From rough granite to cute animals

Stone sculptor Han Jin-sub strikes a lump of granite with a hammer and chisel. A chunk breaks off with a spark and thud that echoes through the space for his solo exhibition. Part of his art studio has moved to Gana Art Center. Some of the tools and plaster miniature models he has used in stone sculpting for the last 40 years offer a window to an unfamiliar world of stone sculpture. “It’s like having a conversation with the rock. If I understand the layer and break it, a big chunk cracks off. Bu

PerformanceAug. 26, 2014

Musical ‘Once’ to star rocker Yoon Do-hyun

The Korean production of the Broadway musical “Once” will star veteran rocker Yoon Do-hyun alongside an up-and-coming musical actress, the show’s creators said. Yoon will play Guy, the Irish street musician and vacuum cleaner repairman who falls in love with Girl, a Czech flower seller, in the Korean theatrical adaption of the 2006 indie film. Set to open at Seoul Arts Center in December, it is the first non-English production of the show, which debuted on Broadway in 2012 to both critical and p

Aug. 26, 2014

FT Island self-composes Japanese EP

FT Island. (FNC Entertainment)The five members of popular K-pop idol band FT Island are taking a stab at composition with the release of their fourteenth Japanese EP, according to an announcement by FNC Entertainment. The upcoming digital EP titled “To the Light” is slated to be released on Oct. 15 and is said to have been entirely written and composed by the members of FT Island. The album’s eponymous lead track was written and composed by bassist Lee Jae-jin, with help from Lee Hong-ki, the pr

Aug. 26, 2014

Clazziqaui to celebrate 10th anniversary

Clazziquai. (Fluxus Music)In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, electro-pop trio Clazziquai Project is gearing up to hold a special anniversary party, “10th Clazziquai Day,” on Friday. During the showcase party, DJ Clazzi, Horan and Alex will unveil new singles from their soon-to-be-released sixth studio album, as well as perform their biggest hits from the past decade including “Gentle Rain,” “Romeo n Juliet” and “Lover Boy,” according to an announcement by Fluxus Music on Tuesday. Clazziqu

Aug. 26, 2014

Sistar drops ‘Sweet & Sour’ special EP

The K-pop divas of Sistar have made a quick turnaround and released their newest EP “Sweet & Sour,” just a few weeks after its previous “Touch N Move” summer EP.The members of the quintet released the EP on Tuesday, and within hours of its unveiling, the album’s lead track “I Swear” had already starting climbing the Top Ten charts. The upbeat electropop lead single was composed by the popular K-pop hit-makers of Duble Sidekick.  Sistar. (Starship Entertainment)Representatives from the ladies’ ag

Aug. 26, 2014

Meghan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’ accused of plagiarizing Korean song

American singer song-writer Meghan Trainor came under suspicion of plagiarizing the Korean song “Happy Mode.” 　The accusation of plagiarism surfaced in Korea earlier this month after a netizen posted a video on YouTube that shows similarities between K-pop group Koyote’s “Happy Mode” and Billboard-ranked track “All About That Bass” sung by Trainor.　 (YouTube)Some netizens pointed out that the beat of American song, released in July, is a bit faster than the Korean one, revealed in 2006. But the

Aug. 26, 2014

Winner remains at No.1 for 2 weeks

(YG Entertainment)Rookie K-pop band Winner has stayed at the top of the local music charts for two weeks straight with its debut track as of Tuesday, outshining established idol stars such as Sistar, HyunA, Block B and Girls Day. 　The quintet’s title track “Empty” from its debut EP “2014 S/S” held the No.1 spot for the second consecutive week on three major music charts -- Melon, Genie and Bugs Music -- as of Aug. 26, two weeks after its release on Aug. 12. Their album also topped the Billboard

Aug. 26, 2014

TaeTiSeo acted with Kang Dong-won in ‘My Brilliant Life’

“TTS (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun)” revealed a photo with Kang Dong-won after they worked together on the soon-to-be-released film “My Brilliant Life.”TTS made a cameo performance in the movie, playing a girl group that Kang Dong-won is crazy about.The production crew said that they made a great impression on people by showing aspects that were different from their usual stage performance.“We are all big fans of Kang Dong-won. It was our pleasure to work with him. We hope many people experience th

Aug. 26, 2014

Jun Ji-hyun had short haircut for ‘Assassination’

Korean top actress Jun Ji-hyun had her hair cut for the movie “Assassination.”“I will begin to work on a new movie from next week. I changed my hairstyle for my role and I am preparing other things for the movie as well,” Jun said on Monday.She made the remarks in an interview with a local media outlet after attending a fashion party cohosted by several shoes brands in Shanghai, China.She showed the timeless beauty of her glamorous figure in a dress with a web pattern that day, participants said

Aug. 26, 2014

Actress Hong Jin-kyung recalls 7 painful years of fertility treatment

Model and actress Hong Jin-kyung revealed personal stories about her seven-year fertility treatment on an episode of the reality show “Healing Camp” that was aired on SBS on Monday. “My husband is a fifth-generation dokja (only son) and we did not have a baby for the first seven years,” Hong said during the show. “I did everything I could. I engaged in test tube therapy for seven years, and it was excruciating. My sister had tried the same therapy for one year and then gave up. She was amazed by

Aug. 26, 2014

Lee Hyori celebrates husband‘s birthday

K-pop diva Lee Hyori released a few photos for her husband and singer song-writer Lee Sang-soon’s birthday on her blog on Monday. 　“Today is Sang-soon’s birthday. My mom and sisters came to our home in Jejudo Island to prepare a birthday dinner for him. They wanted to do it themselves as it is Sang-soon’s first birthday since our marriage. Sang-soon seems very happy. Thanks, Mom,” Lee wrote alongside the photos. 　The six photos, titled “Happy birthday, Sang-soon,” feature Lee and their family ce

Aug. 26, 2014

Kim Tae-hee faces Ice Bucket Challenge, donates money

South Korean actress Kim Tae-hee has become the latest top-tier actress to join the Ice Bucket Challenge, the worldwide charity movement that started in the U.S. Kim, however, chose to make a financial contribution and leave a message of support rather than get herself drenched with icy water.  “I was a bit late to participate (in the Ice Bucket Challenge) because I’m busy travelling between China and Korea these days,” Kim wrote on her Instagram Monday. “In the hope that our interest and effort

Aug. 26, 2014

Kim Woo-bin injured during filming

Actor Kim Woo-bin suffered a knee injury during the filming of his upcoming movie.According to local reports, Kim hurt his left knee on Sunday while filming the movie “Twenty” and was treated at the hospital.“Kim suffered from a minor injury but will take a few days off to recover,” the actor’s agency was quoted as saying. Kim recently finished filming “The Technicians” and is currently participating on the shoot of “Twenty.” The actor is to return to filming as soon as he recovers.By Kim Min-ji

Aug. 26, 2014

Lady Jane, Hong Jin-ho deny dating rumor

Television star Lady Jane and professional PC gamer-turned-entertainer Hong Jin-ho on Tuesday denied that they were in a romantic relationship, calling each other good colleagues.“They are very close friends and often eat out together,” an aide of Hong told local press, denying the dating rumor. About allegations that the two were touching each others’ thighs at a Japanese restaurant, the aide said, “Lady Jane was bit by a mosquito and she was trying to show Hong where she was bit.”The rumor sur

Aug. 26, 2014

Choi Seung-hyun reveals half-naked scene in “Tazza 2”

Choi Seung-hyun, an actor and member of Big Bang, talked about making “Tazza 2,” including the half-naked scene in the soon-to-be-released movie.In the hot scene, toward the end of the movie, actors including Choi are playing hwatu (a traditional Korean card game), wearing only their underwear.“None of us were used to doing such a thing. We felt awkward and we couldn’t even look at each other,” Choi said at a press preview on Monday.“I thought it might be inappropriate or rude if I looked at the

Aug. 26, 2014

Yim Si-wan’s autumn pictorial for HOLL HAUS

Actor and idol Yim Si-wan was chosen as a model for the casual brand HOLL HAUS’ fall collection. In the pictorial, Yim is wearing a range of clothes, including unique “Mickey Mouse” patterned items and baseball jackets. HOLL HAUS said that its brand represents casual street fashion and that Yim was the perfect person to represent the brand. The pictorials can be seen on HOLL HAUS’ official blog and Facebook page. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: HOLL HAUS)

Aug. 26, 2014

Kara member Goo Ha-ra’s romantic pictorial

Idol group Kara member Goo Ha-ra’s romantic pictorial for fashion magazine Nylon has been released. The K-pop idol wore charming, cozy knit wear for the photo shoot, as well as a short lace outfit. Kara is currently promoting its album “DAY & NIGHT.” By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Nylon)

Aug. 26, 2014

Chung Myung-whun traces his musical roots

Maestro Chung Myung-whun will hold his first-ever solo recitals as a pianist this fall, playing the complete Chopin ballades and other short piano pieces. The five-city concert tour, which includes a stop at Seoul Art Center on Oct. 16, will mark the celebrated conductor’s return to his musical roots after a nearly four-decade career at the podium. “I always dreamed of doing my own music when I turn 60 ― real music, not music as work,” he said of the upcoming recitals. “Piano is, for me, real mu

PerformanceAug. 25, 2014

Poet Ko Un receives Golden Wreath Award

Renowned South Korean poet Ko Un has won this year’s Golden Wreath, one of the world’s most authoritative awards for poets, the Korean National Commission for UNESCO said Monday.Ko received the award at the end of an annual poetry festival in the southern Macedonian town of Struga on Sunday for his overall body of work, the commission said.The 53rd edition of the Struga Poetry Evenings, an international poetry festival that has been held annually since 1962, was held on Aug. 21-24. This photo pr

PeopleAug. 25, 2014

Toronto film fest taps Korea for spotlight

Eight Korean films will take center stage at the City to City sidebar of this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, which will run from Sept. 4-14. Seoul has been selected as the “cinematic hotspot” to be highlighted at this year’s City to City program, which introduces films and filmmakers from a selected city. This is the sixth edition of the festival’s City to City program, which has previously focused on Tel Aviv, Istanbul, Buenos Aires, Mumbai and Athens.“Seoul is one of the most exci

FilmAug. 25, 2014