Photos of kiss scenes in ‘It’s Ok, That’s Love’ revealed

Scenes from “It’s Ok, That’s Love”Actor Jo In-sung and actress Gong Hyo-jin’s kiss scenes in SBS drama “It’s Ok, That’s Love” are gaining attention online.　In the seventh episode, the two main characters admitted they had romantic feelings for each other and had affectionate scenes that made viewers anticipate further developments in the couple’s relationship.The drama is broadcast every Wednesday and Thursday on SBS. By Kim Min-jin, Intern reporter (minjin103@heraldcorp.com)

Aug. 18, 2014

Jay Park seizes China’s attention

Singer Jay Park successfully held showcases in Shanghai and Chengdu, China, over the weekend, his management agency said on Monday.“Park met his fans in China for the first time from Saturday to Sunday through his China showcase,” SidusHQ management agency said.The singer started the showcase with his newest song “Metronome,” which was released in April. Park proceeded to put on passionate performances of songs including “I Got You Back,” “Star,” “Joah,” “Girl Friend,” and “Let’s Make Up.”Accord

Aug. 18, 2014

Kim Hyun-joong woos Chinese fans

Singer Kim Hyun-joong proved his popularity in China during his world tour concert on Saturday.After visiting three Japanese cities -- Yokohama, Osaka and Hiroshima -- Kim started his tour in China by performing for about 5,000 fans in Shanghai.The singer’s visit to China received exceptional attention from fans since it was his first in two years, following his Asia tour fan meeting in 2012.(KEYEAST)During the concert, Kim performed 20 songs, including the tracks “Beauty Beauty” and “His Habit”

Aug. 18, 2014

Bubbly girls of Sistar pose in photo shoot

   The girls of K-pop idol group Sistar, who have topped the charts with their new song “Touch My Body,” posed for fashion magazine Ceci. The idols were bubbly and sweet for the shoot, titled “Girl’s Happy Party,” and appeared in various bright-colored outfits. The whole pictorial can be seen in the September issue of Ceci.By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: Ceci)

Aug. 18, 2014

Lee Jong-suk’s charismatic fashion shooting

   Actor Lee Jong-suk posed for fashion magazine InStyle Man. The actor gave off a sexy charm and manly charisma, while wearing casual knits and dandy pants. The whole editorial and interview given by Lee can bee seen in the first issue of InStyle Man, published today. By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: InStyle Man)

Aug. 18, 2014

[Herald Review] Under the ocean, ugliest side of human desire

Moviegoers have seen quite a lot of the sea this summer, as ocean-themed films filled the silver screen. Period action flick “Roaring Currents” showed Adm. Yi Sun-sin’s historic victory, while comedy action flick “The Pirates” depicted imaginary and colorful pirates in search of a whale that swallowed the Joseon royal seal. Nothing like the first two films, “Sea Fog” presents a grim but realistic look at the ocean, depicting human greed lying under the surface. “Through the life of six crew memb

FilmAug. 17, 2014

‘Roaring Currents’ sells record 13.62m tickets

A homegrown action film about a 16th-century Korean naval hero’s astonishing victory against Japan gathered more than 13.62 million in attendance at home, a local box-office tracker said Saturday.The Korean Film Council said “Roaring Currents” became the most-watched movie at theaters in the country as of Friday, breaking the previous record held by Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar” that gathered 13.62 million.The record came a day after “Roaring Currents” became the most-watched South Korean-made

FilmAug. 17, 2014

Michael Cera releases ‘honest’ folk album

NEW YORK (AP) ― Michael Cera released an indie folk album last week ― quietly, in a way almost as unassuming as the actor himself. “I would record a lot of the songs in the middle of the night just at home. I never thought anyone would ever listen to them,” he said in an interview Thursday. “It’s really nice that people are paying any attention to it because there’s a lot of stuff to listen to.” The 26-year-old, whose TV and film credits include “Arrested Development,” “Juno” and “Superbad,” dro

PerformanceAug. 17, 2014

Queen, Lady Gaga light up music festivals

Last weekend was heaven for music lovers in Korea, with the nation’s last two major summer music festivals taking place back to back for three days in Seoul.With Korean Independence Day falling on a Friday this year, Super Sonic 2014 kicked off the long weekend on Thursday, followed by the inaugural AIA Real Life: Now Festival 2014 on Friday and Saturday.In line with the local festivities, some of the biggest names in music including legendary rock band Queen and international pop star Lady Gaga

Aug. 17, 2014

Last stop on the Kimchi Bus

SAO PAULO ― Traveling around a foreign continent for 100 days is challenging enough. Throw in a tight schedule, a rickety old minibus and a fridge full of fermented cabbage, and you have yourself a Kimchi Bus tour. After two road trips through more than 140 cities in Europe, Russia, North America, Japan and Korea since 2011, the little red bus is on its third and final adventure ― to Latin America, where its team is seeking out the origins of the chili pepper that gives kimchi its spicy zing. Th

CultureAug. 17, 2014

‘I no longer hate TVXQ’: JYJ’s Yoochun

Yoochun, actor and member of K-pop boy band JYJ, cautiously revealed his feelings about his former group TVXQ in an interview with a local daily.　The singer-turned-actor had an interview with the Korean media outlet Edaily on Aug. 13 shortly before the release of his new film “Sea Fog” released the same day. 　In the interview, he was asked how he felt about his former band TVXQ and its members.  (OSEN)“I hope the five of us can do well in our position. I don’t know when, but it would be cool if

Aug. 17, 2014

Winner stages debut on TV music show

Rookie K-pop group Winner made its debut TV performance with songs “Empty” and “Color Ring” on the SBS music show “Inkigayo” on Sunday.　The members of the idol group, wearing trendy suits, received a big round of applause for their flawless performances and skillful manners onstage. 　Winner dropped its debut EP “2014 S/S” on Aug. 12 and made its official debut with an onstage performance at the AIA Real Life: Now Festival 2014 on Aug. 15. 　 (SBS)Winner’s debut track “Empty” has drawn positive re

Aug. 17, 2014

Junsu reveals selfies taken in Hong Kong

K-pop boy band JYJ’s Junsu released his selfies taken in Hong Kong on his Twitter Sunday. 　In one photo, Junsu is making a heart sign with his arms with Hong Kong’s night view in the background. In the other, he is getting his hair trimmed in a beauty salon. 　JYJ made its way to Hong Kong on Aug. 15 as part of its Asia concert tour “The Return of The King” following the release of its latest album “Just Us” on July 29. The trio will head to China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand to continue the t

Aug. 17, 2014

'Roaring Currents' viewers surpass record 13.62 mln

A homegrown action film about a 16th-century Korean naval hero's astonishing victory against Japan gathered more than 13.62 million in attendance at home, a local box-office tracker said Saturday.The Korean Film Council said "Roaring Currents" became the most-watched movie at theaters in the country as of Friday, breaking the previous record held by Hollywood blockbuster "Avatar" that gathered 13.62 million.The record came a day after "Roaring Currents" became the most-watched South Korean-made

FilmAug. 16, 2014

Never giving up

This is the 12th in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.While Toy may not yet be a household name, fans of Korean hip-hop have certainly become more curious about her after a recent stint on Mnet’s rap audition program “Show Me the Money 3.” She is the first foreigner to make the last 16 on the show and despite getting a disappointing amount of screen time, she made it to the top 12. After the surge in interest, a

PerformanceAug. 14, 2014

Classical music lineup in August

Is August really the low season for classical music in Korea? If one judges it by the number of big-name international orchestras and solo instrumentalists coming here to perform, it may be true. But that opens up the opportunity for Korean orchestras and musicians, which, at other times of the year, struggle to get the chance to perform in the city’s most prestigious concert halls. From the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra giving a preview concert before a European tour, to a brand-new ensemble’s d

PerformanceAug. 14, 2014

Amy Bloom’s ‘Lucky Us’ leaves little to care about

“There is no such thing as a good writer and a bad liar,” Amy Bloom wrote in her 1999 short story “The Story,” which remains my favorite of all her work. It’s a vivid bit of double vision, Bloom commenting on the process of storytelling even as she engages in it, and it suggests an edge, a brittle humor that I associate with her. In “The Story,” Bloom describes a widow, coming to terms with new neighbors she calls the Golddust Twins ― until, halfway through, she changes direction, bringing her n

BooksAug. 14, 2014

Book artist probes act, art of reading

Peter Mendelsund’s “What We See When We Read” may be the liveliest, most entertaining and best illustrated work of phenomenology you’ll pick up this year.An acclaimed book-jacket designer and art director, Mendelsund investigates, through words and pictures, what we see when we read text and where those images come from.His breakdown of the reading and visualizing processes yields many insights.For example, readers of Tolstoy may feel intimately acquainted with Anna Karenina, but that doesn’t me

BooksAug. 14, 2014

Ted Hope tells of indie filmmaking

Hope for Film: From the Frontlines of the Independent Cinema RevolutionsBy Ted Hope with Anthony Kaufman (Soft Skull)Ted Hope’s new book “Hope for Film” is part memoir, part manual, part manifesto as it traces his long career in independent filmmaking, mostly and most notably as a producer but more recently with a brief excursion into the nonprofit world and then onto the evolving interface of technology, creation and distribution.Eagle-eyed readers will spot the plurals in the subtitle, “From t

BooksAug. 14, 2014