Jung Yun-ho devotes himself in sword practice for ‘The Night Watchman’

The upcoming MBC drama “The Night Watchman” on Friday revealed behind-the-scenes photos of actor and idol group TVXQ member Jung Yun-ho.In the drama, Jung plays the skillful swordsman Moosuk. According to local reports, the staff of the drama spotted him devoting himself to sword practice for his character.The released photos show Jung practicing his sword skills in the scorching summer heat. His sharp eyes show the strength and dignity of a swordsman.The Monday-Tuesday drama will air from Aug.

July 25, 2014

‘Madama Butterfly’ ballet removed from KNB 2015 lineup

After falling on harsh public and media criticism, the country’s premiere of the much-anticipated and widely publicized ballet production of “Madama Butterfly” has been removed from the Korean National Ballet’s 2015 season lineup. On Wednesday representatives of KNB released its final lineup for next year, which does not include its originally scheduled season opener “Madama Butterfly.” A scene from Innsbruck Dance Company’s production of “Madama Butterfly.” (Credia)The Austria-based Innsbruck D

PerformanceJuly 24, 2014

Mayfield opens business hotel in Dongdaemun

A suite in Mayplace Seoul Dongdaemun (Mayplace Seoul Dongdaemun)The Mayfield Hotel and Resort opened its first business hotel Mayplace in Dongdaemun, Seoul on Thursday.Mayplace is located within walking distance to major tourist spots in the capital such as Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. It’s also close to the shopping districts of Dongdaemun, Myeongdong and Insa-dong. “The location, outstanding service and reasonable price make the hotel an attractive accommodation option for both l

TravelJuly 24, 2014

Joseon royal’s endeavor for longevity

In 1879, 5-year-old crown prince Sunjong was diagnosed with smallpox, a disease that claimed many lives during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). But the prince began to show signs of improvement, and his father King Gojong hosted a party when the royal doctor confirmed his full recovery. That feast is displayed on an eight-panel folding screen at the National Palace Museum of Korea, in a special exhibition on Joseon’s royal medicine. “The Birth, Aging, Illness and Death of the Royal Family of the

CultureJuly 24, 2014

[Herald Review] ‘Dracula’: Blood, love and a red-haired Jun-su

More than two hours before showtime on Wednesday afternoon, Seoul Arts Center’s opera theater was already brimming with people ― predominantly young women. The kiosk that sells official souvenirs had a long line, although it wasn’t open yet. The manager at a lobby cafe shared how her business was booming thanks to the early birds, many of whom munched on sandwiches and muffins at her shop while waiting for the show to start. Much of the enthusiasm might be attributed to K-pop group JYJ member Ki

CultureJuly 24, 2014

It’s a Barbie world

This is the ninth in a series highlighting women and their accomplishments in the various facets of the Korean entertainment industry. ― Ed.Stacy Oh is the manager for quite possibly one of the best-known celebrities in the world: Barbie.And while most may not think of Barbie or other Mattel brands such as Monster High as celebrities, Oh says that with the way companies are incorporating entertainment content into their brands and promotions, more characters are reaching celebrity status.“People

CultureJuly 24, 2014

MC Mong to drop first album in 5 years

MC Mong. (IS Entertainment Group)Well-known hip-hop artist and entertainer MC Mong announced that he would return to his musical roots for the first time in four years with the release of a new album this year.MC Mong is reported to have signed an exclusive contract with entertainment agency Wellmade Yedang and is working on an album to be released in September or October. The star’s last album release was his fifth studio album “Humanimal” in 2009. Shortly after, he was caught up in a legal sca

July 24, 2014

Singer Yoo Chae-yeong dies of gastric cancer

Singer and actress Yoo Chae-yeong died Thursday following a months-long battle against advanced gastric cancer. She was 41. According to her agency 150 Entertainment, Yoo was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer last October and battled against her critical condition until Thursday, when she passed away in the Severance Hospital in Sinchon-dong, Seoul. Yoo Chae-yeong. (150 Entertainment)“Her husband and other family (members) stayed by her side until the last moment,” the agency said. “She did

July 24, 2014

‘The Novel: A Biography’ captures life, history, connections of literature

Michael Schmidt’s massive new book, “The Novel: A Biography,” covers nearly 700 years of prose and hundreds of writers. At 1,200 pages, it is much longer than “Moby-Dick” and nearly as long as “War and Peace.” Although it’s not necessarily the last word on any given novel, as a resource, reference and stimulator, it’s a bargain and a worthy addition to your home library.While Schmidt, born in Mexico, has long been a professor in the United Kingdom, his approach is not academic. He writes for com

BooksJuly 24, 2014

‘All I Love and Know’ tackles social issues

The considerable power of Judith Frank’s second novel, “All I Love and Know,” comes from two sources not always found in combination: first, the seriousness of the social issues it takes on, and second, its psychological, nearly Jamesian style, following its characters tick by tick through their emotions and thoughts. The merger is a success, providing a nuanced and profound approach to politically volatile subject matter, like an upmarket Jodi Picoult.“All I Love and Know” opens on a flight to

BooksJuly 24, 2014

‘World of Trouble’ shows planet before impending destruction

World of TroubleBen H. Winters (Quirk Books)How would you behave if it were the end of the world?In “World of Trouble,” Detective Hank Palace has only 14 days to live and a mystery to solve ― what happened to his younger sister, Nico?Palace is not the only one with 14 days remaining. Everyone on earth has just two weeks to live since an asteroid, 2011GV, or Maia, is going to strike the planet, causing mass devastation.“Because these auburn Midwestern trees are going to burst into flames in the f

BooksJuly 24, 2014

‘Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands’ follows life on run after disaster

Close Your EyesHold Hands/By Chris Bohjalian (Doubleday) Emily Shepard’s famous namesake once wrote that “The Soul selects her own Society ― Then ― shuts the Door.” Shepard, the runaway Vermont teenager who narrates Chris Bohjalian’s new novel, “Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands,” is just as choosy.Surprisingly, one of the few companions that Shepard ― a cutter, dope smoker and OxyContin popper, and sometimes a reluctant “prositot” for truckers ― selects is Emily Dickinson, the Belle of Amherst. Shepa

BooksJuly 24, 2014

Paris Hilton names G-Dragon as her favorite musician

American socialite Paris Hilton said on a TV show that her favorite Korean artist is G-Dragon of K-pop boy band Big Bang.  “Among Korean musicians, I like G-Dragon,” the Hilton heiress said during StoryOn’s “True Live Show.” The two met once onstage at the Mnet Asian Music Awards in 2013, when she handed over the trophy for the year’s best singer to G-Dragon. Hilton then praised him as a talented, cool man on her Twitter page. 　On the cable TV show scheduled to be aired on July 25, the big-name

TelevisionJuly 24, 2014

Jay Park to return with new track ‘Na Na’

Park Jae-beom, widely known as Jay Park, is returning to the K-pop scene with his EP “Na Na” in late July, four months after the release of “Metronome” last April. Park’s self-composed song, armed with unstoppable hooks and a mellow melody, will be reminiscent of a summer night party, his agency said Thursday. The new track is to drop on July 25 through local music streaming charts. The 27-year-old American artist debuted as a member of K-pop boy band 2PM in 2008, but left the team two years lat

July 24, 2014

EXO D.O. adds bromance to “It’s Okay, That’s Love”

Actor Jo In-sung and singer-actor D.O. of EXO attend the press conference for SBS’ new rom-com series “It’s Okay, That’s Love” in Seoul, July 15. (SBS)D.O. of K-pop boy band EXO flaunted pure, boyish charms in his screen debut on television series “It’s Okay, That’s Love,” Wednesday on SBS. The singer played Han Gang-woo, a writer-aspirant and enthusiast of professional detective novelist Jang Jae-yeol, played by Jo In-sung. The “boy-man chemistry” gained attention from watchers, adding to the f

July 24, 2014

Kissing big-nosed people like Jo In-sung is difficult: Gong

Actress Gong Hyo-jin (top) and actor Jo In-sung appear on SBS's "Midnight TV Entertainment" on Wednesday. (SBS)Actress Gong Hyo-jin said she had a hard time kissing actor Jo In-sung in her latest rom-com “It’s Okay, That’s Love” because of his “big nose.” The rom-com queen said, “His nose is so big that it keeps poking my eyes during the kiss scene,” driving the audience into laughter during SBS talk show “Midnight TV Entertainment” on Wednesday. Jo, although embarrassed, immediately struck back

July 24, 2014

‘Kundo’ breaks box-office record on opening day

“Kundo: Age of the Rampant” drew a record-high 550,000 viewers on its first day in theaters, heralding a rise of historical action films.The Korean historical film dwarfed the U.S. fantasy animation “How to Train Your Dragon 2” that drew 72,000 viewers, according to the state-funded Korea Film Council. Both films launched on Wednesday.“Kundo,” directed by Yoon Jong-bin and starring Ha Jung-woo and Gang Dong-won, replaces the former record movies “Transformer: Dark of the Moon (2011)” starring Sh

July 24, 2014

Yim Si-wan shows off dandy character

Yim Si-wan, an actor and K-pop idol, posed for fashion magazine MUINE. He can be seen in a light blue suit with a white shirt and grey sweater. Yim currently appears in the drama “Triangle.”By Cho Han-na, Intern reporter (hnncho@heraldcorp.com)(Photo credit: MUINE )

July 24, 2014

Park Shin-hye shines at airport

South Korea actress Park Shin-hye‘s photos taken at the airport were revealed on Thursday.Park’s agency SALT Entertainment released two photos of her that show off her fashion sense. 　In the photos taken at the airports in Korea and Japan, Park is wearing black-and-white striped shirts with a matching handbag and blue shoes. She was on her way to the two-day “2014 Story of Angel in Japan” fan meetings held in Tokyo and Osaka from July 19. 　Park continues her fan meeting Asia tour in China, Taiwa

July 24, 2014

JYJ‘s Jaejoong holds farewell party for costar Oh Yeon-soo

Jaejoong of K-pop boy band JYJ posted several pictures taken with the cast of the MBC drama “Triangle” at a farewell party for his costar Oh Yeon-soo. “Before we send off Yeon-soo to the U.S., we gathered at home and had a good time,” Jaejoong wrote on his Twitter on Thursday.  “Regardless of results or process, I appreciate that I could work on this drama that helped me meet good people,” he added. In the photos, the cast and crew are dressed casually, having beer and snacks at Jaejoong‘s home.

July 24, 2014