Two women charged with threatening top actor Lee Byung-hun

Two women have been charged with blackmailing top actor Lee Byung-hun to disclose a video clip of the three exchanging lewd jokes unless they are paid millions of dollars, police said Monday.The two women both in their 20's, including one who recently made her debut as a singer, are under probe at the Gangnam Ward Police Station for threatening the hallyu star, they said. The identity of the pair has not been released.Police said the two women have been demanding that the actor pay them 5 billio

Sept. 2, 2014

[Herald Interview] Breathing life back into museums

Artist Rirkrit Tiravanija breaks the typical museum stereotypes. He cooked and served Thai curry to visitors at a gallery in New York in the early 1990s. What many thought was an opening event continued throughout the exhibition. He loves eschewing the usual museum paradigm: an artist, artwork and audience. He turned an exhibition space into a live radio broadcasting studio at the Guggenheim Museum in 2005. He set up a bookstore at the 2009 Venice Biennale and a pingpong table at the 2012 Gwangj

FilmSept. 1, 2014

Festival to bring finest wind bands to Korea

A weeklong festival of wind music will take place next week, bringing together some of the world’s finest musicians in the field, such as German Brass. Set for Sept 12-18, the 5th Korea International Wind Band Festival is a combination of free and joyful outdoor events taking place at various venues in Seoul and surrounding cities and a series of high-quality concerts at Seoul Arts Center, for which tickets must be purchased. “Many people dismiss wind music as something like a cliche soundtrack

PerformanceSept. 1, 2014

‘Pirates’ tops local box office for second week

“The Pirates.” (Lotte Entertainment)A South Korean comedy-action film has topped the local box office for the second weekend in a row, exceeding the 7 million viewers’ mark, a market tracker said Monday.“The Pirates” remained in the No. 1 spot of the weekend box office, drawing 620,912 moviegoers in 682 theaters around the country last weekend, according to the Korean Film Council.It was closely followed by the Hollywood blockbuster “Into the Storm,” which attracted 613,146 viewers in 585 theate

Sept. 1, 2014

Ice Bucket Challenge raises W700m in Korea

Park Seung-il. (Seungil Hope Foundation/Yonhap)The viral fund-raising campaign the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has raised over 700 million won ($689,500) in contributions to Seungil Hope Foundation, established to build a special hospital for patients of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in Korea. “Over 7,000 people have participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge,” said the singer Sean on Sunday through a statement from his agency, YG Entertainment. Sean cofoun

PeopleSept. 1, 2014

Mariah Carey to hold first solo concert in Korea in 11 years

Poster for Mariah Carey’s world tour. ( Mariah Carey’s official website)Mariah Carey will hold a solo concert in South Korea next month for the first time in 11 years, an agency said Monday.The pop diva will perform in Seoul’s Olympic Park on Oct. 8 as part of her Asian concert tour to promote her 14th studio album, “Me. I Am Mariah ... The Elusive Chanteuse,” Yescom Entertainment said. The tour will also take her to Japan, China, Singapore and the Philippines, it added.It would mark the singer’

Sept. 1, 2014

Seo Taiji to hold comeback concert

Legendary K-pop idol Seo Taiji has been keeping fans hyped with continuous updates on his return to the stage next month. On Monday, officials at Seo Taiji Co. announced that the theme and venue of the artist’s upcoming comeback concert have been officially set. Seo is slated to host a Christmas-Halloween hybrid-themed concert titled “Christmalowin” on Oct. 18 at Olympic Stadium at Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul. The intention of this type of fusion-themed show is to create an innovative music f

Sept. 1, 2014

2PM back with 4th album ‘Go Crazy’

2PM. (JYP Entertainment)The six members of 2PM are preparing to release their upcoming fourth studio album “Go Crazy” on Sept. 15, according to a press release from JYP Entertainment on Monday. Prior to the group’s album release, 2PM will release the official music video of its lead track as well as hold a special prerelease party with their fans on Sept. 10 at Club Octagon in Gangnam, Seoul. The entertainment agency also released a number of teaser images surrounding the newest concept of the b

Sept. 1, 2014

Super Junior’s Kangin and Leeteuk make sour faces

Kangin, a member of the K-pop boy group Super Junior, posted a selfie he took with fellow member Leeteauk on his Instagram page on Sunday. 　“Kangteuk~ (a combination of ‘Kangin’ and ‘Leeteuk’),” Kangin wrote in the caption. 　The two are making sour faces and looking at the camera. 　Super Junior recently made a comeback with its seventh studio album, “Mamacita,” released on Aug. 29. They will hold concerts in Seoul from Sep. 19-21 and stage an Asia concert tour. 　(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)

Sept. 1, 2014

‘Joseon’s Gunman‘ tops Chinese video charts

The South Korean historical drama “Joseon’s Gunman” topped the Chinese video charts for five weeks straight on Monday. The action-romance show became the most-watched video on daily, weekly and monthly charts of China’s video streaming site “QQ Video,” garnering about 8 million views every day.Since the 11th episode was broadcast on July 30, the epic drama has remained at the No. 1 spot on the daily and weekly charts for the fifth consecutive week, proving its immense popularity in China.Starrin

Sept. 1, 2014

Lee Joon-ki almost cried after reading final script

South Korean actor Lee Joon-ki shared his feelings about wrapping up his drama “Joseon’s Gunman” on Saturday.“I will do my best for our audience who has loved and supported ‘Joseon’s Gunman.’ I almost cried after reading the script for the final episode,” he wrote on Twitter.In the period drama, Lee plays Park Yoon-gang, a hero who turned from the last swordsman into a gunman to avenge his deceased father and protect his love in the late years of the Joseon Dynasty (1302-1901). The drama, first

Sept. 1, 2014

20,000 fans come to see Kim Soo-hyun and Park Hae-jin

Fans from various countries gathered in Jamsil Stadium on Aug. 29 to see the actors Kim Soo-hyun and Park Hae-jin, both of whom starred in “My Love from the Star.”“Lotte Duty-Free Shop Family Concert,” which was cohosted by Lotte Duty Free Shop and the Korea Tourism Organization, drew in 22,000 fans from Russia, Southeast Asia, Japan and, most of all, from China.The concert was held only for foreign visitors, and the audience members stayed in their seats even during heavy rain.Kim and Park each

Sept. 1, 2014

g.o.d’s Son Ho-young dating singer Amy: report

Son Ho-young, a member of the first-generation idol group g.o.d, is dating the K-pop singer Amy, Korean news outlets reported Monday. 　Son and Amy have been in a relationship for four months now, according to showbiz insiders. The news made headlines after a local news outlet revealed photos of the two, reportedly on dates, having dinner and riding bicycles together. 　 (OSEN)According to the reports, the two first met as colleagues under the same agency. After that they became good friends who o

Sept. 1, 2014

Park Shin-hye and T.O.P in outdoor wear

Actor and idol T.O.P and actress Park Shin-hye united for a fashion shoot for the outdoor wear collection Millet F-W 2014. Millet focused on simple and rich colors instead of complex patterns for its F-W collection. T.O.P showed off his manly character while Park displayed her “healthy beauty” in the shoot. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Millet)

Sept. 1, 2014

Ahn Jae-hyun enjoys ‘stylish’ trip in Bangkok

Model and actor Ahn Jae-hyun revealed pictures of himself during his recent trip to Bangkok.After finishing work on his latest drama, “You’re All Surrounded,” Ahn took a break and went on an overseas vacation. In the pictures, Ahn looks stylish in fashionable items, gaining attention from his fans.Ahn started his career as an actor with the popular drama “My Love from the Star,” playing Jun Ji-hyun’s younger brother. The actor is to debut on screen with the movie “Fashion King,” which is schedul

Sept. 1, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun and Taecyeon light up fashion shoot

Actress Jun Ji-hyun and K-pop idol Taecyeon were chosen as the main models for the outdoor brand NEPA along with the actor Lee Seo-jin. The actress can be seen wearing a range of various outdoor wear while still looking elegant and feminine. Taecyeon, on the other hand, is showing his charismatic side, wearing dark monotone outfits and a bright red jacket. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: NEPA)

Sept. 1, 2014

Nichkhun becomes international lawyer in new Chinese drama

Nichkhun, an actor and a member of the idol group 2PM, is currently on the set of the new Chinese drama “Looking for Aurora.”In the drama, Nichkhun plays the male lead Wang Yi-Lin, a successful international lawyer with a heartwarming personality.During the production press conference last week, Nichkhun was introduced as the main character along with other actors including Wang Dong Cheng and Zheng Luo Chan.The drama “Looking for Aurora” is about the search for the meaning of life for couples a

Sept. 1, 2014

Park Shin-hye hails fall with Agatha Paris jewelry

The actress Park Shin-hye flaunted graceful fall fashion as the new muse of the Agatha Paris 2014 F-W collection in a pictorial for the jewelry maker. The photos show the actress completing her look with petite watches and ultrathin metallic bracelets that boost her trademark graceful-and-lovely vibe.  (Agatha Paris)(khnews@heraldcorp.com)

Sept. 1, 2014