceSept. 2, 2014

[Herald Review] Taking heart amid heartbreak

“My Brilliant Life” walks an ironically palpitating line as suggested by the Korean title, which literally means “My Palpitating Life.” As the drama film centers on a 16-year-old boy named Ah-reum who has progeria ― a rare genetic disorder that causes premature aging in children ― viewers would expect an emotionally overwhelming and downright tragic plot, like those of other Korean films tackling terminal illness. As expected, the film does put tears in viewers’ eyes. But it does more than that.

Sept. 2, 2014

Yunho thinks ’The Night Watchman’ is fresh drama for global fans

Actor and idol group TVXQ member Jung Yunho has expressed confidence in his drama “The Night Watchman.”During an interview broadcast on MBC last Monday, Jung discussed interesting traits of his drama.“Like ghostbusters in Western countries, here in Korea we have ‘night watchmen.’ The combination between the exotic subject of the drama and Korea’s traditional culture will attract many global fans,” Jung was quoted as saying. “The Night Watchman” airs every Monday and Tuesday on MBC. Jung plays th

Sept. 2, 2014

One of Lee Byung-hun 'blackmailers' revealed

One of the two women charged with blackmailing A-list actor Lee Byung-hun was found to be Dahee, a member of K-pop girl group GLAM, according to news reports.Earlier on Tuesday, Korean news outlets reported that two women were investigated by the police on charges of threatening Lee, but the pair‘s identity was not released. Later that day, it was found that Dahee, 20, was one of the alleged blackmailers under probe at the Gangnam District Police Station. Dahee and an unidentified woman in her 2

Sept. 2, 2014

Thanks to Lee Hong-gi, ‘Bride of the Century’ gains popularity in Japan

The fantasy/romance Korean drama “Bride of the Century,” starring FT Island member Lee Hong-gi, has drawn people’s intention in Japan. It aired on cable channel TV Chosun from Feb. 22 to April 12 for 16 episodes before it was decided to air again in Japan.The drama was chosen to air in Japan, five months after the Japanese broadcasting company stopped programming Korean dramas in their schedule. The vocalist of the boy band FT Island Lee Hong-gi’s foray into acting has also been a hot issue and

Sept. 2, 2014

Jung Yong-hwa proves quality as actor in ‘Three Musketeers’

Actor and singer Jung Yong-hwa has proved himself as an actor in the tvN drama “The Three Musketeers.”In the latest episode broadcast Sunday, Jung showed how versatile an actor he is, displaying fierce fighting moves and comical facial expressions. Jung plays the character Park Dal-hyang in the drama, a gregarious swordsman with an optimistic outlook.“I am a person who is outgoing but ... (am able) to accomplish something that I really need to do. I think this trait of mine goes well with the ch

Sept. 2, 2014

Taemin reveals choreography of ‘Danger’

Taemin of SHINee has revealed the choreography of his title song “Danger.”Taemin’s dance practice video clip was uploaded on his official home page (http://taemin.smtown.com), the SMTOWN Youtube channel, and the SMTOWN Facebook page, on Monday.This video also showed Taemin and a famous “Urban Hip-hop” choreographer, Ian Eastwood working together, practicing for “Danger” at a dance studio in Los Angeles.. Taemin topped the “Monthly Album” chart in various counting sites like “Hanteo chart” and “S

Sept. 2, 2014

Kim Hyun-joong to be questioned by police

 Kim Hyun-joong is set to be questioned by police Tuesday over assault accusations, 12 days after the charges were filed against him. 　The Songpa District Police Station in southeastern Seoul will summon him later in the day to investigate whether he physically abused his then-girlfriend.  　Kim, 28, had charges filed against him on Aug. 22 by his girlfriend who claimed he beat her on multiple occasions.　The woman claimed that she had been assaulted several times between late May and mid-July whi

Sept. 2, 2014

Lee Hyori celebrates 1st wedding anniversary

K-pop diva Lee Hyori and singer song-writer Lee Sang-soon marked their first wedding anniversary by their wearing wedding dress and tuxedo.　Lee posted the photos of the couple dressing up like the bride and groom on her blog on Monday.“We took the wedding dress and tuxedo out of our closet and wore them at home. We promised to take a picture wearing this dress at this spot every year,” Lee wrote alongside the pictures.　“We will grow old, gain weight and get ill, but we promised to get through ev

Sept. 2, 2014

Lee Hyori to corner Lady Jane on dating rumors on ‘Magic Eye’

Lady Jane appears on SBS's entertainment show "Magic Eye."(SBS)Television star Lady Jane officially denied the rumor she was dating professional PC gamer-turned-entertainer Hong Jin-ho while recording for tonight’s SBS entertainment show “Magic Eye.”The show hosts and guests waged a fiery argument over a photo of Hong poking Lady Jane’s thigh at a 24-hour sushi place late at night. Lady Jane struck back, claiming Hong was merely pointing at a mole on her leg, “Surprised at the rarity of the mole

Sept. 2, 2014

Hallyu star Kim Soo-hyun in outdoor wear

Hallyu star Kim Soo-hyun stunned the camera while posing for Cheil Industries’ Bean Pole. The actor was posing in trendy autumn outdoor wear and smiling charismatically. Kim looked handsome in both urban and extreme outdoor wear. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Cheil Industries)

Sept. 2, 2014

Fan goes extra mile for BTOB’s Minhyuk

A caricature of Minhyuk, a member of the Korean boy group BTOB, by a fan has gone viral on Korean Internet portals, directing public attention toward the boy band member and his latest reality show, “Ecovillage: Merry House” on SBS. Uploaded on an Internet cafe, the caricature portrays the boy band member as a squirrel with adorable ears and a puffy tail.With the caricature the fan pleaded for the producers and the fellow participants of “Merry House” to be kind to Minhyuk. The fan called the si

Sept. 2, 2014

Hallyu star Jang Keun-suk probed for offshore tax evasion

South Korea's tax agency is looking into allegations that actor-singer Jang Keun-suk, who is popular throughout Asia, evaded paying taxes on income he earned in China, sources said Tuesday.The National Tax Service (NTS) launched an investigation after obtaining documents from the prosecution regarding suspected tax dodging by an agency that helps with the overseas activities of famous entertainers including Jang.According to the sources, Jang, 27, allegedly underreported income he earned in Chin

Sept. 2, 2014